CHAPTER 269: CHAPTER269-AN UNEXPECTED DISCOVERY

Owen silently nodded, acknowledging that there hadn’t yet been an opportunity to use the mind shackles ability, as employing such power would surely be noticed.

For now, they had no choice but to follow Yashum and adapt as situations arose.

Given that they were perceived as weaker by Yashum and the others, it worked to their advantage.

After all, their arcanergy expenditure was virtually nil, positioning them well to handle any sudden crises.

"Let’s go."

After a brief rest, Yashum stood up and signaled for everyone to move.

Approaching the corner passage, Owen once again deployed array flags, but this time no soul power marks or the like emerged.

"Let’s move on."

Seeing no issues, Yashum stepped into the entrance first, with Owen and the others closely following behind.

The scene before them changed immediately, and as the new vista unfolded before their eyes, their faces collectively shifted, revealing expressions of surprise.

The space was another astonishingly large martial arts chamber, but unlike the previous ones, this chamber contained no puppets or other mechanisms—only a few people.

"Did you also accidentally enter the Endless Contraption?"

A man in blue approached from in front of Owen and the others, his demeanor polite, followed by three other men.

Owen’s lips curled slightly; fate seemed to have a way of throwing him and the man in blue together, marking their third encounter.

However, his current appearance was his true one, leaving him unrecognized by the other.

The man in blue looked at Owen with a hint of confusion, puzzled by the amused look on his face.

If not for the need to collaborate at this moment, he might have even approached to deliver a few slaps in response.

"Are you... Tristan?"

Yashum hesitated before stepping forward to ask with a bow.

Seeing his identity recognized, Tristan dropped any pretense of politeness, smiling smugly.

"Indeed, I am the prince."

Yashum’s expression hardened upon the blue-clad man’s acknowledgment.

He hadn’t expected to encounter Tristan, known for being the most audacious and reckless scion.

This left him feeling somewhat conflicted, knowing that their escape from the Endless Contraption depended on collaboration.

Yet, partnering with Tristan not only meant losing leadership but also settling for mere scraps of the rewards.

"So, it’s Prince Tristan!"

While Yashum hesitated, Norma stepped forward, her demeanor very respectful.

"You’re not bad," Tristan said, eyeing Norma’s beauty with a glint of desire.

He was aware of the slim chances of escaping the Endless Contraption, but considered that spending a lifetime there wouldn’t be too bad with such a woman by his side.

"Prince Tristan..."

Norma’s eyes flickered, a blush creeping onto her face, causing Owen and the others to frown, their opinion of her changing once again.

"Norma, step back," Yashum decided, patting her shoulder.

Norma didn’t immediately retreat, instead pausing momentarily before stepping back with a slight smile.

"Owen, it’s time to make a move," Anderson’s voice entered Owen’s mind through the transmitting stone.

Owen’s eyes subtly shifted as he replied, "Anderson, there’s no rush. This woman can still be of use for a while."

"Oh? You mean to use her to control the man in blue?"

Anderson was quick to grasp Owen’s implication.

Owen nodded towards Anderson.

Since Norma had repeatedly caused trouble for him, there was no need for mercy.

Yashum bowed to Tristan and his company, proposing, "Prince Tristan, would you be interested in joining us to navigate through the Endless Contraption?"

The man in blue, without a moment’s hesitation, nodded in agreement, then, seemingly recalling something, his brow furrowed.

"But who will lead?"

His rational inquiry somewhat disappointed Yashum, who had hoped for a less composed response from Tristan due to Norma’s influence.

"The leadership could alternate. For this challenge, Prince Tristan, you could lead, and I could take over for the next. Would that be acceptable?"

Yashum, evidently keen to find a middle ground, suggested a fair approach.

"This..."

Tristan hesitated.

Under different circumstances, he would have disregarded such a proposal outright, but the current situation demanded a different approach, especially since he wanted to maintain a favorable impression in front of Norma.

"Let’s do as you suggested," Tristan decided, glancing again at Norma.

Feeling a surge of desire, he cast aside his hesitation.

In his eyes, women, especially beautiful ones, held more importance than anything else.

Yashum breathed a sigh of relief internally and said to Tristan, "Then please lead us through this challenge, Prince Tristan."

