"The sect's first formation, the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation, the second formation, the Ten Extinction Formation, and the third formation, the Inverted Five Elents Formation, are all paralyzed."
"Four Leaf and Six Leaf are unconscious, but thanks to their usual dedication to formations, their abilities are still effective. The fourth formation, the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation, and the fifth formation, the Nine Truths Demon-Subduing Grand Formation, are operating normally."
Inside the Azure Cloud Sect, Yumo held a Miracle Seed. Although not transford, she was drawing out massive amounts of magical power.
The small figure emitted terrifying magical energy that continuously spread outward. Several magic circles around her kept extinguishing only to be ticulously repaired and reignited by her.
Throughout the Azure Cloud Sect, magic formations shimred like dazzling neon lights, constantly flashing around Yumo.
The gentle breeze flowing within the Azure Cloud Sect dispersed the white fog. When all the magic formations stabilized, Yumo opened her eyes, looking sowhat fatigued. "I can't contact the Sect Master for now."
Outside, the fourth and fifth formations continuously destroyed the converging vine Disaster Beasts.
On the other side, on Four Leaf's mirror, leaves were withering one after another, yet the mirror only showed white fog.
Bingtang looked at her grayish seed and sighed. "Even after dispersing the white fog, the Miracle Seed isn't responding, and neither is the Incubator. We still underestimated the Witch Association's thods—they actually managed to do this."
Yumo whispered, "They probably prepared for a long ti. They covered the entire Beihai in an instant. Yumo, Yumo almost fell for it too."
Yumo had been in class when the fog started rising in Beihai.
By the ti she realized sothing was wrong, the entire school had already fallen into slumber.
Fortunately, Yumo completely imitated the Sect Master in magical power control, usually constantly drawing magical power from the Miracle Seed to enhance her five senses.
And because Yumo had extrely high precision in magical power control, she could forcibly extract considerable magical power from the sealed Miracle Seed.
Therefore, Yumo didn't fall unconscious from the white fog, successfully returning from school to the Azure Cloud Sect, and incidentally bringing back the unconscious Four Leaf and Six Leaf from school.
Now maintaining the operation of the Azure Cloud Sect's internal grand formations and dispersing the surrounding fog, she seed to handle it with ease.
"Lady Bingtang, I want to go outside to check on other disciples and find the Sect Master Celestial Being."
Hearing Yumo's quiet inquiry, Bingtang shook her head. "No, we don't know the situation outside. It's too dangerous for you to go out without being able to transform. And do you know where the Sect Master lives?"
"Yumo knows."
Bingtang narrowed her eyes. "Hmm? When did you find out?"
"By coincidence, I happened to run into him."
Actually, she discovered it by secretly following the Sect Master.
After all, during holidays when Yumo had nothing to do, she liked following the Sect Master to observe his cultivation thods.
Including the precise control of magical power—she learned it all by secretly watching while following him.
Yumo definitely had no other intentions; it was only to beco stronger and better help everyone...
So where the Sect Master lived, what he liked to eat, his going-out tis, sleeping tis—all were things Yumo coincidentally discovered.
It definitely wasn't that Yumo deliberately spied!
Moreover, the Sect Master clearly knew and didn't object, aning he approved of Yumo's actions.
Watching Yumo's face turn red by itself, and because she needed to control magical power, she couldn't use her hands to pull her trench coat's hood to hide her expression, Bingtang couldn't help but feel amused.
This girl was as bad at lying as ever.
"The Sect Master doesn't need your worry. Instead, if you run outside and sothing happens, making the Sect Master worry and causing him trouble would be bad. The Sect Master hates sect disciples who hold him back the most."
Sure enough, one sentence made Yumo retreat. "Then, then Yumo won't go..."
Bingtang looked at her seed again. So far, she had also extracted considerable magical power.
She basically understood the characteristics of this white fog—it only prevents the seed from transforming.
If transford in advance, the white fog probably couldn't undo the transformation.
Unfortunately, when the white fog spread and affected the seeds, everyone in the Azure Cloud Sect was in non-transford state...
Or rather, the Witch Association's final captain activated the white fog only after observing that there were no Magical Girls in Beihai.
Even Twins didn't know this intelligence.
According to Twins, that Witch Association captain started laying plans in Beihai five years ago.
