My understanding is incredible: I gained enlightenment and immortality in the Kunlun Demon Kingdom

However, the stone chamber did not become calm. The other stone figures seemed to sense the fall of their leader, and their movements became more intense and chaotic, as if they were making a final struggle.

"How is it now?" Tian Siyao asked, panting heavily. Her voice was especially clear in the tense air.

She clutched the gemstone tightly, looked at Chen Ze, and awaited his evaluation.

Chen Ze stood in front, his gaze sweeping over each of the still-moving stone figures, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"The stone figures have lost unified command, but we must still be careful. Their attacks, though chaotic, are even more unpredictable."

Qin Miyue followed closely behind, her staff twirling in her hand, ready to cast a spell at any moment.

Her blue eyes reflected the shadows of the stone chamber, and her voice was calm and firm: "We need to find a way out; this won't be the final challenge."

The three exchanged glances, strengthened their resolve, and threw themselves back into battle.

Chen Ze's sword tip traced precise trajectories in the air, Tian Siyao's gemstone emitted a faint glow, and Qin Miyue's incantation, accompanied by a chilling aura, paved the way for their advance.

Suddenly, a corner of the stone chamber wall began to collapse, revealing a narrow passage.

Chen Ze's eyes immediately caught this change.

"There! We can use that as a retreat!"

“No, it’s not just a way out.” Tian Siyao stared intently at the newly appeared passage, her voice tinged with excitement. “There are energy fluctuations there, powerful ancient magic. We’re not retreating, we’re advancing, venturing deep into the heart of the ancient tomb.”

"Going deep into the lion's den is risky," Qin Miyue warned, but there was also a desire for exploration in her eyes.

"Risk and opportunity go hand in hand." Chen Ze gripped the hilt of his sword, then nodded. "The secret we've been searching for might be hidden there."

After making the decision, they did not immediately rush towards the passage.

Although the stone figures have lost unified command, they remain a huge threat, and arbitrary actions will only put them in a more dangerous situation.

The three maintained a tight defense, fighting as they slowly approached the passage.

"Hold on." Tian Siyao's voice was tense. She walked while emitting light from the gemstone, trying to probe the surrounding situation.

Chen Ze led the way, his sword flashing with each swing, while Qin Miyue provided support, her incantations constantly forming barriers in the air to resist the impact of the stone figures.

After a difficult battle, they finally approached the passage.

The air inside the stone chamber suddenly began to move, creating eerie gusts of wind.

It was an echo coming from the depths of the ancient tomb, as if something was calling to them, or perhaps warning them.

The battle inside the stone chamber did not lessen with the appearance of the passage; on the contrary, as the three approached the passage, the stone figures' attacks became even more frenzied.

Stones and dust swirled in the air, each collision seemingly a reminder of how unwilling this ancient tomb was to let the intruders go.

Chen Ze swung his sword, clearing a path to the passage. Sparks from the blade gleamed in the dim light. "Be careful not to engage the stone figures head-on. We need to get through with minimal effort." His words were concise and powerful, each syllable accompanying the rhythmic swing of his sword.

As instructed, Tian Siyao pointed the gemstone at the ground, releasing a beam of light that traced a safe path leading to the passage within the stone chamber.

As she operated the device, she shouted to Chen Ze and Qin Miyue, "Stay close to me, I've found a way."

Qin Miyue's staff shone brightly once more. After she chanted the incantation, barriers appeared around the three of them, providing them with protection.

“I can feel strong energy fluctuations in the passage,” her voice was calm under the protection of the barrier, but it also revealed a hint of solemnity. “This is not just a simple trap and stone figures.”

They were like ships sailing in a storm, struggling forward.

With each step forward, the stone figures seemed to grow even more enraged, with several even attempting to pounce on them from the ceiling.

As they drew closer to the entrance of the passage, the atmosphere in the stone chamber grew increasingly oppressive.

Chen Ze whirled around and blocked a flying boulder, preventing it from hitting Tian Siyao. "Are you alright?" he asked anxiously.

Tian Siyao nodded, her face covered in dust and sweat, but her eyes remained firm. "It's alright, keep going."

Finally, they reached the entrance to the passage, a narrow crevice barely wide enough for three people to pass side by side. Chen Ze entered first, his body appearing exceptionally robust in the confined space. The sounds emanating from the depths of the tomb grew clearer, a deep, muffled rumble, like both an ancient call and a warning.

Tian Siyao followed closely behind, her gemstone now dull and lifeless, clearly suppressed by some force within the ancient tomb, losing its luster. She had to concentrate even more intently on sensing her surroundings, just in case.

Qin Miyue walked at the back, constantly looking back warily at the stone figures behind them, making sure none of them could track them. "The magical structure here is extremely complex," she said after entering the passage. "We must be careful; any step could be a trap."

As the three ventured deeper, the passage gradually widened, becoming wide enough for them to walk side by side.

The air in the tomb was thick with a damp, ancient scent. As the three walked forward, the patterns on the walls gradually became more complex. These patterns seemed to tell the history of the tomb, yet were difficult for them, in their modern understanding, to comprehend. Chen Ze's forehead was covered in sweat, but his pace did not slow down in the slightest. The sword in his hand occasionally scraped against the wall, making a grating sound.

“Look,” Tian Siyao stopped and pointed to a mural on the wall, “I’ve seen these things somewhere before.”

Qin Miyue leaned closer to examine it; the tip of the staff emitted a faint light, illuminating the mural. "These are ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. I studied them in the library for a while. They seem to be telling a story about stars and gods."

The murals on the wall shone even brighter under Qin Miyue's light. Suddenly, one of the stars in the mural seemed to react to something and began to twinkle. Chen Ze gripped his sword hilt tightly, knowing that this was likely some kind of mechanism in the tomb.

Tian Siyao gently touched the twinkling star, and the mural suddenly changed. The stars seemed to come alive, forming a star map.

“This is… the Big Dipper in the night sky!” she exclaimed.

Qin Miyue looked up at Tian Siyao, her blue eyes sparkling with a longing for the unknown.

“I remember that the Big Dipper symbolized guidance and protection in ancient Egypt. This could be our clue.”

Chen Ze nodded in agreement. "Let's move forward, remaining vigilant. The star map might be our guide." (End of Chapter)