The aircraft cautiously passed through the Void Creatures' patrol range and finally landed in a relatively safe area at the edge of Sky Island. The moment they touched down, they heard a bell ringing in the distance—the Golden Bell's uniquely deep, far-reaching tone.
"The Golden Bell is still ringing," Luffy said with relief. "That means someone is still resisting over there."
The two quickly headed toward the sound of the bell. The sights along the way were heartbreaking. Sky Island's once beautiful buildings had been eroded until they were riddled with holes by Void Energy. The streets were littered with withered trees drained of life and wilted flowers. From time to time, Void Creatures swooped down from the sky with piercing shrieks.
As they approached the area where the Golden Bell stood, they saw the battle underway. A group of Sky Island residents and Shandia warriors had gathered around the Golden Bell, mounting a desperate defense under Gan Fall's command.
Gan Fall was no longer as imposing as he had once been. His white beard was mottled with blood, and his armor was covered in scratches, yet his gaze remained firm and unyielding. He rode his warhorse back and forth among the warriors, using his spear to repel wave after wave of Void Creature attacks.
"No one leaves the bell's range!" Gan Fall shouted. "The Golden Bell's sound is our only protection!"
Sure enough, whenever the Golden Bell rang, the Void Creatures retreated in agony, as though the sound inflicted some special kind of harm upon them. Yet as time passed, the bell's effect seemed to weaken, and the creatures' encirclement gradually tightened.
Luffy immediately took out the Connection Bow and aimed at the swarm of Void Creatures in the sky. He drew the string, and a golden Dimensional Arrow