Chereads / American female writer dreams back to ancient Tang Dynasty China. / Chapter 19 - Chapter Nineteen: The Mirror of the Sky

Chapter 19 - Chapter Nineteen: The Mirror of the Sky

As night fell, Chaka Salt Lake revealed a different kind of beauty. The starry sky, like an enormous dome, mirrored countless stars and the Milky Way in the water, with the lake's surface serving as a portal through time and space, allowing us to touch the splendor of distant stars. Here, we seemed to have merged with the universe, becoming one with heaven and earth.

Following the shoreline, we sought out the location hidden within the map, a place harboring the seeds of wisdom and prophetic secrets. It felt as though each step we took was along an invisible line between heaven and earth, and each step was a beat in the rhythm of time.

The immortal had said, "The key to fate is hidden deep within this mirror-like lake." Therefore, we were compelled to unravel the mysteries of Chaka Salt Lake, to discover and validate the truths behind ancient legends, fulfilling our mission as brave travelers. Within this mirror of the sky, we anticipated uncovering all its secrets

The three of us sat by Chaka Salt Lake, surrounded by the ocean of salt. Its surface sparkled with a mysterious glow under the light of the stars, like a profound gem set upon the earth. All was silent around us, save for the occasional low calls of nocturnal animals, adding a hint of vitality to the tranquil salt lake.

Not far from the lake, stood a vast assembly of granite rocks, silent guardians of time. After finishing our dry food while seated, Li Hao suggested we walk towards the granite rocks, and so the three of us made our way there. Under the moon's glow, I approached a rock with distinctive textures. Cool and hard to the touch, the rock's surface was firm and smooth. Suddenly, my ancient ring began to glow. Astounded, I couldn't help but feel that this place was extraordinary. Carefully searching, we spotted a hidden crevice that caught our attention, faintly breathing out an air of antiquity and mystery.

I signaled to Li Hao and Lysandra, and together we cautiously moved some smaller stones aside. The weak moonlight and our own torches revealed that the crevice led to a narrow passageway, opening into an ancient cave.

Inside the cave was more spacious than we imagined. Its walls were covered in dense rock textures, with some forming into stalactites as if water droplets had overflowed from the cave's walls; others resembled naturally crafted stone shelves, holding the sediment of ages. Most striking, however, was the gentle light reflecting from deep within the cave, as if there was some kind of mineral reflecting the starlight, or an inexplicable energy flickering with its own life force.

After exchanging glances, we decided to delve deeper. As we entered further into the cave, the stone steps beneath our feet gradually became smoother, as if shaped by ancient visitors. The elusive light ahead grew ever clearer, as if guiding our way.

The source of light originated from a massive granite stone disc not far from the cave's entrance. At its center lay a crystal-clear gem, radiating light that seemed to pulse with our heartbeats. As I reached out to touch it, my glowing ring accidentally activated some mechanism on the disc.

In an instant, a subtle tremor went through the cave. The once-still gem suddenly brightened intensely. Simultaneously, carved reliefs on the cave's ceiling, as if activated by the light, began to unfold layer by layer, rotating like a celestial chart. Then, a portion of the cave wall slowly moved aside, revealing a profound passage leading towards the heart of the lake, seemingly inviting us into the deeper layers of history.

The three of us held our breath, tiptoeing across the ground, stepping into this newly discovered mysterious space. As we ventured deeper, the crystalline structures at the bottom of the lake began to reveal an unusual pattern, crafted not by nature but evidently by a high intelligence. These geometric designs were intricate and complex, seemingly concealing endless information.

Passing through the dimly lit passage, we were greeted by a magnificent underground hall. Vivid dragon totems were carved on the walls, their elegant postures as if narrating the stories of the cosmos. At the center of the hall, a transparent crystal throne caught our attention. It emanated a soft glow that seemed to connect directly to other dimensions.

Here, we found various curious machines and devices. Lysandra studied the ancient texts within intricately, understanding they were remnants of an ancient extraterrestrial dragon civilization. They had left behind advanced technology and profound knowledge here on Earth. This group had set foot on this continent long before the dawn of human civilization, with a civilization that was immensely advanced. They were not only masters of astronomy and geography but also possessed the mysterious power to travel through time and space.

However, why did such a civilization suddenly disappear? The images and texts among the ruins seemed to narrate an ancient prophecy. A sudden calamity forced the dragons to abandon their homeland. They left behind these grand symbols, waiting for us in the future to discover and continue their unfinished mission.

