Passing on the torch, rebuilding the foundation of the Way

“Trading?” Nightmare's expression remained unchanged, but his rule fragment was rapidly calculating various possibilities.

Making a deal with such an ancient entity came with both risks and opportunities.

“Yes, a trade.” Ector's voice was even more weary, and the blue crystal on his forehead flickered faintly, as if maintaining his very existence had become difficult.

“My time, and the energy of this ‘Order Sanctuary,’ are running out.

At most, in a hundred years, this place will collapse, and I... will completely dissipate along with it.”

He looked at Nightmare, his cloudy eyes filled with a hint of pleading and a heavy burden of trust: “I hope that after I disappear completely, you can take over the final monitoring function of the star sequence compass, and... as far as you are able, protect the last Bloodline of my Star Spirit Race, the child Lia.”

Nightmare did not agree immediately, but asked calmly: “What does taking over the compass entail? And to what extent must I protect Lia?”

“Taking over the compass means you need to regularly replenish its energy (he pointed to the huge blue three-dimensional structure in the center) and pay attention to its monitoring information.

Once you detect signs of large-scale activity by the god devourer or its contaminated bodies, you have the right to decide whether to hide or... attempt to issue a final warning.” Ector explained, “This is not a mandatory obligation, but rather a... request from one who is about to pass away.

The compass itself, as well as the research materials I have retained regarding the god devourer, the Star Spirit Race, and even parts of the ‘Origin’ civilization, can be given to you as compensation.”

“As for Lia...” A flash of tenderness and guilt crossed his eyes, “That child’s Soul is too severely damaged, and eternal stasis is not a long-term solution.

If you can find legendary items like the ‘Heart of the Stars’ or the ‘Fountain of Life,’ that would naturally be best.

If not... I only ask that you keep her safe, so she does not quietly annihilate in her sleep, and perhaps... there will be a turning point in the future.”

The conditions did not sound harsh, and the compensation was quite generous.

The monitoring function of the star sequence compass might have limited use, but those research materials, especially the information about the god devourer and the ‘Origin’ civilization, were crucial for Nightmare to understand the truth of this Universe.

Protecting a sleeping princess was not a difficult task for him either.

But Nightmare did not nod easily.

His rule fragment carefully scrutinized Ector’s state and this core chamber, confirming that the other party had indeed reached the end of their rope and was speaking the truth.

“I can agree to your request.” Nightmare finally spoke, “Within my capabilities, I will look after the star sequence compass and ensure the safety of Princess Lia.”

Upon hearing this, Ector let out a long sigh, as if a heavy burden had been lifted, and a smile of relief appeared on his face: “Good... good... thank you, young man...”

He did not hesitate, raising his trembling hand to press against the blue crystal on his forehead.

The crystal flashed, separating a strand of extremely fine blue light that contained a massive stream of information, which slowly drifted toward Nightmare.

“This is the knowledge I promised... and the initial access permissions for the compass... More core permissions will require you to slowly refine the compass core later...”

Nightmare's rule fragment reached out, carefully catching the strand of blue light.

Instantly, a massive amount of information flooded into his rule fragment database!

Not only were there sporadic records about the god devourer, the complete history and technology tree (partial) of the Star Spirit Race, and exploration records of the Chaos Frontier, but there were also some of Ector’s speculations on the ruins of the ‘Origin’ civilization and some basic theoretical analysis!

Its value was immeasurable!

At the same time, he also felt a faint connection established with the huge star sequence compass in the center, able to perceive the energy fluctuations in several blurred areas deep in the Chaos Frontier that it was monitoring, and could perform some basic viewing and energy injection operations.

After doing all this, Ector’s aura decayed at a speed visible to the naked eye, his body becoming more hunched and illusory, as if he could dissipate at any moment.

“Alright... my mission... can finally... come to an end...” His voice was barely audible, but his gaze looked toward the Void Realm, as if piercing through layers of barriers to see his distant home star.

“Young man... beware of the observer... they are... everywhere... The Law... is not absolute...”

The voice gradually faded, and finally, the blue crystal on his forehead dimmed completely.

The seat made of blue light and his aged figure, like a candle in the wind, slowly dissipated, turning into specks of starlight that merged into the central star sequence compass, leaving behind only a dull, cracked, small blue crystal that fell to the ground with a “clink.”

Ector, one of the last keepers of secrets of the Star Spirit Race, thus completely dissipated between heaven and earth.

The core chamber fell into silence.

Only the huge star sequence compass continued to operate faithfully and slowly, recording the “Order” of the Chaos Frontier.

Su Wanqing watched this scene with a sense of melancholy in her heart.

The last glimmer of a glorious civilization had been extinguished.

Nightmare was silent for a moment, his rule fragment picking up the useless crystal from the ground and carefully putting it away.

This was the last proof of Ector’s existence.

He walked to the star sequence compass, his rule fragment delving into perception.

Just as Ector had said, the compass’s energy was indeed low; it could maintain its own operation and basic monitoring, but it could no longer support strong Order barriers and Scavenger units.

“rule fragment, start analyzing the compass structure, attempt to fuse initial permissions, and formulate an energy replenishment plan.” Nightmare ordered.

[Instruction confirmed. Analyzing... The star sequence compass is a composite Law creation, combining the Star Spirit Race’s supreme alchemy with unknown Origin technology. Current energy reserve: 11.3%. Recommended energy replenishment: high-purity Power of the Stars, Origin fragments of the world, Order Law crystals (or equivalent energy).]

[Initial permission Fusion complete. Basic monitoring, data query, and minimum energy scheduling are available.]

Nightmare raised an eyebrow as he looked at the energy replenishment plan.

He could convert high-purity Power of the Stars through his nirvana dao seed, but the efficiency was not high.

Origin fragments of the world and Order Law crystals were both treasures that were hard to come by.

It seemed that “charging” this compass would also be a long-term task.

However, maintaining basic operation for now was not a problem.

He turned his attention to the vast new knowledge base in his rule fragment.

The part about the basic theory of the ‘Origin’ civilization, in particular, made his eyes light up.

These theories pointed directly to the underlying rules of the Universe.

Although they were only basic, they provided a brand-new perspective and tools for him to understand his own Great Dao of Annihilation, the operation of his rule fragment, and even to resolve the mystery of the incomplete Laws of the Tianxuan Realm!

He even felt that his rule fragment Fusion level, which had been stagnant, showed signs of loosening after absorbing this knowledge!

And his control over the nirvana dao seed had also become more precise!

“The flow of time here is abnormal; it’s a good place for closed-door cultivation.” Nightmare said to Su Wanqing, “I need time to digest this knowledge, and you should use this opportunity to consolidate your cultivation.

When I come out of seclusion, it will be time for us to leave this place and head to the next target.”

Su Wanqing naturally had no objection.

Nightmare immediately sat cross-legged in the core chamber, his rule fragment operating at full power, his mind completely immersed in the vast ocean of knowledge and the crystallization of the wisdom of his predecessors.

The patterns of the rule fragment became more complex and profound, and the nirvana dao seed, nourished by the brand-new theory, breathed out more pure power of the Origin.

His aura, in the silence, continued to settle, condense, and quietly march toward a higher level.

This harvest was far more than just a treasure or a promise; it was laying a more solid and vast foundation for his future path!