CHAPTER 253: SECRETS OF STARLIGHT SEA

News of the great battle between Carlotta and Aldrich had already spread to the imperial capital, Kestholm, and many people were discussing this incident.

Yet no one could have imagined that the outcome of this hotly debated event would so suddenly appear right before their eyes.

When Carlotta and Aldrich arrived at the capital, a terrifying aura radiated out, causing everyone in the city to feel uneasy. Then, as they looked up, they saw two figures, one chasing, one fleeing, high in the sky.

What happened next will be etched into thousands of people’s memories for the rest of their lives!

That legendary figure whom so many had seen in textbooks, newspapers, wax museums, and countless other places, Aldrich Suarez, was now, like a broken-winged bird, cut down midair by Carlotta, his blood splattering across the heavens.

This scene stunned many people.

Especially those who knew Carlotta, seeing this sight nearly made their jaws drop. They couldn’t recognise the Carlotta before them with the Carlotta from their memories. It was clearly the same person, yet the impression she gave now was as if she were someone entirely different.

Inside the palace, Emperor Alex trembled in fright, his legs turning weak.

That was Exalted! That was Aldrich Suarez! How could that young girl, Carlotta, just cut him down like that in midair?

Alex didn’t know the reasons behind it, but no matter what those reasons were, they no longer mattered. What mattered was that Carlotta had emerged as the victor of this battle!

"Thank goodness I chose to bow my head back then."

Emperor Alex whispered, then collapsed heavily into his chair.

For Carlotta, this was also a battle worth savoring. She felt that a single great battle had significantly enhanced her strength.

Afterward, she took Aldrich’s spatial artifact, a prize rightfully hers, and left the scene.

As she departed, Carlotta also retracted the New Moon and flew away together with Amelia.

Far away, the High Priestess leading a group of Impressions, silently following at a distance along with Elora.

They had witnessed the entire battle, their expressions varied.

Even the High Priestess, who already knew Carlotta’s abilities were exceptional, couldn’t hide his shock.

As for Elora, she felt as if she were dreaming. She never imagined Carlotta could perform so brilliantly, so brilliantly it was almost scary.

Yes, she was terrified.

If she herself had fought, her performance wouldn’t have been better than Aldrich’s. In the end, she too would have died by Carlotta’s hand.

A girl who appeared so delicate, seemingly harmless, yet had already grown strong enough to kill an Exalted.

"Congratulations. You’ve won."

The High Priestess said with a faint smile.

That Carlotta could defeat an Exalted, even as a middle tier Weaver, meant she could now regard her as someone of the same caliber.

Sheena, Brady, and the other Impressions also looked at Carlotta strangely, even a bit afraidly.

They truly hadn’t expected that someone they originally considered to be on the same level as themselves would possess combat power so absurdly beyond their expectations.

Was she even human anymore?

Carlotta smiled, "Fighting an Exalted benefited me greatly. Now I’m starting to look forward to becoming an Exalted myself."

At this, the High Priestess’s smile faded slightly. Elora’s expression turned stiff.

If someone already possessed Exalted-level strength as a middle tier Weaver, how absurdly powerful would she become after actually becoming an Exalted?

Such a thing... was hard to predict.

The High Priestess rubbed his temples and said, "Anyway, the matters that needed resolving have been settled. So as previously agreed, let’s head to the Forbidden Sea to check the situation."

Carlotta nodded.

"You’re going to the Forbidden Sea?"

Elora asked in surprise.

As an Exalted, she had naturally investigated the Forbidden Sea before, but found nothing. Instead, she encountered many bizarre phenomena, leaving her feeling deeply uncomfortable.

She didn’t think it was a good place. If possible, she never wanted to go there again.

Immediately, Elora said, "I still have some matters to attend to. Let’s meet again another time, everyone."

She chose to leave, and no one stopped her.

However, Carlotta didn’t head directly to the Forbidden Sea next. Instead, she first made arrangements for the Impressions.

