Chapter 2784

(Wait a moment to revise) "Spatial Evolver." The two were not panicked; they had already used a Defensive Barrier. Escaping was simple enough. After all, if they could reach a Rank-B Wormhole Point to run an instance, they must have plenty of interference devices for Super Evolvers. Therefore, they didn’t take Xu Huo’s threat to heart, thinking instead that he was overestimating himself.

But before they could speak again, a stream of black matter flowed from beneath Xu Huo’s feet, quickly surrounding the tree-lined path where they stood. With both sound and senses simultaneously diminished, the two Players realized something was amiss. In that instant, one was swallowed by the Dark Matter and disappeared into space without a sound.

The man who had previously harassed the bar owner realized the Spatial Teleportation Device had failed and that the Interference Device could not fully interfere with the surrounding Space Cutting Line. He immediately said, "Brother, let’s talk it out. I didn’t mean anything else, I just wanted to inquire. Aren’t you also after that woman at the Whale Garden? I want to clear this instance, but there’s no way into the Whale Garden. The bar owner refused me. I just wanted to follow you to get some information!"

Seeing Xu Huo unmoved, the man’s expression changed. A semi-transparent barrier instantly covered him, and aided by a prop, he dashed to escape through the blocked barrier. Unfortunately, he didn’t get far before being halted; "Fate’s String" took effect, stopping him with a Time Force.

The Space Cutting Line attacked several times, easily breaking through his defenses and taking his life. Simultaneously, the surrounding dark matter receded, and Xu Huo collected the props from the man’s body, then looked towards a certain spot outside the park, nodding and smiling in acknowledgment.

Another group of people who followed from the bar saw this and withdrew without hesitation.

The two who died were simply courting death, whereas the two who ran were likely from the bar. Xu Huo didn’t care and turned back to the hotel.

The next morning, the bar owner contacted him, saying the Whale Garden would soon reply to him.

By noon, someone delivering a visit notice said that Miss Ruo would meet him the next morning, and he should go directly to the Whale Garden.

"Young man, you’re really lucky. Miss Ruo hasn’t seen visitors for a long time," the intermediary said. "I wish you success."

When visiting, it’s customary to bring gifts. Xu Huo wandered around a gift shop near the hotel and, learning he intended to gift a young lady, the clerk enthusiastically recommended several categories, focusing on florals and not-too-expensive gifts.

"After all, it’s the first meeting. Giving too expensive a gift isn’t appropriate and will place a psychological burden on the lady."

"A simple bouquet is best."

"These flowers are quite ordinary," Xu Huo said, common throughout Lake City, unsuitable for a formal visit.

"Is the recipient of your gift beautiful?" Suddenly, someone chimed in, seeing him turn around and smiling, "It’s you again, remember me? We met at the pub a few days ago."

Xu Huo nodded. She was the tall woman admired by the women. "Do you have any suggestions?"

"Gift-giving is an art," she said. "If the recipient is only typically beautiful, then you should give something that complements her beauty, like nice flowers, pretty hats, or accessories to enhance her appearance and mood."

"But if the person is extraordinarily beautiful, such gifts aren’t very effective. Many people give them, and for those extraordinarily beautiful, anything they wear is complementary, so standout gifts aren’t that important."

"In this case, you should give something she particularly likes. But if you’re not aware of her preferences, you can give her some unique curios."

*

"My Heart is Dark" was a simple introduction, but with the little girl’s example, Xu Huo quickly grasped its usage.

First is the kind of black force, which indeed is a force capable of enveloping others, transferring them to a destination the holder chooses, and the larger the area covered by this black force and the longer the time, the greater the deviation in perception and basic judgment, to the extent that even Space-Time Powers can be swallowed.

But this doesn’t mean Space-Time Powers are entirely ineffective. Any power duel considers quantity. For example, a typical Spatial Barrier can’t interfere with Time Force, but Dimensional Space Power can, and this black force is the same.

Next is the coverage range, which is generally centered on the building space the holder occupies. When being shuttled by the black force, it’s not like traversing a special spatial passage during Spatial Evolution but entering another space, or rather, a space angle. When effective, the holder enters another black space, which can be understood as adjacent to the current space. Once inside, it’s akin to temporarily leaving the original space, though not completely gone, as one can’t remain too long in the black space. Prolonged stay will result in automatic ejection by the black space.

Xu Huo guessed this was a limitation designed to align with the instance. Entering the black space doesn’t mean leaving the current space, so one can’t seize the chance to escape the instance like directly crossing district or Wormhole Points.

Of course, its role isn’t just to envelop others; more importantly, it has a unique defensive capability. Since it can swallow Time Force, this suggests that most characteristics encountered may not take effect, and even if they do, they can be easily interrupted.

Xu Huo tested its duration at maximum coverage. Once darkness forms, as long as it doesn’t swallow others, it can persist indefinitely. But if he goes into the black space, the external darkness will recede, and he himself can only stay in the black space for a maximum of five seconds.

That applies to the holder; if it were someone else,

he looked at the little girl, that is, Lei Jie Lian.

Lei Jie Lian was already squatting on the ground, having run several times with Xu Huo in the black space. She seemed even more exhausted, but when she felt his dangerous gaze, she couldn’t help but say, "You’re not thinking of throwing me into the black hole, are you?"

"What would happen if I did?" Xu Huo asked.

"Vanish forever," Lei Jie Lian said. "I advise you not to do that."

"I’ve thrown many people in before," she said. "Those thrown in have never reappeared, even if I go back in immediately. And the more you throw in, the larger the darkness becomes, expanding the range of coverage and increasing your burden."

"I wasn’t this weak when I first got this item."

"Have you researched this item?" Xu Huo asked, referring to the District Government and the Chief Governor.

"That’s my secret. Why should I tell others?" Lei Jie Lian said, matter-of-factly. "The district library has a lot of resources; you can find whatever you want to know."

"So you think the black space and black holes are similar?" Xu Huo pursued, "Why?"

"So you think the black space and black holes are similar?" Xu Huo pursued, "Why?"