n

n

n

"What did you fi-

"

nAs the Four Claws joined her, they too saw the little girl on the stone bed and were stopped in their tracks. She Xing suddenly pointed her finger at the girl.

n

"That's... that's a human girl...

"

nHer voice faltered at this sight while the others were just stunned.

nIt's been one surprise after another for them and this was quite possibly the biggest surprise. It was enough to have chanced upon Ming Yue, but for them to happen upon this?

nIt was shocking on a different level.

n

"Yes, it's a... human but how? How did is this possible? Did someone put her here? Locked underneath it all?

"

nQiang Rong stepped forward and moved to touch the stone bed but he restrained himself.

n

"Perhaps, they were put here long ago, before the calamity even

", he said.

nThe Four Claws shared a look with one another before taking a step back.

n

"Should we awaken her?

" they silently thought.

nIt was a tough decision. This girl could hold knowledge or secrets that would help them immensely. Or, she could end up being a danger to everyone. There was a reason she was locked down here and up asleep.

nDetermining whether it was good or bad was another ordeal.

nMing Yue studied the little girl.

nNo older than five or six, she was dressed in a set of elegant robes but wore no shoes. They were pure white with golden embroidery that created images of little sparrows flying across her skirt. Her skin was clear and without blemishes, soft and smooth. Her childish face was composed of large eyes and a button nose.

nBut most peculiar was her hair.

nIt was long, reaching down to her ankles and they were of a shade of black. Unlike ordinary black hair, the girl's hair was darker than the night and even sparkled as if there were stars in her hair.

nShe laid on the bed, peacefully asleep, untouched, and unbothered.

nMing Yue walked closer, standing right before the stone bed. Her hand raised up, moving closer towards the little girl.

nAnd without warning, the girl's eyes suddenly opened, flicking towards Ming Yue.

nShe sat up with a fearful look, backing into the wall as her eyes trembled at the cultivator. Strangely enough, no voice came out of her mouth but it was all too apparent as to how scared she was.

nMing Yue backed off, not wanting to scare her, and revealed a gentle face.

n

"It's okay, I'm not here to hurt you

", she said, trying her best to calm the little girl.

nDespite her attempts, the little girl did not seem to budge. warily looking at the cultivator.

n

"Hah, this isn't going to work

", she muttered.

nLooking down at the ground, Ming Yue saw the Mistral Fox curling up around her leg and an idea popped into her head. She bent down and grabbed Hei Yue, lifting him up and placing him onto the stone bed, right in front of the little girl.

nNow knowing what was going on, Hei Yue looked around before spotting the girl. The fox then glanced at Ming Yue and then slowly approached the girl.

nGiving a quick sniff, he moved very close before nuzzling against her shoulder.

nThe girl's eyes widened as she looked at the fox and back at Ming Yue who showed a gentle smile.

n

"I'm not here to hurt you, okay?

" she said.

nSeemingly understanding her words, the young girl placed a hand on Hei Yue's soft fur before crawling forward and getting off of the stone bed. She looked at Ming Yue, feeling more secure. But that was before she saw the Four Claws, all of whom had their eyes glued onto her.

nThe next moment, she immediately hid behind the young cultivator, clutching the hem of her robes. However, the girl peeked out just a bit, looking at them both fearfully but curiously as well.

n

"Do you... know who this girl is?

" Niu Hong asked.

n

"I don't know who this girl is but I'm not going to just ignore her and abandon her

", she replied to him.

nQiang Rong pointed at the girl with his eyes glowing at their brightest. So much so that one could see golden flames within them.

n

"She's a strange one. I can see something within her but... it's strange. I'm not sure what it is.

", he muttered.

nMing Yue looked down at the girl, trying to peer into her body. However, she saw nothing, rather she couldn't see a thing. It was as of something was blocking her senses and so she stopped trying.

n

"In any case, there doesn't seem to be anything else here

", Qiang Rong said.

nHe stretched out before looking at the broken door, already moving back to the stairs.

n

"You're right, we should be finished here. Let's get out and return.

"

nAs Niu Hong spoke, they turned to join their comrade, walking over what remained of the door. It was only Ming Yue, her pets, and the little girl that was left in the small dark room.

nShe looked down at the girl, who eyed the door with a bit of fear. Her little hands clung tighter to Ming Yue's dress but the cultivator held her hand out for the girl to hold.

nShe kept her eyes on the small child, gesturing her to hold hands.

nThe girl looked at the hand before looking up at Ming Yue.

nShe hesitated but grasped the hand, holding it tightly. Hei Yue and Xiao Yin looked at the girl curiously before moving forward, leaving the small room.

nMing Yue then followed, matching her pace with the little girl so as to not pull her along. As they walked forward, the pair left the room which began to tremble and crack. Suddenly the dim light turned bright as the walls began to shudder and separate.

n

"What? What is this?

"

nThe Four Claws took out their weapons but quickly upped their speed, sprinting up the stairs. Ming Yue noticed as well and quickly grabbed the girl, carrying her in both arms as she ran up.

n

"Is this place crumbling?

" she thought to herself.

nIt certainly seemed that way but what happened was far more alarming.

n

"Something's coming out!

"

nXue Yue's voice shouted as Blood Moon howled in the air.

nIndeed as the sword spirit warned, the trembling walls cracked open, revealing hundreds of glowing green eyes before stone hands emerged from the cracks.

nAs Ming Yue ran up, she noticed their eyes all focused on the little girl and she held tightly to her.

n

"Puppets? Golems?!

" she thought.

nAs she practically flew up the stairs, the cracks grew bigger and bigger as the hands reached out to grab Ming Yue in any way possible. There were dozens, hundreds even and she took out swung her sword out, cutting through them like nothing. While doing so, she glanced at the interior of the arm finding strange carvings within them.

nRunning up, they reached the next floor which also trembled and cracked, showing even larger golems, ones that towered over this fleeing group.

n

"Go, go, go!

"

nNiu Hong roared out as he charged up, grabbing She Xing and Qiang Rong, moving even quicker. Yu Tu was the most agile and ahead of them all whilst Ming Yue trailed behind. However, her armor quickly shifted to its second form. She looked at the little girl, comforting her.

n

"Hold on tight!

"

nThe girl looked at her before securing her grip.

nThe next moment, Ming Yue shot through the stairs, speeding past everyone else and reaching the outside in a matter of seconds. Seconds later, everyone else came out and spun to look at the ruins.

nIt cracked and crumbled before suddenly shifting and moving. There were loud cranks as gears turned and the stone moved.

nBut there was no doubt, this long-abandoned fortress was transforming!

n