Impressionistic Villain: Achieving Wizarding Supremacy Through Experimentation

Chapter 229 The Crisis on Black Reef Island

In an instant, Erm's body stiffened, as if frozen by invisible ice.

His hand, gripping the "Eye of the Tide" staff, had knuckles that had completely lost their color from excessive force.

His weathered face first flashed with disbelief and astonishment, then was replaced by an extremely complex expression that mixed anger, absurdity, bitterness, and intense struggle.

Collaborators —

Yes, in Mochamo, in the eyes of the Eternal Night Dynasty, Talm, the guardian of Black Reef Island, was nothing more than another "island lord" on their territory who was forced to bow down and could be driven around at will.

He grants limited "autonomy" when black algae are needed, but becomes a "collaborator" who must obey orders when it is necessary to hunt down wanted criminals!

How ironic!

Just moments before, he had made up his mind to risk his own life and the fate of Black Reef Island to protect these two "jinxes" for the sake of that ancient secret that transcended the boundaries of the island, for the sake of the remaining sense of morality in his heart and for the sliver of affection for his old friend.

In the blink of an eye, the cold orders from the Eternal Night Dynasty pushed him to a truly desperate situation!

Obey orders and hand over Kahn and Aji?

All his previous struggles and decisions became a joke; he not only betrayed Kahn's trust, but may have also ruined his own life.

This is the only clue related to the "Sleeping Temple," and could even lead to more terrible consequences.

Moreover, given Mochamo's style of doing things, even if he hands over the people, can Black Reef Island really be safe?

Knowing so many secrets about the island, would the Eternal Night Dynasty feel comfortable letting it continue to "govern autonomously"?

To disobey orders? That would be tantamount to openly opposing the Eternal Night Dynasty!

Mochamo's army is on its way, and there are other spies planted on the island by the Eternal Night Dynasty.

If it is discovered that he is harboring a wanted criminal, Black Reef Island will immediately face annihilation!

Those islanders who trusted him and followed him will—

Cold sweat silently trickled down Erm's forehead.

He stood there, as if he had turned into a stone statue, with only the slightly trembling hem of his robe revealing the turbulent waves surging through his heart.

Kahn and Aji also noticed Erm's unusual behavior.

Seeing Erm's sudden change in expression and the black stone rune emanating an ominous aura, the old miner's intuition instantly told him what was going on. His heart sank, and he subconsciously moved his feet, more vigilantly protecting Aji behind him.

Aji looked at Erm blankly and nervously, feeling a suffocating pressure in the air.

The atmosphere inside the cave plummeted to freezing point at that moment.

The few seconds of silence felt as long as centuries.

Finally, Erm took a deep breath, as if using all his strength.

He slowly raised his hand, not towards Kahn and Aji, but towards the black stone rune. He did not immediately respond to the command, but spoke to the rune in an extremely dry, sandpaper-like voice: "Lord Mokamo—command received."

However, currently—an unidentified force has been detected spying on the island's outskirts, with chaotic energy reactions, suggesting possible activity by the "Ship of Sighs."

To ensure everything goes smoothly, subordinates must first stabilize the situation on the island, clarify any interference, and then conduct a detailed search.

"Report back immediately upon receiving definite news."

He chose to procrastinate!

This is an extremely dangerous tightrope walking activity!

He neither immediately carried out the order nor directly disobeyed it, but instead gave a seemingly reasonable but actually flimsy excuse.

He was gambling, gambling that Mochamo cared more about the absolute safety of the target, gambling that the Eternal Night Dynasty was wary of the "Ship of Sighs," and gambling that he could buy a little bit of precious time!

After sending the message, he seemed to collapse as if exhausted, then suddenly turned his head to look at Kahn and Aji.

The air inside the cave seemed to have solidified, so heavy that it was hard to breathe.

Erm's reply to Mokamo was like dancing on a knife's edge; every second could lead to annihilation.

Kahn looked at Erm, his throat dry. He hadn't expected Erm to make such a risky choice.

"There's no time left!"

Erm abruptly waved his hand to interrupt him, the wrinkles on his face appearing even more pronounced with his resolute expression.

"Mochamo isn't a fool; my excuses won't last long! We must act immediately!"

