They had wandered through the caves for several days now. They had traversed quite a bit of this hidden place. Honestly, the sheer number of tunnels was staggering, it had almost become monotone. However, Tang Yuan found himself never bored during their exploration.
Ever since their latest duel Bibi Dong had changed subtly, she had become more focused on becoming stronger. At least that was his guess on the matter as she asked for more spars.
Tang Yuan found that their spars had started to become more difficult. Through two years of sparring, he had learned her combat rhythm. Now she was doing the same to him with far more focus than before. Then they would rest and continue their exploration of the winding tunnels.
This tunnel though, this one was different very different. Tang Yuan felt that as did the others perhaps as they walked down it. This stretch hadn't ended, nor was there a branch since they had begun walking.
As they walked for some time they saw light from what had to be the end of the tunnel. As they continued the temperature of the tunnels had begun to rise. Perhaps were they about to step back onto the dessert?
"Is this the exit?" Tang Yuan voiced the question that was in his mind.
Tang Nuan who had been writing their map, narrowed her eyes. It didn't quite make sense for that to be the case. Not with how the shape had seemed to be as she wrote it. "Perhaps it is."
As they stepped out of the cavern into the sunshine, after a week of darkness. They did step upon the heated sand of the desert once more, but. The sight was also wholly alien in its visage.
"What in the world is this?" Tang Yuan voiced what all of them were thinking. It was just such a shocking sight to behold after all.
The dessert sand was at their feet of course, but around that was the rocky wall. That massive rocky wall seemed to encircle everything in a massive circle. In the middle of that massive circle of rock and sandy desert was an imposing structure.
Its pointed top was reached towards the sky above. A worn yet still triangular side face was visible to them. Considering its form there were four sides, Tang Yuan surmised easily enough. In other words a pyramid, one of massive size at that.
"This is crazy, that thing is basically a fortress of metal." Tang Yuan found that even more ridiculous. He couldn't determine what it was made of exactly but it was definitely metal. The pyramid rivaled or surpassed Spirit Hall's Palace in size and scope.
"An ancient ruin of the ancient people no doubt." Tang Nuan voiced her eyes holding a deep awe at the sight of it.
"Senior what exactly is this ancient ruin or ancient people?" Dugu Xin asked in confusion. He could tell they seemed to have something to do with this thing.
Though she remained silent Bibi Dong also focused on Tang Nuan. Wanting to hear what she knew about this thing as well.
Tang Nuan sighed at that she supposed it wasn't totally unexpected. "I suppose it's not exactly common knowledge after all. At least outside of myth and legend." she tried to decide how much to say right now.
"To keep it simple they were a people of an age long ago. Possessing extremely advanced artifacts in the form of the Soul Guides. Exactly when that civilization fell is unknown, but it was tens of thousands of years before the founding of Spirit Hall. Remnants can be found that is the Soul Guides, and then these structures as well."
She paused for a moment gazing at the pyramid "Well usually they are much smaller structures, and in far worse conditions. One like this, well I don't know of one like it."
Chrysantheum looked at it with an unfathomable excitement. They had really struck gold this time around. They would receive quite a deal of prestige and favor for this discovery.
Gui Mei looked at it with more wariness. These structures often had strange defenses, much less one like this. "What shall we do?" he looked towards Tang Nuan as the highest-ranked present.
Tang Nuan considered that she really wanted to take a look. Yet they had the children with them making it precarious.
Tang Yuan looked at his mother with slight pleading "Can we explore it for a bit, Mom?" he really wanted to see within that massive structure. It really promised to be an amazing experience he thought.
Tang Nuan looked at the other two children Bibi Dong was interested as well it seemed. She looked at Dugu Bo who seemed interested as well. She considered it, although it would be dangerous it also presented the possibility of benefit.
"Very well we will enter it with caution. If things become too dangerous we will withdraw immediately," she said as she chose to move ahead. She began to move towards the pyramid looking for an entrance.
