This outcome was unexpected for him too.
He originally thought that just one of them was a spy, but it turned out they were spies as a group.
From Gao Yang's narrative, it seems he might have long been in contact with Fu Xiaochen and received a similar promise.
Tomb raiders who have been treasure hunting for years are indeed often bought by the Upper Sect. If they encounter a high-level opportunity, they can exchange such opportunities for a position in the Upper Sect, and some could promise spiritual talent.
Li Ji'an believed him, initially thinking it was for the Tier Three opportunity that he risked rallying manpower, only realizing after the third tomb chamber that the opportunity was beyond their grasp.
Perhaps they were also guarding against Wu Weixiong and others from leaving the tomb, retracting the blood contract, and hastily selling the tomb opportunity information to the Ten Thousand Laws Palace.
