Underground Ecology

"That's amazing?"

Lin Yu was slightly surprised as he listened to Huo Xing's description of the Nightless Sky Fire Apricot.

No wonder the technology in the City That Never Sleeps is developing so rapidly, yet the status of Royal Nobles remains stable.

Having such a family heirloom is invaluable, no matter how advanced technology becomes, or how powerful surgical procedures and other Item may be...

The Royal Nobles have always controlled the greatest violence in the City That Never Sleeps through "Chosen of God" and "Divine Artifact".

In addition, the secret Alchemy that forms the basis of all technology was indeed enough to allow the rule of Royal Nobles to continue.

"It sounds terrifying, and it's actually not that simple," said Nightless Sky Fire Apricot. "It might be less effective in my sister's hands, and not as terrifying as it was in my mother's hands, but we still have to be careful—at least keep her away when killing Arter Mercury."

"Otherwise, if we succeed, she might even be able to Resurrection."

Can he be Resurrection?

Lin Yu was once again shocked.

"Didn't I say that it can even 'store' the passage of time? In other words, it can achieve time Reversal on a small scale, affecting a single individual," said Nightless Sky Fire Apricot. "If someone dies within a few seconds, they should be able to be brought back to life."

Lin Yu nodded slightly.

That's fine then; we only need to control it for a few seconds.

This thing is probably more effective in combat.

Unfortunately, Item of this caliber are unlikely to end up in the hands of Player.

"Thank you for the information. I'll have my men be more careful."

As Lin Yu spoke, he memorized this information.

"In short," Nightless Sky Fire Apricot suddenly added, "We now share common interests and have been quite frank with each other, so we should be considered friends, right?"

Lin Yu didn't know why Nightless Sky Fire Apricot suddenly said that, but after hesitating for a moment, he nodded.

I guess so.

"Hey, great!" Nightless Sky Fire Apricot beamed with a bright smile. "You finally fell for it!"

"What?"

Lin Yu was somewhat taken aback.

"As long as you acknowledge that we are friends, I can manipulate your corpse after death. This is my Alchemy!"

Nightless Sky Fire Apricot smiled slyly, speaking like a fox.

Lin Yu glanced at the Nightless Sky Fire Apricot, then curled his lip.

You're lying.

Nightless Sky Fire Apricot was surprised. "How did you figure that out?"

"I'm wearing [Mind-Reading Mirror]."

Lin Yu pointed to his eyes.

Nightless Sky Fire Apricot immediately composed herself, her entire being seemingly turning into a wooden block within the [Mind-Reading Mirror]: "You have this thing?"

"I got it by luck before."

Lin Yu mumbled something.

After all, Sherlock didn't actually have this thing, but fortunately, he seemed to have many opportunities to acquire it.

However, as expected, this thing is just a mass-produced [Item]. It might be fine in other worlds, but it's not very useful to the powerful figures in the City That Never Sleeps.

Everyone has corresponding countermeasures.

Of course, Lin Yu doesn't rely on this thing entirely.

Even though the Nightless Sky Fire Apricot completely concealed her Emotion Energy, Lin Yu still possessed the Microexpressions observation skills he had honed over the years.

"Are you happy to have made friends, but a little ashamed to express your happiness, so you made this joke with me?"

Nightless Sky Fire Apricot hearing Lin Yu's words, Huo Xing pursed her lips.

"Damn it, Sherlock, you're no good... you're worse than that pink Candle that looks like a sausage in the trash can!"

She stood up, clapped her hands, and said, "I'm really happy to have made friends—but let's stop here for today."

"I need to get back to my Nightless Sky Family, or the Servant will find out I'm missing."

"You should go back to a conspicuous place on the ground. According to my analysis, it shouldn't be long before Sister Huo Le drops the warrant and suspicion against you, and then sends someone to pick you up."

Lin Yu listened to Nightless Sky Fire Apricot and became somewhat curious.

How are you going to get back?

"Go through the underground pipeline. This is a pipeline used to transport various 'Great Wilderness Cave Gases'... Various Gold Element Gas and Ancient Sulfur Gas in the caves are very important catalysts and raw materials. Various alchemy experiments have a great demand for them, so this pipeline connects directly to the Great Wilderness outside and directly to the Inner City inside. It's very convenient and also very secretive... It's just that most people don't know about it."

"Of course, even if you knew, it would be difficult to use it."

Nightless Sky Fire Apricot.

Why is it so difficult to utilize?

Lin Yu couldn't help but ask.

"On the one hand, all manhole covers are strictly monitored. Once they are moved, an alarm will be triggered to prevent poor people and those from Great Wilderness People from stealing gas. The one you came in with was removed by me."

"On the other hand?"

Lin Yu asked again.

"On the other hand, it's not safe inside these pipes either."

Lin Yu was somewhat solemn.

"What's unsafe about it?"

Could there be people or machines conducting routine patrols here, or are the gases themselves harmful?

But Nightless Sky Fire Apricot simply pointed to herself.

"Because I am inside this pipe—this is my own private passageway."

"Of course, I don't use it for free. I'll take care of anyone who tries to steal gas... These days, this pipeline is taboo for gang members and criminal groups."

"In the early years, there were occasional people who would come to steal the gas, but once they got there, they couldn't get out. People who died inside didn't even know how they died... It's become a place like an urban legend, with rumors like 'Life Forbidden Zone' circulating."

Nightless Sky Fire Apricot chuckled.

"But that's actually a very arrogant statement, after all, I'm just preventing humans from coming in..."

As she spoke, Nightless Sky Fire Apricot walked to the outside pipe and knocked on it.

"Knock knock!"

The pipe trembled slightly, and several rats darted out, leaping quickly to the ground below and scurrying about in fright.

"Compared to me, these rats and the like are the true natives of this pipe. I respect the ecosystem here—and I'll pay them 'rent'."

As she spoke, Nightless Sky Fire Apricot took out a piece of bread from her pocket, tore it open, and scattered it on the ground.

Lin Yu watched as the strangely fat rats swarmed up and scrambled for the bread, bumping against his shoes like little carts, and he didn't know what to say.

"You're quite kind-hearted."

Upon hearing Lin Yu's praise, Nightless Sky Fire Apricot waved her hand.

"It's alright, I'll eat them if I'm hungry—that's what ecology is all about."

Nightless Sky Fire Apricot left behind a sentence that once again surprised Lin Yu, before turning and leaving.

"Well then... see you on my birthday, Sherlock."

Don't forget my gift!