As they drew closer, the immense size of the mysterious palace was not the only thing that could be felt, but also its opulence. The main structure, adorned in gold, was breathtaking, and even the marble steps beneath their feet shimmered with a warm, creamy luster.
Each step was etched with intricate, enigmatic patterns—some resembling flowers, others like flying birds and beasts, each unique yet beautiful in its own way. The railing, undulating like waves, appeared to be crafted from milky white stone, and at intervals, the handrails were adorned with night pearls as large as a human head!
“So why can’t we break them?”
Had it not been for Tian Zheng’s restraint, Bai Xia would have barely resisted the urge to hug those night pearls and take a lick. Despite her desire to dismantle everything and carry it away, the system’s ‘unbreakable’ prompt forced her to let go.
Finally, overwhelmed by the splendor around her, Bai Xia could hardly move. In a fit of impatience, Tian Zheng picked her up by the waist and strode upward.
This indeed increased their speed.
Surprisingly, Bai Xia did not struggle much, whether due to the recent large sum of money that felt like a bribe or simply because she was too lazy to walk.
After what felt like an eternity, they finally reached the top of the steps, where Bai Xia broke free and landed on the ground. The palace gate was absurdly large—even a small airplane could easily fit through it.
The gate was adorned with gold lines depicting two unknown beasts. The one on the left had a large head full of sharp teeth, four eyes, and a lion’s body with eagle claws. The one on the right was serpentine, with six wings on its back, three tails, and a scorpion-like tail!
Both terrifying beasts seemed ready to leap off the gate, exuding a ferocious and lethal aura despite being mere paintings.
Bai Xia felt the beasts were familiar, recalling similar depictions from the Goblin Nest walls, though these were far more grotesque and frightening, almost as if they might jump off any moment!
Tian Zheng stood pensively beside her. Bai Xia, curious, asked him, “Do you think the creatures on the gate will come to life and attack us once we open it, or will some horrific monster jump out and kill us?”
Given the gate’s ominous design, she couldn’t help but wonder. Why weren’t the guardians dragons or phoenixes, or at least some deities symbolizing good fortune, health, and prosperity? These beasts were ugly and menacing, and whoever placed them there probably wasn’t ordinary.
Following the game’s tropes, it seemed plausible that upon opening the gate, two monsters identical to those depicted would leap out and attack them in a ‘door-kill’ scenario.
However, Tian Zheng seemed unfazed. He shrugged and asked, “So, are we turning back?”
Bai Xia rolled her eyes, too tired to retort.
Turning back was out of the question. Even if a powerful boss resided within, they had to see its form before being defeated, or else all their efforts would have been in vain.
Without hesitation, Bai Xia approached the gate, trying to push it open despite her lack of confidence. The gate was so massive that she wondered if they would fail, only to return empty-handed, which would be more devastating than finding nothing at all.
As her hand touched the gate, it surprisingly opened with a soft creak, revealing a huge, gaping entrance!
“This was too easy?”
Bai Xia blinked in surprise. Tian Zheng, standing nearby, didn’t speak but readied his weapon, preparing for any threat that might emerge.
Despite his preparations, a sudden, overwhelming force pulled them inward the moment the gate opened wide enough. “Eh! Eh!”
Before Bai Xia could react, she was pulled into the palace with a pop, and the gate slammed shut behind her!
“Bai Xia!”
Tian Zheng reacted quickly, thrusting his sword into the narrowing gap, but the gate snapped it in two with a crunch!
He stood at the door, staring at the broken blade, his expression grim.
Meanwhile, inside the palace.
“Oof!”
When Bai Xia came to, her body had been pulled and slammed onto the floor, her head hitting first. Though the floor was carpeted, her nose was red, and tears welled up in her eyes.
“Ow, ow, ow… My nose, why does it hurt so much in this game? Damn it, what’s happening?!”
Rubbing her nose gently, Bai Xia realized she was inside the palace. Glancing back, she saw the broken blade of Tian Zheng’s silver sword lying on the ground. She stared at it for a few seconds, stunned.
Suddenly, a voice, tinged with annoyance, echoed from the front. “Little one, where are you looking?”
At that moment, as Bai Xia rose, she realized she wasn’t alone in the palace. Turning towards the voice, she saw a towering figure. The silhouette was indeed imposing, standing at least three meters tall!
It was a woman.
Despite her extraordinary height, her proportions and appearance were otherwise human. The woman leaned lazily on a throne made of gold, her chin propped on one hand, studying Bai Xia with curiosity.
The woman’s attire was scandalously revealing, a short skirt of black gauze offering mere glimpses of her body, adding allure to the scene. She had lustrous black hair and pearlescent skin, with a jewel-studded crown perched atop her head, combining allure with regality.
Bai Xia’s attention wasn’t drawn to the woman’s stunning features, but fixated on her chest, thinking, ‘That must weigh at least twenty kilograms! How envious… No, how I wish I could touch them! This trip is already worth it just for this sight!’
As Bai Xia daydreamed, the woman spoke in a soft, melodic tone, “Have you looked your fill, child? Such things are beyond envy, for you are clearly blessed by the Goddess of Flat Chests.”
Bai Xia: “What?”
Was this supposed-to-be final boss uttering something utterly bizarre? And why did her first impression of this person feel so off?