When the storm at sea dissipated.
When the vortex of magic power dissipated,
Juanlu advanced to the eighth stage and landed on the deck.
Now, everyone on board, except Simon, had advanced to the eighth stage.
This was a little faster than Alka had expected.
Because they were about to enter the Broken Sea.
They had already been sailing at sea for almost a year.
Everyone had also gradually reached the eighth stage.
"Simon, how long will it take you?"
Alka asked, looking at Simon beside him.
With the appearance of the decomposition block, Simon once again shifted most of his attention to the research and construction of the machine.
This made him slightly slower than everyone else.
But not by much.
"Probably another two months."
Hearing this, Alka nodded.
That means it could be before Trial Tower No. 12.
Jason, standing nearby, said, "Now I finally understand why crown-level treasures are so rare. We haven't even seen a single one in person yet."
Hearing this,
everyone nodded.
Indeed.
In theory, by the sixth stage, one can master crown-level treasures. By the eighth stage, one can fully master crown-level treasures and begin the ascension ritual.
However, until now, none of them possessed even a single crown-level treasure.
What Alka currently knew...
There was information about the red-light crown-level treasure.
There were only a few locations in total.
The ones that were easily accessible.
The earliest one was the swamp sea that separated the Flower Fairy Land.
The area at the junction of life and death in the Zehai Sea is where a great dragon with considerable power in the realm of the dead and undead once perished.
It is confirmed that there is a crown-level treasure there.
Based on the circumstances, it is likely related to the power of the dead and undead.
Then there is the World Scar.
Alka already knows two things about the World Scar area.
One is the lighthouse.
The other is the World Treasure, which Alka has already obtained in his dream and through which he has seen historical illusions. This treasure is of no use except for its commemorative value.
Thinking of this, Alka's hand suddenly appeared again. He caught it and flew it up and down.
When Alka ascended to godhood in his dream and mastered the secrets, he used this silver snake, representing the element of luck, for divination.
This journey will definitely yield him a crown-level treasure that suits him.
But the journey was almost over.
But the divination's result remained unchanged.
Continue sailing forward?
It didn't take long.
They soon entered the Broken Sea.
This place really felt familiar.
Alka stood on the deck.
Looking at the vast sea before him.
Staring at the sky, a smile suddenly broke out.
"Voice of the Dawn, do you remember this place?"
"Hmm?"
The sound of music emanated from the ship, but it was filled with doubt.
Clearly, the Voice of the Dawn didn't remember this place either.
Lucille, on the deck, heard this and turned to look at him.
Julia, who was practicing music on the other side, also looked over, wondering what Alka was talking about.
"This... is where we first arrived, remember? It was from here that we slipped from our forward course into the boundless ocean."
"Are you sure?" Lucilia said, leaping onto Alka's shoulder and glancing around.
To be honest, with the vast ocean and unchanging sky here, it's hard to tell the slightest difference between here and anywhere else.
"Of course I'm sure," Alka said, pointing to his eyes.
His eyes had already seen the traces of his past here.
The longing for his new world still lingered in the air around him.
Although this was a bit far-fetched.
After all, it was a glimpse into his own secrets.
If Alka wanted to...
He could even reverse this space into a mirror, then rewind time and watch them fall.
Thinking of this...
A gigantic mirror appeared nearby, seemingly reflecting the area. Then, it shrank and solidified into a circular lens.
Within the mirror, a phantom of the real world was reflected, which Alka then installed and placed within the treasure trove of his dreams.
They were back to where they had started, and of course, they had to keep a careful record.
At that moment, a disturbance occurred on the sea.
The waves surged like a tsunami, yet something completely different. With the sound of dawn, they rolled over and sailed across the ocean in the sky.
The chaotic space of the Broken Sea created a unique ocean condition.
A familiar feeling washed over them.
"Now I believe that the place we just passed might actually be where we first arrived," Lucilia said, standing on Alka's shoulder.
The ship soon sailed forward.
An island was sighted.
