The Key and the Big Reward!

Chapter 224 The Key and the Big Reward!

Instead of leading them to the islanders' village, Erm took them along a secluded path covered in black vines and strange moss, heading towards the island's higher inland areas.

After traveling for about half an hour, a relatively open area appeared ahead.

Several low but sturdy stone houses, naturally built from huge black rocks, came into view.

The stone house is surrounded by simple totems made of seashells, animal bones, and unknown runes, emanating a faint but ancient protective power.

This seems to be Erm's personal residence or outpost, far from the hustle and bustle of ordinary islanders.

Erm stopped in front of the largest stone house and pushed open the half-closed door made of heavy sea-sunken wood.

"Come in."

He stepped aside to make way, his tone remaining calm.

The interior of the stone house was more spacious than the exterior, and the furnishings were extremely simple, consisting of only a stone bed, a rough wooden table, and a few tree stumps serving as stools. In the corners of the room were piles of dried herbs, minerals, and scrolls.

Most striking is the complex magic circle carved on the ground in the center of the room, which is the same color as the geology of Black Reef Island. Several gems emitting a soft blue light are inlaid in the center of the magic circle, which is quite similar to the "Eye of the Tide" on the Erm Staff.

Erm gestured for the two to sit on the tree stump, then walked to the table, picked up a clay pot, poured two bowls of water, and handed them to him.

Men.

"Have some water: judging from your appearance, this journey hasn't been easy."

Kahn and Aji were indeed thirsty. After thanking him, they took the bowls of water, but did not drink immediately, keeping a cautious eye on Erm.

Erm didn't care. He sat down on another tree stump, his gaze falling on Aji's bracelet again. He got straight to the point and said, "Now, there are no outsiders."

Kahn, tell me what happened on Erbin Island, and—why it chose this child.

His gaze was calm, yet it possessed an undeniable penetrating power. Kahn knew that the real test was only just beginning.

He took a deep breath and began to describe the anomalies in the mine, Sorge's actions, the spatial collapse, and the pursuit in the darkness.

Then, guided by the mysterious silver threads and the sudden appearance of the bracelet, the story was recounted as concisely and clearly as possible.

The most crucial information—that the bracelet contains the complete "Dark Blood Core"—was concealed. It was only said that a portion of the core's power fused with Aji, forming the bracelet and the mark.

Erm listened quietly, his fingers tapping unconsciously on his knees, his gray eyebrows occasionally twitching slightly when he heard something crucial.

His eyes sharpened noticeably when he heard the word "key".

"—We don't know why we came to Black Reef Island. This bracelet seems to have some connection to the island, guiding us to the central area."

Kahn concluded with a sincere tone.

"Lord Erm, we only want to survive, find a way to control this power, and then leave. We would never dare to implicate Black Reef Island."

Erm remained silent for a moment, and only the faint humming sound of the gems in the magic circle remained in the stone house.

He slowly stood up, walked to Aji, and extended his thin but steady hand: "Young man, may I take a closer look at this bracelet? And the mark on your arm?"

Aji's heart tightened, and he subconsciously looked at Kahn. Kahn nodded slightly; they had no leverage to refuse at the moment.

Aji hesitated for a moment before extending his wrist, which was adorned with a bracelet.

Erm did not touch the bracelet, but simply held his palm above it, closed his eyes, and a gentle and profound spiritual energy rippled out like water, gently brushing over the bracelet and Aji's arm.

In an instant, Erm's body trembled slightly. He opened his eyes abruptly, his eyes filled with disbelief and shock, even more intense than Kahn's reaction!

After a while, Erm withdrew his hand, took a few deep breaths to calm his turbulent emotions, stared at Aji, and said in an unprecedentedly solemn tone: "Young man, what you have gained is far more important and dangerous than you imagine."

Your bracelet may be the key to the "Sleeping Temple," the pivot that maintains some ancient balance!

The Eternal Night Dynasty is searching for it, probably not just for power; they may want to open a door that should never have been opened!

"Then what should we do?" Kahn asked anxiously.

A resolute glint flashed in Erm's eyes: "You all stay here with me for now; it's safe here for the time being."

