Creation of the Universe

Dingzhou, royal tombs in the western suburbs.

The Jinning Shen family rose to prominence only a few hundred years ago. After five generations of fighting on the battlefield and shedding their blood, they finally gained a corner of the country and were honored as kings.

Among the many families with a long history and profound heritage in Xuantian Continent, the Shen family's background is not worth mentioning.

But in Jinning, the Shen family has become the most respected royal family, and Dingzhou has become the burial place of the ancestors of the Shen family for generations. The Western Suburbs Royal Tombs are a symbol of status and fortune for the Shen family.

When Shen Zhan and his party arrived at the royal tomb, they were greatly disappointed by what they saw, because the royal tomb was very different from what they had imagined in their minds.

"This... is actually the royal tomb..."

Meng Zhong was almost unsure whether this was the location of the Jinning royal family's tomb.

There are no carved beams and painted rafters, no grandeur, no solemnity, and there are not even decent shrines, stone statues, or main halls or side halls for sacrifices.

Judging from the specifications and layout seen from the outside, it is difficult to associate it with a royal tomb. Moreover, although Jinning is a small place, it is the country with the highest taxes and the most wealth among many vassal states. The royal family has the financial resources to build this place to be more in line with its noble status.

The only thing that makes it seem like a royal mausoleum is that it occupies a vast area of ​​land, which is quite astonishing in scope.

The royal mausoleum is backed by a Cangshan Mountain. On the east and west sides are the mausoleums of the ancestors of the Shen family, built in sequence. In the middle is a main mausoleum that is larger than the other mausoleums. It blends in with the foothills behind it and looks ancient and mysterious.

Han Fei asked Shen Zhan, "The royal mausoleum was built so carelessly. It seems that King Jinning doesn't care much about it. But I remember you said that the royal mausoleum was the place he cared about the most."

Shen Zhan explained, "That's right. If the royal mausoleum is built to be grand and extravagant, it will attract criticism from many people, who will accuse the royal family of extravagance and waste of money. Therefore, building it like this can show off one's self-denial and dedication to the public. This is the most practical benefit on the surface.

Of course, the royal family couldn't have done this just for the sake of reputation, so the most crucial reason for doing so was the secrets within the royal mausoleum."

"What's the secret here?"

Han Fei was very surprised. In his eyes, the royal mausoleum was nothing more than a place to bury the dead. No matter whether they were royal family members or ordinary people, it was all the same once they died.

Shen Yunli also slightly frowned her willow-like eyebrows, but she did not remember ever hearing anyone mention the secret of the royal tomb, even though she had come here with King Jinning several months ago.

"Brother, why don't I know this secret?"

Shen Zhan told him, "I didn't know it originally. The letter the Prime Minister left me had vaguely mentioned this secret about the Western Suburbs Royal Tomb. Although he didn't say it explicitly, I could guess it.

This place should be the lair of a mythical beast. The Shen family discovered this secret, so they chose to build the royal tomb here to hide it from the public.

The more ordinary the royal tomb is, the less people will pay attention to it. Who would make a connection between the royal tomb and the mythical beast?"

Shen Yunli followed Shen Zhan's gaze and looked at the main mausoleum in the center. Now they knew why it was so special. It almost extended and merged with the mountain.

In the past few hundred years, the mythical beasts in the world have rarely appeared, and those mythical beasts that people are familiar with have almost disappeared. The Dragon Bone Cave in Zhenwu Mountain was the last relic left by the real dragon in the world.

The prestige and status of the above-mentioned top sects of the Xuanzong righteous way have been disturbed by the existence of the Dragon Bone Cave. It is conceivable what kind of uproar will be caused if the world knows the secret of the Western Suburbs Royal Tomb.

"A divine beast? That's incredible! Spiritual creatures are divided into three ranks, each rank divided into nine grades. High-ranking creatures of grade eight and below are considered spirit beasts, while those of grade nine are divine beasts. Each possesses magical powers, capable of destroying heaven and earth at will, sending shockwaves through the three realms. Could it be that I'll be witnessing a divine beast in person someday?"

When Meng Zhong mentioned the mythical beast, he was not nervous at all, but seemed extremely excited.

Chu Ruxuan and Chu Rumeng were quite nervous. They didn't know how to face the divine beast. It was a being with a higher status than ordinary gods. Humans were as humble as ants in front of the divine beast and would be destroyed if they touched it!

Shen Zhan sensed their nervousness and said, "Relax a little. I don't think the divine beast has appeared yet. This is just its lair, which doesn't mean it's inside right now. Or maybe there's some reason that's preventing the divine beast from showing its might. Otherwise, wouldn't the secret here have been revealed long ago?"

His words really took effect. The expressions on the faces of the Chu sisters, Shen Yun, and Han Fei all relaxed a little.

After all, we have to face a divine beast, which is not something that everyone can encounter, and everyone feels a little unreal.

The group walked into the square in the center of the royal mausoleum. It was desolate and deserted here, and everything was silent. But looking around, there were no overgrown weeds or dirt. There were also no fallen debris under the broken stone pillars.

Shen Zhan naturally thought that this royal tomb must have tomb keepers. Just as he thought of this, Shen Yunli beside him suddenly laughed happily.

"Song Bo!"

"I'm here to see you."

Shen Yunli took two steps at a time and rushed forward, and in the direction she was heading, a hunchbacked old man appeared.

The man held a broom in his hand and looked at Shen Zhan and others with confusion. He paused for a while before recognizing Shen Yunli.

"Ah! It's the little princess!"

Song Bo hurriedly wanted to kneel down and salute, but was quickly stopped by Shen Yunli, "Song Bo, what are you doing? I came here with my brother today. Father is not here."

"Your brother?"

Song Bo looked towards Shen Zhan in surprise and said, "I am Shen Zhan. I came here today to pay homage to our ancestors."

Shen Zhan walked forward, looked at Song Bo intentionally or unintentionally, and a friendly smile appeared on his face.

"So it was... the general who defended the country..."

Perhaps he couldn't remember how to address Shen Zhan for a moment, so Song Bo looked very embarrassed and even a little incoherent.

Shen Zhan said, "General Guarding the Nation is a title from the past. I'm no longer a member of the Jinning Palace, but I'm still a descendant of the Shen family. So it's only natural for me to come to the royal mausoleum to pay homage to my ancestors, right?"

"That's natural!"

"Please follow me into the mausoleum."

Song Bo usually guarded the royal tomb alone, and he certainly did not expect a situation like today, but after a brief moment of surprise, he quickly responded with great enthusiasm and kindness.

"The main hall is in front, where the spirit tablets of our ancestors are enshrined. Young Master and Princess can come in as you please."

"I'll go out and prepare some food. Please do me the honor of having a simple meal here. I'm sure you'll be hungry after coming so far."

Song Bo bowed and slowly retreated.