[So this is what the paper money is for]
[Luckily they bought plenty of paper money, otherwise with this road being so long, once they ran out they'd be completely surrounded]
[Did Xu Xi already anticipate this situation, which is why he so decisively told his teammates to buy large quantities of that paper money?]
[He acted before anyone else even reacted, clearly knowing that paper money could be used to stall these eerie shadows]
[The question is, how did Xu Xi know in the first place? Could he possibly foresee the future?]
[Rather than foreseeing the future, I'm more inclined to believe he noticed clues that we missed]
[Yeah, foreseeing the future is just too far-fetched]
[Actually, there's reasoning behind it. First, a funeral supplies shop appearing in the middle of nowhere - most people would immediately sense something off, subconsciously feeling wary and distrustful of this shop.
The players found paper currency on themselves from the start, then encountered this shop that required money to buy things right before entering the dangerous highway, and the shopkeeper immediately gave them a hint - doesn't that feel too coincidental?
The average player's approach would be conservative like the denim skirt woman, choosing to buy a small amount of paper money, while a few sharp individuals like this new player named Xu Xi would remain cautious while also realizing that this shop likely existed to provide them with clues or items in some way.
Regardless of what other uses the money might have later, at the very least they had to make purchases at this shop. Unlike the more conservative denim skirt woman, Xu Xi clearly sensed that the items the shopkeeper was pushing were crucial and might only be available this one time.
If it were me, I'd at least spend one-third of the money to buy more of the paper money the shopkeeper recommended, keeping the rest for emergencies.
Ultimately, it's just a difference in thinking patterns between the two - one more conservative, the other bolder.
As for why Xu Xi reacted so quickly to using paper money to slow the eerie shadows, it's simple - just recall what the shopkeeper said when promoting the paper money:
"If you encounter anything strange on the road, scattering a handful of paper money will ensure your safety" - those were the shopkeeper's exact words.
This newcomer must have quickly remembered that statement, showing his reaction ability is indeed quite good.]
Many live stream comments were puzzling over Xu Xi's "prescience," when suddenly one netizen posted a lengthy comment explaining everything to the other viewers.
[After reading this analysis on my knees, I finally understand - is this the level of true masters?]
[You used many words, I'll follow you]
[There's this much to consider? I hope this damn game doesn't pick me, I'd be the first to die if I went in]
[Can this master analyze that 2 minutes 48 seconds guy? I'm really too curious]
[...Let's skip that for this instance, don't make it hard for me]
Inside the instance, with Xu Xi and the other two using paper money to slow the eerie shadows' speed, Tan Xingyun drove the vehicle out of the grave mound area.
Behind them, the eerie shadows showed expressions of unwillingness but could do nothing, eventually slowly dissipating.
Only after seeing through the rearview mirror that the eerie shadows had completely disappeared did Tan Xingyun finally breathe a huge sigh of relief and ease off the gas pedal.
"Thank goodness, thank goodness..." Li Kang patted his chest with lingering fear, the cold sweat on his back having poured out during those brief few minutes, "Brother Xu, thank goodness you were here!"
Xu Xi, who had similarly relaxed beside him, didn't expect to suddenly be praised.
But he quickly figured it out.
It was because he was the first to make the move of throwing paper money at the eerie shadows, and this action had proven effective.
But this idea had actually been proposed by Xu Xiuman in the previous timeline - he had just taken advantage of his rebirth to use it first.
Feeling undeserving, Xu Xi sighed helplessly - well, there was no way to explain this again.
After some thought, he still added: "Actually, it wasn't my credit."
The other three didn't expect this young man to not only keep a low profile but also be so modest.
They naturally misunderstood, thinking Xu Xi meant that everyone had contributed.
Tan Xingyun looked disapproving: "Brother Xu, you're being too modest. Without you, we might not have escaped so easily."
The eerie shadows moved very quickly - if the ones ahead had reached the highway, even if they had reacted by using paper money, they would likely have been surrounded.
"Exactly, you're being too modest, brother!" Li Kang quickly nodded in agreement.
Seeing that Xu Xiuman was also joining in praising him, Xu Xi finally gave up and chose to keep his mouth shut.
[I didn't expect Xu Xi to be so modest]
[I think he actually just wants to maintain his low-profile persona]
[I think so too - didn't you notice at the start of the instance when everyone else was trying to show themselves off, he was the only one who didn't talk much? But if you pay attention to the details, you'll notice Xu Xi clearly wanted to be invisible, but now he's been exposed]
[Explain in detail? What details?]
[First, after the four introduced themselves at the start of the instance and the beer-bellied uncle took the initiative to assume leadership, there was that meaningful look Xu Xi gave him. Second, didn't you notice when passing the funeral shop, while everyone hesitated about getting out, it was Xu Xi who decisively chose to investigate? And when teammates were conservative about buying paper money, it was Xu Xi who insisted on buying large quantities. Among all the ritual supplies, he specifically chose incense - and sure enough, he dug out another hint. Just think carefully about these - every one hits the mark]
[Dammit, there were this many subtle details? I never connected them]
[But why pretend to be invisible?]
[Maybe it's just a master's quirky habit? Who knows, judging by how he doesn't bother much with teammates, maybe he just doesn't like leading teams]
[All those comments mocking 2 minutes 48 seconds have gone quiet now - faces swollen from the slap, always love jumping around recklessly]
[Whatever, the situation in instances changes in the blink of an eye, who knows how long he'll survive? The higher your expectations, the bigger the disappointment will be]
[To the one above, I hope you can stay this stubborn when the game picks you]
If Xu Xi knew the live stream comments said he didn't bother with his teammates, he would immediately widen his eyes and shout: "Wronged!"
He was just a bit socially anxious, a bit quiet, not particularly fond of talking - how did that become not bothering with teammates?
It wasn't that he didn't want to share clues with his teammates either - the problem was the clues came from his deaths, so how could he share that?
As for all those "details" - don't even mention them!
A meaningful look? That was him thinking he should learn from Tan Xingyun's experience!
Decisive choice? Wasn't that just him going along after Xu Xiuman had already indicated she wanted to go?
Having teammates buy large quantities of paper money was because he had died once.
As for specifically choosing incense... could he say incense was the cheapest item? He just thought that if paper money could be useful, maybe these could too - who knew it would come with an extra hint!
Unfortunately, Xu Xi couldn't see the live stream comments and couldn't defend himself, which led to more and more netizens misunderstanding him without his knowledge.