Eye of the Deep Sea

Before dawn, the sea gleamed iron-gray as a merfolk speedboat quietly departed the Starfall Archipelago. Ning Xiaochuan stood at the stern, watching the distant islands gradually collapse, the Primal Star Core clenched tightly in his hand. This blue crystal was only palm-sized, yet it contained heart-stopping energy and resonated subtly with the Sacred Source Power within him.

"We'll be entering human waters soon." Lan pointed toward the faint outline of land in the distance. "We merfolk can't get too close. We can only escort you this far."

Su Linger sat by the rail, her face still somewhat pale. The Sacred Spirit Dragon curled up on her lap, occasionally breathing out a small puff of milky mist to ease her pain. The fierce battle at the Starfall Archipelago last night had severely drained her, and with the influence of the Primal Star Core, the Mysterious Ice Phoenix Source Soul within her had remained unstable.

"Thank you for your help." Ning Xiaochuan solemnly thanked Lan and the merfolk warriors. "Without you..."

Lan waved him off. "We were merely fulfilling an ancient oath." He hesitated, then lowered his voice. "But be careful. Black Tide will not give up so easily. The Eye of the Deep Sea they worship seems especially obsessed with the Primal Fragments."

Ning Xiaochuan recalled the enormous eye he had seen in the Star Core illusion and could not help shuddering. That thing claimed to have been sealed by the Sacred Origin Tribe and was now using Black Tide to gather the fragments in an attempt to break free.

"Where are we going next?" Su Linger asked softly.

"The Molten Mountain Range and Sky City." Ning Xiaochuan took out the Dragon Soul Jade. Newly formed star-shaped patterns intertwined with the previous dragon and ice patterns, creating an even more intricate design. "The information Mother left behind says the final two Primal Fragments are there."

Lan handed Ning Xiaochuan a conch horn. "Blow this if you need help. Merfolk in nearby waters will hear it." Then he took out a small leather pouch. "This is deep-sea kelp gel. It can treat most injuries."

After the speedboat reached shore, the merfolk swiftly departed. Ning Xiaochuan helped Su Linger onto a desolate rocky beach and looked west. This seemed to be the edge of some large island, with cooking smoke visible in the distance.

"Let's find somewhere to rest first." Ning Xiaochuan said tenderly as he looked at Su Linger's exhausted face. "You need to recover your strength."

The two followed the coastline and soon found a small trail worn down by fishermen. After following it for an hour, they finally saw a little fishing village. More than a dozen thatched huts lay scattered among coconut trees, while several children played on the beach.

"Outsiders!" An elderly fisherman with dark skin was the first to notice them. He called out warily, "Where did you come from?"

Ning Xiaochuan had already prepared an excuse. "We were shipwrecked merchants who drifted here."

The old fisherman was skeptical, but when he saw Su Linger's weakened state, his heart softened. "Come with me. I have an extra grass hut at home."

The fishing village was small, with around thirty households. The old fisherman was called A'lu and was one of the village elders. His wife had died long ago, leaving him to raise a granddaughter alone. The grass hut was crude but sheltered them from the wind and rain. Ning Xiaochuan exchanged a few silver coins for hot food and clean clothes.

"Things haven't been peaceful lately." A'lu said while helping Su Linger change her bandages. "Black ships have appeared in the eastern waters, specifically kidnapping fishermen. People from three villages have already disappeared."

"Black ships?" Ning Xiaochuan immediately grew alert. "What do they look like?"

"Pitch-black all over, with a strange eye painted on their sails." A'lu lowered his voice. "Some say they belong to Black Tide and that they seize people to sacrifice to their evil god."

Ning Xiaochuan exchanged a glance with Su Linger—so it really was Black Tide! They had actually chased them all the way here.

"If you want to leave, a merchant ship will be heading to the main island tomorrow." A'lu kindly reminded them. "There are Alliance guards there. It'll be safer."

Night fell, and Ning Xiaochuan sat outside the grass hut keeping watch. The Sacred Spirit Dragon lay on his shoulder, playing with the Primal Star Core using its little claws. Surprisingly, the crystal grew brighter in the dragon's claws, as though vitality had been poured into it.

"Little One, can you activate it?" Ning Xiaochuan asked curiously.

The Sacred Spirit Dragon gave a "Goo Chu" and pressed the Star Core against Ning Xiaochuan's forehead. In an instant, a cool energy flow flooded into his mind, and he saw the image of his mother, Bai Li, once more!

