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

Chapter 515 [The Chosen One]

Before Old Star Eyes finished speaking, his figure suddenly blurred and dissipated into starlight.

"Space teleportation?"

Vivian exclaimed in surprise, "And there are no fluctuations in the laws of nature whatsoever."

Xia En stared at the star-shaped crystal in his hand: "This 'Old Star Eye' is probably not simple."

Xian Ge leaned closer and sniffed the crystal.

"There is an ancient aura about it, like the 'star dwellers' recorded in the dragon annals."

“Astral inhabitants?” Shane looked at her.

"A mysterious race that lives among the stars, capable of manipulating starlight, and with extremely long lifespans."

"But they rarely come into contact with other races," String Song explained.

Xia En carefully put the crystal away: "In any case, he might be the key to our understanding of the Tower of All Laws. Let's go back and rejoin the others."

The three turned back, and on the way, Xia En noticed that the mysterious people in dark red robes had disappeared.

Back on the Black Swan, Joey and Jane had been waiting for a long time.

"Captain, we've heard some important news!"

Joey's excited report.

"The Tower of All Laws will be holding a 'Laws Seminar' in three days, at which time the entry standards will be temporarily lowered!"

"seminar?"

Xia En's eyes lit up: "What exactly is it?"

Jane picked up the conversation: "It's said that they're discussing the recent phenomenon of disordered laws in the [Secret Sea]."

"Many visitors have observed abnormal fluctuations in the power of the laws in different areas, and some believe this is related to the upcoming 'major event'."

Xia En and Vivian exchanged a glance.

This so-called "major event" is very likely the "Black Catastrophe" that Lyra warned about.

"besides……"

Joey lowered his voice: "We heard that people from the 'All Laws Unite' will also be attending this seminar."

Carles' mechanical eye flickered.

"This is too much of a coincidence."

"We just learned of this organization's existence, and then we were caught up in their public activities?"

"It doesn't seem like a coincidence."

Xia En pondered, "It's more like... some kind of guidance."

Vivian said softly, "Do you think someone deliberately lured us here?"

"Or, to draw all those who seek the [Sovereign Law] here."

Xia En looked at the Tower of All Laws in the distance, its silvery-white body gleaming under the starlight.

"We must attend this seminar regardless."

Carles brought up the data panel.

"Based on the information gathered, admission to the seminar requires passing a 'law certification,' which is usually conducted in the 'Trial Plaza' outside the tower."

"Trial Square?"

"Xiange asked curiously."

"A place to publicly test the extent of mastery of the rules."

Jian explained, "Many visitors will showcase their mastery of the laws there, both to gain entry into the Tower of All Laws and as a demonstration of their strength."

Xia En nodded: "Tomorrow we'll go see Old Star Eye first to learn more, and then go to the Trial Square."

As night falls, the starry sky over the Starry Sea is even more dazzling than during the day.

Countless stars twinkled like jewels, and occasionally a shooting star streaked across the sky, leaving behind a trail of brilliant light.

Shane stood alone at the bow of the ship, gazing at the dreamlike scene.

The [Rules of Domination] within his body seemed to be summoned by some force, flowing slowly.

A subtle resonance is felt with the distant Tower of All Laws.

"Can't sleep?"

Vivian's voice came from behind.

She changed into a silver-blue long dress, looking like an elf under the starlight.

Xia En turned around and smiled: "I'm thinking about a lot of things."

"Lyra's warning, the truth behind the [Black Calamity], this mysterious [Tower of All Laws]... and the [Law of Domination] we obtained."

"You think all of this is connected?"

"It's more than just contact."

Xia En said softly, "It's more like a carefully designed... scheme."

"From the moment we learned of Lyra's news, to flipping through that book, 'The Record of the Unity of All Laws,' and then to arriving here."

“Every step seemed to be guided by some kind of force.”

Vivian walked to his side, her heterochromatic eyes reflecting the starlight: "You suspect that 'Old Star Eye'?"

"His timing was too perfect."

Xia En nodded: "But what I'm more concerned about is that he seems to be implying that he knows about my [Law of Domination]."

Be careful when we meet tomorrow.

Vivian cautioned, "The laws and environment here are very special; my [Annihilation] and [Rebirth] powers are being suppressed in some way."

Just as Xia En was about to respond, she suddenly felt a pang of heart palpitation.

