We agreed to set sail, so you'd become the ruler of the deep sea?

Chapter 523 [The Hidden Stone Tablet]

Xia En quickly understood what the [Quiet Sea Spirit] was trying to express.

To activate the Memory Crystal, you need to offer up a precious memory.

Xia En pondered for a moment, then reached out and touched the crystal: "Let me."

He closed his eyes, recalling his last conversation with the Watcher—that teaching about the true meaning of sovereignty.

The crystal gradually glowed with a purple light, and a star map appeared on its surface, marked by a constantly moving point of light.

Does the location of the [Hidden Stone Tablet] change over time?

Joey exclaimed in surprise.

Karlless carefully examined the star map, his brow furrowing slightly: "No, it's not that the location is changing, but rather that the [Hidden Stone Tablet] itself exists in a constantly moving dimensional rift."

"The coordinates of this crevice will move within the [Tranquil Star Sea] according to a certain pattern."

"In other words," said Xian Ge, "we must calculate its trajectory in order to accurately pinpoint the right moment to enter?"

"exactly."

Vivian pointed to the complex runes emerging from the crystal: "These are the traces left by the [Silent Sea Spirit]. If we can decipher them, we can predict the coordinates of its next appearance."

Shaun stared at the runes and suddenly noticed that they were somewhat similar to the symbols on the [Soul Stone Tablet].

"let me try."

He activated the [Soul Law], and blue runes appeared between his brows, a soft beam of light shining onto the crystal.

Something amazing happened.

The originally chaotic runes began to automatically recombine and arrange themselves into a clear three-dimensional star map!

"This is... the location three days from now!"

In the center of the star map, a purple dot of light is flashing in a specific area of ​​the sea.

Shane quickly noted down the coordinates and turned to the crew.

"Time is of the essence; we must set off immediately."

"The minions of the [Fiend] could find this place at any moment; we must obtain the [Hidden Stone Tablet] before they do!"

The crew acted swiftly, returning to the Black Swan to make final preparations.

……

……

three days later.

The Black Swan has reached its designated coordinates.

The blue mist over this sea of ​​stars was exceptionally dense, almost solidified.

As the ship moved through it, it made a rustling sound, as if passing through a liquid starry sky.

Xia En stood at the bow of the ship, his [Peeping Eyes] fully activated.

His eyes, tinged with a faint gray, pierced through the mist, searching for the entrance to that dimensional rift.

"Captain, the arcane power readings are starting to fluctuate!"

Jane said from the control panel, "There is an anomaly in the spatial structure!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the mist in front of him suddenly twisted, and a purple crack slowly opened.

Like a wound in the void, its edges flickered with unstable arcs of electricity.

"That's it!"

Xia En said in a deep voice, "Full speed ahead!"

The Black Swan's engines roared, its hull trembled slightly, and it sped toward the crevice.

However, just as they were about to rush into the rift, a sudden change occurred!

"boom--!"

A torrent of pitch-black energy slammed into the side, crashing heavily against the ship's shields. The entire ship shook violently and was almost capsized!
"Enemy attack!"

Karl-Leigh shouted sharply, instantly entering battle mode.

Xia En turned around abruptly and saw the distant mist being dispelled by a dark force.

A menacing black warship slowly emerged.

It is composed entirely of some kind of biomass, and its surface is covered with a sticky black substance.

A huge, scarlet eyeball is embedded in the bow of the ship, staring intently at the Black Swan.

"The henchmen of [Hui Si Ming]..." Xia En's eyes were icy.

"Shane—"

A hoarse voice came from the black warship, like a mixture of countless voices.

"You can't escape... Hand over the laws... or... die!"

Before the words were even finished, the cannons on the black warship lit up again, and dozens of black beams shot out!

"avoid!"

Xia En gave a low shout.

The [Spatial Laws] were activated instantly, causing the space around the [Black Swan] to slightly distort. The black beam of light deviated strangely just before hitting the ship, grazing past its hull.

"Joy!"

"Shane shouted."

"understand!"

Joey raised his staff, and the power of the storm was activated, transforming into an invisible barrier that protected the Black Swan.

Vivian and Anne placed their hands on the deck, and emerald green life energy spread, repairing the damage to the ship.

"Carles, prepare for a counterattack!"

Xia En's gaze was sharp.

"Yes, Captain!"

