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

Chapter 482 [A New Member of the Rhine Secret Realm]

The moment the black hand reached out, the Black Swan trembled violently.

Even before it touched the ship, an extremely terrifying pressure and the [filthy secret power] in the air had already descended on the ship like Mount Tai.

The [Filthy Secret Power] even materialized into tentacles, trying to grab the [Black Swan] in mid-air and prevent it from [traveling through the Secret Realm].

Vivian and Anne immediately stood back to back.

Purple and green beams of light shot into the sky, intertwining to form a hemispherical shield above the ship.

The contaminated secret energy struck the protective shield, producing a corrosive sound that made your teeth ache.

"A Song of Strings!"

The bronze dragon girl let out a long roar and revealed her true form, her dragon body with a wingspan of nearly a hundred meters hovering at the top of the mast.

The golden-red dragon flames spewed out, burning the filthy tentacles that tried to approach to ashes.

"A ghostly star and a ghostly moon!"

The Night Elf couple simultaneously raised their hands, and azure starlight flowed from their fingertips, forming a second barrier around the dragon flames.

The interplay of starlight and flames temporarily repelled the filth and corruption.

However, [Hui Si Ming] is [Hui Si Ming] after all, a terrifying existence that surpasses the ninth rank and above.

His power far exceeded everyone's imagination. The black hand only paused for a moment before pressing down with an even more ferocious force!
Spiderweb-like cracks instantly appeared on the surface of the shield, and Vivian and Anne both spat out a mouthful of blood, their bodies swaying precariously.

"Hold on!"

With a low growl, Xia En's newly fused "Eternal Blood" suddenly began to boil.

Silver lines appeared on his skin, and the sands of time seeped from his pores, forming a strange array of runes on the deck.

[The Laws of Space and Time: Time Anchoring]!
This is a brand new ability that Shane has learned from the Eternal Blood.

A silver beam of light shot into the sky and collided head-on with the black hand.

The moment the two forces clashed, the entire secret realm fell silent.

The black hand was momentarily frozen in mid-air!
"It's now!"

Xia En activated the [Secret Realm Shuttle] with all his might, and the ship shone brightly with silver light.

Even so, [Secret Realm Traversal] still requires a certain amount of time.

It was clear that the terrifying black hand was showing signs of loosening its grip.

Xia En frowned, sensing that the secret power within him was showing signs of spiraling out of control.

at this time.

Suddenly, Chief Xinghui broke free from the support of Youxing and his wife and leaped toward the stern of the ship.

"Chief Starshine!"

Youyue let out a heart-wrenching scream, only to see the former [Apostle of the Night] radiating an unprecedentedly dazzling starlight.

The star-shaped gem on his chest detached from his body and transformed into a deep blue barrier in the void.

"This is my sin."

Starlight's voice echoed in the air: "I will end this."

Xia En saw the Starshine Clan Chief's body decomposing—

That is not death, but the complete transformation of one's own existence into pure stellar power.

This self-destructive outburst allowed his power to briefly break through the ninth-tier threshold, actually managing to block the giant hand of [Hui Si Ming].

"Walk!"

With that shout, the Starshine Clan Chief's figure vanished completely, replaced by a dazzling blue starburst.

Amidst the violent spacetime tremors, the silver aura of the Black Swan finally completed its closed loop.

At the last moment, Shane saw the phantom of the Starshine Clan Chief appear at the center of the Starburst.

The venerable clan chief gave everyone a relieved smile, his lips moving as if he were saying something.

Then--

The silver light engulfed everything.

When visibility returned, the Black Swan had arrived above the Rhine Realm.

Below is the familiar Rhine City.

The deck was deathly silent. Youxing gripped his wife's trembling hand tightly; their foreheads touched, and they wept silently.

The rescued members of the Eternal Darkness Clan knelt on the deck, many of the elders stroking the fragments of the Starshine Gem and praying softly.

Xia En stood silently at the bow of the ship, his fingertips tracing a single grain of blue stardust that had appeared in his pocket watch.

That was the last gift left by the Starshine Clan Chief.

He could sense that this grain of stardust contained important information about the [Filthy Fate], but now was not the time to unseal it.

He could have survived.

Vivian whispered, "Why?"

"Because of guilt."

Joey offered a rare explanation, her red eyes reflecting the sunlight.

"To my people, to the secret realm, to the three years that were tainted."