He looked up abruptly and saw that the starry sky at the edge of the [Sea of ​​Stars] was distorted.

A darkness slowly spread, like ink dripping into clear water.

"That is……!"

Vivian also saw the strange phenomenon, and her expression changed drastically.

That darkness was so similar to the "Black Calamity" that Shane had seen in Lyra's memories!
It was just that its scale and power were much smaller.

Even more unsettling is the fact that something in the darkness is watching the Sea of ​​Stars.

Xia En could feel that gaze.

Cold, merciless, and filled with divine pressure.

"Everyone on alert!"

Shane immediately notified all crew members via mental connection.

Almost simultaneously, countless runes lit up the starry sky of the [Starry Sea], and a layer of silver-white light curtain quickly unfolded, enveloping the entire secret realm.

The spreading darkness was blocked by the light barrier, and dazzling sparks erupted at the boundary between the two.

"High-dimensional energy collision detected!"

Carles' voice rang out on the deck.

Xia En stared intently at the darkness, the [Dominator Law] within his body operating autonomously, forming a hazy gray halo on his body surface.

Strangely, he didn't feel fear; instead, he felt a strange... sense of familiarity?

Just as the standoff reached its peak, a beam of silver light shot out from the top of the Tower of All Laws, striking the heart of the darkness.

With a silent explosion, the darkness receded like a tide, and the starry sky returned to calm.

The silvery-white light curtain slowly dissipated, and the Starry Sea seemed as if nothing had happened.

But Xia En knew that what he had just witnessed was no illusion.

"it's over?"

Joey asked nervously.

"Do not."

Xia En's expression was grave: "This is just the beginning."

He turned to the crowd: "The Black Disaster is moving faster than we thought."

"Let's get started first thing tomorrow morning!"

……

……

At dawn the next day.

Before the starlight of the Starry Sea had faded, Xia En led Vivian and Xuan Ge to the agreed-upon "Stardust Tavern".

The tavern is located on a floating platform in the [Communication Area].

Its shape resembles a fallen star, with a dreamy blue-purple halo flowing across its surface.

Stepping inside, the interior space is much larger than it appears from the outside.

A vast star map was projected onto the ceiling, and people of all kinds conversed quietly under the soft starlight.

Old Star Eyes was already waiting in the corner, with three drinks sparkling with starlight in front of him.

"I love the punctual little guy."

He grinned, revealing his uneven teeth: "Try the Stardust Brew, a local specialty."

Xia En cautiously didn't touch the cup: "Senior Star Eyes, did you see the strange phenomenon last night?" Old Star Eyes' smile faded a bit.

"You noticed it too? You have a keen sense of perception."

He looked around and lowered his voice: "That's not ordinary law disorder, but [boundary erosion]."

"Border erosion?"

String Song repeated the unfamiliar word with curiosity.

"The boundary between the Secret Sea and nothingness is thinning."

A hint of worry flashed in Old Xing's cloudy eyes: "This situation usually foreshadows some major change that is about to happen."

Shane and Vivian exchanged a glance; this was the harbinger of the "Black Calamity" that Lyra had warned them of!
Do you know why?

Xia En pressed for an answer.

Old Star shook his head: "I'm just a guide, how would I know these profound things?"

"but……"

He then changed the subject: "The 'All Laws Return to One' Society should know something. They've been studying these kinds of phenomena."

Xia En then asked, "I heard there's a seminar in three days?"

"You're very well-informed."

Old Xing gave him a meaningful look.

"Indeed, the theme of this seminar is 'Boundary Stability Research'."

“But it’s not easy to participate; you need to pass the ‘law certification’.”

Xia En nodded: "We were just about to go to the Trial Square."

"Wise choice."

Old Star Eyes took a sip of Stardust Brew: "But before that, I suggest you go to the [Star Observatory] first."

“There’s an old friend there who might be able to offer you some…special help.”

He took a star-shaped badge from his pocket and pushed it to Shane: "Take this and say that I introduced you."

Xia En accepted the badge, sensing the strange fluctuations it contained: "Thank you, senior."

"Don't thank me yet."

Old Xing waved his hand: "This old man just thinks you guys are...very interesting."

"Especially you, young man."

He looked directly into Xia En's eyes: "The aura you exude reminds me of an ancient legend."

Xia En's heart skipped a beat: "What legend?"

"Regarding the 'Lord of Ashes'."

