28: Chapter 28 Kingdom's Relics and the Shadow of the Deep Sea

That black magic book, unscathed by the purifying flames, lay silently on the once-again quiet deck like an ominous brand. The purple-black eerie light swirling on its cover seemed alive, emitting seductive whispers that pulled at everyone's minds. Wang Jingjing's desire to explore unknown technology and Zhang Hao's obsession with analyzing all puzzles were faintly stirred at this moment.

"Stand back! Do not gaze upon that evil thing!"

A clear and urgent shout rang out, carrying an unquestionable authority. It was the Little Mermaid. At this moment, though still weak, she straightened her body with Lin Wan's support, her brow revealing the gravity and resolve belonging to royalty. Her azure eyes were like the deepest ocean, but now they burned with the flames of warning.

"I, Aelia, the last royal Bloodline of the Deep Blue Mermaid Kingdom, warn you all in the name of the royal family," her voice carried a hint of exhaustion but echoed clearly in everyone's Soul. "That book, 'whispers of the abyss', is not something a Mortal can touch! Even the crest on its cover contains the power of corruption; with just one look, your mind may be captured by it!"

Her gaze swept over everyone, finally landing on the pearl in Zhang Hao's hand that had a restrained glow, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes—there was attachment to the supreme treasure, and even more so, a heavy responsibility.

"What you see, my tribe's supreme treasure, the 'heart of the ocean', is no ordinary pearl." She lightly touched her chest, as if she could feel its receding power. "It is the symbol of my Mermaid Kingdom's royal power. Legend has it that it contains a sliver of the ancient Sea God's blessing, capable of calming winds and waves, communicating with the ocean's will, and purifying darkness. It was for this reason that it became the target of that mad first mate and the true mastermind behind him."

She took a deep breath and began to tell the history soaked in seawater and blood:

"Beneath the endless abyssal depths sleeps an indescribable [Lord of the Deep Sea]. He is the Incarnation of devouring and silence, the destroyer of order. And this book, 'whispers of the abyss', is the tentacle through which He spreads calamity. In ancient times, His whispers once seduced one of my ancestors, leading to internal strife in the kingdom, the Divine Artifact being tarnished, and countless city-states collapsing into ruins amidst madness... That was a catastrophe that nearly wiped out my race!"

Her voice carried a bone-deep sorrow: "The first mate was merely another poor Puppet accidentally captured by this evil book over the long years. It grants power, but the price is eternal enslavement and the annihilation of the Soul. I beg you, stay away from it! You must not let it pollute your world!"

This warning, originating from a royal Bloodline and carrying the weight of history and the pain of sacrifice, made everyone shudder. That book lying silently was no longer a potential opportunity in their eyes, but a fuse for destruction.

However, crisis always descends when one relaxes!

"Boom—!"

The sea surface beside the ship suddenly exploded! A dark purple octopus tentacle, covered in eerie runes and emitting an ancient evil aura, burst out of the water like a whip of judgment from the abyss. With a speed exceeding visual capture, it went straight for the 'whispers of the abyss' on the deck!

That aura was cold, ancient, and filled with absolute malice, making everyone present feel as if they had fallen into an ice cellar, their very Souls trembling!

"Watch out!" Li Mubai's warning was drowned out by the roar of the tentacle coiling around the evil book and retracting into the sea. Only a rapidly spinning whirlpool remained, along with that bone-chilling, terrifying pressure belonging to the Lord of the Deep Sea.

"No! The kingdom's supreme treasure failed to completely purify it. I must not let this source of calamity spread its poison again!" Princess Aelia's face turned pale, but a resolute fire burned in her eyes. She took a deep look at her benefactors present, her gaze finally settling on Zhang Hao and the 'heart of the ocean' that had temporarily lost its brilliance.

"Thank you, brave warriors, for helping me reclaim the sacred object, rescuing me from suffering, and liberating the innocent Souls of this ship. This kindness, Aelia and the Mermaid Kingdom will never forget!" Her words carried royal solemnity and sincerity. "But I carry the royal Bloodline; chasing down and placing a Seal on the 'whispers of the abyss' is my inescapable mission! I must go!"

Before her words even faded, she turned resolutely, and with the pride of royalty and the determination of a warrior, she leaped into the vast ocean. Her silver fishtail drew one last brilliant arc in the sunlight as she pursued the abyss where the evil had vanished without a second thought.

[Hidden Quest: Return the Mermaid Princess Aelia to the sea, completed.]

[Team Upgrade Quest: Mermaid's Tears, all completed. Returning for settlement shortly...]

The notification sounded; the mission was a Perfection. However, on the deck, no one cheered.

The fruits of victory were accompanied by a massive shadow. Not only had they come into contact with the secrets of the Mermaid Kingdom and witnessed the power of its supreme treasure, but they had also faced the ancient horror known as the Lord of the Deep Sea head-on. That stolen evil book and the silhouette of the Mermaid Princess chasing it alone left a deep impression in their hearts.

"Lord of the Deep Sea... Mermaid Kingdom..." Zhang Hao murmured to himself as Silver Star frantically recorded the data of that brief but terrifying evil aura. He understood that what they had touched was merely a corner of the endless crises in this Dream World, and even the real Universe connected behind it.

The light of return enveloped them. They left with the rewards from the exclusive space and a brand-new team title, but what weighed heavier was the vigilance toward the unknown deep sea and ancient evil, as well as the concern for the Mermaid Princess's fate.