The disciples of Little Green Peak were shrouded in melancholy and worry.
That afternoon, Shen Qingxue and Shan Fang returned, but the former looked frail. Even with treatment from the mountain's spellcasters, she likely would not recover her original strength in time for the competition a few days later.
The crowd dispersed. Tomorrow would be Firecloud Peak's calligraphy and painting contest.
Night!
In the back mountain of Little Green Peak, the bamboo grove lay tranquil and secluded, moonlight flowing like water.
A graceful figure stood quietly beneath the moon, as though she had been waiting for a long while. A golden flying ant rested on her shoulder, its wings buzzing softly, faint vigilance showing through.
She suddenly turned around, excitement in her voice. "Senior Brother, you came?"
The bamboo shadows stirred, and an answer came. "Mm."
You stepped out of the shadows, your gaze sweeping over the golden ant on her shoulder as it beat its wings as though ready to fly. "As expected of a Purple-Gold Heavenly Horn Ant. Even while still so young, its spiritual senses are already this sharp."
Your movements had been detected not because Shen Qingxue's current cultivation could accomplish such a thing—it was entirely due to this True Spirit still in its embryonic stage. Its innate spiritual awareness was beyond anything ordinary.
Shen Qingxue's victory today owed much to it. Although quite a few people had likely noticed that this ant was extraordinary, they could never have imagined it was a Purple-Gold Heavenly Horn Ant.
After all, True Spirits had vanished from this world.
"Buzz... buzz..."
The golden flying ant suddenly launched itself from Shen Qingxue's shoulder. Its wings trembled with a hum that carried a faintly chilling air.
Purple-gold markings suddenly appeared all over its body, and its aura turned ferocious and oppressive—it