Chapter 447: Chapter 415: Epoch

As they descended, the stone steps gradually became less steep, eventually leveling out completely.

Li Qian’s group of three approached slowly and soon discovered guards from the investigation bureau were here as well.

However, it was clear they had already received orders from Teacher Liang, as they didn’t try to stop the trio.

As Li Qian’s group drew near the security line, a few of the guards saw them, stepped aside, and waved them through.

Bai Bingbing pointed to a large Bronze Gate at the far end of their view and began to explain. "According to Teacher Liang’s assessment, this underground palace, and in fact all of Luoying City, is likely a ruin from the Fourth Epoch."

"The Fourth Epoch?" Li Qian repeated, mulling over the words. He instinctively looked at Bai Bingbing, his face a mask of confusion.

It was the first time he had ever heard the term, so he adopted a posture of rapt attention, waiting for Bai Bingbing to elaborate.

"It’s how archaeologists classify the Extraordinary civilizations within the Dimension Planes. There are five epochs in total, and the era we live in now is the Fifth Epoch." Bai Bingbing explained in a serious tone, "The old calendar, the new calendar—which is the Federation Calendar—all of our known history belongs to this epoch."

"Before our epoch was the Fourth Epoch." Bai Bingbing led Li Qian and Irina forward. "Earlier, in the temple complex outside, you probably saw those statues of humans with a single horn on their heads."

Li Qian nodded.

He had indeed seen the statues of the single-horned humans.

Bai Bingbing continued without pause, "Those sculptures depict the humans of the Fourth Epoch. By deciphering some of the information left behind from that era, we learned their identity—the Rong People."

"The Rong People were the masters of the last epoch, and they also followed the path of Beast Taming Civilization. In fact, according to the records we’ve managed to decipher so far, it seems that every civilization within the Dimension Planes, regardless of the epoch, has been a Beast Taming Civilization."

After a moment’s thought, she added, "Of course, that’s not one hundred percent certain. It’s just what our archaeological findings suggest for now. Whether we’ll discover something new in the future is anyone’s guess."

Hearing this, Li Qian began to grasp the basics. He spoke up to confirm, "So, you’re saying that, for now, we’ve only archaeologically verified four epochs?"

"You could say that, more or less!" Bai Bingbing nodded. "Our more complete archaeological efforts have only unearthed four relatively intact epochs: the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Epochs."

"So there have only been five Extraordinary civilizations in the Dimension Planes, including our own?" Li Qian asked, sensing a great deal of uncertainty in her words.

"There’s more!" Bai Bingbing said two words without hesitation. "There’s definitely more. In fact, archaeologists have already discovered ruins from before the First Epoch."

"However, that period seems to have been given a general name, but I don’t know what it is." Bai Bingbing gave a wry smile. "According to Teacher Liang, that era is a bit too distant for someone at my level. There’s no point in me knowing about it."

’A civilization before the First Epoch...’ Li Qian murmured to himself.

"Yes. Excavating that period is extremely difficult. Based on bits of information Teacher Liang has let slip, we’ve only found mere fragments from that time."

Bai Bingbing held nothing back as she continued, "The difficulty in excavating it is twofold. First, after such a long time, most of the ruins have been lost to the river of history. Even what little remains is badly damaged. Second is the location. The older the ruins, the deeper the Dimension Plane they are buried in."

"As far as I know, the current limit of exploration for us human Beast Masters is roughly the Sixth-Layer Elemental Plane. The deeper Dimension Planes are far too dangerous, and we have no confidence we can enter them."

"I see..." Li Qian nodded slightly after hearing Bai Bingbing’s explanation. This knowledge had certainly broadened his horizons.

As they talked, the three of them arrived in front of the Bronze Gate. Li Qian looked up to examine it.

The Bronze Gate wasn’t particularly tall, only about twenty meters, but it radiated an ancient and timeworn aura.

The Bronze Gate was ajar, open just enough for two or three people to pass through at a time.

Clearly, the archaeological team had entered to explore some time ago.

Bai Bingbing pointed at the Bronze Gate and explained, "The internal structure of this gate is already damaged to some extent. This is as far as we can open it. If we try to push it any further, the whole thing might collapse."

"Mm," Li Qian nodded.

He had to admire how meticulous these archaeologists were.

Wasting no more time, the trio started toward the Bronze Gate. But just as they were about to enter, four figures emerged from within, brushing past them.

"Hello, Teacher Huang!" Bai Bingbing called out a greeting as soon as she saw the four people exit the Bronze Gate.

"Hello, Teacher Huang!" Li Qian followed her lead and echoed the greeting.

Irina simply nodded without saying a word.

A nerdy-looking boy with glasses from the approaching group of four immediately rushed over enthusiastically when he saw Bai Bingbing. "Bingbing, why did you come in alone? Where’s Teacher Liang?"

"My teacher is up on the surface," Bai Bingbing replied casually, pointing upward toward the ground level.

Seeing that Bai Bingbing’s reply was just a casual dismissal and she had no intention of engaging him, the bespectacled boy turned his gaze to Li Qian and Irina. "And they are?"

"My friends. They came down to have a look, with Teacher Liang’s permission," Bai Bingbing continued to brush him off. With that, she prepared to step through the Bronze Gate.

The boy with the glasses, who was at the back of his group, frowned. He offered a seemingly well-intentioned reminder, "Bingbing, this is a major archaeological site. Unauthorized personnel aren’t allowed in."

"You can take that up with my teacher," Bai Bingbing said without turning back, walking straight through the entrance.

Her parting shot left the boy with the glasses feeling rather awkward.

Ask Teacher Liang? What a joke. Teacher Liang was the leader of this joint archaeological team. If she wanted to bring people in, nobody would say a thing, let alone just two—she could bring eight or ten and it would be fine.

"Excuse me, and you are?" Seeing that Bai Bingbing had already gone inside the Bronze Gate, the boy with the glasses sidestepped to block the path of Li Qian and Irina, who were a step behind.

"Bingbing’s friend," Li Qian said coolly, then stepped past him and went inside.

Irina chuckled and introduced herself. "Irina, Vice Guardian Envoy of Feihua City. And you are, classmate? Do you need something?"

She wasn’t actually the Vice Guardian Envoy of Feihua City yet, but her application had been submitted. It was only a matter of time before it was approved.

The boy with the glasses froze on the spot. He never would have imagined that this heroic-looking Gaochang Race woman was a Vice Guardian Envoy.

He didn’t have the guts to pick a fight with a Vice Guardian Envoy, nor did he have the ability.

So he could only slink away dejectedly.

"Liuqing Garden, what are you doing?" Just as all three of them had stepped through the Bronze Gate, Teacher Huang’s stern voice called out from behind.

"Teacher, I’m coming right now!" Liuqing Garden, the boy with the glasses, immediately jogged over.

Li Qian scratched his head, feeling a bit baffled.

He asked, "Classmate Bai Bingbing, that Liuqing Garden... he didn’t seem very friendly toward me, did he?"

Beside them, Irina cut straight to the truth. "He probably sees you as a rival."

"A rival for what?" Li Qian asked, confused.

"Her!" Irina pursed her lips and pointed at Bai Bingbing, who was walking ahead of them.

"Er..." It instantly dawned on Li Qian, and he was rendered speechless.

’This is so ridiculous!’

Bai Bingbing’s expression soured. "He’s just a tiresome person. Pay him no mind," she said dismissively.

With that, she turned her attention to the interior of the palace.

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