As soon as these words were spoken, Xu Gou and the others, who also wore panicked and grim expressions, turned their gazes toward the two big shots.

While looking over, Xu Gou, who had the most cunning mind, began entertaining some additional thoughts...

However, with the current situation unclear, he didn't reveal them.

Facing the numerous pairs of puzzled eyes, the Old Woman initially immediately turned cold-faced, but then, as if remembering something, suddenly restrained her expression.

Chubby Guy, meanwhile, had returned to his simple and honest demeanor, though he couldn't manage a smile either.

He glanced at Xiao Bai and took the initiative to say:

"You have some understanding of the Abyssal Depths and the Abyss Restricted Zone, right?"

"Of course." Xiao Bai nodded instinctively, but quickly grasped the deeper meaning behind his words.

Abyssal Depths and Abyss Restricted Zone.

These two terms were quite straightforward to understand.

The Abyss Restricted Zone referred to an area within the Abyssal Depths that was forbidden to enter.

Using mathematical concepts, it was Abyss Restricted Zone ⊂ Abyssal Depths.

But thinking about mathematics, Xiao Bai naturally recalled subsets and proper subsets.

A proper subset had a smaller scope, meaning the Abyss Restricted Zone's range was definitely smaller than the Abyssal Depths.

Whereas a subset could include equality, with the symbol implying an equal sign.

Thinking of that "equal sign," something suddenly flashed through Xiao Bai's mind.

Chubby Guy didn't care what she was thinking about and continued on his own:

"The restricted zone's periphery was set up with the Ghost Valley Soul Shepherd Formation by the Formation Master invited by the apartment boss."

"And the entire formation's effect is to prevent anyone from setting foot in the restricted zone. More accurately, it prevents anyone from even stepping into the outer perimeter of the restricted zone."

Xiao Bai nodded.

Yes, anyone who stepped into the Ghost Valley Soul Shepherd Formation would be teleported out.

So without breaking this formation, one couldn't enter the restricted zone.

At this point, the Old Woman took over the conversation and said eerily:

"Do you think the apartment boss set up such a formation around the restricted zone's periphery purely out of concern for players' safety? Or was he worried that players might enter the restricted zone and obtain some opportunity?"

Xiao Bai was taken aback.

What she had heard before was indeed that explanation, and she hadn't thought too deeply about it.

But now, prompted by the Old Woman, she naturally realized—

The apartment boss wouldn't be so kind-hearted as to care about others' lives.

As for worrying about others snatching opportunities? That didn't make sense either.

After all, the name "restricted zone" wasn't given lightly.

Throughout history, countless strong players had entered but never gained any benefits.

Either they died inside, or those who barely escaped mostly died from the mutation effects anyway.

Were there truly opportunities within the restricted zone?

To be honest, when the Old Woman and those Defenders painted grand pictures, Xiao Bai hadn't believed it deep down.

She had previously leaned more toward the idea that if the restricted zone wasn't controlled and players were allowed to enter freely, the radiation might spread like a zombie virus, creating troublesome zombie-like creatures in the already bizarre enough Doomsday Apartment.

That's why the formation was set up around the restricted zone periphery to prevent players from entering.

But now, hearing the Old Woman's implication...

Could there be another purpose for setting up the Ghost Valley Soul Shepherd Formation around the restricted zone periphery?

Xiao Bai had some faint suspicions in her heart.

Combined with their recent experience.

She suddenly addressed the Old Woman:

"This area belonging to the 'Abyss Restricted Zone'... it couldn't possibly be expanding, could it?"

The Old Woman admired her quick-wittedness but wasn't overly surprised, merely saying in a deep voice:

"Yes. Whenever a player sets foot there, the Abyss Restricted Zone expands its range."

"For example, the location we were just in originally didn't belong to the restricted zone."

"But as the restricted zone expanded, it has now become part of the restricted zone range."

"So now, we are already within the restricted zone."

This explanation aligned quite well with Xiao Bai's speculation.

It also made her think—

When the Abyss Restricted Zone expanded to its limit, would it cover the entire range of the Abyssal Depths?

Or even possibly... extend beyond the Abyssal Depths range?

While pondering this, Xiao Bai examined the two big shots and suddenly raised an eyebrow:

"You knew all along that the restricted zone range would expand..."

"But this current expansion of the restricted zone range wasn't within your expectations?"

The Old Woman nodded.

Chubby Guy continued: "Once a player steps in, the restricted zone range expands. However, there's an exception: when mutated players enter."

"Back before the Ghost Valley Soul Shepherd Formation was set up around the restricted zone periphery, it had already been confirmed that mutated players entering wouldn't cause the restricted zone to expand."

