145: Single person breaks the point, business comes to the door

Chapter 145: Solo Point Break, Business Comes Knocking

In the Abyssal, it's impossible to use [Probe], so to see the opponent's cards, one must enter the card game.

Inside the game's Barrier, Liu Jiani was deep in thought, her brows furrowed.

She was repeatedly searching her deck, looking at each card, not even skipping a 1-Star character card.

All just to find a card that could defend against this BOSS.

But until the final deadline passed and a default deck was forcibly assigned, she couldn't find a solution to break the situation.

"Sorry, everyone."

Liu Jiani looked back at the three, a bitter smile on her face: "It seems I can only Retreat first."

The Abyssal-specific [Escape] was already pulled out and held in her hand.

"Alright, you go."

Gu Xinzhi's expression wasn't good.

"See you then."

Liu Jiani crushed the item card in her hand, and her entire being transformed into a ray of light, disappearing.

All that remained was the BOSS, with [8/8 ★] above its head, standing blankly in place.

At this point, after 8 evolutions, it already possessed 8 Characteristics.

Among them, [Overlord] and [Magic Immunity] were naturally indispensable, along with other damage reduction Characteristics and AoE Characteristics.

Coupled with its stat panel, it had reached 150 Attack and 10,000 Health.

But the most crucial, most critical part was one of its offensive Characteristics.

[Abyssal Eye - Passive]: The Abyssal Lord's attacks are converted equally into [Quantum Entanglement].

"This monster – I can't defeat it."

Facing this Characteristic, even Gu Xinzhi could only concede.

It's important to know that [Quantum Entanglement] is special because its essence isn't to attack Health, but to attack Energy.

Then, when the target's Energy is insufficient, it converts the remaining value into "Health loss."

Not only can [Barrier] not block it, but even Fang Jinghai's damage-limiting [Yuanshan Deputy Sect Leader] couldn't block it.

[Like a Mountain - Characteristic]: Yuanshan Deputy Sect Leader takes no more than 50 points of damage from a single attack. Health loss from [Quantum Entanglement] is considered "loss" rather than "damage," and has very high priority and coerciveness.

"I can't beat it either. Who would have a card with 150 Energy?"

Li Peichen's face was a bit pale.

The best way to counter [Quantum Entanglement] is to have enough Energy for it to deduct.

But even if one had 150 Energy, what then? After it's all deducted, wouldn't the next turn be just as bad?

"What do we do now?"

He could only look to Gu Xinzhi for help.

"We can only use [Escape]—"

Gu Xinzhi reluctantly pulled out the item card.

"But I don't have one!"

Li Peichen's despair had a reason.

The Abyssal version of [Escape] isn't provided in unlimited quantities; they had only obtained 1 since joining the exploration team.

His card had already been used during the last exploration.

"I have 1 here."

At this moment, Shi Li revealed his [Escape].

"Oh?! Bro! You're my real brother!"

Li Peichen's attitude did a 180-degree turn for the first time.

"But I need to save this one for myself."

"—Then why did you even say anything?!"

"But I have another 1."

"Dear brother, I spoke too loudly just now! I'm sorry!"

"However, that 1 doesn't refer to [Escape]."

"..."

Li Peichen was exasperated by Shi Li's repeated teasing.

"What I mean is, I have 1 character card that can counter [Abyssal Eye]."

"What?"

Both were stunned by these words.

This answer was clearly unexpected.

"Don't joke about something like this."

Li Peichen felt that rather than believing Shi Li had a card that could counter it, he'd rather believe Shi Li would give him his only [Escape].

"If you don't believe me, then so be it."

Shi Li didn't intend to explain further and raised his hand to cast the cursor.

"Wait a moment."

But Gu Xinzhi sent him a team invitation before he could.

"Even if you can counter [Abyssal Eye], the strength of this BOSS isn't something a 4+1 — 5+1 deck can withstand."

It was only at this moment that she noticed his rank had increased.

"If you can really counter it, then leave the other aspects to me."

Anyway, she had [Escape] in her hand; if they couldn't beat it, she could just leave.

"Count me in too."

