# 372
**Chapter 372: The Hunted Queen Ant**
“Queen ant?!” Cao Yuan exclaimed upon seeing the massive ant.
An Qingyu narrowed his eyes. “Looks like those paper figures are the guardians of this Fengdu. After the giant ant was chased into the city by Qiye, it exposed itself and drew their attention.”
“In that case, could Qiye be nearby too?” Baili Pangpang glanced around.
“Haven’t seen him yet,” An Qingyu said thoughtfully. “But with a commotion like this—paper figures hunting a queen ant—if he’s anywhere close, he’ll definitely notice and head this way.”
“So if we quietly follow the queen ant, we might find Qiye?”
“Better than running around like headless chickens,” An Qingyu nodded. “But keep your distance from both the ant and the paper figures, or we’ll be the ones in trouble.”
The four nodded. Once the paper swarm and the queen ant had vanished above the floating palace, they set off along the winding path toward it.
At the path’s end, a series of massive stone slabs hovered in midair, forming a staircase from the ground to the crimson palace in the sky.
Baili Pangpang and the others stepped onto the first slab. Somehow, it bore their weight without the slightest wobble. Eyes fixed on the palace above, they sprinted upward.
Last in line, Li Deyang also set foot on the first slab.
**Hum—!**
The moment his sole touched it, the slab visibly trembled.
He froze in place.
…
“Jialan…” Lin Qiye murmured, feeling the character in his palm.
Jialan looked up into his eyes. Hearing her name, she smiled and nodded.
**Thud—!**
A muffled crash echoed from outside the hall, as if a fierce battle raged. Lin Qiye jerked his gaze toward the doors, expression darkening.
“Are you human?” he asked Jialan seriously.
She hesitated, then nodded again.
“Good.” Lin Qiye glanced outside. “I’m getting you out.”
He seized her wrist and hurried between the bronze armored statues toward the exit. After only a few steps Jialan stumbled, nearly falling.
Lin Qiye turned, realizing.
“Sorry—you’ve been in that coffin so long you’ve forgotten how to walk.” He unslung the twin blades from his back, crouched with his back to her. “Climb on. I’ll carry you.”
Jialan blushed slightly, then without fuss wrapped her arms around his neck.
Her soft breathing brushed his ear; through the thin black shirt he felt her warmth. The corner of his mouth lifted. One thought remained:
Yep—definitely alive.
He scooped up his blades—only to feel Jialan tap his shoulder. She pointed to a wooden rack in the corner where a pale hardwood bow and a bamboo-quiver hung.
“Yours?” he asked.
She nodded.
Lin Qiye strode over, took bow and quiver, and handed them to her. Jialan caressed the bow a moment, then slung it across her back.
He sprinted out. Li Yifei and A Zhu, bored guards at the door, gaped at the woman on his back.
“Qiye… where’d you pick her up?” Li Yifei stammered. “One went in, two came out?”
“No time—back to the asylum first.” Lin Qiye’s tone was urgent.
Li Yifei nodded. “See you there.”
Twin bursts of sorcery flared; the two vanished. The unsupported doors swung shut. Lin Qiye reappeared outside.
He glanced back. Between the six celestial palaces, figures were racing up hovering slabs toward the huge vermilion palace. They were almost inside.
Without hesitation he sped after them.
Reaching the slabs, he found Li Deyang standing motionless on the first.
“Uncle Li, why the daze?”
“Ah—nothing.” Li Deyang pointed upward. “The other three are inside, queen ant too. Go help them.”
Lin Qiye nodded, then paused. “You’re not coming?”
“I am.” Li Deyang stared at the slab beneath him. “Just… need a moment.”
Lin Qiye clapped his shoulder. “Your realm’s too low; reaching this far is already impressive. Leave the rest to us—don’t risk it.”
Li Deyang’s mouth twitched. “Beat it, kid!”
His gaze fell on the girl; he blinked in surprise. “She’s…?”
“Rescued from a palace. Details later—I’m going up.” Lin Qiye shot skyward like a dark comet and vanished.
Li Deyang watched them go, sighing.
He stepped onto the second slab.
**Hum—!**
A stronger tremor than before rippled through the stone.
…
Baili Pangpang, chasing queen ant and paper figures, reached the final slab before the vermilion imperial palace.
Atop its roof the white giant ant scurried up a crimson pillar. Paper figures drifted above like a white cloud, yet none dared enter the palace grounds.
The queen ant, clinging to the highest wall, silently roared at the paper sky.