However, there wasn’t anything dangerous in the gift box. Looking at the peculiar metal piece taken out from the box, Фэн Юань frowned and said,
"This thing, could it be part of a key for some large door?"
Though the dark-golden metal piece in front of him looked like a small slice of pizza, Фэн Юань figured it was originally a metal disc with a design. As for its purpose...
It might just be that there’s a matching slot on some door, and placing the entire piece into it would allow passage. Though theoretically, they could forcefully break the door, but the consequences were unknown.
"That seems likely. Does that mean there are other amusement rides we need to challenge? Or are you planning to force your way through?"
Veronia glanced at the darkened Ride the Wind and Waves facility. As they returned, all the neon lights of the Ride the Wind and Waves facility had extinguished, making the entire facility look as if it had been abandoned for a long time, with even the water channel unknowingly dried up.
Yang Hongzhi took the metal piece to have a look and said,
"The pattern on this seems to correspond to this amusement facility. Are we to continue forward now?"
"What else? It’s obvious this place doesn’t let us go through again."
Glancing at the instantly forsaken amusement facility, Фэн Юань casually said as he left through the exit, the iron door behind him closing swiftly and automatically without wind. At this moment, the group noticed the entrance was already shrouded in mist, with the exit behind starting to emit a faint black mist, clearly indicating that re-entry was not allowed.
At this time, the mist surrounding them dispersed, and the path they came along, as well as the colorful stone mosaic path around the Ride the Wind and Waves, once again appeared. At this moment, Фэн Юань looked at everyone and asked,
"Where should we go next? Continue forward or take a look at the carousel?"
If the path they came on was blocked, there would be nothing to say, but judging by the current situation, it seemed unavoidable that they would need to venture to the carousel. Veronia thought for a moment and looked toward the mist-enshrouded Ride the Wind and Waves, saying,
"If we continue forward, what will it be? I remember there weren’t many water-related amusement facilities in the original story."
Xiao Ji guessed Фэн Юань’s purpose in asking. If the front was another water-playing facility, Xiao Ji might not be able to bear it, and since they hadn’t brought dry clothes to change into, with the night deepening and a cold wind blowing, the not-yet-dry clothes were indeed a bit chilly.
"I think continuing forward is better than turning back. In any case, we need to explore both directions thoroughly. Do you think the key is likely to be repeatable or replaceable?"
Najia, sitting on Xiao Hei’s head, said to Фэн Юань. Given the current situation, they indeed needed to walk through the entire amusement park. If they turned back now, would they face the same choice again after the carousel?
"Another possibility is that the door or mechanism requires both paths to be completed simultaneously to unlock."
Recalling something, Yang Hongzhi stroke his chin and said that, honestly, this possibility wasn’t non-existent. But if that were the case, it would be troublesome. Based on the pattern of key fragments, they could roughly estimate that, if divided evenly, they would need to go through at least seven or eight rides to gather the complete key.
If the keys for the two paths are not interchangeable and detouring to Tashimar Fantasy Circus requires both paths to unlock mechanisms, they would have to face over a dozen amusement facilities.
"It shouldn’t be that troublesome, right... Oh well, in that case, let’s move forward first. Um, by the way, are you guys hungry?"
Sighing, Фэн Юань said helplessly, then thought of something and turned his head to ask Yang Hongzhi and the others, while Yang Hongzhi smiled and said,
"Let’s conserve what we have; we don’t know how long we’ll be here."
Due to being unable to use space equipment, they hadn’t brought much in terms of supplies. Although they could use their Особый приёмов to solve most problems, if they squandered them from the beginning and ended up staying here for a long time, things would get tough later on.
"Ah, it would be great if Nagna were here. Божественный зверьs capable of conjuring food out of thin air would be particularly useful at a time like this."
Turning his back, Фэн Юань said seemingly helplessly. Najia chuckled softly and said,
"If it hears you, it might get angry~"
"I didn’t say anything, but it’d be great if it suddenly appeared after getting angry. Unfortunately, that’s impossible."
