Eerie Aura

The sudden change startled Qin Yue and Song Xiaomei, and their expressions turned grave.

Big Black Bear was now fighting two Gale Wolves, while Qin Yue faced the twin brothers. Only Song Xiaomei was free.

But if she were to face the crow, it would be no different from sending herself to her death. The crow was a Black Iron–rank summoned beast, and it was extremely powerful.

"Big Black!"

Song Xiaomei shouted and called to Big Black Bear for help.

Roar!

The loyal Big Black Bear immediately turned around. Even as the Gale Wolves tore into it, it paid them no heed and charged without hesitation toward the crow, an opponent of the same rank.

But against the Black Iron–rank crow and the attacks of two Gale Wolves, Big Black Bear quickly fell into a desperate situation and could very well suffer fatal injuries.

"Kill!"

Qin Yue's small figure flashed as Reaper's Scythe swung rapidly, blocking one Gale Wolf and engaging it in battle.

Song Xiaomei promptly took over as well, fighting the battered twin brothers.

For a time, both sides once again fell into a stalemate.

However, facing enemies who feared neither pain nor death, Qin Yue and Song Xiaomei were in a terrible position. One wrong move could cost them their lives.

Therefore, Qin Yue prepared to summon Li Xuan and call for help.

"Brother Li Xuan, I'm sorry. According to our agreement, I wasn't supposed to summon you until tomorrow, but we really can't hold on any longer."

Qin Yue watched as Big Black Bear was attacked by the crow and a Gale Wolf, its body already covered in wounds. She could only ask Li Xuan for help.

Buzz!

A six-pointed star formation suddenly flickered into existence on the ground.

Along with the formation, an unknown and powerful aura suddenly surged from within it, sweeping through the entire courtyard.

The two Gale Wolves sensed the aura immediately. They actually retreated, their entire bodies trembling.

The crow was in slightly better condition, but it still shot into the sky and reassembled into a black crow.

Caw! Caw! Caw!

The crow cried out as it warily watched the six-pointed star formation. It flew higher and higher, as though it feared something.

"How dare you attack civilians in Blackstone City! Enforcement Team, take them down!"

A deep, commanding voice rang out from outside the courtyard. With those words, two Black Iron–rank flying beasts shot into the air and charged straight at the crow.

At the same time.

Members of the Enforcement Team, dressed in matching uniforms, rushed into the courtyard and instantly surrounded the twin brothers, easily subduing them.

The Enforcement Team's summoned beasts acted quickly as well, restraining the two Gale Wolves in the shortest possible time.

This sudden development interrupted Qin Yue's actions, and her summoning stopped.

"Phew, I almost disturbed Brother Li Xuan. Good thing the Enforcement Team came. There's no need to trouble Brother Li Xuan."

Qin Yue let out a breath of relief, canceled the summoning, and decided to summon him again tomorrow.

"Are you two alright?"

Blackie hurried into the courtyard from outside, asking with concern.

"Big Sister Blackie, why are you here?" Song Xiaomei asked in confusion.

"It's like this. Feng Zuo and Feng You went missing yesterday, and I've been looking for them. Later, I discovered something terrifying.

By accident, I saw Feng Zuo, Feng You, and that crow heading toward your villa. I contacted the Enforcement Team right away. Luckily, we made it in time."

Blackie explained quickly, her face still full of lingering fear.

"Thank you. What did you find out? Why did Feng Zuo and Feng You become like this?" Song Xiaomei asked again.

"They were refined into puppets," Blackie said reluctantly.

"Puppets? Refined by someone?"

Song Xiaomei and Qin Yue were stunned, staring at Blackie in disbelief.

"Yes. Not just them. The porcupine and the Red Wolf pack from before were all puppet beasts, turned alive into monsters through an evil method."

Blackie sighed, her face filled with hatred.

"Refined while still alive? Despicable! Who did this? This is too hateful!" Qin Yue clenched her small fists and shouted angrily.

"The current clues point to the alchemist Wang Hao. His summoned beast is a Black Iron–rank crow. The Enforcement Team has already gone to arrest him."

Blackie briefly explained the situation, making it clear that once it was confirmed Wang Hao had done it, he was as good as dead.

"Someone like that deserves to die. He must be eliminated, so he can't harm even more people," Song Xiaomei said furiously.

"That's right. Once it's confirmed, death is the only outcome. The authorities have zero tolerance for this sort of thing," Blackie explained.

"That's good. Only without people like that can we live with greater peace of mind."

Song Xiaomei looked at Feng Zuo and Feng You being restrained, at their stiff struggles, and felt deeply upset.

They had clearly been teammates before, yet two days later, they had become puppets. It was truly heartbreaking.

"There's no undoing what has happened. All we can do is increase our strength, become stronger, and save more people," Blackie said comfortingly.

"How will they be dealt with?" Qin Yue asked quietly, pointing at the twin brothers.

"There's no other way. They can only be put down," Blackie said helplessly.

"Put down?!"

Qin Yue and Song Xiaomei exchanged a look. They felt deeply saddened and mournful, and their desire for strength grew even stronger.

Tap, tap, tap!

Slow footsteps sounded as a burly bald man approached and looked at Qin Yue.

"Little girl, my name is Iron Tiger. I'm the captain of the Enforcement Team. What kind of summoned beast do you have? Can you let me see it?" Iron Tiger asked.

"Huh? Why?" Qin Yue became wary, afraid that someone might hurt her summoned beast.

"It's nothing. I'm just a little curious. Forget it, we can talk about it another time."

After thinking for a moment, Iron Tiger did not press the matter further. Instead, he exchanged a few words with Blackie, then turned and left with the others.

They also took away the crow, the two Gale Wolves, and the twin brothers.

However.

As they left the villa and stepped outside.

Iron Tiger frowned and looked back at the villa again.

"Captain, what is it? Is there something else?" the vice captain came over and asked.

"Yes, something isn't right. When we pass the Bounty Guild later, come inside with me and pull up the records on Qin Yue's summoned beast," Iron Tiger said.

"Huh?"

The vice captain looked bewildered and did not understand why, but their captain had experienced many things and would not do anything meaningless. He immediately nodded.

Soon.

They arrived at the entrance of the Bounty Guild. After showing their identification, they began reviewing Qin Yue's records and those of her summoned beast.

"Captain, this cat is incredible. Healing, flight, fireballs... it's actually a special summoned beast," the vice captain said in surprise.

"It is indeed impressive, but something is still wrong. The information here is incomplete." Iron Tiger continued to frown. These records did not match what he knew.

"Huh? Incomplete? Could this summoned beast have other abilities? That can't be possible, right? It already knows more than enough."

The vice captain shook his head. A special summoned beast with several skills was already extremely formidable. If it had even more abilities, that would be terrifying.

"Do you know? The instant I entered the villa earlier, my Lightning Snake sensed a mysterious aura.

That aura actually made my Lightning Snake feel like prostrating itself. It is a Black Iron peak summoned beast and can advance to Bronze rank at any time."

Iron Tiger spoke solemnly, his expression extremely serious.