Beyond the chamber, a narrow corridor twisted into darkness. Yang Xiang's torch flickered, shadows dancing wildly on the uneven walls. The journal's warnings echoed in his mind — the traps were real, deadly. As he stepped forward, a faint click sounded beneath his feet. A volley of darts shot from hidden holes in the walls, narrowly missing him.
His instincts took over. He darted sideways, scanning the passage for patterns, clues left by the ancient builders. Carefully, he traced the floor's worn tiles, stepping only where the stone was less weathered. The passage finally opened into a vast cavern filled with strange mechanical devices — wheels, levers, and gears, long rusted but still imposing.
Yang Xiang's hands trembled as he approached the control panel, deciphering symbols similar to those on the tablets. With a deep breath, he manipulated the levers in sequence. A grinding noise echoed as a massive stone door slowly lifted, revealing the path deeper into the earth.