The third wave, without a doubt, consisted of six Elemental Spirits.
This time, in addition to the Ice and Fire Elementals, two Dark Elemental Spirits were added to the mix.
Dark Elemental Spirits lacked potent offensive capabilities. However, they could spread corrosive black mist over a wide area. This mist not only corroded but also obscured the forms of any monsters enveloped within it, making combat incredibly troublesome.
Fortunately, Qian Zhong served as a formidable meat shield at the front, swiftly intercepting any sudden attacks emerging from the black mist. His quick reflexes prevented any significant threat to the team.
It was undeniable that Qian Zhong’s reaction speed was truly exceptional, comparable even to Tian Zheng’s. His massive physique, far from hindering him, instead transformed him into a moving iron wall, providing the most steadfast protection to everyone.
As Qian Zhong’s girlfriend, Qian Qiao’s performance was equally brilliant.
Perhaps it was due to an abundance of ‘love’s nourishment,’ but she and Qian Zhong seemed to share an unspoken understanding. Often, the moment Qian Zhong blocked a sneak attack from the black mist, her concentrated fire cannonballs would instantly lock onto the hidden monster, blasting it into submission with astonishing accuracy!
The only member of the team suspected of merely ‘making up the numbers’ was Dream Butterfly, though this was hardly surprising.
After all, the Cleric class was inherently like this: low damage, no defense, and minimal team buffs in the early stages. They appeared almost dispensable, and indeed, often were.
However, once the mid to late game arrived, the Cleric class would become increasingly crucial. With resurrection, area-of-effect damage reduction, instant healing, continuous recovery, and attack/defense buffs, a Cleric’s numerous abilities destined them to become the most reliable support and safeguard for any team once they matured.
While Bai Xia couldn’t vouch for others, she was absolutely certain that Dream Butterfly would become an ‘overpowered’ healer in the future.
Why?
Just look at that healing output! Was there even a need to ask?
This level of healing was probably unmatched in the entire game. Of course, that excluded those who, being ‘flat-chested’ in reality, sought satisfaction in the game by transforming their characters into non-human proportions.
Speaking of which, Qian Qiao was remarkably ‘honest’ in this regard. Despite any real-world envy, she hadn’t sought gratification within the game, and her flat chest seemed to exude a sense of reassuring safety.
“— Xiaoxiao, why are you staring at my chest? Are you thinking something inappropriate?”
Perhaps it was Bai Xia’s scorching gaze, but Qian Qiao, having just blasted the last Elemental Spirit into a scattering of light, suddenly turned her head to look.
Bai Xia responded with a poker face. After a brief silence, she stated bluntly, “I just think you’re a very honest person.”
“— Huh?”
The red-haired twin-tailed girl paused, looking utterly bewildered, likely failing to grasp how Bai Xia had arrived at that conclusion.
“— Isn’t it true? Even if something is within reach in the game, you disdain to take what you don’t possess in reality. That’s truly admirable.”
Though Dream Butterfly’s ‘scoop’ revealed it was actually due to Qian Qiao’s excessive carelessness and forgetfulness, this didn’t deter Bai Xia from believing the girl was a very ‘honest’ child.
Qian Qiao remained silent for a few seconds after Bai Xia’s words, before lowering her gaze to her own flat chest.
It was then that she easily understood what this ‘legal loli’ meant, and Qian Qiao, without a doubt, instantly exploded.
The girl’s face flushed crimson as she burst out in exasperation, “— What do you mean? It’s not like I wanted to be like this! Do you really think I forgot because I was careless? It’s all because *this guy* is a flat-chest fetishist! Otherwise, I’d want bigger ones too! Even fake ones would be fine!”
Qian Zhong, on the sidelines, was inexplicably caught in the crossfire, enduring the team’s scornful gazes. He could only offer an awkward smile in response.
Tian Zheng clearly hadn’t forgotten how Qian Zhong had previously slandered him. Seizing the moment before new monsters spawned, he walked over, clapped Qian Zhong on the shoulder, and said with a face full of mock regret, “— It seems I’ve misunderstood you all this time. I never realized you had such a particular preference. In that case, for future gatherings, I’ll do my best to arrange for women with smaller chests for you.”
“— Gatherings?”
