Apocalypse Circular-Chapter 449: The Underwater City (6K)

"If he was sealed in the Imperial Capital, or within the Imperial Family, what would his abilities be?"

"Why would he be sealed in such a crowded place? And right under the Imperial Family’s nose, too?"

Meiqi didn’t say a word, just quietly looked at Lu Luo.

After a while, Lu Luo scratched his head awkwardly. It seemed Meiqi knew nothing about this matter.

"Uh, does Lady Meiqi not know?"

"I never had contact with Aotu. It’s fair to say that he is one of the most chaotic among the Angel Envoys."

"What about Xu?"

"Xu? Xu is destruction, the Devourer of the world’s core, the second Angel Envoy who shocked the world.

There are gaps among the Angel Envoys. Though Aotu is very powerful, he cannot be compared to Xu."

Lu Luo could sense Meiqi’s favor towards Xu, meaning her fondness for the Devourer.

Perhaps this was one of the reasons why Meiqi took such good care of him.

After all, Lu Luo was the one who inherited the Devourer’s power, whether or not he had inherited Xu’s will.

At the very least, the Devourer’s Sequence was now with Lu Luo.

"Alright then, Lady Meiqi, what should I do now?

Although this place can block Aotu’s tracking, I can’t stay here forever, can I?

You know I’m a family man!"

Meiqi glanced at Lu Luo again, silencing him.

"You’ve just broken through to the Seventh Tier, and many aspects of your power are unstable.

You should take a good look around here. There are many things that others can’t simply tell you.

Spending some time exploring here will be more beneficial than anything I could tell you.

It is also a good opportunity to stabilize the realm you’ve just broken into."

Meiqi seemed to have said something, yet it felt as if she’d said nothing meaningful. After speaking, she pointed to the path ahead, indicating that Lu Luo could leave.

Lu Luo looked at Meiqi, feeling a bit melancholic. Relying on a powerful patron was always a good thing! But now that this powerful backer wasn’t allowing him to cling on anymore, he had to make his own way.

"Well, will Lady Meiqi be waiting here for me?"

"Go have a look around first, and then you will understand."

Lu Luo was puzzled but didn’t ask any more questions.

It seemed Meiqi wouldn’t tell him what to do next unless he explored first.

"Alright!"

Turning to walk into this undersea city, Lu Luo glanced back at Meiqi, but as he did, her figure was nowhere to be found.

In just that moment, she had left.

"Indeed, there is no one you can truly rely on," Lu Luo muttered.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing, nothing!"

Lu Luo pursed his lips and thought to himself:

Big shots really are all the same, fond of spying, and Meiqi is no exception.

[The urge to spy on others is strong in powerful individuals. I reckon if you grow stronger, you’ll develop a strong urge to spy too.]

Nonsense! I’ll never become a peeping Tom in this life.

While secretly vowing, Lu Luo continued towards the heart of the city.

As he walked, he observed his surroundings.

Time had left many traces here: seaweed, laver, and many unknown marine plants littered the area.

Seemed like things from the sea had fallen from above?

Lu Luo wasn’t sure where these things had come from, but from his observations while walking, it seemed there were no living creatures here.

Things in the sea don’t just fall on their own. So what was the deal with this seaweed?

"Have you noticed anything?"

[Something isn’t right here. Even the Observer’s Eye can’t be used.]

Lu Luo’s expression turned solemn, but he soon came to terms with it.

A Grade S Sequence was essentially Angel Envoy-level power. This place could even isolate living Angel Envoys, let alone a Sequence power that had already been sealed and reshaped.

"Is this city somewhat sinister?"

[Sinister is an understatement. It’s terrifying, at least for a Sequence.] 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Lu Luo nodded and continued deeper into the city.

The architecture along the way amazed him. How to put it... It looked a bit like Victorian-era Western architecture, reminiscent of a period of cultural revolution.

Without the aid of the Observer’s Eye, Lu Luo could only rely on his own eyes to discern what was special about this place.

This place seemed to be the remains of a Western civilization.

Western civilization must have been completely destroyed at some point, but they indeed existed. And a portion of the white population must have escaped, which is why they became one of the ethnic minorities in the Empire.

As Lu Luo observed and walked, he eventually came across a building larger than the others, which looked something like a church.

Religion? Let’s go in and have a look.

Lu Luo believed that to understand the essence of an era, one first had to understand its supernatural aspects. And religion was often where such supernatural phenomena emerged.

But upon arriving, he discovered that this place was not a house of worship but rather a museum—a vast museum!

In the center of the museum’s hall lay a broken cruciform sword.

