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

Chapter 493 [Intelligent Commandery] [God of Steam and Machinery]

The Secret Sea is still radiant with starlight.

Countless streams of light and ribbons of light darted and flew past outside the passage, creating a dangerous yet beautiful scene.

Having gained experience from previous [Secret Realm Traversal] attempts.

Shane and his crew had become somewhat immune to the sights in the [Secret Sea Passage].

It won't be as amazing as it was at first sight.

However, the crew remained vigilant.

Because both the previous interception by the [Fiend of Fate] and the terrifying [group of bronze statues] were enough to prove...

This seemingly peaceful "Secret Sea" actually hides all sorts of unknown dangers.

Even though most of the crew members on the Black Swan have already broken through to the Legendary level.

But in the [Secret Sea], they are nothing more than a group of slightly larger ants.

Fortunately, this time, Shane and the others seem to have good luck.

Following the guidance of the [Fleeting Time] compass, Xia En successfully approached the predetermined coordinates.

Not long after.

A light bubble, quite different from any of the previous "secret realms," came into Xia En's view.

This time, neither Youxing nor Elvis recognized this [Secret Realm].

Clearly, this area in the [Secret Sea] has exceeded the furthest reach of their [Secret Realm].

Xia En was not surprised by this and immediately activated [Peeping Eyes] to look at the light bubble in front of him.

[Secret Realm Name: Mechanized Territory]

[Traces of intelligent life: Yes]

【Characteristics: "Technological Side", "Common Language", "Inorganic Life", "God of Steam and Machinery"】

[Potential loot: Overlimit Gear; Steam Core; AI; Sacred Machine Core...]

[Relevance to "Seven Seas World": Low]

Danger Level: Extremely High

This is an ability that Shane unlocked when he obtained the hidden class [Secret Sea Walker].

In fact, this could be considered the original main ability of the [Gaze of Secrets].

However, as time went by, Shane forgot about this function for a time, and only now is he using it again.

"【Intelligent Leader】, 【God of Steam and Machinery】..."

As he murmured those two names, Xia En's expression became somewhat strange.

It should be noted that Faia is a follower of the so-called god of steam and machinery.

Who would have thought that, just when Fei Ya wasn't on the ship, they would arrive at such a [secret realm].

and……

【Intelligent machine】 clearly refers to a kind of machine that possesses intelligence.

Shane immediately looked at Carles beside him.

This [Platinum Knight] is a life form born from a mechanical and steam core.

Karlless seemed to have sensed something as well, gazing thoughtfully at the [Intelligent Territory] not far away.

Noticing Xia En's gaze, she turned her head and asked.

"Captain Shane, what's wrong?"

Xia En shook his head: "It's nothing, I just feel that this secret realm might have some kind of connection with you."

A glint flashed in Karlless's eyes beneath her mask, and she whispered.

“I have that feeling too… as if something is calling to me.”

Upon hearing this, Xia En's heart stirred.

As a mechanical life form, Karlless's senses are always sharp, and her intuition is likely correct.

"Everyone, be prepared."

Xia En said in a deep voice, "This secret realm may be more dangerous than any we've encountered before."

The crew members nodded, their expressions solemn.

Joey gripped his staff tightly, the dragon scales on the String Song rose slightly, and the Ghost Stars quietly disappeared into the shadows.

Vivian and Anne stood beside Xia En, their hair moving without any wind.

"Begin the shuttle!"

With a command from Shane, the Black Swan transformed into a streak of silver light and sailed straight into the light bubble of the Mechanoid Territory.

……

……

The moment of passing through the barrier of the secret realm.

A metallic and steamy smell wafted over.

Xia En opened his eyes, and the sight before him made him slightly stunned—

The sky had a strange bronze hue, with countless gear-shaped clouds slowly rotating.

On the land, towering metal buildings stand tall, and steam pipes crisscross like blood vessels.

In the distance, a massive mechanical city sits on the plain, its walls, made of gears and bearings, gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

Even more shocking is...

In the center of the city stands a towering metal statue.

The statue wore a gear-shaped crown, held a scepter made of steam pipes, and had a solemn and majestic face.