We were amazed to discover that the wisdom of the dragon race was embodied not only in technology but also deep within their understanding of the philosophy of life. They believed in the interdependence of all life in the universe and the importance of harmonious coexistence. Each relic they left was not only an imprint of civilization but also a warning and enlightenment for those who came after.

Gently touching the crystal throne, it suddenly began to vibrate, filling the air with a strange frequency. At that moment, images of the dragon race began to emerge in our minds as if they were communicating with our brains through some sort of spiritual legacy. Stories, wisdom, history, and emotions merged into vivid scenes, allowing us to understand how the extraterrestrial dragons once lived in harmony with nature and cherished the land that gave them life.

These frequencies prompted our brains to inquire and discern, expanding our comprehension of the dragon civilization together. We captured the sparks of wisdom from the fragments of history and brought this knowledge back to reality, using the ancient teachings to continue on the path of civilization. This mysterious ruin became a testament to our collective wisdom.

In a distant corner of the universe lies a mysterious planet, home to an advanced extraterrestrial dragon civilization. An ancient and powerful race, their history extends far beyond human civilization. Illuminated by the glow of the nebulae, their technology and wisdom are like flames born from the stars, lighting up the entire cosmos.

The civilization of the extraterrestrial dragons began millions of years ago, and they could travel freely across the vast universe. For them, interstellar travel was as commonplace as a morning workout is to humans. Their technology not only afforded them majestic architecture and high-speed starships, but they also made astonishing achievements in the field of life sciences. They were able to rewrite genetic codes, creating life forms adapted to different planetary environments.

When our minds were guided to this planet by the strange frequencies, we were astounded by everything in front of us. The cities of the dragon race hung in the sky like pearls, through which various forms of rapidly moving aircraft wove. The planet's surface was covered with a myriad of bizarre lights and energy flows.

As the guardians of the planet, the dragon guide seemed to have a tacit understanding to impart the knowledge of their kind to us. Our guide first taught us the language and script of the dragons, essential for understanding and harnessing their technology. The language contained a highly sophisticated logical structure, unlocking our comprehension of the dragon knowledge system.

Next, we were taken to the holy site of knowledge transmission—the Fire of Wisdom. The dragons stored all information within these seeds of wisdom, which contained all the technological and intellectual essence since the birth of their civilization. Merely by witnessing the Fire of Wisdom, the frequencies it emitted could connect us to the holy site. We learned how to operate the dragons' machinery, including piloting those rapidly moving flying machines, which far surpassed any technological advancements on Earth.

We also learned to use the dragons' interstellar navigation system, capable of precision travel between stars, experiencing true interstellar travel. Even more miraculously, we mastered the dragons' proudest achievement—using energy technologies, encompassing how to draw energy from the universe, and converting that energy into powerful healing and protection forces.

After some time of learning, we were able to use this advanced technology effortlessly. Under the guidance's supervision, we began attempting to operate simple devices independently. We learned not just how to navigate the depths of space but also how to use energy for repair and healing.

However, the power of the dragon species did not always maintain control. One year, an uprising occurred within the dragon society similar to human societal unrest. The loss of control over such power ultimately led to the dragon civilization's catastrophic outcome—the brilliancy of their civilization was snuffed out after deploying destructive weapons during the riots.

We were adventurers who stumbled into this fateful journey, unwittingly immersed in a quest that stretched across time and space. At the holy site of the Fire of Wisdom, we found an ancient ring, remarkably similar to the one previously bestowed on me by the immortal, but while the earlier ancient ring was blue, this one was red.

The demise of the dragon race was not accidental—they had foreseen their end. They left behind relics and technology, not for posterity to covet the power, nor was it expected that we would take a different path from theirs. Comparatively, the emotions and logic of the dragon members were more rational and mature than humans, yet they too perished. I was plunged into deep thought. Would humans eventually face such a day? It must be an inevitable road that every civilization must traverse. We are helpless about the past and future; the ordinary can only change the present, although most cannot even alter that.

Suddenly, the frequency vanished. We returned to reality, standing in the cold cave beneath the lake, before the crystal dragon throne, surrounded by the ancient dragon pillars inscribed with complex totems, seemingly narrating age-old legends.

We expanded our understanding of the dragon civilization together. The sparks of wisdom we witnessed in their historical remnants would forever be etched in our brains, guiding our continuous pursuit of civilization's pathway. This mysterious site might one day serve as a testament to our united wisdom.

Heavy with thought, we emerged from the cave. Shortly after our departure, the granite stones resumed their former state without the activation and bolstering of my ancient ring, perhaps awaiting their next awakening. As I walked, my hand instinctively caressed the other ancient ring picked up at the entrance, expertly slipping it onto another finger. I now possessed two ancient rings.