The shattered stone beams, the tilted bronze pillars, and the ancient, majestic megalithic palaces had mostly collapsed. The cracked stone steps progressed layer upon layer, as if they led straight to the heavens. In the darkness, a massive altar loomed, with broken and eerie sculptures swaying precariously.
The wide roads crisscrossed in all directions, and an enormous stone bell was suspended in midair, trembling faintly in the sound of the wind.
This place resembled a city in ruins, but it was clearly not built for humans.
It was almost unimaginable what kind of craftsmanship could isolate seawater at such depths and construct a city of this magnitude beneath the ocean.
Gu Jianlin treaded on the heap of rubble and could even feel the flow of wind here.
Oxygen and wind existed here. How peculiar.
"This is the underwater palace Xu Fu built with alchemy more than two thousand years ago. He once lived here and became the Gatekeeper of the tomb. You've just stepped into the Extraordinary World, haven't you? You might not fully understand yet. In fact, over two thousand years ago—that is, even before the Emperor unified the Six Kingdoms—the Super Ancient world had already begun its large-scale invasion of reality."
Uncle Mu explained to him patiently, "There's an unverified rumor that says when the world of the Ancient God species was destroyed for some unknown reason, the Supremes, wielding their formidable Authority, implanted the Wedge of that broken world into a planet."
Gu Jianlin seemed to be lost in thought.
It was evident that the department Uncle Mu had been part of before held very high status.
They must have known more hidden truths than those at the Captain level.
"As for what the Wedge really is, no one knows. But it conceals all the mysteries of that world. Because the Wedge was implanted into Earth, the world that belonged to the Ancient Gods has been incessantly invading reality."
Uncle Mu spoke earnestly, "That rumor is probably close to the truth. The arrival of the Ancient Gods brought civilization to humanity, but also calamities. Over the past few millennia, many Super Ancient dimensions have revealed themselves one after another, spreading disasters. Humanity has had to pay a steep price again and again, sacrificing lives to prevent these catastrophes."
He paused. "Have you heard of the Mayan Apocalypse prophecy?"
Gu Jianlin gave a faint nod. He had been very young when that matter made waves, yet it left a lasting impression.
According to the Mayan calculations, the civilization created by humanity was supposed to end during the Fifth Sun Era, giving rise to a well-known legend—the so-called 2012 apocalypse.
"The common belief has always been that the Mayans were a lost extraterrestrial race. But actually, it's not so mysterious. They simply lived in an area with a low-risk Super Ancient Ruin. From that ruin, they obtained the flames of civilization, became Ascenders, and created their own brilliant culture."
Uncle Mu glanced at him, "But the doomsday they predicted was real because there was an ancestor-level Ancient God sleeping in the Super Ancient Ruin they explored. Before this Ancient God fell into slumber, it left behind a stone tablet that precisely predicted the resurrection of a Supreme. Yes, in the year 2012."
Gu Jianlin wasn't entirely sure why Uncle Mu was telling him all this.
"The only thing is, the apocalypse didn't take place overseas."
Uncle Mu said meaningfully, "It happened within our own borders—at the Fusang Divine Palace."
The curse upon the Gu Family originated from their venture into the Fusang Divine Palace.
"The truth is, by the time you came across the Mayan apocalypse prophecy online, the disaster had already been averted. The Ether Association couldn't afford to wait that long. Back in the 1970s, the association's three leaders and regional ministers had already ventured collectively into Fusang Divine Palace. They even enlisted several Catastrophe-level Transcenders to assist."
Uncle Mu said with a sigh, "It was an unprecedented battle, with countless casualties. But in the end, Fusang Divine Palace was resealed, and the Supreme within—the legendary Vermilion Bird Venerate—was banished to the chaotic flow of dimensions."
Gu Jianlin thought for a moment. "The 1970s? That might've been when my grandparents adopted my father and his siblings."
Uncle Mu nodded gently. "Old Gu once mentioned this to me. Back then, the association's success in sealing Fusang Divine Palace wouldn't have been possible without the Gu Family's assistance. Your family descends from heroes. You shouldn't have been treated this way."
"But you've already read the documents your father left behind."
He paused. "The Light has perished. That senior was the guiding beacon for us Night Watchers. Though he never taught us in person, he illuminated an era for us. His death profoundly impacted the entire Ether Association, upending the stability of all major factions."
Gu Jianlin asked again, "And what does that mean for me?"
Uncle Mu's gaze grew dim as he answered quietly, "If you want to clear your father's name, the resistance you'll face will be immense. Only the people from the Light faction would be willing to help you."
Gu Jianlin fell silent for a moment. "I understand."
"Old Gu is no longer with us, and you are his only son. We all hope you'll live well."
Uncle Mu patted his shoulder. "Do what you can."
Gu Jianlin's pupils constricted slightly. He had never mentioned that his father had passed away.
Uncle Mu's weary eyes became calm as he softly said, "I could tell just by looking at your eyes. When someone truly mourns for another, their sorrow is impossible to hide. Besides, Old Gu has reached that age."