"That is... the [God of Steam and Machinery]?"

Joey murmured, his eyes filled with shock.

Xia En nodded, his gaze serious.

He could sense that the statue was not merely a sculpture, but rather contained a powerful will.

In the sky above the [Intelligent Realm], bronze-yellow clouds slowly rotated, like giant gears meshing and turning.

Shaen was about to pilot the Black Swan closer to the mechanical city.

Suddenly, several silver-white figures rushed from the direction of the city wall.

"Be vigilant, but don't do anything out of line."

Shane gave orders to his crew while keeping a wary eye on the newcomers.

The figures stopped a hundred meters from the ship.

Only then did Xia En realize that they were five silver-white mechanical humanoid figures, their surfaces covered with intricate armor plates.

The chest area features a unique steam core.

The models and conditions of those steam cores were very different from those on Karl Royce.

It must have been a special creation from the [Intelligent Realm].

The leading robotic figure opens its mouth using a special sound-producing device.

"We are the Templars, the guardians of the Mechanoid Territory."

"Outsiders, please state your identities and purpose."

"We are travelers from other hidden realms."

Xia En cautiously replied, "No ill intent."

"Traveler?"

The lead Templar's eyes flashed with a cold blue light, and his mechanical voice carried a hint of scrutiny.

"Please show your pass."

"Pass?"

Xia En frowned slightly. They were newcomers; what credentials did they have?
Just as the atmosphere was becoming increasingly tense.

Karllais suddenly stepped forward, took off his mask, and revealed his cold, handsome face made of metal and steam core.

“We have no proof, but…”

Her voice was deep and clear, and at the same time, the steam core in her chest glowed slightly, emitting a unique energy fluctuation.

"I am a mechanical life form, perhaps... I can prove our position."

The Templars seemed to sense something; their blue eyes flickered slightly as they exchanged glances.

Then, the leading mechanical warrior nodded.

"A fluctuation of the same source energy was detected, confirming it as a mechanical life form."

"But the remaining members still need to undergo further review."

Xia En felt relieved, at least the other party's attitude had softened.

"We understand, and we are willing to cooperate."

The Templars said nothing more, but instead lined up on both sides, gesturing to guide the way.

"Please follow us to the Central Sanctuary to receive the judgment of the Great Sage."

Xia En glanced back at the crew and nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

The group understood each other and remained vigilant, but did not show any hostility.

The Black Swan slowly descended, and Shane and the others followed the Templars into the magnificent mechanical city.

……

...The moment he stepped into the city, Xia En truly felt the uniqueness of this secret place.

On both sides of the street, countless mechanical life forms walk, talk, and even trade.

They come in various shapes and sizes; some resemble humans, while others are entirely mechanical.

Some are a hybrid of biological and mechanical.

Steam pipes crisscross overhead, and the sounds of gears and bearings turning rise and fall.

The entire city is like a sophisticated giant machine, operating in an orderly manner.

"It's... incredible."

Joey sighed softly, his eyes filled with shock.

Xiange looked around curiously, and couldn't help but reach out and touch a small mechanical object that was repairing gears by the roadside.

"Hey, don't touch it!"

The mechanical object raised its head and protested in an electronic voice.

Xian Ge stuck out her tongue and quickly withdrew her hand.

Shane noticed this.

These mechanical life forms are not cold, lifeless machines, but possess independent thoughts and emotions.

Come to think of it, even Carles has his own emotions and thoughts.

There's no reason why these mechanical lifeforms of the [Intelligent Domain] couldn't do this.

They even had their own social structure, complete with shops, workshops, and even entertainment venues.

"This place... is practically a utopia of mechanical civilization."

Jane said softly, a complex light flickering in her eyes.

Xia En then thought of the Rusty Ruins of the Seven Seas World.

If I had to say, this "secret realm" and that place have many similarities.

However, An Ze frowned slightly and said in a low voice.

"But I always feel... something is off."

Xia En felt the same way.

The city appears prosperous, yet it exudes a sense of oppression.

The mechanical lifeforms mostly had indifferent, even numb, expressions, as if bound by some kind of rule.

and……

Xia En's gaze swept across a square at the end of the street.