Simultaneously, Yashum, possessing an artifact similar to a transmitting stone, discreetly communicated to Owen and the others, "This Prince Tristan has a rather unpleasant character. Try to be as accommodating as possible."

Owen and the others nodded in understanding.

"Anderson, do you have any insight into Prince Tristan’s background?"

If anyone understood the man in blue, it would be Owen, who had previously bested him twice without much consequence.

Subconsciously, Owen hadn’t regarded him as a significant threat.

Anderson looked at Owen in surprise, communicating through a whisper, "You actually don’t know about Tristan? He is the only son of a religious leader known as ’Tyrant,’ who is extremely doting and notoriously protective of Tristan. This has made Tristan practically untouchable; those who dare cross him seldom live to tell the tale."

Understanding Tristan’s formidable background explained his brazen demeanor.

However, it also meant that Owen genuinely couldn’t afford to kill him, considering even the Sanctuary’s power paled in comparison to that of the religious sect.

It was best not to provoke unnecessary trouble.

"As the leader of this challenge, Tristan immediately took charge, "We haven’t discovered the mechanism for this challenge yet. You all should help look for it too."

Without hesitation, Tristan enlisted Owen and the others to search for the mechanism within the martial arts chamber.

After a while, Perini’s voice echoed from a corner of the chamber, "There’s a mechanism here."

Hearing this, everyone quickly gathered around, and the man in blue inquired, "Where?"

"Here," Perini pointed at a stone tile on the floor, "The sound it makes when I hit this tile is completely different from the others."

The man in blue glanced at Perini, his disappointment palpable upon seeing her ordinary appearance.

He patted the stone tile she pointed out and then compared it with nearby ones.

"Indeed, it’s different."

His eyes narrowed as he pointed at Owen, "You open the mechanism. We’ll stand back and keep watch."

Tristan’s disdain for Owen’s earlier gaze, combined with Owen’s apparent lower strength, prompted this retaliatory command.

Yashum and the others harbored resentment towards Tristan’s attitude but remained silent, recognizing his current role as the leader.

Speaking out would only complicate their cooperation further.

Seeing Tristan giving Owen a hard time, Norma couldn’t help but feel a surge of satisfaction.

Casting a disdainful glance at Owen, her eyes brimmed with scorn.

Owen had anticipated Tristan’s antagonism and responded with a smile, gesturing to Anderson and the others.

"Leave it to me, step back."

"Be careful, Owen."

Yashum’s gaze was complex as he and the rest retreated.

At this moment, he could almost feel Owen’s frustration, targeted first by Norma and now by Tristan.

If he were in Owen’s shoes, he might have already lashed out in anger.

This made him admire Owen’s restraint all the more.

Once everyone had stepped back, Owen turned his attention to the stone tile, uncertain of what triggering the mechanism might unleash.

Thus, he subtly readied his arcanergy, prepared to retreat at the first sign of danger.

With a firm palm strike, Owen sent the stone tile sinking into the floor, his eyes sharpening as he braced for any ensuing peril.

To Owen’s surprise, rather than danger, an entrance appeared on the wall before them.

"What is this..."

Owen’s eyes flickered with realization as he sensed an intensely concentrated arcanergy beyond the newly revealed passage.

Looking back at Anderson and the others, seeing their confusion at the sudden appearance of the entrance, Owen deliberated briefly before whispering to Anderson, "There’s a place of immense arcanergy concentration beyond that entrance. Follow me in later."

Upon receiving Owen’s message, Anderson subtly nodded, responding quietly, "Okay."

"Is this an entrance?"

Tristan looked at the sudden opening with a mix of surprise and suspicion, his gaze sweeping over the group.

However, it was clear no one was going to answer his question, least of all Owen, who wasn’t about to hand over such an opportunity.

"It could be a trap," Norma chimed in opportunistically, her eyes darting subtly towards Owen.

The man in blue, catching her glance and noticing the tender look she gave Owen, felt a chill in his gaze.

"You go check it out," Tristan said to Owen, his tone cooling.

Yashum and Perini’s expressions darkened slightly; Owen was invited to join their team, yet now he was being treated almost like a servant.

Anderson stepped forward, visibly displeased yet managing to keep his tone measured.

"I’ll accompany him to take a look. If there’s danger, at least there will be someone to watch his back."