Chapter 139: Secret Base

[Bang! Bang!
The elderly blacksmith picks up his hammer and infuses the power of the Lantern aspect from the Torch Feather into the Bow of Lamplight.]

Chen Qi waits quietly for the blacksmith to repair the Bow of Lamplight.

After some time.

[The old blacksmith stops his hammer, looks at the bow, and seems very satisfied:
"Customer, our weapon forging skills in District 6 of Neo-Capital are the best in the city! No, the best in the world!"
The master craftsman hands you the scorching Bow of Lamplight and takes a sip of flower wine.]

[You have obtained the repaired Bow of Lamplight!]

Chen Qi checks the stats of the Bow of Lamplight.
The base damage of the repaired Bow of Lamplight has increased by 100%, allowing it to deal a full 20 points of damage per arrow.
It has also gained two additional skills: [Lamplight Volley] and [Phantom Slayer: Intermediate].

[Phantom Slayer:
Effect: Each arrow deals an additional 5 points of damage to enemies with the Void or Shadow aspects and applies a Reveal effect (the enemy will no longer be able to hide their presence).]

[Lamplight Volley:
Description: Consumes 6 points of spiritual power. After a brief charge, fires ten arrows of lamplight simultaneously. (Cooldown: 10 minutes)]

The Bow of Lamplight itself possesses a [Shining Mark] skill; once an enemy is hit by one arrow, subsequent arrows will have a tracking effect.
Chen Qi calculates that if all shots land, it can deal a massive 200 points of damage at once!
Furthermore, it deals extra damage to "Void" and "Shadow" enemies.
It is a quite excellent ranged weapon.
As long as the weapon hits an enemy with a Shining Mark, the following arrows can be fired at will. Even firing them into the sky does not matter.

Chen Qi puts the weapon away, intending to find a place to practice with it when he has time.
Immediately after, he approaches others on the train to sell some useless items he obtained at the Kin-Eater base, exchanging them for materials of the Lantern and Edge aspects.

Suddenly, a text prompt pops up!
[You hear a sound coming from behind you.]
[You turn around and see someone holding a vintage mechanical camera.]
["Greetings, Herbalist."
A plainly dressed Lantern-aspected individual greets you. He calls himself a "Photographer," an adventurer specializing in documentation, hailing from the Treasure Hunter Association of District 8 and serving under the Witch of Candles.]

Chen Qi checks his panel; this is a Level 14 individual with primary stats in Agility and Inspiration.
[You look behind him and see Kano, the Treasure Hunter, undergoing emergency treatment.]
[The Photographer says he heard of your exploits on the Weaver Train, encountered the Right-Eye Detective you traveled with, and thanks you for saving a treasure hunter from their association.]

Encountered the Right-Eye Detective?
Chen Qi had been wondering if that detective had been finished off by the Witch of Cocoons.

He clicks on the game to ask what the other party saw.
[The Photographer tells you that he witnessed the detective being chased by the Witch of Cocoons on the train.
The Right-Eye Detective was pursued relentlessly by the Witch of Cocoons...
However, just as the Right-Eye Detective was about to be killed by the Witch of Cocoons' silk threads!
Suddenly, the protective shell outside the train was breached. A frenzied King Furnace Spider broke through the train's defenses and dealt the Witch of Cocoons a blow, severely wounding her!
The Right-Eye Detective seized the opportunity to jump off the train through the hole, and in the end, he even mockingly insulted the Witch of Cocoons as a brainless woman.]
[The Photographer takes out a photograph, capturing that exact moment perfectly.
In the photo, you see the Right-Eye Detective’s green right eye glowing with a golden hue, his face twisted in a mocking, extremely arrogant expression!
The Witch of Cocoons is furious, her white clothes stained with her own blood.]

To be attacked by an external enemy just as he was about to be hit...
Was it luck or his keen observation?
Chen Qi ponders; that golden eye suggests the Right-Eye Detective likely activated some kind of ultimate ability.