Looking at the island in the distance.
"The Broken Isles...ah, so nostalgic."
Alka couldn't help but exclaim.
The others on the ship also gradually came onto the deck.
The island ahead.
It truly was like returning to the past.
The ship passed by a few hundred meters from the island's shore.
Looking at the island, Alka pondered for a moment, then suddenly threw a ball of light toward it.
The ball of light dispersed and then disappeared.
"What did you lose?" Jason asked.
"I took control of the ruins on the island, completely destroying and shutting down the harmful ones."
After all, this area was a sharp corner of the island in his small world, formed by a separation.
From the Vastva records, Alka and his companions had long known about the ruins left on this island—the experiments represented by the temple ruins.
Alka naturally knew which ones were dangerous.
So since we were already here, it wouldn't hurt to lend a hand.
"Next up is Southern Cross Island. Counting this, this should be our third time here, right?"
Sofia said, a thought dawning on him.
Alka nodded.
Counting it all up, it was indeed their third time to Southern Cross Island.
The first time, they were forced to leave because of the general.
The second time, they returned for revenge and their first scepter-level treasure.
And now, the third time, they've circled the world a little and returned again.
It took another two weeks to a month.
With the Voice of Dawn sailing at full speed,
The Southern Cross Island was about to appear within their sight.
"Something's wrong..."
Alka sat on the deck, frowning.
He had a strange premonition that something bad had happened.
This made him a little annoyed.
He wanted to use his prying eyes to take a closer look and find out what was causing this.
Besides this strange premonition, he also noticed something amiss.
"Although Southern Cross Island is a bit remote, it's a landmark island after all, right?"
"That's right." Sofia nodded at Alka's words.
"Then why? Don't you find it strange? Why are there no ships coming and going? We're almost near the Southern Cross Island.
In a little while, we might be able to see the outline of the island in the distance.
But, there aren't any merchant ships coming and going? That's too abnormal."
"Now that you mention it..." Jason stood up and was about to say something, then froze in his tracks, staring into the distance.
Everyone immediately looked over.
The horizon.
The outline of the Southern Cross Island appeared before them.
However, the first thing they should have seen was the lighthouse, gleaming with the red cross.
But now.
All they saw was a round tumor.
This thing was all too familiar to them.
There was no doubt that the flesh and blood thing was the flesh and blood nest from the New God that they had encountered earlier and finally cleared out.
Seeing this scene.
Everyone's expressions grew not only serious but also exceedingly grim.
Perhaps sensing their emotions, the Voice of Dawn increased its speed, sailing swiftly toward the island.
They soon arrived at the Flesh Island, which almost completely encompassed Southern Cross Island.
They gazed at the Flesh Nest on the island.
However, what caught their attention even more was the sight of a living vessel made of flesh and blood, facing them directly.
The vessel slowly sailed toward them.
Standing on the deck of this vessel were none other than the faceless flesh monsters transformed from cultists that Alka had faced in the Flesh Nest.
"Enemy of my god, Alka. My oracle is here..."
The faceless blood monster before them, seemingly its leader, spoke, but before he could finish, his body began to break apart.
Crimson runes and magic circles appeared on his body.
Looking at them, Alka frowned.
Because they were familiar.
Still an old friend.
Under the influence of the runes and magic circles, the faceless flesh monster's body tore open, and a demon emerged from its body.
The flesh and blood of the surrounding faceless flesh monsters completely merged into the demon's body.
Judging from the expressions of these cultists, it seemed they themselves were unaware.
The demon touched its horns, spread its wings, and stretched its muscles.
"Ah~ Alka, we meet again."
He said this with a graceful bow, then gestured to the flesh nest behind him that covered the entire island.
"How is it? Do you like this final gift? I prepared it specifically to celebrate the end of your voyage."
Arka's eyes had completely transformed into golden crystals without him noticing.
He looked at the Devouring Mouth before him, and at the Flesh Nest behind him.
"So? How did you end up collaborating with those traitorous gods you hate so much?"
