"These seashells hold stories from a thousand years ago." Loran walked to a coral pillar, gently picked up a seashell, and held it to her ear—from it came the sounds of waves, ancient songs, and women soothing children, like the daily life of a fishing village a thousand years ago. Lei Lin also picked up a seashell; inside were the shouts of fishermen going out to sea, and prayers when encountering storms, so vivid it seemed like it happened just yesterday.
A Shi, holding his notebook, kept drawing the patterns of the coral pillars on the paper. "These coral pillars are arranged in a regular pattern, like part of the contract pattern! Look, if you connect the coral pillars, it forms the shape of the light pattern on the Star-Track Token." A Mu, squatting on the coral sand, watched several transparent little fish swimming around his feet. The light of the coral reflected in the fish's bodies, like swimming lanterns. "The fish here can also convey Spirit Speech. They just told me that the core of the secret realm is in the innermost ' Coral Sacred Temple,' where the mark of the sixth contract is located."
The path to the Coral Sacred Temple was safe, lined only with coral pillars and Memory Conch. As they walked, they listened to the stories within the shells: some told of fishermen's joy at a bountiful harvest, others of lovers' whispers on the beach, and still others of an old fisherman's reverence for the sea—each story carried the warmth of the ocean, touching their hearts. A Ya even couldn't resist taking a shell and whispering, "I hope my family is safe," to which the shell trembled gently, as if responding to her wish.
The Coral Sacred Temple finally came into view—a palace built from massive coral stones. On a stone platform in the center of the hall lay a " Coral Spirit Crystal " gleaming with pink light. Sealed within the crystal was a contract pattern, surrounded by several glowing Memory Conch, containing the story of a thousand-year-old pact between the Ice Spirit Clan and fishermen to protect the sea. Loran stepped forward and affixed the Star-Track Token to the Coral Spirit Crystal. The instant the two lights intertwined, a gentle voice emanated from within the crystal. "The coral guards 'inheritance,' not 'secrets.' If you can remember the sea's gifts, the contract will accompany you."
As the Coral Spirit Crystal merged with the Star-Track Token, the secret realm gradually became transparent. The group found themselves still standing in the coral reef area, the setting sun casting a pale gold glow on the sea. A Shi, looking at the contract patterns that automatically appeared in his notebook, smiled and said, "This secret realm felt like listening to a story, even gentler than the last Mirror Sea Secret Realm! I've memorized the song from the conch shell; I can sing it to everyone later." A Ya carefully placed the conch shell she had just spoken to into her cloth bag. "I'll keep it with me, like family."
That evening, the old fisherman indeed cooked a delicious fish soup and invited other fishermen over. Everyone sat around the campfire, drinking the soup and listening to the old man tell stories of the past. A Shi even took out his notebook and read aloud the seashell songs he had written down during the day. Lei Lin sat beside Loran, holding a small coral he had brought from the secret realm. He was using the Golden Crystal Power to carve their names onto the coral, and after finishing, he gently placed it in Loran's palm. "From now on, when you see this, remember today's Coral Secret Realm and the lively atmosphere of the fishing village."
Loran gripped the coral tightly, watching the joyful laughter of the people around the campfire. Suddenly, she felt that this time was truly wonderful—no crisis, no rushing, only the sound of the sea, warm food, and her companions. The Star-Track Token glowed a pale pink in her palm, pointing towards the distant Western Desert, but she wasn't in a hurry at all. She knew that as long as she was with everyone, whether it was the lively daily life in the fishing village or the gentle exploration of secret realms, it was all the most precious scenery on the path of protection.
As night deepened, the fishing village gradually quieted down, with only the sound of waves and the occasional bark of dogs. The people lay in their tents, listening to the sea songs outside, and slowly drifted off to sleep. In their dreams, they returned to the Coral Spirit Language Secret Realm, listening to the thousand-year-old stories told by the coral with transparent little fish, smiles still on their lips.