Chapter 54: The White Fox Puppet and the Impending Attack

Qin Yangjun inquired, “What exactly happened here just now?”

Upon hearing his question, Ah Ling’s expression couldn’t help but turn serious.

“I’m not entirely sure what transpired,” Ah Ling began, “but when I woke up just now, I saw a paper puppet shaped like a white fox at my bedside. It started spouting nonsense, claiming to be my sister and demanding I go with it. When I refused, it tried to forcibly take me away, but I burned it to ashes with a single blaze.”

‘A paper puppet…’

It seemed his suspicions were correct; Yin Kang Xuehan wouldn’t abandon her search for Ah Ling so easily after all this time.

Now, an additional unpredictable element had emerged.

Yet, the fact that even a weakened Ah Ling could incinerate Yin Kang Xuehan’s paper puppet with a single burst of fire…proved that Zhuang Hancheng’s palm strike had indeed inflicted significant damage upon her.

Considering her current state, the threat she posed to him should no longer be substantial.

The only precaution needed was against her attempting to forcibly abduct Ah Ling through other means.

It appeared he would have to raid a certain individual’s treasure vault once more.

However, at this moment, Qin Yangjun was eager to ascertain Ah Ling’s true feelings.

“Ah Ling,” he began, “hypothetically speaking, if a relative truly came looking for you and asked you to go with them, would you leave?”

At his words, a flicker of unwavering resolve shone in the young girl’s eyes.

“Ah Ling lives for Young Master, and dies for Young Master,” she declared firmly. “As long as Young Master doesn’t cast me away, I will remain by Young Master’s side for all my life.”

It was a classic response.

Qin Yangjun was naturally pleased that Ah Ling wished to stay by his side.

But….

“Ah Ling, aren’t you curious about your true origins?” he pressed gently. “Why were you wandering in Canggu City back then? And what kind of people were your parents?”

Ah Ling seemed to have misunderstood Qin Yangjun’s intention, as her nose suddenly stung with unshed tears.

“Young Master, are you trying to send Ah Ling away?”

Seeing that the girl before him was on the verge of tears, Qin Yangjun quickly offered reassurance.

“No, no, no,” he hastened to clarify. “I was merely asking. Though you call me Young Master, I respect all your thoughts. I simply wish to hear the truest desires of your heart.”

Hearing Qin Yangjun’s words, Ah Ling’s tears were immediately held back.

Truth be told, Qin Yangjun’s questions did concern her deeply, but she had no desire to leave his side.

After much internal struggle, her expression grew considerably more forlorn.

“Ah Ling…. doesn’t know.”

Qin Yangjun remained silent, instead gently ruffling Ah Ling’s hair.

The Heavenly Fox lineage would prove to be a tremendous asset for Changsun Youyou in the later stages. Qin Yangjun had indeed considered using Ah Ling to forge ties with the Heavenly Fox clan, knowing that if he merely suggested it, Ah Ling would undoubtedly cooperate.

However, Qin Yangjun did not wish for Ah Ling to be coerced into doing anything by him; she ought to act according to her own will.

Fearing a second attack on Ah Ling, Qin Yangjun did not return to his own room.

Instead, he cultivated cross-legged in Ah Ling’s room for the entire night.

The next morning, when Qin Yangjun opened his eyes, he was met with Ah Ling’s slightly resentful gaze.

“What is it?”

“N-nothing.”

Ah Ling averted her gaze.

Last night, when Qin Yangjun said he would stay, Ah Ling had been torn between fear and shyness, believing her Young Master had suddenly changed his ways, only for him to merely sit on her bed the entire night.

While this behavior was certainly more in line with Qin Yangjun’s character, Ah Ling still felt a faint, inexplicable sense of disappointment.

*Clang… clang… clang….*

A series of crisp chimes suddenly echoed around them, causing Qin Yangjun to lift his head.

“That’s Canggu City’s defense alarm… Have the demon beasts begun their attack?!”

The two immediately rose and rushed out the door.

Within a few breaths, Qin Yangjun arrived before the City Lord’s manor, where disciples of the Yuqian Sect were already gathering in the vast plaza.

Armored soldiers were sprinting towards the city gates, while others were busy evacuating the populace.

No sooner had Qin Yangjun arrived than Zhuang Hancheng and the four leaders of the Yuqian Sect approached him.

Before he could speak, Zhuang Hancheng slightly cupped his hands and reported:

“Frontline scouts report that the demon beast army has begun its advance; they are approximately ten *li* from Canggu City. Furthermore, the matter you requested has been handled.”

‘Done? That was remarkably swift.’

“City Lord Zhuang, based on your previous experience, please make all necessary preparations,” Qin Yangjun instructed. “Once the Yuqian Sect disciples have assembled, we will immediately proceed to the city gates.”

After affirming with a “Yes,” Zhuang Hancheng transformed into a streak of light and sped towards the city gates.

In roughly the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, almost all the Yuqian Sect disciples had arrived.

Hua Yaoyao, Yu Lingyue, and Qian Xiaoyu were among the first to arrive, immediately gathering around Qin Yangjun.

In truth, both Hua Yaoyao and Yu Lingyue had wanted to check on Qin Yangjun and Ah Ling last night. Neither wished for the other to follow, yet their rooms were adjacent.

Stepping out would inevitably attract the other’s attention, so both decided to wait for the other to fall asleep.

Consequently, they ended up guarding each other’s doors until dawn.

Neither of them had slept until the alarm bells began to clang.

Jiang Yanfeng was the last to arrive.

After counting the assembled individuals, Qin Yangjun’s brow furrowed slightly.

He had a lingering feeling that someone was missing, but he couldn’t recall who.

At that moment, a Peak Master beside him also wore a solemn expression.

“Where did that boy Li Xuanyang run off to?”

The group exchanged glances, their gazes ultimately settling on Jiang Yanfeng.

A flicker of displeasure crossed Jiang Yanfeng’s face.

“Don’t look at me,” he retorted. “I don’t know. I haven’t seen him since we disembarked yesterday.”

Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps came from behind the group. Turning, they saw Li Xuanyang, panting heavily, as he rejoined the ranks.

Yu Lingyue’s eyes narrowed slightly, for she detected a faint aura on Li Xuanyang that should not have been present.

Moreover, why was he approaching from the direction of the city walls?

Observing Li Xuanyang, Qin Yangjun also pondered inwardly. According to the original plot, Li Xuanyang should have perished in the Ancient Spirit Ruins.

Yet, he was alive, which might cause deviations in the storyline.

‘Should I…’

However, just as Qin Yangjun was lost in thought,

Clusters of fireballs tore through the sky, and a pillar of light suddenly shot from the City Lord’s manor behind them, unfurling a massive magical array across the heavens.

Countless fireballs slammed into the array, instantly erupting into flames that devoured the sky.

A Peak Master roared.

“The city protection array has been activated! The demon beasts are attacking! Everyone, heed my command now: proceed to the city gates for reinforcement. Once there, follow all instructions from City Lord Zhuang!”

“Yes!”

With a unified shout, the group of disciples all charged towards the city gates, those of the Golden Core realm summoning their flying swords.

The urgent situation diverted everyone’s attention from Li Xuanyang.

When the group reached the city gates, they beheld the countless demon beasts swarming in the distance, a sight that left the new disciples speechless with astonishment.

‘Hadn’t they said the scale of this attack wouldn’t be large? Why was it so exaggerated?’

Suddenly, Zhuang Hancheng’s voice resounded in their ears.

“Stop gawking! Disperse! Those below the Golden Core realm, go to logistics. Golden Core cultivators, man the city defenses!”

“Yes!”

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