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

Chapter 271: The Spread of Prophecy, Peace Talks Among the Three Religions

After uttering these shocking remarks, the soldier's strong obsession that had kept him going until now finally dissipated.

The body could no longer maintain its stable structure and melted like a wax figure, turning into a pool of dark red, viscous sludge.

From this silt, one can vaguely see biological tissues resembling teeth, blood vessels, eyeballs, and partially melted internal organs.

As Cameron gazed at it, it was still undulating slightly, emitting a hoarse, low sound from somewhere in its structure.

"We...we all died there..."

It kept repeating this phrase, like the delirious babbling of someone in a frenzy, sending chills down the spines of those who heard it.

"Lieutenant Colonel Cameron! Get away from it as soon as possible!"

On the shore, the deep-sea priests issued another warning, while looking at Cameron with worried eyes.

Despite only being in contact for a few seconds, the lieutenant colonel was at risk of being contaminated.

This time, Cameron did not insist on his own way. Instead, he took off his military cap, solemnly bowed to the mud, and muttered to himself.

"Your sacrifices were by no means in vain."

May your souls find rest in the deep sea.

Cameron then cooperated and returned to the port.

However, at this moment, the soldiers and priests maintained a safe distance from him and did not approach rashly.

This is the correct procedure for dealing with soldiers who have been in contact with contaminated individuals.

After that, Cameron was transferred to a church for isolation and observation, as well as a series of mental evaluations.

Cameron had anticipated this.

But right now, the more important thing is to inform the bigwigs who can truly decide the fate of the Federation of the intelligence brought back by the Private.

Cameron then said to the pastor, "Please give me paper and pen; I have important military intelligence to report."

……

……

The next day.

After applying a comprehensive "divine purification" and making ample preparations.

The members of the Security Bureau began a formal exploration of the Private.

However, upon stepping onto the deck of the Private, the sight on board greatly shocked everyone.

There was no one alive left on this wrecked warship.

All that remained was a dark-colored substance that resembled silt.

They were scattered throughout the decks, masts, and cabins of the Private, layered upon layered over every corner, slowly and eerily wriggling.

This silt is alive!
This discovery sent a chill down the spines of everyone who set foot in Private's.

Among these muddy things, one or two swollen and deformed humanoid monsters could occasionally be seen, whose bodies were completely swollen and deformed, and who could not be identified as soldiers at all.

After the soldiers removed the humanoid monsters' clothes, they discovered that their flesh and the clothes seemed to be "grown" together.

He also has numerous wounds, large and small, that are incomprehensible.

In some cabins, there were also small amounts of white, fibrous, damp material that looked like unformed nerve structures.

After their investigation, the pastors of the Deep Sea Church reached an unbelievable conclusion—

This filthy silt is none other than the crew of the Private!
They encountered some incomprehensible and terrifying enemy, and ultimately transformed into this ugly and filthy form.

The discovery of clothing fragments and identification tags in the mud further confirms this.

No one knows what the crew of the Private experienced before they died.

But even from the emotions that remain in those muds, one can glimpse a corner of that cruel truth.

The investigation into the "Private" greatly angered the soldiers and priests.

What kind of being in the Seven Seas would dare to attack a Federation Navy warship?
Moreover, it was done in such a cruel way that all the crew members were slaughtered and their bodies were left without any trace.

How can this not make them angry?
The strange thing is that after the members of the police department submitted their investigation report...

Instead of initiating an investigation immediately, the authorities issued a gag order to all those involved in the incident, prohibiting them from disseminating any information.

Key figures in the investigation, such as Lieutenant Colonel Cameron and the leading Storm Priest, were even placed in confinement.

They called it "isolation," but in reality, they were placed under house arrest.

In fact, the reasons why the federal government did this are not hard to understand.

The return of the Private is related to the King, which was sent out on a covert mission a few days ago.

