Stepping onto the Seat of All Knowledge is like entering a living, breathing universe of knowledge. A faint glow of energy permeates the air, and subtle flows of information brush against the senses like a gentle breeze. Without the need for language, one can intuitively understand the path guidance and fundamental rules. The enormous corridors are not walls, but flowing holographic scrolls displaying countless civilizations, histories, technologies, arts, and even philosophical reflections.
"This place... is amazing!" Robin's eyes shone with an unprecedented light; she almost wanted to immerse herself in the ocean of information immediately.
Usopp hesitated, then said, "It feels like my thoughts can be read here..."
Franky was so excited that tears welled up in his eyes. "SUPER~! Is this the ultimate form of technology?!"
Guided by Xingtong, they first arrived at a circular hall known as the " Authority Hub." Countless fine rays of light hung down from the dome, scanning each visitor.
Fog of permissions: Restricted knowledge
"According to the council's regulations, first-time visitors will be granted ' Seeker of Knowledge ' privileges," Xingtong explained, as several soft beams of light enveloped the Straw Hat Pirates. "This allows you to move freely in public areas, access most of the basic and intermediate knowledge bases, and use the infrastructure."
As the light swept across, a faint pattern appeared on each person's wrist, each with a different shape, seemingly related to their individual characteristics. Luffy's was a simple anchor shape, Zoro's was three crossed swords, Nami's was a windmill and an orange, and so on.
However, when the beam scanned Allen, the anomaly occurred.
The light patterns on Allen's wrist flickered violently a few times before finally taking shape into an extremely complex emblem that combined dragon and World Tree patterns, but the color appeared somewhat dull, with a thin, almost imperceptible dark red line wrapped around the edge.
[Access Level: Watcher (Temporary). Warning: The high-dimensional malicious marker ' Scent of the Abyss ' has been detected. Access to some high-risk knowledge bases, deep historical archives, and strategic facilities is restricted.]
A cold, discreet notification sounded in Allen's mind.
"As expected..." Allen was not surprised. It was reasonable for the council to restrict those marked from accessing core secrets for security reasons.
Xingtong also saw the notification and said with a slight apology, "This is a necessary security measure, please understand. However, the ' Watcher ' privileges are already very high, sufficient to access most of the information you need. Research data regarding mark removal and the Abyss itself is top secret and requires special permission from the Council of Elders."
This means that if they want to obtain the most crucial information, they must get approval from the top levels of parliament.
A Preliminary Exploration of the Knowledge Corridor
After gaining basic access, the group eagerly began their exploration. They first arrived at a public area known as the " Knowledge Corridor "—a boundless, three-dimensional library composed of countless suspended platforms and light bridges.
Robin plunged headlong into the "Ancient Civilizations and Lost History" section, his clones appearing simultaneously to voraciously absorb secrets that even Ohara had never recorded.
Nami entered the "Astrology and Cosmic Energy Dynamics" area, where the research far exceeded her previous knowledge.
Franky and Usopp rushed to the "Applied Technology and Creative Engineering" section, their eyes lighting up as they looked at the Transcendence designs.
Chopper is obsessed with the "Interspecies Medicine and Life Sciences" section.
Brook, on the other hand, developed a strong interest in the section on "the genealogy of the soul and the philosophy of consciousness".
Jinbe paused in contemplation at the " Xinghai Ecology and Civilization Philosophy" section.
Ace is very interested in the "Energy Essence and Law Application" section and hopes to further develop the World-Purifying Flame.
Zoro got lost in the residential area and was eventually brought back by Sanji, who was researching " Xinghai Culinary Culture and Energy Cooking Science".
Luffy wasn't particularly interested in reading, but he really enjoyed the atmosphere. He jumped between different platforms, watching the bizarre and wonderful projections of knowledge, and found it quite amusing.
Allen went directly to the "Law Conflicts and Responses to Higher Dimensional Threats" database. With his " Watcher " privileges, he accessed a large number of records about various natural disasters in the Xinghai, the side effects of forbidden technologies, and even some weaker dimensional demons. However, descriptions of the " Abyss Will " itself were mostly vague or only existed in a blocked directory. Records about the " Temporal Overseer " were even scarcer, as if some force was deliberately erasing their existence.
Initial Talks: The Elder's Probing and Suggestions
Before long, Xingtong came to inform them that the Council of Elders ' initial meeting was about to begin.
In a meditation room overlooking an endless Xinghai, yet with an unusually simple layout, Allen ( Luffy insisted on going with) met holographic projections of three council elders.
These three elders are distinct in form: one is a "Star Spirit" that appears to be formed from starlight and has no fixed shape; another is a "Plant Controller" whose body resembles an ancient tree, with data flowing through its branches and leaves; and the last is a "Sage" who maintains the appearance of a typical human elder, but whose eyes seem to contain the entire star map of the universe.
"Welcome, young ' Torch Dragon,' and successor to the ' Sun God.'" The Star Spirit Elder's voice resounded directly in their minds, ethereal and vast.
"We are aware of your performance on Green Shade Star," the Plant Controller Elder's voice was low and slow. "Decisive and powerful, but also attracting greater attention."
The Sage Elder looked sharply at Allen: "' The Scent of the Abyss '... this is troublesome. Like a lighthouse in the darkness, it not only attracts ' Predator ' but may also draw the direct power of the ' Abyss.' The Council's current technology cannot safely eliminate it unless..."
"Unless what?" Luffy asked directly.
"Unless, we enter the ' Well of Origin '," the Sage Elder said slowly.
" The Well of Origin?" Allen frowned; he had never heard of this name before.
"That is the source of energy and information for the Seat of All Knowledge, and also the initial backup point for all records," the Star Spirit Elder explained. "The well water contains the most primordial 'formatting' power, which might be able to wash away these high-dimensional markings. But it is extremely dangerous there, filled with the Chaos information flow from the beginning of creation. Ordinary beings that approach it will be assimilated and decomposed instantly. Even we dare not venture deep into it lightly."
The Plant Controller Elder continued, "Furthermore, the ' Well of Origin ' is the most core forbidden area of the Council. Access requires not only the highest authority, but also a compelling reason that convinces the entire Council."
"What reason?" Allen pressed.
The three elders' projections glanced at each other, and finally the Sage Elder spoke:
"A reason sufficient to prove your worth, and one that is relevant to the core interests of Parliament."
"For example... accept a mission to travel to a peripheral area where the ' Abyss Will ' is active and obtain... key intelligence about its latest movements."
A brief silence fell over the meeting room.
The council's meaning was clear: they needed Allen and the Straw Hat Pirates to undertake an extremely dangerous mission in exchange for the opportunity to enter the " Well of Origin " and remove the mark.
This is a transaction, and also a test.