Extraordinary Voyage-Chapter 608 - 534: Ancient Cipher and Unexpected Gains

Chapter 608: Chapter 534: Ancient Cipher and Unexpected Gains

The words of the Azure Beast had just fallen.

Whoosh!...

A gust of wind swept past Aiven’s ear.

Anita, Olivia, and Milan had already darted behind him in a flash, even Aiven’s own shadow silently shifted to the side facing away from the archway. Clearly, including Kaka, no one wanted to become the second Bradley.

Damn, heartless!

In the end, only Aiven was left isolated at the forefront with no way to hide, waving his hands repeatedly:

’That’s not me! I didn’t! Don’t talk nonsense!’

He firmly denied it from the depths of his heart, desperately trying to distance himself from any connection with the title of "Warrior."

Meanwhile.

Piecing together the puzzle pieces, he had basically guessed the secret hidden behind this guided "treasure hunt."

Essentially, it was a revival plan for an ancient god, which likely included two main threads.

For Loygor and Aihote, the human forbidden zone known as the "Mist Sea" was actually in a semi-isolated state from the external Material World, also serving as their Shelter.

Due to the established world rules, these two ancient gods apparent to the world (not excluding the possibility of more in the Mist Sea) couldn’t easily appear in the external Material World, let alone propagate faith to enhance their power.

As ancient gods barely surviving from the last Era, this world ultimately no longer belonged to them. Just like meritorious officials from the previous dynasty, they would inevitably be heavily guarded against or even vigorously eradicated by the current rulers.

Therefore, they needed to find a way to gradually integrate into this world, also extending their influence beyond the "Mist Sea." "The offspring of Aihote born in the Light" was evidently such an extended tentacle.

In this light, the establishment of "Sunken Ship Bay" in the Mist Sea and the secret agreement made with the Master of the Mist Sea, Loygor, by Sessi, the God of Black Wings, clearly involved some unknown schemes.

It was unknown whether the fall of the "Oathbreaker" Bradley was a part of the plan of this great entity...

Additionally.

Being rejected by the new world was clearly not the original intention of the ancient gods.

As highly spiritual, regulated, and even conceptual mysterious beings, although they survived through various means, they inevitably became incompatible with this world due to the residual rules of the last Era.

Even though their existence was so eerie, terrifying, and indescribable in the eyes of normal humans.

However, looking at the beings and even divine spirits of this world from the perspective of the last Era, what might be distorted and disharmonious were actually the existences of this world.

Just like Extraordinary beings, the higher-tier the Extraordinary, the more perfect their appearance, which of course, is due to the perfect expression of genetic information. But being more aligned with the world’s source, they will inevitably be shaped from inside out to conform to the world rules.

It’s true for Extraordinary beings, and even more so for gods. The deeper they delve into the world source, the heavier the imprint left by the rules.

However, the "Maze God Aihote" was ultimately a tough character that survived through Era transitions. After discarding most of his power and slumbering for countless ages.

Now relying on possibly the deliberately retained most trivial divine position of [Maze], coupled with something "stolen" from the Feathered Serpent God Kukulkan over two hundred years ago, a new divine position had emerged, forming a concordance with this new world.

Using it as a bridge and umbilical cord, gradually integrating into this world’s rules, different from the last Era, allowing the world to once again accept them.

In the present.

The increasingly world-aesthetic changes manifesting on the "Azure Beast", the divine envoy of the "Maze God", were evident proof, though in the eyes of normal humans, uh... it’s still soul-deep ugly.

But there’s at least one benefit.

They had been planning since at least two hundred years ago, painstakingly erecting a stage encompassing tens of thousands, catalyzing it with such a Maze Game, which ultimately led to the temporarily unknown new divine position.

At such a critical juncture, they obviously wouldn’t take proactive measures to disrupt the rules for minor losses.

Hence, when the "Azure Beast" turned its millions of eyes over, now somewhat emboldened Aiven, with the standard noble human etiquette, slightly bowed in salutation:

"Honorable envoy, it is our mortal honor to partake in this game, witnessing the might of the Maze God, we dare not presume more.

If there is a wish, it’s that we hope the great Maze God forgives our presumptuous disturbance, permitting me to lead my companions out of the Mist Sea, restoring tranquility to this sea and the just Rule Maker."

The world has its fundamental natural operational laws, and human society has its own operational rules, with etiquette being one of its most crucial components.

And neither the "Maze" nor the so-called "Rule Maker" are evidently from the [Natural Divine Position], but derived from human civilization’s [Humanized Divine Position].

Moreover.

Aiven’s real reliance was but a Wizard’s extensive knowledge, one of the most basic principles in mystical rituals, "energy conservation, equivalent exchange," with no demand naturally requires no price.

At least, with Bradley actively completing the last step of the ritual, these people on the island were already rendered useless unless... Aihote reverting to the ancient god’s nature indiscriminately executed another slaughter?

