Chapter 107: Flame Island

Chapter 107: Flame Island



"Master, be careful!"

The knight shouted and charged forward with his sword.

Before he could get close, his pupils suddenly widened, and an extreme sense of dread emerged from the depths of his being.

The figure before him, covered in tentacles, seemed like a demon from hell, emitting an all-consuming abyssal aura.

Darkness!

Death!

Despair!

...

Fear!

This fear instantly shattered his sanity, causing him to scream uncontrollably while wildly swinging the broadsword in his hand.

But having lost his senses, his sword skills were in disarray.

Karl's figure flickered, and with a swift extension of his large hand, he batted away the broadsword and crushed the knight's throat with his five fingers.

"Swish!"

The illusory tentacles behind him simultaneously stabbed forward, like sharp needles, piercing the knight's body.

Suck! The tentacles transformed into straws, devouring the knight's life force, and Karl even felt a sense of satisfaction.

In the blink of an eye...

The muscular knight was sucked dry, reduced to a withered corpse by the tentacles.

"Bang!"

The tentacles flicked the corpse into the swamp and continued to pounce towards Anslo.

"Monster!"

Anslo retreated repeatedly, and with a swift wave of his staff, a dozen water snakes emerged from the swamp.

The water snakes coiled around Karl's body, moving like dancing vines with incredible speed.

"Hmm!"

Karl grunted, and the tentacles on his body suddenly expanded outward.

"Bang!"

"Bang! Bang!"

The attacking water snakes shattered into pieces in an instant, and Karl seized the opportunity to rush towards Anslo.

Fear Aura!

A faint glow enveloped Anslo, and a fleeting look of daze flashed in his eyes, followed by a sudden intensity in his gaze.

He had managed to withstand the mental shock.

'It seems that everyone's resistance to the fear aura is different. Some people have their sanity easily shattered, while others possess resistance.'

Karl understood, but he wasn't surprised.

He and Lula had withstood the fear aura of the giant squid from the abyss, and they were all grand knights with resilient minds and bodies that had resistance.

But that didn't mean others couldn't do the same.

Anslo, with his patient nature, allowed him to maintain a degree of sanity under the fear aura's influence.

Minor Force Field!

Wave Guardian!

...

Familiar magic, familiar spells, but this time, it was being used against him!

Anslo was also a natural-school water wizard.

He had become acquainted with Tim because they practiced similar magic and could exchange experiences.

"Hmm!"

Karl grunted softly, maintaining his momentum and increasing his speed as he charged towards his opponent.

The burst of power from a grand knight allowed him to retain his lightning-fast speed even under the spell's weakening effect.

"Bang!"

The water ball of the Wave Guardian was shattered by Karl's collision.

Dozens of illusory tentacles, with their sharp claws, pounced and wrapped around Anslo entirely.

Hmm? Something's wrong.

Karl's eyebrows rose, and he crossed his arms in front of him. The tentacles instantly transformed into a shield.

"Boom!"

Anslo's body exploded, turning into a torrent of water that pushed Karl back wildly.

Zero-Ring Spell—Water Clone!

Water Burst!

"Who are you?"

The water gathered in the distance, once again forming Anslo's figure. He stared at Karl with icy eyes:

"Why are you here to kill me?"

"You're already a high-level apprentice wizard!"

Karl's entire body was shrouded in darkness, and his voice echoed like it came from hell, reverberating in the arena:

"How is it possible that you're already a high-level apprentice wizard?"

"Not bad." Anslo held his staff and spoke coldly:

"I've been a high-level apprentice wizard for over a year. You... are you a bloodline wizard?"

"What bloodline have you refined?"

Among the people he knew, several had studied bloodline magic, but he had never seen anyone like Karl.

Terrifying!

Bizarre!

Even a few glances were enough to fill one's heart with horror.

If it weren't for his strong mental power and resistance, he might have been killed on the spot like the guards beside him.

"This has nothing to do with you."

Karl grunted, and a ball of fire appeared before him.

Fire Seal!

"Boom..."

The fire, initially the size of a fist, expanded rapidly into a basin and then transformed into a raging inferno.

The flames swept out in all directions.

This move wouldn't threaten Anslo, but it would reveal his location.

The Anslo before him was still a water clone, and his real body was hidden somewhere.

"Useless."

Anslo's face twisted into a cold smile, and he struck his staff on the ground, causing streams of water to rise and turn towards the flames:

"No matter who you are, you're finished."