Information about the "second great flood" and the "doomsday prophecy" obviously cannot be widely disseminated within the Federation, otherwise it would cause great panic.

A certain degree of information blocking is certainly necessary.

However, it was beyond everyone's expectations.

On the third day after the Private returned to port, rumors about the "Second World-Destroying Flood" spread like wildfire across Glass Island.

No one knows where the news originally came from.

But by the time federal officials realized what was happening, the situation had already spiraled out of control.

People learned of the Private's return and the King's entrapment.

Even the soldier's last words became known to the people.

This incident immediately caused a huge uproar in the Federation.

After all, that's the King!
It can be said that it was a warship that embodied the Federation's latest and most advanced technology.

Of the warships currently in service, only a few large ships exceed the tonnage of the King.

The fact that even the King suffered a crushing defeat in this operation already revealed the seriousness of the situation.

As the central island of the Federation, information and intelligence spread incredibly fast on [Liuli Island].

In less than half a day, the spread of the rumors became unstoppable.

It was like dropping a bombshell on the seven seas.

Immediately, those who learned of this news were filled with anxiety, and rumors spread like wildfire.

Compared to this big news, the clash between the three major forces a while ago seems to be just a minor matter.

……

……

A little-known miniature secret place.

Three powerful consciousnesses descended one after another into the chaotic space.

What arrives first is an existence that seems to be composed of code, numbers, and graphics.

They seemed to flash rapidly in the form of a matrix, seemingly without any pattern yet containing a kind of "rationality," emitting a cold, rational glimmer.

After arriving first, this consciousness remained silent, seemingly waiting for something.

Soon, a dazzling light descended.

His arrival seemed to illuminate this strange space, bringing an undeniable light and heat.

Finally, what appeared was a deep, dark darkness.

Just looking at him is like gazing into the deep sea, tens of thousands of meters below the surface.

It was as if...being stared at by some being from the depths of the sea.

"Very good, it seems everyone has arrived."

The will that emanated a faint light of reason was the first to speak: "I think you all know about the prophecy of the 'Second World-Destroying Flood'."

"Under these circumstances, do you still intend to continue fighting against my [Truth Society]?"

The ones who brought their consciousness to this secret realm were important figures from each of the three major forces.

Under normal circumstances, this negotiation would never have occurred; the three powers would have simply fought each other until they were no longer able to fight. However, the spread of this prophecy caused all three parties to waver somewhat.

While divine revelations are important, it cannot be denied that not all believers are reckless madmen.

They live in this world after all, and they can't just stand by and watch it be submerged by floods again.

Although the attitude has softened, the enmity has already been formed and cannot be easily resolved.

"It represents the will of the [Hui Cult]," he sneered.

"This prophecy was probably leaked by someone from your [Truth Society], wasn't it?"

"What a clever move. Are they trying to get a temporary respite?"

The light orb of the Truth Society denied, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Besides, compared to the losses, neither of your factions is having an easy time either, are they?"

"If the fighting continues, can you hold on?"

Just then, the previously silent figure from the [Cult of the Deep] suddenly spoke in a sinister tone.

"Then why don't you give it a try?"

"Let's see who gives up first."

His voice was deep and hoarse, with a hint of madness.

Upon hearing this, the representative of the Truth Society cursed inwardly.

"These lunatics who worship ancient gods!"

Compared to the [Radiant Cult], what has been more troublesome for the [Truth Society] during this period is actually the attacks from the [Deepest Sect].

No matter what, the "Cult of Billions of Radiant Beacons" was a legitimate religion from the previous era, and its conduct was relatively upright and honorable.

But the Deep Ones are different.

This cult, which worships ancient gods of the deep sea, is itself composed of a group of individuals corrupted by the deep sea.

Among them are many utter lunatics.

They readily employ methods such as curses, poisoning, and contamination, causing immense trouble for the [Truth Society].

Moreover, what frustrated the members of the Truth Society the most was that they had no idea how they had gotten involved with the Deepest Sect.