There stood a small statue, exactly like the towering "God of Steam and Machinery" outside the city.

Many mechanical lifeforms are kneeling before the statue of the god, praying devoutly.

"Praise be to the god of steam and machinery!"

"Praise be to the father of all machines!"

Xia En frowned slightly, thinking to himself.

"Faith...can machines also have faith in gods?"

Just then, the Templar stopped in his tracks.

"arrive."

Shaun looked up and saw a magnificent metal building, constructed entirely of gears and bearings, with an ancient inscription above the entrance—

Central Cathedral.

"The Great Sage is waiting inside. Please follow me in."

The Templar pushed open the heavy metal door, gesturing for the others to follow.

Xia En took a deep breath and stepped inside.

……

……

The interior of the church is much more spacious than it appears from the outside.

On the towering dome, countless gears slowly rotate, as dazzling as the starry sky.

In the very center, a colossal mechanical throne stood silently, and upon the throne—

Seated inside was a mechanical life form whose entire body was made of dark gold metal.

His physical size was not large, but the energy fluctuations he emitted were unfathomable.

The steam core on its chest was a rare dark red, as if it contained boundless wisdom and power.

The most surprising thing is.

Behind him were several pairs of enormous, folded mechanical wings.

Like in some myths...

Angel? !
"Welcome, travelers from afar."

The Great Sage's voice was deep and gentle, yet carried an undeniable authority.

"I am the ruler of the [Intelligent Territory] and the spokesperson for the [God of Steam and Machinery]."

Xia En bowed slightly: "Respected Great Sage, please forgive my intrusion."

The Great Sage's gaze swept over the crowd, finally settling on Karlless.

"You... are very special."

His voice carried a hint of inquiry.

"Your steam core... is not from the [Intelligence Domain]."

Karl Laszlo readily replied, "Yes, I was born in another world."

The Great Sage paused for a moment, then suddenly asked, "So, do you believe in the God of Steam and Machinery?"

This question made Xia En's heart tighten.

Carles hesitated slightly, then shook his head: "I...have no faith."

In an instant, the atmosphere in the entire sanctuary seemed to freeze.

The Templars' hands quietly rested on their weapons.

The Great Sage's gaze deepened, and he spoke slowly.

"Those without faith... are not allowed in the [Mickey Realm]."

Xia En immediately stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Great Sage, we have no intention of offending you."

“Carles is simply stating the facts, and our purpose in coming here is not to provoke.”

The Great Sage turned his gaze to Shaun, seemingly scrutinizing his sincerity.

After a moment, he slowly raised his hand, signaling the Templar to step back.

“State your true purpose.”

Xia En took a deep breath and decided to get straight to the point.

"We are looking for a woman named 'Lyra'."

"In other worlds, she is known as the Time Witch or the Time Demon."

"She may have been here before."

Upon hearing the name "Lyra," a strange light flashed in the Great Sage's eyes.

The sound of gears turning throughout the entire sanctuary seemed to pause for a moment.

"You...know her?"

The Great Sage's voice suddenly became low, even carrying a hint of... wariness?
Xia En keenly sensed the anomaly, but still nodded: "Yes."

The Great Sage remained silent for a long time before finally speaking slowly.

"She did come here."

"but……"

His voice suddenly turned cold.

"She took the [Fragment of God] with her."

"That is an inseparable part of the God of Steam and Machinery!"

Shane's pupils contracted slightly.

really!

Lyra was here, also carrying out the task of collecting fragments of the gods' souls!

The voice of the Great Sage echoed throughout the sanctuary, carrying an undeniable authority and fury.

"That witch stole the power of the gods!"

"She disguised herself as a devout believer and infiltrated the Central Sanctuary, but at the most crucial moment of the ceremony, she stole the Fragment of God!"

Xia En was startled.

Unlike evil gods such as the Crimson Lord and the Filthy Lord.

The God of Steam and Machinery has a fairly good reputation in the Seven Seas World.

The sacred steam can even purify many strange pollutants.

But Lyra still managed to steal a piece of His fragment.

Clearly, this is also a scheme by the God of Blindness and Folly.

(End of this chapter)