The silver trail of the Ark Maxim disappeared completely beyond the " Terminal Navigation Beacon," like a drop of water merging into the vast ocean. However, the ripples it stirred up as it crossed dimensions were far from subsiding; instead, they triggered even deeper fluctuations in the darker side of the universe, where "order" and " Chaos " intertwined.
Styx Galaxy, Death Song Academy, Void Observation Hall.
This is not a "room" in the traditional sense, but a constantly flowing and changing "conceptual space" constructed by pure Void energy and Karl's own will. Countless dark purple energy streams spread through the Void like blood vessels, outlining incomprehensible geometric shapes. Deeper inside, the basic units of " Void Substance " that seem to writhe like living things can be vaguely seen.
Karl stood in the center of the "hall," with a "mirror" made of pure information floating in front of him. The mirror did not reflect anything, but rather contained countless real-time data streams from all corners of the universe, including the calculation results of the Great Clock, the intelligence gathered by Sno, and... certain anomalous access records from the " Blade of Order " encrypted database (which he intercepted and partially deciphered through some inexplicable means).
At this moment, a corner of the "mirror" is flashing at high frequency, reporting abnormal energy readings near the coordinates of the " Terminal Navigation Beacon," representing the edge of the " Higher-Dimensional Information Turbulence Zone." What worries Karl even more is that, almost at the same time, abnormally active signals also appear at the edge of the collective consciousness network representing the " Triangle Bodies " mother civilization, as reflected in the "mirror."
"' Beacon ' deep resonance... Triangle Bodies abnormally active..." Karl muttered to himself, his voice Echo strangely in the Void, "' Blade of Order ' Ancient Law Faction has also intervened... Interesting. These variables all seem to be converging towards the same 'node'."
He gently raised his hand, and a wisp of pure Void energy, like a tentacle, probed into the "mirror," beginning to analyze the anomalous data more deeply. The data stream unfolded before his eyes, transforming into a complex multidimensional model. In the model, the " Terminal Navigation Beacon " was like a bright "singularity," connecting to a faint "passage" leading to an unknowable realm. And the Triangle Bodies's consciousness network, like a swarm of bioluminescent jellyfish in the deep sea, was slowly but purposefully "drifting" towards the star field where the "beacon" was located.
" The Triangle Bodies' yearning for 'origin' and 'silence' stems from their unique ocean- Psionic Energy civilization nature," Karl analyzed. "The ' Beacon,' as a product of the ' Sea of Origin Mirror,' emits fluctuations of rules belonging to 'origin' and 'possibility.' For them, this is both a fatal temptation and perhaps... an opportunity for evolution? Or perhaps..."
His gaze deepened, looking into the depths of the model, into the smudge-like gray and black areas representing the " Concept Erosion " and the " Shadow of the End." "... They sensed the 'existence' power within the ' Beacon,' a power that resists ' Void,' and attempted... to 'devour' or 'merge' it, to mend their own civilization's deficiencies in the face of 'Ultimate Silence'?"
Just then, Sno's figure materialized in the Void like a ghost, bowing slightly. "My God, our ' Eye of the Void ' (a hidden detection unit scattered throughout the universe) has transmitted the latest images. Near the area where ' Blade of Order ' Cruiser-073 last disappeared, a brief but extremely intense 'rule-cutting' remnant was detected. Its characteristics match the records of ' Blade of Order: Flow Breaker'. The target is suspected to be a ' Chaos mutation aggregate' generated within the ' Higher-Dimensional Information Turbulence Zone '."
"Rules cutting... Chaos Aggregate..." A knowing glint flashed in Karl's eyes. "It seems that the observer from the Ancient Law Faction has cleared the way for the ' Spark ' we're watching. Her 'investment' in them... is more 'generous' than I imagined."