The caption beside it... it seems to be English?

He read the inscriptions:

*Oath of Victory Sword, King Arthur’s weapon, New Era 139-213.*

*Guardian Sword of the Aegir Empire, slayer of all alien races, defender of Ailegan.*

King Arthur? New Era? It seemed every world had similar names and descriptions. However, I’m not sure how many years separate this so-called New Era from the current Imperial calendar.

Lu Luo was a polite person. If he were in a normal museum, he would definitely just look and not touch. But this place was different. He might be the only one here.

Glancing at the sword, Lu Luo stepped over the nearly decayed fence and reached out his finger.

When his finger touched the Oath of Victory Sword, a powerful force burst forth from the blade instantly.

BOOM!

Even though Lu Luo was now Seventh Tier, possessed a Constitution of 700, and had the boost from being an Unbeliever, that strike sent him flying instantly, leaving him utterly dazed.

"Fuck!"

Lu Luo, lying on the ground, cursed aloud. As he got up, the sword still lay there quietly.

When Lu Luo stood back up, he remembered the annotation next to the sword.

The Guardian Sword of the Aegir Empire, slayer of all alien races! Plus, Meiqi said before that this city I’m in right now is Ailegan!

From its earlier reaction, the sword must have considered Lu Luo an alien. And this was a place where even Sequence abilities were suppressed.

It seemed he had no better way to touch that sword.

His previous idea of taking it as his own seemed unattainable now.

Tsk, I have Ashbringer anyway.

Lu Luo walked away grudgingly. Though he said that, his desire for valuable items was an immutable part of his nature. Since he couldn’t obtain it for now, he had no choice but to give up.

There are other things around. I might as well take a look.

Lu Luo continued to inspect the items in the museum. Apart from that sword, most other items were relics from that era.

Relics and such had no value to Lu Luo.

Though people in both the Empire and the Alliance collected antiques, it wasn’t a widespread hobby. Besides, taking them out involved extra risks, so he decided against it.

After investigating the museum, Lu Luo didn’t come out empty-handed.

In addition to the Oath of Victory Sword, he also found a perfectly preserved handwritten diary.

*Angela Roni’s Diary.*

This diary was very chaotic. The beginning mostly recorded some kind of research... no, not ordinary research, but research into the supernatural.

This should be the record of the Aegir Empire’s first discovery of supernatural phenomena.

He read an entry:

*In the year 142, we discovered a special kind of energy. Its origin is unknown, but its concentration and unique properties can transform ordinary organisms.*

*This energy is the opposite of the biological energy we commonly use. After much consideration, we have decided to name it—Dark Energy!*

Lu Luo narrowed his eyes slightly. Another clue to the origin of Dark Energy? The date in this diary... is it older than the history of the Wasteland Alliance? Could this be the earliest appearance of Dark Energy? No, this should just be when Dark Energy was first discovered. Dark Energy must have emerged much earlier than its discovery!

Lu Luo was now a bit confused. These matters seemed to have no relation to him.

This Western society, their understanding of things... although it was all history, this society should have been destroyed long ago.

Why exactly did Meiqi bring me here?

With confusion, Lu Luo continued to read.

Most of the content in the diary was research related to the development of Dark Energy.

However, midway through the diary, one piece of information caught Lu Luo’s interest.

*One day in the year 181, I actually emitted flames? I’m sure it wasn’t from a lighter or flint; I truly produced flames myself. This is simply incredible!*

The birth of the supernatural!

Entries like this became scarcer in the latter half of the diary. Most of it recorded their research on supernatural weapons, and war!

*In the year 201, I said before that we should not have launched the war against the Easterners.*

*We don’t understand them at all. This war has dealt a destructive blow to Aegir.*

*I hope Aegir can last forever, but now it seems unlikely!*

From these entries, it seemed the Aegir Empire went to war with the Easterners in the Aegir year 201.

And they initiated the war? The outcome was devastating for them; it seemed they were on the verge of defeat.

*January 213. It’s hard to imagine that I would witness the downfall of Aegir within my lifetime. Is Aegir truly going to be destroyed?*

The diary was nearing its end, and Lu Luo turned to the last page.

*March 213. Maybe we haven’t lost yet. We’ve discovered a snake! A very, very large snake.*

A snake? Meiqi?

This was Lu Luo’s first reaction. Did the Aegir Empire, on the brink of destruction, discover Meiqi? Then why did this city named Ailegan become Meiqi’s prison? It’s all a confusing mess!

[At least you’ve learned some history, the real history.]

Lu Luo nodded slightly. I guess so!

