Under the sunlight.
A ship sailed across the boundless sea.
The distinctive bird-headed ship's bow, and the hull was adorned with patterns that looked like vine-like reliefs.
Most strikingly, a large tree actually grew on the deck.
The tree bore crystal gems that reflected a variety of colors in the sunlight.
Most interestingly, the deck of the ship was covered in grass. A closer look revealed that the grass actually grew from the deck.
Arka stood at the helm, gazing at the endless sea in the distance.
A small flag, painted with a red cross, was planted on the rudder.
This was the guiding flag of the Southern Cross Island, pointing the way to the Southern Cross Island.
"How long will it take us to reach our destination this time?" Lucilia asked, sitting on Alka's shoulder.
After a moment's reflection, Alka replied, "According to our previous calculations, and considering the increased speed of the Voice of Dawn, it should take three or four months."
"Will it take that long?"
"That's pretty fast, and we've only just reached the Broken Sea. It might take another half a month to reach Southern Cross Island."
Although they were on the Twin Islands, they were quite far from Southern Cross Island.
Although the Infinite Sea was broken, and although the entire Infinite Sea was still disordered and chaotic, there were landmark islands that provided stability within the Cloud Sea.
Thus, it was divided into prosperous areas and more remote ones. The Broken Sea where they had appeared couldn't be described as remote anymore; it could be described as a borderland.
According to their understanding, reaching the Infinite Sea from the Home Sea usually occurred in remote areas. This was arguably the most chaotic region of the Infinite Ocean.
The chaos here wasn't manifested in a sense of disorder, but rather in desolation.
The Shattered Sea itself was a patchwork of fragments from the world's shattered fragments and the ocean itself.
Despite tens of thousands of years and the efforts of everyone in the world, only the more central regions had been stabilized.
These marginal regions were difficult to reach.
For example, the turbulent, spatially chaotic scene they had previously encountered in the Shattered Sea could only be seen in such border waters.
The ocean phenomena here were more dramatic than anywhere else.
They could consider this a lesson learned during their voyage.
As they left the Border Island and sailed towards the Twin Islands, they could clearly sense that the exaggerated and chaotic disasters were becoming less frequent.
At this moment, Alka saw Simon emerging from the cabin below.
He quickly asked, "Simon, do you know anything about the question I asked earlier?"
Simon nodded. "I've looked up some information and have a general understanding of the history of the Saralan Empire and its current situation."
Hearing this, Lucelia also grew curious.
The others, who were busy on the deck, gathered around, waiting for his explanation.
Simon's notebook appeared in his hand. He flipped through it and began to explain.
"The Saralan Empire's first founder was the Savior—Saralans, a Chosen One of the Sea God."
He glanced at Pororo beside him.
Everyone also looked at him curiously.
Pororo, seeing the looks he received, shrugged helplessly and replied, "Don't look at me. I don't quite understand what the Chosen One means."
"Aren't you a devout believer of the Sea God? And you're also the Storm Champion," Jason asked quizzically. Hearing this, Pororo raised a finger and pointed at himself. "How do you think I look like a true believer? I'm a merman. I've believed in the ocean since I was a child, and living in it, naturally made me a believer of the Sea God."
"What about prayers and praises? I don't understand that."
Pororo waved his hand irritably, not at all bothered by his behavior.
Although most Sea God believers behaved like this, after all, in this world, ocean storms and the like could be considered part of the Sea God's fold.
That's why the Sea God never actively preached.
Mathelisha, standing beside him, touched her forehead helplessly.
She explained, "The concept of God's Chosen is the same as that of God's Chosen in other churches; there's no difference."
Mathelisha was also a Sea God believer. Their entire race had committed a grave sin, and the Sea God had punished them by forcing them to guard the gate.
Even with Mathelisha's words, Alka still didn't understand.
His concept of religion... well, let's put it this way, it's not much different from Pororo's. In some ways, perhaps even worse than Pororo's.
He turned silently to look at Sofia beside him.
After all, as a former candidate saint, she should know this.
Seeing Alka's look, Sofia rolled her eyes helplessly and explained, "The so-called Chosen Ones are literally chosen by God.
But I've learned more about them in the Twin Church. It roughly means someone who is willing to accept the power granted by the gods, but not willing to devote themselves to them wholeheartedly."
