85: Clues to the Dan Palace

The next morning, three large ships were docked at Wanghai Town's port. The Cultivators allied with the Dan Wang Valley Master boarded the ships one after another. Liu Shan and Mo Chu followed the Dan Wang Valley Master's group onto the flagship at the very front.

The sea wind howled, the sails billowed, and the three large ships cut through the waves, heading towards Mist Island deep within the Endless Sea.

The closer they got to Mist Island, the thicker the fog on the sea became. Visibility was less than ten zhang, and even their Divine Sense was suppressed to within five zhang of their bodies. The roars of sea Yao Beasts occasionally echoed around the ships, but they were blocked by the defensive Formation on board.

"This fog is problematic; it can corrode spiritual power," the Dan Wang Valley Master said, taking out Clear Fog Medicinal Pills and distributing them to everyone. "Take the Medicinal Pill, and you'll be fine for a while."

Liu Shan took the Medicinal Pill and felt a cool sensation spread throughout his body, dispelling the chill in the fog. He looked at Mo Chu, whose snake pupils shimmered with golden light, seemingly unaffected by the thick fog. Instead, he appeared exceptionally excited, his golden horn constantly pointing into the depths of the mist, conveying the thought, "It's getting closer."

Around noon, the ship suddenly jolted, as if it had touched a shallow bank.

"We're here!" Dan Chen shouted excitedly, being the first to jump off the ship.

Everyone disembarked, their feet sinking into the soft sand. All around them was a vast expanse of thick fog, through which they could vaguely make out the silhouettes of trees on the island. The air was filled with the damp scent of vegetation, and a faint aroma of Medicinal Pills.

"Everyone, be careful. Form up and don't scatter," the Dan Wang Valley Master instructed, summoning his Pill Furnace to hover above his head. The Pill Fire flickered, illuminating the surrounding mist.

Liu Shan gripped his Thunderclap Saber and walked side by side with Mo Chu. The Po Wang Swordplay made his senses a few times sharper than ordinary people, allowing him to vaguely "see" the hidden outlines in the mist—these were some strangely shaped plants, some with teeth, some that could spray venom, clearly not benevolent.

"These are Bewitching Grasses; touching them will cause hallucinations," the Hall Master of Hundred Herbs Hall reminded them, taking out a packet of Medicinal Powder and scattering it around. Where the Medicinal Powder passed, the plants retreated, revealing a path.

Following the path, they ventured deeper into the island. The mist gradually thinned, and a dense forest appeared before them. The trees towered into the clouds, their trunks covered in moss, exuding an ancient aura.

"According to ancient records, the key is hidden in the altar at the center of the forest," the Dan Wang Valley Master said. "The altar was built by Dragon Clan Cultivators, and only a Golden Dragon Bloodline can open it."

Mo Chu's golden horn suddenly lit up, his snake pupils locked onto the depths of the forest, conveying the thought, "The key is right there, and also... the aura of a fellow kind."

"The aura of a fellow kind?" Liu Shan's heart stirred. Could there be other Dragon Clan descendants on Mist Island?

Everyone quickened their pace, passing through the forest, and their vision suddenly cleared—at the center of the forest was indeed an altar, constructed from black boulders, about ten zhang high. The top was carved with a huge Dragon-shaped groove, perfectly fitting Mo Chu's body.

Around the altar were scattered some skeletons, which by their shape were not human, but some kind of scaly Yao Beast, clearly sea Yao Beasts who had come for treasure but died under the altar's defenses.

"This is it!" the Dan Wang Valley Master exclaimed excitedly. "Mo Chu, try to activate the altar!"

Mo Chu swam onto the altar, coiling in the Dragon-shaped groove, his golden horn aimed at the top of the altar, letting out a low hiss.

"Buzz—!"

The altar suddenly vibrated, and golden runes lit up on the black boulders, resonating with Mo Chu's scales! The runes flowed along his scales, finally converging on his golden horn, forming a golden pillar of light that shot straight into the sky!

The thick fog was dispersed by the pillar of light, revealing the full extent of the island—the shape of Mist Island was exactly like a coiled giant Dragon!

In the groove at the top of the altar, a golden box slowly rose. The box was engraved with Dragon patterns; it was precisely the key to the Dan Palace!

Just as Mo Chu was about to take the key, the ground around the altar suddenly cracked, and several giant sea snakes emerged from underground. The leading sea snake was three zhang long, with greenish scales and a single horn on its head. It was also a Nascent Soul Stage sea Yao Beast!

"It's the Qingjiao Sea Serpent guarding the altar!" the Qizong Elder's expression changed drastically. "I didn't expect there to be any stragglers!"

The Qingjiao Sea Serpent let out a hiss, clearly regarding Mo Chu as an intruder. Its huge tail swept across, lashing at Mo Chu on the altar!

"Mo Chu!" Liu Shan roared, his Thunderclap Saber unsheathed, its blade light striking directly at the sea snake's vital point!

The battle erupted once again!