Chapter 103: Shadowing

Yue Qi first approached one of the array’s key points, where a formation flag was planted. If he guessed correctly, this flag controlled the mist within the array.

He pulled out the flag, and gradually the formation cleared. The zombies within were no longer standing but lay sprawled on the ground. Especially the five foundational-level zombies, now piled atop each other like a stack of blocks, so densely layered that even the features of the bottommost one were indistinguishable. At least one thing was certain: every one of these zombies had suffered serious injuries. Whether any were dead, Yue Qi could not be sure.

Moving to the main offensive array point, Yue Qi cast several fire-controlling spells again. The flames struck the zombies’ bodies but failed to ignite them. It seemed these cultivation zombies were wearing some kind of protective charm or item. Since the zombies still showed no reaction, Yue Qi felt confident enough to pull out all the formation flags, effectively dismantling the array.

“Here, take it back,” Yue Qi said, handing the flags to Qin Luo. By now, she had dug several pits and was burying her fallen companions, creating a small grave. Standing beside her were a giant python and another creature that looked neither quite like a wolf nor a tiger, trembling as they watched the scene before them...

Qin Luo curled her lips but said nothing. These little animals were painstakingly gathered from the forest, carefully chosen and nurtured by her. Naturally, she had grown attached to them, and now that they were gone, her heart ached deeply.

“Don’t be sad, or the old man might accuse me of bullying you,” Yue Qi said, trying to comfort his younger senior sister, who looked downcast.

“Hmph, it’s you who bullied me! If you hadn’t made me do this, they wouldn’t have died!” Qin Luo retorted, pointing unhappily at the animals lying in the pit.

Come to think of it, Yue Qi didn’t know all these animals well. Besides the tanuki and the giant python, he had never seen the others before—like the beast just now, or the fanged rat...

“Well... Okay, my fault. Next time I see any rare creatures, I’ll tell you right away,” Yue Qi admitted defeat.

“Really?!” Qin Luo’s mood brightened considerably but then eyed him suspiciously. “Are you sure?”

“Of course...” Yue Qi nodded impatiently, feeling somewhat revitalized. “But one thing—I’ll only help you find them. Catching them is your job. I don’t have your affinity; even those ferocious beasts are tamed by you…”

“That’s not taming. We’re good friends. You think they’re like you, a savage?” Qin Luo shot him a displeased glance, then pointed to the python and the wolf-tiger hybrid, her eyes threatening them. Strangely, both beasts nodded obediently, as docile as chicks pecking at grain...

Yue Qi was helpless, about to call Qin Luo back to the city, when a sudden warning shot through his heart. Before he could even glance up, several yellow soil balls suddenly flew toward them!

“Damn it!” Yue Qi shouted, unable to look back. He quickly grabbed Qin Luo and pressed her down to the ground.

“What are you doing...” Qin Luo’s words were cut off as countless small soil balls whizzed through the very spot they had just occupied. Qin Luo was certain that had Yue Qi moved even slightly slower, she would have been riddled with holes...

From the zombie pile, one zombie suddenly sprang up from the bottom, its hand glowing with a soil-yellow light!

Zombies could hide? And beneath their own kind’s bodies? This was something Yue Qi had never seen before... But there was no time to ponder. The flying rock technique above them continued relentlessly. He could not stand up now and risk his life!

The two beasts that had been close to Qin Luo earlier had vanished, probably fleeing instinctively upon sensing danger. Qin Luo, however, still shivered under Yue Qi’s body, clearly shaken.

The flying rock assault finally ceased, and Yue Qi took a breath. Turning around, he was astonished by the scene before him. The foundational zombie that had taken the initiative did not attack again but fled—and with the speed of a zombie, it had already put a hundred meters between them!

“What kind of plan do these zombies have?” A sudden thought surged through Yue Qi’s mind, growing until it consumed his entire consciousness...

“I’ll chase after the zombies. You go back and tell them I’ll be right back!” Yue Qi said, about to leave. But Qin Luo, clearly terrified by the earlier magic, refused to stay alone. After all, she was a few years younger than him...

“No way! I’m coming with you! If you don’t take me, I’ll tell grandpa when I get back!” Qin Luo clung to Yue Qi’s arm like a coquettish lover.

