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

Chapter 352 Breakthrough to Sixth Tier! Hidden Class—[Guardian of Secrets!]

It felt like only a second had passed, yet it also felt like an eternity.

Time seemed to lose its meaning at this moment.

Located in the [Secret Sea], Shane watches over the birth, rise, and even destruction of one ancient civilization after another.

During this process, his state of mind gradually changed from initial shock and disbelief to calm and even a hint of detachment.

At this moment, Xia En seemed to have truly grasped the meaning of the so-called "Secret Sea Traveler"!

Everywhere you go, everything you see and hear is a beautiful scene.

At the same time, a different kind of realization also arose in Xia En's heart—

In the face of eternal time, individuals and even civilizations are so small and fragile.

It's like a bubble that bursts at the slightest touch.

Some people may fall into nihilism in the face of this scene, believing that all efforts in life are meaningless.

But Shane felt the exact opposite.

Even though those civilizations ultimately perished in that sudden "dark" catastrophe.

But before that, those civilizations also shone with a brilliance as dazzling as diamonds.

Countless geniuses emerged, like a constellation of stars shining brightly.

Shane even discovered that the closer a civilization is to destruction, the more astonishing its potential and power become.

If we were to personify each civilization, it would probably be their last struggle before their demise.

That's why Xia En became even more determined in his decision—

In this limited time, he will do everything in his power to shine in this world and leave his own mark.

In addition to the continuous increase in the "Job Suitability" on the panel.

As Xia En traverses the [Secret Sea], he undergoes a unique transformation.

This transformation is hard to describe.

It's not just an improvement in the level of secret power and soul strength, but also a sublimation and transcendence of mind and character.

In fantasy novels, this would probably be called "enlightenment"!

Although it won't significantly improve Xia En's strength in the short term.

But it greatly benefited his future secret path, reducing many obstacles for him.

After leaving yet another destroyed "Secret Realm," Shane returned once again to the vast and deep "Secret Sea."

At this moment, the [Old Flame] in front of him had become quite weak, as if it would be extinguished at any moment.

This is something that is inevitable.

After all, this flame was just a wisp of primordial fire separated from Yan Yan's body, and it was not a complete [Old Flame].

After taking Xia En back through so many [Secret Realm Remnants] and having Xia En absorb their secret power, the remaining power of this wisp of [Old Flame] was almost gone.

However, at this point, Shane no longer needed to rely on its power.

Xia En opened his eyes and slowly looked around.

The [Secret Sea] is as dark and deep as ever, with countless [Secret Realms] scattered like stars in every corner.

A terrifying and dangerous behemoth lies hidden deep within the Secret Sea, in the shadows of those "starlight."

Everything looks the same as before.

However, in Xia En's eyes, the entire [Secret Sea] was completely different from what he remembered.

He could almost see invisible threads in the [Secret Sea].

They are linked and intertwined in a mysterious and enigmatic way, forming a vast and indescribable net that encompasses everything in the [Secret Sea].

That's not just a special connection between different [Secret Realms].

It is a rule that ordinary people simply cannot grasp.

Or……

[The law!]

For no apparent reason, a completely unfamiliar word popped into Xia En's mind.

But it gave Shane a feeling that it was perfectly appropriate, as if it were the natural thing to do.

"[Law]..."

Xia En silently pondered the word, and suddenly had a sense of enlightenment.

This "law" is not the law of a particular country or "secret realm," but rather the rules that must be followed throughout this entire "Secret Sea"!

They are the most fundamental and unchangeable laws!
Boom——

Upon realizing this, it was as if a thunderclap exploded in Xia En's mind.

The accumulated power from traversing the [Secret Realm] and its constant transformation finally erupted at this moment.

Like a fish trapped in the deep sea, never seeing the light of day, it finally leaps out of the water.

A brand new world unfolded before Shane.

As you climb the ranks, your soul is elevated!

You have glimpsed the deepest secrets of the "Secret Sea"!

You've caught a glimpse of the "Great Law"!