Old Star's voice suddenly became ethereal: "When the stars are extinguished and all things return to silence, only the sovereign in the ashes can reignite the flame."

Before he finished speaking, his figure began to disappear like morning mist.

"and many more!"

Xia En reached out to grab him, but only managed to catch a handful of starlight.

The other patrons in the tavern seemed oblivious to this scene, as if they were already used to it.

"Who is he?"

Xian Ge's eyes widened.

Vivian gently stroked the star-shaped badge on the table: "At least not an enemy... not for now."

Xia En put away the badge: "Let's go to the [Star Observatory] first."

……

……

The Planetarium is located at the highest point of the Communication Area.

It is a hemispherical transparent building with countless miniature stars suspended inside, precisely simulating the distribution of laws throughout the [Secret Sea].

Upon seeing the star-shaped badge, the guard respectfully led the three into the inner hall.

An elderly woman dressed in a dark blue robe is observing the star map in the center.

Her hair was snow-white, but her face was as smooth as a young girl's, and her eyes had no pupils, only a sea of ​​stars.

"Ms. Elna, these are Lord Star-Eye's guests."

The guard reported in a low voice.

The old woman, Elna, raised her head and looked in the direction of Shane.

"Ah, it's finally here."

Her voice was ethereal, like the collision of stars.

“I have been waiting for you for a long time, one of the successors of the [Overlord].

Xia En tensed up: "You know me?"

"No, but I recognize the aura of the laws within you."

Elna waved for the guards to leave, and the doors to the observatory closed silently.

"From the moment you stepped into the Sea of ​​Stars, the Tower of All Laws resonated with you."

She pointed to a spot on the star map where a distorted darkness was visible.

“Look, the border erosion is getting worse.”

Xia En gazed into the darkness, and the [Dominator Law] within his body resonated once more.

"This is a harbinger of the [Black Calamity], isn't it?"

Elna's starry eyes flickered slightly: "You know this name..."

"It seems you know more than I expected."

Elna walked slowly toward the center of the star map, her long robe trailing behind her in a star-like path.

"The Black Calamity... last descended three eras ago."

Her voice was deep and resonant, as if it came from the depths of time.

"At that time, seventy percent of the secret realms in the [Secret Sea] were destroyed, countless civilizations were reduced to nothingness, and even the [Eternal Twilight] was almost swallowed up."

Vivian's pupils contracted slightly: "Is it that serious?"

"Yes."

Elna gently raised her hand, and the star map shifted, revealing a desolate, dark realm.

"The Black Catastrophe is not simply destruction, but a kind of 'reset'."

"It eliminates anything that does not conform to a certain 'rule,' just like... a gardener pruning the branches."

Xia En's heart skipped a beat: "Some kind of rule? What rule?"

Elna shook her head: "No one knows. But one thing is certain—the [Law of Domination] is the only force that can rival it."

She turned to Xia En, her pupil-less, starry eyes staring directly at him.

"And you are one of the candidates for the [Dominator] of this era."

"One of the candidates?"

Xia En frowned: "There are others?"

"of course."

Elna waved her hand, and several points of light appeared on the star map.

"The [Dominant Law] is not unique, but rather scattered throughout the [Secret Sea]."

“Each successor holds a portion of the authority of the [Dominion].

"In the end, only one person can truly rule over all laws and become the true [ruler]."

Xuan Ge couldn't help but ask, "What about the others?"

Elna was silent for a moment, then said softly, "The [Dominator] Law within them... will be devoured."

"If they are lucky, they may survive, but their strength will be greatly reduced."

"However, there is also a gentler secret technique that allows the chosen one to voluntarily detach the [Law of Domination]."

The air suddenly solidified.

Xia En's eyes darkened: "So, this is a case of raising poisonous insects?"

"That's understandable."

Elna sighed, "The birth of the [Dominator] is inherently a brutal competition."

"Only the strongest can stand against the Black Calamity."

Xia En took a deep breath to suppress the shock in his heart.

"So, what role does the Tower of All Laws play?"

Elna's lips curled up slightly: "It is a training ground, and also a battlefield."

"The seminar three days later is actually a 'selection' process."

"The [Assembly of All Laws] will select the most promising candidates to enter the core area of ​​the [Tower of All Laws]."

"There, you will face each other's [Sovereign Laws] and compete for the ultimate qualification."

(End of this chapter)