Chapter 257: Ancient City, Ju Lao Da, People of Shen He

The two musicians were extremely enthusiastic toward Guang Tai, saying they had once performed in Lei Wen City, and two musical pieces still played at the Lei Wen Opera House were composed by them.

After performing the ancient song together with Guang Tai, before Guang Tai could say anything, the two young musicians were already moved to tears by their own performance.

And Guang Tai obtained the musical knowledge he had sought!

【Obtained: Musical rhythm knowledge from a pianist and a jazz drummer!】

【Description: This musical rhythm knowledge, drawn from two musicians, helps you better master the power of melody and tune. Music holds the ability to stir emotions and shake the heart of life—sound-based moves will grow far stronger in your hands.】

【You can instantly learn any melody and perform it at an excellent or higher level!】

【Craftable item: Metronome!】

【Note: Excellent musical knowledge can guide you to the Melody Tree, whose fruit grants powerful boosts to sound-based moves. Legend says this tree is connected to the Legendary Pokémon Meloetta.】

“Have you considered applying to BW Arts & Entertainment in Lei Wen City as a musician?”

Bai He Xian recalled her past, saying she once held a major position at BW Arts & Entertainment, but left because she couldn’t freely create music there; still, with her and Zhu Pai’s musical skill, they’d never go hungry anywhere.

She simply felt that with Guang Tai’s level, he’d become a sensation at BW Arts & Entertainment.

“I have no such plans for now, but I might consider attending the musical theater—if that counts as a performance.”

“By the way, at the Rest Melody Café in Fei Yun City, there’s a guitarist who sings the ancient song—you might try forming a team with him.”

Guang Tai remembered the guitarist he met when he first arrived in Unova—the same NPC in the game who taught Meloetta the ancient song, possessing the power to move hearts through melody.

But since he had already learned the ancient song, he never gained knowledge from that guitarist.

Having gained new knowledge and indirectly united three musicians, Guang Tai left the small town blessed by wind and vines—but he did consider attending the Pokémon musical, a vital channel for acquiring musical knowledge.

He returned to San Yao, then Qi Bao, crossed Tian Jian Bridge, and came back to Fei Yun City.

Speaking of which, he now held a free ticket, allowing him to travel to Free Garden Island—a key route in the game to capture the Victory Pokémon, Victini.

But in reality, this ticket was merely a tourist pass, not a special item; many people carried it to visit Free Garden Island.

Since it was valid indefinitely, there was no need to go now!

After doing some light work at home in Fei Yun City, Guang Tai watched the time and, in the evening, pushed through the city’s crowds to reach Route 4, where he met a hiker, a fisherman, and a breeder.

Dust swirled everywhere; temporary construction sheds dotted the landscape, and building materials lay scattered across the ground.

Route 4 was one of Unova’s major roads; the Unova League had poured immense resources into its development. In Black 2, it became a special small town; in White 2, excavation halted after ancient ruins were discovered.

Beyond Route 4 lay the famed Convergence Boulevard, though it was still under construction.

“A labyrinth of ancient complexity, where the mighty spiritual forces of the ancients linger, burying all who dare delve beneath the sands. The God of Farmland dwells silently within—only light can guide your way. This is a trial never encountered in the game.”

It seemed one of the Dragon Stones also lay deep within the ancient city?

Yet Burnet seemed to have never seen that Dragon Stone in the real ancient city—perhaps buried too deep, or deeper than the room of Volcarona, or hidden somewhere unknown, thus never crossing paths with Volcarona or Landorus.

From the game’s plot, the Dragon Stone in the ancient city was the very stone later obtained by the Unova Hero; Ju Lao Da of Fanba City likely led its excavation and development—a long-term project that only concluded shortly before the Black and White storyline began.

Speaking of which, this ancient city was truly the cradle of Unova.

Once glorious and radiant, now buried beneath desert sands, an ancient ruin forgotten by time.

Though buried under sand for thousands of years, three exceptionally rare Pokémon still dwelled near the city, and countless wild Pokémon remained within its walls—when human civilization faded, nature reclaimed it, just as it did at the Ruins of Alph.

Guang Tai headed toward the ancient city, holding in hand the Flash TM he had purchased in Fei Yun Market.