Laughing, Фэн Юань didn’t continue the topic. In reality, the Божественный зверьs in his party were merely special life-aid assistants. As for other aspects?
It seemed unnecessary. In battle, Фэн Юань himself wasn’t lacking in strength. Unfortunately, they could only advance according to the established rules. Thinking about going through so many amusement facilities for that broken key made Фэн Юань a bit upset.
Beautiful flowers covered the hills, and a winding path meandered into an S-shape, slowly ascending the hills. Looking at the path that extended the journey several times over, Фэн Юань complained,
"Why is this place so annoying? I wonder if I could just fly directly up it."
"Hmm?"
Veronia smiled oddly and pointed at a no-fly sign without speaking. Seeing the sign, Фэн Юань was instantly deflated; it seemed he had no choice but to climb this long path to reach the Ferris wheel at the top of the slope.
The enormous shrubs blocked their sight, and Фэн Юань couldn’t help but suspect there might be some plant maze here. Fortunately, the shrubs only existed in the plaza at the base of the slope. Although they initially took a few wrong turns, once they successfully embarked on the winding path up, the surrounding view opened up significantly.
"Whew~ I thought there’d be a maze here too; now it seems alright, just a bit tiring..."
Wiping off non-existent sweat, Фэн Юань said as he led the way forward. But it didn’t take long for him to realize something wasn’t right. Though the cobblestone path was somewhat uncomfortable on the feet, it obviously wasn’t a conveyor belt. However...
"The road keeps moving backward? Does that mean you can’t make it if you’re not fast enough?"
Veronia looked at the steps ahead in surprise and said, after following Фэн Юань for a bit, she noticed something was amiss and stood still, watching the scenery around her move past, quickly finding herself back at the starting point of the shrub plaza.
At this moment, Фэн Юань stood still, letting the path bring him back. He looked at the long winding path and suddenly felt a headache; maintaining speed wasn’t difficult. After all, the distance wasn’t exactly short, but he dreaded that the speed requirement might escalate the further they went.
With a turn of the eye, Фэн Юань thought of something and ran back onto the path, except this time, he charged toward the greenery.
"Tsk! I knew it wouldn’t work!"
Just as he was about to leave the cobblestone path, Фэн Юань felt like he hit an invisible wall, seemingly indicating no loophole had been left.
Back at the starting point, Фэн Юань was about to say something when he saw Xiao Hei’s eyes brighten. Noticing Фэн Юань’s mischievous gaze, Xiao Hei whimpered, hiding behind Yang Hongzhi to shield itself from those malicious eyes.
"Фэн Юань, Xiao Hei can’t carry anyone right now."
Yang Hongzhi said helplessly, indicating to Xiao Hei not to worry. Looking at Yang Hongzhi, Фэн Юань spoke,
"Let Xiao Hui give it a try; if this thing keeps demanding increasingly faster speeds as it advances, it might be very passive if enemies appear. Why not..."
"Xiao Hui... Can it manage?"
Looking at the barely two-person-wide cobblestone path, Yang Hongzhi said speechlessly. Xiao Hui was significantly larger than the path, and Yang Hongzhi hadn’t forgotten about Фэн Юань’s collision with the invisible barrier. Did he really want Xiao Hei to break through that air wall?
Though unclear about Фэн Юань’s intention, Yang Hongzhi released Xiao Hui, gave it a few instructions, and tentatively stretched out its hoof. Immediately upon making contact, the cobblestone path changed dramatically, becoming wider. Yang Hongzhi, surprised, looked at Фэн Юань and asked,
"Did you anticipate this change?"
"No, I just wondered if being oversized might burst through the air wall; if attempted directly, it seemed anything could penetrate it."
Tossing out a fireball to watch the flames scorch the greenery, Фэн Юань said helplessly. If not for the Offensive Особый приём failing to hit that air wall, he wouldn’t have made such a suggestion. But now, it seemed they had managed by accident?
With Xiao Hui carrying everyone, at least if any enemies appeared on the way, they wouldn’t be caught in a flurry.

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