Chapter 236 — Deep Space

It seemed clumsy and bewildered as it first emerged, but soon it re-established its mental connection with Piyun, and this elemental creature sustained by magical force at once ran back to its master's side.

"...No damage whatsoever," Piyun said after swiftly inspecting the treant's condition, raising his head to report to Gao Yang. "The degree of magic dissipation is also within normal range. The space beyond the gate seems to be a safe space, and its structure is quite stable."

"In other words, we can go in and take a look," Gao Yang breathed a sigh of relief. "It seems the technology of the ancient Gondor Empire is still worthy of trust. Heddy, Tire, you two come in with me to inspect the situation. Byron, Piyun, you two keep watch outside."

Having given his orders, Gao Yang selected a group of capable soldiers, then led his people toward the ancient magic gate at the center of the hall, quietly operating.

As he passed through the mass of hazy light and shadow at the gate's center, Gao Yang did not feel the violent dizziness he had expected. This magic gate, already a thousand years old, ran more smoothly than he had imagined; he felt only as though he had walked through a cool, light mist, and after a brief blurring of vision, the scene before him was already the space behind the gate.

A broad, rectangular hall spread out before the exploration team.

The hall was built of some unknown composite material. Everywhere the eye could see stood massive devices of unclear purpose, and between them were laid broad walkways and one research platform after another. What most astonished Gao Yang was that this place was not pitch-dark—though it might have been sealed off for a thousand years, it still had residual energy! Several lighting fixtures at the top of the hall were still operating, a faintly yellowish light illuminating the whole space!

Not only the lighting fixtures—a small portion of those massive devices in the hall were still running as well, the magic runes on their surfaces still gleaming, a low humming sound drifting from one device or another now and then.

"This is truly... unbelievable..." Heidi stared at the scene before her in astonishment. "The things in here are still running?!"

Gao Yang tightened his grip on the longsword in his hand. Ever since the deep-blue mana well had exploded, every complex magical device of the ancient Gondor Empire had ceased to function; even those that survived intact to this day could not be started, and the only things still operable were simple mechanisms like the mana gates, which had uncomplicated structures and low energy requirements. Yet these devices here, complex and finely wrought at a glance, were still running—this was profoundly strange.

"Everyone, stay alert. The magical devices here are still in operation, and we cannot rule out that ancient automated defense systems remain active," he called out loudly, warning every member of the party. "Heidi, keep watch on the flow of mana around us at all times. The moment you sense a sharp change in energy, tell me at once."

"Yes," Heidi said, gripping her long staff tightly. Even as she answered, she frowned and glanced at the hall that had remained sealed until now. "Ancestors... is this hall still located in our Material Plane?"

"Hard to say, but this environment is clearly not the Shadow Realm," Gao Yang replied. "It is only... that I do not know whether the world outside this hall is the same as what lies within."