The night sky over the East Sea was illuminated by a strange moon, seemingly warped by some unknown force from its natural orbit. Its light was not silver, but tinged with dark red and gray-black, reflecting across the sea surface and making the water churn like molten lead. Each tidal wave that crashed carried a low, eerie resonance, as if ancient spells were rising from the deep. Ye Chenyu stood on the ruins outside the Bone Coral Abyss Palace, sensing that the rhythm of the surrounding currents was somehow being controlled, his heartbeat unconsciously syncing with the tides.
In the surging waters, the distant sea surface suddenly heaved, stirred by a tremendous force. Ye Chenyu's eyes widened as a colossal creature slowly emerged—the beast's size was enough to cover a small island. Its carapace resembled stacked mountains, covered with rocks and moss, as if bearing the weight of the entire underwater world. Its claws were jagged and sharp; each sweep through the water churned violent currents, whipping up enormous waves. Its head was massive and twisted, eyes deep and unfathomable, as if perceiving every flicker of fear in Ye Chenyu. The mist it exhaled carried a salty, ancient aura, like a whisper from a primeval deity.
Ye Chenyu took several cautious steps back; the fragmented coral beneath his feet cracked with crisp, ominous sounds under the water's force. He realized this creature was not merely aggressive—it exerted pressure through its very existence, challenging anyone daring to intrude upon the abyss. The air and water seemed pulled by its weight, the rhythm of gravity and tide utterly disturbed. Every wave that struck them was a mental sting.
Xing Lan stood beside Ye Chenyu, her eyes flickering with a ghostly oceanic light. Her fingers skimmed the water as if sensing some hidden pulse. Her breathing quickened, as though resonating with the consciousness of the colossal "Spiral Turtle." Small vortices formed around her, reflecting the vague, restless light in her eyes. Ye Chenyu noticed her slight tremor—she seemed consumed by the ancient entity's power, or perhaps pulled by some invisible memory, her mind wavering.
The Spiral Turtle moved slowly, yet its presence radiated immense authority. It lifted its massive head, seemingly surveying the entire East Sea. The water surged and steamed with each breath, producing deep, resonant tones like ancient bells striking from the earth's depths. Ye Chenyu felt an indescribable fear welling from his core, as if he were dust, pressed down into the abyss. He clutched the rune shard, trying to hold onto reason, yet the whispers of the sea wove around his thoughts like threads, nearly erasing his sense of self.
Xing Lan murmured softly, as if responding to the turtle's breathing: "It… is not an enemy… it… is a trial of bloodline." Her voice was swallowed by the waves and wind, and Ye Chenyu could only catch fragments of meaning—her ancestors had a deep connection to the ocean; her bloodline could sense the presence of the deep sea, and the Spiral Turtle seemed to be testing the power of that lineage. A fine sweat appeared on Xing Lan's forehead; her fingertips and the water's surface glowed with a bluish-white light, attempting to communicate with the Spiral Turtle, yet restrained by some ancient will.
The turtle's massive tail swept a heavy arc through the water, sending waves that nearly unbalanced Ye Chenyu, Liyue Ying, and Xing Lan. Each strike reversed surrounding currents, as if the consciousness of the abyss itself was bending the laws of the sea. Ye Chenyu felt his body stretch, his nerves and soul forced into sync with the turtle, and a faint sensation of drowning crept at the edges of his mind.
Yet, as the Spiral Turtle hovered above the sea, emitting a thunderous roar, Xing Lan slowly steadied her breathing. Her hands intertwined, the ethereal glow converging as an invisible bridge seemed to connect her to the turtle. The creature gradually slowed its movements; its deep calls echoed through the waters but no longer directly assaulted their minds. Ye Chenyu felt the pressure on his chest slightly ease, though his heartbeat still thundered, and the turtle's scrutinizing gaze lingered in his mind.
The surface winds and waves calmed. The Spiral Turtle slowly sank into the depths, leaving only rolling mist and faintly glowing water. Ye Chenyu, Liyue Ying, and Xing Lan exchanged glances, understanding silently: every step in the East Sea was watched by unimaginable forces, and Xing Lan's bloodline secret would be a crucial clue to exploring the abyss. The ghostly blue water shimmered under the moonlight, hinting at even older, deeper, and unfathomable powers awaiting them.
Silently, the three moved along the floating platforms on the sea, venturing further into the dark waters of the East Sea. The Spiral Turtle's form gradually vanished into the mist and depths, but its deep-sea resonance remained, etched into Ye Chenyu's heart, impossible to erase…