Encountering Qian Renxue

What should we do next?

Tang San asked Zhou Qing, "We can't go any further in the short term. We can't enter the Gate without the White Whistle. It will also take time to figure out why the Fallen One are unaffected. As for diving, although we all know how to swim, we are still not as agile as the marine creatures in the Sea of Corpses."

"How much time do we have left?" Zhou Qing didn't answer, but instead asked Tang San this question.

"Sixty-eight hours and thirty-five minutes."

Tang San took out a Soul Guidance Timer from the Moon Shines Brightly in the Twelve Towers. "It has been nearly four hours since we arrived at this Fourth Layer."

"Three days is still too short. Assuming the Twelfth Layer is really 1,024,000 meters above the ground, even if we can fly, it will take at least two hours to get there. In fact, we need more time, at least six hours." Zhou Qing calculated the time it would take for them to return to the top floor after reaching the bottom floor, based on their ascent speed.

Six hours is still the theoretical time; in reality, considering other factors, it may take ten hours.

More importantly, based on the situation on this Fourth Layer, they will likely have to undergo corresponding trials before they can reach the next level.

This will take even longer.

Unless they give up participating in the Finals and focus all their attention on exploring this Abyss Ruins!

Although Zhou Qing felt that the value of the Abyss Ruins far exceeded the prizes of the Finals, their preparations were insufficient at this point. If they rashly continued downwards, they were very likely to encounter troubles that even they could not solve. Moreover, giving up the competition directly would displease the higher-ups of the Two Great Empires and the Spirit Hall.

Absolutely!

He himself disliked the rule of these three major powers on the continent, but he didn't want to confront them head-on right now. He could just announce their arrival; for now, he needed to develop cautiously, take this opportunity to expand his reputation, and stabilize his own base before making any further moves.

Tang San, Xiao Wu, Romantina naturally understood Zhou Qing's thoughts.

"Are you going back?" Riko realized that Zhou Qing and the others were turning back. "Will you come down again?"

"Of course, I'm very curious about what's at the very bottom," Zhou Qing said. "However, not now, so we should head back."

"I'm not going back."

Riko shook her head, her eyes resolute. "I'll be testing those Gate with the Rabbit Girl during this time to see if there are any other ways to get in."

Tang San frowned and advised, "This is too dangerous. You should come up with us. We have the ability to help you avoid the curse."

No, I want to stay.

Riko gripped the Red Whistle hanging around her neck, her eyes growing increasingly resolute. "As Explorer, the moment I came down, I was already prepared to never go back up. So please don't worry about me; this is the fate of the Abyss Explorer."

The Rabbit Girl also decided to stay, saying, "I'll protect Riko and wait for you to come back here. After all, Riko your guide."

"Saundin ..."

Zhou Qing was most worried about him.

But the Rabbit Girl said, "Don't worry, no matter how reckless he is, he still retains the nature of Abyss People. He is honest and doesn't lie, and he won't force others to participate in his experiments. I'll keep an eye on Riko to make sure she doesn't fall into Saundin's trap."

Seeing that both of them were very stubborn, Zhou Qing sighed, exchanged a glance with Tang San, took out two Soul Conductor Godly Zhuge Crossbow Version 2), handed them to Riko and the Rabbit Girl, and demonstrated how to use them outside the Steel Base, and told them about the relevant maintenance matters.

This serves as an insurance policy for each of them.

After all, he said he would bring Riko back intact, so given that she doesn't want to leave now, it's necessary to ensure she has the ability to protect herself as much as possible.

"An offensive Soul Tool created based on Soul Power? That's impressive!"

Riko held the Soul Conductor Godly Zhuge Crossbow, version two, and stroked it carefully, her eyes shining. It wasn't that she also knew anything about Soul Tool; she was simply interested in this novel Soul Tool, like a child who had received a new toy.

"The Abyss People have also conducted research, but progress has been slow. Besides the problem of materials, we don't know the specific principles of converting Soul Power into water, fire, wind, etc."

In this respect, the Abyss People are indeed relatively backward. Apart from the common life-type soul Soul Tool used on the continent, the Soul Tool in Abyss Town mostly use various mechanical structures, which can be considered the same type as Tang San's Soul Conductor and Hidden Weapon. However, Tang San has a complete Soul Tool Core Formation.

"The principle behind Soul Tool might originate from the Soul Skill of Soul Master. The Abyss People don't have Martial Soul, so it might be quite difficult for them to research this," Zhou Qing said, suddenly noticing what appeared to be a cluster of golden light at the edge of the Fourth Layer. He exclaimed in surprise, "What's that?"

Riko looked over as well, recalling the knowledge in her mind, and shook her head, saying, "I don't know, my understanding of the Fourth Layer is very limited."

Before anyone else could ask, the Rabbit Girl spoke up, saying, "There are no glowing creatures on the outer edge of the Fourth Layer. Maybe someone came down from up there."

As they spoke, Zhou Qing saw the light spot move a considerable distance closer to the center, and below it, the waves surged as if something was running on them.

A minute later, Zhou Qing saw it clearly.

There are two people!

The golden dot of light was a blonde woman whose three pairs of wings could carry her across a great distance with a gentle flap.

The person running on the sea was an old man, holding a Snake Lance. The violent fluctuations of his Soul Power undoubtedly indicated that he was a Titled Douluo!

[Qian Renxue? That Titled Douluo... is the Snake Lance Douluo?]

After realizing the identities of the two, Zhou Qing was pondering whether to communicate with them when Qian Renxue seemed to have also sensed their presence. She actually accelerated, drawing an arc in the air as she flew towards them.

There's no escaping it now.

In the blink of an eye, ten minutes had passed. Qian Renxue, with six wings on her back, slowly landed about twenty meters away from Zhou Qing. The Snake Lance Douluo also leaped up from the sea and landed beside Qian Renxue, scanning Zhou Qing and his group.

"Guys of Nuoding Team, you won the first round, but instead of discussing how to win the second round, you've come here to explore this Abyss Ruins?" Qian Renxue retracted her Angel wings, smiled slightly, and strode towards Zhou Qing.

"Who... are you?" Zhou Qing feigned confusion, tilting his head slightly as he asked curiously.

My name is Qian Renxue.

Qian Renxue didn't intend to hide her name. The Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul was too special, and if they saw it, the best way to keep it a secret would be to silence them.

Putting aside the fact that Qian Renxue is proud and unwilling to rely on the power of the Snake Lance Douluo, even if she were to take the opportunity to attack, it's not certain that she would be able to defeat these people.

After all, they genuinely defeated Huyan Zhen!

Therefore, if a conflict were to break out, the outcome would be uncertain. Qian Renxue even suspected that Zhou Qing and his group hadn't used all their trump cards during the Preliminary Competition and were still hiding even more powerful methods...