Tang Yuan found himself excited at being lost in thoughts of what they might find. Perhaps they would discover soul tools within, or perhaps creation methods. It could massively boost his plans for the future of the did.
"So why was this place built like this?" Bibi Dong voiced finding it weird. They had to travel through so many tunnels to get here after all.
"Hmmm." Yue Guan hums as he considers the question himself. It was a bit bewildering to have such a trek.
"It was likely to hide this place from sight." Dugu Bo stated his belief in the reason. As one who had such a secret place himself, he could imagine it.
Dugu Xin heard his father's words but "wouldn't one with flight be able to see it from above?" he voiced a flaw in his father's reasoning. Looking up at the large opening in the sky.
Dugu Bo nodded at his son's reasoning "A good point Xiao Xin in fact it's an excellent observation. But in fact your reasoning is wrong." he looked up at the massive absence of rock in the center.
Tang Yuan had thought the entire thing seemed a bit like a donut shape. A massive ring of rock, but empty in the middle. Allowing sunlight to reach down illuminating everything.
"There seems to be some sort of barrier. Though how one that massive is maintained is a question." Tang Nuan voiced putting the confusion to an end. She eyed a half dome around the opening.
Tang Yuan found himself shocked, optical cameglogue was the thought that came to his mind. The best for hiding this sight from the air. Yet that seemed ridiculous considering the size, and the complexity. Then again there were soul skills that could do that, still how insane.
Their group began walking along the edge of the pyramid. As they moved around to the third side finally it came into view. The massive entrance loomed before them as they stood before it. Finally, they stepped into the massive structure with wariness.
The walls were also made of metal it seemed the sheer resources required. Tang Yuan mused as they walked through the hallway. It further fanned the curiosity that had been burning in his mind. What level of civilization did they have in that past age?
As they moved carefully, they found no traps or defenses at least not yet. Then that changed with the sound of clicking and thudding metal upon metal. It almost seemed to be footsteps of some kind.
"Be ready." Tang Nuan commanded the group as she readied herself. No telling what they might face just yet.
Then it appeared in their sight, at first glance it seemed to be an ant. Then a second glance revealed a form made of black metal. Once more its eyes, or what seemed like eyes where actually gemstones. Its body and legs were smaller than those of ants from before.
"That's a machine, an automaton is that what they are called?" Tang Yuan found himself shocked once again. A massive metal pyramid, optical camouflage, and now robots.
Seeing them Tang Nuan relaxed slightly, but only slightly. They didn't seem to be too powerful, but she had never faced something like them. "Automatons I had read about such existence in some books, but."
She refocused moving swiftly unleashing a brutal punch at the machine. She lacked enough knowledge of these things to take risks. As her fist made contact the creature was easily pulverized. Parts scattered from the now still machine.
Tang Nuan glanced at it with some surprise. It really was like smashing an ant of the century level. It might be an opponent for a one or two-ring soul master. What purpose was such a thing to serve being so weak?
Tang Yuan moved over to the smashed machine. He examined it closely, even though it was smashed like a pancake it had value. Extracting parts of the machine that were in the best condition. Storing those carefully for later examination.
"I suppose this will be a major part of our exploration." Tang Nuan said as she watched her son's actions with bemusement. Though if her husband were here he would approve as well. Even if part of that was about metal.
Tang Yuan was too focused on storing the parts of the spider. He had begun simply dismantling it into larger parts. Legs, head, and so on as much as he could. Upon completion, he stood up happily "I managed to store all of it."
The others found themselves slightly bewildered by the sight. He had stuffed the entire thing into his storage belt. Not a shred of it remained in sight once he was done.
Dugu Xin was the one to voice the question "What exactly do you intend to do with that Brother Yuan?" he didn't completely understand. If it were herbs or the body of a beast maybe.
"Study parts of it, find how it works. Depends on what else we find in here. With one there should be more as well." Tang Yuan said already imagining what else there might be. He considered asking them to go easy on them, but that might be a bit much.
