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

Chapter 277 [The Forge Realm]

The familiar feeling of weightlessness arrived as expected.

Xia En's consciousness continued to fall, and fall further...

However, this deep-sea dive felt quite different from previous dives.

The surrounding chaos and darkness were noticeably more solid and viscous than usual, creating a strong sense of envelopment.

Furthermore, during the fall, Shane clearly felt that he had passed through an indescribable barrier.

At first, Shane encountered some resistance.

But soon, as his [Void Secret Power] seeped out, this barrier became like a password-protected door, allowing Shane to come and go as he pleased.

Obvious.

This is exactly the [World Barrier] that Shane had seen in the promotion ceremony.

Thinking about this, Xia En couldn't help but feel a little scared.

If he had tried to use the [anchor point] to navigate the [Secret Sea] before advancing to the fifth rank, he would probably have been stopped by this barrier and might have suffered unpredictable injuries.

However, Shane then remembered the strange seawater below the cabin of the Diamond Star.

Why can you directly reach the [Secret Sea] by diving into that seawater?

Could it be, as Xia En previously guessed, that the [Diamond Star] is a projection of its true form in the [Secret Sea], which is why it has such a close connection with the [Secret Sea]?
A multitude of conflicting thoughts flashed through Xia En's mind.

Then, when the feeling of weightlessness disappeared, he opened his eyes.

What came into view was a deep, dark ocean, vast and boundless, its depth immeasurable.

Countless dim and unclear lights and shadows flowed rapidly within it.

The scattered lights drifted away, while others converged like a river.

Against this pitch-black backdrop, it shone as brilliantly as a galaxy.

Such a sight, no matter how many times you witness it, will always leave you deeply moved.

Xia En murmured to himself, "[Secret Sea], I'm back again."

In fact, this was Xia En's third time diving into the depths of the [Secret Sea].

The first time was during the first-tier promotion ceremony, when I accidentally performed a [submersible] voyage.

As a result, they crashed directly into a giant creature in the [Secret Sea], and after hastily entering a world of light bubbles, they were expelled.

The second time was during the fourth-tier advancement ceremony, when a [submarine anchor point] was left in the [Secret Sea].

Before I could even take a second look, I was crushed by another enormous will.

However, both of those underwater voyages were extremely short and yielded no valuable results; they were merely tests.

This is only the first official exploration of the [Secret Sea] by Xia En!
Xia En's gaze swept across the chaotic light and shadow before him.

Soon, his gaze was drawn to one of the nearest points of light, and a strange light flashed in his eyes.

[Peeping Eyes] activated!
[Secret Realm Name: Unknown]

[Traces of intelligent life: Unknown]

[Characteristics: Unknown]

Possible loot: Unknown

[Relevance to "Seven Seas World": Extremely low]

Danger Level: Extremely High

The information that appears before us contains a great deal of unknowns.

This is clearly because this [Secret Realm] has a low connection with the [Seven Seas World], and Shane's ability to utilize the [Peeping Eyes] is still under development.

Therefore, the information we see is relatively limited.

Even so, this information is by no means worthless.

Upon seeing the "Danger Level: Extremely High" label, Shane decisively abandoned exploring this "Secret Realm" and turned his attention to the other points of light.

However, perhaps Shane was just unlucky.

He looked at four or five points of light in succession, all of which were [Secret Realms] with extremely low relevance and extremely high danger.

On second thought, that makes sense.

The Secret Sea is so vast that its many secret realms are as numerous as the stars in the sky.

Such searches will inevitably lead to "secret realms" that are unrelated to the "Seven Seas World".

If we continue this investigation, who knows when we'll find them?

"I must be looking at it the wrong way."

Xia En muttered to himself, then suddenly had a whimsical idea.

"Perhaps I can use the [Peeping Eye] to observe myself directly, and thereby pinpoint those [Secret Realms] that are highly connected to the [Seven Seas World]?"

Xia En does what he thinks of.

He quickly calmed himself down and observed his projected body.

Soon, Shane saw that many withered, black things, like branches, were spreading out from the [Projected Body], faintly connecting with several points of light in the starry sea.