He turned to Sno: "How's the analysis of the test data from Earth for ' Void Creation' 0327 and 'Fragment of the End ' 0371 that we deployed earlier? Especially the data on 'Purification' ability of that 'Otherworldly Allen '."
Sno immediately retrieved the data. "Analysis is 83% complete. The essence of ' Light of Purification ' is preliminarily determined to be a highly ordered 'rule-based Power of Existence ' deeply bound to 'will to life' and 'positive emotions.' Its principle of restraining ' Void energy' and ' End pollution' is not simply energy neutralization, but more like... 'using a higher, more essential 'ordered existence' to cover and negate 'distortion and Void.' Its priority... is likely extremely high."
" The Power of Existence... priority..." Karl slowly chewed on these words, a look of near obsession on his face. " The Void seeks to understand and Transcendence the laws of all 'existence,' until reaching 'ultimate Void ' and 'truth.' The ' Beacon ' and this 'purifying power,' however, represent the most tenacious 'defense' and 'continuation' of 'existence' itself... two diametrically opposed forces, yet both touching upon the essence of the universe..."
He remained silent for a long time, then suddenly asked, "Where have we progressed in our 'dialogue' with the Triangle Bodies ' Deep Dive Practitioners ' (higher-level consciousness individuals)?"
"The other side has shown... contradictory interest in our ' Void Theory.' They are eager to acquire 'higher-level cognitive tools' that Transcendence their Psionic Energy limitations, yet wary of the 'existential annihilation' risk that the ' Void ' might bring. They seem to be more interested in... the limited information we provide about the ' Sea of Origin ' and the ' Beacon,'" Sno reported.
"Very good." Karl nodded slightly. "Adjust the 'dialogue' strategy. 'Casually' reveal to them the anomalous energy readings near the ' Terminal Navigation Beacon ' that are related to the deep resonance of the ' Beacon,' and... the ' Blade of Order's' 'special attention' to this area. Hint at the possibility that the Key to understanding the 'Origin,' or even touching upon 'Eternal Existence,' might lie there. But do not mention any specific information about the ' Spark ' or the 'Otherworldly Beings.'"
"You mean... guide the Triangle Bodies to explore the 'Beacon' area? Or even... attempt to enter the ' Lost Beacon Zone '?" Sno hesitated. "The rules there are unknown, and there might be surveillance from the ' Blade of Order '..."
"It is precisely through their 'desire' and the 'rules' of the ' Blade of Order ' that we can exploit them," Karl's voice was calm and cold. "The collective consciousness of the Triangle Bodies and their unique Psionic Energy technology might serve as excellent 'pathfinders.' I need to know exactly what the rules and environment are like within the ' Beacon Zone,' and what state the ' Beacon ' itself is in. And how will the ' Blade of Order,' especially the Ancient Law Faction, deal with the Triangle Bodies —a 'non-orderly' but equally ancient civilization—and their ' Beacon ' region?"
His eyes gleamed with calculation. "This will be an interesting experiment. Observing the reaction of the Triangle Bodies under the influence of the ' Beacon,' observing the ' Blade of Order's' bottom line, and perhaps... it can accumulate valuable data for our future personal contact with the ' Beacon ' or the ' Spark.'"
"Yes, my God." Sno accepted the order.
"Furthermore," Karl added, "On Earth and with the Super Soldier Company, the ' Heart Source Project ' seems to be making some interesting progress. We need to increase our monitoring of Earth's Dark Energy and consciousness fluctuations. That Galaxy Power Ge Xiaolun, his potential for combining his ' Anti-Void ' ability with his 'Will'... is worth paying attention to."
Meanwhile, in the Angel Nebula, the Merlot Heavenly Court, and the Forbidden Knowledge Corridor.
This is the angelic knowledge repository containing the oldest, most obscure, and even marked "potentially dangerous" information. Normally, only a very few high-ranking angels have the authority to enter.
