The sky in the underworld is always monotonous and gloomy. While it may not exactly be terrifying, it certainly isn't the kind of sight one would find beautiful by common standards.
However, even in such a dreary underworld, there are occasionally some beautiful scenes, such as the current view above the Bone Land, deep within the underworld's remote corners.
If one were to view the Bone Land from afar, from places like the "Mokos Wetlands" or "Os' Endless Tombs," they would see nearly two hundred beams of light shooting up into the sky, starting with a dim white light column. The scene was lively, with one beam of light following another, resembling a grand fireworks display.
Those who didn't understand what this "fireworks" display meant might stop to admire its beauty. However, the undead who truly understood its meaning would wear expressions of either amusement or confusion.
"Foolish, like pests. These skeletons have the vitality of weeds, disgusting to look at…"
...............
Bone Land
After lying on the ground for several hours like a dead dog, Zhao Lun finally woke up, his soul fire igniting once more. Dazed, he shook his grim-looking skull and slowly stood up.
"The underworld is messed up! There's literally nothing here for humans to do!" Zhao Lun muttered, shaking his head as he rose to his feet.
Ollis, who had been loyally guarding him for hours, watched Zhao Lun with a confused look. After a moment, Ollis tilted his skull and then suddenly turned around, running to where Zhao Lun had stored the soul fires. He returned with the skull of a skeletal mage and handed it to Zhao Lun.
Zhao Lun, stunned by Ollis' actions, instinctively took the skull, holding it in his hands. He couldn't help but marvel at the speed with which Ollis had become so intelligent. After just a few days, Ollis had grown so much—how could he, a human, compare?
After a brief moment of astonishment, Zhao Lun silently absorbed the soul fire from the skeletal mage's skull, then turned his attention back to the Altar of the Territory, which he had worked so hard to build. He wasn't about to compliment Ollis anymore—he was genuinely worried that if Ollis got too excited, he'd bring all the remaining skulls to him. That would certainly be overwhelming.
Ignoring Ollis' expectant look, Zhao Lun resolutely turned and carefully studied the Altar of the Territory.
The more he looked at it, the more satisfied he became. After all, he had poured nearly all his strength into constructing it using the bones of nearly four hundred skeletons. Although he didn't fully understand its function yet, just the pleasing appearance made Zhao Lun feel that it was worth all the effort.
The altar wasn't very large, measuring ten meters by one meter in a white bone-colored square shape. In the center stood a column, one meter in diameter.
In terms of construction, it was a simple design. However, the entire altar was covered in faint magical runes, and the large column, while devoid of any symbols, had a large skull decoration at its top.
To be honest, that skull was eerily lifelike. To a skeleton, it might seem perfectly natural, but if a human were to suddenly see it, they would probably be terrified. However, Zhao Lun's sharp eyes immediately recognized that the skull was modeled after his own.
Given these two details, Zhao Lun was thoroughly pleased with the altar. He was satisfied with the magical runes and especially with the skull that resembled him.
"I wonder what the properties of this stunning altar are?" Zhao Lun absentmindedly stroked his chin, eager to open the territory's page. He quickly glanced through the first page, noting the change in the population field from 00/— to 00/800. Then, without hesitation, he opened the next page.
"Ah, right! I still haven't named my territory." Zhao Lun suddenly remembered this important detail. After thinking for a moment, his face lit up with inspiration. "Let's call it City of Bones."
Well, let's just say humans couldn't keep up with Zhao Lun's thought process.
Luckily, the system was on the ball. As Zhao Lun spoke, the name on the first line of the territory's page changed from "Unnamed" to "City of Bones."
Pleased with his choice, Zhao Lun admired his creation for a while before flipping to the next page, bypassing the previous content. His eyes immediately locked onto the information he was looking for.
Buildings Owned: Level 1 Territory Altar
Level 1 Territory Altar
Quality: Normal
Building Skill: Lord's Summon Soul Imprint Engraving
Description: A barely decent building that manages to avoid being labeled a failure. Luckily, it's not completely beyond hope.
Upgradeable
Lord's Summon
Description: Summons all skeletons below level 5 within a three-mile radius of the Territory Altar.
Consumption: 10 Level 1 Soul Fires
Soul Imprint Engraving
Description: Engraves soul imprints, nurturing the Territory's will.
Consumption: None
After carefully reading the properties of the Territory Altar, Zhao Lun felt that it wasn't too bad. There was even an extra skill he hadn't expected. Satisfied, he closed the page and led Ollis and Big Sword No. 1 Bone Shield Skeleton to the altar.
"This feels amazing!" Zhao Lun exclaimed as he stood atop the altar. He suddenly felt as if he were looking down on all of creation, as if he were a high and mighty ruler. His every move could easily decide the fate of Ollis and Big Sword No. 1, who were stuck below the altar, unable to climb up.
This exhilarating feeling nearly made Zhao Lun lose himself. However, remembering his purpose for being there, he quickly refocused and ordered Ollis and Big Sword No. 1 to fetch several level 3 skeleton skulls from the place where they stored the soul fires.
As the altar's creator, Zhao Lun knew more about its function than what was described in the system's page. Much of the information came from the altar's feedback to him. There were many details the system didn't describe, like how to properly place soul fires on the altar for them to take effect.
Using the feedback from the altar, Zhao Lun quickly placed ten or so level 3 soul fires onto the altar and then raised his staff high.
"In the name of the Lord of the City of Bones, I summon!" Zhao Lun declared.
At his command, the skull at the top of the pillar suddenly opened its mouth, and an intense voice echoed from it, sending invisible shockwaves through the air. The soundwaves swept across the land.
As the soundwaves passed, all the skeletons froze in their tracks. Whether they had been fighting or wandering aimlessly, they all turned and faced the direction of the Territory Altar, stepping forward in unison, as if compelled by an irresistible force.