The ugly monster’s countless green eyes gazed over, even if there was undeniable greed in its gaze, it had to forcibly hold back after hearing Aiven’s words.

After spending aeons in the Mist Sea, finally completing the pre-determined plan, as a crucial auxiliary, the "Azure Beast," offspring of Aihote, knew very well that embracing a new world also meant new shackles binding both the god and itself.

"It’s quite a dilemma..."

Murmuring, the myriad eyes projected green light, casting images of all surviving individuals within the Maze.

By now.

Survivors roughly accounted for less than half, with most struggling bitterly in the perilous Maze, the closest to the fourth level "Dead Bone" Rudolph, likely needing another twenty minutes to clear.

Before this, it was impossible to force the participants of the game to make wishes, especially since the final goal had been achieved. Aihote’s immature embryo had already been implanted into Bradley’s body, making the choices of the others less significant.

"Alright, but rules are rules..."

When it said "but," Aiven and his companions’ hearts tensed slightly. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

The Azure Beast raised a black, emaciated limb and, with a touch of grace, snapped its fingers.

Snap—!

A crudely made pottery shard with twisted red and black symbols suddenly fell from the air into Aiven’s hand.

At the same time, a swirling mist silently formed not far from Aiven and his group.

"According to the ’Maze Rules,’ the winner must receive a reward. Take this, and you may leave. The mist will remain until sunset today, and the victor may depart; this...is also a rule. Chirp, chirp, chirp..."

There was no need to mention what would happen to those who failed to arrive here in time. Aiven and the others were powerless to change that.

The pottery shard that landed in Aiven’s hand, although it appeared to be the clumsy work of a Neolithic three-year-old, had already conveyed a message into Aiven’s mind.

[Magic Book: Gortton Pottery Fragment]

Effect: Provides no beneficial effects, but reading it will grant the "Mythical Language: Ancient Code," allowing one to avoid the chaotic rules when encountering the knowledge of the Ancient Gods, especially scientific knowledge.

It also offers a certain degree of protection against losing control.

From a wizard’s perspective, the complete world is divided into two sides: the material side and the spiritual side.

Epochal transitions are most profoundly and intuitively perceived on the spiritual and psychic levels. The physical constants within a planet in the macrocosmic environment evidently do not change with the planetary epoch. The scientific power of ancient times continues to persist in this world.

This mythical language might be as simple as addition and subtraction for the Ancient Gods, yet for wizards who frequently explore the Spirit Realm in this era, it is highly valuable knowledge.

With it, those ancient god cities buried in the Spirit Realm are no longer just useless appendages.

Having received a "consolation prize," the four of them, after bowing toward the well’s entrance, rushed into the mist as if fleeing. The feeling that one’s life is in the hands of others is only understood by those who have experienced it.

The last pirate hunched over, trying hard to minimize his presence, also dashed in.

...

When Aiven opened his eyes again.

It was pitch black in front of him, as if he were inside a massive, lightless structure. However, his sharp spiritual sense quickly detected the flowing wind, the sound of battle beyond the thick stone walls, and the reconnected Mind Network.

He confirmed that he had safely left the maze, but had not returned to the "Venus," instead finding himself on the island’s surface.

"Hmm?"

The next moment, he turned sharply, realizing he was alone, with no trace of his companions to be found.

[Short-Frequency Pulse] instantly activated.

Aiven realized he was all alone, situated at the center of the island within a temple dedicated to a large feathered serpent statue, though it had fallen into complete disrepair.

At that moment, the eerie singing of the evil spirit girl echoed again in the darkness.

"We worship the noble Snake God, who governs sunlight and rain, sowing and harvest, life and civilization..."

Aiven remained still, quietly listening.

After the ethereal song ended, the evil spirit girl finally reappeared, though she seemed reluctant to approach Aiven, standing at a distance in a corner of the temple, meeting his gaze.

"Did you separate us?"

During the time it took for a song, Aiven noticed that his sister, Olivia, and Milan had safely appeared amongst the ruins, so he maintained a calm demeanor.

The evil spirit girl gently nodded:

"Yes, in this temple of the Snake God Kukulkan, the gods within the mist cannot hear our words.

I merely sensed a power on you somewhat akin to these wings.

In my father’s name, I swear I have no other intentions but to ask for your help in bringing ’life’ back to the Izana Continent. Can you do it?"

Now that the danger had passed, Aiven didn’t mind doing her a small favor, only curiously asking:

"What exactly is ’life’?"

He saw the little girl, her eye sockets empty and eerily terrifying, show a pure and relieved smile as if fulfilling a final obsession, slowly fading into the air.

Besides the request, she hadn’t even left her name.

Clatter—

Only a metal object fell to the ground in place.

Aiven waved lightly, and the item flew into his hand.

It was a bronze talisman engraved with the image of a feathered serpent. Although it appeared ordinary on the surface, as a wizard of the Vitalist School, Aiven felt as though he held in his hand a vast forest or an unimaginably life-force-rich prehistoric giant beast.

"So this is what’s called ’life’?"