Chapter 415: Epochs
Chapter 415: Epochs
As they ventured deeper, the stone steps gradually became less steep and eventually transitioned into flat ground.
Li Qian, Bai Bingbing, and Irina approached cautiously, and soon they noticed that there were also guards from the Investigation Bureau stationed here.
However, it was evident that they had already received orders from Ms. Liang, and they did not hinder the trio's progress.
Li Qian and his companions took steady steps forward, slowly approaching the security perimeter. Upon seeing this, the guards from the Investigation Bureau immediately stepped aside, allowing them to pass.
Bai Bingbing pointed to a bronze gateway at the end of their line of sight and began to explain, "According to Ms. Liang's assessment, this underground palace, along with the entire Falling Petals City, should all belong to the relics of the Fourth Epoch."
"The Fourth Epoch?" Li Qian repeated, his expression filled with confusion and uncertainty.
This term was indeed new to him, so he adopted a listening posture, waiting for Bai Bingbing to elucidate further.
"This is how archaeologists categorize the extraordinary civilizations in the Dimensional Plane," Bai Bingbing explained seriously. "There are five epochs in total, and the era we are currently in is the Fifth Epoch."
"The Old Calendar, the New Calendar, and the Federation Calendar—all the history we know in our era is classified within this epoch."
"Before our epoch, there was the Fourth Epoch," Bai Bingbing continued, leading Li Qian and Irina forward. "Earlier, in the temple complex outside, you should have seen those statues of humans with a single horn growing from their foreheads."
Li Qian nodded in agreement.
Indeed, he had noticed those statues of humans with a single horn.
Bai Bingbing continued without pause, "Those statues depict the people of the Fourth Epoch, and from the partially deciphered records of that epoch, we learned their identity—the Rong people."
"The Rong people were the rulers of the previous epoch, and they also followed the path of Beastmaster Civilization. In fact, according to the currently deciphered records, every epoch within the Dimensional Plane seems to have been dominated by Beastmaster Civilization."
After a moment's thought, she added, "Of course, this isn't a hundred percent certain. This is just the current state of archaeological findings, and whether there will be new discoveries in the future remains to be seen."
Hearing this, Li Qian began to grasp some of the details. He asked for confirmation, "So, as of now, we've only conducted archaeological excavations for four epochs?"
"That's a fair assessment!" Bai Bingbing nodded. "Currently, the more comprehensive archaeological efforts have only unearthed four relatively complete epochs, namely the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Epochs."
"Are there only five epochs of extraordinary civilizations in the Dimensional Plane, including our own?" Li Qian asked, sensing the uncertainty in Bai Bingbing's words.
"Not at all!" Bai Bingbing replied without hesitation, "Definitely not. In fact, archaeologists have already discovered relics from before the First Epoch."
"However, that period seems to have been given a collective name, but I'm not sure what it is." Bai Bingbing smiled wryly. "According to Ms. Liang, that era is a bit too distant for me to grasp, and even if I understood it, it wouldn't be of much significance."
"Civilizations before the First Epoch..." Li Qian murmured to himself upon hearing this.
"Yes, the difficulty of conducting archaeological research on that period is extremely high," Bai Bingbing continued without reservation. "Based on the occasional information Ms. Liang reveals, we've only discovered a few fragments of that era."
"The reason why archaeological research is challenging and difficult is twofold," Bai Bingbing explained further. "Firstly, a significant amount of time has passed, and most of the relics have been lost in the tides of history. Even if some remnants remain, they are in a state of disrepair. Secondly, the deeper the era, the more concealed the location of the relics within the Dimensional Plane."
"As far as I know, the exploration limit for our Beastmaster civilization is approximately the Sixth Layer Dimensional Plane. The deeper layers of the Dimensional Plane are too dangerous for us to venture into."
"I see..." Li Qian nodded slightly as he listened to Bai Bingbing's explanation, gaining a wealth of knowledge from these insights.
As they conversed, the three of them had already arrived at the Bronze Gateway, Li Qian looked up.
This Bronze Gateway, though not particularly tall, about twenty meters, emitted an aura of ancient and distant air.
The Bronze Gateway was half-open, revealing a crack wide enough for the three of them to pass through. It was clear that the archaeological team had explored inside for some time already.
Bai Bingbing pointed to the Bronze Gateway and explained, "This Bronze Gateway's internal structure has suffered some damage. Currently, it can only be opened to this extent. If we continue to push, the entire gate might collapse."
"Hmm!" Li Qian nodded in agreement.
He could not help but admire the thorough observation of these archaeologists.
The three of them did not waste any more time and stepped forward to enter the Bronze Gateway... However, at this moment, four figures emerged from within the Bronze Gateway, just missing them by a step. "Teacher Huang, good!" Bai Bingbing saw the four figures emerging from within the Bronze Gateway and immediately greeted them, "Teacher Huang, good!" Li Qian also greeted them in the same manner.
Irina nodded without saying much, stepping forward to meet the four-person team, where a well-dressed glasses boy saw Bai Bingbing and immediately approached her, "Bingbing, how did you manage to come alone? Teacher Liang?"
"Teacher Liang is up there," Bai Bingbing pointed to the ground above, casually replying, "He’s up there."
The glasses boy, seeing that Bai Bingbing was just casually fobbing him off, did not take his meaning seriously, instead focusing his gaze on Li Qian and Irina, "Who are they?"
"My friend, with Teacher Liang's permission, I came down to take a look," Bai Bingbing continued to placate with, preparing to step into the Bronze Gateway.
The glasses boy, upon seeing Bai Bingbing dismiss his words so casually, did not take her seriously, instead focusing his gaze on Li Qian and Irina, "They are?" he asked.
"My friend," Li Qian replied, then followed, stepping into the Bronze Gateway.
Irina chuckled, introducing herself, "Irina, the Deputy Governor of Phoenix City, this classmate, you know who to ask? I am here on official business."
Now, as you can see, I am not just the Deputy Governor of Phoenix City, but also have this kind of influence, so I have no choice but to walk in."
"What is this, you are doing here?" as the three of them all stepped into the Bronze Gateway, behind them, a stern voice from Teacher Huang reached them, "Teacher, I am coming over immediately!"
"Teacher, good!" Bai Bingbing, also known as that glasses boy, instantly froze in place, then turned to Li Qian, "Bingbing, this place is an archaeological site, no idle people should come in."
"What idle people?" Li Qian asked, slightly puzzled, then pointed to Bai Bingbing, "This classmate, Bai Bingbing, looks like she is not very friendly?"
Beside her, Irina directly revealed the truth, "You must have mistaken her as a competitor."
"What competitor?" Li Qian asked, a bit bewildered, then pointed to Bai Bingbing, "Oh..." Li Qian suddenly realized and then fell into a speechless silence.
What's the matter? Bai Bingbing's expression was somewhat difficult to read, she softly remarked, "Boring people, no need to mind."
Saying that, she turned her gaze to the interior of the palace.
(End of Chapter)
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