Chapter 2939: Chapter 2938: The Outer Hall and Mechanisms

After Lin Dong put away the General Armor, Dracula led him and Ye Linglong forward.

Dracula unfolded a pair of blood-red wings, flying ahead, leading Lin Dong and Ye Linglong to continue their exploration of the Ancient General Tomb.

His speed was slow, eyes flickering with caution. Logically, since he had been here once before, he shouldn’t need to be so cautious.

"This grand Great Hall is actually just the Outer Hall of the vast system of the Ancient General Tomb." Dracula’s voice was deep and magnetic, as if it could pierce through the dust of history, striking directly at the heart.

"The last time I stepped into this place, I didn’t encounter such a powerful General Armor Guardian as I did just now. This encounter indeed took me by surprise."

"Perhaps during my absence, other adventurers seeking power or treasure might have entered here, triggering certain mechanisms that led to this series of changes. But no matter what, we must be more cautious to avoid unnecessary danger."

Upon hearing this, Lin Dong and Ye Linglong both nodded solemnly.

Lin Dong’s gaze flickered with a peculiar light, clearly showing that he never shies away from unknown challenges.

He asked softly, "Then, do you have any clues or memories about the path after this Great Hall?"

Dracula smiled slightly, a calm and confident expression achieved through experience.

"Of course, I spent a whole month in this ancient tomb, eventually deciphering the path to the Inner Hall through various ancient documents and mechanical puzzles."

His tone carried a subtle pride, for it was no easy feat to solve such complex puzzles alone over such a long time.

Ye Linglong listened intently, occasionally glancing at Lin Dong. She rarely spoke; all decisions were made by Lin Dong.

After all, her strength was indeed inadequate. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Noticing her gaze, Dracula smiled gently and turned his attention to Lin Dong with a suggestion:

"Lin Dong, since you also have considerable research into mechanical techniques, why not try to independently decipher the upcoming path? Of course, it’s just a suggestion, and regardless of the outcome, we will ultimately proceed together."

This was initially a casual joke from Dracula, carrying a hint of challenge and comparison, but without pressure.

However, unexpectedly, Lin Dong did not hesitate at all. Instead, he responded with a cheerful smile, saying:

"Okay, since I have this opportunity, I will give it a try."

Lin Dong’s words were filled with confidence and determination, as if finding the mechanical door was a mere trifle for him.

At this moment, Dracula’s eyes flickered, too, and he felt a sense of comparison.

"Lin Dong, naturally I can’t give you a month to search for the mechanism here. I’ll give you three days. If you can find it within three days, I, Dracula, will admit defeat."

Lin Dong waved his hand; he was searching for mechanisms not to earn Dracula’s admiration.

What did his admiration count for?

Lin Dong agreed to search for mechanisms here because he had his own plans.

He had already researched mechanisms and formations, and now getting more exposure in this Ancient General Tomb was naturally beneficial to him.

Moreover, it was crucial—he didn’t want the path ahead to be entirely handed over to Dracula.

Thus, understanding the mechanisms here was also a precaution against Dracula.

After deciding to try independently finding the way to the Inner Hall, Lin Dong slowly closed his eyes.

He then took a deep breath and suddenly opened them, his eyes shimmering with peculiar light.

That was his unique "Eye of Insight," a special ability to penetrate appearances and see the essence.

Under the gaze of these eyes, no detail of the Great Hall could escape notice.

The Great Hall remained ancient and splendid, every part revealing the bleakness of time and the depth of history.

The floor was meticulously made from rare Mystic Iron Stone, so solid that even a full-force strike from a Heavenly Realm Martial Artist would not leave a single crack.

The walls were similarly forged from Mystic Iron Stone, forming a perfect circle encasing the three tightly within.

If viewed from above, it was like three tiny beings trapped within a massive circular iron bucket, mysterious and lonely.

Lin Dong began diligently searching along the wall, his Eye of Insight sweeping over every inch of stone, endeavoring to find any possible traces of a mechanism.

Time passed minute by minute; even with his extraordinary ability, he could not find any clues on the seemingly flawless wall.

"Could it be that the way forward does not lie within the walls?" Lin Dong pondered internally.

Normally, mechanisms in secret chambers often hide within the walls; triggering them opens hidden doors leading elsewhere.

But this Great Hall seemed to defy this convention, elusive and unfathomable.

Unwilling to give up, Lin Dong redirected his focus to the ground.

He moved cautiously, each step carefully taken, fearing he might miss any potential clue.

At this moment, his Eye of Insight unexpectedly captured an unusual breath.

It was in the dark zone where the General Armor had just appeared, a barely noticeable anomaly.

"Seems like the mechanism is there!" Lin Dong felt a stir within, a smile appearing on his face.

Without hesitation, he headed towards that dark area.

Behind him, Ye Linglong followed closely.

At this moment, her reliance on and trust in Lin Dong was absolute; even if he led her to hell, she would follow without a moment’s hesitation.

As for Dracula, seeing Lin Dong heading towards that place, his eyes flickered in shock.

"Did he find the key to solving it so quickly?" Dracula muttered, "Or is he heading there just by chance?"

Soon, Lin Dong showed him through his actions.

It wasn’t by chance.

Lin Dong truly had the strength.

Lin Dong’s steps came to a halt in front of the dark area where the General Armor had just appeared.

His Eye of Insight locked onto a slight anomaly on the ground.

The anomaly was not obvious; without his extraordinary observational skills, it would be hard to notice.

It was a Mystic Iron Stone plate that seemed no different from the surroundings, yet in Lin Dong’s eyes, it subtly emitted a faint, almost invisible light.

As if it were an ancient mechanism long dormant, waiting for a destined person to awaken it.

A peculiar sensation surged within Lin Dong as he cautiously extended his finger, gently touching the stone plate.

The touch was cold and hard, and a drop of fresh blood fell on it.

With the blood drop on it, a weak but clear energy fluctuation spread along his finger, resonating with some ancient power.

"Boom～～"

A deep and long rumbling suddenly sounded, causing the entire Great Hall to tremble slightly.

Lin Dong, Dracula, and Ye Linglong involuntarily took a few steps back, eyes fixed on the ground where the change occurred.

Only to see the originally indestructible Mystic Iron Stone plate slowly sink, revealing a deep hole, below which was a stone stairway paved with bluestone, straight and downward, disappearing into deep darkness.