Tomb of the Sea Episode 34 Recap
> Tomb of the Sea Recap
Li Cu and his companions found themselves back in the white sands, at what Li Cu believed to be the entrance to GuTongJing, though he was unsure where to go next. Liang Wan grew increasingly reliant on Li Cu, while still acting like an elder sister to the other two. Noticing this, the other two quickly made excuses and left, leaving Liang Wan and Li Cu alone.
Liang Wan confided in Li Cu, asking him to stay close to her the following day, regardless of what dangers they might face, before retreating into her tent. As Li Cu sat by the campfire, Su Wan joined him. Li Cu expressed his profound fear and the immense pressure he felt, noting that previous adventures with Wu Xie had been different, as Wu Xie always took charge.
This time, with everyone relying on him, he felt overwhelmed, especially after several close calls. Looking up at the sky, they noticed mysterious lights. Su Wan immediately recognized them as phosphorescence, suggesting that countless dead bodies were buried beneath the sand, their decomposing matter causing the light. Li Cu observed that the phosphorescence formed outlines of varying density, resembling a pattern. Su Wan deduced these were the contours of immense ancient structures hidden beneath the desert.
Comparing the patterns to Li Cu's architectural drawings and maps, they confirmed they were indeed at the entrance of GuTongJing. Suddenly, a mysterious figure emerged from the distance. Su Wan, fearing it was a ghost, woke Yang Hao, believing him to be their most capable fighter. The three knelt in fright, even preparing paper money to appease what they thought was a spirit.
Li Cu bravely threw the paper money towards the figure, who then removed his mask, revealing himself to be Wu Xie. Li Cu was astonished to see Wu Xie alive and well, questioning how he had survived the black hairy boa’s poison. Wu Xie revealed that he had merely been acting; he was never poisoned because he had Tianxin stone powder on him, which repelled the snake cypress and black hairy boas.
He explained that Master Black had previously put the same powder in Li Cu's bag, enabling his safe escape. The underground trucks, originally used to transport Tianxin stones, were later used to form a defensive perimeter around the lake, as the snake cypress avoided them.
Wu Xie sat with them by the fire and clarified that he had orchestrated everything, including the events with Huang Yan, to protect Li Cu from becoming a target due to the marks on his back. He also confirmed that Li Cu's father was now under his protection, but claimed he knew nothing about Shen Qiong. Wu Xie explained that the true purpose of their journey was to reach an ancient city at the core of GuTongJing.
Centuries ago, a skilled geomancer of the Han Dynasty had depicted its underground structure, and this ancient map was now contained within Liang Wan's memory. Previous attempts by ancient people and even Grandpa Buddha Zhang 70 years ago to restore GuTongJing for its treasures had failed, leading Grandpa Buddha Zhang to personally seal it. Wu Xie emphasized that Liang Wan's map was crucial for their survival and instructed Li Cu to survive the next three days.
During this time, he was to accomplish one task: join a specific group of people they would encounter in three days and locate their headquarters. With these instructions, Wu Xie departed. Following Li Cu's previous markings, the group descended into an underground space unfamiliar to Li Cu. Liang Wan, consulting her memory, identified it as a ventilation chamber, part of an air conditioning system, with a sand filter tank.
She located a door on her mental map, but it was rusted shut. She explained that this was not a sealed room, implying another exit. Suddenly, Su Wan cried out, having been bitten by something in an "indescribable place." Liang Wan quickly administered medication, confirming the presence of snakes. Yang Hao discovered an open barrel filled with black hairy boa eggs, realizing these were the items the trucks had been transporting. Recognizing the danger, Liang Wan analyzed their environment.
She noted they were deep underground and situated on the central axis of what she believed to be an ancient city, prompting Li Cu to deduce this was no coincidence, given Wu Xie's deliberate placement of them. The rusted door led to a sand-proof passage 20 meters away, but it was choked with white sands. Two ventilation systems were present, but their pipes were only 30 centimeters in diameter, too small for them to pass through.
She theorized that another exit existed within the water pool, a channel leading to another area, but its precise location was unknown. Convinced that Wu Xie would not lead them to a dead end, Li Cu volunteered to search for a way out. He soon returned, having found an exit, but reported it was infested with black hairy boas and a large white boa.
As he spoke, the massive white boa appeared behind him, terrifying the group and flinging Su Wan aside. Li Cu, recalling that snakes feared fire, ignited a makeshift torch, driving back the white boa. However, more black hairy boas emerged from the water, and the white boa reappeared, forcing Li Cu to continue fighting as Su Wan grew weaker from his injury and the overwhelming situation. The fire soon died, plunging them into darkness.
Li Cu then found himself in an illusory space where Su Wan was mesmerized by glittering treasures. A white-clad stranger appeared, explaining that this space operated on a principle of exchange: to take anything from it, a sacrifice was required. A spinning dial would point to an organ that one must leave behind in exchange for the riches. Li Cu refused to participate.
Realizing this was a hypnotic dream induced by the white boa, Su Wan pricked himself awake, warning Li Cu about the snake's wicked, hypnotizing nature and pricking Li Cu to keep him alert. Li Cu then instructed Su Wan to play his saxophone to lure the snake cypress, which quickly arrived and engaged in a fierce battle with the black hairy boas.
As Li Cu and Su Wan watched from behind a rock, Su Wan's watch chimed, startling the snake cypress, which seized Li Cu. Just then, Master Black and Su Wan arrived. Su Wan explained that he had been caught by a snake cypress above ground and Master Black had rescued him, after which they came down the hole to find Li Cu. Master Black then revealed he had been waiting for them below all along.
Sent by Wu Xie, Master Black announced that he was there to protect them and convey some critical information. Meanwhile, in a separate development, many prominent figures from the Jiu Men, including members of the Huo and Chen families, gathered for Xie Yuchen's funeral. Chief Chen expressed surprise at Zhang Rishan's presence, wondering how he had so quickly escaped the underground palace.
Despite the official news of Xie Yuchen's demise at the hands of the Wang Clan, many attendees, including some from the Huo family, harbored doubts, speculating that his death might be part of a larger scheme.
