"If you don't answer me, does that mean you're an enemy?"

Siger Meiruo furrowed her brow, feeling displeased about the young man's gaze fixed intently on her.

Hearing her words, the young man's expression softened slightly, and he took steps toward them.

Su Chen saw five strangers: three were teenagers, while the other two wore gloomy expressions as young men. Walking a few meters toward them, Little Moustache finally squeezed out a faint smile, "Miss, don't misunderstand. We mean no harm to you."

"Really? No harm, yet why is your gaze so bold?"

Xige Zhuxue said casually. Her alluring figure and captivating eyes made the five men feel overwhelmed.

Little Moustache said, slightly embarrassed, "We truly mean no harm. Moreover, the special training rules state that on the first day we can't fight. If discovered, qualifications will be forfeited."

Upon his explanation, the other four nodded repeatedly.

Siger Meiruo's expression eased slightly, but her tone remained cautious. While the rules were stated as such, who knows what intentions these people harbored? If they knew their exact destination, they might strike on the second day.

"If there's no ill intent, why were you sneaking around in the shadows?"

"To be honest, we want to cooperate with you."

Little Moustache pondered for a moment, then said, slightly embarrassed. His eyes became sincere, but this transformation made Siger Meiruo even more vigilant.

In the Forest of Death, aside from physical battles, cunning strategies and schemes abound. Even if not for oneself, one must consider their companions.

"Collaboration? Hmph, then tell me about what kind of collaboration?"

Siger Meiruo fixedly stared at Little Moustache's expression. Standing firmly in the Siger Clan required her skills in assessing situations and people.

"We want to go to the Demon Swamp to kill a 'Flower Beast,' but there's no woman in our team, and..."

Little Moustache stopped mid-sentence.

But Siger Meiruo's expression changed, her tone turning cold, "So you're targeting the two of us?"

Little Moustache's face froze, awkwardly saying, "Don't misunderstand, miss. We just want to cooperate. If we kill the Flower Beast, you take more credit, and I'll give you the Spirit Pearl."

Su Chen, confused, asked Xige Zhuxue beside him, "What's a 'Flower Beast'? What's your concern?"

Xige Zhuxue giggled and didn't mind at all, "Flower Beasts are filthy Spirit Beasts. Although they're Spirit Beasts, they resemble humans greatly in their lecherous nature. Every year, girls who inadvertently venture into the Demon Swamp get harassed by Flower Beasts, sometimes even losing their lives. So many training teams with women avoid the Demon Swamp. However, Flower Beasts are valuable; killing one can fetch tens of thousands of Gold Coins once outside."

Su Chen suddenly understood. Looking at the embarrassed Little Moustache, he realized the man's attire made him seem unlikely wealthy. Perhaps he was from a fallen family and urgently needed money, hence seeking cooperation with a team with women to hunt Flower Beasts.

Siger Meiruo, hearing the other party's concession, had her expression slightly soften. She looked at Xige Zhuxue, then at the annoyed Xige Yun and Sigeru, asking, "You're sure you don't want the Spirit Pearl?"

"Yes, if you're willing to help me, I can even give you thirty percent of the Gold Coins earned from selling it."

Little Moustache said earnestly, "But let it be clear beforehand, we're not responsible for anything that happens."

It seemed he was truly in desperate need of money. Su Chen thought to himself.

"Zhuxue, what do you think?"

Siger Meiruo was evidently tempted.

"I'm fine with it as long as Sister Meiruo doesn't make me the bait."

Xige Zhuxue laughed.

Siger Meiruo's face turned pale, "If you're not the bait, then I..."

"Hehe, just joking. For such a task, naturally, it should be done by a charming beauty like me, right, Brother Su Chen?"

Xige Zhuxue winked at Su Chen playfully.

Su Chen blushed and dared not speak.

Little Moustache, pleased, patted his chest, "Then we other men will be responsible for protecting your safety from the shadows. Miss, rest assured, I'll ensure your safety even if it costs my life!"

The other four nodded in agreement.

