The Ark Maxim floated steadily in the tranquil airspace at the eye of the storm, as if the devastating storm outside and this place were two completely isolated worlds. All eyes were focused on the ancient altar floating in front of them, and the stone slab at the top of the altar that emitted a soft white light.
The stone slab was about the height of a person. It was made of neither gold nor jade, and its surface was as smooth as a mirror, yet countless fine lines, too indistinct to be seen with the naked eye, floated in the shimmering light.
"That is... the Endless Vearth Blueprints?" Nami's eyes gleamed with a thirst for unknown knowledge (and the potential value of the treasure it might contain).
"There seem to be words on it, or maybe... a picture?" Usopp squinted, trying to make out what it was.
Robin's expression was the most focused and solemn; she sensed an aura emanating from the stone slab far more ancient and profound than any Poneglyph. "This isn't any script we're familiar with; it's more like... a 'star map' that directly records information and energy."
"A star map?" Franky leaned closer excitedly. "Is it a navigation map for the spaceship? SUPER!"
"I'll go get it!" Luffy said, stretching out his arm.
"Wait, Luffy." Allen reached out to stop him, his senses scanning the altar and the area around the stone slab like the most sophisticated instrument. "There's an energy barrier, very weak, but extremely precise. Forcing your way through might damage the slab."
He stepped forward and once again placed his hand on the invisible barrier in front of the altar. This time, he did not use violence, but instead slowly injected a wisp of gentle energy containing the Power of the Stars, like Key, into a specific node of the barrier.
Buzz...
The barrier emitted a soft hum, rippling like water, before quietly dissipating.
"That's fine."
Luffy was the first to rush onto the altar, curiously touching the stone slab. It felt warm to the touch. "Cool, nothing special."
However, when all the Straw Hat Pirates gathered around the stone slab, something strange happened!
The white light on the stone slab suddenly intensified, and the intricate patterns seemed to come alive, flowing and combining like a galaxy! Countless lights and streams of information poured out like a waterfall, not projected into the air, but directly reflected in everyone's mind!
"!"
In an instant, everyone seemed to be pulled into an illusion.
They "saw" the vast and boundless universe, and a planet with a highly advanced silver civilization—the Moon. They saw the Moon People (whose appearance bore a striking resemblance to the Winged Tribe of the Sky Island ) building enormous cities and spaceships. They saw some unknown disaster descend, resources depleted, the environment deteriorating...
The scene then shifts. A group of Moon People, aboard spaceships resembling the Ark Maxim, traverse the Xinghai and arrive on the blue planet. They bring advanced technology and come into contact with and integrate with some early humans on Earth... This may be the origin of the Sky Island civilization and even some lost technologies.
Then, there is the true meaning of " Endless Vearth "—it does not refer solely to the moon, but rather to a much larger and richer New World located on the far side of the moon, hidden by a special force field! It is the last refuge and hope of lunar civilization!
The star map clearly marked the precise route to that " Endless Vearth," as well as the specific energy frequency required to traverse the hidden force field.
Finally, the scene abruptly darkens and speeds up! A huge, distorted, shadow-like mark is highlighted, accompanied by a strong sense of warning:
[Beware... The Observers... have awakened... They roam beyond the Xinghai... coveting life and order... The ' Dark Abyss '... is but a servant...]
This warning was filled with urgency and a sense of crisis, after which all illusions receded like the tide.
The stone slab regained its previous soft luster, as if nothing had ever happened.
Silence reigned at the altar.
Everyone was stunned by the sheer volume of information. Lunar civilization, interstellar migration, Endless Vearth, and... a potential threat even more terrifying than the " Lord of the Dark Abyss," known as the " Observers "!
"The Observer... the Observers? What's that? Is it even more powerful than that monster from the Dark Abyss?" Usopp's voice trembled.
" Dark Abyss... just a servant?" Chopper hid behind Zoro.
Robin clutched his head, struggling to process the information. "Lunar civilization... the Void Century... could it be related to this? Those Observers..."
Franky excitedly recorded the star map and force field data. "Amazing! This is a real adventure! A new world! New enemies! SUPER!!"
Luffy adjusted his straw Straw Hat, his usual playful expression replaced by a serious and excited expression befitting the face of a formidable challenge. " Observers? Sounds impressive! Alright! Let's go check out that Endless Vearth. If they dare to cause trouble, we'll send them all flying!"
Allen slowly opened his eyes, receiving the most complete and clear information. He not only obtained the star map, but also felt the despair and vigilance that transcended eternity contained in the warning. The Power of Zhulong within him seemed to generate an extremely subtle, instinctive tremor regarding the title of " Observers."
"It seems our journey will be far longer than we imagined." Allen looked at the stone tablet in his hand—it was no longer glowing, and the patterns on its surface had solidified, forming a complex true star map containing flight paths and force field codes.
"New enemies, a new world..." Sanji lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and said, "It sounds like there's still a lot of room for chefs."
Obtaining the Endless Vearth Blueprints not only failed to answer all questions, but also unveiled an even grander and more dangerous cosmic mystery! The Straw Hat Pirates's adventure has officially begun, stepping from the ocean and sky into the boundless Xinghai!
"Everyone," Allen raised the Star Map Tablet in his hand, his gaze sweeping over each of his companions, "Are you ready to journey to the far side of the moon... the Endless Vearth?"
"Oh--!!!" A spirited response echoed throughout the ancient altar.
The Ark Maxim changed direction, carrying the star map and warnings, and started up again, heading beyond the storm, toward that mysterious silver celestial body!