Master, This Poor Disciple Died Again Today

Chapter 741: Feathers

Hui narrowed his eyes right back at Bai Xue. Im not undressing, Elder Sister.

Couldve fooled me.

He drew his robes apart just enough to bare his neck, then tilted his head. Shiny red feathers glimmered in the firelight. Im currently the Vermillion Bird.

Jun Ke startled. What? The Vermillion Bird? He looked around at Li Xiang, Bai Xue, and Song Wei, all of whom simply nodded. He stared. Is that not startling?

Bai Xue glanced at him. Once you get to know Xiao Hui, very little startles you anymore.

Its true, Li Xiang confirmed flatly.

Song Wei spread his hands. Master is magnificent, the pinnacle of all cultivators. Naturally, he can become something like the lowly Vermillion Bird.

Er, Im not magnificent, not magnificent at all, Hui said awkwardly, quickly closing his robes again.

Jun Ke looked at Hui, then turned back to Bai Xue.

She snorted and waved a hand. Our Xiao Hui has a few eccentricities in the head. You can disregard him.

His mental cultivation is weak? Jun Ke asked.

To the contrary. Its too strong, Bai Xue complained.

No, no, Hui said, shaking his head, but he couldnt bring himself to continue. Its just an outright lie at that point. Theres humble, and then theres disregarding the truth. As a reasonable and balanced human being, I stop at being humble, without outright disregarding reality!

Jun Ke squinted at Hui. Hes someone whos so powerful that its considered natural for him to absorb the strength of a cardinal beast, and he likewise has powerful mental cultivation? Why does he act like a cringing servant boy?

Hui cleared his throat. In any case, I couldnt help but notice that the Golden Immortal has dispersed the four cardinal beasts, save the Azure Dragon. If hes dispersed the beasts, could it be that he fears bringing them back together?

Bai Xue pursed her lips. Jun Ke hummed. Li Xiang yawned, barely covering her mouth in time.

Its worth a try, Song Wei said firmly.

That reaction is there something wrong with my suggestion? Ill have to ask Bai Xue later.

Im not opposed, no, Bai Xue said, putting whatever hesitation shed had aside. In the time we have, though?

We have Jun Ke and his disciples. With that kind of manpower, we can make a decent dent in searching the Immortal Realm. If we fail this round, we can easily pick up and try again next time, Hui reasoned.

Does it supersede finding the Elusive Ghost? Jun Ke asked Bai Xue, ignoring Hui. I dont know how to handle that Xiao Hui figure, so Ill just pretend he isnt there. Thats probably safer than acknowledging him.

Hui glanced at Jun Ke. Excellent. Elder Brother already understands my place. Yes, yes. Go ahead and ignore me!

Bai Xue paused for a second, thinking, then nodded. This loop, lets put our all into finding the cardinal beasts. If we fail, we carry that knowledge forward into the next loop and try again. Im willing to invest at least two loops into this attempt.

Only two loops? Hui frowned. A second later, he shook his head. Bai Xue has only been awake for five loops. Thats almost half again the time shes relived. Its a big investment. Given that we dont know how long time will keep looping, its a significant choice to make.

I can always continue going on my own.

Around Huis neck, Zhubi adjusted uncomfortably. His coils burned into Huis skin, fever-hot.

Hui touched his side comfortingly. Can you hang on, Zhubi?

Zhubi hissed, touching his nose to Huis jaw in reassurance.

And thats the other thing. Zhubi is currently in a dangerous state. I dont know about Li Xiang, but I imagine shes likely similar. I need a solution for both of them. One that isnt merely giving in to the heavens, nor completely rejecting them, either.

If we have the Vermillion Bird and the Azure Dragon, then were only missing the Black Dragon-Turtle and the White Tiger, Jun Ke deduced.

Right. And they dont know about Zhubi. But Im not sure I want them to know. After all, I dont think Zhubi really wants to be the Black Dragon-Turtle. Its more something he was locked into. Whatever he wants to be, Ill support him. But that does mean that if he doesnt want to be the Black Dragon-Turtle, I need to have something lined up. So if they can find an alternative to Zhubi, Ill happily accept it.

Hui cleared his throat. Ill see if I can find the White Tiger.

I go with Hui, Li Xiang stated, crossing her arms firmly.

Myself as well. Then, Song Wei, Jun Ke, well leave the Black Warrior to you, Bai Xue said.

Hui stiffened. He looked at Bai Xue. What was that?

Eh? Do you want to bring them along? I dont mind. More the merr

No, no. That last thing.

Black Warrior?

Hui twisted his lips, sinking into thought. He gently touched Zhubis side, stroking his soft scales. Thats right. Its an alternative reading to the final beasts name. Black Warrior. Doesnt that imply, though, that theres an alternate option to Zhubi? Or maybe, better put, an alternate option for Zhubi.

He shook his head. Thoughts for later. Nodding to Li Xiang and Bai Xue, he turned to go. They fell in beside him, naturally following after his lead.

This way, theres a door to the outside from this chamber, Bai Xue explained, nudging Hui toward the side.

Ah, of course, Hui said, turning his purposeless stride toward the direction she pointed.

To the side, Jun Ke squinted deeper at Hui. What on earth is going on? He acts like a servant, but that Bai Xue falls in behind him? The Bai Xue? There truly are heavens beyond heavens

The door opened to sunlight. Jun Ke flew off, as if he couldnt leave fast enough. As he flew, he lifted his fingers to his mouth and whistled. Other cultivators rushed to his side from across the grounds, some of them shedding their finery to reveal rags beneath. The lot of them gathered together in the sky for a moment, listening to Jun Kes directions, then split apart, flying off in all directions.

So, where do we start? Bai Xue asked, clapping her hands together.

A moment, Elder Sister, Hui murmured. He closed his eyes and reached out to the Vermillion Bird. Its a cardinal beast. Maybe it can sense the other beasts.

A spark of fire appeared in his heart, like phoenix fire, and yet, not. It simmered with a gentle heat. He let out a breath, and almost snuffed it out, but a moment later, it leaped back to life.

Its like a gentler phoenix fire, he thought, watching it from a distance. Maybe a proto-phoenix fire. I dont know if I can use it to fake death or not, but its always a good thing to have variety. Ha, even if they completely snuff my phoenix fire, Ive got a backup flame!

Paying close attention to the heat it let off, he amplified it, sending it out into the world. Almost instantly, a pulse of water responded. Eh? That quickly?

Around Huis neck, Zhubi reared up, startled. He looked around.

Oh. My bad, Elder Brother. I shouldve figured that would happen. Hui pet Zhubi, comforting him.

Still, it confirms that Im on the right track. He resonated with the fires heat again. Heat flew off of him, spreading through the world. Time stretched. He waited, holding his breath.

After a short eternity, something responded. A quiet, metallic ping.

Hui opened his eyes. This way!

Bai Xue mounted her fan, Li Xiang hopped on her sword, and Hui flew off, leading the way.