They clearly tried to avoid each other on a regular basis.

In fact, the Truth Society also felt extremely helpless about the reasons given by the Hui Sect for declaring war.

It was actually a divine oracle from the Lord of Radiance!

This led some members of the Truth Society to wonder if the Outer God had become aware of some of their research.

That is why divine pronouncements will be made.

Suppressing the chaotic thoughts in his mind, the representative of the [Truth Society] softened his attitude and said.

"Continuing to fight like this will not benefit any of the three parties."

"Since none of us want to see a second great flood, how about this: each of the three parties sends a group of people to the far north to investigate the whole story of this incident."

The representative of the "Truth Society" paused, then continued.

"At the same time, this is also a competition."

"The side that plays the most significant role in preventing the flood from coming will be the ultimate winner."

"The loser must reveal the real names and identities of fifty core members of their respective sect to the other two sides."

In this world, a real name itself possesses special power.

For forces like the Truth Society, the Radiant Church, and the Profound Sect, knowing their true names is tantamount to controlling their lives and deaths.

This list of fifty people will largely determine the final outcome of the three-way battle.

It is worth mentioning that.

These words from the Truth Society made the Shining Cult and the Profound Cult competitors as well.

This is clearly a blatant, overt scheme.

The fact that the [Radiant Sect] and the [Deep Sect] have different beliefs is an inherent and irreconcilable conflict.

One is an Outer God from outside this world.

The other is an ancient god who sleeps in the deep sea.

If given the opportunity, neither side would mind using this list to weaken the other.

After a brief hesitation, the consciousness of the High Priest of the [Radiant Cult] responded.

"can."

"Therefore, we will temporarily cease hostilities during the competition."

A hoarse voice echoed from the shadows of the [Deep Sea Cult]: "In that case, let us swear an oath to the three deities under the witness of the Secret Sea."

Before long, after agreeing on the oath, the three parties took a joint oath.

The oath is thus fulfilled.

The representative of the Truth Society breathed a slight sigh of relief.

These days, the Truth Society is fighting against two sides simultaneously, so the pressure it is under is naturally enormous.

Most importantly, their long-planned projects have been delayed and stalled due to this inexplicable war, bringing their progress to a standstill.

The reason why the Truth Society wanted to hold temporary talks was partly due to its desire to buy time.

The reason why the [Radiant Cult] and the [Deepest Cult] chose to cease hostilities is because...

During this period, they also paid a heavy price.

Only after the war truly began did these two major esoteric sects realize that the Truth Society had been hiding such a powerful force.

The scholars working at the Federal Research Institute and the researchers hidden on various islands may not be very strong in direct combat, but they always have many unpredictable and difficult-to-defend-against strange methods.

According to some captured members of the Truth Society, they had established a "Truth Network" for communication using special artifacts.

With the support of this "network of truth," the speed of knowledge and technology dissemination has reached an unprecedented peak.

This also made members of the two major esoteric sects deeply understand the power of science and technology.

As the losses intensified, dissenting voices emerged within both the [Radiant Sect] and the [Deepest Sect].

—Especially during this period, the [Black Light] never appeared in the [Radiant Crystal Mirror] again.

Some people began to doubt the authenticity of the "oracle".

Even Archbishop Musa began to harbor some suspicions.

Some members of the Cult of the Deep felt that what Priest William heard in the depths of the ocean was not necessarily the teachings of the Sons of the Deep.

It could also be a hallucination he was having.

Or perhaps, it wasn't a "secluded offspring" at all.

In short, for various reasons, the two major esoteric sects could not be as resolute as they were before the war.

That's why this peace talks in the secret realm came about.

……

……

at the same time.

On the vast sea.

The Black Swan and the Diamond Princess cruised one after the other.

Just then, a ship with sails decorated with black flames sped toward the Black Swan.

(End of this chapter)