Overlapping dimensions, the mist's boundary

Along the fleet's safe passage, the purple mist grew thinner but more corrosive, and the purple markings on the hulls began spreading faster. The void creatures also grew restless. Some began approaching the ships, gently tapping the hulls with tentacles or fins, as though testing the strength of these unfamiliar objects.

"They've sensed the energy of the seven keys," Silvers Rayleigh explained. "They haven't shown any clear hostility yet, but we'd better stay alert."

Lin Ye and Ace maintained their energy resonance, sustaining the protective field around them. The resonance drained enormous amounts of mental and physical strength from both men.

"Hang on a little longer," Lin Ye told Ace, noticing the sweat on his forehead. "I can feel the edge of the mist just ahead."

Ace forced himself to nod, his arms trembling slightly from holding the same position for so long. He could feel an unfamiliar energy flowing through his body—a form of void energy, but different from the kind within Lin Ye. It felt more like a hybrid, possessing both the fathomless depths of the void and the vitality of fire.

The Dawn continued through the purple mist, the keys' energy forming an invisible shield around its hull that temporarily kept the void creatures' harassment at bay. As they traveled deeper into the safe passage, the creatures gradually thinned out, but the energy fluctuations grew stronger, as though they were approaching some source of energy.

"Watch out! Abnormal energy fluctuations ahead!" the lookout suddenly shouted.

Everyone turned to look ahead. A bright beam of light had suddenly appeared in the purple mist, guiding their way like a lighthouse in the night.

"Is that... Laugh Tale's energy barrier?" Dragon asked with a frown.

Silvers Rayleigh shook his head. "No, that's the edge of the mist. We're about to