In the most spacious house of these buildings, the fire has been rekindled. While providing heat to dry the crew's clothes, it also serves as an excellent... tool for interrogation.

Zi la——

"I'll talk, I'll talk! It was the captain, the captain ordered us to guard here, making preparations for further exploration.

Behind the house is an area of ancient ruins, we've never gone inside the ruins. Because, everyone who followed the captain to explore has never returned.

Besides, the captain hasn't come back for over six months, we all thought he abandoned us along with these dangerous ruins!"

Suspended and bound by ropes, the pirate wailed miserably, spilling everything he knew like beans from a bamboo tube.

The loyalty and morality of pirates are traditionally dismal, even those picked to guard secret assets lost their resolve after prolonged waiting in vain and enduring torture.

"Ha, captain? 'White Shark Skuk'?"

Several of them bore shark head tattoos on their shoulders to indicate their identity. Tattoos are common among pirates to seek protection, yet they also serve as a rather shady management tool for pirate captains.

Aiven had seen this shark head tattoo numerous times before, recognizing it at once.

"Yes, our captain is the great pirate 'White Shark Skuk', if you've heard the name, you'd know how ferocious and terrifying he is! Even the navies of various countries dare not seek trouble with our captain.

You'd better release us quickly; if the captain finds out you occupied these ruins, he definitely won't spare you!"

Upon hearing Aiven mention "White Shark Skuk," it seemed to reinvigorate the pirates, their demeanor growing arrogant again.

"Forget it, they're just clueless minions, dispose of them!"

Aiven ignored the taunting pirates unable to recognize their predicament, clapping his hands and standing up casually. Being involved throughout the interrogation, Aiven was sure these guys knew little—they were merely left behind by "White Shark" for the next exploration.

"You..."

While some pirates begged for mercy, others kept taunting, yet inevitably, they were dragged out quickly, escorted by soldiers to reunite with White Shark and other pirate comrades.

Aiven walked alone to a corner of the room and retrieved the key again.

Under the glow of the flames, the bronze key, slightly stained with rust, had reverted to its normal appearance even if tossed on the road, few would likely bother picking it up.

But the value of the key is not in itself, but rather what it can unlock. This key was a spoil seized after taking down Skuk and Wizard Tru, reportedly able to open the long-accumulated treasure of the "Shark Tooth Pirate Gang"!

However, looking at things now, the pirates' words were closer to the truth. This wasn't Skuk's treasure ground, but a ruin—a ruin where he suffered significantly and still remembered for future explorations.

In truth, returning to Gabred has kept Aiven busy all along. If he hadn't chanced upon this peculiar island and remnants of the Shark Tooth Pirates today, he might never have thought of this spoil.

"Not a pirate's treasure? So what lies within this ruin?"

All pirates interrogated were lower-level, their knowledge limited. Even Tru, the former Chief Navigator, was uncertain of the pirate gang's treasure location, indicative of Skuk's cautiousness.

Regrettably, the secrets vanished with the fall of the "Shark Tooth Pirate Gang." Perhaps the treasure's mystery would never again see daylight?

Nonetheless, Aiven had one back-up: always ask Milan in times of doubt!

Though sometimes, especially when seeking precise guidance, this "Prophet's" answers are unreliable, they serve well as references.

Soon, Milan, who had been resting in another room, came rushing over.

"Keys relating to ruins? Such intriguing items, why did you not show them sooner?" Milan, who seemed weary earlier, perked up immediately upon hearing Aiven's words, snatching the key excitedly and diving into research right away.

Aiven gestured invitingly.

Though his combat skills were lacking, Milan's variety of auxiliary methods was unparalleled.

[Witchcraft: Spiritual Detection!]

Milan soon formed an initial judgment:

"The design of this key is evidently antiquated, existing roughly between 380-420 years ago, thus unsuitable for unlocking modern locks. I'll attempt a deeper divination!"

Aiven watched quietly without interruption, waiting for Milan to perform his magic.

"Huh, there's actually a deeply concealed Anti-Divination technique here?! It intends to prevent others from locating it through divination? Why did it signal upon nearing the island?"

After learning the key's source from Aiven, Milan didn't expect this seemingly ordinary key to bear anti-divination witchcraft specifically meant to protect valuables, further stoking his curiosity.

He took out a set of mainly crystal tools, fiddling them around.

Apparently, resolving this "Anti-Divination" witchcraft proved challenging, taking up to half an hour, until a crisp snap like a lock breaking was heard.

"Done! Despite being released by at least a very close to Tier 3 Official Wizard, the time elapsed made it incapable of stumping me." Milan said with a wipe to the sweat on his brow, feigning ease.

Aiven didn't reveal his bluff, trusting the specialist to solve matters regardless of the process. He cut straight to asking, "Does the key indicate this location?"

"Hmm, how to put it—the place is indeed on this island, but the exact location is odd, seemingly deep underground, with possible unknown dangers enroute." Milan revealed his divination results for Aiven's assessment.

Then, no immediate decision was made.

Instead, Aiven dispatched all scouting sea birds under his command to thoroughly inspect the island, personally arranging the night watch plan.

Having just experienced a "Sea Monster fright" incident, Aiven felt lingering anxiety, inevitably proceeding cautiously.

After ensuring there were no concerns, Aiven arrived at a resolute decision with careful deliberation!

Firstly, faced with a "ruin or treasure" right before him—a treasure guarded by the great pirate "White Shark Skuk" awaiting continued exploration.

Aiven could hardly surrender it without even a glance, that seemed inconceivable.

What did these pirates encounter here? Why were they nearly wiped out? What was Skuk unable to forget?

Perhaps stirred by the Galliot Clan's adventurer blood in his veins, confirming no actual danger existed on the island (after all, pirates lived here for at least half a year; if danger prevailed, meeting them wouldn't have been possible).

Aiven decided today to venture into the ruins alongside Milan and Gary, both Official Transcendents!

Since divination with the Bronze Key suggested underground results, daytime differed little from nighttime—especially with external storms persisting, daytime resembled nighttime closely.

Additonally, Aiven had utmost trust in his crew, having personally examined them meticulously using witchcraft, ensuring loyalty. No worry of internal chaos arising among sailors during his absence.

Without bringing any sailors along, seeing as even "White Shark Skuk" merely conducted a cursory exploration resulting in a setback and abandonment, plain sailors held no use other than unnecessary casualties.

Most crucially, as his wizard capabilities continually increased, his spiritual intuition became progressively sharper and more perceptive, a sixth sense outstripping ordinary human senses gradually formed into a unique "perception" reliable enough.

The fleeting giant image seen before landing didn't evoke any ominous foreboding, yet now his spirituality persistently sent a strong directive to explore!

Such a profound psychic message, escalating to a pulsating intensity with time, left Aiven feeling any moment he hesitated was a crime...

Thus, after dining with the sailors.

The trio readied their gear, donning raincoats woven from leaves and bark left by pirates. Braving the torrential rain, they embarked on a "pyramid" peak, reaching the entrance cleared by "White Shark Skuk."

From this vantage point overlooking the island, almost the entire island landscape unfolded.

Most striking was a straight gap traversing nearly half the island, like a sword stroke from a giant forming a canyon, invoking marvel at "Mother Nature's" craftsmanship and stirring imaginations.

Nevertheless, not forgetting their mission, they pressed open a seemingly ordinary stone door, officially venturing into the ruins.

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