This exchange made Xu Gou and the others' eyes flicker.

No wonder they mutants were so highly sought after for exploring the Abyss Restricted Zone.

But...

Xu Gou thought for a moment, then gathered his courage to ask proactively:

"In that case, why didn't you have us mutant players take the lead and enter the restricted zone first just now?"

The Old Woman shot him a disdainful look and said coolly: "Because we aren't mutated, but we still need to explore the restricted zone."

Xu Gou reconsidered and quickly realized—

As long as non-mutated players wanted to enter the restricted zone, the expansion of the restricted zone range was unavoidable.

So having mutant players take the lead indeed seemed rather pointless.

However...

Xu Gou quickly realized: "So, what was your plan having those semi-mutated players take the lead?"

Recalling the two seniors' panicked reactions, he guessed directly:

"Could it be that in your plan, those semi-mutated players entering wouldn't cause the restricted zone range to expand?"

But your plan failed?

No!

Xu Gou quickly remembered that the Doomsday Apartment had abilities similar to divining fortunes and predicting the future.

Though not necessarily 100% accurate.

But with these two big shots' capabilities, they should have calculated that nothing would go wrong, right?

So, did the calculation results go wrong?

Or...

Among those seemingly semi-mutated Defender players, were there some playing dumb and eating the tiger, harboring malicious intentions?

Or perhaps, it was the shadow phantom?

Xu Gou and the others had many thoughts running through their minds.

Xiao Bai did too.

However, because she controlled the Black Snake, Xiao Bai had some perception of the situation outside the enclosed space formed by the Black Snake.

She could feel the pressure on the Black Snake's body increasing more and more...

So, she stopped asking about these convoluted matters.

Instead, she asked the most critical question at hand:

"What specific impact does the expansion of the restricted zone range cause?"

"In our current situation... is there still a way out?"

Her voice softened on those last few words.

Hearing this, Xu Gou and the others were startled.

Inside this enclosed space, isolated from the outside snow, the cold was no longer piercing.

Plus, with two incredibly powerful big shots presiding here.

They had all become somewhat relaxed.

Hearing Xiao Bai's words now, they faintly realized—

The terrible situation might not have turned around at all!

So pairs of eyes simultaneously fell upon Chubby Guy and the Old Woman.

Their expressions were indescribably complex.

The Old Woman spoke first, asking Xiao Bai: "What do you sense?"

Xiao Bai hesitated for a moment, then nodded and pointed upward.

There was also a "black wall" formed by snake bodies there.

"I sense that our 'roof' is already bearing considerable pressure..."

Hearing this, Xu Gou and the others were shocked again!

Pressure? Where was it coming from?

Could it be... the snow?

But in such a short time, had the heavy snow already piled up that high?!

No, that wasn't ordinary snow!

Xu Gou and the others increasingly realized the severity of the problem, their expressions growing more solemn.

Chubby Guy and the Old Woman exchanged glances, their faces also unpleasant.

Finally, the Old Woman spoke:

"There is naturally a way out. However, let's wait a bit longer. Perhaps among those semi-mutated Defenders, someone truly can seize the 'opportunity'."

Just as Xiao Bai wanted to ask more, the Old Woman coldly added:

"Asking more now is meaningless;

better conserve your energy properly."

Saying this, she crossed her legs, closed her eyes, and seemed to enter meditation.

Chubby Guy did the same, glanced upward, then also crossed his legs to regulate his breathing, as if preparing for an impending crisis.

Xiao Bai frowned slightly but followed their example, sitting down cross-legged.

Where they sat was also snake body, carrying a chill different from the heavy snow.

But Xiao Bai was long familiar with the Black Snake and had almost grown accustomed to this coldness, barely feeling it.

Xu Gou and the others remained silent for a moment, then also sat down cross-legged.

Even Tao Sheng, who usually caused the most trouble, now softened his breathing, not daring to speak further.

For a time, the entire enclosed space fell into tranquility.

However...

Within this seemingly tranquil enclosed space, an undercurrent quietly surged.

Xu Gou and Peng Gu had cooperated back in the White Tower and had naturally added each other as friends privately.

Now, with eyes closed, Xu Gou secretly sent Peng Gu a message, very directly:

[You must have noticed it too, right?]

Peng Gu's meditating expression remained unchanged, but he didn't reply for quite a while.

After who knows how long, he finally replied: [You're not thinking of rebelling, are you?!]

Xu Gou didn't answer directly but stated plainly:

[I know what you're worried about.]

[If something happens to these two big shots, we might truly end up like Zhou Yuling said, 'with no way out'...]

[But don't forget—]

[Privilege identities and such can be dropped when players die!]