Among his Pokémon, Turtwig could learn Flash.

Guang Tai decided to first explore the ancient castle—if he could reach its deepest chamber without battling Landorus, that would be ideal.

The Wildland Scenic Area housed doctors, nurses, rangers, patrol officers, backpackers, and psychics—but the dust-filled air was unbearable; luckily, Guang Tai had prepared dust-proof goggles.

Also, several other items he had crafted upon returning to Fei Yun City as an experiment.

It was already evening; the blood-red sun slanted westward, turning the desert into a sea of fire.

【Item: Dust-Proof Goggles!】

【Description: Goggles that defend not only against weather damage but also against powder-based moves!】

【Effect: Pokémon and humans carrying this item are immune to damage from Sandstorm, Hail weather, and powder-based moves or abilities like Spore.】

【Item: Assault Vest!】

【Description: A vest that enhances aggression. While it boosts Special Defense, it prevents the use of status moves.】

【Effect: The Pokémon carrying this item gains a 50% boost to Special Defense but cannot use status moves!】

【Item: Thick Soles!】

【Description: Heavy boots unaffected by ground-based traps!】

【Effect: The Pokémon carrying this item is immune to all moves that target Pokémon upon entry!】

The desert exploration trio, of course, must also carry a Rope Ladder.

The dust-proof goggles could be bought on the market; the other two items were crafted by Guang Tai himself using materials. With his current crafting speed, making these two took little effort, and he also gained new leads on rare materials.

At the entrance to the ancient castle, many Darmanitan slept in stone statue form, their hidden abilities concealed—most tourists mistook them for mere statues.

In truth, if you used an Angry Bun, they would awaken and fight—these were genuine ancient monsters, alive for unknown millennia.

Guang Tai tried using his Dragon Vein knowledge to guide him, but unfortunately—

Just as the ancient city had once been Unova’s origin but now lay a desert, the Dragon Veins beneath this land had dried up—this was why it sank beneath the sands.

“Without Dragon Veins to guide me, though I already suspected this—after all, regions where Dragon Veins thrive should flourish, not become deserts.”

The first level, being a tourist zone, had torches mounted on the walls, and workers labored here, accompanied by hired researchers, psychics, and fossil collectors.

“Ah! Young man, sorry—the area below is still entirely buried in sand; the ancient castle has been forgotten by time, reduced to this pitiful state.”

On the second underground level, Guang Tai encountered workers clearing sand. They said passage was impossible—the lower levels were completely buried. Guang Tai recalled the Black and White plotline: initially, they too claimed the lower levels were buried and under excavation.

“How deep is this sand?”

The workers were from Fanba City—sure enough, employees under Ju Lao Da’s command, even—

“You say you’ve heard sounds from the ancient city? We’ve heard it multiple times—each time we dig where you point, the sand swallows us again. Even psychics’ powers don’t help!”

A rough voice rang out not far ahead of Guang Tai—a middle-aged man in a cowboy hat and loose pants shouted at the psychic beside him, while the psychic swore confidently: “It’s definitely this direction—trust me!”

“Is Ju Lao Da personally overseeing the excavation and clearing of the ancient city?”

The psychic muttered in a trance: “Stay here, and you can feel the inexplicable power everywhere! The source is unmistakably—this direction.”

Ju Lao Da slapped his face: “Cai Ren! I’ve heard this same nonsense from you so many times—it’s a waste of time!”

As soon as he spoke, Guang Tai suddenly entered a strange state.

As if boundless emotions surged toward him from all directions, endless whispers and laughter echoed in his ears—not terrifying, but familiar, like the voices he once heard in Shen Du: the echoes of the ancients’ spiritual power, the “past world” they left behind.

These boundless emotions strengthened his psychic abilities, as if calling out to him!