Xia En took a deep breath and looked at the rising sun in the distance.

Golden light spilled onto the streets of Rhine City, giving this nascent city a warm glow.

In stark contrast to the oppressive darkness of the [Eternal Darkness Realm], everything here is full of life.

The distant forest is a vibrant scene of life, with everything thriving.

"Here we are."

Xia En spoke softly, yet his voice carried clearly throughout the entire ship.

The Eternal Dark Clan members on the deck slowly raised their heads.

When they saw the city bathed in the morning light, a glimmer of hope finally appeared in their eyes.

Elvis and Elder Marina walked to Shane's side, their expressions complicated.

"Captain Shane, thank you for your help."

Elder Marina's voice was hoarse, but full of sincerity.

"If it weren't for you, we probably would already be..."

She didn't continue, but everyone understood what she meant.

Xia En shook his head: "No need to thank me, it's what I should do."

He paused, then looked at the two of them.

"What are your plans next?"

Elvis and Marina exchanged a glance, then spoke solemnly.

"We hope to rest here for a while."

"The environment of the [Rhine Secret Realm] is very suitable for us, and..."

He looked at his weary tribesmen and said in a low voice.

"We need time to process all of this."

Xia En nodded: "I am the master of the [Rhine Secret Realm], and I will arrange accommodations for you."

"As for the more distant future..."

His gaze was deep.

"Once you're ready, we can discuss it together."

Elder Marina nodded gratefully: "That's enough."

……

……

……

Soon, the Black Swan landed at the port of Rhine City.

The city's residents had long been attracted by the enormous ship and gathered around it.

Sha Jingjing also rushed over with her guards.

When she saw the Eternal Dark Clan stepping off the ship, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

"Lord Shaen, it seems you've brought back some... special guests again?"

Xia En smiled slightly: "They are the [Eternal Darkness Clan]. For certain reasons, they need to settle here temporarily."

Sha Jingjing nodded, her gaze sweeping over the haggard yet hopeful faces of the Yong'an tribesmen, a hint of sympathy flashing in her eyes.

"I understand. I will arrange for people to prepare accommodations and supplies for them immediately."

She turned and gave a few instructions to the guards behind her, and several team members quickly left to gather resources.

Xia En gave her a grateful look: "Thank you for your hard work."

Sha Jingjing shook her head: "This is what we should do."

She paused, then lowered her voice and asked, "But... given their situation, do they require any special arrangements?" "For example... quarantine?"

Xia En understood her concerns—the Eternal Dark Clan had lived in a polluted secret realm for a long time, and their bodies might still be affected by the tainted secret power.

He pondered for a moment and said, "We must indeed guard against this possibility."

"Send people to test them for any [tainted secret power]. If any is found, purify them immediately with [Rhinestone]."

Sha Jingjing nodded and said, "Yes!"

After the Eternal Dark Clan left, the crew finally relaxed.

String Song transformed back into human form and stretched out a big yawn.

"It's finally over..."

"This trip was really tiring."

Joey leaned against the ship's railing, her red eyes slightly narrowed: "But the harvest was not small either."

She glanced meaningfully at Xia En.

Vivian and Anne also came over, their eyes filled with concern.

"Captain, are you... alright?"

She was referring to the drop of "eternal blood" that had merged into Shane's body.

Xia En shook his head: "Not only is he fine, on the contrary..."

He raised his hand, and a wisp of silver sand of time swirled in his palm, radiating a mysterious aura.

"My mastery of the [Laws of Space and Time] has improved significantly."

"and……"

He paused, his gaze becoming deep.

"I also obtained a coordinate from the [Secret Sea]."

"coordinate?"

The crew members all looked surprised.

Xia En nodded, and the sands of time in his palm coalesced into a three-dimensional star map, with a faint light shimmering in one of its locations.

"This is... a certain area of ​​the [Secret Sea]?"

Joey's red eyes narrowed slightly.

"Yes."

Shaun said in a deep voice, "According to the information in 'Eternal Blood,' there is another relic left by Lyra hidden there."

"Perhaps... we can find more clues about [Hui Si Ming]."

Everyone fell into a brief silence.

They had just escaped a thrilling battle, but now they were faced with new challenges.

String Song clenched his fist, his dragon eyes blazing with fighting spirit: "Then what are we waiting for? Let's set off now!"

"Not urgent."

