Even though Qi Xu had mentally prepared herself, she couldn't help but marvel at her own child's brilliant performance.
To be fair, those few burly men had been quite vigilant.
Worried that Qi Xu might renege after receiving the upgrade cards, and wanting to increase their own rage value, they had even specifically drafted a purchase agreement on the light screen.
Seeing Qi Xu sign so decisively, they thought she just wanted to earn an upgrade card, never expecting she had another trick up her sleeve!
Seeing the once mouth-watering crab roe soup dumpling now lying on the ground, drenched in a pile of dog feces and urine, they simply couldn't suppress their furious emotions. Their throats tightened from excessive strain, and the explosive rage in their chests almost burst through the crowns of their heads!
Qi Xu chose this critical moment to twist the knife, pulling out a fresh crab roe soup dumpling and tossing it from a height to Little Seven. "Well done!"
Little Seven immediately gulped it down, savoring the deliciousness with an exaggerated expression.
Xie Shaoning's face had darkened again.
He had said it himself—if those guys could eat it, he'd eat shit. Yet, Invincible Black Whirlwind still sold the food to them! And they were supposedly in a team; this really showed zero regard for a teammate's well-being.
But witnessing this scene, he felt immensely gratified.
"What did I tell you? I knew it—you'd never get to eat it. A dog could eat it, but you? Forget it! Hahahahaha!"
Xie Shaoning laughed and laughed until, abruptly, all four opponents vanished. He immediately stopped laughing, drew his weapon, and went on full alert.
"Careful, stealth card."
"Stealth card, my ass! Their rage value exceeded 80. They were eliminated and cleared from the space."
The corner of Xie Shaoning's mouth twitched. He sheathed his sword. "Hmph, I know. I was just pretending. Scum like them want to fight me? Maybe in their next life."
Cheese Milk Cap 80% Sugar couldn't help but curse out loud. "Stop it, stop it, bro! Too cringe, oh my god! Can you just be a normal person for once? I'm seriously done!"
Xie Shaoning's face flushed bright red. "Who's pretending? You're so annoying!"
Qi Xu smiled, finding it utterly impossible to connect the moronic, try-hard poser before her with the villain who had imprisoned the Little Chinese Chef.
There are no absolute good or bad people in the world. No one can forever stand on pure white clouds, nor will anyone completely fall into pitch-black abysses. The complexity of human nature is truly beyond imagination.
Not long after the other four disappeared, the silver-white bridge and that small boat suddenly erupted in a blinding light.
[The skiff carries but one, yet reaching the lake's heart, one meets the lake monster. The bridge can accommodate three abreast, harboring no danger. If united in heart and strength, the bridge may be crossed (pets not counted). Decide swiftly.]
Qi Xu quickly pondered. The sinking boat seemed dangerous, but the greatest danger was already laid out plainly: the lake monster.
If it was a single monster, she could use the skill "You're Just Trash." If it was a group of monsters, she also had "My Fate is Mine, Not Heaven's" to counter them. So, what seemed perilous was actually the most reliable option for her.
Crossing the bridge seemed to pose no threat, but her three teammates were no pushovers. If an accident truly occurred and she had to entrust her life to others' hands, without a doubt, her Death Protection Card would shatter.
While everyone was still thinking, weighing the pros and cons, Qi Xu spoke first. "I'm not adept at fighting in water. I want a spot on the bridge."
Ember Kiss Starlight Moon immediately followed. "I also need a spot on the bridge. No other way—I'm not suited for solo combat."
Cheese Milk Cap 80% Sugar smiled slightly. "Brother Ning has strong combat prowess. How about you take the boat?"
Xie Shaoning had also been hesitating between the boat and the bridge. Taking the boat—he didn't know the monster's strength. Taking the bridge—his brain was no match for those three women.
But hearing all three of them, for once unified, choosing the bridge, he immediately understood what the correct answer was.
"What joke is this? I'm strong? The server-announcement big shot, Invincible Black Whirlwind, is standing right here! How shameless would I be to call myself strong!"
Qi Xu smiled faintly, her twin blades glinting. "So what?"
"You..."
"Who said being strong means you have to take the boat and fight the monster? That tiny, rickety boat might not even make it to the other side of the lake without a monster appearing. And you have to fight a monster on it? I'm not an idiot. Don't try to guilt-trip me."
Xie Shaoning couldn't explain himself clearly. Finally, he just pointed at Cheese Milk Cap 80% Sugar and roared in grievance, "She said it! It wasn't me! Why are you yelling at me?"
Qi Xu nodded. Cheese Milk Cap 80% Sugar also spread her hands, playing innocent. Xie Shaoning was so agitated he wanted to curse.
Ember Kiss Starlight Moon, however, had figured something out. Invincible Black Whirlwind's target was definitely that small boat. Otherwise, she wouldn't waste so much breath on a fool like Xie Shaoning.
"So what do we do? We've come all this way. We can't just return empty-handed without any gains. Besides, we haven't even found the exit yet."
Ember Kiss Starlight Moon blinked at Qi Xu.
Qi Xu said, "How about we fight? The winner decides. The prohibition against fighting from earlier is gone now."
This was Qi Xu's overt scheme. Even if you see through it, it doesn't matter. If you're not convinced, come fight.
Xie Shaoning was speechless. "What's the point of fighting? We can't beat you anyway."
Invincible Black Whirlwind was much stronger than before. That charging skill was simply undefendable.
Cheese Milk Cap 80% Sugar asked with a smile, "Whirlwind big shot, how about you take the small boat, and we compensate you?"
Qi Xu raised an eyebrow. Thankfully, there was a smart one. If the team were all fools like Xie Shaoning, trying to communicate would be a nightmare.
"Fine. 2000 upgrade cards each."
The number of upgrade cards needed to reach level 8 for the vehicle was just too high. Relying purely on opening chests was difficult. She had no choice but to find ways to work a side hustle.
"That's too..."
"No. There's no room for you to bargain. If you're not convinced, come fight."
Treasure map secret realms required cooperation, that was true. But cooperation enforced by martial suppression was still cooperation.
"I don't have enough. I just upgraded my vehicle."
"Then make up the difference with energy stones. For every upgrade card short, give two energy stones."
After that, no one said they didn't have enough upgrade cards anymore.
Qi Xu wasn't anxious at all. She took out a lounge chair, resting and meditating with her eyes closed while waiting for the three opposite her to compromise.
With absolute strength on her side, there was no need to overthink things.
Cheese Milk Cap 80% Sugar was the first to hand over 2000 upgrade cards. "Boss Whirlwind, you're really ruthless."
Ember Kiss Starlight Moon and Xie Shaoning had no choice but to follow suit. They were truly worried Invincible Black Whirlwind would resort to force, in which case they'd not only have to give up the cards but also get a beating.
After receiving the goods, Qi Xu agreed to let one person take the boat. Only after the other three had stepped onto the bridge did she leisurely board the boat with Little Seven and Sweet Girl.
At that moment, the Mountain Dominator Tiger, whose pet bond with Xie Shaoning had been dissolved, suddenly approached, hesitantly rubbing its paws on the shore.
..........
