Elsewhere, in a hidden vantage point along the riverbanks northwest of the city, a different group of scouts was observing similar movements.
Unlike the Azure Gale Sect disciples, these scouts belonged to the Crimson Vale Sect, and their leader was none other than Zhou Rui.
He crouched beside a moss-covered rock, his eyes narrowing with seriousness as she watched a separate column of Poison Demon Cultists marching through the shallows of the river, accompanied by amphibious demonic beasts that just by sinking into the water was starting to corrode it.
"What are they trying to do?" He murmured.
The cult's forces were using multiple routes. Through the forest, the river, and likely other hidden paths, closing into the Fanling City.
It's like they had this specific purpose behind their advance.
Zhou Rui glanced behind him, ordering his junior to report what they were.
"Spicy Noodles reporting in. The Poison Demon Cult is advancing in multiple directions. They're surrounding Fanling City."
A voice responded almost immediately. It was Elder Chu.
"Good. Maintain your position and do not engage. Slowly back away and join up with the Potato Chips squad, they're en route to your position."
Zhou Rui's junior exhaled, nodding to her Senior Brother and fellow scouts.
"Looks like we'll be getting some action soon. Go and drink some soda and refresh your heads. Prepare the offensive and defensive talismans. Once we regroup with the Potato Chips led by Junior Sister Su, we'll cut these cultists off." Zhou Rui ordered as he pulled out a cold can of Frosty Lotus Brew.
An outpost west of the city, stationed within the observation tower, a group of Fanling City's guards had also begun noticing the abnormal activity coming from the forest.
Captain Zhao, the same stern-faced guard who had dealt with Lin Mo the day before, peered through a scouting scope. His face darkened as he saw multiple encampments of cultists forming at the edges of the forest while commanding demonic beasts as their vanguard.
He lowered the telescope, turning to his second-in-command.
"Send word to the City Lord," He ordered. "Today might be the day we have to defend against the cultists from the other side of the forest."
The city guard nodded and hurriedly went to get the communications officer holding the communication artifact.
The other city guards maintaining the outpost paused and they immediately stood in attention, waiting for Captain Zhao to give his command.
The Poison Demon Cult was coming.
Meanwhile, while this was happening, Liu Xiaoyu happened to be exiting through the western gate to reach Xiao Ya's house located outside the walls.
With her peculiar clothing of convenience store uniform; a collared shirt with green and white stripes, multiple eyes followed her.
She was skipping steps while humming a jovial tune as she thought of her future junior in the store. However, when she was about to exit, a City Guard stopped her.
"Miss, step aside, use that small passage on the corner. We received orders to close the gate. Abnormal activity has been detected near the Abyssal Forest. It could be dangerous outside."
"Dangerous? Then what about those living on the outskirts outside the walls? Are you not going to evacuate them?"
The guard hesitated at Liu Xiaoyu's question, his grip tightening on his spear. But another city guard whispered to his ear, most likely informing him of her identity which immediately made him loosen his grip.
"The City Lord is aware. But we can't afford to cause a panic just yet. If we start evacuating people now, it might tip off the cultists that we're aware of their movements. That could force them to attack prematurely."
Liu Xiaoyu frowned. With her pointer finger poking her cheek, she made quite an adorable expression before nodding, "Un. That makes sense, but you're still leaving people outside defenseless."
The city guards just tilted their heads at her though. With her current attire, she was earning more weird looks than admiring ones.
"Rest assured, we've already sent scouts and messengers to warn the larger settlements. As for the smaller homesteads… well, that's why we're fortifying the walls," The guard explained.
Liu Xiaoyu's frown deepened.
Then she thought of Xiao Ya.
Her home was just outside the western gate, near the forest's edge. If the cultists attacked, her family would be caught in the crossfire. The girl might've awakened her bloodline physique but at the moment, she's still a mortal.
Seeing her dashing to the passage, the guard reminded her, "Miss, I understand your concern but you should be careful out there."
Liu Xiaoyu flashed her signature grin, "Oh, don't worry about me! I'm faster than I look."
Then, before the guard could react, she disappeared from their sight with a burst of movement, using her innate agility.
"You said that's the assistant of the Shopkeeper, what is she going out of the city for?"
"No idea. But she's stronger than Captain Zhao, that's for sure. She can take care of herself. Anyway, have you visited that shop yet? They said it was enlightening!"
"At this juncture? Forget it. I'll make my trip later."
Xiao Ya woke up this morning with her whole body feeling like it was as heavy as a log that she once helped her father carry. Remembering what happened to her last night, she forced herself to sit up as a piece of wet cloth slipped from her forehead.
Her mother, who had been sitting beside her bed, immediately stirred. "Xiao Ya! You're awake!"
Xiao Ya blinked, her golden-hued pupils still faintly glowing as she looked around.
The small wooden house, the familiar scent of herbal remedies, the worried faces of her family… It all felt so normal, yet she knew deep inside that something within her had irreversibly changed.
"I... I'm fine, Mother," She murmured, though her body still ached from the overwhelming surge of spiritual energy last night.
Her father, who had been sharpening a sickle in the corner, put his tools down and moved closer.
"You scared us, child. One moment you were celebrating, the next, you collapsed and started glowing."
Her younger siblings peeked from behind their mother, their wide eyes filled with a mixture of awe and worry.
"Big Sis is a cultivator now?" Her youngest brother whispered in awe.
Xiao Ya let out a small, tired chuckle. "I... don't think so. I still don't know how to cultivate. Oh, right! What about our gold? Did you eat what I bought for you?"
Her mother brushed her damp hair back, concern filling her voice. "Calm down. We've eaten it and saved some for you. So, your father and I think. Your bloodline physique had awakened. Do you know why?"
Xiao Ya hesitated before shaking her head. "I don't know… but I think it has something to do with the store."
"The store? The one who bought your mushrooms and gave you store credits?" Her father frowned.
She nodded. "Un. The Divine Convenience Store. It's becoming famous in the city. When I gave the mushroom, something warm filled my body. Also… They dealt with scary-looking spies from the Poison Demon Cult easily!"
Her father exchanged glances with her mother, uncertainty written all over his face. "Then we should seek guidance from someone who understands these things. With the gold you brought home, we could move and buy a small house in the city. The rest… we'd have you decide what to do with it. For now, take proper rest. We'll move once you're fine."
Xiao Ya bit her lip as she nodded.
Whatever had awakened inside her was something beyond their family's simple knowledge of herbal remedies and trade. But who could she turn to?
Just as she was about to say something, a sudden gust of wind burst through the slightly open window, landing outside their small house.
A familiar voice rang out. "Is this where she lives? Hey, Mushroom Girl! Are you alive?!"
The entire family jumped as they saw the newcomer outside their opened door wearing peculiar clothing of green and white.
"Eh? Miss Assistant?!" Xiao Ya exclaimed in shock. "W-what are you here for? A-are you… going to take back what I bought from you?!"
"Huh?!" Liu Xiaoyu crossed her arms and pouted with her cheeks puffing up adorably, looking comically offended. "What kind of store do you think we are?! The Divine Convenience Store doesn't do take-backs! A sale is a sale!"