Based on the star map coordinates provided by the " Stargazers " shards, the Thousand Sunny Modified, after several cautious short jumps, finally reached the edge of the target star system.
The scene before them exceeded everyone's expectations.
This is not a pitch-black vacuum, nor a dazzling galaxy. Instead, there is a boundless, slowly rotating, magnificent nebula woven from billions of colors. These colors are not static; they flow, collide, and generate new hues as if they possess life, radiating an intensely concentrated, almost liquid cosmic energy and... fluctuations of primordial laws that are not yet fully stable!
Within the nebula, some enormous, cocoon-like structures, composed of fragments of pure energy and laws, can be faintly seen slowly rising and falling. In some places, new micro-stars are being conceived, emitting nascent, unstable light; in other regions, space itself is constantly being generated and annihilated, enacting fragments of creation and End.
"This... is this the Nascent Nebula?" Nami stared at the completely malfunctioning parameters and wildly fluctuating energy readings on the navigation system, her voice filled with shock. "The activity level of the laws... is too high! It's practically the womb of the universe!"
"SUPER! This is spectacular!" Franky excitedly recorded all sorts of unprecedented data. "If the energy here could be utilized..."
Robin, however, was more focused on the energy cocoons and fragments of laws. "According to the descriptions in the fragments, the ' World Seed ' or ' Origin Matter ' was likely conceived in this environment where laws were highly condensed and not yet fully formed. They are like the 'source code' of the universe, containing the most primordial and stable power."
However, this beautiful nebula also harbors deadly dangers. The flowing energy streams, seemingly gentle, actually contain violent laws that can easily assimilate or tear you apart if you're not careful. The constantly appearing and disappearing spatial rifts are even more difficult to guard against. There are even some "primordial entities" composed of pure laws and without fixed forms that roam within the nebula. They have no intelligence and simply move according to instinctive laws, but their power is enough to easily destroy large starships.
"Everyone be careful, every step here must be taken with caution," Allen warned in a deep voice. He could clearly feel the chaotic and powerful pressure of the laws around him. Even he had to Power of Zhulong at full strength to stabilize the spacetime around the Thousand Sunny.
They carefully steered the Thousand Sunny, like a small boat navigating through turbulent waters, slowly advancing into the depths of the nebula along the general direction indicated by the tattered star map. Allen's spatial awareness was pushed to its limit, constantly avoiding energy turbulence and spatial traps.
Suddenly, Chopper pointed at the detector and exclaimed, "High energy reaction ahead! And... there's a life signal! Very weak, but very strange!"
As everyone looked ahead, they saw a giant cocoon suspended in the center of a relatively calm "lake" composed of seven-colored energy. This cocoon was more solid than the others, its surface shimmering with a soft, platinum-gold light. Beneath the cocoon, on a small, island-like patch of solid matter (likely a mixture of highly condensed cosmic dust and energy crystals), grew a small, faintly fluorescent plant resembling a crystal orchid! The life signal emanated from these plants and the giant cocoon!
"There's life in a place like this...?" Usopp was incredulous.
"They are special life forms adapted to extreme environments," Robin analyzed. "They are very likely related to ' Origin Matter '!"
Just as they were about to approach for a closer look, something unexpected happened!
The giant, platinum-colored cocoon seemed to sense the approach of the outsider, and it pulsated violently! A gentle yet immense will swept across the Thousand Sunny, carrying a hint of curiosity and... wariness?
Immediately afterwards, the crystal orchids below moved without wind, emitting an even more intense fluorescence. These fluorescences intertwined in the air, forming a blurry, light-based, deer-like phantom! The phantom raised its head, its pure and flawless eyes "looking" at the Thousand Sunny, especially at Allen standing at the bow.
At the same time, a clear flow of information, not language, but direct meaning, entered everyone's mind:
[Outsiders... the 'marks' you carry... are complex... containing protection, destruction, and rebirth... why have you come?]
The native life forms within this nebula are actually able to communicate directly through consciousness!
A thought struck Allen, and he stepped forward, attempting to transmit his thoughts. He didn't hide anything, frankly expressing their purpose in coming here according to ancient guidance in order to find a way to strengthen the World Barrier and resist the " World Devourers," and mentioning the " World Seed " or " Origin Matter."
The illusory deer tilted its head, seemingly trying to understand this complex information. After a moment, it transmitted its message again:
The guardian of the Cradle... the fragments of the mother... were indeed conceived here... but the maturity of the Seed requires nourishment and trials...
Its so-called "mother" seems to refer to the Nascent Nebula itself, or some more fundamental cosmic will. And the " Seed " is very likely the " World Seed " they are searching for!
['Nourishment' is the pure understanding of laws and the will of harmony... 'Test'... is the Echo of confronting ' Void '...]
The illusory image of the luminous deer looked at Allen.
[You... a chosen one of time and space... you carry the scent of ' Void,' and also the light that confronts it... you are a suitable 'candidate'... but are you ready to face... the 'emptiness' that gives birth to everything, and the 'nothingness' that ends everything?]
The words of the Light Deer were full of mystery. It pointed out that obtaining the " World Seed " was not a simple matter of picking it, but required undergoing a test concerning the essence of the laws. This test would be even more direct and dangerous for Allen, who had already merged with a trace of the essence of " Void ".
Allen took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over the concerned looks in his companions' eyes, before finally fixing his gaze firmly on the illusory figure of the luminous deer.
"I have no fear in order to protect everything I want to protect."
[Then... as you wish...]
The illusory image of the luminous deer transformed into specks of light, merging back into the crystal orchid bushes below. Meanwhile, the giant white-gold cocoon slowly cracked open, releasing an even purer aura, seemingly containing the primordial order of the universe... The true test was about to begin.