Chapter 271: Probing For Weaknesses
Hui took a deep breath and circulated his qi, expelling the yin qi with his life qi. When his cultivation recovered, he approached the formation again, this time drawing toward a section he hadnt probed before. Carefully, using almost none of his strength, he poked at the formation. When the formation turned red, or yin qi gathered, he immediately retreated and tried again from another angle.
The night drew on. As it became darker, the yin qi grew stronger and stronger. Caught up in probing the formation, Hui barely noticed as his breath began to cloud on the air and his fingertips turned numb from the cold. He pressed on, repressing his shivers as best he could. Come on. Im not expecting to be able to draw out souls or anything, but at least let me through to check on everyones condition!
A ragged shape dropped down from the sky, and a weight settled on Huis shoulder. Trying to break through my formation? Good luck. I designed the spell to grow stronger when the formation is physically damaged. Its a one-time thing and its hard to undo, but its as strong as it ever was. Maybe even stronger.
Hui glanced at the crow on his shoulder. Patriarch! Not precisely. I just want to check on everyone inside. As for breaking it and returning everyone to their bodies thats I dont expect Ill be able to accomplish all that in one night.
Its alright. You can call me Daddy, Chen Wuya replied indulgingly.
Absolutely not, Hui muttered under his breath.
You already did it once.
A dark moment in my history.
Chen Wuya paused. He cocked his head and looked at Hui. The crows red eyes glittered. Thats what you consider a dark moment?
Senior, could you please refrain from teasing me? Im trying save the sect right now, Hui replied.
Hmph. As if that ever stopped me, Chen Wuya replied.
Hui gave him an exasperated look, but quickly repressed it behind a smile. Glorious Patriarch, please understand. I need to finish this before the All-Heavens cultivators pick up on the formation suddenly fluctuating.
Ah, thats what youre worried about? The sixth peak has an obfuscating array on it. Anyone who doesnt carry my qi will have a hard time detecting anything going on inside. Dont worry. They wont detect you for a while yet, Chen Wuya replied, rearranging his feathers idly.
Eh? How convenient. Wait but Ive been able to sense the formation this whole time. Does that mean I have his qi in me? Hui quickly took stock of his body. I thought that crow-duck left
Chen Wuya cawed in amusement. It left. Thats what this body is. Your qi, manifested into a crow, through which I can pass my thoughts. But theres remnant aura on you anyways. Rejoice! This Senior has gone out of his way to accept you. Arent you lucky, being accepted by the Patriarch?
Small cultivator is honored, Hui replied, deadpan.
Ill let them vent their hatred for a bit, then break out.
In the distance, a light appeared. The black souls clawing onto him screamed and fled. The water, too, rushed away, swirling off to some other location. A pair of glowing hands reached out and took Huis hand.
Who?
You arent giving up, are you, Xiao Hui?
Sis Mei? Hui asked, peering up at her. Her face glowed too brightly for Hui to make it out.
Were all waiting for you. Hurry up and let us out. You cant eat my cooking until I have a body again, you know?
Im not giving up. Not even close! You just wait. Ill get you all out of there as soon as I can, Hui replied.
For food? How typical, Hui.
Xixing, is that you? he asked, looking around. A mass of light approached him, more brilliant than the first souls had been dark.
Xiao Hui? Hey, hows our idol doing? You better protect her, okay?
Ha, what happened to protecting us, huh? We all died in the end.
We didnt die. Besides, if the extermination power hit us, we wouldnt even have souls right now! Dont complain!
I dont care if you fight despicably, just get us all out of here!
I guess we cant complain, but hurry up, alright? We want to beat those All-Heavens bastards to a pulp!
Hui looked around. His eyes shone. Everyone You dont hate me?
Sis Meis laughter rang out. How could they? You saved us, Hui. You saved us all. Even the ones who disliked you have to admit, if you werent here, wed all be dead.
Hui laughed. Is this what it took? Just saving everyone in the sect? Ha! Im sure it wont last forever, but while it lasts, its nice!