Pillar of Yita

Looking at the suddenly appearing dark entrance, the three of them fell silent for a moment.

In most adventure stories, the appearance of a secret passage often signifies wealth or treasure, but in the current situation, it seems somewhat eerie. Why did the ascetic monks who built this monastery construct such a secret passage? Does it have any connection with the previous scene?

”Should we go down and take a look?” However, Mei didn’t seem tense, looking at the crack in the wall and asked.

Fang Hong shook his head, took out a Clockwork Fairy, tied a Crystal on it, and tapped the Crystal with his knuckle, causing it to emit light. He pulled down his Wind Goggles, released the fluttering silver Fairy, and let it fly down the passageway.

Although the Silver Bee has some night vision capabilities, the details are richer within the illumination scope of the Crystal. The passageway follows the steps downwards in a zigzag pattern. Soon, the Clockwork Fairy flew into a small room, where a sealed Stone Gate blocked the way ahead.

Fang Hong moved his Vision, glanced around the small space, confirmed there were no other oversights, and let the Clockwork Fairy fly back.

”We have to go down and take a look,” he replied. ”There’s a gate down below.”

”Want me to lead?” Mei asked.

”Let it handle,” Fang Hong controlled the Dragon Hunters to bend and step into the passageway, ”be careful, there might be traps inside. Miss Mei, you protect our retreat.”

”Alright, Mr. Ade.”

Passing through the passageway, Fang Hong’s suspicions were confirmed. As the three turned a corner, crossbow bolts suddenly shot from ceiling fissures, but fortunately, the Dragon Hunters covered most of the space. The bolts pinged against the metal Shell, few only passing through gaps without threatening those behind, merely grazing the stone walls.

But the designers of the secret passage seemed to have left only this trap, or perhaps other traps had aged and were no longer effective. They descended to the very bottom without encountering a second assault. Fang Hong checked the status of the Dragon Hunters; a few Crossbow Bolts were stuck in the Chest Armor but without significant damage.

Mei raised the Illumination Crystal, compared it with the height of torch holders on the wall, silently handed the Crystal to Luo Yu, who placed it atop. The pale light of the Crystal revealed the heavy and ancient Stone Gate. Miss Knight stepped forward to push it, but it didn’t budge.

”There’s definitely a way to open this gate,” she turned back and said.

Luo Yu thought for a moment, raised the Elemental Staff and lightly struck the ground. The stone chamber shivered slightly, an invisible ripple spread in all directions.

He appeared to listen closely, waited a moment, then pointed to the side, saying: ”There’s a gap behind that wall, Miss Mei.”

”This is an Earth System Spell?” Fang Hong approached from the Dragon Hunters’ side and asked, somewhat surprised.

Luo Yu nodded, though he mastered Water and Ice Spells, it didn’t mean he wasn’t versed in other magic systems, just less skilled in comparison.

Mei looked towards that direction, noticing a stone brick seemingly differing slightly from the others in the dim light, but hard to spot without careful observation. She approached, pressed it lightly; the brick sank down in response, the Stone Gate gradually pulling back.

The stone chamber filled with the pungent smell of dust, Luo Yu coughed twice before quietly chanting a curse, casting a Wind Making Technique to let fresh air flow into the underground.

Mei watched as the Stone Gate slowly receded, asking: ”Was this secret passage constructed for those ascetic monks of Milaila?”

Fang Hong had pondered this too, but since entering he gave up that thought—the style and materials of the passage differed evidently from the outside monastery, though it was unclear if it appeared before or after its construction.

He leaned towards the latter, speculating: which caretaker of the monastery built this passage after Milaila’s followers left? Was it a cellar for thieves to store loot?

He suddenly realized he hadn’t asked Luo Hao about the mysterious fire thirty years ago.

Thirty years ago, another big fire occurred elsewhere in Tarun, turning a city to ashes. That place was called Dolifen.

Opening the Communication Crystal, it only responded with static; evidently, magic below impeded communication. Fang Hong shook his head, putting away the Crystal complaining it worked intermittently, no wonder people said it was merely decorative.

He sent Luo Hao a private message via community, a backup communication method, though unsure when a reply might arrive. He looked up; the Stone Gate had slid into the wall, leaving no trace.

The space beyond the gate was not large.

But Fang Hong first saw a sword light.

It was a rust-covered Armor emerging from the shadows, resembling components held together by swirling black mist. It raised an Iron Gauntlet, wielding a Great Sword with both hands, sweeping towards the three outside the Stone Gate.

But a Kite Shield blocked the armor’s advance with a loud bang, the Great Sword slashed across the shield. It collapsed inward before breaking in half; Mei retreated two steps before halting her motion.