Qin Gengyun said in a deep voice: "I have already reported this matter to Senior Sister Wei earlier. Initially, it was just a suspicion, but now my conjecture is more confirmed."

Wei Wan looked at him, signaling him to continue, and Qin Gengyun continued:

"This fox previously killed Senior Brother Feng and the other two amid chaos, perhaps as a form of probing, to assess the strength of our group and the difficulty of assassination."

"Actually, its real target was not the Outer Sect disciples, but the core Steward disciples within our team!"

"After killing Senior Brother Feng and the other two, this fox became familiar with our strength and more acquainted with its own assassination methods."

"Thus, tonight it struck again, targeting Senior Brother Chen Yuanqi, and coincidentally, Senior Brother Lin was staying in the same room with Senior Brother Chen, so he was also tragically killed."

"Moreover, during Yunling Town’s downfall, the cunning of the demonic beasts was evident. They first sent two Fifth Grade demonic beasts to lull the guardians into a false sense of security, and today, that Sixth Grade fox launched a sudden fierce attack."

"Additionally, I have never seen such assassination methods in previous records of beast tides."

"Demonic beasts... seem to have evolved."

Qin Gengyun’s analysis left everyone even more terrified, Xu Caihe trembled as she spoke:

"Senior Brother He, do you mean... that not only Yunling Town, but important figures in other places might also be assassinated by demonic beasts?"

Xu Caihe’s father is the City Lord of Zhenlian City, which is currently also under attack by a beast tide, so she is naturally worried about her father’s safety.

Zhou Ling’Er’s face also turned pale, as her father is the head of the largest family in Zhenlian City, and he might also face assassination by a high-grade demonic beast.

Everyone else looked at each other. Beast tides have been recorded in many documents, and even if some people haven’t experienced it, they have read about it in books.

Indeed, as Qin Gengyun mentioned, in the past few centuries of beast tides, high-grade demonic beasts have always led many lower-grade beasts in frontal assaults on human towns, never as cunning as the fox today.

Wei Wan furrowed her willow-like brows and slowly spoke:

"I will report this immediately to Senior Sister, and the sect should send reinforcements. Junior Brother He’s speculation has some merit but might also be coincidental. Tonight, I will stay in the backyard; there’s no need for panic. Increase vigilance and discuss it in the morning."

Her voice was gentle, carrying an intangible soothing power.

The crowd finally calmed down a bit, each responding affirmatively, and after taking care of the bodies of Chen Yuanqi and the others, they returned to their rooms.

Wei Wan then sat alone on the rockery between the east and west sides.

Her figure was gentle and soft, emitting a faint glow in the night, like a gentle light amidst darkness.

Seeing her truly guarding everyone, the emotions of Zhenyang Sect disciples finally settled down, filled with admiration and affection in their eyes.

"Senior Sister Wei is so gentle and gives such a sense of security!"

"Senior Sister Wei is my most admired person!"

"I must cultivate diligently, and in the future, I will also protect Senior Sister Wei!"

"Wei Wan is truly a fairy of this world." In the room where Qin Gengyun and Mo Xiaolan stayed, Mo Xiaolan couldn’t help but softly sigh as she gazed at the figure on the rockery outside the window.

Qin Gengyun looked at the quietly sitting Wei Wan, lost in thought.

Mo Xiaolan turned to ask: "How did your investigation into Junior Sister Ruo turn out?"

Qin Gengyun recounted the process, leaving Mo Xiaolan wide-eyed in surprise:

"You actually encountered Junior Sister Ruo bathing, and you went in?"

Qin Gengyun looked a bit embarrassed, "I didn’t mean anything else, I just thought Ruo Mei too much resembled the lady, wanted to get close and see if she had the lady’s scent."

"..."

Mo Xiaolan was silent for a moment, her cheeks slightly reddened at the thought of the scene:

"If Junior Sister Ruo isn’t Taoist Friend Qiu, do you really intend to marry her?"

Qin Gengyun hurriedly waved his hand: "Of course not! I was just trying to test her."

"But what if Junior Sister Ruo takes it seriously? What will you do?" Mo Xiaolan asked again.

"This..." Qin Gengyun was stumped.

Mo Xiaolan sighed: "Being deeply affectionate towards one person can inevitably hurt others; it’s not your fault."

"Xiaolan..."

Qin Gengyun wanted to speak, but Mo Xiaolan was already sitting cross-legged on the ground:

"I’ll cultivate tonight; you can sleep on the bed."

Qin Gengyun shook his head: "I don’t know if that fox will come again; I’ll guard you."

Saying so, he sat down beside Mo Xiaolan, who turned her head to look at him, her eyes momentarily blurred, but soon cleared:

"Okay, then I’ll trouble Taoist Friend Qin."

Qin Gengyun chuckled: "Between us, no need for such formality."

Mo Xiaolan also smiled: "Indeed."

The west side of the backyard.

Ruo Mei stood by the window, her gaze seemingly passing through the rockery, witnessing the scene in Qin Gengyun’s room.

The female disciple living with her sighed: "No wonder everyone says Senior Sister Wei is unmatched in gentleness; we’re so lucky to be following her."

Ruo Mei looked out the window, not saying a word.

The female disciple, perhaps a bit scared, spoke again: "Actually, I think we should all stay in one place, so with Senior Brother He’s protection, I’ll be at ease."

Ruo Mei turned her head to look at her: "Why should Senior Brother He protect you?"

The female disciple’s eyes shone brightly: "Senior Brother He is so hard, so strong, having him protect me feels very safe!"

Ruo Mei’s eyes were cold, "Tonight, he’s protecting others; he has no time for us."

"Huh?" The female disciple was puzzled: "How do you know, who’s he protecting?"

Ruo Mei looked at the rockery, coldly saying: "His confidante."

...

The thrilling night finally passed, the morning sun rose, dispelling the darkness.

During the day, that fox wouldn’t so easily carry out assassination attempts.

The disciples hadn’t slept all night, but they were all cultivators, so it didn’t affect them much, and they each stepped out of their rooms.

Only to see Wei Wan slowly stand up from the rockery, her figure flashing, already in front of everyone.

"Thank you, Senior Sister Wei!"

"Senior Sister worked hard."

Everyone saluted her, with genuine admiration and gratitude in their hearts.

Yet, shadows remained on everyone’s faces; it was only the first day, and surely Wei Wan couldn’t protect so many people alone every night?

Wei Wan gently said to everyone: "There’s no need to worry. Last night, I already sent a message to Senior Sister, and I’m sure the sect will soon send people to support us."

The disciples breathed a sigh of relief, while Qin Gengyun stared fixedly at Ruo Mei, who, like the female disciple next to her, lightly patted her chest, looking worried.

Seeing his gaze, Ruo Mei blushed, her eyes filling with tears, quite aggrieved.

Unable to detect any flaws, Qin Gengyun had to look away.

Fang Xue stepped forward to Wei Wan: "Senior Sister Wei, I want to send my parents and kids away from Qinhe Garden, to Cyan Luo Lane."

If that fox truly targeted them, Fang Xue’s parents and kids remaining in Qinhe Garden would indeed be dangerous.

Wei Wan nodded: "I’ll escort you."

Qin Gengyun said: "Senior Sister Wei, you’ve been up all night; why not rest? I’ll escort Taoist Friend Fang and them."

Wei Wan looked at him, nodding: "That would be good."