Hogwarts: Bloodline Legend

As Ian stepped into the rectangular tomb chamber, the stone slab beneath him emitted a slight "crack."

"Ah, classic." He raised an eyebrow, glanced at the sunken brick underfoot, and then looked around—walls riddled with tiny holes that could trigger trypophobia.

And it was as if countless pairs of eyes were watching outsiders from within the darkness.

Inside.

All were scarabs.

"Good stuff!"

Ian naturally felt extremely excited.

He was not an archaeologist, nor a tomb robber, but a Master of Magic Potions. To him, these holes were not a hair-raising horror scene but a treasure vault filled with magic potion materials.

For this reason, as a Master of Magic Potions, Ian did not feel fear. On the contrary, he was very delighted, ancient resources were abundant, and scarabs were extremely rare species in later generations.

Advanced potion indeed.

"Quick! Come on! Darlings!"

Ian knew exactly what to do. He chose to approach the central sarcophagus, adorned with turquoise, clearly indicating the wealth or nobility of the deceased inside.

Scarabs were a sort of burial trap.

Here it comes.

Ian had just started to move.

Rumble——!

From the holes in the walls came an eerie rustling sound, like thousands of tiny metal claws scraping against stone. The next second, a wave of black insects surged forth!

The bronze-colored scarabs, each roughly the size of a fist. Their carapaces shone with a metallic sheen, mandibles sharp as blades, with a clicking sound from their six legs that set one's teeth on edge.

"Zzz~" The scarabs chirped, pouring in from all directions like a tide, quickly covering the floor of the entire chamber, crawling frantically toward Ian!

However, faced with a scene that would chill the bones of any tomb robber, Ian's eyes brightened, and his mouth couldn't help but curl into a smile—his heart bursting with joy.

"Yes, just like that, quickly, come into my crucible." Ian, unhurried, drew out his magic wand, channeling magic power and lightly waved it.

"Soporifus Totalus."

This was an advanced magic spell extended from the Stupefy spell, with a mass stunning effect, not only effective for humans but also tremendously effective for all forms of life.

The magic spell rose into the air.

Instantly turning into a thin violet mist.

Enveloping the entire tomb chamber.

The scarabs at the forefront suddenly faltered, their six legs entangling, and then they collapsed to the ground with a "thud," their carapaces gently opening and closing, as if drunk. The swarm behind hadn't yet reacted, colliding one after another into the companions in front, and then they too toppled over.

With legs upturned, unable to move, or rather, totally incapable of movement, all were plunged into a slumber. In just a few seconds, the once menacing insect tide had turned into a "drunken" carpet.

Some still twitched their legs, but posed no threat at all—living, slumbering scarabs often had better effects than those already dried.

Ian's magic spell could put these creatures to sleep until their next life, only dispelling the stupor when he needed to in order to process them, ensuring the utmost preservation of the scarab's efficacy.

"Perfect."

Ian nodded in satisfaction, bent down, carefully observing the dazed scarabs. He picked one up casually, examining its shell intently.

His eyes revealed a professional gaze.

"This one's big, should be potent." he said, carefully placing this scarab into his magic potion material bag.

Then, he picked up another scarab and shook his head: "This one's stunted but can still be used."

Saying so.

The little wizard put it into the bag as well.

He then picked out an exceptionally plump scarab: "Wow! An exquisite 'Moon Eclipse Beetle,' with natural runes on its abdomen, its addition can temporarily obscure one's aura!"

Ian grew more excited with each pick, even humming a tune. He sorted the scarabs like picking crabs at a market, placing each into different crystal bottles.

"This one can make 'Steel Skin' potion…"

"This one fits 'Poison Resistance' formula…"

"This one… huh? A mutant species?!"

He suddenly fixed his eyes on a distinctly different scarab—the carapace wasn't bronze but a profound dark red, with a faint Eye of Horus pattern on its back.

"A Horus-blessed Scarab King?!" Ian gasped, "This thing's extinct in later generations! Just one could trade for a store in Diagon Alley!"

He carefully placed this "Insect King" into a gold-rimmed crystal bottle, thoughtfully adding a piece of moonlight grass and something to enhance the beetle's life force.

"Easy now, don't die, you're a rare breed." Ian expertly and methodically moved, as if conducting a delicate surgery. As he collected scarabs, he continued observing the surroundings. After collecting the scarabs from the floor, Ian eagerly gazed at the holes in the walls.

The insides of the holes were unusually smooth, as if frequently used. Ian gently explored with his fingers, feeling the depth of the holes and the direction of their extension outwards.

He discovered these holes were not simple cavities but connected to some complex ventilation system, unsure if it was due to the scarabs' need for air.