Samsara Paradise: Dream Weaver of Connections.

The fighting in the eastern part of Twilight Island has indeed completely subsided.

The forest was filled with the smell of gunpowder and blood, and occasionally a dying groan could be heard in the distance before quickly fading into silence.

Su Xiao leaned against an ancient tree whose crown had been cut off in half. Wisps of white smoke were still rising from the broken part of the trunk, and the wood fibers were twisted outwards as if they had been torn apart by a huge force. The screen of the tablet computer in his hand gleamed coldly.

"Those twins from Death Paradise are quite efficient," Su Xiao said calmly, swiping his finger across the screen to bring up the current leaderboard.

[Seventh Battle Zone Real-time Leaderboard]

First Place: Paradise of Death (Gemini) – 23 points

Second Place: Paradise of Reincarnation (Lin Yi/Su Xiao Team) - 18 points

Third place: Winged Clan (Nightfeather) - 3 points

Fourth place: Dream Spirit (Ellie) - 2 points

……

Scrolling down the list, you can see that more than a dozen names have turned gray—that's the mark of those who have been eliminated.

There are no more than a hundred participants in the entire Twilight Island, and after the east and west divisions are divided, the east division has at most forty people.

The fact that the Death Park Twins were able to score 23 points in just a few hours means that they have almost wiped out all the opponents in the entire Eastern Conference who dared to show their faces.

"The rest have probably all gone into hiding." Lin Yi stood not far away, adjusting a silver-gray metal device. "But they won't be able to hide for long."

The device was about the size of a suitcase, its surface covered with intricate rune markings, and in the center was a constantly rotating blue light core.

This is the "Psionic Fluctuation Detection Satellite" that Lin Yi just took out from his storage space—one of the best-selling products of the Reincarnation Paradise Mechanical Street, specifically designed for large-scale vital sign scanning.

These aren't expensive; a package of three would cost around 100,000 Paradise Coins.

It's a huge sum of money for ordinary contractors, but for the top echelon that can plunder resources in various worlds, it's just the reward for a medium-difficulty mission.

The guys at the Mechanical Street store even provide a user-friendly service, just in case you don't know how to use it, so they've optimized it to be extremely convenient.

One-click deployment, automatic calibration, intelligent filtering of noise signals... and even after-sales customer service—if you can answer cross-dimensional communications from the Paradise of Reincarnation during breaks in battle.

Just as Lin Yi was about to initiate the launch procedure, he heard rustling footsteps coming from the bushes not far away.

The voice was very soft, as if trying to conceal itself, but none of those present were ordinary people.

Bubuwang immediately perked up its ears, Shangyue's wings spread slightly, her right hand rested on the hilt of the sword at her waist, her thumb pressing against the guard. With just a little force, the curved sword could be drawn and completed a horizontal slash.

Ellie, the Dream Spirit girl, closed her eyes, and her invisible spiritual perception spread out like a spider web.

Two people arrived.

Or, to be more precise, they were two "tourists" who seemed completely out of place on the brutal battlefield.

Leading the way was a young man about 1.8 meters tall, wearing a well-tailored dark blue Void Silk robe, embroidered with intricate star patterns in silver thread.

He had short, light blonde hair with slightly curled ends, which looked like it had been carefully styled but was now somewhat messy.

Her emerald eyes still held a hint of childishness and panic, her pupils dilated in the dim light, like those of a startled deer.

His skin was unnaturally pale, not in a sickly way, but rather with the cleanliness of someone who had lived in an energy-rich environment for a long time and had little contact with external pollution.

Following closely behind was a slightly shorter woman, around twenty years old, dressed in a light purple outfit that allowed for easy movement, but the material was clearly some kind of high-grade energy fabric, with a visible protective force field flowing across its surface.

She had her hair tied in a high ponytail and delicate features. At that moment, she was tightly gripping the sleeve of the person in front of her, her eyes scanning her surroundings warily.

The two were dressed in what could be described as luxurious equipment.

"Stop." Shangyue's voice was as cold as ice, and her scimitar was already half an inch out of its sheath.