She couldn’t casually bring this group along with her. Although each of them claimed titles like "Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth of the World," in her eyes, their combat strength was insufficient and they couldn’t offer any real help. They’d have to stay elsewhere.

She directly brought them into the imperial capital Kestholm, found some acquaintances to purchase several plots of land, then used magic to instantly erect a tall tower, instructing the Impressions to live here temporarily and get familiar with this world.

The process was swift. With magic, many things didn’t take much time at all.

And in the capital, no one dared utter a word as they watched Carlotta build this tower. It didn’t matter if she was building a tower, right now, even if Carlotta seized the palace and forced the Emperor to live in the toilet, no one would dare say a single word of objection.

After the tower was built, Carlotta named it Moon God Tower!

"Moon" naturally referred to herself.

"God" represents Carlotta’s aspirations for the future, her ambitions, even.

No transcendent being who doesn’t dream of becoming a god is a good transcendent being.

"You all stay here, get familiar with this world, and gradually make your names known. But remember, follow the rules, don’t cause trouble."

Carlotta gave the Impressions one last instruction, then prepared to leave.

The group felt somewhat helpless about Carlotta not bringing them along. They wanted to follow in her footsteps, but her opponents were already Exalted, how could they possibly keep up?

Helpless as they were, they could only obediently stay behind.

After properly arranging things for the Impressions, Carlotta set off eastward, flying with Amelia and the High Priestess.

East of Kestholm, it wasn’t long before the Starlight Sea came into view, since the imperial capital itself was located by the sea.

Flying into the Starlight Sea, since it was daytime, the vast ocean appeared no different than any other.

Yet thinking about the sea’s appearance at night, Carlotta couldn’t help but say, "By the way, this Starlight Sea is somewhat peculiar. Every night, strange phenomena occur. The ocean becomes exceptionally crystal-clear and radiant. That’s highly unusual."

Upon hearing this, the High Priestess couldn’t help but feel surprised, and asked in detail what exactly had happened.

As Carlotta explained the situation thoroughly, even the High Priestess found herself momentarily uncertain.

After a brief pause, she said, "Then let’s wait and see what happens tonight."

"No need to wait, let’s keep going toward the Forbidden Sea. The Starlight Sea is still vast. We won’t cross it quickly enough to reach by nightfall anyway."

Carlotta said.

Although she had reached a level where her flight speed was absurdly fast, it still wasn’t fast enough to cross Starlight Sea within a single day.

Previously, when she pursued Aldrich, it had taken several days of relentless chase, from the western part of Wendell Empire all the way to the capital, Kestholm.

The High Priestess nodded, saying nothing further.

Blue sky, white clouds, endless ocean.

This was Starlight Sea during daytime, where occasionally one could see ships, big or small, sailing upon the rippling waves.

However, the deeper Carlotta and her companions ventured into the sea, the fewer ships they encountered, until eventually not a single one remained.

All around, only the endless ocean rose and fell, waves crashing rhythmically.

Gradually, the sun began to set.

The sunset dyed the ocean, transforming the seawater into a vast expanse of orange-yellow.

Soon, the sun disappeared completely, and twilight descended upon the sea.

At this moment, the ocean suddenly shimmered with brilliant starlight, countless glowing dots scattered across the sea’s surface, radiating a magnificent glow, as if stars had gathered and merged into the ocean itself.

"This is..."

Witnessing this sight, the High Priestess’s face revealed astonishment.

She hovered motionless in midair, her eyes were wide as she gazed down, her expression touched with emotion.

"Does Your Excellency know what’s happening?"

Carlotta couldn’t help but ask.

Amelia also looked over curiously.

Why Starlight Sea displayed such a phenomenon has always been a mystery. People had various speculations, but speculations remained mere guesses, not truth.

But perhaps, today, the truth could finally be revealed.

The High Priestess spoke softly, "I’m not entirely certain. I need to enter the ocean and check the situation."

With that, she flew swiftly downward, diving into the sea beneath the night sky.

Seeing this, Carlotta and Amelia had no choice but to follow.