"With this level of fire magic, are you a mid-level apprentice wizard from Kolon or a fire thief?"

As a high-level apprentice wizard, he was confident in defeating his opponent.

"Hmm?"

Before he could finish his sentence, a sense of foreboding rose in his heart.

Oh no!

"Boom!"

As Karl stamped his foot, the ground and swamp within dozens of meters trembled.

Supreme Seal—Earthquake Impact! The power of a weakened one-ring spell was unleashed.

"Bang!"

The terrifying shockwave instantly shattered the water clone, and Anslo's true form, hidden nearby, was revealed.

Then,

Several thick stone spikes emerged from the ground, rushing towards him at an astonishing speed.

Water Wall!

Streams of water rose, causing the stone spikes to pause momentarily.

But,

There were more than just stone spikes; a dark shadow was also approaching.

A sense of fear emerged, causing Anslo to panic, and his spellcasting became erratic.

Bang!

Karl leaped high and pounced, and the illusory tentacles on his back had already struck out.

Minor Force Field!

Gravity Control!

Gravity Distortion!

...

Numerous supporting spells descended upon Anslo.

"Hmm!"

Anslo's knees softened, and his body uncontrollably knelt on the ground, his eyes wide with shock.

"Apprentice Mage!"

"Grand Knight!"

"How...?"

"Boom!"

Before he could finish his sentence, a surge of power rushed into his body, tearing his wizard's robe to shreds.

"Pfft!"

"Pfft! Pfft!"

Stone spikes, illusory tentacles, and water arrows pierced his body, turning him into a porcupine.

"Ugh..."

He opened his mouth, and blood gushed out. Anselot's body fell to the ground, lifeless.

"You went too far!"

Karl landed and scowled:

"You forgot that he just became an Apprentice Mage. He's not as sturdy as a veteran wizard, and you didn't even leave him alive."

"Forget it!"

He shook his head, quickly searched Anselot's body, and gathered everything before leaving swiftly.

As for the body on the ground...

This was the swamp, and whether it was shattered boats or corpses, they would all be swallowed by the marsh.

By the time someone realized he was missing, it would be too late to find him.

...

Half a month later.

Heibel, accompanied by a naive and adorable girl, knocked on Karl's door.

"Senior Sister."

Karl nodded at the two of them:

"Amy, we meet again."

"Yeah." Amy looked curiously into the room:

"Mr. Karl, you've been staying indoors?"

"Not really." Karl smiled and led them in:

"Sit!"

"I'll prepare some drinks."

"No need." Heibel waved her hand:

"I came to inform you that Amy, whom you recommended, has passed the test and become a member of the Starlight Secret Society."

"Junior Brother!"

"Your eye for talent is impressive. Amy has high wizardry potential, and she has a very rare magical creature. Despite her youth, her strength is remarkable, and she will undoubtedly become one of the pillars of the Starlight Secret Society."

"Is that so?" Karl looked at Amy:

"Congratulations!"

"Thank you for your recommendation." Amy expressed her gratitude sincerely:

"Now I finally understand the benefits of joining a powerful group. It's not easy to be bullied this way."

As she spoke, she tensed her small face and waved her slender arms.

"You didn't know?" Heibel said:

"The other day at the auction, Amy was attacked by a Black Wizard and almost died."

"Fortunately, a mysterious person saved her."

"Oh!" Karl was surprised:

"Such a thing happened?"

"Since you've been staying indoors, you wouldn't know." Heibel rolled her eyes:

"But there's a benefit to this. At least the island is set up with wizard traps, so there's no danger, and I can rest easy when I go out."

"Yeah." Amy nodded, still feeling scared:

"I..."

"Hmm?"

She blinked, and a small bird flew out from behind her, circling around Karl several times.

It chirped and twittered differently.

"This is Amy's magical creature." Heibel introduced:

"A White Falcon with a Wind Spirit bloodline. Don't underestimate it because of its size; its rank is not low."

"Oh, what's its name?"

"..." Amy seemed to be in a daze for a moment before snapping back:

"Xiao Feng."

"Her name is Xiao Feng."

"Karl, have you met Xiao Feng before?"

"No." Karl shook his head:

"First time seeing it."

He could feel the mysterious power within this White Falcon, and its potential was indeed impressive. However, for Karl, who had seen many magical creatures in the other world, a creature of this rank was not uncommon.

"Is that so?"