[When that happens, the Card Grandmaster identity goes to me, the dead old woman's privilege identity goes to you.]

"..."

Peng Gu didn't reply for another long while.

Damn it.

He had to admit that when it came to courage, he really wasn't as bold as Xu Gou.

This guy was practically insane!

After pondering for a long time, Peng Gu ultimately refused: [The risk is too high, I can't afford to play this game, alright?]

"..."

Damn it.

Xu Gou hadn't expected that Peng Gu, who usually had quite a wild personality, would turn out to be so cowardly when it came to causing trouble!

To be honest, his ideal partner for this was actually Tao Sheng.

Unfortunately, he wasn't familiar with Tao Sheng, hadn't added him as a friend, and thus couldn't secretly chat with him.

Just as he was feeling troubled and conflicted...

What Xu Gou hadn't anticipated was that this Tao Sheng, who outsourced his brain to his dad, was truly bold!

Even bolder than him!

In this enclosed environment where everyone had sat down to meditate and the air was completely tranquil.

Tao Sheng, covered in eerie blood patterns, suddenly stood up.

Their seating positions had been arranged with consideration—

The several mutants sat together, the two big shots sat together, and Xiao Bai sat alone in one corner.

Tao Sheng now stood up, right in the center of the mutant players.

His voice, faintly carrying the excitement of rebellion, brimmed with fervent malice:

"Brothers, no need to pretend we're resting and recuperating anymore! I can tell you clearly—your doubts and speculations are all correct!"

"I have very definite inside information—the 'restricted' in restricted zone isn't given for no reason!"

"All players who set foot in the restricted zone become like ordinary people! They lose their talent abilities and Glyph Pattern Ability!"

"Even their attributes revert back to their initial state!"

"And these two 'big shots' just admitted it—now that the restricted zone range has expanded, the place we're in has also become part of the restricted zone range!"

"So, right now, there are no 'big shots' among us here! We're all ordinary people!"

When he said "ordinary people," the excitement and fervor in Tao Sheng's voice grew even stronger.

And Yu Mo, that simpleton, was the first to open his eyes, looking at him with astonishment.

Xu Gou, who already had rebellious intentions, also pretended to be shocked as he looked at him.

Peng Gu cursed inwardly, then hesitantly opened his eyes, glanced subtly at Xu Gou, then looked at Tao Sheng with a very complex expression.

Xiao Bai, sitting in the corner, also opened her eyes, though she frowned slightly.

As for Chubby Guy and the Old Woman, the two "big shots" whose status was being challenged, they remained calmly seated cross-legged with eyes closed, as if they hadn't heard anything at all.

Deep down, Tao Sheng actually felt somewhat apprehensive.

But he believed that as a hostage, he wouldn't die so easily.

And the attitude of these two powerful figures...

Perhaps he had hit the mark!

They had become ordinary people too!

One chubby guy, one old woman!

Definitely at the bottom even among ordinary people!

And as mutants, even if they lost their talents, Glyph Pattern Abilities, and other powers, their physical strength was still greater than ordinary people's!

If these two big shots had voluntarily entered the restricted zone, Tao Sheng naturally wouldn't dare entertain thoughts of rebellion.

But their behavior proved—

The result of them "setting foot" in the restricted zone wasn't within their expectations!

The restricted zone range had expanded, forcing them to "set foot" in the restricted zone!

So, perhaps there really was hope?!

Tao Sheng clenched his fists tightly, mentally psyching himself up. Seeing the several mutants hesitating and not responding to him, his gaze then fell upon Xiao Bai.

The person he was most uncertain about right now was Xiao Bai.

Because this woman's snake...

Didn't seem simple at all!

Tao Sheng took a deep breath, then shouted toward Xiao Bai:

"Zhou Yuling, right? What's your take?"

Xiao Bai replied indifferently: "I'll watch sitting down."

Tao Sheng just frowned.

Xiao Bai then amended: "I'll watch the show."

Tao Sheng's eyes immediately lit up: "Meaning you won't interfere?"

Xiao Bai raised an eyebrow, essentially acquiescing.

Actually, she was somewhat curious too about whether the two big shots still had their strength.

Of course, based on her speculation, they probably did.

Even if the current situation wasn't within their expectations, big shots of this caliber...

No matter how much a tiger might fall to the plains, they probably weren't someone a small Calamity like Tao Sheng could successfully rebel against.

But Tao Sheng didn't think that far ahead;

his gaze soon returned to Chubby Guy and the Old Woman.

Who he hated the most was that damned old woman.

Seeing her now with eyes closed, completely unresponsive...

A fiercer determination grew in Tao Sheng's heart.

"Playing dead now is too late!"

Saying this, he delivered a fierce kick straight toward that damned old woman.