136: First encounter with Abyssal Species

Chapter 136: First Encounter with an Abyssal Kind

Though he didn’t understand, Shi Li Still followed him.

On the helipad outside the town, an aircraft with the Show Card Hall’s exclusive emblem was in a ready state, awaiting departure at any moment.

It wasn’t until they were seated in the aircraft that Director Hou began to speak.

“Actually, I don’t know the specific details of this trip either, as it involves a classified level of secrecy.”

“They only instructed me to bring you there.”

“What kind of classified level is it that even you can’t know?”

Hearing this, Shi Li became curious.

Considering Director Hou’s position, he was a level 2 figure in a city-level Card Hall.

The Curator was level 1, the Deputy Curator was probably level 1.5, and a Director was level 2.

If it was so secret that even Director Hou was kept in the dark, then surely only a Curator-level figure would be qualified to know.

The aircraft flew on, eventually landing at a base located 50 kilometers from Huadu.

Night had already fallen, and this base, nestled deep within mountains and dense forests, was like a phantom in the night, silent and mysterious.

Within the towering walls, scattered lights outlined the base’s perimeter, as if stars were dotted across the earth.

“This is our Card Hall’s research base. This is my first time here too.”

Director Hou looked at the scenery below, a wave of emotion washing over him.

This was not a place one could simply visit at will.

Even a random researcher pulled from inside might hold a higher position than him.

Stepping off the aircraft onto the concrete of the helipad, Shi Li saw a female Platinum 3 waiting for them.

“Hello, Student Shi Li.”

Her politeness maintained a certain distance: “I am Li Mao, the Director of the 5th District Branch Hall.”

Hearing this, Shi Li subconsciously glanced at Director Hou.

‘Brother Hou, look at others. They’re both Directors of branch halls, but she’s Platinum 3, and you’re only Platinum 15.’

Director Hou naturally understood the look, only managing a wry smile.

‘That’s a branch hall in Huadu. How can it be compared to a backwater place like our Durian City?’

However, Shi Li’s observation was indeed correct.

His mission was complete once he brought Shi Li here.

He was relegated to a guesthouse on the outskirts of the base, watching with a touch of bitterness as Li Mao led Shi Li into the main facility.

After facial recognition, the two stepped onto a hoverboard.

The hoverboard glided forward along the predetermined track on the ground.

“Student Shi Li, what I’m about to tell you next requires your confidentiality.”

“Understood.”

As soon as Shi Li nodded, Li Mao snapped her fingers.

A floating drone appeared from nowhere, projecting a holographic agreement in front of him.

“This agreement involves A+ level classified information.”

“Please read it thoroughly before signing.”

This made him slightly stunned, not expecting it to be so strict.

Shi Li carefully read the contents, which essentially stated that he could not disclose related classified information through any means or channels.

If he violated it, he would face accountability from the Show Card Hall.

As for what the classified information was, not a single word was mentioned.

As Shi Li signed the agreement, the hoverboard also stopped before a heavy metal gate.

“Li Mao, B+ level access, granted.”

“Shi Li, no access, data syncing—”

“Temporary B+ level access, granted.”

The AI on the door scanned their faces and then slowly opened.

What met Shi Li’s eyes was an experimental space roughly the size of a basketball court.

The lighting in the experimental space was somewhat dim, and researchers in white lab coats were busy in front of unknown high-precision instruments.

However, Shi Li’s gaze was mainly drawn to the glass house in the center.

Inside, there was a mass of flesh floating off the ground, unlike any known creature.

Its purplish-black skin was covered with thick blood vessels, pulsing like a heartbeat.

Clearly, this was the object of their research.

“What you are seeing now is our Card Hall’s A+ level classified information—an Abyssal Kind.”

“If it weren’t for Curator Xiu’s special permission, you wouldn’t normally be qualified to access it at your current level.”

Li Mao’s mention of Curator Xiu here made Shi Li mistakenly think it was Xiu Qingshan.

“So, what do you need me to do?”

Since it was his teacher’s arrangement, he felt reassured.

“First, let me introduce this thing.”

Li Mao glanced at Shi Li, evidently surprised at how quickly he accepted: “I won’t disclose its origin to you.”

