161: Strategy for the Haunted House

Chapter 159: Conquering the Haunted House

While waiting for the haunted house to appear, the Pixies engaged in another heated debate.

In the end, only the brave, red-haired Pixie decided to stay.

The rest of the little fellows were either afraid of the haunted house or distrusted Arthur, the human.

After the other Pixies had dispersed, Arthur asked, “What’s your name?”

The red-haired little fellow retorted, “You tell me your name first.”

“Arthur.”

“Human names always confuse me, they’re too complicated. I’m Xiao Lingdang.”

The young priest teased, “That’s a simple and easy-to-remember name.”

“Hmph, you’re making fun of me, aren’t you, human? I can tell.”

The little fellow flapped her wings and flew in front of Arthur, making a face at him.

“All your companions have left, aren’t you afraid I’ll sell you?”

Xiao Lingdang pointed at her own head and said, “I’m not like those guys.”

“I’ve already peered into your thoughts with magic.”

“You’re not a bad person; you genuinely intend to help us.”

Detect thoughts? Arthur guessed in his mind.

Most Pixies are natural spellcasters, so it was not surprising that she could use magic.

As if to confirm Arthur’s guess, the red-haired little fellow pointed at his staff and said, “I can do that too.”

No sooner had she spoken than she waved one hand and began to chant a spell.

Soon, four glowing orbs appeared around her.

As she continued to wave her hands, the light sources gradually merged, forming a glowing humanoid figure that floated beside Arthur.

“Well done, little fellow, that’s Dancing Lights, isn’t it?” Arthur praised.

“I’m not a little fellow,” Xiao Lingdang puffed out her chest, “I’m a Royal Guard, specifically responsible for protecting the Princess.”

“Then, where is the Princess?”

Xiao Lingdang puffed out her cheeks, glaring angrily at the young human in front of her.

“Tell me exactly what happened?” Arthur's playful expression vanished, “How did you end up here?”

“A rift in space-time opened up, and Her Royal Highness was curious to see it, so we followed her here.”

“We ended up encountering the haunted house. Her Highness went inside with a group of people, leaving us, the dissenters, to wait outside.”

Xiao Lingdang paused, then continued, “We’ve been waiting near here for almost a month, and Her Highness still hasn’t come out.”

“Later, we heard legends about this haunted house from some elves.”

“Elves? There are elves here?”

“Don’t you know, human?

Near Lakeside Town, there’s a group of elves who came from the same place as us.”

Fey? Arthur pondered.

Elves living in the Feywild are called Fey.

Having spent centuries in that wilderness, many of them have become fey creatures.

Besides the inherent arrogance of the elven race, the most prominent characteristic of the Fey is their capriciousness.

This is mainly because the magic flowing within them changes with their emotions, transforming them into the appearance of different seasons, and their behavior and abilities also change with their form.

For example, Spring Fey are keen on revelry and enjoy pranking people like other fey;

Winter Fey, however, are the complete opposite, becoming melancholic and sorrowful, constantly teary-eyed.

Arthur speculated that the dark power of Qingfeng Valley would occasionally open rifts to various planes, allowing creatures from all planes to come here.

Especially evil creatures and those curious fellows from the Feywild.

This place is truly lively. Arthur couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

“So, if I rescue that Princess, can you use the Fey Crossing to return?” he asked.

Xiao Lingdang’s eyes widened, and she retorted, “How do you know all this?”

Arthur smiled and replied, “I read it in books.”

“That’s right, as long as we rescue the Princess, we can go back. She has the key to open the passage.”

So, the two continued to wait.

During this time, Jessica, who was on patrol, came to find Arthur. After learning the whole story, he asked Arthur to let him join the operation.

But Arthur politely declined his offer, deciding to enter the haunted house alone.

Jessica felt this was too risky and insisted on gathering a small team.

Arthur told him not to worry, saying he had it under control.

Seeing this, Jessica found it difficult to say anything more.

Around midnight, an eerie mist began to spread through the ruins.

Arthur flicked Xiao Lingdang, who was sleeping on top of his head.

The Pixie suddenly woke up, wiped the drool from her mouth, and upon seeing the mist, quickly said, “It’s coming, the haunted house is about to appear.”

Jessica drew his weapon, vigilantly looking into the depths of the mist.

From within the mist, a tall brick townhouse slowly materialized.

Seeing the place, which was originally just a pile of fire-damaged ruins, transform into this appearance,

Jessica couldn't help but exclaim, “earth mother above!”

Arthur could tell it was a luxurious house, but all the windows were dark and gloomy.

On the first floor, there was a porch with an iron gate, the rusty iron gate was slightly ajar, and both the gate and windows were boarded up with wood, making it look like an abandoned house no matter how you viewed it.

A soft sobbing sound arose, and two exquisitely dressed children suddenly appeared in front of the house.

“Be careful, human,” Xiao Lingdang warned, “Don’t be fooled by these two kids.”

“Her Royal Highness was tricked by their words last time and went into the house.”

The younger child was crying while clutching a cloth doll; the older one was beside him, trying to make him stop crying.

The mist was slowly approaching Arthur. The young priest said to Jessica, “Step back, fellow, I can handle this.”

Despite being very reluctant, Jessica complied.

Arthur then asked Xiao Lingdang, who was flying beside him, “Are you ready, little fellow? We’re going in.”

The Pixie nodded, but anyone could see the fear in her heart.

The mist completely enveloped Arthur and the Pixie.

The distance between the two and the house was suddenly shortened; in an instant, Arthur was already standing at the door.

He heard the older girl say to the boy, “Shh—don’t cry.”

Then, the girl turned to them and said, “There’s a monster in our house!”

She turned around and pointed at the tall brick townhouse, “We’re very scared of it; can you help us drive it away?”

“Hey!” Xiao Lingdang flew in front of the girl, hands on her hips, “You tricked us like that last time.”

“You little liar, aren’t you ashamed?”

Just then, there was a new update to the purple intelligence.

[Purple Intelligence / Enhanced / Update] Most rooms in the haunted house correspond to a riddle. The solution for each riddle is as follows. Please note, you only have four hours to complete the Strategy (strategy).

Solve all the riddles and find the skull that breaks the seal, and you will be able to enter the final monster room.

After defeating the monster, you will gain control of the entire house. Arthur carefully read the strategy guide provided by the intelligence.

Four hours, he murmured to himself.

Xiao Lingdang was still questioning the two children.

Xiao Lingdang was still questioning the two children, but the children acted as if they didn't see her, repeatedly saying the same things as before.

“Alright, you asked for this!”

Xiao Lingdang rolled up her sleeves, intending to teach these two unfortunate children a lesson.

However, Arthur stopped her.

The young priest said, “You’re asking the wrong questions, little fellow, let me handle it.”