"Sister Harriet..."
After muttering to the crystal ball for a while, Charlie finally spoke, "The Third Temple is called the Guardian Temple. This stage seems to be about protecting something, but I still can't determine exactly what it is."
"But I did predict some strange conditions related to this stage."
"What conditions?"
Harriet put away the smile on her face and asked.
Only then did Charlie continue, "It says that at least six people and one pet must enter together. Otherwise, the temple gate cannot be opened."
"A mandatory requirement?", Harriet froze for a moment when she heard that. Then she quickly looked up at the endless darkness overhead and said, "Could someone really be watching us? Otherwise, how could the requirement happen to be exactly six people and one pet? If we didn't have six people, or didn't have a pet, would we really be unable to enter?"
"According to the hint, it seems that's the case," Charlie's expression was also somewhat strange as she said, "According to the hint, the entrance seems to be beneath the stone platform!"
"Under the stone platform? Good."
As soon as Harriet heard that, she immediately raised the greatsword in her hand and struck the stone platform.
Clang!
A sharp sound rang out.
Harriet's expression changed at once, because she discovered that her Level 4 Sword Art could not destroy the stone platform before her.
Not only that, but the force rebounding from the platform left her hand aching.
"The material of this platform doesn't seem ordinary. Let me do it instead."
When Ethan saw that the newly obtained sword in Harriet's hand had already developed a nick from striking the stone, he immediately felt pleased.
This proved that no matter how skilled someone was, without a matching weapon, it was useless.
"Alright."
Knowing she couldn't do it, Harriet simply stepped back and gave Ethan the space.
Without another word, Ethan took out the Broken Sword and drew it across the stone.
BOOM!
The stone platform collapsed under Ethan's seemingly casual strike, revealing a dark entrance beneath it.
What Ethan had just used was only the first move of the Eight Forms of God-Slaying, the Draw Sword Form.
This move wasn't particularly powerful by itself, but when paired with the Broken Sword, its destructive power was impressive.
He just didn't know how effective it would be against people.
As he was about to put the Broken Sword away, Ethan suddenly remembered the rule attached to it.
Once drawn, it had to taste blood. Otherwise, the Broken Sword would truly become a broken sword, and the blade would be damaged.
'What a hassle.'
Left with no choice, Ethan pricked his finger and made a small cut.
Sure enough, the blood on his finger was quickly absorbed by the Broken Sword. After that, the sword seemed to become a little sharper, carrying a faint killing aura.
"What kind of sword technique was that?", Harriet stared at him and said, "You destroyed such a hard stone platform with a single strike?"
"It has nothing to do with the sword technique. It's just that this Broken Sword is quite powerful," Ethan didn't hide it.
Otherwise, how would he earn jealousy points from Harriet?
Although the amount of admiration points from a single person wasn't much, it still added up over time.
At worst, he could just make her jealous a few more times. If each amount was small, then he'd make up for it with quantity!
[Jealousy Critical Hit from Player Harriet +35]
"And you still call this sword a Broken Sword?"
When Harriet saw Ethan take out the sword, the jealousy in her eyes was practically visible.
'If I haven't run into this damned man today, the sword would have been mine."
'A divine sword like this, in my hands...'
'I can't even imagine how much power it will unleash.'
'Yet in the end...'
'Damn it!!'
"Can't help it. That's just its name," Ethan spread his hands and said, "This sword can break everything in the world, so it's called the Broken Sword."
[Jealousy Critical Hit from Player Harriet +50]
Another critical hit.
Although this amount of admiration points was insignificant compared to what Ethan needed now, seeing others envy and resent him still felt especially satisfying.
"It breaks everything in the world, so it's called the Broken Sword?", Harriet bit her lower lip, her eyes filled with resentment, "This Broken Sword was practically born for my sword techniques. Lord Ethan, would you be willing to part with it? I'm willing to trade other treasures for it."
"Nope," Ethan smiled and shook his head, "Can't help it. I need a good sword too."
"I think what you're missing isn't a good sword, but a good shameless streak!"
Harriet grumbled.
But she was sure Ethan wouldn't understand it anyway, so she was only saying it to make herself feel better.