Tang Nuan looked at her son knowingly "We four will handle these constructions ourselves." she said to them in regards to the adults. "Meanwhile you three will handle the pickup. That way we can keep them in the best shape if possible."
That way left unsaid they could better study them. Perhaps it could help recover the knowledge of the ancestors. Simply better for everyone that way she thought.
With that decided the continued on their way.
They seemed to be moving towards the center, but the pyramid was rather massive. As they did they encountered a number of ant automata. Some showed damage already, or simply seemed half functioning.
Tang Nuan would do her best to render them inactive without major damage. As a result, they collected several more destroyed machines. Pausing for the children to handle the remains.
Tang Yuan took the lead in dismantling them as the blacksmith. The other two put in some work but found themselves reduced to being commanded. Though they grew more certain as they moved forward.
As they moved deeper they experienced their first change. The ants did not appear, but instead a new type of creature. This one was larger than the previous type and certainly seemed tougher.
They walked on eight legs and were certainly made with a spider in mind. Their legs were more pointed and sharper than the ants' like spears. Two legs rose from the ground likely for combat. Eight smaller purple eyes glowed on its face.
It was already prepared to attack, Tang Yuan noted. The other machines didn't seem to be so offensive in nature. Perhaps this was a combat model, the others had the form of ant workers. So perhaps they had a working role of some sort he theorized.
Tang Nuan moved to confront the spider in battle. She decided to study it a bit first. Dodging the spider's scythe-like legs as they tried to cut her. Its attack patterns were simple she noted, easily predictable to her.
One of the creatures cut into the wall as she dodged. A long gash was carved into the wall as she stepped away. This thing could easily take the life of a one or two-ring soul master.
She stepped back from another slash. Then a quick strike with the force of a normal Grandmaster. A small dent appeared on its body, the equivalent of a bruise.
Tang Nuan determined the spider was about the equivalent of a Soul Elder. At least one without a third skill lacking that offensive ability. With a final strike, she renders it inactive. Only to hear more clicking sounds from the hall, and behind them?
Tang Yuan began his examination of the spider's remnants. Even as his mother and the seniors dealt with more of them. They didn't seem too far from the ants in terms of quality. Perhaps they too were made with quantity of quality in mind.
Their group had stopped their exploration for now. They had already been exploring for a few hours in the caves. Then nearly another two in this pyramid already. Now they were finally getting into their rations properly.
Tang Yuan examined the crystal he had found at the core of an Automata Ant. The engravings upon the crystal's surface were complex. Almost exactly like a circuit board or like a magic circle from anime. This array on the core was the very heart of the creature, and also its brain maybe.
Now that he had the time to think, what exactly was this thing's source of power? As a soul tool or soul guide it functions on soul power or another energy. Perhaps there was a source somewhere in the pyramid. When that ran out they would no longer function.
"Is there anything you can determine?" Tang Nuan asked interrupting his thoughts as she sat beside him. "Even if it's only speculation you likely have the best expertise in this matter," she said unashamedly.
Tang Yuan wondered if she meant his blacksmith skill, or the supposed legacy. Still, he looked at her and the others who did seem to want his thoughts. So here goes "first off these things could be considered soul guides like our storage belts, if of a different kind." he stated first.
Dugu Bo spoke up "In other words relics of an ancient era." A statement everyone had already known, yet. "To what end exactly?" he could not really imagine a reason for them.
Tang Yuan pursed his lips he supposed it made sense. Ten thousand years in the future people would be resistant to Soul Tools. Part of it was the war, but also because why should they care about them? These ants and spiders could easily be destroyed by them. So weren't they just a waste of resources to the strong?
"The ants are workers of some kind as we can infer. The spiders are a combat type of machine. Both are more than likely fodder for battles made in large numbers." he started his explanation with the purpose.
"However that is only one matter. I am more curious about how they can move properly. Our storage belts require energy to function so to must these things." Tang Yuan voiced his earlier thoughts. It would be an important part of further exploration.