He strode to the edge of the calm pool deep inside the cave, slammed his "Eye of the Tides" staff heavily on the edge of the pool, and began chanting a rapid, ancient incantation.

The gem at the top of the cane shone with an unprecedented azure light, reflecting off the pool water.

The entire cave began to tremble slightly, and the ancient patterns on the cave walls lit up one by one, as if a sleeping giant beast was awakening.

"I'm mobilizing the island's remaining ancient power to create a larger illusion," hoping to disrupt their precise location and at least disorient ordinary searchers.

Erm spoke rapidly, sweat beading on his forehead, clearly indicating the immense strain this had placed on him. "But this won't hold off Mochamo and his elite troops for long!"

He turned to Kahn and Aji, his gaze piercing: "Listen, we now have three choices, each one a near-certain death!"

"First, we'll remain hidden here, gambling that my illusions can hold out until they lose patience, or something else happens—but that's almost impossible. Mochamo himself has come; he won't rest until Black Reef Island is turned upside down!"

"Secondly, while the encirclement is not yet fully closed, we should force a breakout by sea. Once outside lies the boundless ocean, and the Eternal Night Dynasty's ships are gathering, we will be like beacons in the darkness, with nowhere to hide!"

"third----"

Erm's gaze fell upon the deep rift in the cave that led to the innermost part of the island, an area he himself had never fully explored, and which was said to be connected to the core secrets of the "Vortex of Sinking Bones".

"We're heading deeper into the island, into the zone influenced by the power of the 'Vortex of Sinking Bones'!"

The energy there is chaotic and violent, and the spatial structure is unstable. It might be able to block exploration and even find a glimmer of hope!

But it's also extremely dangerous there, with ancient resentment, chaotic spatial rifts, and unknown terrifying entities—I can't...

I guarantee I'll get out alive!

These three options are almost all dead ends.

Kahn was pale, and he gripped Aji's arm tightly.

Aji subconsciously touched the bracelet on his wrist, and the cold touch gave him a strange sense of security.

"Head inland!"

Aji suddenly spoke, his voice still carrying the immaturity of a young boy, yet it possessed an undeniable firmness.

"Staying here is waiting to die, going out to sea is suicide. Only there—I feel—it's as if it's calling me in."

Erm gave Aji a deep look, then looked at Kahn.

Kahn gritted his teeth: "Listen to Aji! Let's take the gamble!"

"good!"

Without further hesitation, Erm removed the camouflage and protection of the cave entrance, instead focusing all his efforts on stabilizing and concealing the passageway inside the island.

"Follow me! Remember, stay close to my feet. No matter what you hear or see, don't get distracted! One wrong step on this path could lead to utter ruin!"

Meanwhile, off the coast of Black Reef Island.

Mochamo's enormous ship, which resembled a moving castle, had arrived and joined the "Grey Sturgeon".

More patrol ships of the Eternal Night Dynasty, like sharks smelling blood, surrounded the area from all directions and began to blockade the sea.

Mochamo stood at the bow of the ship, shadows swirling around him. He listened to his subordinates' reports about the suddenly chaotic energy field surrounding Black Reef Island, as well as Erm's vague reply, a cold smile curving his lips.

"Unknown forces? The 'Ship of Sighs'? Hmph, lame excuses."

He whispered.

"It seems that this mere third-level apprentice, Erm, has harbored ulterior motives—or perhaps, he wants to monopolize the Darkblood Core?"

He didn't wait any longer and immediately gave the order: "Bloodblade" squad, follow me to the island!

The rest of you, seal off all coastlines! Air units take off and monitor the entire island! Not a single seabird is allowed to fly out!

As for you—

He glanced at Kyle Arnold, who stood respectfully not far away, his excitement barely concealed.

"Take your men and follow us. Since you found it, you'll see firsthand how the Eternal Night Dynasty deals with its prey."

Kyle's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly bowed, "Yes, Lord Mochamo!"

He was overjoyed, knowing that his family had made the right bet, but Mochamo's cold gaze also made him realize that their achievements were not enough to make them arrogant in front of truly important figures.

The next moment, Mochamo's figure blurred, transforming into a dense shadow, and sped towards Black Reef Island like a ghost.

Behind him, several figures exuding a sharp killing intent followed closely behind; these were his most elite "Blood Blade" squad.

Kyle dared not delay and quickly led the best men in his family to follow.