At that moment, at the front of Skeleton Island, Mu You encountered the same situation as Jack.
"How could a vortex appear in such a place?" Lin Xue, looking at the massive sea vortex ahead, was also somewhat astonished.
She didn’t have extensive knowledge of oceanography but knew that sea vortexes usually form where currents intersect. As for this calm and windless sea suddenly forming such a large vortex, it was too abnormal.
"The course isn’t a problem..."
Mu You inspected the orientation of the compass he held in his hand. As the ship swam around the perimeter of the vortex, the needle steadily pointed to the center of the vortex.
"Which means, the entrance is probably within this vortex..."
"Would the entrance to Sky City have such a clear sign...?" Lin Xue asked. To prevent Sky City from being invaded by other factions, they should make the entrance very hidden. Yet the giant vortex now was too conspicuous. Any creature nearby could see it.
"Normally it shouldn’t... I guess the tsunami caused by the Octopus King earlier has caused some changes to the location of the entrance..." Mu You speculated.
No matter what, there were no other options now, they could only trust the compass.
"Unfurl the sails and enter the vortex!"
Mu You ordered. The Ghost Ship Crew on the ship quickly started working, retracting all the sails. Then the bow turned and charged directly towards the giant vortex ahead.
More than a dozen ships were still chasing from behind, but the distance was far enough. Mu You didn’t pay them any attention, watching as the Ghost Ship smoothly sailed into the outer range of the vortex.
However, just when he thought that the Ghost Ship was about to start circling the vortex, there seemed to be a strange force within the vortex pushing the Ghost Ship out.
The Ghost Ship drew an arc around the edge of the vortex and was then flung out from the other side, far away from the vortex.
Everyone on the ship looked bewildered.
Normally, entering a vortex should mean being continually pulled towards the center by the current. So why would they be flung out?
Mu You hastily tried to steer the Ghost Ship back into the vortex, only to be thrown out again. It was as if they had hit a force field, repelling them instantly with a powerful force.
At that moment, the followers of Divine Authority in the distance had already gotten close, with some continuing to chase them around the edge of the vortex, but a few couldn’t make the turn in time and entered the range of the vortex directly.
To Mu You and the others’ surprise, those ships that entered the vortex were not catapulted out. Instead, they began to spiral inward with the current, unable to break free no matter how hard they paddled.
"Strange, why can they enter?" Little Ya asked in confusion. The way this vortex worked seemed very prejudiced.
Mu You looked back and saw many Ghost Ship Crew on the ship.
The entrance to Dawn City was said to only allow the Fool and his familiars to enter. Had the repulsion started here already?
At that, Mu You took out the Wind-rider Light Boat and threw it next to the Ghost Ship, "Little Snow, Little Ya, come with me. Everyone else stay here."
Without further questions, Little Ya quickly followed Mu You onto the small boat. After Lin Xue got on the boat as well, Mu You steered the small boat into the vortex.
But they were again pushed out.
"Could the bag have an effect too?"
Mu You looked at a bag he was wearing at his waist. This bag contained Vivian, Little Spider, and many Forest Elves that he had just rescued from the Underwater Prison.
Vivian and Little Spider were both in a contract relationship with him. At this moment, the thing that should influence the judgment of the vortex was likely this bag.
Mu You took out Vivian and Little Spider from the bag along with Chocobo and put them in another bag. Then he threw the previous bag to the panda man on the Ghost Ship, before attempting to enter the vortex again.
Finally, they were not repelled. The small boat was smoothly carried by the vortex, drawing closer to the center.
Expectedly, it was the bag’s influence!
Mu You speculated that perhaps because the entrance to the bag was directly connected to this world, it was also judged to be on the same plane. Only bags like the ones with the lock cores, whose entries were located in other planes and could not be opened in the Star Spirit World, would not be affected.
"Hold on, Mu You, I want to go too!" Seeing the small boat rapidly moving away, Ye Rumeng, who had been left on the ship, quickly shouted.
"Stay on the ship and don’t run around! Uncle Cat, I’ll leave the ship to you. Help me take care of this girl." Mu You shouted to the panda man.
"Don’t worry, I’ll wait for your return outside the Evil Spirit Sea Area!" the panda man responded.
Just as Mu You finished his arrangements and was preparing to enter the vortex with peace of mind, the Octopus King let out that familiar screech once again. And this time, it was very close, as if it was overhead...
All the humans in the vicinity instinctively looked up and saw, on one side of the large vortex, a gigantic octopus head poking out from the water. Its deep pupils were looking down on everyone below, as if observing ants. Its gaze quickly focused on the small boat where Mu You was.
"Why now of all times..."
Mu You frowned. Judging by his piercing gaze, he was obviously targeting him.
Fortunately, he was now in the vortex, a place that repels all non-foolish beings. Even the Octopus King should not be able to enter...
As Mu You was thinking this, he saw the Octopus King move. Eight tentacles emerged from beneath the water and, wriggling in unison, rapidly approached the vortex, finally plunging straight into it.