He had been utterly devastated by Madam Qiao Qiao along the way; if he could, he wouldn't want to talk to anyone right now, nor would he want anyone to talk to him.
"Just watch quietly, and you'll understand," Mata said cryptically, to which Little Fatty rolled his eyes in annoyance. This guy, still trying to act profound? Does he think I'll believe him completely just because he said that?
Hua Tao quietly whispered to Lu Yu, "Qiao Qiao's luck is practically defying the heavens."
"Qiao Qiao even chose the right path at the fifth door?" Qi Xuanxuan asked with a bewildered expression. Many people had struggled at that fifth door for a long time. She just wanted to know how Qiao Qiao managed to pass through all at once. It seemed there were several places along the way that required choices, and the questions and answers all seemed incredibly strange.
"Could it be..." Qi Xuanxuan's eyes lit up. "Did that half-map I bought earlier actually work?"
Mata: "..."
As they spoke, everyone had successfully arrived in a courtyard filled with the fragrance of flowers. The small courtyard was planted with various rare medicinal herbs, categorized and cultivated in small plots. The herbs were growing exceptionally well; even though they hadn't been tended to for an unknown period, they still looked vibrant and thriving.
Qiao Mu immediately took a liking to this simple and elegant courtyard and had a pretty good idea of where they were. This was probably the sister's living quarters. In the center of the small courtyard sat a small stone mill, with a sword stuck in it.
Well, it was a dusty sword whose material was completely indistinguishable, looking just like something salvaged from a junkyard. It appeared abruptly before everyone.
Duan Yue and Mo Lian exchanged glances, then said, "It seems we need to pull this sword out before we can proceed."
Madam Qiao Qiao blinked, and before she could speak, she heard Little Fatty volunteer, "I'll do it!"
Everyone quietly averted their gaze.
They watched as Little Fatty, with his chubby short legs, dashed over swiftly. His hand reached the top of the stone mill and gripped the sword's hilt. Suddenly, he began to flail about like someone having an epileptic fit, holding that dilapidated sword. Then, with a "bang," he fell backward onto the ground, with faint wisps of smoke rising from his hair...
Everyone twitched their lips in unison.
"Holy cow, a divine sword with built-in lightning attribute!" Mata excitedly jumped up. "Xuanxuan, go!"
Qi Xuanxuan swallowed hard, her gaze fixed on the fellow with the exploded hair. She swallowed again, feeling a strong sense of being set up.
"Go, Xuanxuan!!" everyone encouraged her. "Don't worry! Go pick it up!"
Of course you guys aren't worried; I'm the one who's going to get shocked!
Qi Xuanxuan rolled her eyes in annoyance, shuffling forward with small steps. Her small hand slowly reached for the shabby sword. The touch was icy cold. Student Qi Xuanxuan was fully concentrated, her nerves taut, and her entire body on high alert, activating her lightning spirit defense.
Good! She sighed in relief. This lightning-attribute sword for her...
"Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle, sizzle..." Qi Xuanxuan felt her body swaying, almost unable to stand steadily. Her eyes bulged slightly, and she inwardly cried out, "Oh my god!" She opened her mouth, and a puff of thick smoke drifted out. Her eyes rolled back, and she collapsed backward onto the ground, just like Little Fatty.
Everyone covered their eyes, unable to bear the sight.