Matrix Survival: I Get A Random Chest Every Day

Chapter 574 - 456: Encountering Zi Shu Again (5.5K)_3

Is the Gravity Research Institute really that wild?

Just because someone broke a record, they turned their corpse into a specimen for exhibition after they died?

Isn’t that too inhumane?

"Gravity Research Institute?" Zhan Zhouzhou repeated, nodding. "If I get a chance, I’ll definitely go check it out."

Li Zheng and the others: "..."

My goodness, what kind of strange competitive spirit is this, Lady Zhan?

Judging by your expression, it seems you’re quite looking forward to being displayed there?

"This is an additional prize. The item you need will be delivered to your private space by the terminal once it’s finished," Zi Shu picked up an opaque metal box from the nearby table and handed it to Zhan Zhouzhou.

I suppose what’s inside is the ticket to the Outer City.

Li Zheng glanced at it more carefully. The hint from Old Pu was: [A key box containing rare items; you’ll perhaps need to open it to discover the precise information inside.]

This implies that even Old Pu can’t see through this so-called ’key box’.

Li Zheng turned to look at the table, noticing four more identical ’key boxes’, none of which appeared any different from the outside.

After a moment of thought, he consulted with Zi Shu: "Do you know what’s inside this?"

Upon hearing this, Zi Shu gave him a look akin to seeing an idiot: "The terminal seals this item in a key box to prevent others from prying, do you think I would know?"

Then she changed the subject: "But what you’ve been up to isn’t a secret in the Outer City’s small circles, so I actually know what’s inside."

"..." Li Zheng was silent.

Listening to you is like listening to nonsense.

Are you kidding me?

"Alright, this is just our Purple Ling Race’s unique sense of humor. If you don’t find it funny, I’ll watch it next time."

Seeing Li Zheng’s constipated expression, Zi Shu thought he was upset. The Blacksmith often taught her that as a salesperson, she mustn’t make customers unhappy with her words and actions.

This is a cardinal sin in business!

She hastily rephrased: "I roughly understand your meaning; you want to know whether the ticket to the Outer City is different, right?"

At this, Li Zheng’s expression softened, and he nodded slightly.

"Honestly, there is."

Zi Shu restrained her emotions, her expression becoming much more serious: "Every player’s destination upon entering the Outer City is random, so theoretically, there shouldn’t be any life-threatening danger."

"But as you know, some people in the Outer City accept the terminal’s tasks and temporarily enter the Matrix to work."

"In the course of their tasks, they might clash with an active player."

"In the Matrix, we from the Outer City are restrained by rules and cannot actively attack you."

"But once in the Outer City..."

For any sentient being, their thoughts are remarkably similar.

Even if those old players doing tasks don’t clash with active players, who’s to say there won’t be people among them seeking profits this way?

After all...

In their eyes, the strength of active players is akin to adults handling children.

It’s practically effortlessly easy to bully them.

That’s why these Outer City tickets are sealed in a secure box by the terminal, fearing that specific information might leak, prompting an active player to be stalked by a seasoned veteran and set up for a trap.

This sort of thing must have happened before.

Otherwise, the terminal wouldn’t go to such lengths.

"So the Outer City is all about surface order, but secretly it’s still ’Bloody’s’ law of the jungle?" Li Zheng frowned. If that’s true, going to the Outer City would be a lot more troublesome for him.

"That’s not it."

Zi Shu corrected him: "Actually, as long as you don’t recklessly head outside the city, your life is basically safe. But make sure to be cautious once you’re in the Outer City—a genuine official guide is arranged by the terminal, although some ill-intentioned individuals are there as well. Sharpen your eyes to identify them, and you should be fine."

"Identify them?" Li Zheng was puzzled for a moment. What’s so hard about that?

If they’re arranged by the terminal, can’t they provide some token or something, allowing active players to distinguish real from fake through ’official certification’?

Li Zheng voiced his thoughts, and Zi Shu again gave him that brief look.

"You need to understand, in this world, fabricating something is far easier than you imagine."

"Furthermore..."

"Once you are in the Outer City, it won’t be like in the Matrix where you can view item information. Otherwise, why would those agricultural smugglers go through so much to cultivate new species here?"

As Zi Shu spoke, the eye on her forehead suddenly blinked: "I’ve said too much, the terminal has warned me. Let’s proceed with the awards ceremony. Any extra topics you can explore yourself later in the Outer City, and discover naturally."

"Okay."

Li Zheng had long known the nature of the Matrix Terminal. Today’s information gained from Zi Shu was much more than usual and critically important for his subsequent visits to the Outer City, saving him a lot of trouble.

Their conversation took place openly around Zhan Zhouzhou and the others. When the three at Phoenix Mountain were choosing their rewards, Li Zheng and Zhan Zhouzhou discussed and decided to make the related information obtained today public, so that all players would remain vigilant.

It was because of this decision that those who profited by preying on active players reaped much less profit.

Second to choose a prize was Phoenix Mountain, who custom-ordered a pair of gloves, which extended to the shoulder in an all-arm style, effectively protecting his entire arm.

And it effectively amplified his striking power to an extent, though it didn’t work in conjunction with ’Salty Hands’, it was quite suitable for him.

Yan Guang didn’t know what kind of item he should choose, so he simply got Phoenix Mountain a set of battle armor made with nanotechnology materials. It’s lightweight, soft, and effectively reduces the damage weapons like knives and guns could inflict.

When it was Lin Fengjiao’s turn, she made an impossible request.

She wanted a set of medical equipment capable of healing skin injuries on the body. Zi Shu straightforwardly said that such items were beyond the scope of what their Blacksmith Shop managed.

However, she did point the way, suggesting Lin Fengjiao seek out the "Doctor."

Finally, Lin Fengjiao changed her terms and got a Star Shining level Gauss Rifle to take back to Xiao Siyuan.

In passing, Zi Shu did her a favor and handed Lin Fengjiao a card with the directions to the Doctor’s location.

Li Zheng took a glance—identical to the one he’d received earlier.

Except, Lin Fengjiao’s card was densely covered with arrows, impossible to count.

It seems she has quite a long road ahead in finding the Doctor.

Yet, having caught a glimpse of hope, Lin Fengjiao seemed rather excited, her frail body trembling softly, her hand visibly shivering as she held the card.

When it was Li Zheng’s turn, he found himself at a loss.

Truth be told, his demand for weapons and armor wasn’t very high.

Weapon-wise, the Demon Blade Thirsty Blood had just been restored to King Tier today, significantly boosting its lethality.

If Li Zheng now encountered Yiqi, he could easily break through the defense of those hands!

As for his own armor, Li Zheng planned to purchase more after heading to the Outer City.

The Earth Dragon Armor itself was pseudo-Extraordinary and in the Matrix, as long as Li Zheng wasn’t foolish enough to take attacks head-on, it was pretty much like Star Shining level armor.

Thus, he directed his attention towards "miscellaneous items."

After hesitating for a long time, Li Zheng thought of an item and slowly voiced his request to Zi Shu.

After listening, Zi Shu looked troubled: "This..."