Or perhaps, to whoever was pulling the strings, these Puppets only looked perfect on the surface. In truth, they had irreversible flaws, so losing them would be no cause for regret.
Pei Ling raised an eyebrow and calmly formed a Spell Art with both hands.
That startled Qiao Ranran. It was one thing for Pei Ling to make a sudden move, but forming a Spell Art with both hands showed how seriously he was taking this. If Pei Ling was serious, the enemies before them could not be simple.
Qiao Ranran had already sensed something wrong. Seeing Pei Ling's reaction, she immediately grew alert too, gripping a Silver Needle in one hand while tugging Tao Doudou behind her with the other.
Her ready-for-battle look made Pei Ling laugh. "What are you doing?" She looked ready to charge in and fight at any moment.
Qiao Ranran smiled. "Staying ready."
As they spoke, Pei Ling sent the Spell Art from his hands. Its glowing lines carried it slowly but steadily toward Yan Qingsui.
Yan Qingsui hesitated. Should he dodge? Was Pei Ling's Spell Art aimed at him? Was Pei Ling taking this chance to finish him off?
While those thoughts raced through his mind, the Spell Art landed on him and burst into dazzling light. Yan Qingsui felt as though it might blind him. Afraid he would react too late and be dead by the time his sight returned, he unleashed Sword Qi from every part of his body and resisted with his innate power, guarding against an attack while he was vulnerable.
The light flickered. Yan Qingsui waited what felt like ages, but the attack he imagined never came. Peering out of the corner of his eye, he saw that all four attackers had struck the shield of light surrounding him.