Beneath the ocean’s surface, it wasn’t completely dark. Glittering starlight sparkled everywhere, allowing visibility deep into the depths. The shimmering light was bright enough to clearly reveal the scenery of the seabed.

In coastal regions, many people enjoy diving into the sea for recreation after nightfall, because Starlight Sea at night truly resembled a masterpiece painted by the greatest artist, an enchanting sight that people were reluctant to leave.

But Carlotta and her companions were now far out at sea, so naturally, they were the only ones here.

After descending to the seabed, Carlotta saw the High Priestess looking around, occasionally reaching out to touch the seawater, so she refrained from disturbing her.

An invisible barrier of air surrounded her body, keeping the seawater at bay. She breathed normally and could speak freely.

She led Amelia toward a nearby cluster of stunning red coral. Many fish swarm around, unafraid of them. They curiously poked their heads out to observe, and a few bold ones even wriggled their tails and swam close, circling around them.

Carlotta gently tapped one fish on the head, startling it quickly swimming away.

She withdrew her hand and sobbed, "It seems the situation here in Starlight Sea truly is connected to a god."

Although the High Priestess hadn’t yet returned with a clear explanation, judging by her changing truth expression, Carlotta already suspected the involved god.

Amelia said with slight worry, "Were the god’s enemies defeated successfully? Will God’s enemies become our enemies in the future?"

"Even if God’s enemies become our enemies, what of it? Nothing is insurmountable."

Carlotta said confidently.

Amelia turned to look at Carlotta. For some reason, seeing Carlotta’s sweet face, her anxiety suddenly eased.

The enemies of a god were certainly terrifying and alarming, but when had Carlotta ever disappointed anyone?

Relaxing, Amelia took Carlotta’s hand. The two wandered beneath the sea, admiring the breathtaking scenery visible only beneath the waves.

After a while, the High Priestess approached them.

At this moment, the High Priestess appeared slightly dazed, as if she had discovered something that stirred complicated emotions within her.

"Well? Do you know what’s going on?"

Carlotta asked curiously.

The High Priestess nodded.

Seeing both Carlotta and Amelia’s intense interest, the High Priestess didn’t keep them waiting. She said, "I sensed the presence of the Sea Goddess. If my judgment is correct, the fallen Sea Goddess’s soul and remains have turned to dust, scattered throughout this ocean. That’s what created this eternal, undispersed divine miracle."

To the High Priestess, the phenomenon of Starlight Sea becoming brilliantly radiant every night was nothing less than a divine miracle.

Even after a god’s passing, the traces they left behind remained so dazzling.

"Let’s go. Continue on our journey."

The High Priestess sobbed softly.

Although she had long known the gods had perished, witnessing a divine miracle born only after their death still stirred complex emotions within her.

After leaving the ocean, they flew back into the sky and continued onward.

As the sky brightened once more, the silhouette of the Forbidden Sea gradually became faintly visible ahead.

The waters of Forbidden Sea and Starlight Sea differ in color, making them easy to distinguish. As long as one drew near, it was clear that the Forbidden Sea lay just before them.

Under normal circumstances, no one would accidentally wander into the Forbidden Sea. Only those who intentionally entered would do so.

Just like now.

"This is the Forbidden Sea."

Looking at the waters ahead, their color far deeper and darker, Carlotta flew forward without hesitation.

Now that she stood at the peak of continental power, wielding sufficient strength, her courage naturally grew. Even a place infamous for danger like the Forbidden Sea couldn’t intimidate her.

The three of them flew straight into the Forbidden Sea.

The moment they clicked, everyone instantly felt a chilling, cold aura spreading towards them.

Above the vast surface of the Forbidden Sea hung an icy, eerie atmosphere. The moment they arrived, their vision seemed to dimmer, and within the rhythmic rise and fall of the waves, a faint sound resembling weeping could be heard.

In the distance, a dilapidated ship floated on the surface. From beneath the sea, countless black tentacles stretched upward, anchoring onto the wrecked vessel, slowly writhing and pulsating.