Amy's eyes widened with doubt, and she called Xiao Feng to her shoulder, shaking her head as she looked at Karl with intense curiosity.

Could it be him?

Impossible, right?

"Chirp! Chirp!"

Xiao Feng flapped its wings and screeched, seemingly bored, before preening its feathers and retreating back into Amy's package.

"Oh, right."

Heibel remembered something:

"Junior Brother, do you know Anselot?"

"Anslot?" Karl's face filled with thought, and he hesitated:

"Tim's friend?"

"Yes, him." Heibel nodded and said casually:

"Orselia mentioned that Anselot had been asking about you a few days ago, but he suddenly disappeared recently."

Karl shrugged.

Amy's eyes lit up, and she looked at Karl again, scrutinizing him.

Other World.

Dense fog enveloped the surroundings.

A small boat broke through the mist and docked at the shore filled with reefs. Several figures jumped onto the island one after another.

"Is this Flame Island?"

Karl looked around:

"The temperature is indeed much higher than other places. Don't the people on the island fear a volcanic eruption?"

This was an active volcano!

And it could erupt at any moment.

The unique geological conditions created a special environment. The surrounding mist swirled like a light veil, shrouding the island in a hazy atmosphere. Beneath the veil, flames danced like spirits.

The island's vegetation thrived in the intertwining flames and mist, displaying a unique vitality.

Dust floated in the air, carrying the scent of sulfur, smoke, and the depths of the earth, giving off a primitive and mysterious feeling.

"Scary?"

Susan waved her hand, seeming to be uncomfortable with the smell:

"The people here seem crazy, with a fanatical worship for the flames. They seem to wish for a volcanic eruption."

"You two!"

She pointed at them:

"Watch the boat, and don't let the islanders discover you."

"Karl, Quincy, let's go to the dungeon to rescue Conny first, and then meet up with Miss Laura to deal with the island master of Flame Island."

Flame Island was located at a crucial point in the Endless Ocean, and they had to take it down no matter what.

Conny knew the island master, and they had originally thought they could convince him.

Too bad!

Not only did Conny fail to persuade the island master of Flame Island, but he was thrown into the dungeon and sent a distress signal."

Fortunately, Laura and Karl were both available, so they decided to take action.

"Alright." Karl nodded.

"Let's go!"

For him, the endless ocean route meant abundant magical materials and wizarding resources.

Other matters could be put aside; helping to reopen the route would surely be a worthwhile endeavor.

Not to mention, reopening the route would avoid the Merfolk and capture a few Water Monkeys, allowing them to refine potions and trade them for the Divine Blessing from others.

Quincy, with his short stature and slightly tanned skin, was a Grand Knight who roamed within Duke Ferdinand's territory.

When passing by nearby, he received a warm invitation from Lura, who was currently preparing to join the Dragon King Merchant Guild.

This time, it was his first participation in the Dragon King Merchant Guild's operation.

"Be careful."

Susan led the way at the front:

"There are many pirates on the island, and their strength is not to be underestimated. The key is that once they start fighting, they won't know when to retreat."

69 Book Bar

"Even Conny was taken down!"

"Conny." Quincy, with a short stick on his back, smiled and said:

"The captain of the Galewind, a legend of the endless ocean, I've heard his name mentioned by quite a few people."

"I never expected..."

"Our first meeting, and it turns out he's locked up in the pirates' dungeon, waiting for us to rescue him."

Susan frowned.

She could sense the disdain in Quincy's words, and as Conny's lover, she naturally felt uncomfortable.

"Don't be careless."

"Although Conny can be unpredictable at times, his strength is not to be underestimated. Not many people can take him down."

"Of course." Quincy shrugged:

"The captain of the Galewind is, after all, a Grand Knight."

Susan didn't continue the conversation. She crouched down, like a female leopard, and headed towards the depths of the island.

Not long after, the three of them stopped at the edge of a dense forest.

"The dungeon is just ahead."

Susan pointed at a small door in front of them and said in a low voice:

"According to our investigation, the guards of the dungeon are three brothers from the Paul family, and they are all Peak Knights."

"The three of them working together can rival a Grand Knight!"

"The key is that there are many traps set up in the dungeon, and there are other guards as well. Sneaking in won't be easy."

"Karl, it's up to you."

"Mhm." Karl nodded and took out a cloth bag from his waist, shaking it towards the air in front of him.

