Although Feng Yi had doubts, seeing the Puppet Sword Ghoul stand up like a puppet on strings, she chose to set aside her confusion for the moment and deal with the current opponent first.
The Puppet Sword Ghoul's joints were damaged from crossing the sea, and its battles with the Hilichurls to protect the humans on the Golden Apple Archipelago further exacerbated its wear and tear, ultimately leading to its paralysis.
Later, Alice repaired it and added five strings (presumably connected to gears) to enable the Ghoul to continue "dancing."
At this moment, the Puppet Sword Ghoul leaned to its left, lifting its right leg, a signal Feng Yi recognized as the Puppet Sword Ghoul entering combat stance.
The Puppet Sword Ghoul stepped forward, its body slightly crouched, its long sword sheathed, adopting an Inazuman iaijutsu posture.
Not only Feng Yi, who was engaged in combat, but even Jean and the others watching from the side could feel the terrifying power of the Puppet Sword Ghoul's move. The force was concentrated and solidified.
Under the charged power, the elemental energy in the surrounding air was agitated and scattered with the airflow.
Jean and the others stared intently, confirming it was not an illusion as the Puppet Sword Ghoul's scabbard began to emit a faint greenish fluorescence.
While the Puppet Sword Ghoul was charging its attack, Feng Yi slowly approached, observing the Ghoul's subtle drawing motion to deduce the trajectory of its slash.
The distance between them grew shorter.
Five meters.
Four meters.
Three meters.
As if sensing something, the Puppet Sword Ghoul abruptly drew its not-yet-fully-charged long sword and swung it in Feng Yi's direction.
Where the sword had not yet reached, a crescent-shaped sword energy, two meters high, shot out from the scabbard at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye, slashing towards Feng Yi, who was advancing.
*Swish~*
Feng Yi's figure flickered, and with effortless grace, she dodged the charged strike.
The sword energy grazed Feng Yi's side, easily slicing a large rock behind her in two.
This strike, for anyone else, would have been an arduous task even if they could withstand it, but Feng Yi was no ordinary person.
In the state of the River God's Eye, her dynamic vision was unparalleled, and the sword energy's speed felt like that of a snail.
Missing its target, the Puppet Sword Ghoul adjusted its stance, lifting its right foot slightly, hovering for a moment before returning to its normal combat posture – a brief recovery animation.
Feng Yi wouldn't give the Puppet Sword Ghoul another chance to attack. Her figure flashed, and like a phantom, she closed the distance, the tip of her spear landing on the Puppet Sword Ghoul's chest, where its core was located.
*Screech—*
The spear pierced through.
A cracking sound followed, and the Puppet Sword Ghoul's movements froze.
The next moment, the Puppet Sword Ghoul's body lost its power and slumped down.
Feng Yi withdrew her spear and discovered that the energy powering the Puppet Sword Ghoul was not its core, but an unfamiliar crystal.
*Crack crack crack...*
The crystal weathered into powder and dispersed into the air, with a pure white energy being absorbed by the Puppet Sword Ghoul.
"Your skills are impressive! Please accept this letter..."
Shockingly, the paralyzed Puppet Sword Ghoul suddenly sat upright, and from beneath its terrifying ghoul mask, a human voice spoke. It then produced a letter from its chest.
"Oh my god, a puppet can talk?!"
"Alice's technology is too incredible!"
As Feng Yi took the letter, the Puppet Sword Ghoul slowly turned its body, its eyes beneath the ghoul mask gazing into the distance for a long time.
Sensing its internal energy depleting, the Puppet Sword Ghoul sighed deeply.
"My friend, our final appointment is fulfilled. Though my body may perish, the name of a warrior must not be abandoned... Regrettably, I so wish... to see once more... the fireworks of Nagaharu..."
The light on the Puppet Sword Ghoul's body completely faded, transforming it into a cold, stiff puppet, seated facing the direction of its homeland.
"Feng Yi, are you alright?"
Jean and the others, confirming there was no longer any danger, walked over to Feng Yi.
"Don't worry, I'm fine."
Feng Yi turned and smiled. Despite being an opponent, the demise of the Puppet Sword Ghoul still brought a touch of sadness.
Even as a cold combat puppet, in its final moments of lucidity, its thoughts were still of its homeland.
"Feng Yi, this Puppet Sword Ghoul won't come back to life, will it?"
Barbara asked, subtly hiding behind Feng Yi, a hint of fear in her voice.
"No, it won't move again this time..."
Feng Yi chuckled, reassuring Barbara.
"That's good, that's good. Feng Yi, that puppet just gave you a letter. Quick, see what it says!"
Hearing Feng Yi's assurance, Barbara let out a long sigh and patted her chest.
Once assured of safety, she became very curious about the contents of the letter from the Puppet Sword Ghoul.
"Mhm, quickly, let's see, we're very curious too."
Paimon also leaned in curiously.
"Here, you guys see..."
Feng Yi unfolded the letter and showed it to everyone.
"Mysterious Demon King, mysterious Demon King, sleeps alone on a small island in the southwest; naughty children have kept him waiting too long, darkness has fallen, and stars have climbed the night sky.
"Greedy sprite, greedy sprite, makes the moon run in circles; a three-colored key guarded by a peculiar fish, the secret lies here, do you dare to come?"
"A small island to the southwest? Could the Dodoco Demon King be waiting for Klee on a small island to the southwest?"
Klee looked towards the southwest, convinced this time it was right.
"It's another riddle poem. It seems to be a new hint from the person behind all this. Instead of guessing here, why don't we go and see..."
Jean carefully studied the letter's contents and found no other useful information besides the new direction.
"Mhm, let's go and see together."
Feng Yi nodded. The truth was about to be revealed.
The group boarded a Waverider and sailed to the small island in the southwest, enveloped by a giant blue water bubble.
"Huh, is this a shield? It doesn't seem solid..."
Paimon circled the giant water bubble, marveling at it.
"Such a big shield! Humph, Klee knows you're in there! Hey—I'm coming! Dodoco Demon King, come out and see me!"
Klee placed her hands on her hips and shouted, but received no response.
"Could it be that the Dodoco Demon King isn't inside?"
Paimon was puzzled. They had arrived as agreed, but the Dodoco Demon King hadn't appeared. Was this not the correct way to open the shield?
"No way, he must be in there! The bigger the shield, the naughtier the Dodoco Demon King!"
Klee declared with certainty, the Dodoco Demon King was definitely hidden inside!