CHAPTER 33 - The Dream Blossom

"As long as it's something I can help with," Orianna nodded in agreement.

"At the entrance of the academy, there's a security room. Go there and borrow two breathing filtration devices."

Due to the frequent haze from Zaun that often drifted to the Upper City at night, Breathing filtration devices were standard equipment for almost every enforcer or security personnel in Piltover.

"Breathing filtration devices?" Orianna's eyes flashed with a hint of confusion, but she did not question. "Are you sure you're okay here yourself?"

"Of course, just a bit numb," Li Lin replied with a gentle smile. "Go quickly. If they refuse, tell them you're sent by the Kiramman family... and, if possible, ask for their assistance."

"Kiramman?" Orianna pondered for a moment. "Alright then, I'll be back in a moment."

Watching her retreating figure, Li Lin glanced at the bushes where there was movement before he fell unconscious, furrowing his brows deep in thought.

With "Data Mind" activated, the information from that patch of bushes appeared completely on the system panel:

[Purple Dream Blossom (Inactive): A magical flower from Ionia, emitting pollen that, when inhaled, can instantly induce various effects on an adult (depending on the pollen quantity, effects include poisoning, drowsiness, unconsciousness, paralysis, and even death).]

The reason Li Lin didn't let Orianna take him directly into the hall was twofold: first, he had a paralyzing side effect on his body. Second, he had identified the "Hypnotic Flower" as the culprit that had caused him to be poisoned and unconscious.

Since he himself had been hypnotized by the attacker's hypnotic flower, the hall's interior might also be filled with the pollen of this flower.

It was better to be cautious.

After a few minutes, Orianna, panting heavily, ran back with two breathing devices, handing one to Li Lin.

"Here, for you," she said, slightly catching her breath. "I didn't see any security personnel there."

"If there aren't any, let it be."

Li Lin quickly put on the breathing filtration device, and with Orianna's support, they entered through a side door of the hall.

During the days of good food, drink, and daily training at the Kiramman family, Li Lin's weight had soared, and he was no longer the skinny, somewhat malnourished boy he used to be.

Orianna struggled a bit, but she gritted her teeth and persisted.

Upon entering, aided by the dim yellow light of alchemical lamps, Li Lin saw a faint purple mist dispersing in the air.

Pollen from the Dream Blossom...

He immediately recognized what it was. "Indeed, it was a wise choice to wear a breathing filter in advance."

Li Lin's face darkened. He signaled Orianna to tread lightly. "Be careful, don't make too much noise."

Orianna became even more nervous, lowering her voice to ask, "What exactly is happening? What is this purple powdery substance floating in the air?"

"Hypnotic flower pollen. Someone has placed this stuff in the central ventilation system."

"Hypnotic flower?" Orianna had obviously heard of this plant. "But isn't it a medicinal herb used to treat insomnia? It's classified as a controlled substance because of its toxicity."

"Clearly, someone has set their sights on this Progress Day event." Li Lin said in a deep voice. "Luckily, you weren't in the hall earlier; otherwise, you would have been one of those knocked out."

"What?!" Orianna's small face suddenly lost its color. "Then my father..."

"Shh, don't get agitated. Your father should be fine for now."

In his mind, Li Lin added, 'The high probability is that someone I know is involved.'

Soon, they reached a junction, and Li Lin pointed to a path leading to the other side. "Go this way; let's get something first."

That was the direction to the backstage, which also led to the warehouse where the exhibits were stored.

The first Hextech energy crystal taken by Lady Cassandra was temporarily stored there along with the Hextech revolver.

Shortly after, they arrived at a wider corridor, at the end of which was an exquisitely atmospheric pair of double metal doors.

Several enforcers, who were specifically dressed in sheriff's attire to guard the warehouse, were lying on the ground in disarray.

Orianna covered her mouth and exclaimed softly, "They..."

Li Lin, using his "Data Mind," casually glanced over and said, "Don't worry, they just fell asleep."

With that, he, having just recovered from the "paralysis" state, fumbled through the enforcers and eventually found a bunch of keys on a rather plump enforcer.

He tried them one by one and quickly opened the door.

"Wake them up, I'll go in and get something," Li Lin instructed Orianna, who was checking on the enforcers.

"Okay, okay..."

The warehouse was not large; all the shelves and items were neatly arranged. On this side of the door, there were labels and family emblems.

Li Lin walked to the innermost part and quickly found the emblem representing "Kiramman." Then, he found a Hextech Chest on the innermost shelf.

For a mechanic with extensive knowledge, a small vault was not a problem.

Of course, "not a problem" only applied to him.

Li Lin found a screwdriver on another shelf. With the assistance of "Data Mind," he easily pried open the vault.

The Hextech revolver and another smaller metal password box lay quietly in a corner of the box.

He opened the box and loaded the energy crystal into the energy slot of the Hextech revolver.

[Hextech Revolver (Fine): A weapon that integrates technology and magical elements, with a Hextech energy crystal as its power core, capable of firing energy bullets.]

[Attributes (for machinery): 500 Health, 500 Energy, 12 Combat Power]

[Ability Effects]

[Passive · Energy Crystal Core: Using the energy crystal as the core provides an additional 1000 energy, greatly enhancing the power of "Energy Bullets."]

[Passive · Charge: The energy core can absorb magical elements from the air for self-charging, recovering 3% of the maximum energy per second.]

[Active · Energy Bullets: After 0-3 seconds of charging, fire an energy bullet forward, causing lethal damage to the target while creating a shockwave in the 3-8 meter area around the target, causing significant impact and inflicting a prolonged stun effect (the longer the charging time, the stronger the destructive power, consuming 3%-10% of total energy per energy bullet).]

After installing the Hextech energy crystal, the attributes of the Hextech revolver underwent considerable changes.

The most obvious change was that "Energy Bullets" could now be fired without charging, or be charged for a maximum of 3 seconds, significantly enhancing the damage and range.

Li Lin nodded in satisfaction, picked up the revolver, and quickly ran outside.

Outside the warehouse, Orianna had already awakened several enforcers and helped them put on their portable breathing filters.

Unlike Li Lin, they had been exposed to the pollen of the sleeping flower all along, so the degree of poisoning was deeper.

At this moment, everyone looked dazed, and their consciousness had not fully recovered.

"Leave them alone," Li Lin pulled Orianna up, his eyes resolute. "Let's quickly go to the control room; we must change the air here first."

End of the chapter.