Chapter 19: The Kingdom Beneath the Sea Part 1 The Ocean That Remembered the Ancient World The world beneath the sky was vast, but Adrian Voss had already learned that the surface of Earth was only a thin layer covering countless forgotten secrets. After leaving the Himalayan mountains, he did not immediately return to Hinthada. The materials he had obtained were valuable, but they were only a small part of what he needed for his future creations. The Twelve Originless Guardians were not ordinary puppets. They were not weapons that could be mass-produced through simple craftsmanship. Each one would become an independent existence, a being capable of walking its own path under the principles of the Originless Path. For that reason, ordinary materials were meaningless. Adrian needed materials that carried history. Materials that had absorbed the essence of nature. Materials that had survived countless years under the pressure of the world itself. Standing inside the control chamber of the Originless Heaven Ark, Adrian looked silently at the endless blue planet displayed before him. The Ark moved without creating any disturbance. Its Concealment Formation hid its presence from ordinary eyes, while the Sky Traversing ability allowed it to cross thousands of kilometers without relying on the limitations of the physical world. Unlike the cultivators of his previous life who traveled through the heavens with overwhelming arrogance, Adrian moved quietly. He had already learned something important after returning to this life. Power did not mean he needed to announce his arrival. True strength was not the ability to force the world to acknowledge him. It was the ability to move freely without needing anyone's approval. "The ocean..." Adrian's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at the massive blue region beneath him. In his previous life, he had crossed countless worlds and explored civilizations older than stars. He had seen races that considered humans primitive and creatures that viewed planets as nothing more than temporary homes. But Earth was different. This world seemed ordinary on the surface, yet fragments of ancient power remained hidden everywhere. It was like a forgotten treasure chest sealed by time. The Himalayas were one example. The ocean was another. "The energy beneath this region is unusual." Adrian raised his hand, and the Ark responded immediately. The Celestial Energy Absorption Formation expanded outward, not absorbing the energy aggressively, but carefully sensing the environment. Countless invisible waves spread through the ocean. The Ark did not simply search for power. It searched for traces of existence. Ancient minerals. Rare spiritual plants. Hidden energy veins. Anything that could become the foundation of something greater. After several moments, a faint signal appeared. Deep beneath the ocean. Not a simple spiritual energy source. Something alive. Adrian's expression remained calm, but curiosity appeared in his eyes. "Interesting." The Ark slowly descended. The surface of the ocean separated as the vessel entered the water, but no waves were created. The Concealment Formation wrapped around the Ark, preventing the surrounding environment from sensing its existence. As the ship descended deeper, sunlight gradually disappeared. The bright surface world was replaced by endless darkness. Yet Adrian did not need light. His spiritual sense extended outward, observing everything around him. Strange creatures moved through the deep ocean. Massive beasts hidden from humanity. Ancient ruins covered in coral. Structures that clearly did not belong to modern civilization. Earth had many secrets. Humanity simply lacked the ability to see them. After traveling deeper, Adrian finally saw something that made him stop. A massive barrier existed beneath the ocean floor. It was not a natural formation. It was created. Ancient symbols covered the barrier, forming a powerful defensive formation that had survived for countless years. Adrian studied the formation carefully. "A defensive formation combined with concealment..." A small smile appeared on his face. "The creator was skilled." For ordinary cultivators, this formation would have been impossible to detect. But Adrian was different. His Originless Core allowed him to observe things beyond normal understanding. He did not force his way through the barrier. Instead, he released a small amount of his aura. Not the pressure of an Immortal Emperor. Not the overwhelming presence that could make weaker beings kneel. Only a simple message. I come without hostility. The ocean remained silent. For several seconds, nothing happened. Then— The ancient barrier began to move. A passage slowly opened. From within the hidden domain, figures emerged. They were not humans. Their bodies carried characteristics of both beasts and divine beings. Their lower bodies were covered with powerful scales, while their upper bodies resembled humanoid forms. Some carried weapons made from unknown materials, and their eyes watched Adrian with caution. Naga. A race that existed between mortal creatures and divine beings. A civilization hidden from humanity for countless generations. Hundreds of Naga warriors surrounded the Ark. Their weapons were raised. Their expressions were serious. Adrian stepped out from the Ark and stood calmly beneath the endless ocean. The pressure of the ocean was meaningless before him. The darkness around him was illuminated by the faint glow of his spiritual energy. One of the Naga warriors stepped forward. "You are not of our kind." His voice carried suspicion. "Human... why have you entered the territory of the Naga?" Adrian looked at him quietly. He could feel the fear hidden behind their hostility. Not fear of him specifically. Fear caused by countless years of conflict. They were a race that had hidden themselves from the world. A race that had learned not to trust outsiders. "I came seeking rare materials." The Naga warriors immediately became more alert. But Adrian continued. "I have no intention of taking anything by force." His calm voice echoed through the ocean. "I seek resources for my own path. If you possess materials I need, I will trade fairly." The warriors looked at each other. They seemed surprised. They had expected an invader. A conqueror. Someone who would use strength to take what he wanted. But Adrian stood before them without arrogance. Without threatening them. The strongest being among them could not understand him. Why would someone with such overwhelming power still choose negotiation? Before they could respond, a deeper voice came from behind them. "Enough." The Naga warriors immediately moved aside. An older Naga appeared. His presence was far stronger than the others. Not because of overwhelming power, but because of the countless years he had lived. An Elder. His eyes carefully examined Adrian. "Human..." The Elder spoke slowly. "You entered the hidden kingdom of the Naga, yet you carry no killing intent." He paused. "Who are you?" Adrian looked at the ancient being before him. For a moment, countless memories passed through his mind. In his previous life, countless races had approached him with fear, worship, or greed. But this time was different. This was a new world. A new life. A new path. "My name is Adrian Voss." He answered. "I am a cultivator walking my own path." The Elder remained silent. But deep within his eyes, something changed. Because for the first time in many generations... A human had entered the Naga Kingdom. Not as an enemy. But as a guest.