129: Deep Sea Temple, Heart of Rules

Deep within the secret realm, where mist billowed.

This was not a temple in the traditional sense, but a colossal underwater volcano that had been dormant for an unknown number of years.

Ring-shaped crater walls made of mottled volcanic rock, a bottomless center, and surging undercurrents... At this moment, on a relatively flat platform on the inner side of the volcanic crater, ten figures were busily working with tension.

The leader was Duan Kong, the captain of the Canglan Provincial Government's Second Action Team.

He had a stern expression, his gaze fixed on the complex source card array being set up before him.

The nine team members each performed their duties, embedding source cards into pre-set grooves in the ground according to specific orientations and sequences.

This source card array was vast in scope and intricate in its patterns, yet it lacked any sharpness of attack or defense, instead exuding a power of absorption akin to a hundred rivers flowing into the sea.

It was more like a variant of a spirit-gathering array.

However, what it gathered was not Source Power, but source cards!

All in all, it was extremely extravagant; the materials alone cost tens of millions.

"Captain!"

A team member responsible for communications urgently called out.

"Captain Zhang... Captain Zhang has sent several urgent signals!"

"It seems intense fighting has broken out in the Twin Cages area! Intelligence shows... a gold supreme object has appeared!"

Duan Kong didn't turn his head, merely grunting in acknowledgment.

He continued to watch the dark red, irregularly shaped crystal suspended in mid-air at the center of the source card array.

The crystal was roughly the size of a human head, with a rough surface, yet it exuded a primal pulsation as if from the dawn of the world origin.

Duan Kong sneered, his tone full of disdain.

"Compared to a true supreme object, these are merely insignificant toys!"

The team member choked on his words and dared not speak further.

Duan Kong's gaze became fervent.

"The true core of the Lost Water Realm is it!"

"This embryonic heart of rules!"

His voice was lowered, but contained an uncontrollable excitement.

"It has not yet been fully assimilated by the Region rules! Once we assist it in completing its final 'regularization'...

Duan Kong took a deep breath.

"Forget about mere gold supreme objects! Red quality... might not be impossible!"

He knew in his heart that a supreme object was the condensation of a world origin's fundamental rules, containing the purest and most powerful rule force.

In ordinary secret realms, their supreme object, after successful regularization, mostly appeared orange, with rare excellent ones reaching gold.

But this Lost Water Realm was entirely different!

According to top-secret intelligence held by the high-ranking officials of the Provincial Government, when this secret realm was captured, its world origin core was not severely damaged.

The original inhabitants were all annihilated using special means, allowing the secret realm to be controlled.

This meant that the world origin of the Lost Water Realm was relatively complete!

And this heart of rules before him was the materialization of that world origin core!

Once it successfully completed regularization, its quality even had a minuscule chance of touching the legendary — red!

A red-quality supreme object!

That was a supreme treasure capable of driving any being into madness!

At this thought, Duan Kong's heart pounded uncontrollably.

He couldn't believe he had a chance to lay his hands on it!

But reality was full of drama!

He suddenly gave an order, his voice decisive.

"Ignore any signals from Zhang Yue!"

"All the high-tier source cards we brought, all the resources we stockpiled, are for this crucial moment!"

"Everyone, fully activate the source card array! At all costs, assist the heart of rules in completing its transformation!"

"Yes, Captain!"

The nine team members responded in unison, their eyes also burning with anticipation.

They all understood what glory and opportunity awaited them once they succeeded!

"I, Duan Kong..."

Duan Kong muttered to himself, then changed it to:

"No! It's our Second Team! We will soar to greatness because of this, becoming famous throughout the entire Canglan Province, and even the entire alliance!"

With Duan Kong's command, the source card array suddenly glowed brightly!

The team members unhesitatingly poured a large number of high-quality source cards, which they had prepared earlier, into various nodes of the source card array.

Buzz—!

Under the effect of the array, the massive amount of source cards were instantly decomposed and purified, transforming into torrents of extremely pure Source Power, surging powerfully towards the dark red crystal at the center of the volcanic crater—the heart of rules!

Rumble!

The heart of rules began to tremble violently under the infusion of the immense Source Power.

On its surface, the originally illusory chain-like shadows now solidified and became clear at a visible speed!

That was the concretization of the world's rule force!

Each tremor was accompanied by an even more terrifying pressure spreading out.

The surrounding seawater instantly boiled, bubbling as if it were being cooked.

The space above the volcanic crater also began to twist and blur due to this terrifying energy fluctuation, as if it could be torn apart at any moment.

All in all, the world was undergoing a tremendous change!

A team member spoke with concern.

"Captain... this energy fluctuation is too great!"

"I'm afraid... I'm afraid it will attract other people and those powerful demonic beasts!"

Duan Kong heard this and a ferocious smile appeared on his face.

"What if it does?"

He licked his somewhat chapped lips, his voice sinister.

"Good! Use their flesh and blood essence as a sacrifice for the final birth of the heart of rules!"

He had long been prepared for a bloody battle.

In fact, he was somewhat looking forward to those ignorant fellows actively delivering themselves to him!

Time passed minute by minute.

The source card array continued to operate, and a massive amount of Source Power continuously poured into the heart of rules.

Under the endless rush of Source Power, the irregular edges on the surface of the dark red crystal began to become smooth and rounded at a visible speed.

Mysterious and profound crimson patterns also slowly emerged on its surface... The appearance of each crimson pattern made the aura emanating from the heart of rules deeper and more... alluring!

Duan Kong clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white from the effort.

"Soon!"

"It's almost time!"

"It's almost successful!"

He murmured to himself, his voice filled with ecstasy.

Just then—

Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

Several powerful auras, almost simultaneously, rose from the depths of the sea!

Their target was directly the temple!

The newcomers meant trouble!

And, there was more than one party!

...