The off-road vehicle braked sharply as it passed Bai Xinjian. The window rolled down, revealing a face wearing sunglasses. Infinite-flow game worlds did not have off-road vehicles; clearly, this one had been exchanged for with player points. The owner was likely a high-ranking player, and their status was certainly extraordinary.
The man removed his sunglasses, revealing deep-set, mixed-race features. He scanned Bai Xinjian from head to toe and let out a low whistle. “Isn’t this the pretty face from Zhu Jin’s guild? Why are you not teaming up with anyone today? Do not tell me they abandoned you.”
“Jianjian, this person belongs to one of the top three guilds in the game. He seems to be the younger brother of the guild leader. The two look very similar but have completely different personalities. Consider whether you want to associate with him, but be careful.”
Bai Xinjian lowered the hand he was using to block the sun from his forehead and glanced at the backseat of the off-road vehicle, discovering there was one empty seat. Since he was tired and there was a free ride, he might as well take it. Bai Xinjian lifted his chin and asked the man, “What should I call you?”
“Pojun Guild, Tang Zhixing,” the man said, tapping his forehead with two fingers. “I know you. Bai Luo, the dim-witted little beauty of the Zhudao Guild.” He smiled, revealing a row of white teeth.
Bai Xinjian nodded, unbothered by the taunt. “Give me a ride. In exchange, I can take you to the abyss to see the colossus.”
“?” Tang Zhixing almost laughed at his brazenness. “We can see the abyss colossus ourselves; why would we need you to lead the way? Just tell me if you were kicked out by the Zhudao Guild so we can have a good laugh.”
Tang Zhixing was intrigued. Considering the time elapsed since entering the game world, Zhu Jin was undoubtedly a newcomer among newcomers. Yet, after clearing just his first dungeon, he had independently formed a guild, recruiting followers through his own impressive performance. In the few days since its founding, the total points of the members had already squeezed the guild into the top 100 globally. This was unprecedented. While the ranking was not yet a threat to the top three guilds, such growth was enough to warrant caution.
“Of course not,” Bai Xinjian said, his eyes flickering slightly. He feigned a guilty look before quickly returning to a calm demeanor. “Zhu Jin and the others went to the abyss yesterday and found some clues. Do you not want to know what they discovered?”
“You think I do not know?” Tang Zhixing laughed. “We are well aware that Zhu Jin took a group to the abyss. We also know that they could not even get within a few hundred meters of it. What new clues could they possibly have? Are you so desperate that you are trying to scam us?”
“Believe what you wish,” Bai Xinjian gestured with his hand. “If you do not want to trade with me, then go ahead.”
Tang Zhixing hesitated and turned to look at his two companions in the backseat. The tentacle around Bai Xinjian’s waist sensed Tang Zhixing’s hostility and raised its tip in a threatening manner. Unfortunately, it seemed that aside from Bai Xinjian, no one else present could see the intricate tentacle. Bai Xinjian soothingly petted the suckers on the tentacle, and it curled up its tip contentedly.
0048 asked anxiously, “Jianjian, can you really pull this off? Will they use this chance to kill you? But Tang Er’s personality is tricky. He looks like a loafer but is actually very cautious. You have created the illusion that you were abandoned by Zhu Jin and are trying to join them with secrets. If he believes you, he might wait until you lead them to the abyss before trying to kill you. But do you really have the ability to lead them to the abyss colossus right now?”
“Of course not,” Bai Xinjian said matter-of-factly. “I just do not want to walk anymore and wanted a free ride.”
0048: “…”
Tang Zhixing and his companions debated for a while. Finally, he leaned forward, giving Bai Xinjian a sinister smile. “Get in. If we find out you are lying, you know the consequences.” He drew a finger across his throat, the threat clear.
Bai Xinjian ignored the gesture and climbed into the car. A few minutes later, the vehicle stopped at the entrance of a dark green rainforest. Behind them lay the wasteland of flying sand; a few steps ahead, the rainforest was filled with thick fog, like a monster with its mouth agape, ready to swallow any traveler who strayed inside. The bizarre landscape was nothing short of bone-chilling.
