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

Chapter 223 The New Home of the Moon-Singing Clan

The moment the figure appeared.

The surrounding scenery suddenly changed, and Xia En seemed to have arrived on a vast and boundless sea, where the sky and earth were boundless.

Before me stood a giant ship with black sails.

At the bow of this colossal ship, which resembles a sea monster, a tall man with a full head of white hair stands there, lonely yet imposing, his aura seemingly filling the heavens and the earth.

It was as if... the entire sea had been conquered by him, and had submitted to his majesty.

It was none other than Augustin Novich, the king of the Pirate Kingdom!

However, he was very different from the dejected and fading-of-his-spirited state he was in during the last promotion ceremony.

Augustine had white hair and beard, but his face was very young, maintaining the appearance of someone in his prime.

—The appearance of a secret guide is related to their state of mind.

When the mind declines, the appearance naturally ages; when the mind is resilient, the secret power will affect the physical body, making one appear younger.

The appearance reflects the heart; this is indeed true.

This is also why many secret travelers have vastly different appearances and ages.

However, due to the changes in Augustine's appearance, Shane could not discern which stage of his career he was in.

at this time.

Augustine turned around and glanced at Shane. In that instant, Shane felt as if he had been seen through completely.

Apart from the deep blue "Eye of the Secret Sea" in his mind, it seemed that no secret could be hidden.

This feeling is like being doused with a bucket of cold water; the chill seeps into your bones, causing indescribable discomfort and instinctively giving rise to fear.

And this was just a phantom of Augustine.

Or perhaps it was just a lingering regret he left behind.

Only then did Shane truly realize that Augustine in the ascension ritual was really just a castrated projection.

The real-life Pirate King was far more powerful than he could imagine!
As expected of a ninth-tier powerhouse who once faced the gods!
Fortunately, Augustine only glanced at it before suppressing his sharp gaze and nodding.

"You're fine."

"At only the fourth rank of the Secret Path, he possesses such a strong physical body, such pure secret power, and has even mastered the power of the domain ahead of time."

"Among the secret practitioners I know, only a handful are capable of doing this. You are qualified to inherit what I have left behind."

Upon hearing this, Shane realized that this phantom of Augustine did not recognize him.

But then I thought back to the time, when he attacked Emerald Isle, he was in the form of a projection.

In the ascension ceremony, he used the identity of the apostle [John Smith].

Besides, Augustine probably couldn't possibly know what happened during a later ascension ceremony... right?

It was only natural that Augustine considered himself a strange and exceptionally talented esoteric seeker.

Thinking about this, Xia En was inexplicably curious about Augustine's reaction if he took out the [Pirate King's Crown].

And there's one more thing.

If Augustine's lingering regret didn't recognize him, then who was it that said to himself, "You've finally come..."?

But just as this thought crossed Xia En's mind, he heard the white-bearded man in front of him speak.

"However, judging from your aura..."

"Could it be that we've met somewhere before?"

Shaen was taken aback. Could it be that in the future, he had contacted Augustine as "Shaen"?

But if that were the case, how could Augustine not recognize it?
Augustine sighed: "To prevent a certain plan from being discovered by the enemy, I voluntarily deleted a part of my key memories."

"Perhaps you are in that memory."

Xia En's expression changed slightly: "Delete memories?"

"The plan...the enemy..."

"Senior, is the enemy you speak of [Hui Si Ming]?"

Upon hearing this name, Augustine's gaze sharpened once more, and that terrifying pressure emanated from him again.

He didn't harbor any ill will towards Xia En; it was just that the gap between them was too great. If he didn't conceal his aura, he would bring Xia En immense pressure.

The oppressive aura, as deep as an abyss and as imposing as a mountain, appeared for only a second before quickly dissipating.

Nevertheless, Xia En couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.

"It seems you know more than I thought."

Augustine regained his composure and said earnestly, "To be honest, this is not a good thing."

"After all, for some beings, simply knowing or reciting their names could be enough to be noticed by them."

"If possible, it's best not to mention their names to others in the future."

Xia En nodded solemnly: "I understand."

Augustine added, "However, now that you know of the existence of the [Foul Fate], I feel more at ease entrusting this to you."

