Chapter 225: Troubles Ahead

Chapter 225: Troubles Ahead

The Sect Master left. Lan Taijian followed after him, and in the distance, beams of light shot up with them as the Peak Lords gathered.

The second the Lan father and son left, Hui stood from behind the other disciples, shedding the scholar skin as he stood and replacing it with a snakeskin replica of himself wearing Starbound Sect robes. The other cultivators murmured amongst themselves. Rather than a righteous anger or a fury, a quiet uncertainty hovered over the disciples. A few murmured amongst themselves, but no one spoke loudly. No one knew what to say.

Li Xiang stared after Lan Taijian for a long moment, then stepped off the practice field. The disciples instantly cleared a path for her. She strode off over the peak, her eyes distant. No one dared to follow her, not even her most devoted fans.

Hui looked after her, then turned and walked off. I think I know where shes heading. Ill meet her there.

The sun burned hot overhead when Hui stepped out of the forest into the little outcropping that overlooked the world below, the same one Li Xiang had shown him years ago, when hed only just met her. She stood at the edge of the cliff, looking out at the mountains around them, the lesser peaks that built to the five primary peaks. She glanced at him as he stepped into the clearing and nodded, just once.

He stepped up beside her. Li Xiang

Are you going to stay? she asked quietly.

Hui looked at her. He nodded.

Why?

Hui shrugged. I wont tell her its because of her. She wouldnt accept that.

She turned back to the view. It doesnt seem like you.

Elder Sister, Ive only ever belonged to Starbound Sect. How could I

Didnt you run off and join a demonic sect not long ago? Li Xiang pointed out.

Hui fell silent. It was stupid to try to bluff Li Xiang, anyways. He shook his head. I guess I did.

Right. As long as Im here, Ill stop by the sects administrative sector and see if they have a way to send messages long distances in this world. If Bai Xues father, Bai Luoren, already knows a formula for permeable barriers, thatll save me some time. He headed back up Starbound Peak, toward the administrative city. It stood the way it always had, no different than it had been when he was smaller. Hui hesitated, then chose one of the buildings at random. Theyll probably point me somewhere else, anyways.

There was a nervous energy to the clerk that hadnt been there before. He gave Hui a look, distracted. Hui cleared his throat and leaned in. Er, is there a way to send long-range messages?

Get in line, the clerk said.

Huh? Hui asked.

The clerk nodded behind Hui. He turned. A line stretched across the back of the building, curling around in that corner. Theyre all in line to send messages to other sects, same as you. Everyone wants out. Whore you going for? Azure Fang, with that spirit beast of yours?

I, er huh? Hui said. That many people are leaving, already? So little faith in Starbound Sect well, I suppose its better not to have people who will abandon the sect this easily in the battle to come.

No need to hide it. Theres no shame in getting out of a bad situation. Its not like Starbound Sect is only made up of warriors and sword cultivators. Pill cultivators and plant cultivators have their own place, you know? the clerk said, shrugging.

Hui nodded, then paused. Come to think of it what kind of cultivator am I? Certainly not sword or pill. Not plant either, nor beast. Er death-faking cultivator? Survival cultivator? Is there such a thing?

He cleared his throat. Actually, I was thinking of sending a message to the Bai Clan

The clerk whistled, looking Hui up and down. Dang, I guess you do have a chance. Hey, if you get in, put in a good word with one of the girls for me, hmm? Or hey you think you might be able to get a few seconds with Bai Xue? Imagine that, standing in the presence of the number-one beauty of the gorgeous Bai Clan

Hui frowned at the clerk, then shook his head and pushed off the desk. Have a chance? Get a few seconds? This poor cultivator is begging to have less of a chance, dammit! Bai Xue wont stop harassing me! If you knew what it was really like to have that beautys hands on you, you wouldnt think the same!

A memory of softness and lips replayed in his mind, and a faint blush passed over Huis cheeks. Er, well, I guess it isnt all bad

He coughed, pulling himself back to the present. Thank you. Ill come back later.

The clerk nodded. Dont worry. Once the rush is done, there will still be jades for you.

Ill go check with Master. Master seemed close with the Bai Clan or at least, he has some kind of relationship with them. He might be able to send a message. Nodding one last time to the clerk, he set off for his own peak.