Qian Qiao’s eyes instantly narrowed, like a shark scenting blood. For a moment, she felt even more terrifying than the monsters they were about to face.
Qian Zhong’s face turned ghastly. He understood this was Tian Zheng’s retribution for being called a ‘loli-con,’ yet he was powerless to stop it. Sensing the murderous intent from his girlfriend, he quickly deflected, “— Don’t listen to his nonsense! I haven’t been to those gatherings in ages, and there were never any women there! Believe me!”
“— Of course I believe you.”
Qian Qiao’s voice drifted out. However, before Qian Zhong could even sigh in relief, he heard the girl calmly add, “— But this has indeed reminded me. The usual reason for couples to cheat is due to prolonged separation, where neither partner’s desires are met. So, a risk like that certainly exists between us.”
“— Uh, Qian Qiao, what are you going to do?”
“— Tomorrow… no, I’ll log off later and take a plane to find you. I estimate I’ll arrive by evening, so after work, just get clean and wait for me at home.”
Her audacious declaration left everyone speechless, but Qian Qiao clearly didn’t care much. Her straightforward personality meant she had no reservations about speaking her mind, even among friends.
Ultimately, it was Dream Butterfly who broke the increasingly bizarre atmosphere. She pointed to the eight Elemental Spirits already gathering in the distance and said helplessly, “— Can we discuss Big Brother’s hobbies and… *interests* later? If we keep fooling around, we’ll be in danger!”
“— Exactly! How can you possibly get distracted during such a perilous battle?”
Bai Xia nodded, indicating her full agreement with Dream Butterfly’s words. Then, both Qian Qiao and Dream Butterfly simultaneously glared at her. “— You started it!”
Speechless, Bai Xia could only tighten her grip on her weapon and charge towards the monsters.
This was the final wave, with Light Elementals added on top of the Ice, Fire, and Dark types. Their attack method involved summoning lightning strikes at specific locations, forcing everyone to swiftly get into action.
Eight Elemental Spirits, unleashing ice spikes, fire blasts, dark corrosion, and lightning strikes—four distinct methods of attack.
Even with Bai Xia and her team prepared for attacks from all directions, the squad still descended into a chaotic scramble. These Elemental Spirits boasted an incredibly high frequency of attacks, coupled with a bewildering array of offensive techniques.
Flames periodically erupted from the enveloping black mist, ice spikes launched sneak attacks, and lightning continuously rained down from the sky.
While each individual was considered a master, the small team clearly still needed to refine their coordination. Their various cooperative efforts were still lacking.
Fortunately, mere Elemental Spirits stood no chance of annihilating the team. Though they fought somewhat dishevelled, they ultimately succeeded in slaying all eight Elemental Spirits.
Concurrently, the team gained a rough understanding of each other’s combat habits throughout the process, showing noticeable improvement. At the very least, their coordination would no longer cause trouble for others.
Thus, when the system announced the imminent start of the trial’s second stage, Bai Xia felt incredibly confident facing the upcoming challenge—until the moment she clearly saw the guardian monster of the second floor.
[Ding! Congratulations on clearing the first layer of the [Fairy’s Trial]! You have obtained a Fairy Feather.]
The Fairy Feather appeared to be woven from pure light, exquisitely beautiful. It automatically materialized in her inventory upon clearing the first stage.
Simultaneously, the prompt for the second stage rang out.
[Ding! The second layer of the [Fairy’s Trial] will open in 60 seconds. The third layer will unlock once 100 Shadow Serpents have been defeated.]
One hundred!?!?
Though they had no idea what these ‘Shadow Serpents’ entailed, the sheer number sent a quiet shiver down their spines.
The previous twenty Elemental Spirits had been troublesome enough; now, the second stage’s count had increased by a staggering fivefold!
Lost in their own thoughts, the others failed to notice that Bai Xia’s already fair face had completely drained of color.
Only one word echoed relentlessly in her mind… ‘Snakes, snakes, snakes?!’
It had been mentioned before that Bai Xia possessed an extreme aversion to cold-blooded creatures. Even a single Jade Serpent in the Newbie Village had nearly made her give up entirely.
And now… a hundred of them?
Her fair face twitched almost imperceptibly, and in that instant, she felt the profound malice emanating from the dungeon itself.
Bai Xia was in grave peril!