When Han Yinyin was crying and causing a scene in Old Chen’s suite, when Ji Canghai, in frustration, threw his luggage and his latest IBM laptop all over the floor, when Wang Shenmu stood alone on the rooftop watching the world below like ants, when the current WCG champion fiercely broke his beloved fighter jet in two, when the three eliminated priests tearfully reported the bad news to Nanbo Wan himself, who was enjoying his meal…
Hong Yaotang and Santuchuan arrived at the center of the abyss. “It’s strange, why haven’t we seen anyone on the way here?” Su Yao was too absorbed in the game map to notice that most players had already been eliminated for various reasons. The once grand scene of thirty-six advancing players had dwindled to less than half, still fighting with bloodshot eyes.
Sleeping? That’s a joke, it’s only the first day of the competition; anyone who sleeps now is asking to be eliminated. Those who made it here, aside from those who used underhanded methods, were all capable of staying up for two or three nights straight. Su Yao, sipping on the free coffee, felt confident that even as a woman, she could manage another couple of all-nighters. However, Su Yao glanced at Qin Chuan, who was only two machines away, with two players having either forfeited or been eliminated, effectively sitting shoulder to shoulder with him. Oh, this poor man, he subconsciously turned to smile at her, but she knew behind those sunglasses were eyes full of bloodshot fatigue.
“You didn’t sleep last night,” Su Yao typed in the team chat. “We don’t know how long the road ahead is; you should rest first. I’ll guard here to keep you safe.”
“No need,” Santuchuan replied succinctly. Su Yao watched as Qin Chuan quickly downed two cups of hot coffee. He had met with Luo Zishang all night, returned without saying anything, and even today at the venue, he didn’t greet Luo Zishang. Who knows what happened between them, but it must have been unpleasant to leave him looking so haggard.
“Let’s go,” Santuchuan said.
Su Yao braced herself to follow.
But if time could be reversed, if fate could be regretted, Su Yao would rather have dragged, carried, or even begged Qin Chuan back to his room to sleep at that moment. She wouldn’t have let him come with her to retrieve the divine artifact!
As they followed the path the champion had taken before his death, they arrived at the abyss hub, drawn by the clear, echoing drip of water. A huge, dark stone monument stood in the center of the cave, [The Eye of the Abyss]. Just as they recognized the words on the monument and realized this was indeed the array’s eye, a white-clad youth gracefully emerged from behind it.
Along with Luo Zishang’s appearance came a series of dialogue boxes above his head:
[Local] “Luo Zishang”: Are you so stubbornly determined to come to the finals?
[Local] “Luo Zishang”: Is the sensation of being surrounded by flashing lights and beautiful reporters so intoxicating for you?
[Local] “Luo Zishang”: Or have you forgotten what you told me yesterday?
Upon seeing this ghostly figure suddenly appear, Su Yao’s professional instincts kicked in, prompting her to immediately assume a combat stance. Gripping her December Fire Whip Chain, she unleashed the “Heaven Swap” move. This is a common attack skill for thieves, simple to execute and quick to activate.
When hit, the target would stiffen for a second, making it easier to follow up with a major combo. In PK battles, “Heaven Swap” often serves as the opening move for thieves. Su Yao was as adept at using it as she was at eating or drinking. Luo Zishang, either unable or unwilling to dodge, took the hit squarely, his figure now frozen for a moment. Luckily, Heaven Swap was merely an opening move with low damage; Luo Zishang’s health bar flickered slightly, barely diminishing. Yet, he was immobilized for that crucial second.
For a skilled player, even a fraction of a second can be an opportunity. Just as Su Yao was about to launch into a super combo, an assassin’s silhouette suddenly blocked her path. She narrowly twisted her direction, and the big move just grazed past the assassin’s clothes. By now, the perfect timing had passed, and Luo Zishang had recovered from the stiffness. He started brewing a big move in his palm. At full level, the wanderer’s fan knife shimmered with the glow of accumulated power, casting a chilling light. If it landed on the nearly dead assassin, it would be fatal.
Normally, Qin Chuan, Su Yao wouldn’t worry; even with just a sliver of health, Qin Chuan could handle two opponents. But today, he was up against Luo Zishang, the man who influenced him and led to his defeat without fighting. What kind of past did Qin Chuan and Luo Zishang share?
However, Luo Zishang suddenly dispersed the big move and spoke a sentence directed at Su Yao.
[Local] “Luo Zishang”: Red Medicine Hall, I’ve always admired you. For a woman to reach your level in this game is rare in the world.
[Local] “Luo Zishang”: Today, this is between him and me. Go your way, and I won’t stop you. Go grab the divine artifact in the nest; a ranger has already gone for it. With your skills, you might still make it in time.
Su Yao was stunned. Was Luo Zishang so obsessed with women that his brain was clouded? Ignoring the artifact to specifically trouble Qin Chuan here? She typed furiously, not minding that their battle was being broadcast live to players across the nation.
[Local] “Red Medicine Hall”: Leave my dear behind? I can’t do that. He’s low on health, but I’m more than capable of killing you, General.
Now it was Luo Zishang’s turn to be stunned, as both a private message and a local chat message appeared on Su Yao’s screen simultaneously.
[Private Message] “San Tu Chuan”: You need to leave! You promised me, listen to me all the way.
[Local] “Luo Zishang”: Your dear? Do you know who he is?
Su Yao ignored Qin Chuan; cowardice was never her style. Qin Chuan had done so much for her along the way; how could she abandon him now to be killed by Luo Zishang?
[Local] “San Tu Chuan”: Luo Zishang, there’s no need to say more. I’ll make sure Red Medicine Hall leaves. Today, I fight you. You have someone you can’t let go of; so do I. If I lose, I’ll cut off my hand and quit the gaming circle, just as you wish.
Both men spoke, but unexpectedly, Luo Zishang burst into laughter, countless laughing emoticons popping up above his head.
[Local] “Luo Zishang”: This is the best joke I’ve heard in ten years? Hahaha… Qin Chuan, didn’t think you’d have this day, did you?
[Local] “Luo Zishang”: You think it’s that easy? Do you know how long I’ve been looking for you, wanting you dead?!
The once suave strategist, now a complete maniac. Who was Xuan Yan? Su Yao didn’t know, but hearing such a feminine name from Luo Zishang, coupled with his tone, she had a bad feeling. Probably another past acquaintance, she guessed.