The blade and scabbling against each other produced a faint hissing sound, which was particularly jarring in the silence.

"Don't lay a hand on us! We surrender!" The young man immediately raised his hands, his movements so practiced it was heartbreaking. "We've come seeking refuge!"

The woman quickly nodded and took out a palm-sized crystal box from her bosom. When she opened the box, twenty soul crystals (complete) emitting a soft glow were neatly arranged inside.

"This is our sincerity." Her voice trembled slightly. "Just let us follow you, and you can have all of this... all of this!"

Lin Yi and Su Xiao exchanged a glance.

Su Xiao's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

He had seen many contractors in derivative worlds who tried to buy their lives with resources, but it was rare to see someone like him who immediately pulled out twenty (complete) soul crystals upon meeting.

This isn't just about being rich; it's about having "foolish people with lots of money coming their way" written all over their faces.

In a battle for supremacy, revealing one's abundant resources is tantamount to bleeding in a school of sharks.

These siblings are either naive to the point of being stupid, or... they have enough confidence that no one dares to touch them.

Instead of sheathing her sword, Shangyue stepped forward, the black feathers on her wings standing on end: "Report your race, faction, and purpose for coming to the Battle of the Strongest."

“My name is Kane Startrack, and this is my sister, Leah Startrack.” The young man spoke quickly, clearly having rehearsed beforehand. “We are from the ‘Stargazers’ branch under the Void Star Clan. We’re here for the Battle of the Strongest… mainly because our family asked us to come and broaden our horizons.”

"To broaden your horizons?" Ellie, the Dream Spirit girl, blinked, her tone filled with disbelief and confusion. "Does your family think the Battle of the Strongest is a tourist attraction?"

Leah blushed slightly: "Father said... the Battle of the Strongest brings together young elites from all the Void races, a great opportunity to build connections. We brought enough protective gear and resources, originally planning to find a safe area to observe and learn, and then voluntarily withdraw after the first phase..."

Her voice was almost inaudible by the end, clearly indicating that she realized how naive the plan was.

Looking for a "safe zone" in a chaotic, unregulated battlefield? Hoping that other contestants will go easy on you because of your special status? That's not just naive, it's downright fairytale thinking.

Kane picked up the conversation, his tone tinged with bitterness: "But we didn't expect the first phase to be a chaotic free-for-all. Less than ten minutes after we landed, we were attacked three times. If it weren't for the 'Starlight Amulet' my father gave us automatically triggering absolute defense three times, we would have already..."

Although Kane didn't continue, everyone understood their predicament: two fat sheep who had strayed into a pack of wolves, barely surviving thanks to their luxurious equipment, but even equipment eventually runs out.

They need a sanctuary, or more accurately, a "signboard" to deter other predators.

Shangyue looked at Lin Yi, her wings slightly folded – a gesture of inquiry.

She didn't speak, but her eyes made it clear: What should we do?

Just as Lin Yi was pondering, Kane suddenly remembered something and quickly took out an item from his storage gem.

It wasn't the exquisite container from before, but a simple wooden box with no decorations, only the wear and tear left by time.

The wooden box was opened, revealing a dark blue velvet cloth inside. On the cloth lay a palm-sized metal fragment, its surface covered with rust and cracks, but the fine forging patterns could still be seen on its edges.

A symbol, mostly blurred, is engraved in the center of the fragment.

Shangyue's pupils suddenly contracted.

Lin Yi's expression changed as well.

That is the emblem of the Abyss Physician.

This thing is most likely a fragment of Hill's Scythe.

"Where did you get this?"

Kane quickly explained, “This is an artifact from the family collection. Three hundred years ago, my great-grandfather was severely injured during a Void expedition and was saved by a passerby when he was on the verge of death. That person was later taken into our family and cared for, and he left this behind after his death.”

Leah added, "Before we set off, Father specifically instructed us that this thing might be related to your Abyss Doctors, so he specifically asked us to bring it with us."

The air was quiet for a few seconds.

Shangyue slowly sheathed her sword: "The Star Orbit Family... the lineage of the Stargazers. I remember that your branch once drew the 'Southern Void Star Map' for the Feather Clan seven hundred years ago."