Li Peichen had no other choice and simply decided to go all in.

"Alright, then I'll only play 1 card in the front row."

Shi Li was happy to save trouble.

A super Brute Force card in the front row that can counter the BOSS?

Gu Xinzhi and Li Peichen exchanged glances, once again showing looks of disbelief.

However, since things had come to this, and they were already here, it was the New Year, and he was Still a child, so they decided to go with it.

After discussion, the two laid out their respective decks.

Forming a concave 8+1 card formation, leaving the front-row card in the middle column for Shi Li.

Once they had arranged their cards, Shi Li then placed his character card.

"Watch the Stick!"

As the game began and the cards were revealed, a woman holding a metal long stick leaped out of the card.

The other character cards around her emitted a purple glow representing three stars, but her background was dim and unlit.

"No-Star character card?"

Gu Xinzhi looked closely and realized that Shi Li hadn't equipped any Characteristics.

"This is your so-called solution? A Momentum card can—hmm?"

Li Peichen's gaze quickly scanned the [Flower Cudgel Leader] card, and his complaint stopped abruptly.

In his stereotype, a card that could withstand [Abyssal Eye] should either be a Persistence card or a Wise card with a lot of Energy.

But instead—what the heck is a Momentum card!

"Can this card of yours really withstand 100 points of [Quantum Entanglement]?"

Gu Xinzhi, on the other hand, was staring at [Flower Cudgel Leader]'s [Characteristic].

Without practice, there is no right to speak, so she could only express her doubt.

[Weight of the Flower Stick - Characteristic]: Flower Cudgel Leader has no Energy loss. Cannot use skills when at full Energy.

"Of course, it can."

Shi Li naturally had the right to speak.

Regarding this, he had tested it in a simulated card game the moment he obtained [Flower Cudgel Leader].

The characteristic "no Energy loss" needs to be analyzed in parts.

It neither consumes nor loses.

During their conversation, the first round had already arrived.

"Roar!!!"

The BOSS's vertical eye on its forehead suddenly shot out a dark red laser beam, sweeping across the front-row cards of the three.

-150

A terrifying single number appeared above Gu Xinzhi's front-row character card, an instant kill.

-150

The same happened to Li Peichen's front-row character card; it simply couldn't withstand it.

-0

Only Shi Li's [Flower Cudgel Leader] stood firmly on the card grid, unaffected by the laser sweep.

"It really works!"

"My dear brother!"

At this point, the two completely believed it.

As long as the front-row card in the middle column could hold up, it didn't matter if all the character cards in the left and right columns were discarded.

All of this BOSS's damage would be converted into [Quantum Entanglement], so it was as if [Flower Cudgel Leader] received no damage from it at all.

This was the power of the mechanic!

All they had to do now was slowly wear down the BOSS.

"Roar!!!"

After a long series of rounds, the BOSS finally let out a mournful roar and began to crumble into light.

Most of the light dissipated, but a small portion re-condensed, taking the form of a card.

"It dropped something!"

Li Peichen's expression was excited.

Although he hadn't encountered it before, according to the experience of other teams, the items dropped by the final BOSS in the Abyssal would definitely be good stuff.

"You take it."

Gu Xinzhi said to Shi Li.

She was already very grateful to have saved this 1 [Escape].

Without Shi Li's [Flower Cudgel Leader], none of them could have defeated this BOSS.

And she had also come to realize that even without their help, Shi Li could certainly have worn down the BOSS with just his own deck.

"Alright, I'll take it for now."

Shi Li waved his hand, and the card transformed into a stream of light, flying into his hand.

The projection of this card was a purplish-red heart, Still beating.

[Abyssal Essence]: Filled with malicious energy, its purpose is unknown. The surrounding scene began to distort, more violently than any previous time.

"We've cleared it; we're about to be teleported out."

No sooner had Gu Xinzhi finished speaking than the three figures appeared outside the teleportation gate.

"Everyone!"

Liu Jiani had been waiting outside for a long time.

Seeing that all three seemed unharmed, she was naturally delighted.

Afterward, the four were taken to the conference room to report on their expedition.