However, the people who stepped out of the off-road vehicle were clearly no ordinary folk. Tang Zhixing, dressed in camouflage and military boots, exited and retrieved supplies from the trunk for his two teammates and the driver. Once everyone was out, Tang Zhixing handed a backpack to the others and turned to Bai Xinjian. “We are at the entrance to the rainforest. It is your turn. You had better not be playing games with us, otherwise…”
Bai Xinjian ignored his threat and began to walk toward the entrance. A teammate behind Tang Zhixing glanced at Bai Xinjian’s back and leaned over to whisper, “Do you feel like the pretty face from Zhu Jin’s guild is different from what we imagined?”
“I think so too,” another replied. “Why does he seem so composed? It does not look like he is unintelligent. Could Zhu Jin have accidentally lost a treasure?”
Tang Zhixing turned around and glared at the two, signaling them to stop talking. The two, wary of Tang Zhixing, immediately fell silent and followed him into the rainforest.
As Zhu Jin’s group had described, the rainforest was indeed difficult to navigate. After only a few steps inside, the scorching sunlight above was completely blocked by towering trees, leaving only dim, damp layers of fog. The composition of the fog was unusual; it seemed to cause shortness of breath. The companions behind Tang Zhixing began to cough as they walked.
Bai Xinjian had 0048 unfold the map in his mind.
“Keep heading north into the depths of the rainforest; it is the shortest path to the spawn point for the mission items. But the depths of the rainforest house the abyss where the colossus resides. Without mission items, you cannot approach it, so we must take a detour.” 0048 reminded him.
“How do you know it is impossible to approach? Can we not try to get close and see?” Bai Xinjian had no intention of taking a detour and walked straight north along the route on the map.
“Hey!” After walking for a while, even Tang Zhixing could not take it anymore. Covering his nose and mouth with his sleeve, he coughed and called out to Bai Xinjian, “Are your nostrils broken? How did you not notice such heavy miasma? If we keep going and inhale too much, we will either lose our minds and get lost in this forest, or drop dead. Did Zhu Jin and his group not come here yesterday? Did they not tell you about this?”
Bai Xinjian did feel uncomfortable, but he had a penchant for self-abuse; this level of discomfort did not affect him much. Still, he stopped and asked provocatively, “Are you saying you cannot handle it, Young Master?”
Tang Zhixing clicked his tongue, not taking the bait. “You had better tell us your plan now, otherwise do not blame us for finishing you off right here.”
Tang Zhixing reached for his waist. Bai Xinjian noticed out of the corner of his eye that he appeared to be carrying a gun. It seemed their equipment was fully stocked. Bai Xinjian debated whether to risk being shot by Tang Zhixing to make a run for it or find another way. Just as he surveyed his surroundings, he felt his belly poked twice by something soft.
Right, I still have a tentacle attached to my waist.
Since entering the rainforest, the tentacle was no longer withered; it had become moist and regained its spirit. Seeing Bai Xinjian looking down, it lifted its tip and pointed in a specific direction.
Are you saying we should go that way?
Bai Xinjian glanced toward the direction the tentacle pointed. The fog in that direction did indeed seem thinner than elsewhere, but it did not seem to be the way to the mission item spawn point. Could the tentacle be trying to guide him to the abyss? Regardless, there was enough time, so checking it out would not hurt.
Bai Xinjian turned and stepped in that direction. Seeing Bai Xinjian suddenly change course, Tang Zhixing pulled the gun from his waist. “Hey? What are you doing? Where are you going? Do you really want to die?”
Bai Xinjian paused and tilted his head slightly. “Are we not going to the abyss? Just follow me.”
Tang Zhixing aimed the dark, hollow muzzle of the gun directly at Bai Xinjian. A flash of dark blue light suddenly flickered in his right eye. He gazed at Bai Xinjian and opened his mouth in a mischievous grin, “I do not believe you anymore. You are not being honest. I have decided to finish you off right now. Prepare to die!”