At this moment, Shane couldn't help but recall the afterimages of those [Filthy Apostles] and asked a question.

"What's so special about this [Secret Sea Beast]'s heart that would make them try to steal it?"

Augustine calmly replied, "I don't know."

"I deleted the most crucial part of my memory."

"Therefore, I can only deduce that this Void Beast Heart is part of the plan."

"But whether it is an essential link or a casual addition, only I, in the past, know."

After hearing these words, Xia En looked even more bewildered.

But at the same time, he also noticed a word that Augustine repeatedly mentioned—

plan!

what's the plan?
Is it a plan to defeat [the Filthy Fate] and drive Him out of this world?

What role can a secret realm play in such a plan?
Seemingly sensing Shaun's confusion, Augustine explained, "Someone once told me that when the existing path is blocked, one should look to the future with hope..."

These words shook Xia En to his core.

He certainly wouldn't forget that he had said these words to Augustine in the promotion ceremony.

But how would the real Augustine know these things?
Could it be... related to the [Secret Sea]?
A storm raged in Shaen's heart, but Augustine simply continued speaking.

So, I did do it.

"You might be wondering why I would voluntarily delete my own memories."

"the reason is simple……"

"I'm going to die."

Augustine looked somewhat somber as he gazed up at the illusory, boundless sea, his eyes filled with resentment, nostalgia, and reluctance.

There is great terror between life and death.

Even a hero like him could not remain completely indifferent to death.

However, what made Augustine not want to die was definitely not the power in his hands or the various material and spiritual enjoyments.

Rather... his ambitions were not realized, his ideals were not fulfilled, and his career was not yet successful!
Xia En vaguely sensed this and fell silent.

“Actually, I should have died long ago, on that unknown battlefield.”

Augustine gazed into the distance and murmured, "So many brothers have died, only I and a few old comrades have escaped back."

"Moreover, that was because the other party deliberately let us go out of contempt and malice."

His tone was unusually bittersweet.

One can imagine that the shadow of that war always haunted his mind like a nightmare.

Xia En did not speak.

He knew that what Augustine needed now was simply a listener.

“During the days when I fled back to the duchy, I woke up from my dreams countless times, and even thought about ending it all.”

"But I know that a dead person can do nothing; only the living have hope."

"So from that moment on, I made up my mind that no matter how miserable or ugly I was, I would live on."

For some, sacrificing oneself for a greater cause and willingly facing death is a matter of course. But for others, they are willing to endure the condemnation of others, the guilt in their hearts, and all kinds of humiliation to survive for the sake of their ideals.

The question of which of the two is greater has been debated since ancient times.

Augustine clearly belongs to the latter category.

"Unfortunately, this time, my lifespan has come to an end."

Augustine sighed again: "A living Augustine is certainly frightening."

"But the dead Augustine only inspires greed."

“There will definitely be people who want to dig out valuable secrets from me and my memories.”

"So, I had no choice but to delete those most crucial memories."

Xia En became increasingly silent.

He thought of the old man who was beheaded in that hallucination, and he was reluctant to think about how the old man's body would be treated afterward.

"However, there is one thing I do remember."

Augustine composed himself and said calmly, "The Norwich Treasure I left behind is actually a gift for future generations."

"This is the only thing I can do now."

"I have only one request: after you obtain this treasure, you must use this secret realm to protect humanity when necessary in the future."

Xia En nodded solemnly: "I will!"

Augustine gave him a deep look: "My time is running out. Let me show you the whole treasure."

"The whole picture?"

Xia En was somewhat puzzled.

Augustine said calmly, "You don't think that the only treasure I left behind is this heart, do you?"

After saying that, he raised his hand and pointed, and the scenery around him changed.

The illusory sea disappeared, and the enclosed stone palace returned to its original state.

Rumbling--

All around them, the ground beneath their feet trembled continuously, and rock layers collapsed and crumbled.

The hill behind the stone hall finally revealed its true form.

That was an enormous skeleton!

After the rock and soil were stripped away, silver bones were revealed below. Those bones resembled silver metal and carried a mysterious and profound aura.

If I had to put it in words, it would be as if it were directly connected to the [Secret Sea], leading to the void in the darkness.

The skeleton was exceptionally large, at least several hundred meters high and several hundred meters wide, far exceeding any sea monster that Shane had ever seen.

