join p atreon.com/KeyofStars and become a Sequence 9: Reader for advance chapters | Every 100 powerstones = 1 extra chapter | Report issues @discord.com/GVBdncd9Wr
The power behind me: the Church of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom? The Aurora Order? Or the Tarot Club?
As thoughts flickered, Leyton scoffed at himself internally, then composed himself, his eyes fixed on the three huge, downturned heads in front of him, and said, "The power behind me? Are you willing to become someone else's subsidiary god?"
"Of course, I am."
"As long as it can help me lift the seal."
"Moreover, you just mentioned the apocalypse, and I sense danger."
The three heads of the giant sea serpent each replied.
Its three heads have such distinct personalities; they must correspond to complete individual personalities.
After a moment of contemplation, Leyton casually pulled a faded paper figure from his pocket and tossed it towards the middle head of the creature, saying casually, "Alright, leave this paper figure with me. I can use it to establish contact with you."
"Don't worry, I'll give you an answer very soon. Time is running out."
The middle head of the giant sea serpent suddenly opened its mouth, revealing sharp fangs and a deep, dark cavity. It swallowed the pale yellow paper figure in one gulp.
Subsequently, its massive body began to disintegrate, and the shadows covering its surface dissipated, turning back into vibrant color blocks. The isolated area re-established contact with the Spirit World.
"My name is:"
"Adamantine Veer."
"I hope our cooperation is pleasant!"
As the three heads each finished their last words, the giant sea serpent's figure completely vanished.
Leyton's breathing became heavy for a moment. He felt a spiritual contract form, based on the promise he had made. Regardless of his True intentions, after a certain period, the desire to fulfill the promise would surface in his mind, growing stronger over time.
Did it also herd the characteristics of the Black Emperor pathway? Or, were there corresponding mystical items left in this underwater city that it exploited?
Purple light flowed in Leyton's eyes as his gaze penetrated the barrier between the Spirit World and reality, briefly scanning the City hidden deep beneath the dark sea.
Soon, he turned and left this area of the Spirit World, wandering towards the Golden Dream's location.
In the central area of this underwater city, on a vast square like a giant's activity ground, one, two... six crimson light clusters emerged.
The flickering light vaguely illuminated the surrounding area, revealing layers of eerie green scales. Each scale had peculiar patterns, interconnected as if a single entity, distorted and sinister...
Boom! Boom!
A series of heavy thuds against the ground echoed, rising and falling with a peculiar rhythm.
This sound continuously spread outwards, penetrating through buildings, clearly reaching the ears of every creature in this body of seawater.
The strangely shaped marine creatures instantly stiffened, then all entered a sleepwalking-like state.
They began to swim in an orderly fashion, circling the underwater city, their speed increasing, as if performing some bizarre ritual, strangely eerie, and a crazy atmosphere permeated the area.
A roar-like sound, accompanied by madness and some unclear meaning, echoed in this sea area:
"The characteristics on him are not pure, but he maintains clear True reason."
"Everyone has secrets, whether it's you, me, or him."
"As long as I can get out, it doesn't matter whose subsidiary god I become. I don't want to face the apocalypse in this deep, dark sea."
Golden Dream, in Edwina's captain's cabin.
Leyton's figure materialized by the bay window. He casually scanned the room, leaning against the window with his breakfast in hand.
Before Edwina could speak, he asked first, "Do you know about the underwater city? It seems to be somewhere near the intersection of the Raging Sea and the Sonia Sea, a very large, very ancient City. The architectural style resembles that of the Third Epoch, but it's impossible to determine when it sank into the sea."
After speaking, he took a sip of the still warm hot drink in his hand and began to enjoy his wrap.
Edwina frowned slightly. After a moment of thought, she carefully began to speak, "The most famous underwater city is the 'Lost City of Newins,' but I cannot confirm if this is the underwater city you are referring to."
"Our exploration of the ocean is almost entirely limited to the surface and shallower waters. Only the Church of the Lord of Storms has the ability to explore the deep sea, but they do not disclose the relevant information."
"Besides 'Lost City of Newins,' the only other underwater city I know of is one that a Naga tribe is searching for, sealing a powerful monster. That is still the object of their faith."
Leyton fully chewed and swallowed the food in his mouth before asking, "Naga tribe? Where are they? Can you tell me anything about the powerful monster they worship?"