Under the control of the omnic Karlless, all the heavy cannons on the Black Swan fired simultaneously.

Several streaks of light ripped across the sky and crashed onto the black warship, exploding into a blinding burst of fire.

However, the wriggling black substance healed rapidly, as if it had not been harmed at all.

"Physical attacks are ineffective?"

Carles frowned.

"Attack with your soul!"

Xia En shouted, and the blue rune between his brows shone brightly, a pure beam of soul light shooting directly into the crimson eyeballs of the black warship!

"laugh--"

The eyeball was hit, and black smoke immediately billowed out. The warship let out a painful roar, and the black substance writhed wildly.

"It works!" Joey exclaimed excitedly.

However, before they could even catch their breath, countless holes suddenly appeared on the deck of the black warship, from which countless black figures crawled out.

Each one was a puppet corrupted by the [Filthy Fate], its eyes glowing with a scarlet light, roaring as it pounced!

"Prepare for a boarding battle!"

Shaun drew the Blade of Destruction, and dark red lightning crackled along its edge.

The battle breaks out instantly!

Black puppets surged onto the Black Swan like a tidal wave, and the crew members used their abilities to fight back fiercely.

Shaun stood at the bow of the ship, the Blade of Destruction drawing a dark red arc.

Wherever it passed, the black puppets turned to ashes.

However, these corrupted puppets seem endless; as soon as one batch is eliminated, more surge in.

"Captain, this can't go on!"

"Carles shouted as he used his mechanical arm to repel the enemy," Carles said.

"We must get into the crevice as soon as possible!"

Xia En's gaze sharpened as he looked at the purple crack that was slowly closing.

time is limited.

They must get in as soon as possible, or they will miss the coordinates of the [Hidden Stone Tablet]!

"Joy!"

Shaun shouted, "Prepare for a space jump! Charge straight in!"

"But the ship is entangled!"

Joey responded anxiously.

Xia En's eyes flashed, and he suddenly leaped into the air, unleashing four runes simultaneously!
"[Resonance of Laws]!"

Gray, silver, black, and blue light intertwined, forming a massive energy field that enveloped the entire Black Swan.

The ship's hull suddenly became ethereal, transforming into a streak of light that forcefully broke through the black puppets' encirclement and plunged into the purple rift!
"Do not--!"

The crimson eyes on the black warship roared in anger, but it was too late.

The rift closed, and the Black Swan disappeared completely.

……

...After a brief moment of dizziness, Shane opened his eyes and found himself in a strange space.

There is no distinction between up, down, left, or right here; countless purple ribbons of light float all around, dancing softly like silk.

In the very center of the space, a translucent purple stone tablet floated silently, its surface covered with mysterious runes.

"【Hidden Stone Tablet】..." Xia En took a deep breath and stepped forward.

However, just as he was about to touch the stone tablet, a familiar voice suddenly rang in his ears—

"Shane, are you really going to do this?"

Xia En turned around abruptly, his pupils shrinking.

Behind him stood a person who looked exactly like him, except that he had a strange smile on his lips.

"Are you...my shadow?"

Xia En said coldly.

"No, I am the deepest doubt in your heart."

The shadow chuckled softly.

"Are you truly ready to shoulder the responsibility of the [Dominator]? Can you really... defeat the [Foul Fate]?"

Xia En was silent for a moment, then firmly reached out and placed his hand on the stone tablet.

"I have no choice."

A burst of purple light instantly pulled Xia En's consciousness into a strange space.

There is no concept of time here, no boundaries of space, only countless shimmering fragments, flowing around him like stars.

Each segment represents a "secret"—

Forgotten memories, concealed truths, buried history...

The trial of the [Hidden Stone Tablet] has begun.

"To gain the approval of [Secret], you must confront the deepest secret within your own heart."

A clear, ethereal voice echoed in the void.

Suddenly, scenes of memories he had been deliberately avoiding flashed before Xia En's eyes—

He saw the confusion and unease he felt when he first transmigrated to this world;
I saw the fleeting thought of retreat when facing a formidable enemy;
Seeing the crew members injured filled me with a deep sense of helplessness...

These were vulnerabilities that he, as captain, had never revealed to anyone.

"Acknowledge your weakness."

The voice whispered.

Xia En was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke:
"Yes, I have been afraid, hesitant, and even doubted myself."