【Knowledge “Voices of the Other World” activated!】

【Temporarily gained power: Emotional Echoes of History!】

【Description: Places steeped in history overflow with endless energy—the accumulated thoughts of the past have turned to sand. Can you understand? This is power forged from countless sorrows and joys!】

【Effect: All your psychic, spiritual, aura, or creative powers are elevated by one rank within the ancient city. You may also sense certain individuals connected to you—they feel it too!】

【Note: This ancient city is the fabled Sun City. Opposite it lies the hidden Moon Realm on the other side of the world. This city did not merely worship Burnet and Volcarona—it was also linked to the legendary Giants. You once possessed a Legendary Giant, so you heard the city’s call!】

【Note: The ancient city holds immense spiritual power—radiant, blazing, like the sun! If you answer its call, you may gain something… but proceed with caution. Hidden here are divine beings of history—and countless ancient guardians!】

“This way,” Guang Tai led Turtwig toward one direction.

At that moment, Ju Lao Da noticed Guang Tai and immediately spoke:

“Hey! Visitor over there, excavation’s hit a snag—how about heading to the tower entrance on the other side? That area’s been cleared to several levels—you can tour freely!”

Before Ju Lao Da finished speaking, the sand directly before Guang Tai suddenly collapsed, surging away like a tide, revealing a dark staircase leading downward!

“Ah! The sand… vanished?!”

“The spiritual power here just spiked! Such a powerful psychic!”

Cai Ren, the psychic assisting Ju Lao Da, also sensed the faint but overwhelming aura radiating from Guang Tai—the ancient city’s pull made his eyes widen.

“Huh! Young man, wait!”

As a mining and commerce tycoon, Ju Lao Da instantly smelled opportunity. He called out to Guang Tai and gave a thumbs-up:

“Hey! You’re incredible! We’ve been stuck, and you alone cleared the sand! My psychic says you possess immense power—how about collaborating with us?”

“You’re clearly drawn here by some spiritual force of the ancient city, like the psychics outside. I don’t understand psychic stuff, but clearly, your ability can massively aid our excavation!”

“Of course, I won’t let you work for free! Let me introduce myself—I’m Ju Lao Da, the underworld boss of Fanba City! Name your price for excavation work!”

Guang Tai didn’t need money for excavation fees, but having more workers below was indeed better—they’d clear paths, making the return journey easier.

Besides, if we encounter Landorus, we can fight one-on-one—or gang up if needed.

“Hahaha! You’re straightforward! I love working with straightforward people—hey?”

Ju Lao Da laughed heartily upon hearing Guang Tai agree—but as he laughed, he noticed Guang Tai faintly glowing. He rubbed his eyes hard, and a sudden wave of nostalgia surged within him.

He then stared suspiciously at Guang Tai.

“Did you just glow?”

“No,” Guang Tai shook his head, and others confirmed no anomaly on Guang Tai.

“Weird… just now, I felt a strange sensation—as if you were a friend I hadn’t seen in ages. But I’ve never met you.”

“Yes… you truly haven’t met me,” Guang Tai paused, then understood.

Was this the resonance of the "People of Shen He"?

Within the ancient city, this connection was amplified—revealing the ancient power of Shen He?

Ju Lao Da’s ancestor, Ju Yi, had once been the factory chief overseeing Scyther during the Xicui Era, belonging to the Pearl Team—whose ancestors were also other People of Shen He who had journeyed overseas.

Guang Tai: “Ju Lao Da, did your ancestors leave you any legends?”

Ju Lao Da: “Legends? Useless to me. I came to Unova alone, scraping by at the bottom of society. Do you think I became an underworld boss and mining tycoon through ancestral favor?”

“If anyone else spoke to me like this, I’d be angry—but for some reason, I can’t get mad at you. What are you all staring at?! I’m not influenced by the spiritual power here!”

The psychic Cai Ren suddenly realized something:

"So that's how it is! Perhaps it's some kind of resonance—your ancestor, Lord Guang Tai, might have been a powerful being like your own, and their spirits may have once interacted, perhaps as close friends?"

"Ancient spiritual power lingers into the modern age; the pervasive spiritual energy throughout this city is proof."

Ju Laoda: "Hmm, but I have no memory at all of that part of my ancestors, and I don't know much about it—but regardless, this isn't a bad thing, is it?"

"Hah! Anyway, I suddenly feel a strong connection with you. Maybe Cai Ren was right—you really did have contact with my ancestors! So this time you came to help is destiny, a reunion of descendants? I'm truly lucky!"

"Alright! Then I'm counting on you to lead the way!"

(End of Chapter)