Guided by the Observer Xingtong, the Thousand Sunny · Re-entered a seemingly empty star field. As she input a complex energy key into the navigation system, the space in front of her rippled like water, slowly unfolding an enormous archway outlined by pure starlight—the Council's private warp gate.
"This is one of the Ancient Stargate Road leading to the ' Seat of All Knowledge '," Xingtong explained. "These ancient paths are maintained by the Council and are more stable and faster than regular jumps, but they also require certain permissions to activate."
The experience of passing through a stargate is completely different from a regular jump. There are no violent jolts or light distortions; it's as if you've entered a tranquil and dazzling galactic tunnel. All around you are flowing starlight barriers containing ancient information, and occasionally you can see some blurry, historical silhouettes flashing by.
"These starlight... record fragments of the history of the Xinghai." Robin stared fascinated at the view outside the porthole, trying to decipher the rapidly passing scenes.
"This is SUPER! Spectacular technology!" Franky excitedly recorded the energy readings.
However, this seemingly peaceful ancient road is not without its risks.
Encounter: Attack by the Data Ghosts
Midway through the second jump, a piercing alarm suddenly sounded!
[WARNING! A high concentration of disordered information aggregates has been detected approaching! Identified as... ' Data Ghosts '!]
Nami stared at the energy cluster on the sensor, a mass of fragmented code and chaotic thoughts spreading like a dark cloud, and her expression changed. "Is that the kind of thing we encountered in the Transition Corridor? How did they get here?"
The Observer Xingtong's expression turned grave. " The Ancient Stargate Road has a long history, and it's inevitable that it accumulates some 'data remnants' due to information redundancy or errors in ancient programs. Occasionally, these remnants will aggregate to form aggressive ' Data Ghosts.' They can erode warship systems and assimilate biological consciousness!"
Before the words were even finished, the enormous, ever-changing Data Ghosts pounced on it, clinging to the Thousand Sunny's protective shield like a viscous liquid, emitting a teeth-grinding "sizzling" sound, and the shield's energy index plummeted!
"They're trying to hack into the system!" Franky yelled, doing his best to maintain the shield.
Usopp tried firing several energy-disrupting projectiles, but with little effect; these ghosts were themselves collections of chaotic information and were highly resistant to interference.
Brook's Chill of the Underworld can freeze small areas, but it's woefully inadequate against such a massive aggregate.
The Data Ghosts even began to simulate various distorted sounds and images, attempting to distract the crew. Usopp and Chopper once again felt a splitting headache.
"These things are not effective against physical attacks or ordinary energy attacks!" Zoro frowned.
"Let me try." Allen stepped forward. He sensed that the essence of these Data Ghosts was "disordered information," and his spacetime power, especially the "stability" brought about by combining with the " World Seed," might be able to help.
Instead of launching a wide-ranging attack, he concentrated his power at his fingertips, clear world runes flowing within the silver-purple light. He pointed a finger at the Data Ghosts relentlessly encroaching on the protective barrier—
"Law Application: Information Anchoring, Returning to Nothingness!"
There was no earth-shattering explosion. The moment the viscous Data Ghosts came into contact with the silvery-purple light emanating from his fingertips, it was as if it had been thrown into an invisible furnace of order. The chaotic and conflicting information flow within it was forcibly "sorted out" and "restored," losing its activity and aggression as a "ghost." It quickly became transparent and stable, eventually transforming into the most basic harmless information particles and dissipating into the ancient road.
With a single strike, the Data Ghosts that had been plaguing everyone was completely "purified"!
"It's... it's a success!" Chopper cheered.
"Well done, Allen!" Luffy laughed.
A hint of amazement flashed in the Observer Xingtong's eyes. "A law-level purification that directly affects the source of information... the power of the ' World Seed ' truly lives up to its name."
A First Glimpse: The Shock of the Seat of All Knowledge
After three smooth and rapid long-distance jumps, the end of the Ancient Stargate Road finally appeared before our eyes.
As the Thousand Sunny Mod slowly emerged from the jump gate, the sight before them left even the well-informed Straw Hat Pirates speechless for a moment.
It was not a traditional planet, but a complex structure whose scale could not be described in words, composed of countless geometric shapes, light bands, floating continents, information waterfalls, and a huge star ring. It floated quietly in the central region of the Xinghai, surrounded by a dazzling energy halo like a nebula, with countless ships of different sizes shuttling back and forth like fish.
This is the " Seat of All Knowledge," the headquarters of the Council of Stars, the highest hall of knowledge and wisdom in the Xinghai.
"Welcome to the Seat of All Knowledge." The Observer Xingtong's voice carried a hint of pride. "This place is a gathering place for the wisdom accumulated from countless civilizations; it is an ocean of knowledge and a symbol of power."
Following the guidance signal, the Thousand Sunny slowly sailed towards an entrance to the massive structure—a huge dock that looked like it was made of flowing crystal.
They came to a stop. As they stepped onto the ground, which radiated a soft light and seemed to be solidified from pure energy, a vast, gentle, and all-encompassing flow of information swept over their consciousness. Here, it felt as if they could absorb knowledge with every breath.
"Please follow me," Xingtong gestured invitingly. "The council has arranged a reception hall for you. First, we need to process your temporary access and familiarize you with the basic rules here. Afterwards, Your Excellency Allen, several speakers wish to have an initial meeting with you."
Allen nodded, his gaze sweeping over the incredible creation. He could sense that it not only held the hope of resolving the " Abyss Mark," but also potentially concealed secrets about the " World Devourers," the " Temporal Overseer," and even the deeper layers of this world.
Adventure unfolds in another form within this temple of knowledge.