Edwina thought for a moment, walked to the small blackboard in the captain's cabin, drew a simple map on it, and then pointed to a symbol representing Sonia Island, saying, "From Sonia Island, sail southeast for about 1200 nautical miles, and you will enter waters that humans have not officially explored."
"That Naga tribe is active in that sea area. I once encountered them there. I only saw some simple murals of the monster they worship."
"It is a peculiar creature with three heads and eight tails. If you ignore the extra heads and tails, it greatly resembles a giant sea serpent. Also, its three heads on the murals show features of different age stages, seemingly corresponding to youth, middle age, and old age."
It's him. But, it actually has eight tails. That shadow was too blurry, and he was coiled, so I didn't notice.
While pondering, Leyton asked the next question:
"Is his name Adamantine Veer?"
Edwina's eyes lit up for a moment. She said with certainty, "Have you been to that underwater city? And have you seen that powerful monster?"
"I don't know his specific name. The Naga of that tribe are very exclusive towards humans and were unwilling to communicate much with me."
Leyton nodded gently, took a sip of the hot drink in his hand, and then continued, "On my way here, I accidentally passed through that Spirit World area and had a conversation with that monster, um... Adamantine Veer."
"He is very rational, and his desire to get out is also very strong. I've reached a certain level of cooperation with him."
"Cooperation?" Edwina frowned slightly, falling into thought.
A moment later, she asked with a hint of doubt in her tone, "Do you want to rely on him to develop your maritime influence?"
"Is this a divine oracle?"
Leyton nodded gently, then shook his head slightly, saying, "To gain influence on the sea, a demigod of the Tyrant pathway is essential."
"That Adamantine Veer has fused demigod-level characteristics from multiple pathways, including the Tyrant pathway. Although the characteristics are a bit mixed, this has significantly enhanced his strength and status, surpassing a typical Sequence 3, but not yet reaching the level of a Sequence 2."
Edwina nodded in understanding. A Saint close to Sequence 2 could indeed gain considerable influence at sea.
"The ocean has always been the domain of the Church of the Lord of Storms. The appearance of a Saint might disrupt the delicate balance between the pirates supported by various forces and the Church of the Lord of Storms."
Edwina mused, voicing her thoughts.
Leyton nodded gently, but his voice was calm as he said, "As the apocalypse approaches, various forces will become active more frequently. At that time, the Church of the Lord of Storms will have no time to bother with a monster who has claimed territory as his own."
Apocalypse... Although the major Churches have always had prophecies about the apocalypse, I haven't paid much attention to this before. Or is my authority in the Church of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom insufficient? Am I unable to access more information?
Edwina looked at Leyton in confusion, her tone unconsciously becoming serious:
"Is the apocalypse mentioned in the Church's prophecies True?"
Leyton nodded gently:
"Once you become a demigod, you will have the authority to access the relevant information. The Church's prophecies record the exact time of the apocalypse: the apocalypse will arrive in 1368."
"1368..."
Edwina pondered for a moment.
Dong! Dong!
"Captain! Our crew members who stayed ashore have sent over the news from the sea during this time."
The Golden Dream's 'Second Mate,' Orpheus, lightly knocked twice on the open captain's cabin door, held up a few white papers in his hand, and explained his purpose.
Edwina quickly collected her thoughts and turned to Orpheus, saying, "I know. Leave the telegram here and go inform the others to prepare for today's morning lesson."
"Alright, Captain."
Orpheus's expression stiffened slightly when he heard 'morning lesson.' He placed the telegram on the desk in front of Edwina and hurried away.
Edwina quickly skimmed the telegrams in her hand, her brows gradually furrowing as she seemed to fall into thought.
A moment later, she handed the telegram to Leyton, saying, "This is a telegram from the Golden Dream's logistics personnel on Oravi Island."
"There's a rumor that the pirates on the Death Announcer didn't die in the conflict with us at all. They were all devoured by that ghost ship, which is why the Death Announcer has been recruiting crew members so extensively lately to replenish its ranks."
Leyton's eyes narrowed slightly. As a Prophet, his intuition told him that this rumor was very likely True.
Then he asked with some curiosity, "Who released this rumor?"
Edwina shook her head slightly:
"Various rumors abound at sea; most are drunken ramblings, and it's difficult to ascertain their veracity or trace their origin."
join p atreon.com/KeyofStars and become a Sequence 9: Reader for advance chapters | Every 100 powerstones = 1 extra chapter | Report issues @discord.com/GVBdncd9Wr