Although most plans were later destroyed by the Azure Cloud Sect, no one knew about the final plan he had been secretly implenting for five years.
Twins only knew the captain had a final trump card and kept having her stall for ti.
Currently, it should be this white fog covering Beihai.
Five years allowed the white fog to spread to every corner of Beihai, unavoidable, and precisely found the mont when no one in Beihai was transford as a Magical Girl.
Even as an enemy, Bingtang had to praise his patience and thods.
"Have we contacted Bai i?"
"No."
"She went to the station to buy tickets this afternoon. She might have already left Beihai's white fog range."
Saying this, Bingtang kicked the small door of the conference room next to her. "Qinghua, how long are you going to sleep!"
Qinghua crawled out of the conference room with an embarrassed smile after being kicked twice. "I, I was also unconscious, Lady Bingtang."
"Lying next to Four Leaf and Six Leaf secretly playing gas—you think I didn't see?"
"Eh, eh, when did Lady Bingtang... Wow, spying on , Lady Bingtang is so an..."
After having her ear pinched, Qinghua imdiately behaved. Bingtang tapped her head with frustration. "What ti is it already, and you're still slacking off!"
"Anyway, our Yumo is so capable, even if Qinghua slacks off it's fine. This white fog and Disaster Beasts can't break in anyway."
"Take out your Eternal Puppets."
Qinghua widened her eyes. "No way, Lady Bingtang, using my ultimate move so quickly? No way, I don't want my big move to be used so... cheaply..."
Bingtang almost laughed in anger. "What ti is it already, still joking around here? Hurry up! Right now the Sect Master and others are outside. If we want to find them, we can only rely on your Eternal Puppets."
"But once used, Qinghua's trump card will be exposed, definitely targeted by enemies. So Qinghua won't be able to fight on the battlefield anymore. Can I get paid leave, Boss Bingtang?"
"You can write your own resignation letter."
"Just kidding earlier."
Qinghua dawdlingly dug out two dolls from the conference room. The dolls weren't big, seemingly woven from silk, but clearly one was Winter and one was Dandelion, lifelike.
Eternal Puppets were the main reason Qinghua stood out among many disciples and beca a true disciple.
"Co, co, share your magical power, more points more points, so they don't fail to return..."
When Bingtang and Yumo poured magical power into the dolls as Qinghua instructed.
Under their respective magical power catalysis, the corresponding dolls rapidly expanded and turned into life-sized Dandelion and Winter, though with slight differences in clothing.
All abilities were identical to the originals. If Lady Shion provided the magical power, these Eternal Puppets might even beco stronger than the original Magical Girls.
However, without the person's own magical power, these Eternal Puppets couldn't be activated.
Even if magical power was exhausted, they wouldn't disappear. As long as the dolls were recovered and magical power reinjected, they could be used again.
Apart from taking much ti to make and requiring sufficient understanding of the Magical Girl being created—the more powerful the Magical Girl, the more complicated the process—there were basically no drawbacks.
Since obtaining this ability, Qinghua only made two dolls in a year and a half, not even completed.
If making Lady Shion's Eternal Puppet, that would probably take over ten years...
Just as the two dolls completely ford, Qinghua controlled them to go outside when Yumo hurriedly ran over. "Wait, wait, this, this can't let the Sect Master see..."
Qinghua glanced—Dandelion's Magical Outfit actually didn't expose much, mainly so bare back and arms, that delicate skin indeed very pleasing to the eye.
Casually touching and even pinching, Qinghua praised, "Great texture, exactly like the original. Yumo, why shy? I think the Sect Master would like it."
"Don't..."
Quickly taking off her trench coat and putting it on the Dandelion puppet, covering the back and arms, Yumo finally relaxed. "No problem now."
But right after speaking, Qinghua ca over and pinched her arm. "But this exposes your own skin... Oh, I get it. So Yumo is afraid the puppet will steal her charm? That's why you need to expose so skin yourself to attract the Sect Master. So bold."
"Not at all!" Yumo imdiately retracted her neck and walked aside. "I'll find, a new coat to wear."
"I think the Sect Master might like your current look more, you know." This sentence made Yumo hesitate imdiately. Qinghua then looked at Bingtang smiling. "Lady Bingtang, want to try too?"
"Forget it."