Besides Xiu Qingshan, a group of researchers also attended the meeting.

They were all elites in their respective research fields, and the head of the laboratory whom Shi Li had met last time sat in the main seat.

He had traveled all the way from Huadu, indicating the importance placed on the Abyssal expedition.

The first three went up to report in order; Liu Jiani, having left first, was the first to take the stage.

Actually, she didn't need to introduce too much herself, because everyone was equipped with a body camera before entering, recording everything that happened.

Her recorded perspective was being broadcast on the big screen at an ultra-high magnification.

What Liu Jiani needed to do was slow down the video at certain key points during playback and then explain them.

When the playback reached the point where she used [Disengage], Liu Jiani's briefing was complete.

At this point, even Xiu Qingshan, who was beside her, secretly shook his head.

The final B0SS's 8th evolution had produced enhanced Characteristic entries that exceeded expectations.

150 points of [Quantum Entanglement], to be honest, even if he had to face it, it would take a great deal of effort to deal with.

It seemed the other three must have also used [Disengage] to escape.

Meanwhile, the researchers were slightly disappointed.

When the final B0SS is defeated, very important footage and various data are generated, but it seems there will be no such harvest this time.

Then it was Gu Xinzhi's turn to brief.

Her footage was actually very similar to Liu Jiani's, just with different Abyssal Kind in combat.

However, when the final outcome arrived, she in the video did not use the [Disengage] everyone expected.

Instead, she fought the B0SS and won!

But Gu Xinzhi did not choose to play it at normal speed; she let the video end directly.

"Wait a minute, why didn't you elaborate on this final process?"

Someone questioned this perfunctory behavior.

"The final B0SS battle was led by Shi Li, so I think it's more appropriate for him to explain it."

Gu Xinzhi did not take the credit for herself.

"Oh?"

At these words, everyone was a little surprised.

The one who led the final B0SS battle was actually a Platinum 6 who hadn't even assembled a 9+1 deck?

With Gu Xinzhi taking the lead, Li Peichen also followed her example and left the presentation opportunity to Shi Li.

Shi Li felt it wasn't necessary, but he Still went on stage.

"Then let me explain."

So his video began to play at an accelerated speed.

However, his footage was very special compared to the other three.

The others' videos were filled with various Movement and combat scenes, appearing very busy under multiple speed playback.

Shi Li's video, however, was completely the opposite.

The camera often stayed fixed for a long time, like a Still image.

Only when he was about to pass the current level would he move slightly to rendezvous with the others.

"You—what did you do in the Abyss these past few days?"

Finally, someone couldn't help but ask.

"Daydreaming, sleeping."

Shi Li's response perfectly matched the video content.

"Actually, I didn't do anything the whole time; I just made a move at the very end."

At this point, the video had reached its final moments.

It showed him picking up the drops from the final B0SS.

Along with the video, Shi Li took out the [Abyss Essence] and passed it around for everyone to see.

"The Abyssal 波動 of this material card is extremely strong!"

The first person to receive it immediately exclaimed.

Hearing this, the others became a bit restless.

But considering they were all prominent figures in the research industry, they managed to restrain themselves.

As a result, the first person held the card, examining it back and forth, but refused to pass it on.

Some information cannot be judged directly by sight; one must touch it and feel it.

Finally, the second person next to him couldn't resist and snatched it.

"The 波動 is really strong! It seems I haven't encountered a material of this level before!"

When she also exclaimed like this, the others could no longer sit Still and gathered around.

"Let me see!"

"Don't snatch it!"

"I dare say it has immense research value!"

Without exception, they all highly recognized the research value of this material card.

Even though its intrinsic 波動 was just that of a 3-Star material card.

According to the agreement signed before entering the Abyss, if intelligence of research value was collected, an additional reward would be given.

If material cards of research value were collected, they needed to be submitted, and there would also be a reward.

After all, Shi Li and his team were essentially hired to enter the Abyss.

Finally, after some discussion, the meeting decided to acquire Shi Li's material card for 350,000 cubic coins.

Anyway, it wasn't coming out of their own pockets.