I need time to figure out the exact purpose of the Eternal Night Dynasty, and—how to help you gain initial control over this power, at least enough to allow you to protect yourself, instead of being like an infant carrying a precious treasure in a bustling marketplace.

He looked at Aji, his tone softening slightly: "This is not only to protect you, but also to protect Black Lagoon, and perhaps even to protect the entire Boers Islands from further turmoil. Do you trust me, child?"

Looking into Erm's deep and complex eyes, and then at the bracelet on his wrist that was so closely tied to his fate, Aji finally nodded heavily under Kahn's encouraging gaze.

"I believe you, Lord Erm."

Meanwhile, on Broken Spear Island, in the dimly lit hall of the Eternal Night Dynasty's outpost.

Mochamoga sat in a chair carved from obsidian, his fingers rhythmically tapping on the cold armrests, producing an unsettling clatter.

Below the hall, several gloomy black wizards and several vassals from the Boers Islands, their faces showing both obsequiousness and fear, stood with their heads bowed.

"Have all our people been sent out?"

Mochamo's voice echoed in the hall, carrying an undeniable authority.

A wizard dressed in a black robe adorned with shadow runes stepped forward and bowed in response: "My lord, we have already deployed all the forces we can muster!"

Not only our Silent Forest's elite, but also all the families, pirate groups, and spies of the Bourse Islands who have sworn allegiance to the Eternal Night Dynasty.

Throughout the entire archipelago, any unusual spatial fluctuations, energy reactions, or even unfamiliar faces and erratic ship movements are under our surveillance.

He paused, then added, "As per your instructions, we have increased our monitoring of the 'Eye of the Vortex'."

Furthermore, we have placed close monitoring on the movements of the White Wizards of the Eternal Tower, especially Lofi's team. They are currently lurking near the "Eye of the Vortex" under the guise of research, and our people are following them like shadows.

Mochamo nodded slightly, satisfied with the efficiency, but the gloom in his eyes did not dissipate.

"What about the 'Ship of Sighs'? Any new developments?"

Another ally in charge of intelligence quickly replied, "Sir, the Sighing Ship is still moving mysteriously, but according to scattered intelligence, their activity area seems to be shrinking towards the eastern part of the archipelago, that is, towards the 'Eye of the Whirlpool'."

Our moles stationed in the waters near Black Reef Island have reported that unidentified shadowy creatures have become more active recently, possibly related to the "Ship of Sighs."

"Excellent! Search the entire area with full force! Those two damned miners must be found!"

Mochamo's voice was like shattering ice, carrying an undeniable resolve.

"Furthermore, send orders to all the islands we control!"

Mochamo's voice was like a poisoned ice blade, cutting through the stagnant air in the hall.

"As long as these two people are found, whoever they are, whether they provide solid clues or are captured directly, I, Mokamo, swear in the name of the Silent Forest and the Eternal Night Dynasty, to recommend them to go to Aikar, to gain further power, and even—the official status and title of the Eternal Night Dynasty!"

The name "Aikar" was like a boulder thrown into stagnant water, stirring up an uncontrollable commotion and greedy gasps among the followers below!

Aikar, the core territory of the Eternal Night Dynasty, is the legendary holy land of wizards, a place coveted by these marginal wizards and ambitious individuals who struggle to survive on the Bors Islands and crave power!

Heading to Aikar means breaking free from the shackles of this cursed sea, embarking on the path of true power, and even joining the ruling class!

The allure of this bounty far surpasses any gold, silver, or worldly power! It strikes at the deepest desires of these seekers.

"Yes, sir! We will immediately convey your will to every island and every corner!"

The eyes of the followers below gleamed with fervor as they eagerly accepted the orders, as if they could already see the broad road leading to Aykar.

Mochamo watched with satisfaction as the greed below was completely ignited.

He believed that a generous reward would surely attract brave men, and that the entire Boers Islands would become a tempting prize.

With incredibly sharp nets, no movement or rustling can escape the eyes of these "hunters".

As the order was swiftly relayed, a bloody manhunt, spearheaded by the Eternal Night Dynasty and sweeping across the entire Boers Islands, targeting the two "miners," officially began.

Countless eyes, driven by greed, began to scrutinize every stranger and every suspicious trace more closely.