Xia En put away the star map and glanced at the exhausted crew: "Everyone, take a few days to rest."

"and……"

He looked at the [Eternal Darkness Clan] people who were being settled: "We still have some things to take care of."

Vivian understood and said, "Are you suggesting we help them adapt to life here?"

"Not only that."

Shaun lowered his voice: "Elvis and Marina possess the time-manipulation secrets inherited by the [Eternal Darkness Clan]."

"If we can reach a cooperation agreement with them, it will greatly benefit the future development of the Black Swan."

An seemed to be thinking: "Like the dwarves' ship upgrades?"

"Exactly."

Shaen smiled approvingly: "Each race in the secret realm has its unique heritage."

"Only by pooling these forces can we gain the upper hand in our fight against [the Fel God]."

……

……

the following few days.

Rhine City has entered a busy resettlement phase.

The Eternal Dark Clan was temporarily relocated to a newly built residential area in the east of the city, which was originally intended for future immigrants, but now it came in handy.

The city's residents were somewhat curious about this group of outsiders with "pale skin and deep-set eyes."

But under the guidance of Sha Jingjing and the guards.

In addition, there was already a portion of the Night Clan within the city of Rhine.

The two sides quickly began initial contact.

Some of the Eternal Darkness's artisans even offered to help repair the city's buildings as a way of expressing their gratitude.

Their exquisite skills, especially in the use of stone and gemstones, opened the eyes of the residents of Rhine City.

Standing atop a high point in the city, looking down at Rhine City, Xia En felt a mix of emotions.

Currently, the city of Rhine is inhabited by Treants, Dwarves, Moonsingers, Eternal Darkness, Ancient Spirits, Nightshade, and even a small number of Elves.

These races come from various [secret realms], and their living environments, customs, and secret arts are all different.

But on this newly born land, they were able to coexist peacefully and build this hopeful city together.

"Perhaps... this is the true meaning of the [Rhine Realm]."

Xia En muttered to himself.

Just then, I heard light footsteps behind me.

Vivian walked to Shane's side, her violet eyes reflecting the city lights: "Captain, Elvis and Elder Marina wish to see you."

Xia En nodded: "Perfect timing, I also have something to discuss with them."

A moment later, in the council hall in the center of [Rhine City].

Shaen met two leaders of the Eternal Dark Clan.

After a few days of rest, their complexion had improved significantly, though a faint sadness still lingered between their brows.

"Captain Shane."

Elvis spoke first, his voice deep and sincere: "First of all, please allow me to express my gratitude to you once again on behalf of all our people."

Elder Marina bowed slightly as well: "Without your help, we would probably already be..."

Xia En waved his hand: "No need for formalities."

"Speaking of which, how are you all settling in?"

"It's better than I expected."

Elvis gave a wry smile: "Although the environment has changed a lot, at least... we have finally gotten rid of the shadow of [Evil Fate]."

The three of them became serious when the matter was brought up.

After a moment's hesitation, Xia En decided to get straight to the point: "How much do you know about [Hui Si Ming]?"

The two leaders of the Eternal Dark Clan exchanged a glance.

Elder Marina slowly said, "According to the ancient records of our clan, the [Filthy Fate] does not exist in our world."

"He comes from the [Secret Sea] beyond the world, and is the embodiment of some indescribable terror."

“About three thousand years ago, His power first penetrated the [Eternal Darkness Realm], corrupting parts of the area.”

"At that time, our ancestors paid a heavy price to barely seal it away."

Xia En sighed softly.

Elvis and his companion didn't know much more information than he did.

Then, Elvis continued, "Later, Lady Lyra, the Time Witch, came to the Eternal Darkness Realm."

"She seems to be very interested in [the Fel God] and has been researching ways to fight against Him."

"pity……"

Elder Marina sighed, "Even the witch failed in the end."

Shaun's eyes flickered slightly: "Do you know where Lyra went?"

They both shook their heads at the same time.

Elvis said, "When the witch left the Tower of Time for the last time, she only said that she was going to find the 'final answer', and then she never came back."

"We suspect she may have gone to the depths of the [Secret Sea]."

Xia En nodded thoughtfully.

He was initially worried that Lyra, under the influence of the "God of Blind Fools," would collude with the "Filthy Fate."

However, it now appears that the relationship between that outer god and the [Filthy Fate] is not harmonious.

(End of this chapter)