Chapter 19: The Kingdom Beneath the Sea Part 2 The Gift Beneath the Ancient Ocean The Naga Kingdom was quieter than Adrian had expected. After spending countless years in his previous life traveling across countless worlds, Adrian had encountered many civilizations. Some were built upon conquest, others upon knowledge, and some upon endless competition for resources. Powerful races often believed strength was the only foundation needed to survive. But the Naga were different. Their kingdom was not built to display their power. It was built to preserve their existence. As Adrian walked through the ancient underwater city, he could feel the traces of countless generations that had lived here. Every formation, every structure, and every spiritual plant carried the marks of time. Nothing here was created overnight. This civilization had endured through patience. That alone earned his respect. The Naga King led Adrian into the deepest chamber of the palace. Unlike the grand halls of powerful cultivators from his previous life, this place was simple. There were no endless treasures decorating the walls, no symbols showing dominance over others. Only ancient records. Thousands of crystal tablets floated silently around the chamber, each one containing the history of the Naga clan. "These are the memories of our people." The Naga King placed his hand on one of the crystals. "For generations, we have preserved everything. Our victories. Our losses. Our mistakes." Adrian looked at the crystal tablets. A faint spiritual light flowed from them, revealing scenes from the past. He saw an ancient ocean. A world where spiritual energy was much richer than the current Earth. He saw countless races living across the planet. Humans. Beasts. Divine creatures. Ancient clans. Among them were the Naga and the Garuda. "The Naga and Garuda were not always enemies." The Naga King's voice became lower. "Long ago, both races were guardians of the natural world. The ocean and the sky existed together." Adrian listened silently. "Then the world began to change." The crystal image shifted. Spiritual energy began disappearing. The environment changed. Many ancient races began losing their power. "Survival became harder. Resources became fewer. And when resources became limited..." The Naga King paused. "Some chose cooperation. Others chose conflict." Adrian already understood. When a world became weaker, old friendships often became meaningless. "The Garuda began hunting our people." One of the Naga elders nearby clenched his fist. "At first, it was only for survival. They consumed the energy within our bodies to strengthen themselves." His expression darkened. "But generations passed. What began as necessity became tradition." The chamber became silent. Adrian looked at the ancient records. He had seen similar things countless times in his previous life. Powerful races falling into endless cycles of hatred. One generation suffering because of the actions of another. The weak inheriting the pain created by the strong. He did not immediately judge. Because Adrian knew something well. History was rarely simple. Every conflict had more than one side. However... That did not mean all actions could be forgiven. "The materials you seek." The Naga King changed the topic. "You mentioned creating new existences." Adrian nodded. "I require rare materials with strong natural foundations." The Naga King looked toward the elders. "Bring them." The elders immediately left. Adrian raised an eyebrow. "You do not want compensation?" The Naga King smiled slightly. "You entered our kingdom peacefully." "You showed respect despite possessing enough power to force us." "You seek materials not for greed, but to create something beyond yourself." He looked directly at Adrian. "Such a person does not need to purchase what we willingly give." A moment of silence followed. Adrian was not used to this. In his previous life, countless people had approached him because they wanted something. Power. Protection. Treasures. Opportunities. Almost everything had a price. But here, this ancient race offered him something without asking for anything in return. It was a simple gesture. Yet somehow, it felt more valuable than many treasures he had obtained before. The elders soon returned. Behind them floated several ancient containers. When the first container opened, a powerful natural aura spread throughout the chamber. Inside was a piece of deep-blue crystal covered with natural patterns. "This is Ocean Heart Crystal." The elder explained. "It formed in the deepest region of the ocean where spiritual energy gathered for thousands of years." Adrian carefully observed it. The material was extraordinary. It contained stable water-element energy and had the ability to adapt with spiritual structures. A suitable foundation material. The second container opened. Inside was a strange piece of wood. Unlike ordinary wood, it seemed alive. "This is Abyssal Spirit Root." "It grows only once every several thousand years." Adrian's eyes narrowed slightly. A material capable of supporting life energy. Useful. The third container contained a metallic substance. It was not refined metal. It was a natural ore formed under extreme pressure beneath the ocean. "Deep Sea Origin Ore." The elder said. "It is extremely heavy and can withstand immense force." Adrian touched the material. A small smile appeared. These materials were exactly the kind he needed. Not because they were powerful. But because they possessed unique characteristics. Each future Guardian required a foundation matching its own path. The Originless Path was not about forcing everything into the same shape. It was about creating independent existences. "These materials are valuable." Adrian said. "I cannot accept them without giving something in return." The Naga King shook his head. "You still think like a human merchant." A faint smile appeared on his face. "Not everything in this world must become an exchange." Those words caused Adrian to become quiet. For a moment, he remembered something from his previous life. When he stood at the peak of cultivation, he had everything. Power. Knowledge. Treasures. Yet the higher he climbed, the fewer genuine connections remained. Everyone wanted something from the Immortal Emperor. Almost no one simply wanted to know him. But now... In this new life, he was experiencing things he never expected. Small moments. Simple kindness. Connections without hidden motives. Perhaps that was another reason fate had given him a second chance. Not to reclaim his old throne. But to walk a new path. "Thank you." Adrian finally said. The Naga elders were surprised. A being with such overwhelming power had sincerely thanked them. The Naga King smiled. "You truly are a strange human." Adrian looked at the materials floating before him. "Perhaps." He turned toward the ancient ocean outside. "But strange paths often lead to places no one has reached." The Naga King laughed softly. "Then perhaps your path will reach somewhere even the heavens cannot see." Neither of them noticed the faint shadow moving above the ocean. A pair of golden eyes watched from the clouds. Ancient wings remained hidden within the storm. A Garuda scout had witnessed everything. The arrival of Adrian Voss. The human who entered the Naga Kingdom. The human who received the treasures of their ancient enemies. The news would soon reach the sky. And when it did... The ancient hatred between the ocean and the sky would awaken once again.