"Does this cave really exist?"
Zhulan caught her breath and moved forward slowly.
They entered the cave, walking through a stone corridor whose walls still bore traces of forgotten architecture. The air was cool, heavy with moisture, and an oppressive silence weighed upon them.
Then a dull sound echoed.
The ground trembled beneath their feet.
Mechanisms suddenly activated, hidden gears within the rock began to move with metallic clicks.
A stone wall fell behind them, blocking the entrance.
Zhulan took a step back, her heart pounding. BaiShe, however, remained impassive, his gaze following the imperceptible movements of the walls around them. Slabs rose, partitions slid, transforming the simple corridor into a shifting labyrinth.
There was no immediate escape.
Zhulan clenched her fists. Her body was not in a state to fight if another danger arose, and she knew she couldn't keep up with BaiShe if he decided to move quickly.
