Inside the metal block, Mo Ling carefully stared at the recorder's electronic screen, memorizing what was written on it.
"Relics must refer to those strange weapons. They think I'm a Relic now too."
But what was the Abyss?
Mo Ling decided to keep watching until he gathered more information.
The people in the camp were busy, every one of them wearing an identical metal nameplate around their necks with their own name engraved on it.
Most of those present were "Level One Hunters." The few "Level Two Hunters" had an additional title on their nameplates.
They used all sorts of advanced equipment Mo Ling had never seen before, scavenging back and forth through the camp.
One team member tossed out a metal sphere patterned with mesh. Once it hit the ground, it unfolded, extending mechanical arms to pack up the nearby supplies.
Disc-shaped devices resembling Sweeping Robots crawled along the ground, collecting the Black Imp corpses one by one.
Other team members climbed the City Wall from before, took capsules from their waists, and sealed the broom-shaped Relics used by the imp shamans inside.
The burly man with the greatshield returned, with a flatbed cart following beside him.
"This is a flatbed cart for transporting supplies. You contributed a lot this time, so take this one and use it first."
He removed the wristband from his hand and offered it to Li Luo. "The wristband controls it."
Li Luo did not take the wristband. She merely inspected the flatbed cart.
Watching the awkward scene from the side, the recorder teased, "Captain Du, you really take good care of your former boss's daughter. Does that count as using public resources for private gain?"
Du Kang turned around and kicked the recorder. "Stop slacking off. That broom on the City Wall hasn't been registered yet!"
"Yes, yes, yes." The recorder twisted aside to evade him and scurried away.
The atmosphere remained tense until Li Luo finally accepted the wristband.
"Thank you."
Du Kang also let out a breath. The towering brute actually looked a little embarrassed.
"No need to thank me. Finish packing and get moving. We've already delayed too long."
Li Luo stood up and tapped the wristband a few times. The flatbed cart automatically moved over to the wooden pushcart, extended support mechanisms to lift the metal block, then slowly rolled beneath it.
Several locking points rose from the flatbed cart and firmly secured the metal block. After that series of operations, it was fully loaded.
Li Luo walked elsewhere, and the flatbed cart slowly moved after her, automatically following her.
Inside it, Mo Ling curiously studied the advanced machinery.
"This thing is great."
Mo Ling really wanted to try teleporting the wristband inside and operating it himself. Wouldn't that mean he could go wherever he wanted?
But the wristband was already on Li Luo's hand. If he teleported it now, it would not be just the wristband that got sent inside.
After gathering and taking inventory, the group passed through the camp and headed in another direction.
Along the way, Mo Ling sat in the flatbed cart, watching all kinds of rare birds and beasts burst from the surrounding jungle, only to be swiftly dealt with by the group.
Before long, the team arrived at a strange building.
Its exterior was made of smooth white tiles, a semicircular structure covering the ground, with a tall tower extending from its top.
It looked like a lollipop stuck upside down into the earth.
As the group approached, an entrance slowly rose from the white tiles. Guards emerged and began checking identities.
The guards were especially cautious around the metal block. Every one who approached the flatbed cart lingered for a long while.
At last, the group entered the white building without incident.
Inside was a massive plaza-like space, with spiral staircases leading toward the tower and underground. There was far more to it than met the eye.
Viewed from within, the white tiles had become transparent glass, offering a clear view of the jungle outside.
People came and went through the plaza. When they saw the group that had just entered, they only gave them brief glances.
Like Mo Ling, most of the people in the group widened their eyes and gazed around the building interior with anticipation.
"Welcome, everyone, to the Seventh Monitoring Station."
A kindly middle-aged scholar in a white lab coat, glasses, and neatly combed hair approached the group and spread his arms in welcome.
Seeing him, Du Kang stepped forward to greet him. "Station Master Liang, it's been a while."
Mo Ling also looked at the nameplate hanging from the scholar's chest.
"Level Three Hunter, Sage of the Forest Liang Zhi."
A Level Three Hunter? It was Mo Ling's first time seeing one. Comparing their identities, it seemed the higher the level, the stronger the person.
Station Master Liang walked up to Du Kang, patted his shoulder, then looked at the people behind him with shining eyes.
"This year's newcomers look quite promising!"
"They are. We also cleared out a Totem Spirit Camp along the way. It was between the Great Elevator and the Monitoring Station. No idea when it was established."
Station Master Liang looked confused at that, pushing up his glasses. "Our last inspection was only half a year ago. How did it happen so quickly?"
Du Kang shook his head. "It may be related to the recent unrest. We brought all the bodies back, so we'll need the Monitoring Station to study them further."
The moment he heard the word "unrest," Station Master Liang's expression turned grave, and his earlier ease vanished.
After the two finished speaking, they settled the people behind them in a huge warehouse, where the Monitoring Station researchers began taking over the various supplies.
Yet no one came to ask Li Luo about the metal block. Mo Ling remained seated on the flatbed cart as he followed Li Luo around for the Handover.
"Where are they taking me?"
Though puzzled, Mo Ling was worried about not having a chance to properly understand the Monitoring Station. Following Li Luo around happened to give him the perfect opportunity.
After the Handover was complete, everyone followed Station Master Liang's guidance to a Meeting Room.
But at the entrance to the Meeting Room, Li Luo was stopped.
Station Master Liang studied Li Luo and muttered, "You look so much like your father."
Li Luo merely stood there in silence after hearing that, staring at Station Master Liang expressionlessly.
"Your personality is pretty similar too. Like the whole world revolves around you."
What kind of grudge was this?
Mo Ling perked up curiously behind them, though he did not actually need ears to listen anymore.
Station Master Liang walked over to the metal block again and sighed. "Your luck is just like his too."
After saying that, he waved at Li Luo. "It's nothing. Go on in. If anything happens in the Abyss from now on, you can come find me."
Li Luo did not bother with pleasantries and simply turned to leave.
"She didn't even take the chance to build connections. She really does have character." Mo Ling also felt that this girl had an exceptionally distinct personality.
Inside the Meeting Room, people gradually arrived. Once Station Master Liang had welcomed everyone in, he walked to the head of the table, pulled out a chair, but did not sit down.
He first gave everyone a deep bow.
"First, I would like to thank everyone for your contributions in clearing the Totem Spirit Camp."
"The Seventh Monitoring Station is the Monitoring Station farthest from the Great Elevator, and the road here is also the most difficult. Removing one more obstacle means fewer people will die in the future."
"As the Station Master of the Seventh Monitoring Station, failing to discover the situation in time was my negligence. I would also like to apologize to all of you."
Station Master Liang bowed deeply once more before slowly taking his seat.
Before you continue