I'm Trapped in the Block

The further they went, the more decorations and carvings appeared in the tunnel, and the more exquisite they became.

The gemstone decorations along the sides of the tunnel began to form patterns. These gems had been specially polished and cut, bearing the clear marks of craftsmanship.

The ubiquitous carvings were now also studded with gems. Colorful gemstone sand was being used to color the various engravings of veins and the Mineral Race.

These different colors of gemstone sand likely represented the different types of Mineral Race, as a way to tell them apart.

The intricate carving techniques and brilliant colors made the engravings increasingly lifelike. Mo Ling felt as if he were at an art exhibition.

Before long, Mo Ling once again spotted the carving of that majestic, multi-armed member of the Mineral Race.

’That carving again. Who is that supposed to be?’

Because this giant of the Mineral Race was so unique, it had left a deep impression on Mo Ling.

Here, the giant’s body had also been colored with gemstone sand, but its coloring was also highly unusual.

Gemstone sand of all colors covered its body like multicolored pixels, which in turn combined to form different blocks of color.

The shapes of these color blocks were very strange; Mo Ling observed them for a long time but couldn’t figure out what they were supposed to be.

Around the giant’s countless arms, there were still some mottled patterns, still too small to make out.

’Could it be a representation of faith?’ Mo Ling was puzzled.

The more he looked, the more he felt it depicted some kind of fictional creature. He thought about how Abnormal Vein Patients developed emotions, and figured that faith might arise from that as well.

Lost in thought, Mo Ling continued to float forward.

After floating a short distance more, the way ahead suddenly brightened.

’Is that sunlight?’

Blinding sunlight streamed in from the cave mouth ahead, illuminating the countless gems around the entrance until they sparkled brilliantly.

None of the previous gemstone decorations could compare to the splendor of the cave mouth.

Under the sunlight, the seemingly disordered gems at the entrance cleverly refracted the light into several rainbow-colored beams, forming a dazzling halo that enveloped the opening.

It was like a portal that could cross into an Otherworld.

The brilliance from the gemstone prisms extended into the tunnel, like a rainbow bridge laid out to welcome arriving guests.

Mo Ling watched in admiration for a long time, discovering that the gemstone prisms would even adjust their angle over time to keep the rainbow bridge filling the tunnel. It must have been specially designed.

’So beautiful.’

Mo Ling really wanted to experience the feeling of stepping onto it himself, but for now, he could only watch blankly from within the Block.

After taking in the sight, the group continued forward.

’Is it the surface outside this cave?’

’Why is there sunlight?’

Mo Ling’s questions vanished the moment they passed through the opening.

This was not the surface. It was still a massive cavern, but a skylight had been carved into its ceiling.

A giant prism was set in the skylight, directing sunlight into the cavern. Countless other prisms within the cavern then reflected and refracted the light, illuminating the entire space.

The cavern was filled with innumerable houses made of gemstones. The architectural styles of these houses were extremely varied and seemed almost random.

Some were lopsided, like sandcastles made by a child, while others were exquisitely and cleverly crafted in both form and appearance.

There were very short, bunker-like structures that seemed to have many floors underground, as well as some that were slender and tall, soaring all the way to the ceiling like the stone pillars in the Thorn Stone Forest.

Although the styles were diverse, their layout was very orderly. They looked incredibly magnificent under the light refracted by the prisms in the ceiling.

The periphery of the cavern also looked like it had been expanded countless times. Huge, man-made stone pillars supported the cavern, and these pillars were also covered in dense, intricate carvings.

The exit of the rainbow tunnel was located mid-air in the cavern, offering a perfect bird’s-eye view of the space. Although Mo Ling’s vision was limited, he could still sense its magnificence.

"I didn’t expect the Anomalous Vein Cave to be so prosperous. This is far more advanced than the previous veins."

A wide staircase extended down to the cavern floor.

As they slowly descended the staircase, Mo Ling discovered that the ground was paved with uniform stone bricks, and the intersecting roads were well-organized.

What was most peculiar was that every member of the Mineral Race here had a completely different expression on their face, and they were all busy with their own tasks.

Compared to the lifeless veins they had seen before, everything in the Anomalous Vein Cave seemed vibrantly alive.

A petite, passing member of the Mineral Race sized them up for a long time before slowly approaching to greet them. "Hello."

This petite member of the Mineral Race looked just like a human young lady. Her facial expressions were very rich, and she wore several gemstone ornaments.

If not for her jade-like skin, this petite member of the Mineral Race would have been indistinguishable from an ordinary human girl.

Li Luo seemed a bit unaccustomed to being greeted by one of the Mineral Race. It took him a long moment to respond with a "Hello."

The petite member of the Mineral Race glanced over the group and said, a little strangely, "A human, a normal member of the Mineral Race, and an Abnormal Vein Patient... a combination like yours is truly rare. What brings you here?"

"Just here to look around," Li Luo said, not telling the truth and just making up an excuse.

The petite member of the Mineral Race nodded and pointed to a magnificent building. "You should go find the village chief in that building. Just let him know you’re here. We don’t have many rules, just don’t break anything."

Then she turned to Shibeng and asked, very puzzled, "Friend, aren’t you afraid of me? Do you know what I am?"

"You’re an Abnormal Vein Patient. I know. I am also afraid..." Shibeng seemed about to launch into his theory again.

But she cut him off mid-sentence, seemingly very moved. "This is the first time I’ve ever seen a normal member of the Mineral Race dare to come to Neon Village. I’m so glad you aren’t prejudiced against us."

After that, she unleashed a torrent of praise on Shibeng, then began to pour out her grievances, talking about how her own kind had driven her out.

Like a lonely soul who hadn’t had anyone to talk to in ages, she rambled on to Shibeng, complaining ceaselessly while occasionally praising his actions.

When she got excited, she almost patted Shibeng, but she suddenly seemed to realize something, quickly retracting her hand and taking a step back.

The petite member of the Mineral Race seemed very concerned about her own actions. She glanced cautiously at Shibeng, worried she might have scared him, her face momentarily filled with anxiety.

However, when she saw that Shibeng didn’t shy away from her, she grew even happier and started spouting praise again. Gradually, even the way she addressed him changed.

"Brave one, do you want to come see my home? I have lots of pretty gems. I can make a bracelet for you. Do you know what a bracelet is? It’s..."

The petite member of the Mineral Race gestured and explained animatedly in front of Shibeng, unconsciously inching closer to him. When she realized she was too close, she would shyly back away.

This repeated over and over.

It was unclear if Shibeng understood any of it; he just stood there, straight as a board.

Like an eternal, unchanging statue...