“Yes!” Kane’s eyes lit up. “Friends of the Feathered Clan, our ancestors did indeed cooperate with the Feathered Clan. That goodwill should still exist, right?” “Goodwill aside, this is a battle for supremacy among the strong.” Shang Yue remained unmoved. “You just said you were willing to exchange resources for protection?”

The brother and sister nodded vigorously.

Over the next ten minutes, Lin Yi and Su Xiao witnessed firsthand what the wealth of a "second-generation Void Realm" truly meant—no, it went beyond mere "wealth"; it was practically a mobile treasure trove.

What Kane took out of the storage gem was enough to drive most sixth-tier contractors mad with envy:

Soul Crystals (Complete) x20

Void Star Iron x 300 kg (Core material for forging Epic-grade and above equipment)
Time Sand x 50g (A rare resource related to time-related abilities)
World Tree Sap x3 (10 ml each, top-tier restorative item)

There are also various items that Su Xiao doesn't have the necessary permissions for, but whose energy fluctuations are astonishing.

Leah wasn't idle either; she took out three scrolls:
The first one is a seventh-tier defensive barrier scroll, made of parchment.

Once the scroll is torn open, it will unfold an absolute defensive barrier that lasts for 30 minutes, and at its limit, it can withstand three full-force attacks from an eighth-tier expert.

The second scroll is a random teleportation scroll for groups. This one looks older, with yellowed paper and some of the runes on it already blurred.

Maximum transmission distance is 500 kilometers, and it can carry 10 people.

There's also a scroll... printed with the image of a VIP card from a famous entertainment club in the void.

She glanced down, her face instantly turning bright red, and hurriedly rolled up the membership card and stuffed it back into her storage equipment. The whole process took no more than two seconds.

"I took the wrong one!" Her voice was barely audible. "That's...that's the VIP card from the last time I went out with my friends. My father said to bring it just in case..."

Kane covered his face, his shoulders trembling slightly, it was hard to tell whether he was crying or laughing.

Su Xiao watched silently as the brother and sister took things out, her expression shifting from wariness to contemplation, and then from contemplation to an indescribable subtlety.

He recalled a rumor from the void: "When you really can't escape from the Slayers, try bribing them. The success rate is low, but it's better than dying."

It now appears that the rumors were not unfounded.

"That's enough," Su Xiao finally spoke, her voice still calm. "Put some of the things away. We don't need that many."

Kane and Leah were stunned.

“Your Excellency the Destroyer of Laws, do you mean…” Kane asked tentatively.

“It means you can come along,” Su Xiao said, taking out two cigarettes from her storage space and handing them to the brother and sister. “But there are a few conditions.”

Kane accepted the cigarette with both hands, his movements as respectful as if he were receiving the Imperial Seal of the State.

He looked down at the crudely made cigarette, then at Su Xiao, his eyes filled with awe—perhaps he had misunderstood something and thought it was some kind of ritual.

Leah followed suit, even though she clearly didn't smoke.

"First, stay in the rear during battle and don't cause trouble."

"Secondly, if we encounter an insurmountable danger, we will prioritize our own safety and cannot guarantee that we can protect you."

“Third…” Su Xiao paused, his gaze sweeping over the glittering equipment on the two of them, “put away those things with too much energy fluctuation, unless you want to become live targets for all the contestants.”

The brother and sister quickly nodded and hurriedly began adjusting their equipment.

Kane tried to turn off the star map projection on the robe, but pressing several buttons didn't work—the clothes were too high-end, and he usually only wore them and had no idea how to adjust the details.

Leah tried to remove the necklace with the fist-sized soul crystal embedded in it, but the clasp was too complicated to untie after two attempts, and she was sweating with anxiety.

“The fluctuations of that crystal are already bound to your vital signs. Forcibly removing it will only cause bigger problems,” Lin Yi said. “Keep it on. I have a way to shield its fluctuations.”

As he spoke, he raised his hand and pressed lightly on Leah's neck.

A wisp of abyssal power spread out, like the finest silk thread, weaving an invisible filter on the surface of the soul crystal.