"Something in this place them supplies energy. That will likely be the most valuable thing in this place." A device that could store energy, such as a battery or a power bank. Where that energy came from was another very important matter.
Considering the pyramid one possibility was energy absorbed from the sun. The four sides may be used to absorb that energy. Another was energy drawn from the earth, the ley lines, or rather Dragon veins.
Upon hearing that possibility there minds were embroiled with thoughts. These machines had soul power in them and could act alone. Today had been filled with new discoveries, rather this entire trip had been.
Tang Nuan was drawn from her thoughts as she sensed it. She stood up ready to face another attack from the machines. The ants had almost become entirely scarce, and only spiders appeared now.
Yet what stepped from the corner was not the mechanical spiders. They walked on eight legs like them, but we're also noticeably different. Two large mechanical pincers stood ready for combat each like a deadly clamp. Behind the large body, a tail swayed back and forth at the end like a two-part spear glaive.
"So now it's a scorpion type." Tang Yuan voiced out loud. This was the third type they had encountered so far. Did it appear because of how far they moved into the ruin or the number of machines they destroyed?
The machine's tail swayed back and forth before pointing at them. It's spear like tail was divided into two blades the top much larger. Between those blades was a circular barrel aimed at them. A glowing light quickly gathered in that barrel before firing.
Yue Guan acted quickly "Second Skill: Chrysanthemum Barrier." his martial soul emitted a golden barrier in front of them.
The Scorpion's tail barrel fired a blast of energy like a bullet. The blast hit the barrier like a pebble before a great boulder. Not even a hint of struggle in the barrier from the small blast.
"My oh my, not as strong as I expected." Yue Guan said, he had acted reflexively to defend. Though he said that it still held danger to them. He kept the barrier up blocking several more shots.
The mechanical scorpion finally ceased its actions after a dozen blasts. As it did several other such scorpions appeared from the shadows. A group of five stood before them now in a horizontal line.
This group of five took position as three began to fire on the shield. The remaining two began to move forward at a slow pace.
"They want to corner us it seems." Tang Nuan said knowingly. Her opinion of these things had grown more cautious. They seemed to have intelligence behind them, or a set of orders.
Chrysantheum merely quicker his lips amused. "They might have a few boboos, but I'll do that," he said with a sing-song voice. The shield he had maintained pulsed before rapidly expanding forward. This was the second part of his skill.
The scorpions caught off guard are hit by the barrier in an instant. Lifted off the ground from the force and sent sprawling. The force of the shield damaged them severely in an instant.
They quickly checked the machines to ensure they were now inactive. Damaging all five more to ensure that fact. Then they began the process of taking them apart. Tang Yuan focused his attention on the tail part first as the most attention-grabbing.
"Brother Yuan is smiling again as he takes that thing apart." Dugu Xin said as he watched Tang Yuan dismantle the scorpion.
Bibi Dong stands away not wanting to get in the way. She had tried to help, but she was rather bad at it. So she could only really watch as he worked.
In a few minutes, the first scorpion had been completely dismantled. Then stored as best he could in his storage belt. A storage that was rapidly being filled as they continued their exploration. Even still he quickly dealt with the other broken machines.
Tang Yuan narrowed his eyes as they stepped into a different area. It was different from the hallways they'd been moving through. The room was a crossroads in the pyramid. At least it should have been, he glanced at the large door in the middle.
They considered the door for a few moments. It was several meters tall, and definitely very sturdy. Carved upon it was an ancient relief of the pyramid at its center. Around it was the spiraling dessert divided into two sides of appearance. One side had a moon, and the other had a blazing sun in daytime.
Tang Yuan gazed at the relief hoping to pick up more details. The sun and moon, along with the pyramid were the key points of this relief. "I believe from this I can infer where most of the power originates. It would seem that this place converts the light of the sun and moon."
"A machine that works similarly to a soul master's practice." Yue Guan as a plant soul master already used the sun for his practice. Still that a machine could do something similar was surprising.
"Lets destroy the door, and see what's beyond it." Bibi Dong exclaimed more curious about what's beyond the door.
