Zhang Qiling was fully focused on examining the coffin.
Since the Fa Qiu Finger had confirmed there were no mechanisms, these stone coffins with holes were very likely well-hidden entrances to secret realms.
Securing the grappling hook between the cracked stones beside the coffin, Zhang Qiling wrapped one hand around the end of the rope and jumped down without hesitation!
Wu Tianzhen and Fatty's hearts leaped, and they instinctively took a step forward. Then they saw Zhang Qiling forcefully twist his waist in mid-air, instantly flipping himself to directly below the coffin. At the apex of his upward trajectory due to inertia, he paused and extended his hand, firmly gripping the edge of the opening.
The series of movements was fluid and aesthetically pleasing. Fatty couldn't help but show a proud, almost maternal smile.
"So cool!"
Wu Tianzhen nodded in agreement.
Then, in the next second, they saw the incredibly handsome Xiao Zhang reach into the coffin and rummage around. He visibly froze for a moment, then tentatively lifted a bird's nest out of the coffin.
There were six or seven small bird eggs in the nest. Zhang Qiling held onto the edge of the opening with one hand and cradled the bird's nest against his chest with the other, looking bewildered.
These coffins with holes provided shelter from wind and rain, were sturdy and safe. It was indeed insightful and perfectly normal for birds to build their nests inside.
Zhang Qiling tried to place the bird's nest on top of the coffin, but it was too far and not very stable. In the end, he carefully placed the nest of bird eggs back into a corner inside the coffin.
After confirming that the angle wouldn't damage the bird's nest, he used both hands to exert force, his body instantly transforming into a fish. As if without friction, he "swam" into the coffin in the blink of an eye!
The actual space inside the coffin was much larger than it appeared from the outside. He crawled on the bottom and clearly saw a raised relief where the coffin connected to the cliff face.
He took out a small flashlight from his tactical bag and turned it on. The relief was immediately illuminated.
A palm-sized bronze tree appeared before his eyes, intricately carved with ancient depictions of two-bodied serpents. Protected by the outer coffin, these carvings had remained undamaged by the passage of time.
Holding the flashlight in his mouth with his teeth, Zhang Qiling began to decipher the mechanism. The mechanism was not complicated, and within two minutes, a "click" sound was heard. The bronze tree slowly rotated, and after reaching a fixed angle, it instantly sank, opening a wide entrance in the stone wall.
The inside was pitch black, with a faint chill emanating from it. Zhang Qiling tore a button from his clothes and tossed it in, roughly assessing the situation inside.
This entrance was large enough for even Fatty's physique to pass through. Zhang Qiling paused, considering whether to go out and call the other two or explore inside himself.
...This question didn't require thought; he made a decision instantly.
He tied the grappling hook rope he was holding to the bird's nest for stability. Wu Tianzhen's voice could be faintly heard calling him from outside. Zhang Qiling ignored it, even accelerating his speed as he burrowed into the hole.
As long as he ran fast enough, no sound could catch up to him!
As soon as he entered the cave, the space instantly expanded!
A feeling of weightlessness washed over him, and his body plummeted downwards. The entrance was located on the side wall of the internal space, with a vertical drop of about five or six meters below.
Zhang Qiling had anticipated this. He adjusted his posture and landed steadily, without making a sound.
The cave space was entirely built within the mountain. The temperature was significantly lower than outside. Zhang Qiling raised his flashlight and scanned the area. This place resembled a warehouse for storing stones, piled with complete or broken rocks. It seemed to be a temporary stop for the builders to transport construction materials.
There were no new entrances or passages in sight. It appeared to be a truly sealed annex.
However, with the sheer cliffs outside, it would have been too troublesome to transport the stones from the exterior.
There must be a secret door here, and based on the principles of secret room design and past experience, the mechanism should be—
Wait...
Just as he was about to embark on his invincible quest, Zhang Qiling suddenly paused, remembering that he had two innocent teammates outside, waiting eagerly for his return.
Zhang Qiling: ...
Having confirmed the basic safety inside, it was better to go back first.
Otherwise, Wu Tianzhen and Fatty's complaints might not be just a few words.
Although his precious hood was waterproof, it couldn't block sound.
So, as Wu Tianzhen and Fatty outside were gradually losing patience and attempting to try rock climbing, a whistling sound cut through the air, and Zhang Qiling had swung back with lightning speed.
Apart from a bit of dust on his clothes, there was no change. His face still held that serene, pure expression, as if he hadn't heard anything at all.
But Wu Tianzhen and Fatty had undergone ultimate evolution and could see through his slight guilt at a glance. Just as they were about to give him some (ultimately useless) advice, they suddenly discovered something new.
...Rebellious Xiao Zhang wasn't back alone; he had brought his dependents with him.
He had also brought the bird's nest from the coffin. Now, the nest made of dry grass and withered branches rested quietly in his arms. It hadn't fallen apart during his flight back, and the seven bird eggs inside gleamed healthily in the sunlight.
Wu Tianzhen's mouth was full of words, his mind a jumble of thoughts. Finally, he managed to squeeze out a single sentence:
"Xiao Ge... you want to eat bird eggs?"
Zhang Qiling: ?
"These bird eggs look good, quite large!" Fatty instantly accepted this scenario and even began to connect it with previous experiences.
"Xiao Ge wanted to eat fish just now, and now he's eyeing bird eggs, hahaha!"
"It's okay, we'll save these eggs for now and roast them with the fish when we get back!"
At this moment, Fatty had completely forgotten that the idea of "Xiao Ge wanting to eat fish" was a false premise that never existed. He spoke with a natural ease, even feeling that he was being considerate and deeply thoughtful.
Zhang Qiling: ...So what made them think his mind was only on food?
Unable to figure it out after much thought, Xiao Zhang finally attributed all the problems simply and crudely to "these two people have bizarre thought processes and need understanding." In an instant, his mind felt enlightened, and everything made sense.
With an indescribable magnanimity, Zhang Qiling quietly placed the bird's nest on the stone coffin at his feet.
"There's an entrance inside," he stated the situation directly as he stood up.
"The coffin outside needs to be blown up."
After speaking, he looked steadily at Fatty, signaling him to take out the blasting caps.
"Blow it up?" Wu Tianzhen touched his head in surprise, then a look of realization dawned on his face. "Oh, I get it! If we don't blow it up, we won't be able to flip in from below like you, right?"
"No," Zhang Qiling, uncharacteristically, refuted Wu Tianzhen very seriously.
He seemed to look at Wu Tianzhen sincerely for a moment, then slowly shifted his gaze back to Fatty.
Amidst Fatty's confused expression, he said expressionlessly:
"The coffin entrance is too small."
"If it's not blown up, we can't get in."
Wu Tianzhen: Hahahahahahahahahaha!
Fatty: ...