At this moment, Angel Yan stood alone before a huge "stone tablet" made of flowing light data. The stone tablet contained fragmented information about the " Sea of Origin ", "Mirror Image", " Beacon ", and " Ancient Covenant ", most of which was vague and even contradictory.
"In her final days, Queen Kaisa attempted to reorganize this knowledge," the Angel Zhui said softly, standing behind Yan. "But she discovered that many records seemed deliberately obscured or encrypted, as if... the original recorders of this information did not wish for later generations to easily understand or utilize it."
Angel Yan's gaze swept over the flickering text and images. "' Beacon '... ' Spark '... 'Watchman'... These concepts appear repeatedly. The Ancient Law Faction regards them as 'possibility' and 'hope.' But our records subtly mention that ' Beacon ' could also become 'sources of conflict' and 'channels of pollution.'" She pointed to a passage of text shrouded in a special energy field, almost unreadable, "Here, it seems to mention a case of a civilization that caused a disaster by attempting to forcibly control a ' Beacon,' but the key information has been erased."
"You suspect that the ' Straw Hat Pirates ' trip... might violate some taboos?" the Angel Zhui.
"It's not doubt, it's certainty." Angel Yan turned, her gaze piercing through the corridor as if looking into the endless universe. "' The Beacon ' is both a legacy and a test, even... a trap. That Allen, the ' Star Core Mark ' within him is the Key. What will happen once he truly touches the core of Laugh Tale? Will he gain a way home and knowledge, or... release power or information that even he himself cannot control? The Ancient Law Faction's choice of 'observation' and 'limited guidance' may be wise, but it could also be... a cautious 'risk avoidance'."
She pondered for a moment, then gave the order, "Pursue, in my name, issue a secret order to all high-ranking angels on missions in the Milky Way and neighboring galaxies: heighten vigilance for anomalous fluctuations, energy activity from ancient ruins, and... large-scale anomalies in the Triangle Bodies. If any conflict or energy burst Transcendence the normal scale related to the concepts of ' Beacon ' or 'Origin' is detected... long-distance observation and recording are permitted, provided that personal safety is ensured and the fundamental principles of 'Justice' are not violated, and reports must be made promptly."
"Furthermore," she paused, "Contact Tianji He Xi. I need her to reanalyze all the records in the Knowledge Treasury about 'origins' and ' Beacon ' in the most discreet way, especially those that are encrypted or seem contradictory. I have a feeling... that our Angel Civilization might have some kind of connection with this buried ancient history that we haven't yet discovered."
Earth, North Star, the secret training ground of the " Heart Source Project " of the Super God Academy.
Ge Xiaolun hovered in mid-air, his eyes closed. He wasn't driving Dark Energy, but trying a completely new method—to deeply resonate with his own "will," especially his strong belief in protecting the Earth and his comrades, through the " Anti-Void " Gene Engine within his body.
Around him, the space exhibited a subtle, seemingly " Definition " stability. Conventional energy testing instruments displayed erratic readings here, but Lian Feng and the others, through a special mental-energy resonance scanner, could "see" that Ge Xiaolun's will, like an invisible "field," was attempting a very preliminary "contact" and "stabilization" with certain "rule threads" at the bottom of the universe.
Not far away, Rena was also undergoing similar training. She was no longer simply using stellar energy as cannonballs, but was attempting to combine the conceptual qualities of "creation," "life," and "warmth" contained in the genes of Light of the Sun with her own will to form a special energy field with the meaning of "purification" and "giving life." Although the effect was still very weak and far from being comparable to Allen's " Light of Purification," the direction it showed excited Yu Qin and other researchers.
Liu Chuang, on the other hand, has a different style. His "fighting spirit" and "protection" beliefs are forcibly merged with the concepts of "destruction" and "severance" of the God-Slaying Martial Arts, forming a more violent and impactful impact of will. Although crude, it has already shown unexpected results when fighting against low-level Void creations or mental pollution.
