The right answer was preservation. But Angel had recently learned his lesson from Mandhela, so this time he played it safe, declaring righteously: "To foster dead souls, if someone unfortunately dies, at least they can be nurtured here."
"...Can that be explained? Okay, I’ll take your word for it, but the growth rune and frost magic pattern..."
Angel: "Considering dead souls, surely you must consider the living. So the growth rune emits life energy to heal the wounded. As for the frost pattern... this place is close to the Laksum Principality, usually hot and dry, the frost magic pattern can help cool down and prevent heatstroke."
Dox looked at Angel and seriously said: "I’m sure you’re spouting nonsense."
Angel: "..."
Angel was indeed speaking nonsense. Previously, he was probably poisoned by ’Dance of Metal’. Adding growth runes was for growing vegetables, the frost magic pattern was just a refrigerator.
If he told the truth, where would he save face?
"If you don’t want to say, then leave it, but you still didn’t explain why the mishap occurred. Your Magical Energy Array seems fine, was it the illusionary realm that went wrong?"
Angel: "Hmm... it all went wrong."
All, went, wrong?! Dox was stunned.
"Alas, even the best make mistakes, and people get sidetracked. Due to distraction, ideas mixed together chaotically, leading to this situation." Once Angel was done, he quickly added: "However, this way isn’t bad. You were right, it can test these Talented Ones, after all. Life needs interesting experiences to be fulfilling."
Dox took a deep look at Angel, ultimately saying nothing. Because, the First Palace of the Twelve Zodiac Palaces had arrived.
The Zodiac Palace was in a typical temple style, grand, majestic, solemn, and sacred.
"Is this an illusion, or did you expand the space?" Looking at the Zodiac Palace, Dox asked in confusion. He knew the room’s size, even with tricks, it couldn’t have become this big.
"Things went wrong, so both." Angel said with a proud look: "Well, how’s this? Just this alone is pretty impressive, despite the mishap, the space has definitely expanded."
Dox glanced speechlessly at Angel and silently stepped into the Zodiac Palace.
The sound of empty footsteps echoed inside the Zodiac Palace.
Soon, Dox and Angel stopped in front of a sweet-smelling girl dressed in a pure white divine robe.
The girl looked like a nun, but if you looked closely, you’d find that her entire body shone with an unusual luster, more like... porcelain.
The girl seemed unable to move, her exquisite and perfect eyes gazing blankly at the visitors.
"Welcome, challengers, to the First Palace, the Sweet Zodiac Palace." A familiar yet flamboyant voice rang in their ears: "The questioner for this palace is the sugarcube girl in front of you. Please wait patiently, as the sugarcube girl can only process six challengers at a time. You arrived a bit late, so you’ll have to wait a bit. But don’t worry, the sugarcube girl’s questions are easy."
Dox: "... Process six challengers at once, so the challenge is actually done together?"
"No comment on this; if challengers wish to know, they can inquire after the challenge with Cha Cha."
"Who is Cha Cha?" Dox continued.
"When challengers reach the end, you will meet Cha Cha." The flamboyant voice paused: "The sugarcube girl has finished processing the other challengers. Unfortunately, out of the six others, only one answered three questions correctly. Seems like they all lack common sense."
"Now the sugarcube girl is back; it’s your turn, challenger! Please answer the questions!"
Dox didn’t want to play these childish quiz games; he was following Angel for the "Out of Discussion" shortcut.
But what about Angel?
Dox turned to look around, and didn’t know when, but somehow he was the only one left, and Angel was nowhere to be found...
"Damn it..." Dox couldn’t help but curse, Angel actually ran off, ran off!
When did he escape? And why didn’t I feel a thing?
Dox suppressed his frustration and asked, "Where did the one who came with me go?"
Neither the flamboyant voice nor the sugarcube girl responded. From the sugarcube girl’s vacant expression, it was clear this was a set mechanism.
Simply put, she’s just a question machine. Doesn’t do anything other than ask.
Dox took a deep breath: "Then let’s answer the questions."
Angel was nowhere in sight, and this was another magical energy array gone wrong. He didn’t dare to venture randomly, so he had to cautiously proceed.
As soon as Dox said he was ready to answer, the blank look in the sugarcube girl’s eyes immediately changed, and the porcelain-like black eyes suddenly appeared radiant.
"The quiz begins, challenger please listen to the question."
"First question, Griffin, Styanfen, and Johnrich, which is my real name?"
Dox: ...
Right now, Dox just wanted to throw a fit; this is supposed to be a common sense question?
"Ten second countdown, ten, nine, eight..."
Dox calmed his anger, closed his eyes in thought for a moment, and just before the countdown ended, he said, "None of them."
As soon as he spoke, the flamboyant voice immediately sounded: "Congratulations! You got the first question right! Eight people have answered this question, and only four got it right! You’re great!"
Eight responses... Dox remembered, the sugarcube girl could only process six people at a time, so there must be someone answering the questions along with him right now.
The sugarcube girl didn’t pause and quickly moved to the second question: "Then what is my real name?"
Dox’s fist suddenly tightened.
The first question was multiple choice, and he deduced the answer with his spiritual insight. But now they ask for the real name, who the hell knows!
Even if his spiritual insight was strong, he couldn’t directly read someone’s name. Besides, the she wasn’t even human, just a tool in Angel’s magical energy array, it couldn’t possibly have a name!
Dox had a sudden realization, right! It’s just a tool, why would it have a name.