Chen Qi continues reading.
[The Photographer grips his old relic camera and shakes his head:
"It’s a pity, Mr. Herbalist, that I didn't capture photos of your main battlefield; otherwise, they would have definitely sold well in District 8 of Neo-Capital!"]
[The Photographer hands you a business card; it is a treasure hunter’s card.]
[The Photographer says:
"Herbalist, the Witch of Flowers is not as stern as the Witch of Crows. Her management has always been lax. Unlike the Disaster Messengers, many people in the Tower of Medicine take on side jobs.
Recently, I’ve been in contact with the messengers, planning to start a newspaper and intelligence business. The treasure hunters are also short-handed and need help. Of course, the rewards are not small.
I believe, Mr. Herbalist, that you could help us.
Since the destruction of the Second Reorganized Death Group and the loss of all their treasures, adventurers in District 8 of Neo-Capital have fallen into a slump, lacking what is called courage.
There are simply too few Lantern-aspected people like us who dare to adventure."]

This person wants him to do some tasks.
Chen Qi takes the business card. It’s always good to have an extra channel for money and information.

...

Chen Qi checks his inventory. During the remaining time, he managed to gather quite a few materials imbued with the power of the Lantern and Edge aspects on the Weaver Train.
At this moment, a text prompt appears in the game.
[The train conductor, Zhi, walks to your side and reminds you that the daylight is fading.]

After returning the mechanical hub, he leaves the premises.
Before returning it, he had checked all the various functions of the train and learned some of its secrets.
For ordinary passengers, the train has many traps, and many defensive weapons are likely to harm passengers.
[You look back and see that the conductor, Zhi, has changed into a new set of clothes. Her body has returned to a normal state, and a smile appears on her face.]

Chen Qi looks at the investigator’s guide, which states: do not stay on the train for too long.
The main reason is that staying on this train for too long leads to contracting certain illnesses and makes one easily prone to dependency.
The train itself possesses a certain will; it converts passengers into crew members, and there is no escape.
In other words, it is very difficult for either Zhi or the train conductor to leave the train.
Furthermore, there is a spatial mechanism on the train that can teleport people to other unknown locations.
All this information was written on the panel of the mechanical hub.
Chen Qi records this information in a notebook to ensure he doesn't forget.
Since the investigator can sell guides, perhaps he can too.
Unlike the Lightless Abyss, the Weaver Train passes through many districts and is useful to people in many areas; it should fetch a good price.

[You look into the distance. The train is currently traveling through a desolate mountain range, and in the distance lies a vast forest.
On the earth, black and green form a sharp dividing line, and the heavy snow gradually dissipates.]
[You realize that you are now at the border between District 8 and District 9 of Neo-Capital.]

District 9 of Neo-Capital...
In most districts of Neo-Capital, the concept of family is very weak.
But District 9 is different; it is a district that places great importance on family, with the "Cup" aspect as its core. Seniority and titles are very important, and it is extremely xenophobic.

[Do you wish to disembark?]

Chen Qi opens Treasure Hunter Kano’s map.
He needs to return to District 8 of Neo-Capital to go to Kano’s secret base.
Yes.

[You walk onto the carriage roof, feeling the wind, looking into the distance, and preparing to jump off the train.]
[Conductor Zhi tips her train cap and bows slightly:
"Customer, may you have a smooth journey. You are welcome to come again, if you still wish to."]
[She can tell that you are a troublemaker; perhaps one day, you two will cross paths again!]
["Goodbye, Zhi."
You leap from the train and, relying on your high agility, land on the ground.]
[Conductor Zhi waves goodbye. If one day she can cure her "train sickness," she will come to District 8 of Neo-Capital for a vacation.
Conductor Zhi watches your figure gradually fade into the distance...]

Chen Qi summons the Lantern-Shadow Fox. He should head directly to the Disaster Messenger Tower and then to that secret base.
[You ride the Lantern-Shadow Fox, heading toward the Disaster Messenger Tower...]
[Advancing...]