Bingtang said indifferently, "He said I don't exercise enough, no muscles, not good-looking."
"......"
Detecting a dangerous aura, Qinghua dryly laughed and returned to controlling the puppets. "I, I'll go have the puppets search for people first."
Yumo looked down at her delicate arms and little belly, obediently went back to put on her coat.
Bingtang focused on staring at Four Leaf's mirror, then spoke:
"Qinghua, rember to have the puppets prioritize finding Keke. The Sect Master and other disciples can wait. When available, check the Disaster Control Bureau."
"Received, Lady Bingtang."
After two steps, Qinghua suddenly had the two puppets return.
Bingtang looked at her strangely. "What's wrong?"
"I feel a bit uneasy." Saying this, Qinghua rushed into the conference room, brought out the Azure Cloud Sect ancestors' spirit tablets. "Better ask the ancestors for blessings."
"Don't break the spirit tablets."
"It's fine, it's fine."
Saying this, Qinghua placed the spirit tablets properly, bowed twice. "Ancestors, Azure Cloud Sect second-generation true disciple Qinghua offends."
After speaking, she actually directly put the spirit tablets in a box and started shaking them wildly.
"Heaven spirits earth spirits, ancestors quickly appear!"
After speaking, two spirit tablets imdiately flew out from the shaking!
The two puppets each grabbed one, showing them in hand:
【First Cultivator of Salvation】—Han Li!
【White-Haired Killing Star Leaping Celestial】—Wang Lin!
Qinghua turned to look at Bingtang dumbfounded. "Boss, isn't this a bit unlucky?"
"Not bad." Bingtang urged, "Don't delay ti."
"Okay, okay."
Qinghua retrieved the two spirit tablets, saw cracks from being dropped, pretended not to see, and enshrined them. "You two elders must take care of your cute descendant..."
...
The fog churned as Jiang Keke fell down the stairs.
She looked at the layered vines above, then at the parasitic vines on her arm turning to ash as they fell.
Although she knew the opponent was strong.
But didn't expect them to be this strong.
What to do what to do what to do...
The vines falling down again whipped like lashes. Keke rolled away to dodge.
When the second vine whip ca, she raised her hand.
Crimson magical power spread to her fingertips, igniting the entire vine upon contact!
But unprepared, a vine erged from the ground, grabbed her ankle, and lifted her violently!
Throwing Keke out!
Crashing against a pillar, sliding down, Keke curled up, hurting too much to make a sound.
"You must wonder why only you encountered these things."
"Why only you are so unlucky."
The captain's demon-like figure spoke from upstairs, getting closer.
Only at tis like this did Keke realize why Jiang Si trained so desperately.
Even with Magical Girl power, there are always tis when strength falls short.
And now, Keke felt regret for not training enough daily.
Just running a bit already felt exhausting.
If she had worked hard with Jiang Si early on, it wouldn't be like this...
She struggled to rise. "Don't know what you're talking about."
The captain just spread his hands. "Like now, still escaping reality, pretending to understand nothing. How pathetic, Keke."
Because her magical power control precision wasn't that good, the magical power Keke could obtain was less and less.
Just as Teacher Shion said, imitating too much, wanting to learn this and that, until finally nothing stood out.
Even the magical power precise manipulation she spent most ti on couldn't support high-intensity combat.
Rising Keke staggered, tripped by vines, fell to the ground.
The captain walked before her, looking down from above.
"Magical Girls exist because of Disaster Beasts, and Disaster Beasts are born because of Magical Girls. BH City's first Disaster Beast must have gone for the city's first Magical Girl."
Keke's pupils shook. When she tried to charge over, vines pressed her to the ground again.
"You killed your own parents. If not for you, BH City's first Disaster Beast wouldn't have been born there."
The captain squatted down, looking at her. "The source of all misfortune is you! Keke! BH City's first Magical Girl!"
Keke's body trembled.
Long silence.
Then she lowered her head, supporting her knees, barely standing up. "Nonsense..."
"Believe or not doesn't matter."
The captain calmly smiled. "But, you know? Clearly being BH City's first Magical Girl, the most perfect raw gem, yet your mind only has complaints, hatred, and pain."
Parasitic vines drilled into her brain, non-existent mories awakened with the captain's words.
That was three years ago, after being attacked by the Disaster Beast.