In fact, even she herself had no right to know the origin of this thing.

“Each Abyssal Kind is an independent entity, and once the card game officially ends, it will perish.”

“But during the card game, it possesses infinite vitality.”

“Every time its HP drops to 0, it will evolve randomly once.”

“After evolving, there is about a 10% chance to add or strengthen Characteristics, and a 100% chance to increase its numerical panel.”

“Because we currently know very little about it, we need to collect a large amount of data.”

“Your task is to force out as many evolutions as possible.”

“I see—”

“You’re probably wondering why, if that’s the case, we don’t let Platinum or even Diamond card players duel it.”

“But the activation conditions for the Abyssal Kind are currently unknown. According to the intelligence gathered so far, it only reacts to young geniuses whose potential reaches a certain limit.”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

Shi Li immediately used the formula of modesty.

‘Doesn’t that mean he’s praising me as a young genius?’

Li Mao then realized that the other party was a bit thick-skinned.

Actually, she was slightly dissatisfied with Xiu Qinghe not choosing Shi Li.

Because all the young geniuses who had participated in the experiment before were A-level contractors of the Card Hall.

There was even Zhang Xiaochuan, their Show Card Hall’s strongest newcomer in the past decade, and currently the only S+ level contractor.

“Furthermore, there will be no danger if you fail in a duel with the Abyssal Kind.”

“For every evolution the Abyssal Kind undergoes during your duel, the base will provide you with a subsidy of 5,000 cubic coins.”

Although she was displeased, she Still informed him of all the rules according to protocol.

“There’s such a good thing? What’s the best record for evolutions so far?”

“The best record was set by Zhang Xiaochuan. He forced the Abyssal Kind to its 99th evolution, and narrowly lost in the 100th evolution by one round.”

“That many.”

Shi Li had heard the name Zhang Xiaochuan before.

He had even seen him in the news a few times.

“The lowest record so far is also 20 evolutions.”

Shi Li didn’t ask, but Li Mao said it anyway.

The subtext was: ‘You’d better last until the 20th evolution, otherwise you’ll have the worst record.’

“I have one more question.”

“Please ask.”

“Does the Abyssal Kind have intelligence?”

“Yes, it will adjust its tactics and even its evolution direction according to the situation of the card game.”

“However, it currently appears unable to communicate verbally.”

“Okay, I understand.”

Shi Li indicated that he was ready.

Subsequently, he walked to the door of the glass house.

“1020 high-frame cameras, ready.”

“Card wave capture device, ready.”

“Sonar Gather, ready.”

“Thermal imaging, ready.”

The researchers outside began to become even busier.

Li Mao walked to a corner and stood, arms crossed.

“Director Li, this experimenter’s rank seems a bit low.”

The middle-aged person in charge, wearing glasses, walked over.

“Let’s see his performance.”

Li Mao was noncommittal.

“I estimate it’s a bit difficult. After all, previous experimenters all had at least 6+1 card decks, and he’s the only one with 4+1.”

The person in charge was quite pessimistic; the disparity was too obvious.

“I can only say that this time, we probably won’t collect any useful data.”

He put his hands in his pockets and could only watch.

When everything was ready, Shi Li was told he could enter the glass house.

Pushing open the door, there was no longer any Barrier between him and the Abyssal Kind.

Up close, he could see that in addition to floating, this guy was also slowly rotating.

It inexplicably gave one the feeling that it was sleeping.

“Experimenter, please approach within 5 meters, and the Abyssal Kind will awaken.”

The person in charge’s command sounded inside the glass house.

However, as Shi Li followed the instruction and approached, the mass of flesh showed no reaction.

“Has there ever been a situation where it couldn’t be activated before?”

Li Mao suddenly asked.

“Yes, there were two experimenters before, one Platinum 6 and one Platinum 8, who failed to activate it.”

The person in charge answered and then directly smiled: “If that’s really the case, that would be great. We can save one Abyssal Kind for future experimenters.”

With an opportunity to earn money right in front of him, Shi Li naturally didn’t want to miss it.

If 5 meters didn’t work, he moved another meter closer.

