Soon after disembarking, Kang Hui led us toward the central Great Temple. This must be the heart of the rebel territory. Kang Hui clearly understood my terrifying destructive capability, yet he dared to bring us in. Did he fear inviting a wolf into his house? Or did he possess absolute certainty that I wouldn't unleash slaughter here? If they truly managed to retrieve the nuclear warheads, even if the energy stones fell into their hands, I could surely seize them back.

The temple’s roof seemed peculiar, as if something had once stood erect upon it. I noticed several large characters inscribed on the temple door and asked the Dragon Girl again: “These characters aren't yours either?”

The Dragon Girl shook her head: “No.” It appeared this contingent of prehistoric people knew nothing of Earth’s prehistory from over ten thousand years ago. How many mysterious civilizations existed throughout this world, unknown to people? Who could be certain how many super-civilizations had arisen during Earth's long 4.6-billion-year history?

I pondered, recalling fragmented data I had encountered six millennia in the future. Could this be the center of Atlantis’s energy system—the Solar Palace? Though I couldn't read Atlantean script, I had occasionally seen references to it in various materials. Among the achievements of the prehistoric Atlantean super-civilization, the most remarkable was their energy system.

The core of their power system was the Magnetite—a colossal, six-sided (with a hexagonal cross-section) crystalline substance resembling glass, capable of absorbing sunlight and converting it into energy. It was situated within the central energy facility of the Solar Palace in Poseidonis, the Atlantean capital—a vast apparatus designed to convert light into motive power.

Could this be the Solar Palace? The structure of the temple roof suggested something had indeed once faced the sun, absorbing light. But where did it go after six thousand years? Why was it never discovered in the Atlantic Ocean? Did it sink beneath the waves again?

Without giving me time to think further, everyone followed Kang Hui into the Solar Palace. The great hall was solemn and silent. I scanned the area, employing my clairvoyance, but found no sign of the black-clad figure from before. Was he not here?

In the center of the hall stood a circular dais. Kang Hui guided me forward: “Envoy of the Dragon, please bring the four energy stones up here. All others must remain below the platform; this is the rule of the temple.”

I stopped Kang Hui: “Hold on. We are currently in the dark; if you don’t explain things clearly, we won't proceed with anything.”

Kang Hui paused, turning back: “What do you wish to know?”

I asked: “Where is this place, and what do you need the energy stones for?”

Kang Hui replied: “I will tell you the truth. My ancestors discovered these ruins of a super-civilization under the sea two hundred years ago and spent nearly that long bringing them back to light. We have restored the majority of this massive underwater city’s architecture and functions, but we could not revive its power system. Its original light-based energy matrix was far too complex, and we cannot replicate the light-absorbing vitreous material. However, our great scientists managed to adapt this light energy system to run on the power supplied by the four energy stones discovered in the core of the planet ‘Mars.’ Now is the time to verify the authenticity of these four stones. As soon as the energy system starts functioning normally, our negotiations can continue.”

The Dragon Girl inquired: “The energy stones have always been in the possession of the Long family; how could you know they could replace the original power source?”

Kang Hui retorted: “Dragon Girl, you underestimate our scientists. Furthermore, data concerning these four energy stones was once shared treasure on ‘Mars.’ It was only when ‘Mars’ faced extinction that your Long family claimed them exclusively. Now it is time for them to contribute to humanity.”

Kang Hui spoke endlessly of securing happiness for humanity. Did this man truly harbor such intentions? But if I handed over these four treasures, and they were installed into their system, what if I couldn't retrieve them? I certainly wasn't a fool.

I stated: “Let’s skip the grand speeches. How can you guarantee that I will get the energy stones back once the energy system successfully activates?”

Kang Hui offered: “I will ascend the platform with you. If you fail to retrieve the stones, kill me.”

I scoffed: “You aren't worth half an energy stone. No deal!”

Kang Hui suddenly sneered: “This is not a question of whether it can be done; it is a necessity. I can prove the authenticity of this detonator to you. Everyone, look at the sky outside the palace. Hahaha…”

Before Kang Hui finished speaking, his finger twitched. A dazzling white light flashed outside the palace. Soon, tremors vibrated through the ground, and a thick, mushroom-shaped cloud gradually materialized in the distant sky—the unmistakable signature of a nuclear detonation!

“You!” All five of us were enraged.

Kang Hui clutched the detonator, reminding us: “Be careful; I can’t guarantee I won’t press the button again. This city is the closest to us, and I’ve long disliked it. Today is a perfect opportunity to show you the results. What say you now, my Dragon Envoy Grand Marshal? Is it time for you to activate the power system?”

The Dragon Girl whispered to me: “Kang Hui has gone mad. He really destroyed another city. Dragon Envoy, what should we do?”

“I will accompany him up. Tiger, you look after the safety of the other three.” I said calmly. “Right now, our only option is to play it by ear. Resisting Kang Hui head-on might lead to a greater catastrophe. The Dragon Girl is right; Kang Hui is a lunatic!”

Kang Hui maintained a cautious distance from me, vigilantly monitoring my every move. The two of us ascended the dais, one behind the other. In the center was a small, square platform. Kang Hui pressed a switch beneath the platform, and the surface split open, revealing a spherical object. It had four indentations, matching the size and color that perfectly suited the four energy stones.

I observed it through my sight. This system differed significantly from the one designed six thousand years later. Without detailed reference materials, I could only surmise from what I saw: the energy system appeared to have considerable security flaws. Yet, judged by the ingenuity of the prehistoric people from six thousand years ago, this must have been a remarkably advanced energy system.

Kang Hui urged me to hurry. Having come this far, I hesitated no longer. I took out the four energy stones and placed them into their respective slots. The spherical device, energized by the stones, emitted a low hum and then retracted, spinning, beneath the square platform. Continuous rumbling emanated from below, suggesting extensive machinery was coming to life. Bang, bang, bang—the great hall was suddenly flooded with brilliant light, followed by a dazzling pillar of energy shooting straight up from the square platform!

Kang Hui roared with laughter. The Dragon Girl, standing far below the platform, could no longer translate for me, but Kang Hui’s expression confirmed his plan had succeeded.

I pointed at the square platform, now the base of a colossal light column, indicating to Kang Hui that he should return the energy stones, or I would not show him courtesy—though I still had to account for the detonator in his hand.

Kang Hui laughed loudly, ignoring me completely. The Dragon Girl, anxious, started forward to translate between us. As she stepped onto the first riser of the dais, Xia Huren suddenly grabbed her back, leaning in to listen intently to the sounds in the air. Then, he flung off one of his shoes. The shoe flew toward the high platform in the center of the hall, and upon reaching the first step, it vanished mysteriously.

Xia Huren gasped: “There are traps! Old Qian is trapped inside!”