Luo Ren stared at the floor.
"There was no mechanism under there."
"You are sure?" Yan Cijin asked.
"I built this place."
"Then what is it?"
"I don't know."
The grinding grew louder.
Cracks appeared between the old paving stones.
The zombies began backing away.
Even they seemed unsettled.
The dragon's head remained raised.
The white light inside its mouth expanded.
Bai Li felt a faint vibration through her boots.
Not soul power.
Not the strange energy from the golden fruits.
Something mechanical.
Old.
Buried.
The entire square trembled.
A section of the ground beside the dragon lifted.
Dust poured from the gap.
Luo Ren stumbled backward.
"What did they build underneath this place?"
Yan Cijin looked at him.
"You tell us."
"I don't know!"
Another crack.
This one crossed the entire square.
The survivors watching from nearby buildings started shouting.
People moved away from windows.
Some ran down staircases.
The dragon remained still.
