Chapter 834: Breaking Through

South Sea, Sandun Island.

Ever since the discovery of the family of three phoenixes years ago, an array was set up across the dozens of miles of sea surrounding the island. Mist often shrouded the area; no ships could pass, and outsiders were forbidden entry.

In the early hours of this day, before the sky brightened, a fishing boat glided away from the shore under the faint moonlight. The motor roared a few times but quickly sputtered to silence.

"What dense fog!"

A middle-aged man with dark skin looked around, his expression laced with suspicion. "It seems to be drifting over from Sandun Island. Why does it spread so suddenly?"

"Boss, are we still going?"

Two fishermen near the bow clung nervously, visibly uneasy. The fog spread rapidly — one moment they could see far ahead; the next, even their immediate surroundings were barely discernible.

"Turn back, head home!"

The captain made a decisive call, steering the 21-meter-long trawler to change course.