I Can Extract Divine Power

Shen Bai took the lead. Enveloped in the light of his Flawless Ten Layers Body, he stepped inside.

Yao Long and the others followed close behind, and soon they were all on the staircase.

Soon, the group vanished from view.

...

The staircase was incredibly dark, but also quite sturdy.

Under Shen Bai’s lead, they reached the bottom of the stairs in about ten minutes.

"This is... an underground city?"

Shen Bai was slightly surprised.

Before them, under a dim, yellow glow, the network of an underground city spread out like a labyrinth.

Droplets of water trickled down the stone walls, and the damp air carried the smell of earth and metal.

Their footsteps echoed through the empty passageway as they walked on solid ground.

He truly hadn’t expected to find an entire city deep underground.

It was also Red Makeup’s first time here, and she couldn’t hide the surprise in her eyes. "So my father really spent a fortune to build this underground city."

A flash of light emerged from Shen Bai’s chest.

Amber emerged from Shen Bai’s chest. She surveyed their surroundings, her expression turning grave. "Master, there’s a very powerful aura. It’s a Mysterious, in that direction."

With that, Amber extended a pale finger, pointing in one direction.

Following her gesture, Shen Bai saw a massive palace towering in the middle of a street.

The palace was magnificent. Even situated in this underground space, its extreme refinement was palpable.

Shen Bai narrowed his eyes. After a careful look, he said, "Let’s go. Time to meet this city’s final Mysterious."

The others quickly agreed. Following Shen Bai’s lead, they headed toward the palace.

Along the way, they passed street after street.

Shen Bai observed the various facilities lining the streets and came to understand why this ancient city had been built.

"If a cataclysm were to strike, stockpiling a large amount of food here would allow the people to live safely for a very long time," Shen Bai remarked.

Red Makeup, walking behind Shen Bai, nodded. "Yes, that was Father’s original intention. We just never expected the cataclysm to strike so quickly, without any warning. It gave us no time."

The two continued to talk, and before long, they arrived at the palace entrance.

The entrance was marked by a massive gate built from giant stones.

The stone gate bore the marks of time, adorned with elaborate and beautiful reliefs depicting various scenes.

But the passage of time had worn them down, making them somewhat blurry.

Shen Bai leaned in for a closer look. After studying them for a moment, he asked, "Are these carvings of life in your era?"

Although they were blurry, one could still make out some details upon closer inspection.

The carvings depicted scenes from the lives of ordinary people: cooking over fires, the hustle and bustle of streets and alleys, the warmth and liveliness of everyday family matters.

Red Makeup gave them a quick glance and nodded. "That’s right. They depict the daily life and local folklore of Sunset City."

As she spoke, Red Makeup pointed to one of the reliefs and began to explain.

"The one at the top depicts the Sunset Festival, Sunset City’s most important and annual celebration."

"It’s how Sunset City got its name."

On the relief, numerous people were kneeling on the ground, welcoming the setting sun.

Before them lay all sorts of offerings.

Red Makeup then pointed to another relief, a nostalgic look on her face. "This was once the liveliest street, what you know as Strong Sale Street. Back then, business on this street was based on mutual agreement, on fair trade. Only after it became the Mysterious City did it turn into the ’Strong Sale Street’ you saw."

This relief depicted a long street.

Goods were piled high as mountains on both sides.

People and pedestrians were haggling and talking animatedly in front of the wares, filling the air with the lively, earthly hustle of a marketplace.

"It’s a shame all the beautiful sights of Sunset City can never be seen again."

A look of sorrow crossed Red Makeup’s eyes.

After listening, Shen Bai took a couple of steps forward and placed a hand on Red Makeup’s shoulder. "The past is the past. Once this crisis is over, you’ll have all the time in the world to reminisce."

Red Makeup gave him a wry smile. "Master, you really don’t know how to read the mood, do you?"

"I’ve always been this way."

Shen Bai shrugged, then raised his left fist and slammed it into the massive stone gate.

An intense blast of Buddha’s Light, carrying an unstoppable might like a Furious Vajra, crashed down.

The stone gate before them shattered into ruins. Broken chunks of rock flew into the air, revealing the scene inside.

Inside was a series of opulent and exquisite rooms that perfectly showcased the palace’s luxury.

Looking around, they saw all sorts of gems and pearls adorning every surface. Even the floor tiles had a brilliant golden sheen.

Red Makeup said bitterly, "When Father was alive, he advocated for frugality. I never imagined that after Sunset City became the Mysterious City, it would turn into something so different."

Shen Bai didn’t reply to her, as his gaze had already fallen on something in the distance.

Looking down the length of the silent, empty hall, he saw a throne at the far end.

The throne was forged from metal and shimmered with a dizzying light.

And upon this throne sat a deathly-white skeleton.

The skeleton was tall with a sturdy frame. It sat upon the throne with its hands on the armrests, poised in a formal, upright posture.

It wore a set of silk clothes, but on its skeletal frame, they hung loosely.