Capítulo 151: The Secret of Sin City
The residence of the illusionist loomed at the edge of Sin City, a dark cave that led into the mountains. As Bai Yi and Yue Fang stepped outside, a chilling wind swept over them, making them shiver involuntarily.
Bai Yi paused, then unleashed an aura of malicious intimidation.
A haunting wail echoed in the air.
Bai Yi instinctively positioned himself in front of Yue Fang, his thoughts momentarily frozen.
A faint blue light flickered, revealing a scarlet figure that seemed to materialize from the shadows. Its translucent form resembled a ghost, and an overwhelming wave of resentment surged forth.
This was not Ai Nuan, but it bore an eerie resemblance to her. Suddenly, the Soul of Storage appeared behind Bai Yi, and without hesitation, he hurled the scarlet blade.
Bang!
The mental paralysis shattered, releasing a powerful burst of psychic energy that sliced through the air toward the malevolent spirit.
Buzz, boom!
Just then, an intense aura of malice surged forward, intercepting the Soul of Storage's attack.
Boom!
The clash reverberated through the mountains, causing the earth to tremble. The fog of souls thickened, shrouding the path ahead in obscurity.
"Ugh..."
"Brother Bai Yi, you're really something," came a familiar voice.
As the crimson mist swirled and the ethereal glow dimmed, a striking evil spirit in red gently stroked the head of another ghostly figure.
Bai Yi's gaze sharpened. He turned to Ai Nuan, his voice steady. "If this happens again, you won't be able to keep it."
Ai Nuan's eyes glinted as she watched Bai Yi and Yue Fang's retreating forms. "Stay back and tend to them inside. I'll keep an eye on things."
As she spoke, the illusionist beside her began to fade into the mist.
"Hey, brother Bai Yi, did that stitched monster drive you out? Where are you heading now? I'll come with you," Yue Fang said, instinctively moving closer to Bai Yi.
He was the most influential councilor in Sin City, overseeing nearly all its affairs. The other councilors were often buried in their research or training, but her abilities kept pace with them, even surpassing some.
Yue Fang had heard tales of Ai Nuan's vicious reputation, and the thought of her made her wary.
"Don't try to flirt with me. Do you really want others to know how you grow your fruits?" Bai Yi replied with a teasing smile.
What illusion transformer? Upon seeing the so-called transformer for the first time, Bai Yi recognized it as the result of Ai Nuan's cultivation.
It was likely that the alchemist had been manipulated by her, or perhaps she had some other trick to lure them into phantom transformation.
Regardless, the aura of the transformer had been over 90% similar to Ai Nuan's.
Evil spirits could be assimilated; a level 70 evil spirit like Ai Nuan could cultivate an irrational level 60 spirit and yield no results. Her ambition to break through to legend was clear.
Bai Yi suspected that Sin City held numerous evil spirit fruits. The path to legendary power was rarely straightforward—there were countless rules and forces at play that could elevate evil spirits.
Ai Nuan's expression shifted, her smile becoming more enthusiastic. "So what if they find out? I didn't force them into it. Why don't you try? That transformation boosts talent by 300%. I bet no alchemist would refuse such an opportunity."
Bai Yi halted, turning back to her. "What are you hiding in Sin City?"
Surprise flickered in Ai Nuan's eyes, quickly masked by a smile. "Hiding? I just need a place to cultivate the fruits you mentioned. Once I reach the legendary level, I'll leave."
Bai Yi nodded thoughtfully. "I'll find out in due time. This is right under the nose of the Dawn Federation. If they wanted, they could wipe you out in an instant, yet you still took the gamble."
"Perhaps it's because you extracted some memories from the Dawnbreakers that you five dared to build a city here. The Federation's laws state they won't interfere as long as there's order."
"But this city feels off."
Bai Yi surveyed the ground, then glanced at the swirling black fog above. The yellowish lights along the path illuminated Ai Nuan's features, enhancing her beauty but also revealing an underlying danger.
"It seems my suspicions are correct. Don't be alarmed; I'm only here to find Sid. But..." Bai Yi's tone shifted. "Why don't any councilors reside deeper in the city? Are they unwilling or unable?"
His voice grew calm. "I won't interfere as long as you don't threaten the Federation. If you do, I won't hesitate to raze this place to the ground."
With that, Bai Yi led Yue Fang toward the last alchemist's shop.
Ai Nuan's eyes glimmered with intrigue. She turned away, a smile lingering on her lips as her form gradually faded into the shadows.
After arriving in Sin City, Bai Yi had focused not just on gathering information from the evil alchemists but also on pondering a significant question.
Sin City could very well exist, but it shouldn't be here. It was merely three thousand kilometers away, well within missile range. The Federation had access to tenth-level legends; if they wished, they could easily dismantle this place.
Bai Yi found it hard to believe that so many inhabitants had no ties to the Federation. They even had a law enforcement team, implying an intelligence network.
Thus, the city's continued existence here implied that something prevented them from leaving. Most likely, they were waiting for some kind of treasure to emerge or contesting ownership over it.
In his previous life, after the players' immortality was discovered, Sin City's response had been unusual. Instead of exploiting or enslaving the players, they had expelled and banned them.