Already back at the nursing ho.
Late night, Jiang Si slept slumped over her bedside, window opened, occasionally shaking, night breeze blowing curtains.
The girl lying on the sickbed missed her parents, hated, cursed the world.
Why did her Miracle Seed appear only after her parents died?
Why didn't her wish even have a chance to be realized.
What use are Magical Girls anyway!
Then, a black shadow floated in from the window, like a ghost, coming to her side.
Said to fulfill her wish, reached out and took her Miracle Seed.
The originally fiercely burning Miracle Seed rapidly extinguished, turning completely black.
In the mory, that black shadow stood at the bed head, lips constantly moving, seemingly speaking to her.
Then, pressed the Miracle Seed against her forehead.
When those cold fingers touched her forehead, intense pain stirred her head.
And seemingly endless power made her whole body explode!
Keke suddenly opened her eyes, drenched in cold sweat, returning from the mory, clutching her head, letting out a painful moan.
The captain stood not far away, face still with that evil smile, quietly watching her. "Rember now? That night, you should have beco a witch, but very regrettably, failed due to so reasons. I'm certain, if you had beco a witch then, you would have obtained power to change the world."
"In this world, when hope-filled Magical Girls fall and beco witches in that instant, they are most dazzling, and most powerful."
"I originally thought you'd eventually find your own path to becoming a witch. After all, your seed should have been ruined by reason, you don't even have your own Incubator."
The captain showed so confusion. "Really strange, why did you still transform into a Magical Girl? How did you grasp hope in the deepest despair? I'm curious."
Shion, teacher...
She thought of that purple figure, power surging from her body again.
Don't give up, Keke, don't disappoint teacher.
Lowering her breath, gathering strength.
Desperately squeezing magical power from the seed.
When the captain approached, her bent body shot upward!
A magical power-filled fist fiercely smashed into the captain's face!
Yet the captain's neither-male-nor-female, neither-old-nor-young face only slightly twisted, even showing a smile. "You're far worse than Shion now. But, if you beco a witch, that might not be the case. I'll help you obtain power, obtain the strongest witch power!"
Dense vines instantly rushed toward Keke from behind the captain.
Even dodging with all her might, bursting with magical power to burn, she was still subrged and swallowed by endless vines.
"I am a Magical Girl!"
Keke's struggling strength gradually weakened, yet she still tightly clung to the vine edges. "Will absolutely not beco a witch, absolutely!"
"Who knows."
The captain's right hand suddenly grabbed at Keke, the remaining vines finally completely burying Keke. "Every Magical Girl says this before falling."
"You were once the most perfect witch raw gem."
"Poor Keke, kind Keke, ignorant, witch Keke."
"You are the only one in Beihai with potential to defeat Shion."
"Let help you recover the original anger and hatred, reclaim the power you should have."
"Then, conquer Beihai for us, conquer the world!"
The voice in her ear disappeared, consciousness sinking into darkness.
Keke thought about whether she could have done better.
But from eting the captain, she actually already guessed—the opponent had ability to forcibly take her away.
She couldn't transform into a Magical Girl, facing Witch Association mbers, at absolute disadvantage.
The reason he used coercive thods to make her follow was largely because he didn't want to hurt her.
Currently, it seed because he intended to turn her into a witch...
While feeling anxious, suddenly a ray of sunlight leaked from above.
She raised her hand to block the sowhat dazzling sunlight.
Then scorching warm wind blew, cicada chirps, pedestrians' fragnted speech and footsteps, vehicle horns and engine roars gradually beca clear in her ears.
With the sweltering sumr, she now sat under a mulberry tree at her doorstep, both mulberry trees still alive and well, lush and green.
She looked up at the precariously hanging plump mulberries, sowhat dazed.
Until soone hugged her from behind, lifting her up.
"What's my treasure spacing out about here?"
"Ready to go, Jiang Si, can't you be happier? Co, co, smile smile smile."
Keke turned back, seeing the brightly smiling couple, and behind them, Jiang Si having his mouth corners pulled, forced to smile, looking helpless.
Cicada chirps tore heart and lung, like lant before death.
Lips moving, she breathed heavily, chanting those already unfamiliar two words.
【White-Haired Killing Star Leaping Celestial】—Wang Lin!
User Comments
0 comments from readers