The Star Boat cleaved through the waves, the storms of the outer sea charging like ten thousand galloping horses. Han Li stood at the bow, his Profound Water Nascent Soul turning gently within his sea of consciousness. His azure eyes pierced the surging waves as he gazed toward the island shrouded in black clouds to the northeast—Black Wind Island.
The Magnetic Essence Griffin lay quietly at the stern, his jade-green scales gleaming coldly in the damp air. His wings stirred occasionally, dispersing the surrounding astral wind.
"Senior, the storms in the outer sea are ten times more dangerous than those in the secret realm." Han Li gathered mystic water spiritual power at his fingertips, forming a translucent barrier before him. "But Black Wind Island's Star-Pattern Ore Vein is the throat connecting the Inner Sea and the outer sea. The Inverse Star Alliance will fight for it."
The griffin growled softly, red light flickering in his eyes-he had already scented the spiritual power fluctuations coming from the island. Mixed with magnetic essence power and the rank scent of demonic beasts, they bore the unmistakable signature of Ink Flood Dragon's followers.
Three days later, the Star Boat approached Black Wind Island. The island was small, but its treacherous terrain made it easy to defend and difficult to attack. Reefs bristled along the shore like a forest of swords and halberds, while the volcanic crater at its center spewed black smoke year-round, staining the sky a grayish brown.
A great spiritual power formation had already been laid around the island. Dozens of Inverse Star Alliance cultivators cruised outside it aboard black shuttles. Seeing the Star Boat approach, they immediately drew their bows and nocked arrows, whose tips shimmered with dark-green poison.
"Who goes there? Give your name at once!" one cultivator barked, his