"No, at least not just yet. There are still two other paths we can walk, and we could find a way to open this door." Tang Yuan spoke first. They needed to be cautious with this place for now.
"But we might not be able to get inside otherwise." Bibi Dong retorted lightly.
"Is there a particular reason not to bypass this door Xiao Yuan?" Tang Nuan asked her son. She wanted to hear his reasons before deciding.
Tang Yuan considered that for a few moments "my first reason is the countermeasures of this place. At best more spiders and scorpions, probably far more than. The entire place might become active if we do that." Considering the importance of this door the possibility was not zero.
"The second is the worth of this door in and of itself. It is incredibly well-crafted without a doubt." he voiced aloud sure that one of similar quality was beyond him.
Tang Nuan could understand the first more than the second. Yes, it was too soon to take that kind of risk. Not with three Soul Elders with them at the very least. "Then we shall explore the other two sides rather than this." They would have a proper expedition handle that in the future.
With that, they stepped away from this tempting possibility in favor of safety, for now. They moved to the left side first curious about what they would find. This place was a ruin from a bygone time after all.
The left also had a door though with far less gravitas to it. They quickly pulled it open and stepped inside. What they beheld was without a doubt a treasure trove of a sort. Alcoves lined the walls filled to the brim with scrolls neatly organised.
The place didn't seem to be tens of thousands of years old. Well, there was quite a lot of dust on practically every surface. Yet this library was in impressive condition somehow. Almost as if maintained by a magical hand in defiance of the passage of time.
Tang Yuan walks to one of the alcoves on the wall. He cautiously pulls one of the scrolls from the alcove with trepidation. Cautiously he unfurled the scroll from its metal casing. "They seem to be completely fine, or at least it's not crumbling to dust."
With that they find themselves only further bewildered by this discovery. These scrolls should have aged into dust over time. Yet here they were still very much whole better than many others in fact.
"These ancients must have had a very good librarian, or very good paper." Bibi Dong said with slight dislike. She still had a slight dislike of books normally, now this.
Tang Nuan narrowed her eyes "This is a find indeed. Let's look through these scrolls we will take a few back with us." This entire trip was filled with fortune upon fortune. That fact had been of happiness to her at first, but now she could only wonder. Would this fortune also come to bring them great misfortune as well?
Even with the thought in her mind she looked through he alcoves. The alcoves seemed to be divided into specific categories. She worked to determine which category was what to find what would be most beneficial.
Yet she still worried about the future, the possibility of misfortune they might face. Fortune and blessings can often bring misfortune and curses in reaction. "I will have to trust Worship in this matter," she whispered to the empty air.
The only answer given to her the slightest chill in the air. Yet that was in of itself more than an answer to her words.
Elsewhere in the Ancient Pyramid eyes the color of the blazing sun gazed upon them. Those eyes shone with such light that they were like the pricks of stars. An ancient wisdom burning hidden within those two eyes, paired with a deep intelligence.
This ancient creature gazed upon these rare visitors through space itself. Such an opportunity could not be missed. The chance to expand its knowledge. So with careful effort, it moved its power slowly, but steadily. Until it gently touched the minds of the youngest first.
Only to find something curious "a Spiritual Technique of some kind." it mused to itself. The creature touched the minds of the other two just as probingly. The older boy did not have such a technique. But the younger one, oh the younger one.
Such a wealth of Spiritual Power from one so young. So contained as well with this technique far better than the girl's. The beast immediately concludes the child to be the creator, or extremely talented.
Such an interesting thing the temptation is too much. The urge to take a true peek at this most talented child. The creature mobilized more of its power as upon its brow a slit was exposed opening wide. As the slit opened exposing her third eye gazing upon Tang Yuan.
"Oh how truly interesting such a blessing of fortune upon this child. A talent nurtured by the plain, one of the children of fortune of this era. No more than that this child is a foreign soul to this realm." the creatures huminoid face brimmed into a wide interested smile.