dawn sailed away from Lei Hai Floating Island, but the atmosphere inside the ship was even more somber than before they had crossed that sea of thunder.

Bai Cheng stood before the star-viewing window of the main control cabin, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the six new law engravings on the Sword of Conviction.

The icy chill of Han Yuan, the vitality of Forest Whisper, the frenzy of Chaos, the cold clarity of Mirror Heart, the blazing heat of Cinder City, and the ethereal void of Echo.

These six powers were like sleeping behemoths coiled within the sword, occasionally leaking the majestic whispers of former Star Lords.

"Arrived at the designated coordinates, the critical layer of the White Sea."

Leng Ningxue's voice was as cool as ever, her icy eyes reflecting the vast, boundless White Sea of clouds ahead on the navigation star chart, which shimmered with a mother-of-pearl luster.

"Based on the information fragments obtained from Lei Hai Floating Island cross-referenced with ancient texts from Star Chart Island, the Thousand Tower Forest ruins are not located in a conventional star sector,"

"but are hidden above this special airspace called the White Sea, which is composed of high-concentration nebulae and solidified laws."

"Above the airspace?" Qing Niao leaned toward the porthole, looking at the endless sea of clouds that appeared soft yet radiated an invisible pressure.

"Just like Lei Hai Floating Island?"

"The scale and law hierarchy are far beyond what Lei Hai Floating Island can compare to."

Leng Ningxue brought up the data. "The White Sea itself is a super-giant natural wonder, as well as a natural barrier and strategic stronghold from the era of the ancient Star Sea War."

"The Thousand Tower Forest is believed to be the final evidence vault and silent seal established collectively at the summit of the White Sea by several surviving Star Lords and Allied Forces at the end of the war."

"Silent seal?" Zi Yuan stroked the hilt of her blade.

"It refers to an absolute forbidden zone that all those in the know swore never to open or speak of until the truth was completely clarified and the conditions were fully met."

Bai Cheng turned around, her silver hair flowing with a cold luster under the dim lights of the ship.

"After the fall of the Judgement Star Lord, the core evidence, original records, and even the final messages of some key parties involved in that Great Judgement were all sealed here."

"The oath-takers hoped to trade time for a turning point, but..."

"But time did not bring answers; it only brought oblivion and the loosening of the seal."

Yu Nian added softly, as the pure heart vine in her arms sensed a surge of intent mixing ancient solemnity with deep sorrow permeating from above.

"Exactly." Leng Ningxue nodded.

"The seal of the Thousand Tower Forest requires specific resonance and permission to pass safely; otherwise, it will trigger an indiscriminate defense mechanism. We currently lack that permission."

"Then we'll go find the permission."

Bai Cheng's gaze shifted to the edge of the sea of clouds, where some scattered, non-natural shadows were faintly visible.

"Just like in the Sky Island Arc, before heading to the Kingdom of Gods, one needs to ring the Light of Shandora to gain qualification."

"Around this White Sea, there must be outposts or ancient residents who know the rules and can provide guidance."

As if responding to her judgment, the wide-range detectors of dawn captured a faint, rhythmic, non-natural energy pulsation originating from a strange island hanging at the edge of the cloud sea like an inverted mountain peak.

The vegetation on the island was peculiar, with building outlines faintly visible, and more importantly... a vibrant life aura different from both the Emerald Sea and Lei Hai Floating Island.

"Continuous life reactions and signs of civilization detected. The energy signatures differ from known star track civilizations. Determined to be White Sea natives or ancient remnants."

Leng Ningxue analyzed quickly. "I suggest making initial contact to obtain local intelligence and passage rules."

"All hands, prepare for Level 1 non-combat contact."

Bai Cheng ordered, "Qing Niao, Lu Duo, Yu Nian, follow me onto the island."

"Zi Yuan, Ning Xue, stay on dawn to maintain stealth and alertness, ready to provide support at any time."

"Yes!"

dawn adjusted its posture and, like a silvery fish, slid silently toward the hanging island.

The closer they got, the more they could feel the strangeness of this place:

The air was fresh and rich in special energy, the gravity environment was subtly distorted, the plants on the island emitted a faint glow, and some gentle creatures resembling pegasi and cloud beasts wandered in the low sky.