Just by looking at these skeletons, one can imagine the terrifying appearance of this giant beast in its lifetime.

"These are... the remains of the [Mysterious Sea Beast]!"

Xia En was shaken.

The skeleton of the [Secret Sea Sky Beast], which can give birth to the [Secret Realm], is of immense value and is an extremely precious material.

Upon seeing the skeleton, Xia En's first thought was—

Could this skeleton be integrated into the Black Swan and Diamond Star, turning it into the keel of the two ships?
If possible, what kind of improvements could it bring to the two ships?
To what extent will I be enhanced by the [Captain's Prestige]?
Beside him, Augustine said, "I've heard a rumor that beyond the [Secret Sea], there is a vast world called... [The Void]."

"It is said that that is the true home of the [Mysterious Sea Beast]."

Therefore, the [Secret Sea Sky Beast] is also called the [Void Behemoth].

"I once had a bold idea: if a large ship were made from its remains, it might have the potential to roam the [Secret Sea] and even the [Void]."

Xia En was also shocked by this bold idea, and felt a surge of excitement.

Sailing through the [Secret Sea]?

Thinking about it, it does seem like it's not impossible?

However, it's clear that the skeletons of the Sea Beasts alone are not enough to build a large ship that can sail in the Secret Sea.

Countless rare materials are still needed.

Given Xia En's current wealth, it's clear he can't afford it.

He immediately abandoned this unrealistic idea and prepared to use the skeleton as material to upgrade the [Heart of the Ship], following the old method.

You have to eat one bite at a time, and walk one step at a time!

"I should also remind you that the skeleton of the [Mysterious Sea Beast] possesses special spatial properties."

At this point, Augustine revealed another important piece of information: "Ordinary spatial devices cannot contain its existence."

Xia En's face immediately froze.

Believe it or not, this is actually a big problem.

Besides, even if his spatial ring could hold it, it wouldn't be able to hold that many!

"But... a typical spatial device?"

A thought flashed through Xia En's mind, and he looked at the silver and dark green heart in the stone hall.

Isn't this thing just an unusual spatial device?

However, using the heart of the [Mysterious Sea Beast] to house its remains...

Raw soup and raw food?
Xia En had a rather hellish thought.

After a brief rant, Xia En seized the opportunity and said, "Please help me put a quarter of the skeleton into my heart."

Augustine chuckled and scolded, "You're quite clever, thinking of asking me for help with this."

"But why only a quarter?"

Shane honestly replied, "The rest is what my companion deserves."

Without Karl-Rayle's help, Shane would have had almost no chance of defeating Twilight, let alone obtaining this treasure.

Both morally and logically, he should give a portion of this treasure to Carles.

These remains are also a very important contribution to Carles, as they can help her obtain more resources from the Federation.

In fact, the heart of the [Secret Sea Beast] is the real treasure, and Shane has already gotten a huge advantage.

He naturally had to make compensation regarding the distribution of this skeleton.

Moreover, don't underestimate this quarter of the skeleton; it's already the size of a small mountain, more than enough to modify the Black Swan and Diamond Star!

Hearing this, Augustine nodded in satisfaction.

"Fortunately, you restrained your greed."

"Otherwise, I will kill you and wait for the next qualified person to arrive."

Xia En felt a chill run down his spine and broke out in a cold sweat.

He did not expect that Augustine would set up a test at this time.

Pretending to be nonchalant, Xia En asked again, "By the way, senior, I have another idea."

"Could we allow the Moonlit Clan members on the island to migrate into this secret realm?"

This was something he had thought of beforehand.

The environment of Sand Island is completely unsuitable for human survival. If this secret realm were not so dangerous, wouldn't it be a perfect new home for the Moonlit Clan?

"of course can."

"This heart is now yours; you can do whatever you want with it."

Augustine chuckled, "But aren't you curious about what this [Secret Realm] is like?"

"Ok?"

Xia En was stunned.

"Before you let them move in, you should come in here and see for yourself!"

As soon as Augustine reached out, Shane's body flew uncontrollably above his heart.

Then, a dizzying sensation and a change in light and shadow ensued.

A completely new world appeared before Shane's eyes.

(End of this chapter)