Sanctuary Paradise

Chapter 835 Second Stage
The following day, at the World Fortress, in the assembly area.

"Cough...cough cough! Brother Mingyu, are you saying that you encouraged Argo to confess his feelings yesterday? And he actually did it?!"

A shocked confirmation rang out. In the isolated area separated by one-way soundproof glass, Xin Lailai listened to Mingyu's explanation, choked twice, and her face was full of disbelief.

No, he just ignored the news from the outside world for a day, and he actually missed such outrageous fun?

"Yes, I judged that if we did that, they would restrain themselves a bit in a short period of time, and judging from the results, this approach was indeed very effective."

Mingyu, who was enjoying afternoon tea, took a sip of the perfectly warm tea, glanced at the white-haired boy at another table not far away who was surrounded by four girls, with four different handprints and fist marks on his face and around his eyes, but was no longer being harassed, and answered calmly.

"..."

Upon hearing this, Xin Lailai glanced at Xing Nu and her group, whose atmosphere had changed drastically compared to yesterday. Her expression twitched slightly, and she didn't know how to respond for a moment.

To be fair, although the methods used by the Underworld are a bit abstract, in terms of feasibility, what they did was actually quite feasible.

Ultimately, the reason why Star Girl and Saintess argued over Bell's issue was not because they truly loved Bell so much, but because they didn't want to see someone steal their "prey."

For Stargirl and others who are top-tier powerhouses, Bell's existence is like a delicacy. Although not being able to have it won't have any negative impact, they certainly don't want to give it away to others for nothing. As for Bell's own wishes, they are not actually important in this process.

It might sound a bit ridiculous, but in fact, most of the strong people in the paradise are like this. Unless they are like them or have a deep and unforgettable bond and memories with Lena, very few of them will be as hesitant and indecisive as young couples in the real world, insisting on mutual consent.

If she likes something, she'll say so; if someone refuses, she'll just snatch it. Even someone as gentle as Saintess, when it comes to things she likes, will at most use a gentler approach. There's no such thing as her honestly giving up just because the other party is unwilling.

The Underworld's actions involved Belle, who was placed on a plate, flipping the plate over herself. This made Star Girl and the others realize that what they were fighting for was not some private possession that anyone could own, but a powerful opponent of equal strength who could participate in their struggle and even compete with them.

In addition, Bell's overly serious personality also made Star Girl and others realize that it was unrealistic to take that step with Bell based solely on a second-tier relationship, given that Bell was also in the top echelon and had an overly serious personality.

"Tsk, I wonder if taking this step will be a blessing or a curse for him?" Xin Lailai said, rubbing her brows with a hint of helplessness.

"I don't think they'll cause the same commotion as before after they clarify things with each other," Mingyu said calmly, sipping his tea.

"No, Brother Mingyu, you didn't understand what I meant. Given the current situation, they certainly can't cause any more trouble, but..."

Upon hearing this, Xin Lailai sighed softly, her gaze subtly sweeping over the seemingly harmonious Xing Nu and the others in the distance before she spoke:

“Brother Mingyu, have you ever considered that your current speculations are based on the conclusion that they only see Argo as a meal replacement, but…”

"What if one day, Brother Argo rises to the top of their list, even becoming more important than themselves?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Mingyu's hand holding the teacup froze in mid-air, and his expression stiffened slightly. After seriously considering what would happen if Xin Lailai's situation actually occurred and if it wasn't handled properly, his eyelids twitched suddenly.

Before Mingyu could speak, Xin Lailai, who had raised these questions, suddenly smiled, drank the tea in front of her in one gulp, and said again, "Well, there's no need to worry so much. After all, in my opinion, if it really develops to that point, it might actually be a good thing for him."

"Good news?" Upon hearing this, Mingyu's gaze shifted slightly as he looked at the white-haired youth sitting upright on the other side, a hint of curiosity appearing in his pupils.

"Yes, that's a good thing. For someone who's used to risking their life for others, if they were to meet someone who would risk their life for them one day, they'd probably become a little more willing to cherish their life, right?"

Xin Lailai smiled, glancing meaningfully at the white-haired boy not far away. Her eyes lowered slightly, and a deep look flashed in her dark eyes, as if she were recalling some past events.

[Note: You have a new message to view. Sender: Chris Roanna (Sister)]

Suddenly, a cold notification sound came, bringing Xin Lailai back to her senses. After glancing at the contents of the branding interface, her gaze shifted slightly, and she spoke to the Netherworld before her:

"I'm sorry, Brother Mingyu, it seems I must take my leave first?"

"It's alright, this was your mission after all." Mingyu shook his head, his eyes unusually calm.

