0p0 Chapter 317 New Partners
Chapter 317 New Partners
Although soaking in the bath was very comfortable, Ning Xiaoxi didn't linger too long. Fifteen minutes later, she came out of the bathroom, changed into a dry cotton long-sleeved shirt and trousers, and sat down at the table.
Hongyue came in carrying a food box and placed a small bowl of meat porridge in front of Ning Xiaoxi. "Miss, it's getting late. Have something simple to eat and don't get indigestion."
Actually, Ning Xiaoxi wasn't that hungry, but there was still someone squatting in the yard, and she had to get rid of them. "Hongyue, go and rest. I'll eat and then go to sleep. I'll clean up tomorrow morning."
Knowing Ning Xiaoxi's decisive nature, Hongyue nodded gently and replied, "Yes, Miss."
As the red moon departed, the courtyard quickly quieted down, the night temperature dropped, and snowflakes began to fall slowly from the sky again.
"Come in!"
It was completely silent outside.
“Since you don’t want to show yourself, go back and tell your master. I won’t run away, nor will I joke about my family’s lives. I’m very uncomfortable with you guarding the door like this. It wouldn’t be good if you did something that no one wants to see.”
The wind rustled, and the sound of falling snow was very soft.
Ning Xiaoxi finished the porridge in her small bowl, rinsed her mouth with tea, and then lay down on the warm bed. She remembered this courtyard; it was similar to her own family's courtyard, almost identical in size and decoration. It had been specially built by her maternal grandfather to resemble her own courtyard, demonstrating how much her maternal family valued her.
[Tuanzi, if you keep pretending to be dead, don't ever show your face again.]
【Xiao Xi, I only discovered that this city is surrounded by a great formation before we entered it. Any slight disturbance of spiritual energy within the formation will attract the attention of the guardian celestial masters. If we want to stay safe in the royal city, we cannot make any unusual movements.】
Ning Xiaoxi recalled the concealment spell that Xia Zhiyin had cast in the room earlier. Although she could feel the pressure after entering the city, she only thought it was because there was a royal town guardian celestial master. She never expected it to be a large array protecting the entire city. This was too much for even the royal family.
That's why I made some minor system tweaks.
Oh, will that help us with our subsequent work?
Of course, at least I can openly talk to you without worrying about being discovered. Besides, I can detect any spiritual energy fluctuations within the royal city's boundaries.
[Are you synchronized with that grand formation?]
Synchronization is just the basic level; I upgraded to a higher level, one that originates from the same source as the grand formation.
Ning Xiaoxi rolled over, looking at the dark night outside the window. Tuanzi's changes mirrored her movements; as she leveled up by defeating monsters, Tuanzi would rise accordingly, providing her with better assistance. Sigh, this path, though fraught with difficulties, had finally brought her to this point. While the royal family's methods were becoming increasingly ruthless, they unexpectedly aligned with her goals. Since both were focused on slaying demons, there was no need to oppose the royal family. If she could cooperate with Tianxian, wouldn't she have a stronger foundation to confront Tianji, Tianwei, and Houqing?
[Tuanzi, do you think Tianji, Tianwei, and Houqing combined could rival Tianxian?]
The little dumpling was so surprised that it showed itself, staring at Ning Xiaoxi with its tiny black eyes, almost shouting, "Xiaoxi, you've finally found the right path!"
Ning Xiaoxi was stunned for a moment, then suddenly sat up, clutching Tuanzi in both hands, staring intently at it. "Tuanzi, what did you say?"
The chubby little dumpling's body trembled with laughter. [This repair triggered a hidden clue: Tianxian is the destined one to establish himself in this world. Only by cooperating with him can you successfully complete your mission.]
Ning Xiaoxi sat upright, releasing Tuanzi, but her eyes never left it. [I thought this was my task, but it turns out there's an ally?]
[This isn't about assistance; both you and he have your own destinies. At this stage, we're in a cooperative relationship, with no clear hierarchy.]
Ning Xiaoxi narrowed her eyes slightly. Wow, this was practically arranging a powerful backer for her! Was it because they saw how difficult it was for her to complete the mission? 【That's great!】 Her tone was excited and joyful. 【Tuanzi, then I can cling to your coattails!】 Then she thought for a moment, 【But, our previous encounter wasn't harmonious. Will he be willing to change his mind and cooperate with me?】
Regardless of his previous thoughts, once I've fixed things, your cooperation will proceed smoothly. Even if he had some reservations about you before, he'll work with you happily from now on.
[Haha, great! So this is a perk.] Ning Xiaoxi lay back down, the warmth beneath her making her feel cozy all over. [Now I can finally get a good night's sleep.]
【Mmm, sleep soundly!】 Tuanzi rested her chubby cheeks on her hand, lying on the pillow, watching Ning Xiaoxi's breathing gradually become longer, and smiled foolishly.
The morning sunlight streamed into the room through the window lattice.
When Ning Xiaoxi opened her eyes, she was greeted by a warm and cozy atmosphere. The heat beneath her body was still intense, the charcoal stove inside was radiating heat, and the sunlight outside was bright and dazzling.
"Miss, you're awake." Hongyue knelt by the bedside and gently said to Ning Xiaoxi, who was still sleepy.
Ning Xiaoxi turned her head, then rolled onto her side, keeping her eyes closed. "Hongyue, what time is it?"
“Miss, it’s almost noon. The old master said that you have had a long journey and don’t need to get up early today. You can sleep until you don’t want to sleep anymore.” Hongyue reached out and stretched the soft quilt to cover Ning Xiaoxi’s back. “If you are not awake or do not want to get up, you can sleep a little longer. The old lady and the master also said that they want to make sure you get enough rest.”
Ning Xiaoxi didn't move, and softly said "Mmm!"
"Squeak!"
"Wow!"
"what!"
"boom!"
Suddenly, a series of eerie sounds came from inside. Ning Xiaoxi opened her eyes abruptly, startling Hongyue, who hadn't even had time to stand up.
Ning Xiaoxi sat up and looked calmly at Hongyue. "I'm getting up now. We'll eat here. Go and bring the food over."
Hongyue was taken aback by Ning Xiaoxi's sudden outburst. She only realized what was happening after hearing Ning Xiaoxi's words and quickly got up to go out and get the food box.
Seeing that Hongyue had left, Ning Xiaoxi's expression darkened. "Tuanzi, what happened?"
[It's the grand formation periodically eliminating the demons it senses.]
Ning Xiaoxi frowned. [What do you mean?]
The Royal City's Great Array is cleared twice daily, at noon and midnight, during which all previously discovered demons are eliminated.
But the voice I heard suggested it belonged to a newly awakened demon, or perhaps not even a demon at all!
[Formations are inanimate objects, completely devoid of human sentiment. That's why the king relies so heavily on them; he firmly believes that the formation will not show mercy and will resolutely carry out its orders to slay demons.]