In a Fantasy World as Cannon Fodder, I Got Entangled with the Heroine - Chapter 47

Chapter 47: Late-Stage Golden Core Puppet

Translation by: Weebsread👹

“What’s happening? Why did the door just close like that?”

“That’s impossible. The senior brothers who explored this secret realm last year all said the entrance never closes on its own. So why did it shut this time?”

“I don’t get it either. Did something go wrong?”

“……”

Everyone stared at the now-sealed gate, faces clouded with confusion and mounting unease.

Everyone except Jiang Qian, who remained calm and composed.

Jiang Qian, unlike the others, knew exactly what was going on—he’d read the story front to back. This ruin wasn’t some abandoned relic; it belonged to a Nascent Soul stage cultivator, whose spirit still lingered within these walls, barely held together.

Now, with his soul about to dissipate, the only way for him to survive was through possession, forcibly taking over someone else’s body.

According to the original plot, the soul’s target was a woman named Chen Xiaoyan.

As long as it isn’t me, let the chaos come—more chances for me to snatch some treasures!

Just as Jiang Qian remembered all the novel’s twists and turns, six archways materialized on either side of the hall—twelve new exits in total!

“Could there be treasure behind those doors? Heh, perfect! Let’s see what’s waiting for me!”

“First come, first served! If you hesitate, you lose!”

“I’ll take the second door on the right—something’s telling me that one’s filled with rare treasures!”

“……”

In a flash, the group split apart, each person bolting for a different exit.

Just then, Duan Yuqing approached. “Junior Sister, come with me. It’s safer if we stick together.”

Jiang Zixuan smiled politely and shook her head, determination in her eyes. “Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother Duan, but I’d rather go with Jiang Qian.”

Jiang Qian! Again with Jiang Qian! Back at the Jiang Clan, you always said you couldn’t stand him—that he bullied you endlessly!

So why are you so eager to stick to him now?

What does Jiang Qian have that I don’t?

Duan Yuqing shot Jiang Qian a resentful glare, then forced a tight smile. “I understand.”

With that, he turned away, frustration etched on his face, and led his group toward the first door on the left.

Jiang Qian, of course, caught the angry look in Duan Yuqing’s eyes and paid it no mind.

Great, now I’m just making myself more of a target for jealousy… Maybe I shouldn’t get too close to her.

At that moment, a young woman approached. She wore flowing white robes, her skin like polished jade, ebony hair cascading down her back save for a single teal ribbon holding it in place. Graceful and calm, she practically radiated quiet dignity.

Jiang Qian gave her a quick once-over. “You must be from the Jade Maiden Pavilion?”

“I am. My name is Situ Yahan. Greetings, Chief Discple Jiang of Azure Mountain Sect.” Situ Yahan offered an elegant, gentle smile.

Standing nearby, Bai Piaoxue suddenly felt a jolt of unease. Before she could stop herself, she hugged Jiang Qian’s arm tight.

Jiang Qian raised an eyebrow, then asked, “Is there something you need, Miss Si Tu?”

Situ Yahan smiled shyly. “I’ve long admired your talents, Young Master Jiang. Your poem ‘Phoenix Hairpin’ was simply unforgettable—I can’t get it out of my mind. After we leave this secret realm, I hope you’ll offer me some guidance.”

Her gaze swept meaningfully over the group, her eyes sparkling. “But—it seems your wife isn’t too happy about that.” With a graceful nod, Situ Yahan turned away and rejoined her team.

Jiang Qian watched her go, then glanced at Bai Piaoxue, who was still clinging to him—her face now bright red. Worried, he asked, “Are you okay? Are you feeling ill?”

Bai Piaoxue shook her head frantically, cheeks burning.

Her embarrassment, of course, all thanks to Situ Yahan’s teasing words.

Jiang Qian shrugged and let it go.

Just then, Jiang Zixuan spoke up, “Jiang Qian, which way should we take?”

“The last door on the right,” Jiang Qian answered coolly, pointing to the farthest exit.

Of the twelve passages, this one was the safest. Not the greatest rewards, perhaps, but reliable nonetheless.

Without hesitation, Jiang Qian led the three girls toward that door.

Soon after entering, they found themselves in a massive stone chamber.

Inside, countless puppets—each radiating late-stage Golden Core pressure—stood waiting, blocking the way forward.

The only route through was by fighting their way past this deadly horde. Only a few moments in, and cultivators already lay scattered—their luck and skill not enough to withstand the assault.

Chen Xiaoxiao’s face drained of color as she took in the carnage. “This is…horrifying…”

Even as she spoke, a puppet lunged at her, its iron fist arcing for her skull.

Jiang Zixuan reacted instantly, weapon flashing up to block the blow.

A beat later, her Spiritual Essence flared, and the puppet burst into flames—reduced to a heap of ash in a blink.

The other puppets, sensing Jiang Zixuan’s formidable strength, seemed to take it as a challenge.

Suddenly, a swarm thundered toward their group, launching a frenzied assault.

Jiang Zixuan and Bai Piaoxue surged to meet the charge, but it was a tide of numbers—within moments, the group found themselves surrounded.

Fortunately, these were the weakest puppets among all twelve exits. In some of the other passages, there were even late Nascent Soul puppets—far more dangerous than these Golden Core machines.

Still, the sheer volume was staggering.

Jiang Qian summoned his two demonic beasts—a Northwind Ice Wolf and a Thunderflame Skywing Eagle. “Clear a path!” he barked.

“Awooo—!”

“Screee—!”

With a howl and a cry, the two beasts hurled themselves into the fray.

Jiang Qian leapt onto the Ice Wolf’s back, Flood Dragon Bone Sword flashing as he slashed through the puppets that leapt at him.

Chen Xiaoxiao, wielding her whip, stayed close behind. With her strength, she only managed to take down a few enemies herself.

Working together, the group carved a bloody trail toward the next exit.

The other cultivators saw the newly-cleared path and lit up with excitement.

“They did it! Let’s rush through before it closes!”

“Hurry, or those treasures will be gone!”

“Go now! Don’t let them grab everything!”

“……”

The crowd surged behind, desperate not to be left out.

Jiang Qian glanced back at the flock of cultivators scrambling after them and shook his head.

The very next moment—

The puppets that had been knocked down suddenly sprang back to life, as though nothing had happened, instantly encircling the charging cultivators behind them.

“What the—? Why are they coming back?!”

“No clue! What’s happening?!”

“……”

Panic swept through the crowd as the puppets reanimated, trapping them in a ring of death.

Of course, unless the puppet cores were destroyed, it would have been strange if they didn’t revive.

Jiang Qian had gone out of his way not to destroy any cores, precisely for this reason.

Why should he let others walk the path he’d fought so hard to clear?

“Let’s keep moving,” Jiang Qian said, heading deeper into the ruins.

The three girls hurried after him.

Soon, the four arrived at yet another chamber.

“Senior Brother, look! There’s a treasure chest over there!” Chen Xiaoxiao called out, curiosity piqued as she took a step forward.

“Wait—!” Jiang Qian started to shout, but it was already too late.

A spell formation blazed to life beneath their feet, locking them firmly in place.