"Their actions meet the needs of a particular god, akin to an investment relationship," Simon added.
After hearing this explanation, Alka understood.
If an agent or saint is a follower of a god, the god will naturally grant them power when facing their followers.
They will also be more tolerant.
However, some people don't believe in themselves very much, but their actions align with what they want, so naturally they provide some assistance.
Obviously, not everyone can meet this requirement.
Simon then continued, "Around the age of 23, this savior slew the deep-sea troll, Okandar. He was then chosen by the Sea God and became the Chosen One."
"As for this deep-sea troll, there aren't many records. It's probably some kind of powerful sea monster."
"And then, why was he called the Chosen One?" Juanlu asked curiously.
Simon flipped through his handbook and continued, "You wouldn't believe how long he was active: approximately 6,400 years ago.
After so long, some of his deeds have been glorified and mythologized by the Saralan Empire of the time, making it difficult to verify.
However, according to the research of church scholars, he likely did something to stabilize the world. It's said he opened a barrier, making it difficult for outsiders to enter."
"Of course, for most people, his greatest achievement is actually the destruction of the invading race—the Ves from the stars.
They're aliens like the Bronze Hammer. Of course, this race's arrival was clearly malicious."
"According to legend, during the war, he led those whose homes had been destroyed and organized a legion to drive out the outsiders.
These homeless people who followed him later formed the Saralan Empire from the ruins of war. This was the beginning of the first empire."
Simon explained the origins of this great empire in one breath and then continued his story. "You'll know what happened next. This empire grew stronger and stronger, successfully becoming one of the most renowned and powerful forces in the entire Infinite Sea 4,000 years ago.
However, about 1,000 years ago, the demon we encountered before, the Devouring Mouth, returned and, through some means, destroyed this country."
"And it created the World Scar that still exists today. The yawning maw there was once the front line against alien invaders, becoming an outpost for demonic invasions.
Almost all the church forces have troops there, and the remaining Saralans still defend against the ever-increasing demonic invasions."
After finishing, Simon closed the booklet and looked at the crowd.
Everyone was silent, still pondering Simon's words.
"So it's indeed a very dangerous area, right?" Alka asked.
After all, demons are rampant.
Simon nodded without hesitation. "From what I understand, that's right. The world barrier breached by the World Scar isn't just of interest to demons.
Everyone interested in this world has a little bit of it there."
"So, there must be countless treasures buried within the ruins of that empire, right?"
Simon nodded. "Yes, at least two well-known treasure-hunting groups have become famous there. And all those famous treasure-hunting groups have left their mark there."
At this point, Simon seemed to think of something else and pulled out his notebook. After flipping through it for a while, he finally found what he had recorded.
"From what I understand now, in the 1,000 years since the fall of the Saralan Empire, as documented and verified by the data I've found, the wealth produced there is incalculable. Just looking at the treasures themselves: 15 Holy Grail-class treasures, 6 Scepter-class treasures, and the only confirmed Crown-class treasure, a single one."
After saying this, Simon emphasized, "Remember, this is only what has been verified, what is clearly known, and for which I can find records.
It's probably less than one-fifth of the actual production."
Hearing this, Sofia frowned. "I can understand the rest, but why would a Crown-class treasure be confirmed?"
Could this thing be so easily exposed? "I was curious, so I did some research," Simon said, his expression slightly odd. "The owner of this crown-level treasure is also a powerful being born from the Home Sea.
After obtaining the treasure, he immediately used its power to slay demons and other evil creatures across the battlefield, killing them for a full five years before leaving the area."
"And before that, he had already been there for ten years, never leaving. So it's easy to pinpoint the source of his treasure. He never concealed it after obtaining it, instead charging onto the front lines and killing with even greater enthusiasm.
And the information was provided by the Church of Our Lady."
"So, are we going here again?" Jason asked, turning to Alka.
After all, it was Alka who had asked Simon to help him research the information.
Alka must have had some ideas about this place.
Alka nodded and said bluntly, "The old man who lent me the treasure is likely a descendant of the Saralan Empire. He should also be fighting in this area right now.
He deliberately told me about this area to pique my curiosity. But I have to admit, I am indeed very curious about it."
He then looked at the crowd and asked, "So, are you guys interested in going?"
"Of course we'll go! Crush all those demons!" Pororo declared fiercely, clenching his fist.
