If the guesses were correct, the ball in this round, belonging to the “Yin Earth,” would emit a poisonous smoke—something fatal to any team of participants.
Yet, in this very team, one person suddenly took several quick steps forward, about to stand in the center of the track.
“What the hell?” Chou Twenty scratched his head, still advancing.
“Damn it…” Qiao Jiajin also seemed to recall something at that moment.
“Earth Horse, Earth Horse…” Chou Twenty once again wore that infuriating smirk. “Am I seeing this right? Is this really your ultimate move?”
Earth Horse could only sigh helplessly at the sight.
Whether by coincidence or fate, this team’s members just happened to be capable of solving every single challenge that emerged in this “Wooden Ox and Gliding Horse” trial.
“Just my luck…” Earth Horse muttered. “Are you guys really not sent from ‘above’ to mess with me?”
Chou Twenty sneered and abruptly raised his hands. “I… want a gust of wind!”
No sooner had he spoken than all the thick smoke on the track began to swirl violently. A powerful wind inexplicably swept through the completely sealed indoor space.
“I… want a hurricane!!”
Chou Twenty waved his arms like a mad conductor, and in an instant, the smoke was nearly all but scattered by the gale.
Blowing away smoke in such a vast space was far easier than stopping an iron ball mid-air.
The fierce wind raged across the track, not only dispersing the smoke but also sending the mud balls rolling to the walls, their billowing fumes gradually fading from sight.
“That’s it?” Chou Twenty panted but still managed to turn and taunt Earth Horse. “Just this? Got anything stronger?”
Earth Horse slowly stood up, ignoring Chou Twenty’s provocation, and instead stretched her limbs.
“I remember you,” Earth Horse said coldly. “Next round, better wear your bulletproof vest and steel helmet.”
The words made Chou Twenty gulp, but he gritted his teeth and retorted, “Seriously? Getting desperate?”
This time, Earth Horse wasn’t riled by his taunts. She merely continued limbering up, confident that when she personally threw the ball, she could guarantee a 100% kill rate. No matter how tough these people talked, they stood no chance against her.
“Killing you… doesn’t require haste,” Earth Horse said icily. “None of you are leaving here today.”
Everyone knew the seventh round couldn’t be overcome by Chou Twenty’s mouth alone. They immediately sprang into action. Once the toxic smoke on the track had mostly dissipated, they covered their noses and mouths, rushed to the finish line, and pushed the cart back together.
After several rounds of pushing, they had gained some experience.
The key to pushing the cart on this track wasn’t about “staying straight” but using explosive speed to propel it forward. Even if the cart spun or veered off-track, it absolutely could not stop—otherwise, the corrosive fumes and mud balls could prove fatal.
Yun Nineteen steadied himself in the cart, crouching low and hugging his legs. The wind roared in his ears, and he inhaled traces of an odd-smelling gas. Fortunately, the poison had thinned considerably, leaving only a slight itch in his throat.
At the last moment, the cart shot off the track onto the non-icy floor. Miraculously, it didn’t tip over, merely skidding to a halt after a short slide.
By then, the entire arena was once again engulfed in thick smoke. Chou Twenty had exhausted all his willpower to summon one final hurricane.
Saturday, understanding his intent, strode to the side and forcefully flung open the gymnasium doors. Qi Xia’s ears buzzed faintly as he noticed her move.
Intrigued, he glanced at Saturday, suddenly struck by a bizarre thought.
Did Saturday open the door… to regulate the indoor air pressure?
Chou Twenty’s unnatural hurricane had caused the air pressure inside to rise sharply. Without venting the excess airflow, everyone inside would’ve suffered.
How many times must they have coordinated to achieve such seamless teamwork?
“Thanks, Sis Saturday!” Chou Twenty waved from afar before turning to Earth Horse at the starting line and shouting, “Seriously? That’s it? I thought the return trip would be tougher. But just this?”
“Heh…” Earth Horse’s lips twisted into an ugly smile. “Better protect that head of yours.”
The team regrouped at the starting line, faces grim.
Now came the most critical moment.
To ensure their earlier efforts weren’t in vain, they had to survive this round.
As they gathered to strategize, Bai Jiu hesitated to speak, her gaze drifting toward Qi Xia.
This man had deciphered every trap with a single glance—could he have already devised a way to counter Earth Horse?
Earth Horse, meanwhile, retrieved a specially crafted bamboo tube from the wreckage nearby. About the length of a forearm, it had a small hole at the bottom, seemingly designed to dispense “balls.”
Like an unmoving mechanism, she stood at the far end of the track. To everyone’s shock, the surrounding contraptions also began to tremble faintly.
Apparently, Earth Horse had omitted one detail.
In the seventh round, not only would she throw the ball—all the traps would attack simultaneously.
This wasn’t just a straight track coated in ice. It was a highway to hell.
“Whenever you’re ready… let’s begin.” Earth Horse smiled as she pulled a stone ball from the tube, weighing it in her palm. “I wonder what ‘speed’ you’ll use to escape my attacks?”
Qi Xia watched, stroking his chin as if grasping a clue.
Just how many “balls” could a forearm-length bamboo tube hold?
Each fist-sized ball had a diameter of about ten centimeters. At most, the tube could contain five or six.
As per the rules of all Earth-level games, Earth Horse couldn’t possibly throw seven balls to attack seven people.
Otherwise, no one would survive.
“Fists…” Qi Xia exhaled deeply. “My usual strategies won’t work this round. That monster isn’t standing at the track’s side—she’s right in front of us. Even speeding up the cart won’t guarantee dodging the ‘balls.'”
“Cut the crap, conman,” Qiao Jiajin said, cracking his knuckles. “Just tell me what to do. Keep it simple, or I won’t get it.”
“Fight,” Qi Xia said. “For you, see something—hit something.”
“Fight.” Qiao Jiajin nodded. “Straight to the point. Beat the hell out of that bastard.”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage