At the end, there was a peacock zither lying quietly, with a sheet music on it. The meaning was clear: you had to successfully play this piece to pass the test.
Only those who play music correctly and those with pure hearts can approach the gleaming gold.
There were also inscriptions on the side, Robin took the initiative to decipher them. Just as everyone had guessed, it was indeed necessary to perform a piece of music.
"Playing this peacock zither is already fraught with difficulty, how can it require an even purer heart?"
"I think the person who set this trap is deliberately trying to make things difficult for us."
"Indeed, few of those who come here searching for Pure Gold are good people; how could they possibly have pure hearts?"
The group exchanged glances, realizing they had no choice but to find another way.
Kazu looked around at the puddles; they seemed to be filled with some kind of poisonous water. Only those who successfully passed the test could drain the toxic water and enter the laboratory.
"There's nothing around except these puddles; it seems the ultimate goal is in the water."
"Leave it to me."
Kazu walked to the edge of the pool, where streams of spatial energy enveloped the poisonous water.
Then, with a wave of his hand, Kazu threw them all onto the open ground outside. Within a few dozen seconds, Kazu had drained the poisonous water from the pool.
Space brand water pumps – you'll know how good they are once you use them; everyone who's used them raves about them.
"Haha, as expected of my most respected captain, he's so reliable."
" Kazu, your Space-Space Fruit is so convenient, it's unbelievably versatile."
"Let's get going! I'll lead the way!"
Carlmand was the first to rush in, followed closely by the others, continuing their search for traces of Pure Gold.
The group entered through the entrance and arrived at a place with a cliff. There was a path on the other side, but most people would need a bridge to cross it.
And unsurprisingly, another text prompt appeared next to it.
"Eagle Bridge, the one who obtains the shimmering gold is one with exceptional concentration and unwavering courage, who shoots the sacred eagle and builds the bridge."
" Kazu, same old story. Just use your Devil Fruit ability to build a spatial bridge. It'll save you time and effort."
Carlmand is quite the clever one; he really spoke everyone's mind.
Without saying a word, Kazu used his spatial powers to envelop everyone and flew directly to the other side.
Let's go, let's keep moving forward.
As they walked further in, Kazu finally saw the crocodile head that had left the deepest impression on him.
The final mechanism is located in the crocodile's large mouth. If you enter it or make a mistake, the crocodile's head will bite down mercilessly, accompanied by an electric shock.
"The final door—whoever obtains the gleaming gold is trustworthy. Team up with your brave companions to unlock the door; the treasure lies ahead."
Hearing Robin's explanation, everyone's spirits lifted. They had finally reached the last hurdle, and the Pure Gold was right in front of them.
There is a key on the stone platform next to it, and there is a row of keyholes in the crocodile's mouth, a total of eighteen.
The meaning is quite clear: you need to open this place correctly to successfully obtain the Pure Gold; otherwise, you'll be bitten to pieces by the crocodile-headed statue.
Kazu remembered that the Straw Hat Pirates had opened seventeen keyholes, leaving only the one in the bottom right corner on the outermost edge unopened. In the end, the scientist himself activated the mechanism and successfully sent it down.
Kazu picked up the key and, driven by curiosity, stepped into the crocodile's gaping maw.
He bent over and inserted the key into the outermost keyhole in the lower right corner.
Click~
Sure enough, the mechanism was successfully activated, but no electricity was generated; Kazu, the floor beneath their feet opened directly.
"It's right down there!"
Kazu jumped down, followed closely by the others. There was a thick mat below, and everyone landed one after another, looking around at their surroundings.
There was only one staircase entrance, and no other roads.
The group climbed the stairs, pushed open the somewhat old wooden door, and inside was a laboratory, with various experimental equipment and books displayed there.
"This must be Pure Gold!!"
A lantern-like object, with a fist-sized piece of gold floating inside, sat quietly on the table in the center.
The crowd eagerly gathered around the table, their eyes burning with desire as they gazed at the Pure Gold —it was, in effect, immortality.
According to Kazu, only a small amount is needed, enough for one person.
This piece is so large that it could probably grant immortality to around a hundred people.
The person who invented this Pure Gold was truly a genius. He inadvertently discovered the immortality that humanity has been pursuing for thousands of years.
"Alright, everyone."
"I'll keep the Pure Gold safe for now. In my Independent Space, no one can steal or rob it."
"As I said before, once you wear Pure Gold, your body will never change again. In other words, you won't become weaker, but you will definitely never become stronger either."
"At most, it'll just give you some combat experience."
"You are now in the prime of your lives to enhance your strength. When you feel that your power has reached its peak and can no longer grow, but instead begins to decline, I will give you the Pure Gold."