Looking at Pororo, Julia suddenly said, "I suddenly understand the behavior of the man Simon just mentioned."
Clearly, he's the same type as Pororo.
A battle maniac.
"My suggestion is to wait until we reach Stage Five, or even close to it," Simon said from the side.
"Why?"
"Because we've offended the Devouring Mouth. That area is arguably its home. Its true form has been firmly confined there.
If you're not strong enough, you know what will happen."
This statement elicited nods from everyone.
Indeed, they had already offended the demons there.
Once they arrived, they would undoubtedly be harshly targeted. Without strength, the danger there would clearly be several levels higher than for others.
If they all reached the fifth stage, Alka would be able to leverage his dream power to raise his own to the sixth stage at some point.
And a sixth-stage cultivator would have little trouble protecting themselves on a battlefield like that.
Calculating the situation, they would have to wait until all these issues were resolved before they could truly reach their destination.
"Before we go there, you must follow me to another place," the crystal dragon, who had been huddled nearby, suddenly raised its head and said.
"Is that the one you mentioned earlier?" Jason turned to look at her and asked.
Around the third stage, she had already told Alka and the others that she would take them to a certain area after the fourth stage.
However, it was Jason who relayed the information.
Urulius nodded. "Yes, my inherited memories tell me this is very important. Not just for me, but for you as well."
Alka glanced at Urulius and nodded. "Then let's plan our itinerary."
"We'll seek revenge on Southern Cross Island and then find Baraz. We'll perform Vastva's ritual and obtain the treasure.
After we obtain the treasure, we'll go directly to the place you mentioned. Then we'll go to the Trial Island.
Once we get the clearance rewards on the Trial Island, our strength should be close to the fifth stage. We can then consider heading to the ruins of Saraland and the World Scar."
Alka briefly outlined their upcoming activities and itinerary and looked at the others. Everyone gathered their thoughts and nodded.
It made sense.
After all, the stronger you are, the faster you'll clear the Tower of Trials.
"Alright, let's go full speed ahead now," Alka said, leaning against the rudder and looking ahead.
Looking at the red star-shaped flag fluttering above the rudder.
"Hopefully, the journey will be within expectations."
When Jason said this, everyone turned to look at him.
Before they could respond, crystals spread across Jason's face, completely sealing his mouth.
"Jason, please stop talking." Urulius looked at him helplessly.
Jason, his mouth completely sealed by the crystals, shrugged helplessly and sighed. He stopped trying to argue and crouched silently beside him.
Alka turned to look out at the sea. "Looks like this time, it won't be easy."
Everyone nodded in unison, earning a roll of the eyes from Jason, whose mouth was sealed.
"Hmmmm!"
Translated, it means superstition.
…
As the azure sea began to surge, a tsunami-like wall of water emerged from the side. Above this wall, the Voice of Dawn sailed steadily and at an angle.
At this moment, everyone on the boat stood and surveyed their surroundings. Above them, the sky remained, albeit tilted, and to their right, the sky was also visible.
"It's been ages since I've seen such a chaotic sea. I somehow miss it." Jason, idly sitting on the boat, observing the sea, couldn't help but smile.
This also indicated that they had essentially reached the Broken Sea. It was understood that phenomena like the sea's surface flipping and spatial chaos were unique to the Broken Sea.
The various sea conditions and world chaos that occurred in other seas wouldn't be as dramatic.
But they wouldn't be as seemingly harmless, just a bit frightening.
The marine disasters that occurred in other border seas were real disasters, causing severe damage to ships and the surrounding area.
What they were facing now was merely spatial chaos, posing a minor threat.
"Come on, Ululius, let's fly around."
Jason eagerly jumped onto Ululius's back.
"You're so annoying!" Ululius said helplessly, but he slowly climbed up from the deck. Then, he suddenly jumped from the ship, spread his wings, and began to soar through the sky.
The sea surface began to grow increasingly chaotic. The sea wall they were leaning against continued to extend upward, then the entire surface of the ocean morphed into a cylinder, and the sky appeared before and behind them.
‐‐Jason, riding the Urulius, was in the center of the distant ocean, following the sound of the dawn above.
‐‐"Oh, I'm so jealous," Simon said.
‐‐"Why don't you just make your own aircraft?"
‐‐"This is different."