CRACK!
The sound echoed through the Keeper’s Hall.
Lin Tianyu instinctively stepped back.
The crack running through the Ninth Pillar widened, spreading like lightning across black stone that hadn’t changed in thousands of years.
A shadowy hand pressed against the inside.
Then another.
It looked as though someone…
—or something— was trying to push its way out.
The System exploded with warnings.
WARNING!
Unknown Entity Detected
Database…
Searching…
Searching…
No Records Found
Threat Assessment:
Unable to Calculate
Recommendation:
Maintain Distance
“…No records?”
Tianyu whispered.
“I thought you knew everything.”
Correction.
The Sanctuary predates the System’s complete archives.
“…That doesn’t make me feel any better.”
Hei Bao slowly walked in front of Tianyu.
The lazy panda was gone.
In his place stood an emperor.
His golden eyes glowed like twin suns.
The playful expression that Tianyu had grown used to had completely disappeared.
“…Stay.”
Sun Xiaohou landed beside him, gripping an invisible staff.
His usual grin was nowhere to be seen.
“…Behind us.”
Tianyu had never seen them this serious.
Even when they discovered the underground chamber…
Neither beast had looked this tense.
“…Who is inside?”
Hei Bao answered without taking his eyes off the pillar.
“…Don’t know.”
“…You don’t know?”
“…Never met.”
The answer sent a chill through Tianyu.
Hei Bao was over eight thousand years old.
If even he didn’t know…
Then how ancient was whatever lay sealed inside?
Another piece of stone broke away.
Instead of revealing darkness…
A soft silver light seeped through the opening.
It wasn’t sinister.
It wasn’t violent.
If anything…
It felt…
Lonely.
The whisper came again.
“…Keeper…”
“…Has the war ended?”
The voice sounded young.
Confused.
Almost hopeful.
Tianyu frowned.
“…What war?”
The whisper fell silent.
As if surprised that someone had answered.
“…Your voice…”
“…Different.”
“…You are not…”
“…Master.”
The silver light dimmed.
Then…
The hand slowly withdrew from the crack.
The trembling stopped.
Silence returned to the hall.
The System finally stabilized.
Seal Status Updated
Ninth Pillar
Integrity:
99.2%
Emergency Breach Prevented
Cause:
Unknown
“…That’s it?”
Tianyu blinked.
“It just…
stopped?”
Hei Bao slowly relaxed.
“…Sleeping again.”
Sun Xiaohou let out a long breath.
“…Lucky.”
“You two looked ready to fight.”
“…Could not.”
“What?”
The monkey scratched his head.
“…If inside…”
“…Very strong.”
“…Much stronger than us.”
Tianyu stared.
“…You’re joking.”
Hei Bao quietly shook his head.
“…No.”
His gaze drifted back toward his grandfather’s journal.
He flipped another page.
The handwriting had become noticeably messier.
As though Lin Guowei had been writing in a hurry.
If you’ve already seen the Ninth Pillar, then events are moving faster than I feared.
Listen carefully, Tianyu.
The Sanctuary has Nine Guardian Thrones…
but only Eight Guardian Beasts.
Tianyu frowned.
“Eight?”
He looked around the hall.
Eight carved pillars.
One empty.
His grandfather continued.
Never ask the beasts about the Ninth Throne unless they choose to tell you.
Some memories are wounds.
Tianyu slowly closed the journal.
Neither Hei Bao nor Sun Xiaohou spoke.
That silence…
Was answer enough.
To change the subject, Tianyu activated the newly unlocked Sanctuary Map.
A glowing projection appeared in the center of the hall.
It resembled a three-dimensional blueprint of the zoo.
Every enclosure above ground was represented by tiny golden structures. Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
Beneath them…
A sprawling underground complex stretched in every direction.
“What…”
His eyes widened.
“This is enormous.”
The underground Sanctuary was at least fifty times larger than the zoo itself.
Most areas were dark.
Locked.
Unavailable.
Only three locations glowed.
Keeper’s Hall First Seal Chamber Monkey Mountain Passage
Everything else remained hidden.
One location, however…
Flashed faintly.
Northern Forest Habitat
Status:
Dormant
Guardian:
Unknown
Unlock Requirement:
Zoo Level 2
“Forest Habitat?”
There wasn’t any forest in his zoo.
At least…
Not on the surface.
The System spoke.
The Sanctuary expands alongside the zoo.
“So every time I improve the zoo…”
Additional Sanctuary Zones will awaken.
“…Meaning…”
More legendary beasts can return.
Tianyu suddenly understood.
This wasn’t just about protecting the animals he already had.
His mission was much larger.
He was rebuilding an entire lost civilization.
Before he could process the thought…
His phone vibrated.
The sudden ringtone echoed awkwardly through the ancient hall.
“…Seriously?”
He glanced at the screen.
Caller ID: Zhao Ming
He answered.
“Hello?”
His accountant’s panicked voice exploded through the speaker.
“Boss!”
“What happened?”
“You need to get back here!”
“I’m a little busy.”
“I don’t care if you’re sleeping!”
“I’m definitely not sleeping.”
“Then hurry!”
“Why?”
There was a long pause.
Then Zhao Ming whispered,
“…There’s a girl outside the zoo.”
“…Okay?”
“…She walked straight into Hei Bao’s enclosure…”
Tianyu’s heart nearly stopped.
“…WHAT?”
“…And…”
Zhao Ming swallowed audibly.
“…The panda…”
“…Bowed to her.”
[End of Chapter 8]