Qi Xu didn't even look up, continuing to fiddle with the small lock, and said calmly, "It's a 4-digit code, each digit can be any number from 0 to 9. That's 10×10×10×10, a total of 10,000 possibilities. Trying one every 5 seconds on average would take about 13 hours and 53 minutes.
Of course, with good luck, it wouldn't take nearly that long. I've already tried 11 combinations while you were wasting time talking."
Qi Xu's words were calm, but the two who had been arguing flushed with embarrassment upon hearing them.
Unexpectedly, Qi Xu spoke again, "Getting out won't be that simple. Wait for it. There will probably be either a monster or some other trial soon. Stay alert."
"Understood!" The three replied in unison.
Only after answering did they realize with a start—hiss—they were getting more and more accustomed to following the orders of the Invincible Black Whirlwind.
Qi Xu's guess was spot on. Not long after, a flesh golem appeared from the direction of the large door they were leaning against.
A light screen displayed that this was an 【Undying Flesh Golem】, meaning it could only be held off, not truly killed. The ordeal wouldn't end until you figured out the correct password and successfully escaped.
Just as the three were about to charge forward, they discovered only one person could fight it at a time. Xie Shaoning snorted proudly and valiantly took the first charge.
While trying passwords, Qi Xu glanced back, "Whoa, impressive! First to go, that takes guts. Just worried he won't last long before falling back. You two get ready. His strength is what it is. If he can't hold on, quickly take over for him."
"Alright, I'll go next. I can last a bit longer, so it's fine if he's a bit weaker."
"Right, with the two of us backing you up, just focus on trying the passwords."
Xie Shaoning was furious. "You're looking down on me, huh? Just you wait! I'll kill it right now! What kind of trash is a flesh golem? It's not like I haven't killed one before."
Seeing Xie Shaoning's sword moves become even more fierce, the three girls exchanged a knowing smile.
Since this flesh golem couldn't be killed anyway, having a workhorse hold the line in the back was convenient for everyone. It saved him from being idle and making sarcastic, irritating remarks. Finding something for the brat to do was just fine.
So, the three — "working in perfect harmony" repeated many times — seamlessly started a praise session.
"Oh my god, he's still holding on! Impressive, truly impressive. I'm seeing him in a new light."
"He should be about to give up soon, right? Look, his movements are slowing down."
"Where? You must be seeing things. His sword is leaving afterimages."
"Amazing, Brother Xie."
That "Brother Xie" from the top-ranked national server player, Invincible Black Whirlwind, made Xie Shaoning act like he'd taken a stimulant—his face flushed with excitement, eyes blazing, his combat power instantly skyrocketing by at least 100 points!
Invincible Black Whirlwind wasn't calling him 'Little Xie' anymore, he was calling him 'Brother Xie'! Understand? Do you understand the prestige in that?!
Cheesy Milk Cap with 80% Sugar whispered, "He's just like my little brother. My mom once said, 'You turn off the lights the best,' and he got so excited he wanted to do all the housework."
Kissed by Embers, Starlight, Moon said with a giggle, "Got it. Call him Brother Xie from now on. Found the right way to handle him."
Xie Shaoning held the line alone for nearly an hour, finally unable to continue. His lips were pale, his limbs trembling. Countless times he wanted to give up, but each time he was dominated by the chorus of "Brother Xie" and didn't dare speak up.
He ended up being sent flying into the air by a swipe of the flesh golem's tail. Cheesy Milk Cap with 80% Sugar reeled him back in with her whip, and Kissed by Embers, Starlight, Moon took the second shift.
She started with a smart fighting style, not aiming to deal massive damage but focusing on kiting and blocking, conserving her stamina to the maximum extent and not overexerting herself.
Exactly half an hour later, she directly swapped with Cheesy Milk Cap with 80% Sugar, withdrawing with elegant composure.
This made Xie Shaoning, who was panting like a dog beside her, look rather ridiculous. He instantly blushed, feeling incredibly foolish.
Seeing this, Qi Xu added another line, "Our Brother Xie is still the best, always looking to improve himself. No wonder his combat power can rise so fast. I need to learn from you."
Xie Shaoning put his hands on his hips, smirked with a tilted mouth, and brushed back his uneven, singed bangs, putting on airs again.
"It's nothing." After all, my charm goes far beyond this.
Kissed by Embers, Starlight, Moon hurriedly turned her head away, silently pretending to gag. Can't do it, can't watch anymore, I'll really throw up if I keep looking.
After Cheesy Milk Cap with 80% Sugar came down, the three pets—Xiao Qi, Sweet Girl, and Mountain Tyrant Tiger—went up together, holding out for another 40 minutes.
Qi Xu also wanted to go fight; trying passwords was too boring.
So, she called Kissed by Embers, Starlight, Moon over to take over the password duty, completely ignoring the volunteering Xie Shaoning.
Qi Xu really didn't trust him. Manual labor was fine, but for something testing patience like this, she was worried he'd just smash the lock.
Finally able to fight, Qi Xu charged forward with her twin blades. Everyone assumed she would also conserve energy and just kite the enemy.
But to their surprise, she fought with all her might. Every move and technique was an effort to maximize her damage output. Even though this flesh golem was undying, she continuously honed her moves, footwork, and combat skills.
No wonder she was number one on the entire server. Just this level of determination and harshness towards oneself was something most people could hardly achieve.
Cheesy Milk Cap with 80% Sugar sighed, "I'm kind of tempted. I really want to go to Server 666 and follow her."
"Then go." Kissed by Embers, Starlight, Moon seemed to be advising someone else, but she was actually pondering it herself. It didn't seem too unpleasant to acknowledge someone else as a boss, provided that boss was as charismatic as Invincible Black Whirlwind.
Until Xie Shaoning's comment, "Black Whirlwind is not bad, almost catching up to me," instantly ruined the atmosphere, making the other two lose all interest in chatting.
Qi Xu held the line alone for a full three hours, getting more and more addicted to the fight, and had completely mastered the level 2 skill 【Crimson Assault】.
She could now perform three consecutive dashes at maximum, releasing pink attack projectiles simultaneously with both hands, combined with the assault of her twin blades. It could be said she had achieved a new breakthrough in her offensive methods.
All skills, when first learned, have a fixed template. But their future upgrade paths and growth trajectories are freely developed based on personal combat habits and experiences.
It's not truly like in a game, completely applying formulas, standardized and fixed.
This delighted Qi Xu greatly. This kind of skill upgrade with more room for creativity could fully stimulate one's own imagination.
Feeling she had practiced enough and needed to think and reflect, Qi Xu directly withdrew.
"Brother Xie, you're up! We still have to rely on you! They couldn't hold out for long."
Xie Shaoning picked up his longsword and trotted eagerly forward. "Don't worry, leave it to me!"
Qi Xu was starting to suspect if this kid was pretending to be foolish on purpose. But seeing him full of fighting spirit, battling desperately, she once again confirmed his intelligence level.
.........