A dark green gas emerged from the bag, drifting towards the dungeon with the wind.

"Sleep Powder."

Seeing the two's curious expressions, Karl explained in a low voice:

"It's a type of sleep-inducing powder that can easily knock out even an elephant."

"Wait!"

They didn't have to wait long.

The guards patrolling outside the dungeon, as well as the hidden sentries, all fell into a deep sleep one after another.

"Let's go."

Karl waved his hand:

"As long as we don't make too much noise, they won't wake up for a short while."

"Impressive!" Quincy's eyes sparkled:

"No wonder Miss Lura praised you so much, Karl. Your potion skills are truly remarkable."

There were at least several dozen people here, yet they were all taken down so effortlessly, causing Quincy to exclaim in surprise.

Susan shook her head.

In her opinion, this Grand Knight named Quincy might have decent strength, but his personality was too arrogant.

Karl was not just a potion master.

He was a Grand Knight!

But Quincy hadn't mentioned it at all along the way, seemingly not considering Karl, who had advanced not long ago, to be that powerful.

Karl smiled but remained silent.

Without the guards' interception, the three of them smoothly entered the dungeon, following a rugged path that led deep underground.

The further they went, the darker it became, relying only on the illumination of torches on both sides.

"The potion's effects don't reach here."

Karl gestured:

"Quincy, it's time to show your skills."

"Of course!"

Quincy chuckled and took out the short stick from his back, shaking it lightly to transform it into a long spear.

The silver-bright spear blade emitted a faint glow in the darkness, and the cold killing intent also made Susan subconsciously tense her body.

Grand Knight! No matter how much she disliked him, he was indeed a genuine Grand Knight, and his strength was not to be underestimated.

"Who's there?"

The three's commotion finally caught the attention of the guards up ahead, who shouted and charged towards them.

"Take them down!"

The approaching guards held torches, and in the flickering flames, their emaciated figures could be seen.

These people were all pale and skinny, their clothes tattered, with only the weapons in their hands still intact.

"Hmph..."

Quincy, seeing this, said:

"You're all so skinny, what can you do to fight me?"

"Buzz!"

Holding the long spear, he shook his wrist lightly, causing the spear to vibrate and emit a deep, powerful buzzing sound.

"Kill!"

With a low shout, Quincy charged into the crowd with his spear.

The terrifying strength of a Grand Knight could easily shatter a giant rock, and flesh and blood were no match for him.

Battle aura was released.

The pressure was so great that the crowd kept retreating.

Although one side had more people, the battle was like mowing grass, and the dungeon guards couldn't stop a Grand Knight.

One after another, people fell to the ground.

"Ah!"

Seeing the defense line about to be breached, someone roared, their eyes bursting with fiery flames, and then they spread their arms and pounced towards Quincy.

The others followed suit, even throwing away their weapons like madmen.

What's going on? Quincy raised his eyebrows and thrust his spear, easily defeating those with weapons. Throwing away your weapons is asking for death?"

"Be careful!"

Karl suddenly spoke up from behind:

"They're going to self-destruct!"

Self-destruct?

Quincy's heart tightened, and his spear shadow suddenly shrank, as his entire body instantly transformed into a spinning turtle shell.

Martial Art - Shell Defense!

At the same time.

One of the guards who rushed forward had his body erupt like boiling magma, exploding with a loud blast.

"Boom!"

"Rumble..."

Explosions sounded one after another, and the splattering flesh and blood were indeed wrapped in rock, creating a powerful impact.

Each of these guards was a moving bomb, launching a self-destructive attack towards Quincy.

Even with the warning and preparation, Quincy's defense still wavered under the continuous explosions.

In his eyes, fear flickered.

Could he...

Not fall here?

"Swoosh!"

Amid the chaos of an explosion, a figure swiftly darted through the crowd.

Karl, wielding two broadswords, weaved and slashed, his blades glinting as he mowed down the guards, their bodies stiffening.

The next moment—

"Bang!"

A guard's body exploded on impact, not with fire, but with flying stones.

The moment the broadsword struck, the guard's body began to petrify, turning into a stone statue in the blink of an eye.

"Bang!"

Karl's sword swept again, and the three guards ahead were sent flying, their bodies also turning into stone mid-air.

After landing, they became scattered rubble on the ground.

"Swoosh!"

Karl sheathed his sword, standing in the center of the room, while the charging guards had all been slain.

"..." Quincy's expression stiffened, his mouth twitched, and he forced a laugh, "Nice swords!"