[Hidden Path Job: Guardian (Tier 6)!]

[Description: The secrets of the "Mysterious Sea" cannot be explained to others through conventional means; only through personal experience can one truly understand them.]

From this day forward, secrecy... will become your strength!

However, engaging in clandestine activities is inherently dangerous; please remain rational and humane.

Losing your mind leads to losing a lot.

Lose your humanity, lose everything!

A torrent of information rushed past Xia En's eyes like a waterfall.

But Xia En's first reaction was one of surprise—

I've advanced to the next level?

What about the advancement ritual for the sixth rank?

According to the usual promotion process, he should have to undergo the trials of the [Secret Sea] and achieve promotion after completing the rituals.

However, this time, the process of breaking through to the sixth rank seemed to have skipped the part of the advancement ritual, which surprised Xia En quite a bit.

However, upon closer reflection, Xia En could understand it.

In fact, Xia En's previous journey through the various [Secret Realm Remnants] was itself a test of his character.

If one loses confidence and fighting spirit because of the sights one sees, let alone advancing in rank, one's "Dao heart will collapse" completely, making it impossible to make any progress on the secret path.

According to Xia En's guess.

Another reason why he didn't undergo the proper ritual for advancing to the sixth rank this time is probably...

The panel displayed what he had just glimpsed: the "Great Law"!
Shaun still had many questions about the existence of the "Great Law".

For example, when exactly did this law exist in the [Secret Sea]?

For example, was it created by the [Secret Sea] itself, or was it an existence established by humans?

But putting these questions aside for the moment, Xia En had a bold guess in his mind—

The so-called "ascension to godhood" and "promotion rituals" in the Seven Seas World are actually all provisions of this "Great Law"!

Xia En had previously found it strange that when extraordinary individuals advance in their cultivation, their consciousness is drawn into the [Secret Sea] for trials.

It's like a rigid yet powerful program, operating according to certain rules.

Looking back now, if we compare the [Promotion Ritual] to a program, then the [Great Law] is its underlying code!
The Great Law stipulates that all extraordinary individuals who reach a certain level must undergo the Ascension Ritual.

Those who complete the trial are promoted, while those who fail are considered failures.

Different [Secret Realms] may have different advancement methods and different extraordinary systems.

However, the core "underlying code," namely the "Great Law," will not be changed.

From this perspective, it can be said that the Great Law is the source of all extraordinary power in the Secret Sea, and the core of all extraordinary systems!

It was precisely because of this that when Shane discovered the existence of the [Great Law]...

In fact, this already meets the requirements for promotion to [Guardian of Secrets], and there is no need to pass the trial assessment.

That's also for this reason.

When Shane was promoted this time, he had a completely different feeling from his previous promotions.

It is somewhat similar to the experience of truly coming into contact with extraordinary power and becoming a first-order secret path practitioner.

It was as if they had crossed a very special threshold and opened the door to a new world!
Thinking of this, Xia En murmured to himself.

"The secrets of the [Secret Sea] cannot be told to others in a conventional way... Only through personal experience can one truly understand them."

"Could it be that Yan Yan entrusted the [Old Flame] to me so that I could personally witness the existence of the [Great Law]?"

Just as Xia En was pondering.

The second wave of information finally arrived belatedly on the panel.

You have received a gift from the "Secret Sea"!

Your personal attributes have been increased!

[Overall Qualifications: 25 → 30!]

[Unlock the "Guardian" exclusive talent: Hidden Echoes!]

[Quality: Legend]

[Description: "Secret" and "Guardians of Secrets" coexist.]

"Secrets" have become your partner and source of strength.

Whenever you come into contact with something or personally experience an event, you can trace its history and uncover the "secrets" hidden within it.

As these "hidden" truths are pieced together, you will draw unique power from them to unlock entirely new terms.

……

……

The talent "Prying Eyes" has changed!

[Quality: Epic → Legendary!]

[Description: The "Secret Sea" gave you black eyes, yet you use them to search for the "hidden."]

Your "Prying Eyes" can see through information from different "secret realms."

