I'm Trapped in the Block

Chapter 528: Chapter 525: Intelligence on Danger Island

”This honey-dipped tenderloin is a bit greasy, and the meat is too tough. Still, they did a good job preparing it.”

”As for this Magnetic Shell Monster... it has texture, but no flavor. Maybe that’s because seasonings are so scarce in the Abyss.”

”Out of ten, I can only give this meal a six. A bare pass.”

Mo Ling wiped his mouth, somewhat disappointed.

Li Luo ordered a separate dish for Block, wanting it to have a taste.

Watching Li Luo and Zhou Dynasty wolf down their food earlier had made Mo Ling’s mouth water. But now that he was actually eating, he realized the dishes weren’t that great—just average, with a somewhat monotonous flavor.

’It’s probably due to the scarcity of supplies...’

Transporting supplies to the fourth level of the Abyss was an extremely difficult task. Unlike the third level, you couldn’t source ingredients locally from the sea. To produce a spread like this required immense effort.

At that thought, Mo Ling silently revised his rating to an eight.

While he was sampling the Abyss’s cuisine, Li Luo had already parted ways with Zhou Dynasty. She passed through the winding pipes and arrived at the Pipe Fortress’s dock.

It was called a dock, but it was really just a raised platform. Pipes continuously extended, releasing airships into various turbulent currents. The airships would then follow different airflows to reach their destinations.

Li Luo walked straight to the registration desk.

”Destination?” the staffer at the registration desk asked coolly, eyes fixed on an electronic screen.

”Hua Sheng Islands.”

”The Hua Sheng Islands?” Hearing the name, the staffer immediately perked up. ”Are you sure? It’s currently a Danger Island, an extremely hazardous red zone...”

”I’m sure,” Li Luo replied decisively.

”Alright.” The staffer didn’t try to dissuade her further, instead tapping on the screen a few times. ”Since you’re heading to a Danger Island, you can apply for one relic and also receive free equipment and supplies. Here’s the catalog of what you can claim. Please check off what you’d like...”

With an excited expression, the staffer handed the electronic screen to Li Luo. It was filled with a densely packed catalog of supplies.

Li Luo accepted the screen, a little surprised.

When she first arrived at the dock, she had been worried that she wouldn’t be allowed to go to a Danger Island.

After all, to minimize casualties, the fortress might forbid people from approaching them.

But now she realized the fortress actually seemed to *encourage* people to go, not only offering support but even allowing them to apply for relics.

Li Luo glanced over the dense catalog, selected a few items, and handed the screen back to the staffer.

”Please follow me. I’ll take you to choose your relic.”

The staffer led Li Luo to a heavily guarded warehouse.

”Have you read up on the Hua Sheng Islands?” the staffer asked suddenly.

”I have. It’s the territory of a group of ’healing’ creatures. They capture any being that passes through the islands, cure them of their ailments, and only then let them go. But for some reason, any creature that arrives at the Hua Sheng Islands now gets detained by them.”

Li Luo relayed the information she had gathered.

She had chosen the Hua Sheng Islands precisely because, like the Pipe Fortress, they were stationary and didn’t drift about.

They were also a node in the Void Sea’s currents, a place where countless Sky Islands had gathered. Their combined weight was so great they could no longer move, forming a point of accretion.

Most importantly, the Hua Sheng Islands were very close to the Pipe Fortress, so the journey wouldn’t take long.

After listening to Li Luo, the staffer nodded.

”The latest signal from the beacon indicates that some kind of contamination may have appeared there. This contamination twists the nature of the healing creatures, which is why they’ve stopped letting other beings leave.”

The staffer looked at Li Luo and said earnestly,

”They’ll decide your sickness can never be cured, so they’ll keep you there indefinitely, ’treating’ you until *they* decide you’re fully recovered...”

While speaking, the staffer verified her identity and pushed open the large warehouse doors.

”I recommend you select a healing-type relic. Those creatures are friendlier toward humans who possess healing abilities...”

The staffer glanced around the massive warehouse for a moment before heading straight for the back.

”This way.” The staffer led Li Luo on a winding path through the pipe-filled warehouse until they reached a tangled mass of conduits.

She reached out and touched the tangled conduits. The black pipes twisted like snakes, uncoiling themselves.

Nestled within the pipes was a blister pack of pills.

”I think this relic might be a good fit. If you don’t think so, I can show you some others.”

...

[Relic: Pain Transfer Pills]

[Cost: Drowsiness, thirst, frequent dreams]

[Ability: After consumption, the user can transfer their wounds to other locations for a limited time.]

[Discovery Location: Earth]

[Discoverer: Hidden]

...

”This relic has unlimited uses; it automatically replenishes the pills. The costs aren’t too severe, either...” The staffer held up the electronic screen, earnestly explaining the relic’s details to Li Luo.

”I’ll take this one,” Li Luo decided immediately.

”You don’t want to see any others?”

”No need.”

”Alright, I’ll process the application for you now.” After tapping on the screen for a moment, the staffer retrieved the blister pack and handed it to Li Luo.

”Your supplies are ready as well. They’ve already been loaded onto your airship; you’ll see them when you’re about to depart.”

”Thank you.” Li Luo held the Pain Transfer Pills, feeling a bit dazed.

The staff at the Pipe Fortress were being a little *too* nice to her...

She even felt that someone had deliberately guided her toward going to the Hua Sheng Islands.

’Zhou Dynasty told me about the Danger Islands and suggested I look into them. The most suitable location I found was the Hua Sheng Islands. Then this staffer loads me up with supplies, giving me no time to hesitate...’

’It can’t be a coincidence, can it?’

After her experience with Lord Ying, Li Luo constantly felt like she was being manipulated, as if she were just a pawn in some grander scheme.

”Is something wrong? Do you need to prepare anything else? Would you like our help?” the staffer asked, looking with confusion at the slightly stunned Li Luo.

”It’s nothing...” Li Luo shook her head and followed the staffer out of the warehouse and back to the dock.

”That’s the airship you’ll be taking. Your supplies and equipment are all onboard. You can abandon the airship once you arrive. Have a pleasant journey and a safe trip.”

’A pleasant journey...’

Li Luo felt something was off. She had the distinct feeling of being rushed into this. The staffer from the Pipe Fortress seemed desperate for her to set off and reach the Hua Sheng Islands as quickly as possible.

Nevertheless, Li Luo didn’t hesitate. She nodded to the staffer and walked straight toward the airship.

The winds in the Pipe Fortress were still fierce, causing the airship to sway violently. Fortunately, numerous black pipes held it steady.

Even as she stepped into the familiar gondola, Li Luo’s mind was still elsewhere.

’It seems the Hua Sheng Islands aren’t the only place with secrets... The Pipe Fortress has plenty of its own...’