Chapter 36: The Spiral Descent

The spiral staircase was narrow and slick, the air growing colder with every step. Yang felt the copper seal throb violently against his chest, as if reacting to something below.

Anqi's steps were steady, her face unreadable in the dim glow of the bone lantern.

"They built this deeper vault beneath the Qin's tombs to trap the core's essence," she said softly. "Each seal is a failsafe — seven in total. Once one falls, the others weaken."

Yang swallowed hard. "So, if the Womb fully awakens…"

"It could rewrite history," Anqi finished.

Suddenly, the walls trembled again. Loose stones tumbled down as an eerie chanting filled the tunnel — faint voices, growing louder.

Yang's heart pounded. "We're not alone."

Ahead, a faint glow pulsed. As they rounded a bend, they saw a vast subterranean chamber filled with ancient machines — bronze mechanisms etched with glyphs, slowly turning on their own.

Anqi touched the copper seal to a console. The mechanisms responded with metallic clanks and hums.

"It's an ancient activation device," she murmured. "This place is a living vault."

Suddenly, a sharp metallic screech rang out. Figures moved in the shadows — spectral warriors armed with halberds, their eyes glowing with unnatural light.

"They've come for the seal," Yang said grimly. "We need to keep moving."