The Abyssal Garden: No Room for the Idle

"No way."

Shandian's slightly blue eyes, however, sparkled with a confident glimmer as he laughingly said, "I've already probed it. Mechanical Life may be rare, but intelligent mechanical products are well-known. Haven't you noticed that the people around us aren't too surprised when they look at us? Instead, there's a hint of envy."

Bai Yilin fell into deep thought; indeed, he had been observing those around him since Shandian had appeared and their expressions had changed.

After a moment of surprise, their gazes became one of envy.

"Why would they be envious?" Bai Yilin didn't understand.

"If it were Su Buxian here, he'd stroll by and casually say it's because we are from The Hustlers Sect," Jiang Zhi commented.

Long Xun glanced at Jiang Zhi, who had responded, "You sure seem to be concerned about your Sect Hierarch..."

"Is this concern?"

"It's a silent complaint."

Jiang Zhi sighed, "Once you're in deep with The Hustlers, it's like the sea; as if you've signed a contract of servitude."

"For this reason, I've even passed on messages to my brothers in the Meteor Alliance before, to pull them into the sect. I've made my efforts."

The main reason was that even though The Hustlers Sect didn't have many members, the atmosphere was good, and he could see that Su Buxian might seem unreliable but actually had profound energy.

Moreover,

his brothers from the Meteor Alliance could take this opportunity to establish a name for themselves, rather than forming a nondescript alliance that remains an unranked external organization in Paradise.

After all,

Jiang Zhi sighed inwardly, his brothers were talented, but everyone had their own ideas. Without a unified program, their freedom actually made it difficult for these geniuses... to behave like a cohesive unit.

Therefore,

he was working so hard to bring them into The Hustlers.

Firstly, he had already been tricked into it, so why not trick—cough, strive together with his brothers for greater unity.

Secondly, in regards to Su Buxian, while Jiang Zhi often teased him, he was always observing, and that guy... Seems capricious, playing cards and throwing words out of turn, yet at the moment of crisis, capable of pulling off some jaw-dropping stunts.

But,

since their first encounter, both he and Bai Yilin had progressed far beyond the others, and the resources they had obtained were also more diverse.

"So, what exactly is the reason then?" Bai Yilin, still not understanding, asked again.

Shandian paused for a moment, "Because mechanical products are high-end luxury goods, possessing various fully intelligent mechanical products is even more... priceless."

"The only presence selling these products is a super commerce named Everday Commerce."

"It is said to originate from Night City, with the backing of the Spirit King."

Mention of the Spirit King,

their expressions all slightly changed. As one of the currently strongest entities among the open superpower factions, the Spirit King wielded the most considerable influence.

And,

according to rumors, the Spirit Kings had recently become quiet over the last half year, as if they were preparing for something.

Shandian, however, wasn't much affected, having always been in that Mechanical Kingdom, aware of the Present World but not directly involved.

"This Everday Commerce... what about it?"

Bai Yilin asked, brooding.

"How should I put it." Shandian paused, "They seem to come from a place called Night City, and their technology appears to have some resemblance to ours from the Mechanical Kingdom... It's highly likely that they obtained and cracked several of our leaked blueprints."

"However, our blueprints have high-level encryption; they haven't grasped the essence. What is quite backward for us, to these beings of the present world, is high-end."

"They've also incorporated various ingenious ideas to become a super commerce."

"I see."

Bai Yilin suddenly paused, sensing something keenly, "Shandian, by telling us all this, do you already have a strategy in mind?"

"Hehe, of course, otherwise why would I come here." Shandian laughed lightly, his view filled with holographic data analysis, "Everday Commerce is also organizing a Pioneering Team, and based on my analysis, their friendliness is among the highest in many factions."

"We can choose to join them."

Bai Yilin's eyes brightened slightly.

Such a super commerce was something they originally had no intentions of approaching, as its backing—the Spirit King—represented an intimidating force.

But now,

they had an opportunity.

Key to this was their professional alignment; after all, Shandian and its kind had more advanced technology, offering more for trade.