"Progress is faster than expected." Du Kao looked at the training data and said to Lian Feng beside him, "' Sparks's' concept has indeed opened a completely new door for us. The power of will may not be able to replace technology, but it can serve as an important supplement, or even... a 'miracle drug' against certain special threats."
Lian Feng nodded. "Yes. Especially Ge Xiaolun. His ' Anti-Void ' ability, combined with his will, creates a ' Definition Field ' that, although extremely small in range and highly unstable, can already temporarily disable low-level Void energy within a certain area. This is significant. If we can further deepen..."
She didn't finish her sentence, but Du Kao understood what she meant. If Earth could master a stable, effective, and will-based means to combat the " Void " or similar contamination, they would possess a crucial strategic advantage in any potential large-scale interstellar conflict in the future.
"Any new discoveries at the ruins on Newborn Island and Kunlun?" Du Kao asked.
"The cracks in the Kunlun Gate seem to have stopped spreading after the ' Sparks ' event, and there's even an extremely faint flow of energy within them, as if... 'self-healing' or 'recording.' The luminous creatures ( Watcher ) around the deep-sea ruins are more active, but they still don't contact the outside world, simply guarding the ruins," Lian Feng reported. "Our scientists speculate that these ruins may have been 'reactivated' into some kind of low-power 'watching mode' due to the passage of the ' Key ' ( Allen ) and the ignition of the ' Sparks.' They may be recording and assessing the current state of Earth's civilization, and... the subsequent movements of the ' Spark ' they have been waiting for for countless years."
Du Kao gazed eastward, as if he could pierce through layers of buildings to see the azure Pacific Ocean. "Wait... for assessment... It seems our Earth, too, has been drawn into a grander, more ancient 'narrative' because of these otherworldly visitors. Tell all relevant departments to maintain the highest level of secrecy and observation. Until we truly understand all this, be cautious, extremely cautious."
Demon One, Entertainment Hall.
Morgana was enjoying a rare moment of relaxation, watching a group of newly converted demon warriors engage in "friendly" combat training (which usually ended with one side being beaten beyond repair). Ato walked in and whispered a few words in her ear.
"Oh? There are signs of a large-scale movement by those Triangle Bodies? The direction... is interesting." Morgana swirled her wine glass thoughtfully. "And that perverted Karl, he seems particularly interested in 'ancient' and 'origin' things lately? Even those ' Blade of Order ' are acting all mysterious..."
She licked her scarlet lips. "Looks like something 'good' is about to happen in the universe. Ato, get our intelligence network moving, focusing on the movements of those 'archaeologists' (referring to various forces interested in ancient ruins) and 'seafood' ( Triangle Bodies ). I may not be interested in being a 'savior,' but if I can fish in troubled waters, scavenge some ancient black technology, or cause some trouble for Kaisa's 'justice'... why not?"
She downed her drink in one gulp, her eyes gleaming with an excited, almost mischievous, excitement. "Send the order down! Demon One, put on level two alert. Let's go... join the fun!"
The undercurrents of the universe, due to the passage of the Ark Maxim and the resonance of the " Beacon," began to surge and converge at an unprecedented speed.
Death God Karl orchestrates experiments behind the scenes, attempting to uncover the mysteries of the " Beacon " and the " Void."
Angel Yan became more vigilant, attempting to clarify the connection between angels and ancient history.
Earth's Super Soldier Company seize the opportunity to explore the possibility of using willpower to fight against the ultimate threat.
Morgana sensed the chaos and prepared to take advantage of the situation.
At the heart of all this turmoil— the Lost Beacon Zone —and the Straw Hat Pirates sailing through it, are completely unaware of it.
They are focused intently on their final sprint towards Laugh Tale, the Laugh Tale.
But it's foreseeable that when they return from the " Beacon Zone," they will bring back hope, the truth, or unforeseen variables...
They will surely stir up even greater waves in this universe that has already been stirred up because of them.