Seeing that someone had come to support him, Qi Xu wasn't in a hurry to retreat. He used Cherry Blossom Fall to slash a few more times, pushing his speed to the limit—a skill honed in the last dungeon.
No effort ever goes to waste. The exhaustion from back then had now brought substantial breakthroughs and rewards.
At the very least, before participating in the [Beat the Ball Ball] dungeon, Qi Xu's blade-chasing speed wasn't this fast.
"Are you trying to get yourself killed? Withdraw now!"
Xie Shaoning was exasperated. He was already holding off these long-eyelash creatures for you, so why weren't you leaving? How could you charge back in instead?
Cheese Milk Cap, Eighty Percent Sugar, however, felt a sudden stir of emotion. No wonder this guy was the top-ranked player, while the one next to her was just a try-hard poser. The difference became glaringly obvious when things got tough.
So, she followed Qi Xu's lead, mustering all her strength to whip the multi-eyed monster fiercely from top to bottom.
Facing attacks from multiple angles, the multi-eyed monster shrieked in agony from the pain. But just then, Ember Kiss, Starlight Moon actually launched an attack from behind the group.
Her eyes flashed with ruthlessness, every move a lethal strike.
Xie Shaoning cursed angrily, "Are you insane? What are you doing?"
Qi Xu directly ordered, "Xie Shaoning, intercept Ember Kiss, Starlight Moon. The rest of us, attack the multi-eyed monster."
Cheese Milk Cap, Eighty Percent Sugar: "Roger!"
Xie Shaoning: "Why me? That woman's gone crazy!"
Qi Xu couldn't be bothered arguing and simply kicked him in the backside. Instantly, Xie Shaoning flew towards Ember Kiss, Starlight Moon like a human sandbag.
Unbelievable. Qi Xu felt deep contempt for his earlier thought of recruiting Xie Shaoning into the team. He must have been mad—even Mountain Lord Tiger was more reliable than him!
Qi Xu first created distance, pretending to be overwhelmed as he knelt to catch his breath. Cheese Milk Cap, Eighty Percent Sugar, Little Seven, and Mountain Lord Tiger held the front line...
Only when the multi-eyed monster's attention shifted away from him did Qi Xu feel the pressure on his shoulders suddenly lessen. The pores all over his body could breathe normally again.
He hurriedly and stealthily shifted to the side, then used [Scarlet Assault] to charge in again!
Closing in, he adjusted his stance and simultaneously plunged both long blades into the largest eye on the multi-eyed monster's chest. He twisted his wrists, rotated the hilts, then forcefully sliced outward to both sides.
The multi-eyed monster instantly gushed blood everywhere, drenching the people in front of it. Thankfully, its blood wasn't corrosive, or they'd all have been finished.
In its dying moments, the multi-eyed monster chose to focus its full attack on Cheese Milk Cap, Eighty Percent Sugar, who stood before it. By the time she realized and tried to retreat, it was too late.
Her entire body was completely enveloped by a blinding light. This kind of sustained lethal damage quickly overwhelmed her protection cards, shattering five in a row. Cheese Milk Cap, Eighty Percent Sugar felt utter despair.
Just as she believed she would die for good in this treasure map secret realm, she suddenly saw Invincible Black Whirlwind charge in front of her. Not only did he block most of the blinding light for her, but he also tossed two more lethal protection cards her way.
Facing the dazzling light, Cheese Milk Cap, Eighty Percent Sugar forced her eyes wide open, blood and tears streaming together. She just never expected someone would go this far to help her, especially a temporary teammate she'd only known for a few days.
Qi Xu had also mentally prepared himself, certain he could survive this blow, at worst losing one lethal protection card.
From the very beginning, the secret realm treasure map emphasized teamwork. Even opening the treasure chest required all four members to place their hands on it simultaneously.
Including crossing the river by boat or bridge, it all required a spirit of sacrifice and dedication.
The incident with Ember Kiss, Starlight Moon was also strange. So, Qi Xu didn't want to gamble. If truly everyone needed to clear the dungeon to obtain the treasure and leave, then not a single person could die.
As for the part Cheese Milk Cap, Eighty Percent Sugar was imagining... judge by actions, not intentions. I did save you, and I did give you two lethal protection cards.
The multi-eyed monster soon ceased breathing entirely. Qi Xu quickly took out a bottle of mineral water from his backpack to wash his face. His eyes hurt terribly, feeling as if both eyeballs were about to pop out of their sockets!
"Boss Whirlwind, how are you? Are you okay?"
Cheese Milk Cap, Eighty Percent Sugar rushed over, asking while also taking out water to help Qi Xu rinse his eyes.
"I'm fine."
His lethal protection card hadn't even shattered. It was just his eyes feeling a bit uncomfortable.
On the other side, Xie Shaoning was being forced back step by step under Ember Kiss, Starlight Moon's assault. He quickly found a suitable excuse for himself.
It's not that I can't go all out; I'm being magnanimous. Ember Kiss, Starlight Moon was clearly under some influence. She was a teammate before, so killing her now wouldn't be right. He completely avoided considering whether he actually couldn't defeat her.
After recovering, Qi Xu looked at the two still locked in combat and thought for a moment. "Xie Shaoning, be ruthless and just knock her out."
Xie Shaoning nodded. "It has to be this way. Don't say I'm bullying her."
He put on a good act, but right after saying this, he was immobilized by the sound of Ember Kiss, Starlight Moon's bowstring and nearly got impaled.
At the critical moment, Mountain Lord Tiger pounced forward, forcefully shoving Xie Shaoning aside and saving his life.
However, Mountain Lord Tiger had a temper too. Not only did he stomp hard on Xie Shaoning's face with his paw, but after landing safely and turning to leave, he also let out a huge, stinky fart right at his head.
Just as Xie Shaoning's heart softened slightly, overwhelmed by surging guilt, he was rendered breathless by the potent odor.
Cheese Milk Cap, Eighty Percent Sugar and Qi Xu coordinated. First, she used her long whip to snatch away Ember Kiss, Starlight Moon's weapon, then Qi Xu used [Scarlet Assault] to charge in and knock her out with a punch.
Only after the unstable element was completely dealt with did Qi Xu have a moment to rest. He sat on the ground, gasping for breath, and observed the surroundings. He discovered not only was the exit gone, but the riverbank, bridge, and boat had also disappeared.
Qi Xu and Cheese Milk Cap, Eighty Percent Sugar took out some supplies to replenish their stamina and condition.
Xie Shaoning, having endured the big stinky fart, was sulking on his own, too embarrassed to come over. He remained sitting alone on the outermost edge.
After nearly half an hour, Ember Kiss, Starlight Moon slowly regained consciousness, vaguely feeling pain in the back of her head. She rubbed it slowly for a while.
"What's... going on? What happened to that monster covered in eyes?"
"My goodness! You're finally awake. Were you possessed by something foul? You tried to kill everyone! You almost got me killed!"
Facing the only person who hadn't witnessed him suffering Mountain Lord Tiger's fart, Xie Shaoning suddenly puffed up with bravado again.
"Peteater, just sit down and be quiet," Cheese Milk Cap, Eighty Percent Sugar retorted, looking back at him.
Qi Xu nodded in agreement and took the opportunity to explain what had just happened to Ember Kiss, Starlight Moon.
"Oh damn, I remember now! Before I blacked out, I heard a system prompt. It said if I became a betrayer and actively helped the multi-eyed monster kill you all, I could keep the treasure for myself. I refused, and then I lost consciousness."
..........
