Deep in the Living

≮The unknown relic has been deciphered, its name "Egg of Evil (Berial)." By properly arranging the facial features, it can transform into a key, capable of unlocking the ancient secrets hidden in the dungeon depths.

In its non-key state, it can serve as a special tool, "Human Head Balloon," with the following functions:

1. Storage: It will act as a large-capacity balloon, capable of storing the fog inherent in the relic itself. If the holder possesses other forms of gas, they will be treated as "fog-ized."

2. Input: Devouring external objects (including pituitary creatures) converts them into more gas reserves.

3. Output: It can spread fog externally, used for concealment, plunder, interference, and so forth. ≯

Luo Di has already obtained the above information, but the issue he cares about the most is not the effect of the relic but its function as a key.

"Egg of Evil... the secret is in the depths of the dungeon?"

Luo Di happens to hold the deepest secrets of the dungeon, crucial information obtained through the annihilation of Master Jiang's body.

Unbelievably coincidental, this relic is actually connected to the depths of the dungeon.

However,

As the holder of divine qualification, Luo Di does not need to ascend like regular monsters by going through the deepest regions of the dungeon to touch divinity.

With his qualification, he can directly proceed to the deep regions without venturing into the dangerous dungeon.

But now, two things related to him are interconnected, both pointing to the depths of the dungeon, Luo Di may need to reconsider.

Even with divine qualification, he needs to explore the depths of the dungeon.

Whether it's the location of the ancient secrets or the uniqueness of this key, they indirectly indicate that there must be unimaginable[treasures]behind this.

Its value might even surpass the rewards of the videotape incident, perhaps touching the essence of the Corner.

"Minister Matthew, what is the secret after all?"

"I don't know, there are so many things I haven't deciphered. The final secret, only you will know after you open it with this key.

Relying solely on my intuition and cognitive speculation, it might be an ancient relic."

"Ancient relic?"

"Yes, what you hold in your hand cannot actually be considered a relic, because it only possesses regular functionality and cannot be combined with relics like most investigators.

Perhaps the unmarked stone door you chose during the relic creation process contained something that wasn't a relic but an 'unrefined key.'

Now you have completed the key,

obtaining specific information about the key through the secret room decoding, as well as the location corresponding to the secret.

The ultimate guide to all this may be to let you obtain an ancient relic incomparable to any ordinary relic. As for what it is, only you can discover."

"You must take hold of this opportunity! The depths of the dungeon are extremely dangerous, you must not rush."

As the Corner is now safe, we have ample development time, you are still young, waiting for five years, ten years is no problem.

Wait until your plants form a garden, wait until you have enough confidence, having a team that can complement each other, then go deeper."

"Alright, I won't rush. Besides, I still have many things to do at present, the substance left in my body by Master Jiang still needs to be gradually accepted."

Minister Matthew sizes up Luo Di, "I can see you have changed a lot since last time... How about staying here with us and undergo seclusion inside the secret room.

It's a privilege for us as humans, it can greatly enhance your personal focusing, and allow you to personally experience the Corner's ancientness, gaining insights related to the origin of Fear, perhaps giving you a deeper understanding of the key in your hand."

Luo Di glanced back at Wu Wen waiting at the door, then turned his vision back.

"Alright... When should it start?"

"You can start anytime, after all, your task accomplished in Fishing Village already earned you three days of seclusion in the secret room."

"Then I'll chat with friends first, then come over later."

"No problem."

Minister Matthew completely regards Luo Di as a member of equal standing, after all, this young man standing before has personally decapitated Master Jiang, breaking the organizational structure of the Corner, his personal file already added this feat.

If evaluated by Exploration Bureau's internal job assessment, Luo Di is fully qualified to apply for minister.

However, the upper echelons are well aware Luo Di does not fit here, besides, he is too young, too personalized.

Such a special individual, staying in Vortex Town offers far more development than staying in the Exploration Bureau.

...

[Canteen]

Wu Wen was enjoying the authentic spicy red oil dumplings, looking satisfied.

"Haha~ In the end, you're going to take leave, aren't you? Teacher Guo must have seen you'll stay here, hence proposed taking leave proactively.

