Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) novel Chapter 1564

A breathtaking underground palace lay before Andrew and Chantelle's eyes. This palace, which could definitely be confirmed as the burial place of the Fallen Crimson Dynasty's royalty, was almost as large as the plaza above ground.

In other words, this underground palace was the size of two football fields. The palace's layout strictly followed the most orthodox central axis design of ancient royalty. It was a complete replica of an ancient emperor's palace.

However, this underground palace also contained many fantastical murals. For instance, skies with lightning and thunder, and classic Torasesy scenes of immortals riding the wind were all vividly and realistically painted on the palace's dome.

On the ground level, the Tree of Eternal Life was cast in gold, towering over ten meters high. A single glance was enough to strike the soul with its overwhelming majesty—a treasure beyond mortal measure.

On both sides of the central axis stood life-sized warrior statues and scaled-down versions of royal palaces. At the very center was an underground artificial lake. Even Andrew found this lake to be a work of divine craftsmanship.

Actual water was flowing within it—It was as if the gods themselves created it.

After a moment's thought, Andrew realized this must be sulfur hot springs bubbling up from underground rivers. In the center of the lake stood a magnificent pavilion.

Inside the pavilion, on a stone platform, sat a white marble table. On the table was a safe secured with golden clasps. Yes, it was indeed a safe, but one crafted from precious golden teak.

From Andrew's angle, he could even see the intricate mortise-and-tenon joints along its edges.

Chantelle quickly said, "During the Fallen Crimson Dynasty, foreign safes, firearms, and cannons had already been introduced to our country."

Andrew nodded, his gaze sweeping across the lake to the very front of the palace's central axis. Step by step, white marble stairs with jade railings led upward to a golden dragon throne with five fire-breathing dragons as its backdrop. On the throne sat a lifelike figure.

Andrew's first impression was that it was alive—a living person. However, after careful observation, he realized it was a mannequin with facial features painted on. You could tell from its sitting posture, which was somewhat stiff.

Even so, this mannequin gave Andrew a very unusual feeling. To be precise, it made him very uncomfortable. He felt that the eye sockets seemed to contain eyeballs that could actually move.

A bad feeling flashed through his mind—could something have happened to Logan?

Nonetheless, it was not the time to think about such things.

Leading Chantelle, the two quietly made their way down from the secret passage to the palace floor.

From ground level, the entire underground palace felt even more imposing. Without anyone needing to explain, Andrew could sense that only the ancient imperial families could have built and created this.

Chantelle said regretfully, "If this underground palace could be fully revealed to the world, then the Eight Wonders of the World would become Nine Wonders; at the top of these wonders would be the Fallen Crimson Dynasty's underground palace!"

Andrew said calmly, "Actually, being hidden underground isn't necessarily a bad thing. At least during those war-torn years when the nation was unstable, it wouldn't have been ravaged and completely looted by foreign powers."