“Fine then...” Seeing the zombies grow distant, Yue Qi had no choice but to agree. Glancing up at the city walls, twenty or so meters high, he could see a throng of people gathered. He spotted Bailian and shouted, “Stay in the camp! I’ll be back soon!”

Without hesitation, Yue Qi invoked the wind-riding spell underfoot, also blessing Qin Luo with two charges. The two hurried after the fleeing zombies.

After a few hundred meters and crossing a hill, Yue Qi lost track of them in a flourish. Luckily, Qin Luo summoned her little companions. Their noses were far keener than humans’, and the wolf-tiger hybrid immediately picked up the scent of the fleeing zombie, with an acuity surpassing even a dog’s.

The scenery changed continuously, and Yue Qi could now see the zombie’s figure. It hadn’t noticed him yet, and its speed had slowed, as if it sensed no immediate danger.

Cautiously, Yue Qi followed. He didn’t think much now—only wanting to see why these zombies were attacking the city, and whether a mastermind was controlling them or if a new, superior zombie had emerged within the horde that guided their assault.

As dusk deepened, it became difficult to navigate at night, especially while tracking a zombie. Qin Luo grew reluctant, regretting her decision to follow Yue Qi.

“Hey, junior brother, this place is scary. Should we just turn back?” Qin Luo hid behind Yue Qi, nervously surveying their surroundings.

“Sis, I told you not to come. You didn’t listen, and now you’re scared, huh...” Yue Qi sighed at his junior senior sister. Her talent was good, but her intelligence left something to be desired...

“Who’s scared? I’m just worried about your safety. If anything happened to you, how would I tell grandpa?” Qin Luo babbled on, clearly using that as her justification for tagging along.

Yue Qi sighed again. He really had no choice. But the zombie had disappeared again, and he needed her help.

“Let your little companions come out and search again. We lost the zombie’s trail. We’ll just take a look and won’t provoke it. Can you agree to that?” Yue Qi coaxed, finally convincing Qin Luo.

The wolf-tiger and the python stayed near Qin Luo, only appearing when she commanded. Yue Qi was curious about her control over these animals but sensed this wasn’t the moment to ask...

“Hm?” Qin Luo suddenly frowned, glancing at the wolf-tiger before saying to Yue Qi, “The dog says there are many zombie auras here, but it can’t pinpoint where that zombie went…”

“Dog... dog?” Yue Qi was startled by the name, taking a moment to respond. “There are many zombie auras here? Could it be that they gather here before attacking Changzhou City?”

Looking around, Yue Qi saw they were in a forest clearing—completely empty, no trees, only wild grasses growing on the ground.

“Ah!!!” Qin Luo suddenly screamed, startling Yue Qi. He rushed to her side and found her sitting on the ground, rubbing her ankle as if she twisted it...

“What happened?” Yue Qi frowned, immediately summoning healing water. A sprain needed prompt treatment; he did not want to carry a burden along the way.

“I stepped on something round and slippery...” Qin Luo pouted, clearly displeased but enduring it for Yue Qi’s sake.

“Something round and slippery...?” Yue Qi was puzzled. He parted the grass and discovered a glowing skull lying quietly on the ground.

“Ah!!!” Qin Luo screamed again upon seeing what she had stepped on, clearly terrified of the object.

“Quiet! We don’t want to attract zombies,” Yue Qi hissed, scanning the silent surroundings. Though all was quiet now, who knew what lurked in the deepest shadows, watching them intently?

At Yue Qi’s warning, Qin Luo immediately fell silent. Yue Qi checked her foot; it seemed fine. He thought to himself that knowing healing spells was truly useful.

“Let’s go. It should be fine now,” Yue Qi said, helping Qin Luo to her feet and brushing off her trousers.

“Where to?” Qin Luo clearly wanted to return but tested her ankle and frowned.

“Let’s go a bit further. If we find nothing, we’ll head back,” Yue Qi decided, choosing a direction.

Qin Luo said nothing, carefully following behind him as they continued deeper into the dark forest...

P.S. The clicks have exceeded ten thousand, but recommendations are still under a hundred. Is the book really that bad? Sigh...