If he wanted to maximize the benefits, Xu Yue should not have sent Dumbledore away. But for now, he still was not completely confident he could settle everything.
In any case, Dumbledore could be dealt with sooner or later. It would be enough to make use of him before he died.
This was only supposed to be a minor affair anyway. It was not serious enough to require him to appear.
"@!#*&...%!"
In the washroom, after Harry spoke in Parseltongue, the entire sink began to transform violently, revealing a deep, pitch-black opening.
"So it really is the Chamber of Secrets."
Gilderoy Lockhart swallowed for no apparent reason. Damn, I may have bragged a little too much. This place looks creepy. They're not going to make me go down first, are they?
"Wait, there's some kind of special spell here."
Just as Gilderoy Lockhart was considering how to respond, Xu Yue took the lead in rescuing him from the situation.
They had cooperated so well and helped so much; naturally, he had to return the favor.
Drawing his wand, Xu Yue tapped the pitch-black opening, and a layer of invisible gray mist appeared over it.
"It seems to be some kind of curse—a curse tied to age."
Xu Yue frowned slightly as he spoke.
Professor McGonagall soon stepped forward as well, raising her wand and casting a detection spell.
The information she received made her expression turn grave.
"Xu Yue is right. Perhaps this is one of the Chamber of Secrets' defenses. Slytherin's chosen heir would only ever be selected from among students, eliminating the possibility of adult wizards entering. This curse is extremely sophisticated. We may need to bring Dumbledore back."
Having analyzed the results, Professor McGonagall felt helpless against the curse.
Snape nodded as well.
"Confundus Charms and age-altering