The Abyssal Garden: No Room for the Idle

The black-haired young man indeed had surpassed Su Qi's expectations.

According to what others had said,

although projections of other Paradises were powerful, they weren't absurdly so. As long as one found an opportunity, there was a chance to defeat them and succeed in the challenge.

"The projections of the Ancient Paradise, though, clearly seem like the power of Paradise being deployed."

"Moreover, they distribute across the various sequences based on the player's strength... as Bai Yilin said, those of the High Sequence actively seek out encounters with the projections of the Ancient Paradise."

However,

as Su Qi outlined his plan, his gaze shifted to the black-haired young man still fighting with Bai Yilin.

This black-haired young man was clearly more special,

not using any Spiritual Energy, yet he could so easily... just with a handgun, he killed people who were no longer ordinary.

One could only say,

his horizons, experience, and true Strength were terrifying.

At this very moment,

Bai Yilin, his body white with hints of scarlet, was like an air cannon, each punch, each kick, each charge, caused a sonic boom, the reverberation of air, and the ground to shatter!

What made the black-haired youth strong was that he used only a trace of Spiritual Energy and with a smile easily neutralized Bai Yilin's full-on attack.

This wasn't a battle between equals.

However,

Bai Yilin was a step above the others, who had just been dealt with. At least the black-haired young man opened his eyes and even used Spiritual Energy when facing Bai Yilin's major burst of white and red aura, calmly engaging in combat with him.

It was less a fight to the death than a mentorship.

The black-haired young man's identity remained unknown, but he seemed to have a gentle attitude towards newcomers, as to the specific reasons, as he said, only by defeating him did one earn the right to know.

"Boom!"

Bai Yilin roared lowly, every calculation in his mind furiously at work, he launched himself at the black-haired young man without reservation in martial arts combat.

And the black-haired young man revealed a trace of a smile:

"You, among the newcomers, possess unique resolution, a steadfast heart. Your momentum is good, but it often comes with a price, attracts envy, and ultimately won't last."

"The end of a strong bow, a body stripped of power, only the heart remains, resolutely moving upward."

He raised a finger, and Spiritual Energy burst forth at its tip!

Bai Yilin's body trembled, pierced straight through.

"He was defeated with a single finger..." Old Mo sighed, "Bad."

"Not bad, it's about time."

Su Qi seemed to understand.

The black-haired young man's words revealed Bai Yilin's once sharp edge, now fallen; his guidance in the midst of combat, yet enlightenment in his words.

In Bai Yilin's eyes, there was some relief.

After his body was pierced,

blood flowed onto the ground, yet with an expression of utmost respect, he seriously bowed, "Thank you, senior."

The black-haired young man chuckled, "Why thank me? I'm about to kill you."

But he didn't kill Bai Yilin outright; instead, he retracted his finger and then suddenly kicked out!

Bai Yilin's entire body flew backward!

Heading straight for Su Qi!

"I got it!"

Old Mo leaped up and caught Bai Yilin, dissipating the force with his own Spiritual Energy!

But the powerful force still sent them crashing into an oak tree, the whole massive tree trembling.

Old Mo spat out blood, "Damn... I can't even catch a person."

"Though he survived, why catch him? You're all going to logout anyway."

"Su Buxian, even in the dueling ground, even if death is just logging out, you can't give up on any teammate."

Old Mo coughed, then forcefully coughed up more blood.

"That's my Old Mo's sense of duty."

Actually, he was seriously injured, partly because he knew he was no match for the black-haired youth, and so he backed down; more so because his Spiritual Energy was depleted. Instead of grasping at any chance like the others, he preferred not to drag the team down.

"Fine, fine, fine, you're the most loyal among the newcomers, so..." Su Qi looked towards the black-haired young man, "Bro, what do you think?"

The black-haired young man hummed lowly, "It doesn't seem like you're wrong, but..."

He seemed to recall a certain figure and chuckled lightly, "I actually quite dislike guys who talk about loyalty."

Old Mo: "...Guh!"

The black-haired young man looked toward Su Qi: "You, the last one, seem to have been setting up for quite a while."

With a smile, he had naturally noticed Su Qi's actions during the battle; the patterns he drew seemed to be part of some ritual.

He did not interfere but laughed.

"Are you ready now?"

Who knew Su Qi would shake his head, "Not yet."

Su Qi paused, "Can you wait two days for me? I'd like to set up a bit more, to feel more prepared."

The black-haired young man raised his eyebrows.

He hadn't yet spoken.

When Old Mo's weak voice came through, "Su Buxian, two days is a bit too much."

"Then one day," Su Qi clenched his teeth.

"..." Old Mo felt a tightness in his chest, not wanting to speak out of fear he'd breathe his last.

"I'm usually very accommodating; I'd give you a day under normal circumstances, but..." the black-haired young man pointed, "we don't have much time left now."

Around this area,

Black Rain was like the deep sea, covering the sky and surrounding everything, looking up, felt like being in the endless Abyss!

What's more,

the Black Rain was raging! It seemed as if countless Black Shadows were swimming inside, roaring! Various anxious and frenzied sentiments were seeping out!

And,

as the black-haired young man pointed out, the Black Rain was still contracting, innumerable Black Shadows were eager to break free.