Susan clapped her hands lightly, "Karl, you're amazing. These dungeon guards are no match for you. Quincy, the Grand Knight, is also skilled."

She couldn't help but belittle him a little.

"There are three more tough ones ahead." Karl looked at Quincy, "Are you okay?"

"No problem!" Quincy straightened his chest, swallowing the blood that was about to rush to his throat, "I'm fine!"

"You go and rescue the others. I'll deal with them and then join you."

"Okay..." Karl glanced at Susan and signaled with his eyes, then strode into a side passage.

Before he had gone far,

roars echoed, and three powerful auras collided with Quincy's.

The Peak Knights were far inferior to the Grand Knight, but these auras were almost identical, merging into one.

They suppressed Quincy's aura completely.

However, their commotion had already alerted the dungeon guards. To prevent any harm to Connie, they needed to find him quickly.

"This way!"

Susan, who had previously investigated the dungeon's layout and was also concerned for her lover, sprinted nonstop.

Suddenly, a light shone ahead.

An iron cage hanging in mid-air came into view.

"Swoosh!"

Karl's figure leaped from behind, soaring high, and slashed at one of the iron cages with his sword.

"Clang..."

The moment the broadsword touched the iron cage, the wrought-iron bars began to petrify at a visible rate.

Then, under the impact of Karl's immense strength, the bars shattered.

"Bang!"

The iron cage crashed to the ground.

Susan hurriedly pulled Connie, who was covered in wounds, out of the cage.

At that moment,

Karl was already engaged in a fierce battle with the surrounding guards, and one by one, they fell to the ground.

"Connie!"

Susan's eyes welled up with tears, and her voice choked, "Are you okay?"

"Do I look okay to you?" Connie's aura was weak, and he forced a smile, "Help get the old man in the nearby cage. He's a servant of the Moon Goddess."

"He's no weaker than me!"

"Hmph!"

Susan snorted lightly.

"It seems manageable. You still have the energy to care about others."

However, despite her words, she carefully placed Connie down and released the other iron cage.

The Knight in the cage had graying hair and was of advanced age. He sat in a peculiar cross-legged position.

Although his injuries were severe, his eyes remained sharp and spirited.

"Thank you, young lady."

His voice was hoarse, and his gaze paused on the swiftly moving Karl, seemingly surprised, "The Ring of Protection..."

"Susan." Connie struggled to prop himself up, "How did you get in? What's the situation with the Flame Island's Island Master?"

"We broke in, of course." Susan rolled her eyes, "As for the Island Master here..."

"Don't worry. Miss Lura and Sea God Hawk are already on their way. It shouldn't be a problem."

"What?" Connie's face changed, "You're going to force them?"

"No worries." Susan shrugged, "Rest assured, Sea God Hawk is the top expert in Free Harbor. Plus, there's Miss Lura. Even if the Island Master is strong, they won't be a match for the two of them."

"Maybe they've already surrendered!"

"Impossible." Before Connie could speak, the Knight beside him shook his head, "The Island Master's consciousness has been influenced and twisted by the Demon God's power. It's already distorted and mutated. It's impossible for him to surrender."

"Then killing the Island Master will solve the problem too."

"You don't understand. Even Sea God Hawk might not be a match for the Island Master now." Connie shook his head, "The situation might get worse!"

...

Flame Island.

The Great Hall.

At the entrance, two colossal Flame Red Lions stood, seemingly ready to leap out and showcase their majesty to the world.

Stepping into the hall,

the first sight was the soaring dome adorned with exquisite Flame Totems.

In the center of the hall, a massive Flame Statue stood.

Below, a red carpet led to an armored figure seated before the statue.

"Respected Island Master."

Lura bowed, "I, Lura from Free Harbor, offer my sincerest respect. May you be in good health."

As Lura and Sea God Hawk entered the spacious hall, even they, with their vast knowledge, couldn't help but be amazed by the scene.

"Island Master."

Sea God Hawk bowed, "Greetings, Island Master. I, Sea God Hawk, pay my respects."

The armored Island Master slowly raised his head, his voice low, "Every day, send a man and a woman as sacrifices, and I'll grant you access to the Endless Ocean."

"If you're unwilling..."

"Hmph!"

"What can you do if we're unwilling?" Sea God Hawk frowned.

"A man and a woman." The Island Master chuckled, "You two are perfect."

...

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end