This suggested that at least the five council members were aware of the treasure's existence and possessed the capability to obtain it, but were hindered by one another.
Bai Yi pondered, "How long has Sin City been established?"
Yue Fang replied respectfully, "Almost three hundred years, maybe just over two hundred ninety. I can't be sure of the exact number; Mr. Marku doesn't let me see his collection of books."
Bai Yi nodded, then ordered, Search for events that occurred here 280 to 300 years ago, or analyze the Federation's stance toward Sin City.
Zero responded, The federal network cannot be connected due to the distance. Connecting to Bolton's adapter. Please wait.
Bai Yi dismissed the delay; the network primarily covered the Federation. Outside its borders, adventurers, wild creatures, and various threats posed significant challenges to signal towers.
Recently, Sunu had focused on enhancing the range of existing towers rather than constructing new ones.
Yue Fang glanced at Bai Yi, then lowered her gaze, leading the way.
According to online records about Sin City, it is said to be powerful and mysterious. Two hundred years ago, Sin City banned Dawnbreakers from entry and exhibited open hostility toward them.
The only order Dawn ever issued was that Sin City could not expand beyond the Death Abyss.
Death Abyss: The source remains untraceable; it was first recorded two thousand years ago, rumored to be a massive pit created by a god's body, though this remains unverifiable.
"Here we are, Efan, a mid-level gold pharmacist, has a much higher status than Kasu," Yue Fang announced carefully.
"Let's go in and take a look."
As Bai Yi entered, he noticed an old man absorbed in a book. Upon sensing Bai Yi's presence, the man looked up, his expression cold. "What do you want?"
Bai Yi snapped his fingers, and his spatial ring shimmered. A smile spread across his face. "I seek academic exchange; please enlighten me."
As soon as he spoke, a flicker of contempt crossed Efan's eyes. He seemed unfazed as poisons and curses coursed through him, turning a page in his book with a calm demeanor.
"If you wish to dabble in transformation, do so fully. Don't be half-hearted; otherwise, you'll perish from your own evil thoughts."
**You are cursed by . The Plague Doctor Set can exempt you from 50% of the curse but will deduct 5% of your health per second.
Your evil thoughts are altering your basic structure. Your mental power has captured this curse; you will lose 10% of your health per second.
You drink the antidote; you have 80% of your health remaining.
"You have eight seconds."
Efan continued to peruse his book, unfazed by the potential curse, even with the Plague Doctor suit.
Bai Yi's eyes narrowed. This curse—a blend of hex and alchemical poison—had a significant impact.
Closing his eyes, Bai Yi concentrated.
Buzz~
A faint blue light enveloped him, even as a dark hue began to spread within it. He retrieved a large soul crystal and bit down.
A sound of "click" resonated. He didn't shatter the crystal but held it intact in his mouth.
You have transferred the curse; your curse has vanished.
The mental paralysis lifted.
Puffding
Bai Yi casually spat out a portion of the dark soul crystal, which embedded itself into the wooden floor.
"How did you do that?" Efan's interest piqued.
Bai Yi felt a spark of excitement; although only Marku had surprised him among the transformers, each pharmacist exhibited remarkable strength.
This was not to say that pharmacists surpassed transformers; rather, these individuals had thrived before Sin City's establishment, proving their worth outside.
The transformers, once altered, were not much different from warriors. An L-type transformed warrior could survive in the wild unless they encountered formidable threats.
In Xia, physical professions dominated, leaving others vulnerable without adequate strength or protection.
Efan, surprised, extended his hand, and the dark soul crystal floated into his grasp. The unknown curse dissipated quickly.
He tucked the purified crystal away, a smile emerging. "Would you like to hear it for free?"
Bai Yi paused, then produced a book detailing methods for creating highly toxic potions.
Efan examined it, shaking his head in disappointment. "I prefer to push poisons or curses to their limits. Offer a suitable price, and the method for crafting extreme curses will be yours."
He tossed Bai Yi's book back, clearly dismissive of it.
Bai Yi realized that the Black Death Curse was indeed extreme but should never be leaked. However, evil thoughts were another matter.
After all, when two evil thoughts merged, the weaker would only serve as sustenance for the stronger.
The Black Death Curse could only be isolated, not cured.
Bai Yi looked at the old man, extending his hand to reveal a box containing the Flower of Life.
"Your foundation has been compromised. Allow me to assist you in recovery, and I'll give you the lab."
He smiled, confidence radiating. As a man with skill points, he could ensure minimal failure rates. With ten Flowers of Life, he could produce at least eight bottles of [Source of Life].
"Flower of Life?" Efan's interest was piqued. "If you're truthful, I wouldn't mind trading two extreme poisons for it."
"Lead me to your alchemy room. It will be ready in an hour," Bai Yi said, his azure energy enveloping Yue Fang.
Not everyone could enter an evil alchemist's lab; weak individuals risked instant death from residual toxins.
For Yue Fang, it was an opportunity to learn. Once she returned to the Federation, she would grow rapidly.
"Please follow me."
Dong~
Efan rose with the aid of crutches and proceeded at a deliberate pace.
The evil alchemist, who sought perfection, seemed to embody an ideal form, yet it was merely the perfection of a mortal.
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