Arka asked.
Clearly, the Devouring Mouth was very patient at this moment.
"This can't be called cooperation, but mutual benefit."
"I want to kill you, but you know you're a genius, possessing the soul I desire most. The glimmering light of your soul's value makes my greed almost overflow."
"But like I said, I can't do anything to you. You've surpassed my understanding of this world. Your strength is increasing at an extremely fast rate, your choices are incredibly precise, and your timing is incredibly clever.
Ever since I met you, I've never found a good opportunity.
Every time I set a trap for you, you They will all use force beyond my wildest dreams, crushing my remaining traps to dust.
And your dream power has rendered your companions unable to even dream? I can't find a chance to invade your group.
Honestly, this frustrates me, and I hate this feeling. It reminds me of when I finally succeeded in blowing up your world, only to gain nothing, or even end up in a worse situation.
This feeling is terrible, and I absolutely hate it.
He turned to look at Alka, his eyes unconcealed with fury, rage, and a desire to kill.
Only then could Alka sense that the Devouring Mouth before him wasn't a demon from hell, but a demon from the abyss.
The chaotic bloodlust was so blatant.
"Suck..."
The Devouring Mouth took a deep breath, calmed itself, and exhaled a stream of sparking air.
"You've been on this journey, and I know what you're up to, but I've had trouble finding any opportunities.
Just then, those damned, treacherous gods, who betrayed the world, have returned.
One of them, a stubborn one, is actually searching for you. I learned a little about the situation, and we hit it off."
At this point, the Devouring Mouth smiled.
"So you chose a place for him where I'd definitely go, and told him to wait there, right?
And you've turned everyone on this signpost island into a bargaining chip, along with the tower I must collect.
Using these chips together, I'll ensure I won't flee and will fight him."
"Oh, you're smart. Did you see through this so quickly?" The Devouring Mouth said with a surprised smile.
Alka looked at him.
"Why are you so sure I can't defeat him? I defeated him the first time, and I can defeat him the second time, too."
"I like your confidence, but so what? This is the best opportunity and solution I can think of.
Setting traps and schemes always involves risk. As long as the outcome and the risk are manageable, it doesn't matter, right?"
"Hmph." Alka chuckled.
"Stop talking nonsense here. Take me there."
"When I win, wait for me at World Scar. Even if I have to rush into Hell, I'll chop off your head and rip out your soul."
The Devouring Mouth smiled as it controlled the flesh-and-blood sailboat, heading ahead, carrying Alka and the others towards the Trial Island where they had once been.
Standing on the deck, he looked at Alka and said with a smile, "If possible, I'll wait and see."
And on the boat... Everyone looked at Alka with serious expressions.
"Don't look at me like that. I still have some confidence."
"Why? You have to understand, even though you killed that god's temporary form last time, he'll come again this time, clearly well prepared.
I don't even know how long they've been preparing for this moment, and you know, your condition doesn't allow you to unleash your full strength."
Sofia, watching Alka from the side, said solemnly.
"And there's the Devouring Mouth nearby! Damn it! These traitorous gods are all treacherous and cunning villains.
They definitely won't fight you so easily. They'll definitely have set numerous traps for you there," Jason warned.
To.
Everyone was discussing the risks Alka would face this time.
In reality, it was self-evident.
At worst, he could abandon the tower.
This tower was sturdy enough. Unless the world shattered, it was inherently connected to the rules and was virtually indestructible.
It was even difficult to move.
This meant that this Trial Island, this Trial Tower, would remain here forever.
Alka could have first sought a way to obtain a crown-level treasure to stabilize the connection between his physical body and his dream soul.
Use his overwhelming strength to crush these insidious creatures.
Not now.
Risking a near-fatal danger, he stepped into a conspiracy and trap set by a demon that destroyed the world and a god that betrayed it.
"It's alright. I understand this new god quite well. Although he betrayed the world, it was because he was too proud and arrogant."
This is Alka.
What he saw in the mirage of history.