"Xiaochuan, time is limited. Listen to me." Bai Li spoke rapidly. "The Eye of the Deep Sea is the vanguard of the World Devourers. It deceives Black Tide's followers into gathering the Primal Fragments. In truth, the fragments are the key to reinforcing the seal, not unlocking it."

The image shifted, revealing the locations of five fragments. "Once all five fragments are gathered, go to the Sacred Source Altar at the Spine of All Realms. Merge them into the Primal Gate, and the World Devourers' passage can be sealed forever."

Ning Xiaochuan's heart jolted—this was the complete opposite of what the Eye of the Deep Sea had told him!

"But be careful..." Bai Li's image began to blur. "Black Tide's leader, Dark Current, is... an old acquaintance of mine... He has already been completely controlled by the Eye of the Deep Sea... Find Sky City's..."

The image abruptly cut off, and the Star Core returned to its usual brightness. Ning Xiaochuan sat there blankly, unable to process so much information at once. If the fragments were meant to reinforce the seal, then they had been doing the right thing all along.

"Ning Xiaochuan?" Su Linger's voice came from behind him. "Are you all right?"

She dragged her weakened body outside and sat beside him. Under the moonlight, the lines of her profile seemed much softer. Her long hair fell across her shoulders, still damp from her bath.

"I received new information from the Star Core." Ning Xiaochuan quietly told her the truth. "We were misled. The fragments are not keys. They are part of the seal."

Su Linger frowned deeply. "So Black Tide gathering the fragments is actually helping the Eye of the Deep Sea undo the seal?"

"Exactly." Ning Xiaochuan nodded. "Mother also said Dark Current was an old acquaintance of hers, but the message cut off before she could finish."

Su Linger pondered for a moment. "Then we need to hurry even more. Should we go to the Molten Mountain Range or Sky City first?"

"The Molten Mountain Range is in Fire Tribe territory, at least a month's journey from here." Ning Xiaochuan considered it. "As for Sky City, they say it floats above the Thousand Islands Alliance, though ordinary people cannot see it."

"We'll go to the main island tomorrow and ask around." Su Linger made her decision. "If there's a clue about Sky City, we'll deal with the nearest fragment first."

Just then, the Sacred Spirit Dragon suddenly raised its head and stared warily toward the shore. Ning Xiaochuan immediately tensed. "Someone's coming."

He extinguished the oil lamp and pulled Su Linger behind a coconut tree. Before long, several furtive dark figures appeared on the beach, peering into the houses one by one.

"Black Tide!" Su Linger gripped her sword hilt. "How did they find us?"

Ning Xiaochuan suddenly thought of something and pulled the Primal Star Core from his robes. The crystal was emitting a faint pulsing blue glow, as though responding to something.

"It's the Star Core! They can track its energy fluctuation!"

The two quietly retreated to the grass hut and quickly packed their belongings. A'lu woke up from the commotion, and Ning Xiaochuan briefly explained the danger.

"Go through the back mountain. There's a small path leading inland." A'lu said decisively. "My granddaughter can guide you for part of the way."

Five-year-old A'zhu rubbed her sleepy eyes as she led them through the forest behind the village. The little girl was clever, choosing only animal trails so as to leave no tracks.

"The main road is up ahead." A'zhu pointed into the distance. "Follow it for a day, and you'll reach the main island's harbor."

Ning Xiaochuan slipped her a gold coin. "Thank you. Hurry back now."

But A'zhu shook her head. "Grandpa says good people don't take money." She hesitated for a moment. "But... can you let me see the Little Dragon?"

The Sacred Spirit Dragon poked its head out from Ning Xiaochuan's collar and looked curiously at the little girl. A'zhu's eyes widened in delight as she carefully reached out and touched its scales.

"It's so beautiful!" she whispered in admiration. "Much prettier than Black Tide's monsters!"

"Black Tide's monsters?" Su Linger sharply caught the key phrase. "You've seen them?"

A'zhu nodded, then suddenly shivered. "A few nights ago, I saw a huge black ship by the sea. A person wearing a black mask stood at the bow, and behind him was... was a monster covered in eyes!"

Ning Xiaochuan's heart tightened. "What kind of eyes?"

"Red, lots and lots of them..." A'zhu gestured with her hands. "They spun around like this. It was terrifying!"

The description was exactly the same as the Eye of the Deep Sea Ning Xiaochuan had seen in the illusion! It seemed Dark Current could already summon part of its power.

After bidding farewell to A'zhu, the two quickened their pace. The sky gradually brightened, and birdsong rose through the forest, temporarily easing the tense atmosphere.

"Strange." Su Linger suddenly stopped. "It's too quiet."