Unlike them, who were only in the top tier, Mingyu knew very well that Xin Lailai's mission, as the top-tier combat force in the expedition, was actually the key to their expedition.

Or rather, the reason these people were sent by the park was simply to fill the staffing gaps when the other party was absent.

"Well then, see you another day. I look forward to your performance on the battlefield, Brother Mingyu."

After Xin Lailai finished speaking, she didn't linger any longer and got up to walk towards the prepared space portal. When she walked out of the space tunnel, the scene in front of her had changed from a bustling gathering area to a desolate and deserted warship docking area.

"Yo! Captain Black, finally finished talking?" As soon as they landed, Yamu's voice came from the side, and next to him was the Death Keeper who was standing in place with his eyes closed in meditation.

"Hmm, have White Demon and Randy arrived yet?"

"They're already inside the warship; only the three of us are left."

"That's fine then." Xin Lailai said, nodding slightly. She looked up at the dark warship in front of her, which exuded a sense of menace, then her eyes flickered, and she strode towards the hatch.

"Let's go."

Om-! !

A strong wind, created by the pressure difference, swept over them, blowing the black-haired youth's black coat, the blond youth's tousled hair behind him, and the black-haired woman's short cloak, as if welcoming the three of them.

"It's time to get down to business."

……

Half a day later, in the Astral Expedition Zone, at Reef No. 1 Outpost.

"Everyone, this is the No. 1 outpost on the Reef. Please try not to move around recklessly after landing. After all, the enemy may invade at any time, and there may still be powerful abyssal creatures left on the planet that have not been wiped out."

A gentle, melodious voice, so soft it couldn't even stir up the slightest evil thought, faded away. Beneath the massive tower built around the abyss suppression device, the blindfolded nun looked at the group of contractors before her and spoke to them in a gentle tone:
"Once we enter the main base, Mr. Blackthorn 9001 will introduce the specific strategy for this operation and some precautions to everyone."

"Because we have just entered the second phase, you only need to assist in the defense of this one outpost for now. However, as the front line advances, the number of outposts that will require your assistance will increase."

"At that time, each of you may have to take on the responsibility of guarding a specific outpost together with your team members. Therefore, I hope you can get used to life on the expedition as soon as possible and adapt to working with the creatures of the abyss..."

[WARNING! Attention all members! Large-scale abyssal biological activity detected. All members in the current area are to immediately enter Level 1 alert!]

[To reiterate! Large-scale abyssal creature revolt detected...]

Inside the stronghold, before the blindfolded nun could finish speaking, a piercing alarm blared throughout the entire stronghold and into everyone's minds, causing the blindfolded nun's expression to change slightly, but she remained calm and quickly continued:

"I'm sorry, sirs, it seems there's no time for you to adjust. Please follow the Legion System's instructions and proceed to your respective standby areas immediately. I will be here to provide you with buffs and healing."

As soon as the words were spoken, the top-tier contractors present did not hesitate at all. They activated the flight modules of their expeditionary combat suits according to what they had practiced, and rushed to their respective standby posts amidst the whooshing sounds of air being cut.

As one top-tier contractor after another began to act, various noisy exchanges started to emanate from the expedition's public channel:
……

"Reincarnation Paradise" Ghost Dragon: "Haha! Not bad luck! I actually encountered an invasion as soon as I arrived! I wonder what kind of creatures those abyssal creatures are? How does it feel to play with them?" "Sanctuary Paradise" Lan: "Brother, it's better not to be too confident. I've encountered them in the Dead Sea ruins. Anything with the word 'abyss' in its name is hard to deal with."

"Death Paradise" Dark Ghost: "You guys are too noisy. Can't you be a little quieter?"

"Death Paradise" Madman: "Heh, mind your own business. Dark Ghost, you'd better watch yourself. With your fragile body, you'd be dead if a creature from the abyss touched you!"

"Death Paradise" Dark Ghost: "...Never mind, whatever makes you happy."

"Reincarnation Paradise" Old Man with Cold Legs: "Be nice, be nice! In this godforsaken place, we're all in the same boat. There's no need to argue so fiercely!"

"Death Paradise" Shia: "Hey! I can see abyssal creatures over here! Brother Argo! Look, it's really as scary as the information says!"

"Sanctuary Paradise" Zi Huo: "Pfft~! Little sister is so cute, it's making me a little tempted. Why don't you come play with me after we're done~!"

"Death Paradise" Sia: "No, I don't like older sisters with big breasts! I prefer someone like Sister Soul Moon!"

Soul Moon, the "Paradise of Reincarnation": "..."

"Reincarnation Paradise" Laughing Nightmare: "Pfft, hahahaha...!"

