Meeting an Old Friend

Chapter 223 Meeting an Old Friend

Since formally agreeing to the conditions proposed by Erm on behalf of the Eternal Night Dynasty, and tacitly allowing them to harvest black algae to a limited extent.

Black Reef Island remained as quiet as ever, with the islanders following ancient traditions, fishing and gathering as usual, as if the conflicts of the outside world had nothing to do with this cursed island.

Everything is the same as before; we live our lives as usual.

But at this moment, this unusual spatial fluctuation shattered the surface calm!

He stepped out of the quiet room, his figure blurring as if blending into the shadows of the rocks.

In the next instant, they appeared outside the cave and moved silently and swiftly toward the southeast coast from which the spatial fluctuations originated, at a pace far beyond that of ordinary people and in harmony with the rhythm of the island itself.

Are you sure?!

Upon hearing Aji's words, Kahn's voice changed. He grabbed Aji's wrist and stared intently at the antique, deep blue bracelet. His eyes widened and his breathing became rapid.

Just now, Aji only vaguely sensed the aura of the "Dark Blood Core" inside the bracelet, but now, he seems to have confirmed an even more astonishing fact!

Aji's face was still pale, but his eyes were filled with determination and a hint of unbelievable excitement.

He nodded vigorously, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the intricate patterns on the bracelet: "I'm sure, Uncle Kahn! Not just the aura—it's everything!"

The entire Dark Blood Core on Erbin Island should be sealed inside this bracelet!

I can "see"—no, I can feel—it's inside, like a sleeping, boundless, dark ocean!

He struggled to organize his thoughts, trying to describe that illogical perception: "These are not just stones, but more like—a special force!"

After listening to Agina's shocking description, Kahn also spoke the more realistic and even cruel truth he knew, his voice carrying a heavy weight of experience:

The "Dark Blood Core," according to ancient legends passed down among us old miners, does indeed contain immense power. However, its original known purpose was not some sacred authority, but rather—an extremely dangerous explosive!

"explosive?!"

Aji was stunned; this was completely different from the vastness and peace he had felt in the "sleeping ocean."

"That's right!"

Kahn nodded emphatically, his eyes sharp.

According to those fragmented legends, in very ancient times, the sea was not peaceful, and terrifying sea monsters roamed freely.

The early inhabitants were unable to resist until they discovered the "Bora Stone," hidden deep within a very few special mineral veins, which was the precursor to the "Dark Blood Core."

They discovered that activating the internal power of this stone in a special way would trigger a massive explosion, powerful enough to tear apart a mighty sea monster!

He pointed to Aji's bracelet: "You feel like it's an ocean, and that might be true, because the power it contains is indeed as vast as the sea."

But precisely because of this, once it is inappropriately provoked and its internal balance is disrupted, this ocean will instantly turn into a devastating torrent, destroying everything!

The reason why those people in the Eternal Night Dynasty are so eager to obtain it is probably because they are attracted by its terrifying power, which is enough to change the course of the war!

"

This truth sent a chill down Aji's spine.

What he wore on his wrist was not just a mysterious heirloom, but also an ultimate weapon capable of leveling the entire island and even a larger area!

And he, this so-called "key," is very likely the only person who can safely "detonate" or "control" it!

"So—it's both power and curse?"

Aji's voice was somewhat hoarse.

"You could say that."

Kahn nodded solemnly.

"It can bring power, or it can bring destruction."

The key lies in how it is used and by whom.

Now, it has chosen you, Aji. This means responsibility, an immense responsibility!

You must not only learn to control it for self-preservation, but also understand that if this power gets out of control, or falls into the hands of ambitious individuals like the Eternal Night Dynasty, the consequences will be unimaginable!

He looked again at the map of light projected by the bracelet, his tone even more resolute: "We must go there!"

That place may not only be a way out, but also the only hope for understanding, or even safely controlling, this power!

Never let anyone know that you hold the core technology until you fully understand it!

Aji took a deep breath, feeling the dormant, gentle yet violent power within the bracelet, and the resonant mark on his arm.

He realized that his fate had been completely changed.

