How exactly did this once-glorious city rise, and how did it fall?
And what exactly happened during the process from rise to fall?
High-walled buildings constructed mainly with Brion materials.
A technological level that surpasses the term 'ancient'.
The many bizarre embryos cultivated using Brions, and now, the hundreds of seeds in the pool before them.
All of this, perhaps, could only wait for Salin to interpret the content of the ancient script.
Or, wait for Ai-chan's appraisal result.
The trio's gazes shifted between the vibrant seeds and the static fluorescent green liquid. The two seemed to maintain some inseparable connection.
At the very least, the three believed the reason these hundreds of seeds could maintain their vitality was likely related to this fluorescent green liquid.
However, this belief was just a one-sided speculation.
"There are only two types of plants in the Ancient Labyrinth City," Ging said, looking down, his eyes reflecting the green light.
"Brions and Herb for All-illnesses," Law completed the sentence.
Stargie glanced at the two, remaining silent while staying alert.
She lacked interest in everything within the Ancient Labyrinth City, so she didn't share Law and Ging's enthusiasm.
"Which one would it be?" Ging asked with interest, stroking his chin.
"I lean towards Herb for All-illnesses."
"Same," Ging nodded.
Law looked back towards the staircase entrance. "About five minutes left before the appraisal result comes out."
Ging put his hand down, crouching by the pool's edge. "Hmm, so do we continue upwards, or take a couple of seeds down?"
"Down."
Law replied without hesitation, simultaneously extending his right hand. Aura swirled like a whirlwind above his palm.
Ging glanced at the Domain Law condensed in his palm and nodded slightly, thinking that completely 'interpreting' the 'history' hidden behind the Ancient Labyrinth City was basically an impossible task.
Even assembling a team of a hundred elite archaeologists would find it difficult to achieve that level of interpretation. And within their team, only Salin had the possibility of interpretation.
But no matter how outstanding Salin was, she was still just one person.
Considering individual efficiency, if they insisted on continuing the interpretation, it would take at least several years, and the worst result might only reveal a glimpse of the iceberg.
Fortunately, the team had someone like Sheila with her type of Nen Ability, which could somewhat assist Salin's interpretation work, reducing the difficulty.
But even so, compared to the vaster unknown regions of the Dark Continent, would everyone in the team agree to spend time here?
If it were him and Salin, they would certainly choose to stay, but the others in the team were different.
After all, the original purpose of coming to the ancient labyrinth city was to obtain Herb for All-illnesses, and among them, only he and Salin were interested in ancient human ruins.
Ging thought silently, then watched Law use his ability to retrieve two vibrant seeds from the pool.
"Let's go, we're heading down."
Law carefully manipulated his Domain to envelop the two seeds, then walked towards the staircase entrance.
Ging and Stargie followed closely behind.
Several minutes later, the three returned to the first floor.
The tail light of the Ai-chan was still red, indicating the appraisal result wasn't out yet.
Salin's interpretation work continued. Judging from her tightly furrowed brows, she was clearly encountering difficulties.
And these professional difficulties could only be tackled by her alone… other teammates couldn't provide any substantial help in this area.
Seeing Law bring back two green seeds, pointed and long like sniper rifle bullets, Nique approached. He subtly swallowed, then examined the seeds with shining eyes.
'Hmm, the scent is very fresh, indicating they are very fresh, healthy, and full of vitality.'
If transplanted into the Nitro Rice's cultivation area, they might sprout in a very short time.
'But there are only two. I don't know if Law is willing to let me try one.'
Nique glanced at Law but ultimately found it difficult to ask.
Law noticed Nique's expression and said, "There are about a hundred more seeds up there."
"Really?!"
Nique's eyes widened.
"Yes."
Law nodded at Nique, then walked over to Ai-chan.
Nique stood there with a pleasantly surprised expression, feeling one step closer to becoming a farmer.
Ging also came over to Ai-chan, waiting for the appraisal result.
"How much longer?"
Law looked at the red light on Ai-chan's tail.
Sheila said softly, "About three minutes."
"Hmm."
Three minutes later, the red light on Ai-chan's tail turned green. Simultaneously, Ai-chan opened its eyes and said happily, "The result's out, the result's out!"
Sheila patted Ai-chan's head and smiled. "Well done."
Ai-chan rolled its black, bead-like eyes and immediately reported the information about the silver metal object.
[Plant Weapon Brion Seed, omnivorous plant, can survive without water, contains potent toxins.]
[Mature fruits parasitize living creatures to achieve propagation and reproduction.]
[If reproductive function is blocked, Brions will activate 'modification' or 'assimilation' abilities.]
[Therefore, mature Brions are often utilized by other organisms, transformed into natural weapons.]
After hearing Ai-chan's appraisal result and confirming that touching the seeds wasn't dangerous, Law personally picked up a Brion seed, stroking the silver patterns on it that looked machine-engraved. He wasn't too surprised.
When he found the Brion seeds, he already had some guesses.
Now the appraisal result just confirmed his guess.
Then, the likelihood that the seeds found upstairs leaned towards Herb for All-illnesses increased even more.
Thinking this, Law looked up at Ging, who also looked back and nodded slightly.
"I never expected this thing to be Brion seeds," Biscuit said, holding a Brion seed and examining it.
The others also each picked up one.
Compared to Brions after germination and growth, the seed form posed no threat.
They felt slightly heavy to the touch, cool, more like a metal craft item.
Everyone was carefully studying the Brion seeds, while Law handed the seeds found upstairs to Little Ai, starting a second round of appraisal.
…
Gatekeeper Clan's Territory.
The light from the silver flowers filled the entire stone passage. Heavy footsteps came from the end.
A red figure walked through the passage, its terrifying and fierce face filled with gravity.
Behind it followed a human-shaped black shadow, its height only reaching Red Shadow's waist.
The light from the fiery trees and silver flowers wasn't dim, but it couldn't dispel the darkness on the surface of the human-shaped shadow.
The shadow moved silently. The edges of its body surface writhed slowly like flames, resembling black mist.
Tap, tap.
Urgent footsteps came from the other end of the passage. A tall magical beast ran over quickly.
Upon seeing Red Shadow, the magical beast abruptly stopped.
Seeing this, Red Shadow said coldly, "Failed?"
The magical beast was taken aback. He had come to report this matter but hadn't spoken yet when Red Shadow cut him off.
"Yes!"
He nodded heavily. As his gaze shifted, he suddenly noticed the shadow standing behind Red Shadow. His pupils constricted sharply.
'It's... [Coo]!'
'Red Shadow actually... invited her out?!'
As shock reverberated within, the magical beast lowered his gaze, averting his eyes, no longer looking at the shadow behind Red Shadow.
As if that shadow were the most terrifying existence in the world.