Their consciousnesses began to expand, surpassing the limits of their physical bodies and reaching deep into the mist. In this state of shared perception, they could sense Energy Fluctuations dozens of nautical miles away at once.
The main route to Laugh Tale was indeed sealed by a powerful force. It was the aura of the Five Elders, like an invisible wall stretching between the mist and the island. But after expanding their senses, they also discovered an ancient route that had nearly been forgotten—a narrow, hidden passage that bypassed the main exit and extended from the side of the mist to the rear of Laugh Tale.
"I found it," Lin Ye and Ace said almost simultaneously. "An ancient hidden route. It may be the secret passage Roger discovered back then."
Just as they prepared to investigate the route further, a violent tremor suddenly struck. In the distance, an immense Energy Fluctuation was rapidly approaching—Akainu's fleet had broken through the decoy and was closing in on the main fleet at full speed.
Worse still, the Energy Fluctuation seemed to have alerted the Five Elders. Their pawns—dozens of ships reinforced by Void power—had also begun advancing inward from the mist's exit, creating a perfect encirclement.
"We're being attacked from both sides," Lin Ye said with difficulty, feeling the Void Energy's erosion of his body accelerate. "We have to act now, or it'll be too late."
"Port helm, forty-five degrees! Full speed ahead!" Ace shouted, determination blazing in his eyes. "We found a way out!"
Dragon did not hesitate in the slightest and immediately ordered the fleet to turn as instructed. The Dawn carved a graceful arc through the Purple Mist and headed toward the hidden route.
"Is everything ready?"
Dragon's voice came through the communications Transponder Snail, echoing across the highest lookout