Yet Bai Ling had clearly stated this was the necessary path to Demon Dragon Island, and from here to the island, there would be no other cities or places for resupply along the way. Since Bai Ling could lead him to Demon Dragon Island, there was no need for her to deceive him. With this thought, Mo Han reluctantly returned to the inn where he was staying.

As soon as he got back to the inn, Bai Ling was already leisurely seated in Mo Han's room, savoring a specially prepared drink provided by the establishment. However, after tasting it, Bai Ling’s brow furrowed slightly, and she muttered with dissatisfaction, "I can't believe everything on the continent has deteriorated, even this drink tastes so awful?" "Really? I don't feel anything different."

Mo Han had just walked in and, hearing Bai Ling’s complaint, couldn't help but smile as he replied.

After saying this, Mo Han walked over to Bai Ling, picked up the drink, and complained, "Perfect. I ran around all day and found nothing. I'm dying of thirst."

He then grabbed one of the two drinks on the table and downed it in one go. Unbeknownst to him, the cup he took was the one Bai Ling had just been drinking from, but Mo Han finished it in two quick gulps.

When Bai Ling saw this, she had initially intended to stop him.

However, seeing that Mo Han didn't seem intentional, and observing how truly haggard he looked—worn out from days of travel and another long day today—Mo Han's exhaustion was evident on his face. A flicker of sympathy crossed Bai Ling's eyes, and she said, "I think nothing major has happened to your friend. Worrying now won't help. Get a good rest today.

Once we reach Demon Dragon Island, everything will become clear. Alright, you should rest early. I'll head back to my room now and won't disturb you."

After Bai Ling finished speaking, she stood up and walked toward her own room. Mo Han nodded in thanks. After seeing Bai Ling out,

He set up a magic barrier around the room and immediately sat down in meditation. Flying continuously for several days, with almost no rest in between, had nearly drained all the magical power within Mo Han. Therefore, he absolutely needed to recover now, otherwise, by the time they reached Demon Dragon Island, it would be too late.

The next morning, Mo Han and Bai Ling flew toward the vast ocean to the north.

The scenery along the way was monotonous; there wasn't even a single small island, and they had to make several unexpected turns, which completely disoriented Mo Han. If Bai Ling hadn't been leading the way, Mo Han was certain he could never have found Demon Dragon Island in the middle of the boundless ocean in just a few days.

Even if he had found it, it would have taken a significant amount of time.

After two days of flight, they stopped to rest on an island midway.

Mo Han and Bai Ling finally arrived at an island completely enveloped in mist. On the surface, this island seemed no different from the others surrounding it in the sea, but directly above the island, it was wreathed in layers of white fog. Gusts of sea wind blew, yet they couldn't move the mist at all—it was instantly clear that this was no ordinary fog.

Mo Han immediately recognized the mist as the effect of a high-level water-elemental magic array, likely created by an ancient formation, which explained the phenomenon. He knew that any outsider entering this ancient array would be met with intense magical attack. Though Mo Han didn't know the exact nature of the assault, he understood the energy involved would be immense.

Of the few ancient arrays Mo Han had encountered before, not one was weak; they were all astonishingly powerful. Mo Han still harbored lingering fear regarding these ancient formations; the one in the Mystic Forest was a prime example. Consequently, whenever Mo Han saw an ancient array now, it gave him a massive headache.

But hadn't the Demon Dragon people supposedly abandoned their innate draconic magical energy, pursuing only physical power breakthroughs? Wouldn't that mean they possessed no magic at all? Yet, the ancient water array before them was undeniably a large-scale, high-level formation.

Even Mo Han himself might not be able to cast such a vast water array, as all arrays required casting in a single, unbroken sequence—no mid-way abandonment was possible—demanding huge reserves of magical energy. While Mo Han could cast one, his own energy limitations would prevent him from executing such a massive array. If the scope were smaller, he might manage it, but for Bai Ling, with her strength as a third-tier Saint Magus, it should present no issue.

Thinking this, Mo Han voiced his confusion to Bai Ling. Hearing his question, Bai Ling looked at Mo Han with an expression reserved for the dense, but she patiently explained, "You are correct; the Demon Dragon race did indeed abandon their magical aptitude in favor of physical strength. But that doesn't mean the ancestors of the Demon Dragon race were incapable of magic. When the Demon Dragon ancestors first separated from the Holy Dragon race, their inherent magical abilities hadn't vanished yet. Didn't you recognize this as an ancient water array? Therefore, this formation was cast by the Demon Dragon ancestors to protect the island from unwarranted intrusion. However, this array is useful to you, perhaps, but of little consequence to me."

Mo Han knew Bai Ling spoke the truth. With her own power, if she could cast such a large-scale array, entering it would naturally be effortless for her. But if this array truly was ancient, the time since the Demon Dragons split from the Holy Dragons must be at least ten thousand years, meaning the array was at least that old. After such an immense passage of time, even the most formidable magic should have collapsed due to the dissipation of its energy.

Even a God of Magic could hardly sustain a spell for ten millennia.

Mulling this over, Mo Han was about to express his doubt to Bai Ling—who, compared to her, made his own magical studies feel like primary school knowledge—when Bai Ling seemed to perceive his unspoken question.

Bai Ling continued, "However, I do admire the Demon Dragon who cast this spell. To think of constructing such a massive water array anchored to the sea! Around this formation, due to the environment, the water elemental magic is saturated, like an inexhaustible spring. Thus, the island can constantly replenish its own expended energy from its surroundings. It is precisely for this reason that the array has remained intact until now."

Hearing Bai Ling's explanation, Mo Han exclaimed in astonishment, "A magic array can actually absorb ambient magical elements? I've never heard of such a thing! No wonder the barriers outside your palace have persisted for so long—it must be for the same reason. Comparing my current magical knowledge to yours, it’s truly worlds apart."

As Mo Han said this, a hint of dejection washed over him.

Seeing his mood, Bai Ling spoke comfortingly, "Don't be so discouraged. It's because current human magical proficiency hasn't reached even a third of its former peak, which is why so much magical knowledge has been lost. Now, more than half of all magic has been forgotten by humanity, so it’s perfectly normal that you don't know these things. There’s no need to feel down; if necessary, I can just teach you some of what I know."

Upon hearing this, Mo Han quickly offered his thanks, not giving Bai Ling a chance to change her mind. Joking aside, having a ready-made third-tier Saint Magus teach him magic was something anyone would desire, and Mo Han, who never let an advantage slip by, certainly wouldn't pass up this rare learning opportunity. He readily agreed.

Seeing Mo Han's eagerness, Bai Ling couldn't help but smile and said, "Rest assured, I keep my word. You don't need to fear I'll go back on it."

Having his intentions exposed by Bai Ling, Mo Han showed no embarrassment, simply standing aside and chuckling, "Well, you still haven't answered me: compared to this array, which is more powerful, the barrier in front of your palace?"

Bai Ling answered frankly, "This array is naturally more powerful. In fact, even during the peak era of human magic, no one could fully master an array that inherently absorbs surrounding energy. I’ve only grasped fragments; I’m not entirely clear on the specifics. Those truly knowledgeable about this are likely the Dragon race, born as natural mages. I doubt any human has ever fully mastered such profound formations."

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