It's alright, I'll head back and fill out the leave note for you later.

Teacher Guo is keen to have you unravel Master Jiang's sealed memories, even if you take a semester off, he's won't hesitate.

Just too bad you won't be able to attend my first class."

Luo Di was still the same, slurping on his favorite noodles, only today they were replaced with fatty intestine sauce.

"Alright, thanks, Squad Leader."

"I want to ask you something, since the secret hidden by the keys is in the Corner Depths, will you go?"

"I should."

"Then you need to hurry a bit, don't listen to what Minister Matthew said about five years, ten years. Based on what I know about Teacher Guo, he is quite anxious.

Once you obtain Mr. Jiang's deep memory, Teacher Guo should organize the first squad to venture into the deepest parts of the Dungeon.

Although the Corner is temporarily stable, the potential dangers cannot be ignored.

Vortex Town desperately needs to cultivate the first batch of monsters capable of reaching Corner Depths, monsters with Divinity… If an Outer God comes, we have the confidence to face them head-on."

"Are you going to be part of the first team going deep?"

"Whether it's the first or second batch... I really want to get in touch as soon as possible. So, I'm wondering if you could go with me?"

Luo Di didn't hesitate much, nodding directly in agreement: "When I am able to decode Mr. Jiang's dusty memories, it means I've inherited his legacy. Even if my plants haven't been able to bloom a garden in the pituitary, my strength shouldn't differ by much.

We will apply together then."

"Okay."

"By the way, will Mr. Qu also go?"

"Yes, Teacher Guo has recently let my brother follow and learn at school, wanting him to stabilize quickly..."

Suddenly, Wu Wen's words stopped abruptly.

Because she sensed something, or only her blood relation could perceive it in advance.

She turned her head sharply towards the entrance of the cafeteria, but there was nothing.

When she turned back, there was an extra person at the table that originally seated two... a faceless man sitting on the side, his smooth face facing Luo Di.

Suddenly.

A palm swung out.

Wu Wen didn't have time to stop it; the palm already stretched towards Luo Di's chest.

Bang!

A crisp sound, Luo Di was sent flying, crashing into three tables.

Due to the unauthorized brawl in the dining area, alarms sounded!

Detection equipment began operating swiftly, soon detecting an unregistered monster.

The ordinary alarm instantly escalated to a level-one red alert, indicating a threat capable of annihilating the Exploration Bureau had arrived.

The next second.

Luo Di unexpectedly stood up unharmed, feeling his body soften and his blood flowing unblocked.

He hurriedly reported the incident here, requesting the alarm to be lifted.

The several ministers, deputy ministers, and elite combat squads rushing over broke into cold sweat upon receiving the report.

Because in Luo Di's report, a key detail emphasized was that the trigger for the alarm was NO.1.

Fortunately the misunderstanding was cleared, or it would have been a big trouble.

The inside of the cafeteria quickly regained calm, but the investigators dining there tried to stay as far away as possible, sitting in the far Corner, sneaking glances at the faceless one.

They had all heard that the Corner's NO.1 had appeared, didn't expect it to come directly inside the Exploration Bureau today.

"Brother, why are you here?"

"Class is over, came to see you."

"Let me introduce, this is..."

"I've been observing you all the way." Mr. Qu's words made Wu Wen instantly blush, recalling the previous intimate act in the streets.

She wanted to say something, but Mr. Qu already turned to Luo Di, speaking in sufficiently fluent common language:

"Your body is too stiff, what happened just now can provide physical relief... I only have this one sister, I hope you live up to your choice."

"I will."

Receiving the response, Mr. Qu no longer lingered; a flash of crimson passed before everyone's eyes, the seat already empty.

Luo Di breathed a sigh of relief over here, looking at the slightly shy but immediately switching to a smile Wu Wen, "Teacher Wu… you're quite the actor, you knew Mr. Qu was following us, right?"

Wu Wen picked up a dumpling, shaking it in the air, responding with a smile:

"What else? At our first meeting, Hua Yuan deliberately linked arms with you showing up, making it difficult for me to explain... could only do this, let brother personally witness the way you treat me well, only then will he accept."

Luo Di silently gave a thumbs up, saying nothing more.