[It also makes it easier to find things that are "hidden" and see through the information hidden behind them.]

Beneath these eyes, nothing "hidden" can hide.

……

Each time you draw power from the "Hidden," you can slightly increase your class affinity.

Current career fit: 0%

After reading this information, Xia En once again appeared deep in thought.

Clearly, similar to the [Secret Sea Traveler], the [Secret Guardian] hidden class does not directly grant him any talents or skills for combat.

Instead, it gave him the means to acquire power.

Xia En summarized: "So it means... you can become stronger by exploring secrets?"

However, Shane was still somewhat unclear about the concept of "secrecy".

What exactly constitutes a "hidden" thing?
Fortunately, Shane soon saw a new section of information at the bottom of the panel.

[Current contact is private:]

The mystery of the Great Yan Kingdom's demise—the once-powerful Great Yan Kingdom was destroyed on the eve of the world-ending flood.

The world believes the Great Yan Kingdom was destroyed by a great flood, but through your interactions with the Black Flame Walker, the King of Cinder, and the Great Yan Queen, you glimpse a part of the truth behind this event.

However, we are still quite far from the truth.

[Solution density: 63%]

……

The Disappearance of the Elves—The once-prosperous Elven race suddenly vanished from the history of the Seven Seas, leaving behind a curse of silence.

You have astutely realized that the Elven race has not perished, but rather migrated to a secret realm.

However, you are still missing the final piece of the puzzle leading to the truth.

[Solution density: 90%]

……

The Black Calamity—a terrifying calamity from the depths of the secret sea; no one knows why it appeared.

To this day, countless civilizations have been swallowed by darkness.

Perhaps, a dark wave is already gathering not far away.

[Solution density: 1%]

Upon seeing these words, Xia En's eyes narrowed immediately.

"Is this what they call 'secret'?"

"Those truths buried by history and time?"

Regardless, Xia En had always intended to investigate the mystery of the "destruction of the Great Yan Kingdom" and the "disappearance of the Elf race" to the very end.

And to receive the unexpected bonus of cracking the [hidden] secret in the process is undoubtedly a pleasant surprise.

To Xia En's surprise,

The mystery of "the disappearance of the Elf race" has a solution density of only 90%?

He thought he had solved the mystery.

But now it seems he has overlooked a crucial factor.

As for the so-called "Black Disaster"...

Just seeing that name sent a chill down Xia En's spine.

With the help of the "Old Flame," Shane witnessed one destroyed civilization after another.

And without exception, the reason they were destroyed was that eerie darkness.

In the panel, that disaster is referred to as—

The Black Disaster!
At first, Xia En suspected that this disaster might be related to [Hui Si Ming].

But after observing the collapse of several civilizations, he quickly dismissed this conjecture.

This is a terrible disaster that is absolutely different from the invasion of the [Filthy Fate].

Even in those civilizations, there were clearly some powerful beings who could be described as gods.

Ultimately, even they could not prevent the arrival of the "Black Calamity" and could only watch helplessly as civilization was destroyed.

From that darkness, Xia En sensed a pure malice toward life and civilization.

It was as if only by eliminating all life could that dark tide be completely calmed.

This is completely different from the feeling that [Hui Si Ming] gives people.

The purpose of 【秽司命】 is to create chaos and absorb the power of filth and disorder.

But if even life is gone, who will provide Him with the power of defilement?
From a certain perspective, [Hui Siming] may still be pursuing "sustainable development".

But the "Black Catastrophe" is a complete and indiscriminate annihilation.

Xia En even suspected that if the [Evil Fate] were to face the [Black Calamity], it would be no different from a fragile civilization, utterly unable to resist the [Black Calamity]'s erasure.

That is the truly terrifying calamity in the [Secret Sea]!

Moreover, the Black Calamity seems to be expanding into other Secret Realms.

Perhaps one day, the Seven Seas World will also be shrouded in it!
Just imagining that scenario sent chills down Xia En's spine, and even filled him with a sense of despair.

(End of this chapter)