Chapter 304: Projection World

Chapter 304: Projection World

Huis mind surged into the tree. Golden light swirled around him. For a moment, the impression of leaves and trees flew past, and then he hung above, high in the sky. He saw himself sitting under the tree, the other disciples arrayed around him, all struggling to gain enlightenment of his technique. Hui paused for a moment. Maybe I should have let Ying Lin stay here. Gain enlightenment of this inheritance.

No, no. Its an enlightenment that attempts to turn people into trees er, attempts to turn plant people into trees. I have no idea if humans can obtain enlightenment from it, and even if they can what if it turns them into trees?

Eh, come to think of it why dont I let a few of the Fu Clan members in, let them find out?

From his vantage point on high, Hui surveyed the gathered crowd. Ah none of the conspirators are here. Based on Fu Suyins reaction to Mo Gonglu, I dont think the whole Fu Clan is in on the conspiracy. Rather than punishing evil, Id just be tricking some ordinary cultivators into potentially killing themselves. Im not demonic, after all.

Gold light surrounded Hui and drew him away. The scene below faded to nothing, blocked out by the brilliant light. He ascended into a gold world, surrounded by golden light and nothing.

Hmm, okay. Well maybe theres no other connections yet? Like if I put up a router without an internet to connect to

Clone six!

Clone six, yay!

What, theres a sixth one now?

Six clones awake!

Six out of twenty aint bad.

Hui paused, then cleared his throat. Er, should it be seven? First clone is with me.

Five other Huis appeared around him, although none looked exactly the same. In fact, except for the mental familiarity he felt to them, he could have mistaken them for strangers. All of them wore different faces and robes, not a two alike.

I told you we forgot about first clone.

He didnt connect to the net-tree, he doesnt count.

Treework.

Intertree!

The recently dubbed sixth clone cleared his throat again. Theyre all terrible, we know that.

Silence. The clones nodded. Well, thats true.

Sixth clone looked around. Update me. Whats everyone doing?

One clone raised his hand. Im spreading rumors of a miracle doctor. Hoping All-Heavens Sect will pick up on it and try to recruit me as a life qi specialist.

Sixth clone nodded. Makes sense. Anything to find out more about All-Heavens Sect. Ultimately, I need to destroy them in order to reinstate Starbound Sect, since I doubt theyll allow Starbound Sect to peacefully return.

All-Heavens Sect is recruiting rogue cultivators. Im going to join and figure out why. They might be trying to find Starbound Sects stragglers or just clean up the strays, another clone volunteered. My objective is to join up with the stragglers, or at least find out why they need rogue cultivators.

Be careful. Even if were clones, we should still cling to life. If we become complacent and give up on faking death

The clone waved his hand. Of course, of course. Weve all said the same. Dont worry, my desire to remain alive is as strong as any of us!

The miracle healer stepped forward again, giving Hui a subservient smile. In any case, we dont usually step into the golden projection very often. Once you return, youll be able to sense all of us and communicate, but its more subtle than this. A node in the back of your mind. Er, its probably most like a hands-free phone experience, but we were never rich enough to try that in our first life, so

Cant say for sure, Hui finished, nodding.

Anyways, most of the time, were silent. Its not a constant groupchat in your head. Only sometimes, the miracle healer said.

Press x to doubt, Hui thought to himself. I know how mentally chatty I am.

A thought came to Hui, and he looked around the group. I might be meeting with Bai Xue soon. Does anyone need anything from Twin Elemental City?

Talisman formulas!

Paper and ink!

Hui bowed. Elder brothers, naturally.

Theres no need to be polite with us. Were all us, after all, miracle healer Hui replied.

The wild Hui put a hand on his chin. If we sleep with Bai Xue as a clone, and make children, does that

The other clones all glared at the one in wild clothes.

What? Were all thinking it, he replied.

We dont need to say it aloud, the one wandering the sects sighed, still stroking his long beard. Hui looked at it enviously, and with glittering eyes, he continued to stroke it.

Im so bored. And lonely, the wild one mumbled back.

Can we even make children? Were plants, the rogue cultivator pointed out. Fitting to his role, he wore a bold and wild face with strong brows, a long, ragged ponytail, and worn red and yellow robes.

Can we not talk about this? Please? the miracle healer begged.

Youre thinking about it, too, the rogue cultivator pointed out with a smirk.

The miracle healer scowled. I dont want to be.

Hui put his hands up. Elder brothers, please. Ill return to my role, and get the first clone to join the network. For now, were all doing important work. Keep me updated, but aside from that, continue your efforts. In this way, we can turn ten years into sixtyno, seventy, counting first clone.

If the other lazy bones would wake up and join the network, we could turn seventy into a hundred and thirty, the wild one grumbled. More, if the ones on Unrivaled Peak begin to wake up.

In time, all in good time, the miracle healer replied.

Hui bowed one last time and retreated from the projection. One after another, the other Huis vanished as well. As the last left, the gold light faded from the sky. Hui opened his eyes to catch the last glimmering embers of gold drift down from an otherwise mortal-looking tree that stood where hed severed his arm. Though he could no longer sense Mount Mus inheritance in the tree, a pulse of wood and life qi beat inside it, steady and strong. Given long enough, it had the potential to grow into a second Mount Mu.

So the network is only available to join when the tree first activates ahem, grows. After that, it turns into a young spirit tree. Hui nodded to himself.

Its good to know some of my fellow clones are awake. I had intended to eventually find Li Xiang, investigate All-Heavens Sect, return home but now I know were already doing all that. Like this, we might actually accomplish all our tasks in ten years.

With renewed hope, Hui stood and stretched. He looked around at the other cultivators, still seeking enlightenment, not yet aware that the chance had faded. Before they awoke, he sprinted off into the forest, careful to match his speed to what Li Huang was capable of. For now, Id better go check on Ying Lin. Three days to form a foundation is no mean feat. I believe shes capable of it, but she likely needs guidance. Er, not that I know how to form a foundation when I basically slept through it, but I probably could help?

Anyways, its worth checking in on her!