The sea wind howled, and waves battered the jagged reefs. Chen Ming and Wan Yao'er flew low over the water, keeping their flight lights as dim as possible for fear of being spotted by the Star Palace's pursuers. They flew south for nearly four hours, only breathing a little easier once they were certain they had left the battle zone far behind.
A small island appeared ahead. Calling it an island was generous-it looked more like an enormous reef, only a few miles across. Dense, primeval jungle covered it, and the crowns of several towering ancient trees joined together, hiding the entire island beneath a thick canopy. From a distance, it resembled a green fortress floating on the sea.
"Let's rest on that island for a while." Wan Yao'er's face was still pale, and a trace of weariness crept into her voice. "I need to regulate my breathing and tend to my injuries."
Chen Ming nodded, and they descended, their flight lights settling onto the beach at the island's edge.
The sand was fine and white, and the seawater was clear to the bottom. A few brightly colored fish occasionally swam through it. On the surface, the little island seemed peaceful and serene, a world apart from the war-torn waters they had just escaped.
Chen Ming looked around, habitually sweeping the area with his spiritual sense. The island's spiritual energy was neither particularly rich nor particularly thin. It seemed an entirely ordinary deserted island, with nothing special about it and no obvious hint of danger.
"This island looks fairly safe. Let's find somewhere secluded and recover for a while," Chen Ming said.
Wan Yao'er nodded and was about to speak when a deafening roar suddenly erupted from the dense forest at the island's center!
"Roar!"
The roar cracked like thunder,