"But it was these emotions that made me realize that I am not an omnipotent god, but a mortal who is still growing."

“I will not deny them, because they make me more determined.”

As soon as the words were spoken, the flickering fragments suddenly brightened, then melted away like snowflakes.

"very good."

The voice continued, "Then, the second question—are you willing to bear the weight of [secrecy]?"

Suddenly, countless unfamiliar memories flashed before Xia En's eyes—

Those are the secrets of countless beings in the [Secret Sea]: betrayal, lies, conspiracies, suffering...

They flooded into Xia En's mind like a tidal wave, almost bursting his consciousness!
"Secrecy...is not just knowledge, but also responsibility."

"The more you know, the more you carry."

"Can you handle it?"

Xia En gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead, but he did not back down.

"I...accept!"

He roared, unleashing the full power of the [Soul Law], blue light flowing through his body to stabilize his spirit.

The torrent of memories gradually subsided, eventually turning into a gentle stream that flowed into the depths of his consciousness.

"at last……"

His voice suddenly became low.

"Are you willing... to become the true [Master]?"

A shocking scene suddenly flashed before Xia En's eyes—

The Black Calamity descended, countless secret realms collapsed, stars extinguished, and all living beings perished...

At the heart of the disaster, a blurry figure stood firm, surrounded by a hazy aura of law, like the final bulwark.

"The destiny of the [Dominator] is to balance everything and end everything."

Are you willing to accept such a future?

Xia En stared at the image, remaining silent for a long time.

Finally, he spoke slowly:
"If this is my path..."

"Then I accept."

In an instant, the entire space shook violently!

The purple light receded like a tide, and the runes on the [Hidden Stone Tablet] lit up one by one, eventually transforming into a stream of light that disappeared into Xia En's brow!
[Hidden Runes] have acknowledged him!

Within Shaun's body, the five runes finally gathered together—

Gray (Dominion), Silver (Time), Black (Space), Blue (Soul), Purple (Secret)!

Five-colored light intertwined, forming a perfect cycle within his body, resonating and strengthening each other!

[Overall Qualifications: 350 → 400!]

[Mastery of the Dominant Law: 90% → 95%!]

Xia En opened his eyes, and deep within his pupils, it seemed as if stars were flowing.

He slowly raised his hand, and the surrounding purple light automatically dissipated, revealing a path leading to reality beneath his feet.

"It's time to go back."

he whispered.

……

……

When Shane reappeared on the Black Swan, the crew members surrounded him.

"Captain! You succeeded?"

Joey asked in surprise.

Xia En nodded, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

"We should go."

"The henchmen of [Hui Si Ming] will not give up easily; we must proceed to the location of the next stone tablet as soon as possible."

"The next piece?"

Carles frowned: "But the star map only marks the locations of six stone tablets, the seventh one..."

"The seventh stone tablet is not on the star map."

Xia En's gaze deepened, as if piercing through the endless void.

"The seventh stone tablet is called the [End Stone Tablet]."

"It is not in any known star system, nor is it attached to any [secret realm]."

"It will only appear at a specific time - when all the runes on the six stone tablets are gathered, the [End Stone Tablet] will appear on its own."

The crew members looked at each other, clearly not expecting the last stone tablet to be so special.

Vivian asked softly, "So, where are we going next?"

Shaun spread out the star chart, his fingertip touching the last mark—

"【Throat of the Abyss】".

"The location of the sixth stone tablet, the Chaos Stone Tablet."

Upon hearing this name, Carles' mechanical pupils contracted slightly.

"【The Throat of the Abyss】...that is an area that even explorers of the 【Sea of ​​Stars】rarely set foot in."

"It is said that the place is the 'wound' of the [Secret Sea], where the laws are chaotic, spacetime is distorted, and it may even be connected to some indescribable existence."

Xian Ge crossed her arms, her brows furrowed: "It sounds even more dangerous than the [Void Corridor]."

"But we must go."

Xia En put away the star map, his tone firm.

"【The Fel Fate】has already breached the Tower of All Laws. Its minions are scattered throughout the starry sea. The longer this drags on, the stronger its power will become."

"and……"

He paused, a hint of seriousness flashing in his eyes.

"The signs of the Black Calamity are becoming increasingly obvious."

"We must gather all the stone tablets before it's too late."

(End of this chapter)