C28 Three Methods!

Lin Hao's confidence sent waves of joy through Ouyang Derong's heart.

He swiftly stepped aside, clearing a path for Lin Hao. "Hao, it's all on you now."

Truth be told, Lin Hao wasn't entirely certain, but the monitor had provided a rough decoding sequence, likely based on the wear and tear of the rivets on the bronze door.

There were three rivets, each with a different sequence. Whether or not he could pick the correct one was a gamble.

"Everyone, keep your distance. I can't guarantee this method will work, but I'll give it my best shot," Lin Hao declared, his face etched with seriousness.

"Lin Hao, you... please be careful!"

Qin Sisi's face was etched with concern.

Ouyang Derong had pulled her aside to a corner, distancing her from Lin Hao.

"Bro, it's all riding on you now!"

Lin Hao focused on the monitor's wiring diagram. He began with the first sequence, twisting the rivets. Once all three were turned, mechanical sounds echoed around them.

"It's moving, it's actually moving..."

Ouyang Derong couldn't contain his excitement.

He couldn't fathom why his own attempts at twisting the rivets had failed to trigger any mechanism, yet Lin Hao's efforts had produced the sound of gears in motion.

Lin Hao himself half-expected that he had stumbled upon the right combination by sheer luck.

Then, suddenly, two words flashed on the monitor.

Danger!

Instantly, a barrage of sharp arrows shot out from the wall crevices. Despite some of the bronze arrowheads being dislodged, their deadly force was undiminished, raining down on Lin Hao like a storm.

Lin Hao was no superhero; facing the prospect of being turned into a pincushion, he quickly curled up and dodged to the side.

A clatter of metal rang out, and when Lin Hao came to, he saw Qin Sisi with an ancient, battered shield raised in defense.

The shield, likely scavenged from the tomb, bore the brunt of the arrows' impact. Though it held, she was visibly shaking, her teeth clenched in determination.

"What are you waiting for? Get up, now!" Qin Sisi urged through gritted teeth.

Snapping to his senses, Lin Hao quickly rose, pulling Qin Sisi into his arms, and together they took refuge in the stone doorway's corner, using the shield to fend off the relentless arrows.

At last, the barrage of arrows ceased. Lin Hao's back was soaked with cold sweat as he gasped for air, releasing his grip and setting down the rough shield.

"Are you okay?" Lin Hao turned to check on Qin Sisi.

Biting her teeth, she responded, "I still owe you one!"

Lin Hao was taken aback, not expecting such words amidst such an intense moment.

Was she upset?

Uncertain, Lin Hao watched as Ouyang Derong hurried over, asking, "Hao, are you alright?"

Lin Hao shook his head.

Before he could utter a word, Elder Sun scoffed, "Showing off with three axes in front of Master Guan? That's just asking for trouble."

"If you're so capable, then you do it!" Lin Hao retorted, frustration evident. "When I asked for your help, you were no help at all, just stirring up trouble from the sidelines. Sure, I made a mistake, but at least I took action. If you've got a better idea, then step up instead of just standing there, criticizing!"

Lin Hao was unapologetic, his words leaving Elder Sun red-faced with indignation.

Seizing the moment, someone else snapped, "Look at you, one mistake and you nearly dragged us all down with you. Make another, and we'll all be paying for it with our lives!"

"Fine, then you take the lead. If you're down here, don't be scared of dying!" Lin Hao shot back angrily. "Just so you know, this is only the beginning. There's plenty more danger ahead, so don't end up begging me to save you!"

"Hao, let's not fight," Ouyang Derong intervened, patting Lin Hao's shoulder. "How did you discern the pattern of these rivets? Do you have a particular reason?"

Lin Hao cracked a smile and explained, "Senior Ouyang, take a look at these rivets. There are 108 of them, seemingly identical, but these three show the most wear. Bronze becomes oily with friction, and despite any rust, they'll still feel smooth. That's why I surmised these three rivets have been subject to prolonged wear."

"The reason for the constant friction is quite straightforward. Every mechanism must endure relentless trials and countless tests before it can be successfully created. Hence, I surmise that these three rivets are crucial to the entire operation."

Ouyang Derong nodded, "Your reasoning is sound. It's speculative, of course, but it did trigger the mechanism behind the bronze door. Even if it's a trap, we're on the right track."

"In theory, there should be three different arrangements for the rivets. You've tried one already, so what's next?"

Lin Hao smiled, "Two more to go!"

"You're going to try again?" Qin Sisi clutched Lin Hao's arm, her voice tinged with urgency. "If you're wrong again, who knows what might happen!"

Lin Hao nodded, "If not me, then who? Do you expect these elders to step in?"

"Never mind whether I'm willing, just look at them. Do they even have the nerve?"

At Lin Hao's words, Elder Sun and the others exchanged glances, each shifting their gaze away, feigning ignorance.

Ouyang Derong chuckled, "We're past our prime, not nearly as capable as you youngsters. How about you instruct me, and I'll give it a try?"

Lin Hao gestured dismissively, "No need. You all should stay back in the safe spot. I've got this."

Turning back to the task at hand, Lin Hao's gaze fixed on the three rivets.

"Here goes nothing!"

Taking a deep breath, Lin Hao stepped forward to twist the rivets using the second method.

He twisted the rivets swiftly, immediately bracing his shield in anticipation of danger.

A mechanical noise ensued, and Lin Hao felt a sudden void behind him as the bronze door, once sealed shut, flung open, scattering rocks and dust into the air.

Stunned, Lin Hao took in the scene, while Ouyang Derong's eyes bulged with excitement. After a brief moment of astonishment, the group hastened through the bronze door into the next chamber.

The chamber was vast, with an eighteen-step, square altar at its center, resembling a pyramid.

Atop the altar...

"What is that?"

Qin Sisi's startled exclamation drew everyone's attention to where she was pointing.

Atop the altar stood a shadow, canine in shape yet larger than any dog. From a distance, it resembled a solitary wolf howling at the moon from the edge of a cliff.

"What in the world is that?" Elder Sun inquired.

Ouyang Derong simply shook his head, offering no words.

The nearby soldiers, as if detecting a whiff of danger, each raised their rifles, aiming towards the location of the dark silhouette.

"Did it... just move?"

It was unclear who uttered the question, but in that moment, the tension that had gripped everyone snapped.

Indeed, they had all assumed it was a statue, one with an eerie presence capable of daunting any onlooker.

But now, with the figure stirring, the inevitable question arose...

Was it a living creature?