From deep within the submerged shadow, the Phantom Pirates peered upward at the distorted world above them. Through the wavering surface of the Shadow Layer, they could see five silhouettes—five terrifying Loose Immortals—hovering directly above where the Shadow Pearl had sunk.
It felt like watching gods stare at a pond, looking for fish.
The Immortals probed the area with Divine Sense. Threads of spiritual power brushed the surface of the shadow ocean… but their probing didn't penetrate. Not even an inch.
One Immortal extended a finger and gently tapped the surface.
To him, it felt like touching the shadow of a tree— utterly intangible, powerless to grasp or enter.
Inside the Shadow Pearl, the tense crew let out a collective breath of relief.
"So… they can't come in, right?" asked Taka.
In his Phantom Pirate form, he was a walking silhouette of an octopus monster—eight wiggling shadow tentacles and glowing yellow eyes. His voice still stuttered adorably.