If 4 meters didn’t work, then 3 meters.

2 meters, 1 meter.

The mass of flesh Still showed no reaction.

In desperation, Shi Li could only once again use that mysterious incantation.

“You damn well wake up for me!”

He slapped the surface of the Abyssal Kind.

"Nonsense! What is he doing—huh?!"

Before the Director could finish his reprimand, he saw that the Abyssal Kind had indeed—opened its eyes.

Opening its eyes meant awakening, it meant it had been activated.

"Strange."

The Director frowned slightly.

"What's strange?"

Li Mao asked, puzzled.

"This Abyssal Kind has so many eyes."

The Director gave an answer that seemed meaningless.

The Abyssal Kind had not just two eyes, but many eyes on its body.

Normally, after initial activation, it would only open one eye, gradually opening more as it evolved.

But Shi Li's slap had made it open three eyes at once.

These three eyes, in different positions, were all staring in the same direction at this moment.

That was Shi Li.

Before he could delve deeper, it had already opened its mouth.

"Roar!"

Then, a purplish-black light shot out, hitting Shi Li.

"Woosh—"

The Card Game Barrier rose, and the Card Game began.

The Card Table was set, and the Abyssal Kind quickly took its position.

It only had 1 card slot, and its card face was simultaneously displayed.

"Abyss Seed"

Balanced, Attack 30, 100/100

"Abyssal Skin - Passive": Abyss Seed possesses the "Unstoppable" effect.

"Well, is that all the stats it has?"

Shi Li tapped his 6+2 empty card slots.

He could place 4+1 cards, so it wasn't a casual fight.

"His luck is bad."

But the Director frowned again.

"This Abyssal Kind possesses 'Unstoppable' from the start."

Li Mao understood what he meant.

In previous records, "Unstoppable" usually only appeared on Abyssal Kind after 10 evolutions.

In other words, before the first 10 evolutions, players with an advantage in card count could completely deal with it using a control-kill strategy.

But Shi Li was encountering "Unstoppable" now, which meant he might not even achieve 10 evolutions.

However, a 0-evolution Abyssal Kind was ultimately very weak and was quickly defeated by Shi Li.

"Roar—"

The Abyssal Kind's body, its health reduced to zero, began to twist and swell, then grew an arm.

The arm was also purplish-black, with bulging muscles and five fingers as sharp as blades.

"Abyss Seed"

Momentum, Attack 40, 200/200, 0/30

"Abyssal Skin - Passive": Abyss Seed possesses the "Unstoppable" and "Resistance" effects ("Resistance": After suffering a negative effect this round, immune to negative effects next round).

"Resistance" is an effect that mirrors "Resilience."

The former corresponds to non-control negative effects, and the latter corresponds to control.

"This—"

"The traits have increased."

The spectators felt that the experimenter's luck was truly bad.

This was only the first evolution, and he had already encountered strong traits.

"You call this one trait? You're being unreasonable, aren't you?"

Shi Li was displeased.

Moreover, even the card's main category had changed, meaning this guy's card type was also random.

But the good news was that he also got a chance to rearrange his deck.

The first evolution Still couldn't trouble him.

"Swoosh—"

The second evolution quickly arrived.

"Abyss Seed"

Chasing Wind, Attack 50, 400/400, 0/50

"Abyssal Skin - Passive": Abyss Seed possesses the "Unstoppable" and "Resistance" effects.

"Abyssal Hand - Passive": Abyss Seed's attacks come with 10 points of "Armor Penetration" effect ("Resistance": After suffering a negative effect this round, immune to negative effects next round).

("Armor Penetration": Takes additional damage when attacked this round).

Li Mao had mentioned to him earlier that the Abyssal Kind's increased panel stats were also uncertain.

For example, the first evolution added 100 health, and the second evolution directly added 200.

This level, purely in terms of numerical value, was no match for the total of a 4+1 deck.

So Shi Li Still dealt with it easily.

In the third evolution, the Abyssal Kind's traits increased again.

"Resistance" became "Magic Immunity."

"Magic Immunity" is also an effect that mirrors "Unstoppable."

The former is immune to non-control negative effects, and "Unstoppable" is immune to control.

