Zhang Xiao had always felt that Dumbledore had a peculiar sort of faith in Tom Riddle.
Namely, that Tom would never use the same approach to defend his Horcruxes. And that had indeed been the case.
Voldemort had given Slytherin's relic the most comprehensive protection, but had been much more casual with the Golden Cup, the Diadem, and the Diary.
As for the Resurrection Stone-Marvolo's Ring-the original books he had read in his previous life had never mentioned what protections surrounded it. Yet it was precisely the Resurrection Stone that had caused Dumbledore to stumble.
It stood to reason that the defenses here would be no weaker than those in the cave.
As for exactly what those defenses were, they would find out soon enough.
Dumbledore spoke softly.
"Zhang, have your eyes noticed anything unusual?"
Long before Dumbledore asked, Zhang Xiao had already opened his eyes wide and carefully inspected every corner around them.
Everything here was perfectly normal-so normal that it felt a little abnormal, as though the malice he had sensed outside had been an illusion.
Through his Dharma Eye, everything was as bright as day, every tiny detail visible. The shelving against the wall had rotted beyond recognition, and a few earthenware jars sat crookedly beside it.
Next to the shelves stood a low stool. On the wall behind it was a dark stain that, at first glance, looked a little like a human silhouette.
Had someone spent years sitting on that stool, leaning against the wall?
"Professor, I haven't found anything."
A mysterious smile appeared on Dumbledore's face.
"Is that so?"
Had Dumbledore already found a clue?
Sure enough... the gap between me and a true master was still absurdly vast...
"I haven't found anything either."
Zhang Xiao: ...
Dumbledore sounded delighted.
"It is precisely because