As the ship landed on a flat cloud-rock platform at the edge of the island, a group of figures was already waiting there.

Their skin was slightly dark, their clothing colorful and adorned with feathers and shells, and the weapons /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ they held were neither metal nor stone, but rather resembled some kind of solidified light spears.

The leader was a tall middle-aged man with earlobes reaching his shoulders and eyes as sharp as a hawk's, with complex cloud-pattern tattoos on his forehead.

"Outsiders, halt." The man's voice was loud and carried a unique rhythm.

"This is the domain of the Yun Yin Village. The people of the White Sea do not welcome intruders without permission."

"State your purpose and follow the rules of the heavens decree."

Bai Cheng stepped forward, not releasing her Imperial pressure, but instead adopting an equal stance. The scale pattern on her forehead lit up slightly, displaying the karmic burden of judgement she carried.

"We have come in pursuit of lost history and unresolved justice, seeking to go to the Thousand Tower Forest above the White Sea."

"We have no intention of offending your peace or rules. We are willing to follow the heavens decree and hope to receive guidance."

"The Thousand Tower Forest..."

The pupils of the Yun Yin Village leader constricted slightly. His gaze swept over the pattern on Bai Cheng's forehead and the distinct but extraordinary auras of the people behind her, especially the pure heart vine in Yu Nian's arms that radiated pure vitality.

He was silent for a moment, then struck the ground with his light spear.

"Seekers burdened with ancient karma... do you know that the path to the Thousand Tower Forest has long been sealed by the Trials of God and the Lightning of Judgement?"

"Countless arrogant intruders have turned into dust at the edge of the White Sea."

"We have just undergone a trial of judgement."

Bai Cheng responded calmly. The Sword of Conviction remained sheathed, but the faint glow naturally flowing from the six Star Lord engravings already spoke volumes.

"We respect the rules and are prepared to accept the tests. We only ask for a fair chance to reach the truth."

The leader took a deep look at her and stepped aside to clear the path.

"An interesting response. I am Hasso, the Guardian Patriarch of the Yun Yin Village."

"Outsiders, your story might move the heavens decree. Follow me to see the High Priestess."

"Remember, in the Yun Yin Village, respecting nature and ancient oaths is more important than power."

Following Hasso, Bai Cheng and her group entered the strange village suspended at the edge of the White Sea.

The village buildings were constructed against glowing giant trees and floating rocks. The villagers watched the outsiders with curiosity and caution, children hiding behind adults with sparkling eyes.

The air was filled with a sense of peace and tranquility, starkly different from the killing intent and oppression of Lei Hai Floating Island.

In the center of the village, beneath a Heavenly Sound Tree whose canopy vanished into the flowing clouds above, they met the High Priestess.

An old woman with hair as white as snow, holding a staff inlaid with mica.

Her eyes seemed able to see through time. When her gaze fell upon Bai Cheng, she let out a sigh of understanding mixed with compassion.

"O one who carries the echoes of the six stars and the weight of the scales..." the High Priestess's voice was ethereal and distant.

"The Thousand Tower Forest you seek is no simple ruin."

"It is the physical manifestation of a silent oath, the solidification of war wounds, and... the final tombstone after the fall of the Sky Island Divine Kingdom."

"Sky Island Divine Kingdom?" Qing Niao couldn't help but repeat in a low voice.

"Yes."

"In an era so distant that even the positions of the stars have changed, there was once a prosperous and peaceful kingdom above the White Sea ruled by the Lord of the Sky. Its core was the Island of God, where the Thousand Tower Forest is located."

"Until that war which swept through the star sea and the Great Judgement that followed..."

Memory and pain flashed in the High Priestess's eyes. "The Divine Kingdom was swept up in it and eventually became one of the victims."

"Before the Lord of the Sky fell, he and other survivors sealed the final evidence in the Thousand Tower Forest and brought down the Lightning of Judgement and the path of trials, swearing to guard it until the day the truth is revealed."

"We, the Cloud Hidden Clan, are a branch of the survivors of the Divine Kingdom from that time. Our mission is to watch over the entrance to the White Sea, waiting for and identifying the true successors and those who would break the oath."