The surging energy emanating from the crystal instantly subsided, becoming as inconspicuous as an ordinary gemstone.

“Thank you, Doctor!” Lydia said gratefully.

At this moment, Bubuwang approached Kane's feet, sniffed the storage gem at his waist, and then looked up at Su Xiao, its dog eyes filled with the meaning of "Master, this can be used to blackmail him."

Baha flew over and landed on Kane's shoulder—a move that made Kane stiffen; Baha's claws had a strong grip, and he could feel the pressure even through his robes.

"Kid, how much good stuff do you have on you? Take it all out and let us appraise it so you don't get scammed."

Kane was a little confused by the hawk and dog's posture, but he still obediently took out a few more items - a "crisis perception bracelet" that could automatically warn of danger, a "shadow cloak" pin that could make him invisible for a short time, and three strange potions labeled "temporarily grants a luck bonus after drinking".

Su Xiao looked at these props, which were obviously valuable but whose practical value was questionable, remained silent for two seconds, and then shook his head at Bubuwang.

Do not exhaust the resources.

This is one of Su Xiao's principles of conduct.

Extortion is acceptable, but it must be done in moderation.

These two siblings from the Star Orbit family are clearly high-quality "long-term clients"—backed by vast family resources, yet lacking combat experience, they need the protection of a strong person.

It's better to maintain a steady, long-term relationship than to squeeze dry all at once; a relatively good relationship may bring more benefits in the future.

Moreover, as a physician in the Abyss, Lin Yi needs to maintain a certain reputation and credibility.

Taking money one minute and killing someone the next to cover it up—if word gets out, it will be detrimental to Lin Yi's future development.

The Slayers of Laws may have a bad reputation—Su Xiao didn't care, since the Slayers of Laws didn't have a good reputation in the void anyway.

But not for Abyss Doctors. This profession requires trust, and patients need to be willing to entrust their lives to you.

Once credibility collapses, it is difficult to rebuild.

Therefore, those who destroy the law can be infamous, but the healers of the abyss cannot.

"Put your things away safely," Su Xiao said to Kane. "Follow Bubu and Amu; they'll tell you what to do."

"Yes!" Kane felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly pulled his sister to stand behind Bubuwang.

Leah was still a little worried and whispered to her brother, "Brother, are they really not going to suddenly turn on us? I heard that even the Law Destroyers..."

"Shh!" Kane quickly covered his sister's mouth, secretly glanced at Su Xiao's back, and lowered his voice, "Don't talk nonsense. Since this Law Destroyer has accepted the gift, he won't easily break the contract. Besides, look at that Abyss Physician. His reputation is guaranteed in the Void. Father mentioned him, saying that he is one of the most principled among the younger generation of physicians."

"But……"

“No buts.” Kane’s expression turned serious. “Lia, remember your father’s words—in the Void, there are beings whose goodness you may not believe in, but whose principles you must believe in. The Abyss Healer and the Law Destroyer belong to this category.”

Leah nodded, seemingly understanding.

Meanwhile, Lin Yi had already completed the satellite's debugging.

He pressed the start button, and the light core on the top of the silver-gray device suddenly lit up, transforming into a stream of light that shot into the sky, breaking through the thick energy clouds above Twilight Island and unfolding into a three-meter-diameter saucer satellite thousands of meters above the ground.

Almost simultaneously, the screen of the tablet in Su Xiao's hand refreshed.

The map, which originally had only a simple outline, is now covered with dense red dots.

Each point of light represents a vital sign, and the brightness and size of the point of light reflect the energy intensity of the target.

“There are still nine red dots left in the East District.” Su Xiao’s finger swiped across the screen. “Two of them are clustered together, which should be the twins from Death Paradise. The other seven are scattered in various places, and their energy reactions are very weak. They are most likely the contestants who are hiding.”

Lin Yi looked at the terminal in his hand, where the data on the screen was more detailed: "In the West District... we have cleared eighteen targets, but the map still shows thirteen red dots."

But soon, five of the thirteen red dots disappeared, indicating that the other side had likely noticed the reconnaissance, though they probably had countermeasures. (End of Chapter)