Xige Zhuxue waved her hand, "Don't rush to promise. If I accidentally get harassed, any one of you can take responsibility, okay?"

Little Moustache's mouth gaped wide.

Xige Zhuxue gave Su Chen a meaningful glance, then laughed as she began to walk forward.

"Since it's agreed, you guys will lead the way."

Siger Meiruo looked at Little Moustache and said.

"No problem, just follow me."

Little Moustache seemed familiar with the routes here. He led the group of nine confidently forward...

Through the complex path of misty woods, led by Little Moustache, they easily emerged. After zigzagging through turns and curves, they soon arrived before a swamp.

Hiding at the edge of the woods, Little Moustache pointed to the desolate swamp with a solemn expression, "Ahead is the Demon Swamp. The Flower Beasts living inside should be more than one or two. Later, you go out and pretend to be lost. Once there's any movement from the swamp, act panicked to draw the Flower Beasts to the shore. Then we'll all strike!"

"No problem, just watch."

Xige Zhuxue said easily.

"Zhuxue, be careful. Flower Beasts not only master both water and fire skills but also are exceptionally strong. Once they grab you, struggling is futile."

Siger Meiruo held Xige Zhuxue's hand and advised.

"Don't worry, Meiruo; it's all on me~" Xige Zhuxue laughed, then turned to Su Chen, smiling, "If something happens, I hope Brother Su Chen will take responsibility."

Su Chen's mouth twitched, laughing dryly twice.

Xige Zhuxue looked at the swamp, then quickened her pace, switching to a confused and panicked demeanor. Her frequent glances backward showed her acting skills were quite impressive.

The Demon Swamp was about ten meters wide, with no clear path ahead. Apart from filthy muddy water, almost no creatures could be seen inside. Although Xige Zhuxue pretended to be lost, her eyes occasionally drifted over the swamp, staying cautious of any movement.

Sure enough, not long after, a shadow lurked under the surface, stirring constantly.

Xige Zhuxue gasped softly, pretending to accidentally fall to the ground nine meters from the shore!

Suddenly, the swamp erupted like an explosion as filthy muddy stones splattered everywhere! A black creature clad in soft armor leaped out!

Vigorously shaking off the black soil on its body, it revealed its ugly form. Yellow and white soft armor resembled a pangolin, its head flat, but its size was several times larger, and it could stand and walk. Its pair of red eyes emitted an unseemly light, looking extremely frightening.

Xige Zhuxue was visibly shocked, sitting on the ground, supporting her hands behind her as she retreated continuously.

"Who... who are you?"

Despite her surprise, she didn't forget to maintain her act.

The Flower Beast grinned at the corner of its mouth, unexpectedly letting out a sinister chuckle. Suddenly, it opened its arms and widened its mouth, spitting out a ball of flame fused with red and blue colors!

Nine figures shot out like lightning, yet the Flower Beast, upon seeing them, wasn't scared but rather became more excited!

"Step back!"

With a low growl, Su Chen held his blood-colored sword, rushing ahead of Xige Yun and Sigeru to slash at the Flower Beast!

A flash of blood illuminated the scene as the Flower Beast let out a low whimper, narrowly dodging aside. But before it could turn back, Su Chen struck again, diagonally slicing its back to leave a gory wound.

The Flower Beast roared in fury, its mouth wide open, spewing a swift jet of flame!

Su Chen snorted coldly, his sword technique abruptly shifting, his steps sliding diagonally along the ground, circling the sword tip to draw the flame deeper. The flame, guided away from its attack path, gradually lost its power, changing direction under Su Chen's continuous maneuver.

"Return!"

With a loud yell, the flame whirled back, shooting toward the enraged Flower Beast!

Thought it would inflict a severe blow, but surprisingly, the Flower Beast widened its mouth again, ignoring the flame's heat and swallowed it whole!

It roared excitedly toward the sky, its soft armor suddenly turning red, as if catalyzed, becoming fiercely aggressive and frenzied, swiftly turning and charging at the others!

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