"It really works!"

Xia En was in high spirits and had a sudden realization.

These intricate, thorny black branches are very likely his connection to these [secret realms].

In the parlance of fantasy novels, it's something like "fate" or "bond".

In the Seven Seas, some esoteric practitioners might use the term "threads of fate" to describe this wondrous connection.

Since Xia En's body originated from the Seven Seas World, the related Secret Realm should naturally have a high degree of connection with the Seven Seas World.

It didn't take long.

Xia En found a spot of light with many black branches and the closest distance.

[Secret Realm Name: Forge]

[Traces of intelligent life: Yes]

【Characteristics: "Hot", "Underground and Enclosed", "Shared Language", "Trade Available"】

Possible loot includes: Lava Ore; Forged Equipment; Fire Seeds...

[Relevance to "Seven Seas World": High]

[Danger Level: High]

"……Um?"

Shaun raised an eyebrow; the information presented by this [Furnace Realm] was quite comprehensive and abundant.

This gave him a general understanding of the [Forge Realm].

Based on the information available, the [Forge Realm] seems to be a good place to explore.

The only drawback is that it is quite dangerous.

Xia En turned to look into the distance, where another point of light covered with many black branches was still quite a distance away.

It will obviously take a lot of time to get there.

In the process of searching for highly relevant [Secret Realms], Shane had already wasted a portion of his ship soul power.

Moreover, no one can guarantee that the next [Secret Realm] will be better than the [Forge Secret Realm].

According to Xia En's observation, the locations of the different "Secret Realms" within the "Secret Sea" are actually constantly changing.

Those flowing starlight are the trajectory of the [Secret Realm].

It seems to contain some special pattern, but Xia En is not yet able to fully understand it.

The current situation is...

If you reach the vicinity of the next [Secret Realm], only to find that the [Secret Realm] is even more dangerous, and you also miss the current [Forge Secret Realm], wouldn't it be a complete waste of time and effort?

After a moment's thought, Xia En decided to stop hesitating and head directly towards the light spot in the [Forge Realm]. As he approached, the light spot gradually transformed into a giant bubble of light, its surface radiating a hazy, misty glow, appearing exquisitely beautiful.

Upon closer inspection, the surface of the light bubble also has a faint red tinge, though it is not very noticeable.

Immediately afterwards, Xia En did not hesitate and crashed directly into the light bubble.

At that moment, a tremendous pulling force came, and he felt as if his soul had been lifted up and pulled towards some being in the [Secret Realm].

It's less about "pulling" and more about "squeezing".

Under the influence of some external force, Xia En's soul was forced into the body of this being.

next moment.

A heavy, tactile sensation from the real world came through my limbs, along with several other strange sensations.

Hot and dry.

The lingering smell of blood and the stench of a decaying corpse filled the air.

Although Shane's [Projected Body] already possesses various senses, it always seems to be separated from his original body by a thin membrane.

The sensations I feel now seem incredibly real and clear, as if Shane himself has descended upon me.

"How is this going?"

Xia En moved his fingers with difficulty, only to find his body unusually sluggish and numb.

Even the simple act of opening one's eyes seems incredibly difficult.

This uncomfortable feeling lasted for more than ten seconds before the indescribable numbness and sluggishness throughout my body finally gradually subsided.

Xia En felt as if he were waking up from a long hibernation and gradually regaining his ability to move.

Finally, Shane opened his eyes and saw the scene around him.

All around him was a dim, cave-like space.

Not far away, on the ground, there was a strangely shaped "kerosene lamp," whose flickering light illuminated the scene inside the cave.

A strange animal carcass, three meters tall and six or seven meters long, lay in front of Shane.

Its head looked as if it had been hit by some kind of blunt object, and its face was completely disfigured.

Shaen could only barely make out that it was some kind of lizard-like monster.

It is entirely red, with bright red fleshy growths on its back and crown, resembling energy storage organs.

Its body is covered in fine scales, and its four claws are extremely sharp.

The lizard monster's body was covered with marks from being struck by blunt force, and many places were dented from being hit.

Dark red blood accumulated beneath it; under the high temperature, the water evaporated, leaving only congealed blood clots.

Combined with the pits and holes in the surrounding ground and walls, it is not hard to see that a fierce battle once took place in this cave.

If one side in the battle is dead, then where is the other side now?

Suddenly, Shane felt that something was wrong.

Perspective!

His perspective was much lower than usual!
Xia En's attention was focused on his surroundings, and he hadn't noticed anything wrong until he looked up at the lizard and the height of the burrow, which suddenly woke him up.

Xia En quickly looked down at his right hand, only to find a completely unfamiliar hand.

The hand appeared short and thick, with a layer of calluses.

On his arms, he wore a uniquely styled arm armor, with a very complex and exquisite craftsmanship.

Xia En looked at the rest of his body and found that not only his hands, but his entire body had become unusually short and stocky.

Just like... the dwarfs he had seen before!

It's obvious that this is not his own body!

Xia En looked surprised and murmured, "What's going on?"

He took two deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down, and carefully perceived his own state.

Soon, Xia En discovered that, just like when he was in [Submerged] before, he could still sense the existence of his own body and could also deactivate [Submerged] at any time.

In other words, the essence of his body is still a [projection body].

However, upon entering the [Furnace Realm], a peculiar change occurred, causing the [Projected Body] to enter an unfamiliar body.

After careful analysis, Xia En immediately had a guess in his mind.

The "squeezing" force he felt earlier might have been the repulsive force from the [Furnace Realm].

After all, to this world, Shane is a veritable "illegal immigrant".

This is different from the situation in the [Blood Moon Realm] and [Rhine Realm].

The Blood Moon Realm is a secret realm based on the Seven Seas World, and the secret realm has always regarded the secret travelers of the Seven Seas World as its own.

Xia En possesses the [Empty Beast Heart Seal], which is equivalent to being recognized by the [Rhine Secret Realm], and he is even regarded as the [Lord of the Rhine].

Therefore, he was able to decide to allow outsiders into the [Rhine Secret Realm] without being rejected by the [Secret Realm]'s will.

However, to the [Forge Realm], Shane is like a thief who has broken into the place, and hostility is inevitable.

In this situation, the Projected Body was forced to enter the corpse of a native in the Forge Realm in order to escape the pressure of the Realm's will.

However, doing so is obviously not without its consequences.

Xia En glanced at the panel.

[Projector's Name: Bronzebeard Warhammer]

Race: Dwarf

[Current overall performance rating: 3.5!]

His current overall quality is only about one-third of what it should be under normal conditions.

Considering the need to adapt to an unfamiliar body, Xia En's combat power will only be lower.

Of course, Shane also realized that he could actually temporarily let the [Projected Body] leave this body to fight, thereby unleashing its full combat power.

However, doing so might provoke the rejection of the [Secret Realm]'s will, causing [Submarine Voyage] to end prematurely.

It's a last resort, a desperate measure.

After roughly understanding the current situation, Xia En forced himself to stand up.

Only then did he notice that next to the giant lizard's carcass lay a massive warhammer.

A rough estimate suggests that it is even taller than the body of Shane.

Clearly, this is the weapon of "Bronzebeard Warhammer".

Shaun picked up the warhammer, its warm, hard texture giving it a strange, almost tangible feel.

That's probably the muscle memory that remains in this body, which can be transformed into some kind of decent combat skill.

"This hammer..."

Shaen examined the warhammer closely and was immediately surprised.

The hammer is made of some unknown material, and it seems to have been forged using some special technique. Its quality and hardness are quite good.

Moreover, the surface of the warhammer has a special quenching pattern that looks a bit like flames and a bit like thorns.

Strangely, this pattern gave Shane a sense of familiarity.

It felt like I'd seen it somewhere before.

"Quenching...forging..."

Xia En suddenly realized: "That's right, it's String Song!"

When Bronze Dragon String Song uses [Forging Technique], similar patterns seem to be generated.

And just then.

Footsteps echoed from a cave not far away.

(End of this chapter)