Of course, this must be approached with caution, for if Shandian's nature as a Mechanical Life were to be exposed, that would indeed be quite the risk.

Long Xun also offered his opinion, "This is an opportunity, but being cautious can never be wrong. Most powers are coveting others' positions and are driven by greed for benefits."

"Alright, it seems we are all in agreement. Let's go and make contact with Everday Commerce to see if we can obtain the qualifications to join," Bai Yilin mused.

"Brother Jiang, what about you? Why haven't you said anything?" Long Xun looked toward Jiang Zhi, who was deep in thought.

"I was contemplating why, despite being called 'Night City,' they would add the prefix 'Ever' to it. Everday Commerce... it feels somewhat off."

Jiang Zhi paused, "Like our Leisurely People Sect, it also begins with the word 'Ever.' Should we go and acknowledge some relatives?"

The others looked at him as if he were an idiot.

"Hey, can't I make a joke to lighten the mood?" Jiang Zhi sighed helplessly.

"Forget it, I better not mention the Leisurely People Sect anymore, afraid it would embarrass us."

"Let's go."

They headed towards the central district.

They soon saw a large number of buildings on the outskirts, already occupied by various forces that began recruiting people, with countless adventurers queuing outside.

"Even though it's just the outer area, those who can set up here are at least starting at the Constant Star Level."

"Let's keep moving inward."

The area had ten circular layers of streets, each layer moving closer to the center. The various forces seen here possessed even greater strength.

As they reached the central district, they encountered the entrance to the Star Meeting area, protected by an energy shield.

To enter, they first needed to prove their strength, only those at the Seventh Rank were worthy.

Secondly, each person had to pay a fee of fifty thousand Spirit Coins.

"..."

"It really is a gathering place of top-tier powers, even just to enter... it costs so damn much!"

"Let's go, and be careful with our words and actions," Long Xun said with a serious tone.

After paying their Spirit Coins, they entered.

Upon entering, they could see the majestic scene inside: numerous powers were arrayed on platforms decorated for ceremonies, with various gigantic apparitions descending from all around.

Each power emanated an intimidating and potent aura.

And under each top power, there was a separate space and ripples, with lines of people stretching out like a dragon.

"Damn, there are so many people," Jiang Zhi exclaimed, his eyes wide.

Long Xun calmly said, "After all, following the teams of these powers means having a stronger pioneering force, which also means more opportunities."

With more than half a year of gold farming on the outskirts, countless people realized the immense value of this place, not to mention the opportunity to delve even deeper—everyone sought a chance to turn their destiny on its head!

"Over there is Everday Commerce's territory." They looked up and quickly saw the immense holograph of Everday Commerce on a piece of floating land, with naturally a long queue of people.

"We have to stand in such a long line," Jiang Zhi said, somewhat stunned.

"Let's queue up; despite the crowd, the efficiency is high," Bai Yilin said as he walked forward.

Shandian, now considerably smaller, perched on Bai Yilin's shoulder.

Although it could produce designs of some value, which should exempt it from queuing, to be on the safe side, it was better to take things one step at a time.

Jiang Zhi sighed.

"We could also not queue," Long Xun pointed out, indicating a few groups of people, each escorting a distinguished and spirited young individual who went straight into the islands trembling with astonishing energy fluctuations.

"Those people are either powerful descendants or Young Masters and Divine Sons. Naturally, many groups would roll out the red carpet for them."

He patted Jiang Zhi's shoulder in consolation and smiled, "So, if the name of the Leisurely People Sect were big enough, it might be helpful."

"No need," Jiang Zhi stood tall, "I love queuing!"

Using that, when nobody knows, it would be social suicide.

Meanwhile, in another location.

Su Qi had also arrived at the Land of Extreme Evil but had yet to enter the city.

However.

He had people to welcome him...

Several individuals dressed in stealthy garb, exuding a cold presence and bearing the Totem—a symbol of a powerful and super top-tier organization—on their clothing, were now kneeling on one knee before him.

Beside them stood a man with a somewhat fawning attitude:

"Venerable one, welcome!"