Shi Li was naturally quite satisfied with this price.

One should know that the best 3-Star material cards available on the market were roughly this price.

If the rarity of its research value wasn't considered, this [Abyss Essence] certainly wouldn't sell for this price.

Of course, Xiu Qingshan's subtle encouragement from the side also played a part.

Plus the commission for clearing a total of 8 levels, bringing in 80,000 cubic coins.

Shi Li's wallet, which had deflated due to Star Ascension [Flower Cudgel Leader], was once again full.

He now held 410,000 cubic coins.

At this point, the Abyssal journey temporarily came to an end.

Shi Li was taken by Xiu Qingshan to a private office to fulfill his promise of teaching him a few things.

Shi Li thought his teacher was going to give a lecture, or perhaps pull out a card table to PK with him.

Instead, Xiu Qingshan turned around and pulled out a thick stack of books.

"An Actor's Basic Cultivation," "The Weakness of Human Nature," "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," "Introduction to Micro-Expressions," "Thirty-Six Classic Principles of Magic," a whole bunch of miscellaneous books.

They looked like they had absolutely nothing to do with playing cards.

"This is the first lesson I'm giving you. When you finish reading these books, come find me again."

"Oh—" Since the teacher said so, he could only accept it.

"That's all for today. I'll have Old Hou take you back."

As Xiu Qingshan walked out, leaning on his cane, he turned back and threw a card: "Also, take this."

"What is this?"

Shi Li subconsciously caught it.

[Storage Card]: Can store 8 cubic meters of items.

This was a good item.

First, store items in the card, then put the card into the deck, and his hands would be empty.

One should know that [Storage Card]s were scarce and not cheap; an 8-cubic meter one would sell for at least 100,000 cubic coins on the market.

"Thank you, Teacher."

This time, Shi Li was truly sincere.

"Store those books and carry them with you to read gradually."

Xiu Qingshan's voice came from the corridor.

A day later, Shi Li had returned to the base town in Jiangbei Province.

There was Still some time until the third phase of the Torch Raising Ceremony, but he planned to settle down and focus on refresh missions.

His rank elevating to Platinum 6 indeed gave him some confidence.

But this was clearly not enough; the fastest way to improve his strength now was to add another Destiny Hand Card.

Currently, there were 2 Destiny Hand Cards he could use: [Cicada Wing Crisis] from [Cicada Wing Patrol], and [Mountain and Cloud] from the Mech Linkage Card.

After trying it last time, Shi Li believed that [Cicada Wing Crisis] would probably only be beatable with a 9+1 3-Star character card deck.

So he could only place his hopes on [Mountain and Cloud].

The current 3-Star refresh fee had reached 19,000 per refresh, and Shi Li had 21 refresh opportunities.

When his mental strength was insufficient, he would rest or read books.

And so, a few days passed quickly.

The night before the Torch Raising Ceremony was held again, he returned to Blueberry City.

As soon as he settled in, someone knocked on his door.

"Coming."

Shi Li opened it to see a staff member from here.

He recognized the person; by position, he was the security captain here.

One should know that as a residence for foreign guests, the security here was naturally very strong.

To be the head of security, his strength certainly wouldn't be low.

Platinum 35, a rank far exceeding the peak line.

Besides, behind the security captain stood a middle-aged man from the Banlan Tribe.

The man was dressed in luxurious clothes, and his posture and demeanor instantly marked him as a high-ranking official.

However, his rank was not particularly outstanding, merely Gold 3.

"Sir, this is contestant Shi Li."

Yet, the Platinum 35 security captain was extremely respectful towards him.

"Hmm, I have some matters to discuss with contestant Shi Li. You may withdraw first."

The man didn't even glance at the Platinum 35, waving his hand.

"Yes."

The security captain saluted and turned to leave.

It was clear that although this man's rank was not high, his status was very high.

"Hello, contestant Shi Li, my name is Lan Ji."

The man introduced himself and was then invited into the room.

"Coming so late, I apologize for the disturbance."

Lan Ji smiled slightly, appearing a bit mysterious.

"Mainly, I want to discuss a—profitable business with you."