The Abyssal Kind's numerical panel reached 70+500.

At this level, a 4+1 deck could withstand it.

Shi Li could defeat the opponent even by playing casually.

It wasn't until the arrival of the ninth evolution that the situation began to change.

"Abyss Seed"

Wise, Attack 100, 2000/2000, 100/100

"Abyssal Skin - Passive": Abyss Seed possesses the "Unstoppable" and "Magic Immunity" effects, gaining 1 layer of "Barrier" each round.

"Abyssal Hand - Passive": Abyss Seed's attacks come with 10 points of "Armor Penetration" effect.

"Abyssal Assault - 30 Energy": Abyss Seed attacks 1 target, with a "Stun" or 30 points of "Bonus Attack" effect.

"I suspect you're targeting me."

Shi Li wasn't lying; he truly felt that way. Before, he had been using a substitute deck until the previous two rounds when he pulled out the Red Blade Maiden to deal with the opponent's high health.

As a result, after only 2 evolutions, this guy gained the "Barrier" effect.

Facing such an enemy, he knew he had to start taking it seriously.

Soon, he set up the following lineup:

"Cicada Wing" "Tiao Tiao"

"Empty Slot" "Baishan"

"Empty Slot" "cloud river"

"Empty Slot" "Sword Maiden"

"It's strange, why is this Abyssal Kind so particularly active?"

"The trait strength of this evolution alone is almost equivalent to a normal 15th evolution."

The Director was both puzzled and quite excited,

because such a change was an unprecedented one.

This also meant that perhaps entirely new data could be collected.

"Hmm?"

Li Mao, however, was slightly moved when she saw the deck Shi Li had placed.

"Baishan Hao" + "cloud river" is truly an excellent pair of mech linkage decks.

She knew that the Curator had been assembling a mechanical deck in recent years, which meant character cards that all had the mechanical tag.

If the Curator saw these two character cards, she would probably be tempted.

Xiu Qinghe: Hmph!

"No wonder he could get a B+ contract at only Platinum 4."

"This deck of 5 cards, all with 'Characteristics,' is definitely a leader among his peers."

"But with so many 'Characteristic' cards, can he cultivate them all?"

Li Mao seemed to understand some of the Curator's intentions in choosing this person, but she didn't fully agree.

Soon, the Jumping Guard was forced off the field after 3 rounds. All it could do was summon 3 "Little Tiao Tiaos" in its only 2 regular empty slots and 1 ace slot.

But the real show was just beginning.

The Abyssal Kind attacks once each round, granting Baishan Hao 15 points of Charge.

cloud river is Still each round, granting Baishan Hao 10 points of Charge.

1 Little Tiao Tiao attacks Baishan Hao, granting Baishan Hao 15 points of Charge.

40 points of Charge per round.

Barrier, activated.

No matter how high your attack power, it's useless; Baishan Hao's Barrier each round can completely negate the Abyssal Kind's damage.

It's as if his deck is slowly chipping away at the opponent in a practically free manner.

And the only loss is the 5 points of damage caused by the Little Tiao Tiao.

After a few rounds of this accumulated damage, Shi Li could use a Recovery hand card to fully replenish his health.

During the process, the Abyssal Kind also tried to stop attacking.

Because without its attack, Baishan Hao would gain 15 fewer energy points.

Insufficient energy means it cannot release the Barrier.

But regarding this approach, Shi Li could only say that the opponent indeed had some wisdom, but not much.

He had three Little Tiao Tiaos; only two needed to participate in the attack on Baishan Hao to ensure the energy cycle wouldn't break.

"Roar—!"

So, amidst unwilling roars, the Abyssal Kind's health once again dropped to zero.

Its wriggling time in this 10th evolution seemed particularly long.

"Student Shi Li!"

Just then, the Director's voice rang out from the loudspeaker.

A series of unprecedented new data had been collected, making him quite excited.

This was evident from the change in his address for Shi Li, from "experimenter" to "Student Shi Li."

"As long as you can clear this 10th evolution, I can make the decision to increase your stipend to 10,000 per evolution!"

"Oh? Is there such a good thing?"