Chapter 1121 355: Shards of the Eye of the Ra

The Nile River is like a verdant ribbon, winding through the golden desert, nourishing the fertile black soil on both banks. On this divine land stands the most splendid jewel of Ancient Egypt—Memphis.

Memphis is the capital of Ancient Egypt, located in the village of Mit Rassin at the southern part of the current Nile Delta, where Upper and Lower Egypt converge. Its name originates from the pyramid of Men-nefer, built by King Pepi I of the Sixth Dynasty, which the Greeks misnamed as Memphis, and this name was carried forward by later generations.

This is a city that will eventually have a history spanning over 4700 years. Memphis boasts the famous step pyramid, the first pyramid of Ancient Egypt, along with the great granite statue of Ramses II and other ancient relics. From this, one can see how prosperous this city was in ancient times.

"Indeed, the Main God Sun God Ra's chosen temple occupies the most prosperous city."

Ian, transformed into a raven, looked down on this magnificent city from high above. He had traveled through countless dimensions, yet the prosperity of Memphis still amazed him. As the first capital after the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt, Memphis showcased its unparalleled prosperity and grandeur to the world, epitomizing the zenith of this ancient civilization.

When the first ray of sunlight pierced through the mist over the Nile River, Ian, in raven form, was already circling over Memphis City. This ancient capital of Egypt gleamed like a gold piece set against the lush riverbanks under the morning sun. From high above, the entire city displayed a perfect geometric layout.

"Fresh camel milk~"

"Oh, soldier, I'm here to sell some crops."

"I'm also entering the city to buy some seeds to take back."

"I'm different, I'm here to see a doctor—this place has the best physicians."

The city is surrounded by high mud brick walls, with bustling activity at the gates. Soldiers clad in flax armor, wielding long spears, gaze sharply like hawks, vigilantly watching the comings and goings of travelers and traders. The streets are lined with houses arranged neatly, with palm leaf roofs and walls embellished with hieroglyphs and images of deities.

The air is filled with the aromas of spices, roasting meat, and Nile River fish, mixed with the scent of incense and prayers emanating from distant temples. This was the heart of Pharaoh's rule, a place where divine spirits and mortals converge, a bustling metropolis where countless merchants, craftsmen, priests, and scholars gather—one of the oldest cities in Earth's history.

At the docks, trade ships from all over the Mediterranean were unloading goods. Pottery from Crete, cedars from Lebanon, gold from Nubia—all kinds of rare items were being skillfully offloaded by the dock workers. Merchants bargained in broken Egyptian language mixed with various languages, with copper coins and silver rings gleaming in the sunlight.

In the northern city's noble district, luxurious villas were nestled among palm and pomegranate trees. Painted walls depicted scenes of hunting and feasting, showcasing the wealth and status of the owners. Slaves were busy lighting oil lamps in the courtyards, preparing abundantly for the coming day.

Meanwhile, in the city's civilian quarter, smoke rose from the roofs of simple mud brick houses. Women sat around public ovens, baking bread for dinner and exchanging the day's news. Children chased and played in narrow alleyways, heedless of the dust dirtying their simple flax tunics.

This is Memphis in the 14th century BC—a vibrant, faith-filled city brimming with desires. Here, gods and humans coexist, luxury and poverty stand side by side.

Of course, these are not the most conspicuous things within the temple.

Nor are they Ian's destination.

The divine spirit has always been the main theme of the ancient magical world. In a world with gods, their status is always more exalted than royal power, so temples are naturally more lavish than palaces.

"The temple of the Main God Ra is over there."

Ian's gaze shifted to the prominent building within the city.

The towering obelisk pierced the sky. In the city's center, the temple of Sun God Ra stood majestically. Huge stone columns were adorned with intricate hieroglyphs and deity figures, narrating creation myths. On the temple's plaza, priests wore white flax robes, holding incense burners, engaging in evening sacrificial rituals.

Wisps of smoke rose, intertwining with the sunlight at dawn, adding a mysterious element to the scene. Numerous pyramids could also be seen near the city.

The origins of the pyramid can indeed be traced back to the current era, and even earlier times—before the Third Dynasty of the Ancient Egyptian Old Kingdom, after death, all royals and commoners were buried in rectangular tombs made of mud bricks, known by ancient Egyptians as "mastaba."

Later, a wise young man named Imhotep invented a brand new architectural method while designing a tomb for Pharaoh Djoser.

He transported square stones from the mountains to replace mud bricks, continually modifying the tomb design, eventually constructing a six-tiered trapezoidal pyramid—the prototype of the pyramid we see today. Not all pyramids are enormous; some are much smaller in scale.

"I need to inquire slightly about the situation here." Ian quietly landed in a narrow alley—a sun-forgotten, backstreet passage. The stone-paved path was covered with dust, and the corner filled with pots and firewood. He quickly reverted to human form, adjusted his robe, pulling the cloak slightly higher to obscure his modern wizard aura.