He pondered for a moment. Could Meiqi have specially created this place to deceive me? That doesn’t seem plausible. There are too many details here. If it were a deception, the cost would be enormous. Besides, given the power gap between Meiqi and me, she wouldn’t need such an elaborate ruse. It would be meaningless.

Lu Luo stepped out of the museum. The diary he had just read indicated that the serpent those people found did not save the Aegir Empire; their ultimate fate was likely oblivion.

Then what about Meiqi? Was she really that serpent?

As these doubts filled his mind, Lu Luo started walking toward the deeper parts of the city.

During this walk, Lu Luo felt the surrounding Dark Energy intensifying.

It grew stronger and stronger, to the point where Lu Luo didn’t have to actively absorb it for it to seep into his body.

At this level of Dark Energy intensity, if an ordinary person were to live in such surroundings, they would inevitably undergo mutation—it was an almost certain outcome.

Lu Luo continued to walk, and the Dark Energy grew increasingly powerful.

The energy that he had been suppressing and had not allowed to recover was now naturally restoring itself throughout this process.

But he had now reached the deepest part of the city.

From where Lu Luo stood, he could already see some of the eerie blue seawater.

Thankfully, the seawater can block the power of Angel Envoys.

However, after his energy recovered, Lu Luo distinctly felt a marking on his body.

Right there on his own palm.

This marking must be what Aotu left on me.

Lu Luo touched his palm. Although it was invisible to the naked eye, he could still feel a faint layer of energy residue in the center of his hand.

The composition of this energy layer was very special. Though it seemed to be affixed to his body, it wasn’t inside him, nor was it on the surface of his skin.

When he tried to use the Devourer to absorb this marking, it would naturally evade his attempt, quite peculiarly.

After trying a few times, Lu Luo found no way to remove the marking, so he gave up.

Well, it looks like there’s nothing I can do about this myself.

Lu Luo picked at his fingers and suddenly felt some dampness.

"Huh?"

Water? This place, though underwater, had been dry until now. How could there be water on my palm?

[Above!]

The decline in perception made Lu Luo’s reaction much slower than before. Even his thoughts became sluggish.

It wasn’t until the Observer’s reminder that he realized there might be a problem overhead.

Lu Luo jerked his head up, seeing a strand of seaweed drooping down, hanging by his ear.

Looking up along the seaweed, the pitch-black abyss of the deep sea revealed nothing.

He grasped the seaweed and with a little effort, pulled it down.

Judging by its type, this piece of seaweed was the same as the remnants found within this city.

So... this thing still fell from the water above?

Having recently broken through to the Seventh Tier, flying was still somewhat foreign to Lu Luo, but it was not beyond his capabilities.

Slowly levitating his body, Lu Luo, with a hint of doubt, gradually approached the upside-down surface of the sea.

This inverted sea surface seemed strange to him, yet the pitch-black water still instilled a sense of extreme danger within him.

So this is the seawater that can block the power of Angel Envoys!

Unconsciously, Lu Luo had reached the seawater. He extended a finger to touch the inverted surface.

SUDDENLY, BOOM!

A massive shark struck the inverted sea surface.

Its gaping maw and terrifying teeth reminded Lu Luo of a type of deep-sea leviathan that had existed in a past life.

Megalodon!

Lu Luo was taken aback by the collision, but it seemed the creature couldn’t break through the sea’s barrier.

This place truly lived up to its ability to block even Angel Envoys; this shark likely couldn’t get in.

Because his own powers were suppressed here, Lu Luo couldn’t sense the shark’s grade.

However, that didn’t stop him from fetching a little stick from his ring, extending it into the water, and poking the creature.

"You’re fierce, aren’t you? Come on, show me again."

The shark glared ferociously but seemed helpless.

It swam around in the water, repeatedly striking the inverted sea surface.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Lu Luo occasionally poked it with the little stick. Heh, just having some fun!

Just as the shark made another attempt to collide with the sea surface, its body suddenly convulsed, coming to an abrupt halt.

Lu Luo was slightly taken aback as a look of horror appeared in the shark’s eyes.

He didn’t understand what it was afraid of.

However, as he peered at the water’s surface, he could just make out that the shark was being dragged into the depths.

It seemed to be bound by an irresistible force.

What is that?

[I don’t know! The only certainty is... it must be huge!]

Lu Luo silently observed the deep sea as the shark was gradually dragged away.

It wasn’t that it didn’t resist; it simply lacked the power to do so.

The difference in strength between them must be colossal!

Lu Luo watched the deep sea, and though his strength was now very formidable, the inexplicable fear of the deep still made his heart palpitate with lingering fear.