……

All sorts of information flashed across the channel, the content so casual that it showed no sign of the tension before war, but rather gave the feeling of a leisurely outing.

Blackthorn 9001, located directly below the stronghold, showed no displeasure at this scene; instead, he nodded with satisfaction.

Unlike new recruits who have never been on the battlefield, in a place like Paradise, those who can rank among the top echelons, no matter how talented, must be powerful individuals who have fought their way out of countless mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

For contractors at this level, it would be a breach of their professionalism to panic and lose their composure due to a sudden attack.

[Notification: All combat units are in position. Please issue further instructions!]

Dozens of seconds later, a cold notification sounded in Blackthorn 9001's mind. Looking at the top-tier contractors who had already taken their positions on the map amidst laughter and chatter, he nodded slightly, switched the public channel to the legion channel, and indifferently gave the order:

"Attention, Commander!"

Release the beasts!

"Roar--!!!"

The indifferent command fell, and the next second, deafening roars and howls exploded from behind the stronghold. A dark mass of flying Blackthorn Warblers soared into the sky like a torrential downpour, roaring as they surged into the one-way spatial portal that had opened in mid-air, and charged toward the abyssal creatures that were pouring in from outside the elemental barrier.

……

Meanwhile, in the shallow layer of the abyss erosion zone, there is Reef No. 2.

Wow——! !

A biting wind howled across the land, and heavy, dark clouds pressed down, stripping the world of its last bit of warmth.

Beneath the glacier, where day and night are indistinguishable, lie piles of lifeless, grotesque creatures, like ancient fossils, forever slumbering in the long ice.

As a planet that had already reached its end hundreds of years ago, everything on this planet... including the abyssal derivatives that could only live on the planet, had been doomed from the moment the last tree on Reef 2 withered and died.

And today——

"Roar--!!"

On this frozen planet, something unexpected, contrary to the cold, is about to happen.

[Hint: Abyss Derivative - ??? (Aberrant - To be named) has been defeated. Current temporary team expedition contribution +0.3]

[Hint: You have obtained a Legendary Treasure Chest (30%)]

"Wow! As expected of Old Hei, his luck is just unbelievable!"

"Speaking of which, this should be the last one, right?"

"Yes, according to the message from the Legion, the abyssal creatures in other areas have also been suppressed. We should receive notification soon."

"As for what happens next, that depends on the skill level of those contractors."

Xin Lailai spoke, and as if in response to his words, the next second, an incomparably dazzling pure white beam of light suddenly rose from the tower behind everyone, illuminating half the sky and easily breaking through the barrier of the abyss energy layer surrounding the atmosphere, disappearing into the depths of the starry sky.

[Announcement! Attention all members in Reef Area 2: The elemental bridging of this world area is about to begin. All combat personnel are requested to return to their respective assigned areas as soon as possible!]

[To reiterate! The elemental transect bridge of this world...]

Has it started yet?
On the ground, Xin Lailai gazed at the scene behind her, her eyes flickering slightly, but she didn't rush to the device or anything. Instead, she quietly condensed one destructive bullet after another behind her, waiting for her prey to fall into the net.

[Expansion complete. The current elemental layer has reached the predetermined specifications, and the transmission of elemental light is being halted...]

[Announcement (Void Tree): Attention all notary offices in the current area, the current area has successfully recaptured Outpost 3 - Reef 2 (Planet awaiting notarization). According to the distant...]

Minutes later, the dazzling elemental light dissipated, and the announcement from the Void Tree rang out from the fleeting brown shadows of the tree in the sky, proclaiming the liberation of the planet before them.

"Lord Black Sword, the recapture of Outpost 3 is complete. Everyone should proceed to the next outpost."

The next second, an indifferent voice, devoid of any emotion, rang out from the communication channel. Xin Lailai, upon hearing this, did not show any dissatisfaction. Instead, she nodded, gave a knowing look to the Death Keepers and others behind her, and then turned and walked into the spatial portal.

Unlike the top-tier teams.

As the elite echelon of the second batch of recruits, they may have a chance to catch their breath in the second phase and rest for a while while they are fighting for other strongholds.

However, as members of the extra-tier echelon, they bear the heavy responsibility of advancing the battlefront as much as possible before the Abyss Ocean can react. Therefore, aside from necessary preparations, they almost always have only one thing to do—

Go to war.

They relentlessly, without reservation, and with a death wish, conquer one world after another, giving the abyss no chance to breathe, letting the blades called elemental barriers endlessly pierce into the enemy's heart.

This is the purpose of the extra-level echelon in the second stage.

……

(End of this chapter)