Chapter 643: Breaking the Silence

Li An nodded, took Guo Yao's hand, and carefully stepped into the cave. The cave was dark and lightless; only the occasional sound of mechanisms activating broke the silence.

The two pressed forward, constantly dodging the mechanisms' attacks. Relying on his keen insight and formidable strength, Li An successfully dismantled one mechanism after another. Guo Yao cheered him on from the side, her eyes brimming with admiration and trust for Li An.

"Li An, you're amazing! These mechanisms are a piece of cake for you!" Guo Yao said excitedly.

Li An smiled faintly, his heart swelling with pride and happiness. He knew that with Guo Yao by his side, he could overcome any difficulty.

However, just as the two were about to reach the end of the cave, a sudden violent tremor shook the place. The cave walls began to collapse, countless massive boulders tumbling down and completely sealing their retreat.

"Not good! We're trapped!" Guo Yao cried out, a look of terror crossing her face.

Li An gripped Guo Yao's hand tightly and said in a low voice, "Don't be afraid, Yaoyao. I'm here — we'll definitely get out."

Just then, a beam of light suddenly flared at the end of the cave. Li An and Guo Yao exchanged a glance and immediately sprinted toward the light. Its source was a massive stone stele, embedded in which was a key shimmering with golden radiance — the very "Ancient Key" they had long sought.

"Finally found it!" Li An shouted excitedly, reaching out to take the "Ancient Key."

But at that moment, a figure suddenly leapt from the shadows, blocking their path. The person wore a black robe, face hidden beneath a hood, with only a pair of icy eyes revealed.

"You really thought you could find the Ancient Key? How laughable!" the black-robed figure sneered, his tone dripping with mockery and contempt.

Li An and Guo Yao exchanged a look, their eyes full of wariness and hostility. They knew this black-robed figure was no friend and had to be dealt with carefully.

"Who are you? Why are you blocking us?" Li An demanded, secretly staying on guard.

The black-robed figure gave no answer, only a cold smile. With a wave of his hand, a wave of black energy surged toward Li An and Guo Yao.

Li An's body flashed as he dodged the attack. He immediately launched a counterattack, engaging the black-robed figure in fierce combat. Their figures weaved together, fists and palms intermingling, tearing the air inside the cave to shreds in an instant.

Guo Yao watched anxiously from the side, her heart filled with worry and unease as she observed Li An battling the black-robed figure. But she also understood that she could not become a burden to Li An at this moment and must look for a chance to assist him.

In the fight, the black-robed figure's strength was terrifyingly great — every strike aimed to kill, dragging Li An into a bitter struggle. Though Li An was agile, against the black-robed figure's ferocious assault he gradually found himself overmatched.

"Li An, look out!" Guo Yao cried from the side. She saw the black-robed figure's heavy blow hurtling toward Li An's back.

Li An turned at her warning and felt a fierce gust of wind rushing toward him. He hastily dodged sideways, but the black-robed figure's fist still grazed the hem of his clothes, sending him staggering backward.

"Cough… this guy's strength is too much!" Li An wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his heart secretly on guard.

Waves lapped gently against the ship's side. Li An and Guo Yao stood at the bow, their gazes piercing through the thin mist, fixed on the legendary mysterious sea ahead. Sunlight spilled from the cloud layer, draping this unknown land in a veil of gold — yet beneath that tranquility lurked an inexpressible danger..