He was no longer just a miner trying to survive; he became a walking "key" and "bomb" capable of influencing the balance of the world.

He clenched his fists, and the blankness in his eyes was gradually replaced by a heavy determination.

"I understand, Uncle Kahn. Let's go!"

Just as the two were about to leave, an aged yet undeniably authoritative voice, as if seeping from a crack in the rocks, rang out: "You are—Kahn?"

Upon hearing this, Kahn abruptly stopped in his tracks, his body instantly stiffening!

He slowly turned around in disbelief, looking in the direction from which the sound came.

A man dressed in a simple linen robe and holding a wooden staff wrapped with seaweed and coral had appeared, standing quietly on a dark reef not far away. His long gray hair fluttered slightly in the sea breeze, and his deep gaze was fixed on them.

"You—you are—Lord Erm!?"

Kahn's voice trembled with disbelief and a hint of subconscious awe.

He recognized the iconic "Eye of the Tide" cane and the old man's unique aura that blended seamlessly with Black Reef Island.

Looking at the old miner in front of him, who was thin, weathered, and whose eyes were full of hardship and weariness, Erm sighed with emotion.

The Kahn he remembered was the same outgoing, robust young man he had met decades ago on Erbin Island, who had warmly hosted him and Oman.

Time flies, and the millstone of fate has worn down our old friends into this state.

"It's me, Kahn."

Erm's voice softened slightly as he lightly leaped off the rocks, landing silently.

"I never expected to see you here, in this way."

His gaze then shifted to Aji, who was standing nervously behind Kahn, instinctively protecting his right wrist bracelet with his left hand.

He lingered for a moment, particularly on the antique deep blue bracelet and the faint marks on the boy's arm, a look of understanding and a deeper inquiry flashing in his eyes.

"It seems that the unusual spatial fluctuations just now were caused by you."

Erm's tone was declarative, not questioning.

"Moreover, it seems you have brought something extraordinary."

His gaze once again locked onto Aji's bracelet, a gaze that seemed to penetrate the material and look directly into the vastness and antiquity contained within.

Kahn was shocked, knowing that in front of someone like Erm, ordinary concealment was meaningless.

He took a deep breath, stepped forward, and subtly shielded Aji, placing him further back. His posture was very humble: "Lord Erm, we—we were also forced into this situation and had no intention of disturbing the peace of Black Reef Island. This child is named Aji, and we escaped by chance from the catastrophe on Erbin Island."

"The Catastrophe on Harbin Island —"

Erm repeated the sentence, his eyes flickering slightly.

"It seems the commotion over there is indeed quite significant."

Oman of the Eternal Night Dynasty sent someone to make a greeting a few days ago.

So, the thing that could make the Eternal Night Dynasty mobilize so much, even triggering a spatial leap, is now in this young man's hands.

"

His gaze was so intense, it pressed down on Aji, making it almost impossible for him to breathe.

Aji could feel the bracelet on his wrist getting slightly warm under that gaze, and the mark on his arm throbbed clearly, as if responding to the island guardian's scrutiny.

Kahn knew there was no way to avoid it, and nodded bitterly: "Yes, Lord Erm. But we are not thieves; it was 'It' that chose Agi. We only want to find a way to survive now, and have absolutely no intention of bringing disaster to Black Reef Island."

He adopted the most conciliatory stance, knowing full well that on Black Reef Island, Erm's attitude would determine their life or death.

Erm remained silent for a moment, his aged face revealing neither joy nor anger.

He looked at Aji again, especially at the innocence in his eyes that had not been worn away by worldliness, the heavy determination he had at this moment, and the harmonious resonance that was subtly formed with the bracelet and the mark.

"The chosen 'key'—?"

Erm muttered to himself, as if confirming an ancient conjecture.

After a moment, he raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the two extremely nervous people, and finally said, "This is not the place to talk. Come with me."

He did not state whether they were friend or foe, but the invitation itself seemed to temporarily mean that they had gained a respite.

Kahn and Aji exchanged a glance, both seeing a complex mix of emotions in each other's eyes—warning, hope, and trepidation about the unknown.