Chapter 1525 - 1522: New Danger

The first ray of morning sunlight streamed into the room. Ye Qiu and the others were still deeply immersed in sleep, while Fang Wushang had already been busy in the kitchen preparing breakfast.

They intended to take a good break before embarking on the next leg of their journey.

After breakfast, Ye Qiu and his group headed to the city's park.

Suddenly, a clatter of armor echoed as a group of people entered through the entrance below. Ye Qiu and Fang Wushang quickly separated and distanced themselves, taking their seats properly.

Upon seeing the leader of the six-member squad, Ye Qiu's shoulders immediately relaxed. After all, the man was Ye Qiu's longest acquaintance in this Floating Castle—the Blade Master.

"Oh, isn't this Ye Qiu. Long time no see."

The tall man noticed Ye Qiu and walked over with a smile, while Ye Qiu stood up to greet him.

"You're still alive, Kleek."

"Your mouth is still as bad as ever. Surprisingly, you actually have a comp... anion..."

Upon seeing Fang Wushang, who had quickly tidied up, the Blade Master's eyes widened beneath his low-grade patterned headband.

"Ah... that, we should've seen each other during the boss fight before, but let's introduce anyway. This guy is Kleek from the Wind and Fire Clan. Here is Fang Wushang from the Lantian Clan."

Fang Wushang slightly nodded during Ye Qiu's introduction, but Kleek, other than his eyes, remained motionless with his mouth agape.

"Hey, say something. It's kind of impolite otherwise, no?"

Ye Qiu elbowed his abdomen, and Kleek finally managed to close his mouth, then bowed his head exaggeratedly.

"Tha... that..! I'm, I'm, I'm Kleek, twenty-four years old and still single!"

Seeing the Blade Master so anxious that he rambled, Ye Qiu punched his abdomen with more force this time. But before Kleek could finish speaking, the other five members rushed over, all eager to introduce themselves.

Ye Qiu understood their feelings well, but Fang Wushang seemed a bit uneasy...

The Fenglin Clan was a small clan established only in recent years. Kleek alone protected all the clan members and guided them to grow strong enough to handle challenges independently.

Two years ago — when this wave began, a burden made Ye Qiu feel intimidated and refuse to bear it, but he shouldered it alone.

Ye Qiu

Swallowing the deep-seated self-loathing within, I turned to Fang Wushang and said:

"Hmm... While the leader looks like a bad guy, they're all good people."

Kleek retaliated by stomping hard on Ye Qiu's foot. Beside them, Fang Wushang couldn't hold back his laughter and bent over, giggling. Kleek's face, initially twisted shyly, suddenly seemed to regain composure, grabbing Ye Qiu's arm and, suppressing his angry tone, asked:

"Wh-when did this happen, Ye Qiu, you...?"

Fang Wushang walked directly to the overwhelmed Ye Qiu's side, speaking clearly:

"Hello. I'll be with this person for a while, please take care of me."

Hearing Fang Wushang say this, Ye Qiu was startled, but inwardly delighted, while Kleek and the others quickly showed disappointment and anger on their faces.

Soon after, Kleek glared at me with eyes full of killing intent, gritting his teeth and yelling:

"Ye Qiu, you... how could such a pretty girl..."

Thinking it wouldn't be easy to escape, Ye Qiu felt rather helpless, but then...

Footsteps and the sound of metal echoed from the direction those people had just come, indicating another group was approaching. Hearing the unusually well-coordinated sounds, Fang Wushang nervously touched Ye Qiu's wrist and whispered:

"Ye Qiu, it's them!"

Ye Qiu immediately looked towards the entrance, and sure enough, there appeared the heavy-armored troops he had seen in the forest. Kleek raised his hand for his five companions to retreat to the wall. The new group marched in two columns into the room, not nearly as orderly as they had been in the forest.

Their footsteps were slow, imparting a sense of heaviness, with exhausted expressions visible beneath their helmets.

Upon reaching the other end of the safe zone, the troops stopped. The man at the front said "Rest" as the remaining eleven collapsed or sat heavily on the ground. Without even glancing at his comrades, the man walked towards Ye Qiu and his group.

Upon closer inspection, the man's equipment differed from the others, with his metal armor being of superior quality. The chest plate bore a unique badge depicting a panoramic view of Aient City, suggesting his rank was noticeably higher.

The man halted before Ye Qiu and the group, removing his helmet. He was a tall man, around thirty, with a square face, extremely short hair, small sharp eyes below thick brows, and tightly pursed lips.

His gaze briefly swept towards Ye Qiu, and it seemed he didn't recognize him. If he knew Ye Qiu as the one who slew the boss during yesterday's wave, he wouldn't display such a disdainful gaze now.

"I am Lieutenant Colonel Koba from the Revolutionary Army of Aient City."

Revolutionary Army? Although not familiar with the local military's name, the term Revolutionary Army conjured unpleasant thoughts for Ye Qiu.

Despite feeling some aversion, Ye Qiu introduced himself succinctly, "I'm Ye Qiu."

The man lightly nodded, arrogantly continuing:

"Have you been to the forest ahead?"

"Hmm... We've mostly been there! What's up?"

"Huh. I'd like you to guide us there."

Startled by the man's presumptive tone, even Ye Qiu was taken aback. However, behind him, unlike Ye Qiu, Kleek shouted loudly:

"What... asking us to guide you? Do you know how dangerous that forest is? Having the audacity to say such things!"

Upon hearing Kleek's voice, the man immediately raised an eyebrow, lifting his chin and responding loudly:

"We're fighting to protect you ordinary folks!"

Unable to stand it, Ye Qiu said, "We can guide you, but you must tell us why you're heading there!"

"Of course, it's to eliminate the Magical Beast!"

Then added:

"Assisting us is your obligation!"