Chapter 56: City Gate Completed

Looking at the scene before him, Li Qingxuan couldn't wait to learn the information about the Shadowy Thorns.

【Weird Creature: Shadowy Thorns】

【Type: Flesh Type】

【Constitution: 235】

【Spirit: 109】

【Rank: D Rank】

【Ability: rapid growth, sharp mouthparts, unified】

【Weak point: root】

【Description: loyal plant partner, broke partial growth limits, possesses toughness growth trait, able to grow by consuming creature flesh】

The deep purple veins writhed and swelled eerily under the moonlight, like a living thing greedily sucking nutrients from the soil; the "shasha" scraping sound grew clearer, as if countless fine bone spikes were piercing the hard ice layer, persistently climbing upward, pointing straight at the fortress's foundation.

He held his breath, mobilizing all his Spiritual Power; his perception extended like invisible threads downward—a cold, sticky energy with a strong corrosive meaning seeped from those knotted protrusions, like a winding poisonous snake in the darkness.

This is absolutely not an ordinary plant; the malice and devouring hunger it emits stands in sharpest opposition to the pure, vigorous vitality nurtured by Feifei's Spiritual Power within the fortress, as if a life-and-death battle between light and shadow has quietly begun at the edge of this Ice-Sealed World.

He abruptly withdrew his perception, still sighing in his heart.

The physical structure of this plant before him far exceeds that of other plants; its invasive spiritual fluctuations are unusually active.

Li Qingxuan's gaze locked tightly onto the deep-purple vine tips that kept spreading, trying to entwine with the sprouting branches of other thorn seeds, as if possessing a chilling patience and persistence.

The warm light of the fortress cast a long shadow behind him, while ahead on the land, the true "Shadow" had already awakened.

After inspection, Li Qingxuan installed the Suspension Bridge Gate at the preset location.

The heavy metal gate was set snugly into the city wall.

Li Qingxuan opened the main door; the metal gate, driven by the hydraulic device, emitted a low hum and slowly descended.

Li Qingxuan carefully inspected each connection point, confirming the hinges were secure and the transmission mechanism ran smoothly.

The cold metal surface gleamed with an eerie light under the moonlight, forming a stark contrast with the fortress's rough stone outer wall, becoming the first solid barrier against external threats.

After installing the Suspension Bridge Gate, he did not leave immediately.

A tall, straight figure stood on the cold city wall, like a boulder.

His gaze pierced through the gaps of the newly installed metal fence, sharply scanning the area beneath the city wall where moonlight cut alternating light and dark.

That eerie deep-purple vein, in the short time he spent installing the main door, extended outward a bit more, like the blood vessels of a living thing knotting and pulsing beneath the skin.

The grating "shasha" sound that made one's teeth ache continued without cease actually growing denser, as if countless tiny claws were frantically scraping and digging in the permafrost layer, or like some viscous liquid rushing swiftly through a conduit.

This sound, in the silent night, was infinitely amplified, drilling into the ears, bringing an icy, sticky sensation that tugged at the nerve endings.

Li Qingxuan could clearly sense that the cold, sticky, corrosive energy fluctuation was strengthening at an extremely slow but non-negligible pace, like a giant beast lurking in the deep sea breathing slowly.

These Shadowy Thorns, true to their name, are poisonous spines bred in darkness, shadows that devour light.

The newly installed main door erected a physical barrier, fending off the weird creatures that intruded into the mist; the two complemented each other perfectly.

He finally took a deep look at the purple vines silently writhing in the shadows, confirming they were spreading to both sides, and his heart grew more at ease.

Li Qingxuan withdrew his gaze, turned, and left the city wall, his steps steady as he headed toward the fortress interior.

The bedroom was warm and quiet; Li Feifei's even breathing could be heard.

He walked to the bedside, lifted the blanket and slowly slipped in, cradling Li Feifei in his arms, and fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, Li Qingxuan opened his eyes, saw Li Feifei still asleep beside him, gently rose, got dressed, washed up, and went to make breakfast.

Li Feifei was awakened by a waft of food aroma; she twitched her eyelids slightly, feeling her whole body still soft and weak, with a sore, lazy ache even in her joints.

The aftereffects of yesterday afternoon's fierce battle still lingered, especially in her waist and legs; a slight movement would trigger a fine numbness and soreness, making her involuntarily frown and let out a soft groan.

"Awake?" Li Qingxuan's low, warm voice sounded from the bedside, carrying the particular clarity of morning.

She struggled to open her eyes; in her blurry vision was his outline close at hand.

He was already fully dressed; his dark blue outfit accentuated his broad shoulders and narrow waist, the morning light filtering through the curtain gaps fell on his side profile, outlining his resolute lines, while his gaze, like melted warm sunshine, focused attentively on her.

In his hand he held a tray containing steaming porridge, golden-brown fried egg pancakes, and a small dish of sliced fruit; the fresh fruit fragrance mingled with the food aroma, gently awakening her senses.

"Mm..." Li Feifei replied, her voice still soft and hoarse from just waking up.

She tried to sit up, but the soreness in her waist and abdomen stalled the motion, and she fell back onto the soft pillow, a flush of embarrassment spreading across her face.

Li Qingxuan's eyes grew deeper with smiling, revealing a hint of understanding and a barely perceptible pity.

He placed the tray on the bedside table, bent down, and with practiced strength slipped his arms under her neck and knees, steadily lifting her up.

He gently adjusted the pillow behind her back and carefully tucked in the slipped corner of the blanket.

"Don't push yourself," he said softly, moving the tray carefully to the small table before her, "Eat something first to regain your strength."

Li Feifei sat leaning, the soreness in her body soothed somewhat by her lover's attentive care; she gazed at the thoughtfully prepared breakfast, a warmth rising in her heart.

She picked up the spoon, scooped a spoonful of warm, soft, glutinous porridge into her mouth; the rice aroma was rich, the temperature just right.

The fried egg pancake was crisp outside and tender inside, with just the right savory fragrance.

The fruit was fresh, sweet, and juicy; its gentle energy seemed to seep directly into her weary body.

"Delicious..." she murmured, taking small bites, sighing contentedly as the warmth in her body and the easing of her spirit proceeded in tandem.

Li Qingxuan sat beside the bed, quietly watching her eat without urging her.

His gaze swept over her slightly relaxed brows and eyes from comfort, then scanned the faint red mark still not fully faded on her fair neck, finally settling on her focused side profile as she ate.

That complete trust and reliance made his heart go soft, as if the harsh cold and threats outside the fortress were shut off in another world.

However, this tranquility did not last long.

When Li Feifei finished the last spoonful of porridge and was about to pick up a piece of fruit, an extremely faint yet penetrating "shasha" sound, like a cold snake's tongue, silently slipped into the fortress's tranquility.

This sound differed from the dull scraping from underground heard on the city wall the previous night.

It was clearer, carrying a tingling friction that made the scalp prickle, as if countless fine, barbed vines were climbing, scraping, and probing for cracks along the fortress's solid outer wall.

(PS: Free of charge, for the love of electricity, send a gift; the author will be more motivated, please.)