DRIP.

Another drop of water fell onto Lu Luo’s head.

Lu Luo’s body tensed instantly because he was in the very corner of this underwater city.

Apart from the front, both the left and above him were also seawater.

At this moment, he felt a sense of fear originating from instinct.

Lu Luo turned his head back somewhat stiffly, only to see a greenish-yellow membrane appear before him.

What is this...

As the membrane gradually opened, Lu Luo finally realized it was a gigantic eyeball!

An eyeball with a diameter of hundreds of meters!

Holy! Holy! Holy shit!

Making eye contact with the entity caused Lu Luo’s SAN value to plummet wildly. Even with his exceptionally strong mental fortitude, he couldn’t help but feel a shuddering sensation all over his body.

[No, it’s not just fear. Its energy is seeping in. You’re being suppressed by something!]

Only with the Observer’s warning did Lu Luo become aware of the abnormality within himself.

Once his awareness recovered, the Unbeliever activated naturally.

*You are an Unbeliever; you are fearless, dauntless, and without faith.*

*You are superstitious, therefore you will not fear.*

The natural activation of the Unbeliever allowed Lu Luo to regain control over his body.

When he looked again at the huge eyeball, his expression turned ugly!

A being that could interfere with and even suppress him with its mere presence was definitely not Eighth Order.

Because Lu Luo had seen the Eighth Order, and had even clashed with one.

Although the Nightmare Demon Lu Xiaotian was powerful, the current Lu Luo was far from being afraid of her.

But the monster in front of him!

The eyeball gradually receded from the sea surface, and Lu Luo got a clearer view of the creature’s body.

A massive eyeball, mouthparts on top, and... countless tentacles? The Kraken? Or Cthulhu?

The large eyeball shrank in Lu Luo’s view, its gaze holding a hint of playfulness.

This look seemed to have some other meaning, which Lu Luo didn’t quite understand.

I have no relation to this sea monster, so why is it eyeing me so intently, almost... lecherously?

Well, at least it hasn’t attacked me!

Lu Luo was well aware that this creature, unlike the shark from before, certainly had the capability to break through the constraints of the seawater.

Lu Luo guessed its power level was likely similar to Meiqi’s!

After taking several deep breaths, Lu Luo suddenly felt something tapping on his back.

He was startled and turned his head to see a relatively slender tentacle stretching towards him from the distant depths of the sea.

For now, it seemed the creature had no malice.

However, it appeared the tentacle was coiled around something.

Upon seeing Lu Luo turn, the tentacle slowly unwrapped, revealing an unidentified object before him.

Upon seeing the object, Lu Luo immediately felt a strong desire.

He wanted to consume it—now, right this moment, instantly!

However, as soon as this emotion arose, the Unbeliever activated again, allowing him to instantly restrain this urge.

It seemed even the Unbeliever sensed danger from this desire.

What is this thing?

The tentacle waved at him, as if signaling Lu Luo to take the object.

After hesitating for a moment, Lu Luo still picked it up.

Unable to use the Observer’s powers in this place, Lu Luo could not determine what exactly the object was.

What was certain was that this object had some kind of connection with him.

A very close connection!

"You’ve seen it already?"

Meiqi’s voice suddenly sounded from behind Lu Luo. He turned and nodded at her, saying,

"Uh, are you referring to that big octopus?"

"Big octopus? Hahaha, that’s a nice description!"

"Lady Meiqi, what is that thing?"

"You should have sensed it. It’s related to you."

Lu Luo pondered for a moment before nodding.

"Hmm, I do sense a connection, but it’s still baffling.

And Lady Meiqi, you said that once I came here, many things wouldn’t need explaining.

But I still don’t understand anything. Is there any difference between now and before I came?"

Meiqi twirled her serpentine tail and smiled enchantingly at Lu Luo.

"Don’t be impatient! Close your eyes, grasp it, feel it, and soon you will understand its will!"

Meiqi pointed to the object in Lu Luo’s hands and gestured to him.

Lu Luo looked at the dark, indistinguishable material in his grasp and slowly closed his eyes.

Other than endless darkness, Lu Luo could feel nothing.

Was there a mistake? Or is it something else?

As Lu Luo wondered, a light appeared in his consciousness.

The sensation was like a nascent consciousness.

The sight of this consciousness aroused an inexplicable repulsion in Lu Luo.

He wanted to open his eyes, but he found that he was unable to.

Observer?

There was no response from the Observer, who seemed deprived of all power here.

Damn it! Whenever something important happens, this guy flakes out. So unreliable!