Chapter 174: Sky Island

To expand the intelligence network into the Four Seas, the Infinity Pirates could initially fund it for a year or so. However, beyond that, given their current finances, they might face a deficit in a year.

To stabilize and make the intelligence network self-sufficient, it would need at least five years of continuous development.

"It's just a matter of Berries. Don't worry, I know a place with a vast treasure. This trip to the Four Seas is to locate that treasure," Li Yuan reassured with a smile.

The City of Gold on Sky Island contained enough gold for an entire city. How much that gold was worth in Berries, Li Yuan wasn't sure. Based on the small amount the Straw Hat Pirates obtained, which fetched two to three billion Berries, the City of Gold must be worth trillions, especially since Berries hadn't depreciated.

"That's fantastic!" Shakky exclaimed, rewarding Li Yuan with a kiss. She enjoyed intelligence work, and her dream was to establish a global Luo Wang intelligence network for Li Yuan.

"So are we heading straight for the treasure?" Lazuli curiously inquired, intrigued by Li Yuan's mention of a treasure.

Considering the Infinity Pirates' current funds of around 200 billion Berries weren't enough for Shakky's network expansion, Li Yuan's treasure, said to surpass their current wealth, piqued her interest.

"Yes, first we'll visit Amazon Lily to find a Sea King to help us cross the Calm Belt, then head to the first half of the Grand Line where the treasure is," Li Yuan explained.

Though their ship could manually cross the Calm Belt, having a Sea King tow them would save manpower.

Following the plan, Li Yuan sailed to Amazon Lily, then crossed the Calm Belt.

Disguised and flying the Sea Transport King's flag, they avoided trouble, and any issues were easily resolved by Li Yuan.

They leisurely traveled to Mock Town.

Shakky placed special mirrors on each island they passed, crucial for Luo Wang's expansion.

"Li Yuan, is this the treasure site?" Shakky asked upon reaching Mock Town. The island had a bustling town, seemingly devoid of treasure. If there were, surely the many inhabitants would have found it by now.

"Have you heard the story of Sky Island and the City of Gold?" Li Yuan asked with a smile.

"Do you mean the legendary City of Gold? An entire city made of gold?" Lazuli exclaimed.

"Exactly, the City of Gold is on Sky Island, and this Mock Town is part of it," Li Yuan explained. "Sky Island was launched ten thousand meters into the sky by a sea current."

"If we reach ten thousand meters up, we'll find Sky Island and the City of Gold."

"Ten thousand meters up? How do we get there?" Shakky asked instinctively. Not being able to fly, reaching such heights seemed impossible—unless they had someone like the Golden Lion.

"Simple. Barrett, reverse gravity and increase its strength. Karu, grab the ship and fly it up!" Li Yuan instructed with a smile, having brought Barrett and Karu along for this task.

Li Yuan infused the ship with Armament Haki, strengthening it.

"Leave it to me, Captain!" Barrett said confidently, altering gravity within a 200-meter radius to pull upwards with double the force.

Karu fully transformed into his Swordwing Tiger form, gripping the ship and flying upward. With gravity's aid, even the ship's weight was negligible.

As planned, they soared ten thousand meters high, passing through the White Sea to reach Sky Island.

"Whew!!!!" On Sky Island, Barrett collapsed on the deck, exhausted. Altering gravity was simple, but maintaining it for so long with increased force was taxing.

"So this is Sky Island!!" Lazuli marveled at the surrounding whiteness, noting that clouds supported the ship, preventing it from falling.

Being ten thousand meters high, the clouds' density and buoyancy were astounding.

"Wow, such white clouds! Are we in the sky?" Gai Nie asked excitedly.

"We are, we've reached the sky!" Wei Zhuang declared happily.

"Let's head that way, Sky Island is in that direction," Li Yuan said, sensing an island ahead.

The crew sailed as directed, soon spotting an island.

"Oh no, such a large ship, it must be from the Blue Sea!" A patrol from the Sky Island reported the ship's arrival to Gan Fall, the island's god.

"Have Blue Sea people come again? Let's take a look!" Gan Fall frowned at the report and headed to the island's front.

"Wow, people on Sky Island have wings. Are they angels?" Esdeath asked curiously, seeing the winged inhabitants.

Stories she'd read always depicted angels with white wings and clothes.

"No, little girl, we're not angels. We're Sky Islanders, and our wings don't allow us to fly," Gan Fall explained with a smile, charmed by Esdeath's innocence.

"We're from the Blue Sea, visiting Sky Island. Hope you don't mind," Li Yuan said, stepping off the ship with a smile, though his Conqueror's Haki subtly radiated, causing Gan Fall's guards to collapse.

Li Yuan controlled the Haki's intensity, merely overwhelming them without knocking them out.

"Of course not!" Gan Fall stammered, sensing the danger from Li Yuan. Saying no could cost him his head.

"Good to hear. We're not troublemakers, we won't disturb the peace," Li Yuan reassured, withdrawing his Haki with a smile.

"Daddy, Daddy, it's so beautiful here. Can we explore?" Esdeath curiously asked about Sky Island.

"Daddy, Daddy, we want to go too," Akame and the others chimed in, jumping off the ship and clinging to Li Yuan.

"Lazuli, Yadina, take the kids to explore, and bring ten million Berries. Buy anything interesting," Li Yuan instructed.

"Esdeath, come with Mommy, I'll show you around," Lazuli said, fetching a stack of Berries.

"Mommy, Mommy!!" Esdeath and the others eagerly followed Lazuli, leaving Li Yuan.

"Barrett, Karu, go with them," Li Yuan ordered.

"Yes, Captain!" Barrett and Karu followed Lazuli and the children.

"Noble guests, rest assured, Sky Island is peaceful. We'll ensure their safety," Gan Fall said, eyes gleaming at the Berries Lazuli held. He hadn't expected such wealth from Blue Sea visitors and considered promoting Sky Island's specialties.

"Alright, go ahead," Li Yuan nodded.

"Noble guests, I'm Gan Fall, ruler of Sky Island. Let me guide you," Gan Fall offered, following Lazuli's group.

"Uncle, what's fun here?" Gai Nie asked.

"Sky Island has various shells. This is a Sound Dial, playing beautiful music when opened," Gan Fall demonstrated, the soothing tune delighting Esdeath and the others.

"Mommy, Mommy, I want this Sound Dial," Esdeath said excitedly.

"Alright, if you like it, we'll buy it," Lazuli agreed, happy to please the children.

"This is a Flame Dial, producing intense flames; this is an Impact Dial, releasing powerful shocks," Gan Fall continued, presenting various shells.

Akame and the others, awed by the exotic shells, wanted everything they hadn't seen before.

Lazuli bought them in bulk, ensuring replacements if they broke.

Gan Fall, thrilled by the sales, eagerly promoted more Sky Island products.

Li Yuan's group stayed on Sky Island for several days, during which he explored all of Jaya Island and located the City of Gold.

"Li Yuan, is this the City of Gold?" Shakky asked, viewing the ancient city, laden with time's marks. The dusty, brick-laden structures seemed like an ordinary ancient city, not a City of Gold.

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