Chapter 406: Finish Line

Chapter 406: Finish Line

Hui stepped over the final step and onto solid stone. He dusted off his robes and turned, helping Zhubi over the last ledge. Huh. The pressure never really got that bad. Zhubi didnt seem bothered, either. Was the trial just glitched for us, or was it really that easy?

Look who finally showed up, a familiar voice chuckled.

Hui turned. Bai Xue? Where

A black-haired girl raised her hand from the corner, beside a somewhat rumple-clothed man with flushed cheeks.

Oh, right. Everyones in disguise. Hui walked over and smiled, offering his hand. I dont believe Ive had the pleasure of your acquaintance?

Bai Xue, Bai Xue replied, shaking his hand.

Hey, come on now, Hui thought, narrowing his eyes at her.

Its a common name, Bai Xue continued, as if he hadnt.

Im not sure about that ah, maybe in a cultivation world. Hui bowed to her. This small cultivator is Xie Hao. I wanted to thank you for fixing my friends hair.

Theres no need to be so formal. Were already quite intimate, no? Bai Xue said, waving her hand.

Hui glared at the man beside her. Peak Lord barely met his eyes before looking away, blushing furiously.

I see you overcame the stairs trial? Hui asked, slowly looking Peak Lord up and down.

Ah, yes. With many thanks to my companion here, who greatly assisted me when a heart demon cropped up, Bai Xue said, her eyes slightly narrowed and a wicked smile on her lips.

What heart-demon, huh? What heart demon! You just wanted to play around with Peak Lord. Dammit, why not me

Ahem, I mean, now isnt the time! Nodding at Bai Xue and Peak Lord one more time, Hui looked around the others whod completed the trials ahead of him. A handsome man with a cocky face and an extra-high ponytail saluted Hui from the back. Rogue in the back there. So over to the left A slightly slimy-looking man with a shifty expression dodged Huis gaze. Im guessing Sectgoer?

Ying Lin hurried over to Huis side and smiled. We all made it!

Hui nodded, looking over the crowd. In the corner, Jin Xian drooled, her eyes staring blankly into the distance. It is all me and my friends right now. Did we do it? Did we get all the winning spots? Follow current novels on novelb((in).(com)

Well, theres still Bai Jingwen

A delicate pale foot stepped over the threshold of the stairs. Bai Jingwen looked around, frowning slightly. She stared upward, as if searching for someone.

Hui walked up beside her. Elder Sister, are you looking for Gui Yutong?

Bai Jingwen turned toward him. She tilted her head.

Ah, well She isnt here and she wont be for a while but! But thats not what I want to tell Bai Jingwen! If you pass the trials, youll be able to see her again!

Bai Jingwen turned away from him and drifted off, dismissing him.

Jingwen, is that you? Bai Xue asked, startled. She stepped forward, looking at Hui. You found her?

Ah yes. I meant to tell you, but I kept forgetting, Hui said, embarrassed. He rubbed the back of his head. Thats really what happened Im sorry, Bai Xue.

No, no. Its not as if she and I were best of friends, and I do remember what she and her mother attempted to do to my clan. Even if she chose not to go through with it at the last second, she still betrayed us. Still it is good to see her again, Bai Xue said.

Bai Jingwen glanced at Bai Xue, then looked away. Her expression didnt change at all.

She isnt whole, is she, Bai Xue murmured.

Hui hesitated. After a moment, he shook his head. Shes never fully woken up. Not since she became a lotus beast. There are moments, but

Does she hate it? Being a beast As far as you can tell, does she Bai Xue said, her voice fading at the end.

Hui laughed. Zhubi you know, I only recently got the honor of having your presence again. I can handle myself alone.

Just because you can, doesnt mean he wants to leave you alone, Ying Lin explained, giving Hui a meaningful look.

Zhubi nodded.

Hui sighed. He looked at Zhubi and took a deep breath. Come to think of it, although Ive had a long time without Zhubi, Zhubi has always been at my side. From his perspective, weve barely spent a moment apart. I wasnt thinking of his side of things.

Zhubi, do you trust me? he asked.

Zhubi considered, then shook his head.

Zhubi Hui sighed, looking at the floor. Am I really that unreliable?

Zhubi shook his head harder.

Okay, so I do play dead a lot. And I have lost a few clones lately. But Im generally good at surviving! Generally.

Hui met Zhubis eyes. Ill be fine. You have to go and clear the trial, as a human, if you can. Im concerned about you, too, you know that?

Zhubi tilted his head. He nodded.

So you fight hard for me, and Ill fight hard for you, okay? Hui said. Ugh, Im no good at pep talks. I never know what to say!

Hesitant, Zhubi looked Hui in the eye. After a moment, he nodded.

Hui beamed. He stood. Thats a good boy. Weve got this!

I have no idea if we have this or not. A battle test? Oh no. I hope its not like that mist array, forcing me to defeat my prior enemies once more. I have some terrifyingly dangerous enemies in my past, now! Not just a single duck

Sectgoers voice sounded in Huis head. Er, everyone our battle prowess. Isnt this a problem?

How is it a problem? Rogue asked.

Hui smacked his fist into his palm. Thats right. Well all have the same attack pattern if we dont coordinate! How about this. Ill take life qi, Sectgoer can use Midnight Cutter, Rogue can take

Ive already established myself as using the death ducks, Rogue said.

Right, but be mindful of that. We dont want to be seen using demonic techniques, Hui warned him.

No, no. Ive told them all its a ghostly spirit beast. They seem to believe it, Rogue replied.

Chen Wuya lifted off Huis shoulder. Someone else is taking the sword, eh? he murmured, almost to himself. His talons glinted in the sunlight for just a moment before he flapped away.

So Ill take talismans? Peak Lord suggested.

Correct. Does that make sense to everyone? Oh, and Peak Lord, if you have a moment I recently gathered some new spells and artifacts that can likely be reforged into talismans, Hui mentioned.

I doubt Ill have time in a battle trial, but send them my way, Peak Lord returned.

Right. Everyone ready?

Yep.

Hope so.

As Ill ever be.

Hui swallowed and nodded, straightening his shoulders to face the stone arc. So how on earth do I fight with life qi?