Chapter 2396: An Unconventional Strong Player
If even cutting off the game channel couldn't truly strip away the game, that meant Super Evolution Power was still within the game's control—something the game could still touch, just not interfere with under its own rules.
This further made him suspect the role of Time Power. Could Curved Time really change the past to some extent, as Dr. Wu and he had anticipated?
Shi Shuai was clearly uninterested in this topic. "Let's not talk about that. I'm just curious—is your Perfect Potion real?"
"A preparatory Super Player, and you can't tell?" Xu Huo raised an eyebrow. "I thought you were stubbornly following me because you knew the inside story. Or did you just meet me by chance and want to use me to lure out the Fish Feast's behind-the-scenes boss and get the quadrangular pyramid? The prop fish is yours, and it chased me for ages with that tentacle prop."
Shi Shuai released him and looked around. "Come on, buddy, don't be so serious. Once I become a Super Player, I'll definitely have your back. When you're in danger, just drop my name—no one will dare mess with you!"
"Thanks a lot." Xu Huo stared at him steadily. "Do you have any token or prop I could use to contact you immediately if I'm in trouble?"
"I've already locked onto you," Shi Shuai said, pointing two fingers at his own eyes, then at Xu Huo, confident. "You don't need to find me. I can find you anytime, since I'm a Super Player."
Xu Huo picked up the Black Blade that had fallen to the ground and said to the Painting Woman, "This space is about to collapse. We'll be back in the Fish Feast Building soon. Get ready."
"Don't worry," Shi Shuai waved for the Space Fish to come over. "I'll make sure you get out safely. Dead fish eyes, get bigger."
The Space Fish's dull eyes shifted slightly, then it rammed straight into his nose bridge—with a hint of personal grudge—but it failed, blocked by Shi Shuai's single finger.
Xu Huo was a Super Evolver... Even if he weren't, he could feel the immense power stirred by that single movement of the Space Fish. Yet Shi Shuai blocked it effortlessly. His strength was undeniable, but...
On the other side, the man who had been struck by the fish had already pried open the fish's mouth with both hands, forcing himself to crawl inside, and turned to beckon him. "Hurry up, let's talk somewhere else."
Xu Huo and the Painting Woman still entered the fish's belly.
The Space Fish weaved through the Fish Feast Building, safely evading the searches of the Fish Feast players.
Watching the people occasionally passing by, Xu Huo asked, "How many props like that tentacle are still here?"
"Quite a few," Shi Shuai said, now slightly more serious. "The Fish Feast has several bosses. Their families are powerful, and many district Archons have gotten involved. They've also snatched quite a few Instance props. Normally, they have no use for them, so they're locked up here as entertainment."
"You took that tentacle prop?" Xu Huo continued. "Not interested in the others?"
"What's the point of having too many props? Not much use." Shi Shuai waved dismissively. "You're interested in the tentacle because it can run and jump, right? When it was born, it formed an Instance. The Instance was destroyed, but it didn't disappear. It has a mind, so it's hard to collect and use. That's why it ended up here."
"I thought props were restricted by the game at birth."
For example, the Painting Woman, Mr. Dong, and Little Pink Hat were all props with intelligence and the ability to think. They faced very few game restrictions and could move freely, unlike some naturally born props, including "Three Seconds of Life," which had usage limits. Did this mean intelligent props were harder for the game to restrict?
"Objects that evolve intelligence are far superior to humans." Shi Shuai patted the fish belly space beside him. "Look at my fish. It can freely enter and exit spaces and coordinate with me. It's long past being an ordinary prop... It's become a spirit!"
Xu Huo, who had hoped to hear some deep analysis from him, gritted his teeth. "Find a place to drop us off."
"Huh? You're not leaving yet?" Shi Shuai looked at him strangely. "Without the Space Fish, this place is too dangerous for you."
"Can't help it," Xu Huo said. "I came here to find someone. I can't leave until I do."
"Who are you looking for? Tell me, and I'll help." Shi Shuai added, "Do you have any more Perfect Potions? Give me two."
Xu Huo gave a fake smile. "Really? I was about to ask you for two. Since you're a Super Player, your good stuff must be better than mine."
"Unfortunately, I don't have any." Shi Shuai laughed heartily, not too concerned, then added, "You helped me out, so technically I should return the favor. But I'm in a hurry to grab an Instance and can't waste any more time. I'll give you a prop instead."
He pulled out an empty picture frame.
"This is a Space Device. It can open ordinary spaces. If you get trapped in the Fish Feast, use this to escape. It's anchored to the outer 001 District."
This was genuine goodwill. Xu Huo took it, thanked him first, then asked, "Are you sure it's anchored to District 001 and not some other space where you can't open your Personal Panel?"
"Of course not." Shi Shuai wore an expression of "Trust me, I've got this." "But it's a consumable. Only two uses. Use it sparingly."
"Alright, let's part ways here. Next time you hear my name, it'll be on the all-platform notifications!" With that, he flicked his hand in the air, and Xu Huo and the Painting Woman were ejected from the fish belly space, landing in some room within the Fish Feast.
There was no fluctuation of Space Power around them. It seemed the man had really left.
"His name? What name?" the Painting Woman asked, raising her communicator.
"Who knows? He didn't say." Xu Huo said flatly. "Maybe it's just his name."
"Then his name is really ugly. Doesn't match his looks at all," the Painting Woman added.
Shi Shuai certainly had strength, but his words were half-truths, and he wasn't willing to exchange contact information... That might just be a personal habit, but it also showed he was a rather unreliable preparatory Super Player.
"Isn't he the one we're looking for?" the Painting Woman hadn't forgotten their mission.
Xu Huo had suspected he was, but since he was gone without revealing anything, it didn't matter whether he was or wasn't.
"Keep looking. The Food Guest might not actually be at the Fish Feast. If we really can't find him, we'll leave first."
He needed some time to prepare for the next Instance.
"Bang!" At that moment, the room door was slammed open. An injured player rolled in, followed by two others. Spotting Xu Huo and the Painting Woman, the pair took the initiative, using props to seal off their movement range. Then one of them stepped forward and blew a breath at them. The flowing wind, entering the sealed area, turned into wind blades that could slice through flesh and skin!