It was true. The forest, lively only moments before, had suddenly fallen completely silent. Ning Xiaochuan immediately grew alert, Sacred Source Power circulating through his body. The Sacred Spirit Dragon raised its scales as well, letting out a low "goo roo."

"Come out." Ning Xiaochuan called into the empty forest.

A burst of chilling laughter rang out as more than a dozen Black Robes emerged from behind the trees. The one leading them was Dark Current, his mask glinting with an eerie sheen in the morning light.

"Smart prey is always the most interesting." Dark Current's voice was like a snake flicking its tongue. "Unfortunately, no matter how smart you are, you cannot escape the Eye of the Deep Sea's gaze."

Ning Xiaochuan shielded Su Linger behind him. "Dark Current, you've been deceived. The Eye of the Deep Sea is using you to break the seal. Once it succeeds, the entire world will suffer!"

"Fool!" Dark Current shouted. "The great Eye of the Deep Sea has promised us immortality! The Sacred Origin Tribe sealed away the possibility of evolution. You are the true sinners!"

He suddenly threw open his black robe, exposing his chest—embedded there was a blood red eyeball that swiveled maliciously!

"Do you see it? This is power bestowed by the god!" Dark Current feverishly stroked the eyeball. "Now hand over the Primal Star Core!"

Ning Xiaochuan felt sick. That eyeball was clearly an avatar of the Eye of the Deep Sea! It had already parasitized Dark Current's body and completely controlled him.

"Not a chance!" Su Linger drew her sword. Though weak, her fighting spirit had not diminished.

Dark Current sneered, and the eyeball on his chest suddenly fired a beam of red light! Ning Xiaochuan hastily raised a Sacred Source Shield, but the red beam pierced straight through it and struck Su Linger in the chest!

"Ah!" Su Linger doubled over in agony, her sword falling from her hand. Worse still, Red Markings began to appear where she had been struck, spreading across her body like a spiderweb!

"Ling'er!" Ning Xiaochuan tried to support her, but Dark Current blocked him.

"Don't rush. You'll be next soon enough." The eyeball on Dark Current's chest spun excitedly. "I'll use the blood of the Son of Sacred Source as a sacrifice!"

The Black Robes swarmed forward, and Ning Xiaochuan was plunged into a hard battle. The Sacred Spirit Dragon enlarged itself to protect him, but there were too many enemies. Before long, it was tangled in a specially made black net.

Just as the situation became critical, Ning Xiaochuan suddenly thought of a desperate plan. He pretended to collapse from exhaustion while secretly pressing the Primal Star Core against the Dragon Soul Jade.

"Useless struggle." Dark Current stepped on his wrist. "The Eye of the Deep Sea has foreseen all of this."

Ning Xiaochuan suddenly smiled. "Really? Then did it foresee this?"

He fiercely pressed the Star Core and Dragon Soul Jade to the ground at the same time! The two powers merged, erupting in blinding blue light! The ground shook violently as a fissure appeared out of thin air, swallowing several Black Robes!

"Are you insane?!" Dark Current stumbled back in horror. "This will trigger spatial turbulence!"

"That's exactly what I want!" Ning Xiaochuan picked up the unconscious Su Linger and rushed toward the fissure's edge.

The Sacred Spirit Dragon broke free of the black net and flew over to assist them. Just as Dark Current attacked again, Ning Xiaochuan leaped into the fissure!

As the world spun around him, Ning Xiaochuan held Su Linger tightly while the Sacred Spirit Dragon wrapped its body around them. Spatial turbulence tore at every inch of their skin, but the blue-gold barrier formed by the Primal Star Core and Dragon Soul Jade protected them from being ripped apart.

After an unknown amount of time, the sensation of falling abruptly stopped. Ning Xiaochuan opened his eyes and found himself lying above a sea of clouds. Soft clouds lay beneath his feet, while Giant Rocks like floating islands drifted all around him.

Most astonishing of all, a magnificent white city floated in the distance, shining brilliantly beneath the sunlight!

"Sky City..." Ning Xiaochuan murmured. "We actually found it by accident!"

But his joy was quickly replaced by worry—Su Linger's breathing in his arms was weak, and the Red Markings had already spread to her neck. The Sacred Spirit Dragon was also covered in wounds, lying limply nearby.

Ning Xiaochuan gritted his teeth, carried Su Linger onto his back, and headed toward the floating city. No matter what, he had to find a way to save her and obtain the fourth Primal Fragment.

Behind them, the spatial rift slowly began to close. But before it shut completely, a blood red eyeball squeezed through and watched their retreating figures with icy malice...