Chapter 481: Final Preparations
Ying Lin burst into Huis gardens alongside Tang Fei, beaming bright. Master! Im here.
Good, good. And Tang Fei? Wonderful, Hui said, nodding.
Tang Fei regarded him suspiciously. Have you heard of me?
Er that is, yes, Hui said. I dont have time to explain everything. I only have time to accomplish what I called her here to do! Tang Fei, I can heal your hand.
Tang Fei blinked. She put a hand over the prosthetic. Even when they replaced my hand, they couldnt make it move. My hand is dead, Senior.
Mhm, I know. Tang Fei, despite all that, I can not only give you motion in your hand again, but also regrow your lost limb. Are you interested? Hui asked.
She frowned. Xing Huang said he could only heal my hand or my mind, not both.
Thats Xing Huang. Im Xie Hao, miracle healer. If I say I can do it, I can, Hui said. Ugh. I dont really have this much confidence, but I dont have any time for hesitation or politeness! I have to get directly to the meat of it, or not at all. Were about to attack the sect. Tang Fei has been valuable to us, and I truly doubt she would take Gui Deluns side. I think Ive figured out how to heal her, so why wouldnt I?
It was the meeting with Shen Aiguo and Liu Guangs disciples that started me thinking, and once I began to think about it, I couldnt stop. I thinkI must be right. Or at least theres nothing to lose! Lets give it a try!
Tang Fei furrowed her brows. She gave him an uncertain look, but after a second, she nodded. Heal me.
Hui nodded back, beaming. Ying Lin, youre higher realm than me, now, right?
Eh? Me? Master, IIm still fifth stage! Ying Lin said, startled.
Hui crossed his arms. Ying Lin, Im not stupid. Its been nine months. Youre probably on the verge of eighth stage by now, right? If not ninth.
Ying Lin bit her lip. I I might be a little higher realm than Master, now.
Good, good. I called Liu Guang over a few minutes ago. He should be here any minute now, Hui said. He nodded at her. You know what to do.
Tang Fei stiffened. She backed away. No!
Tang Fei, have faith. Ohif youre uncomfortable, theres a nice dark closet in the corner thats good for hiding in. Ive even put a few wards on it thatll probably hold up for at least ten seconds under Liu Guangs most powerful attacks. But dont go too far. You need to be here when he comes, Hui said, nodding.
Wh what? Tang Fei asked, looking at Ying Lin for answers.
Ying Lin leaned conspiratorially toward Tang Fei. Masters a real coward. If he says itll stand up to Liu Guangs attacks, it probably will!
No, I mean youyoure going to hand me over to Liu Guang! Tang Fei accused him.
Dont be ridiculous. I dislike Liu Guang as much as the next rational human being, Hui said, crossing his arms.
Gold light flashed across the sky. The man himself appeared, aura roiling around him from anger.
Tang Fei backed away. Ying Lin put a comforting arm on her shoulder. Its okay. Master wont hurt you. And he wont let Liu Guang hurt you, either.
What is this? Liu Guang asked, lowering his voice. A fierce gold glow burned in the sky, and Liu Guang descended toward them. He narrowed his eyes at Hui. Why dont you go on?
Oh, I will. But firstYing Lin! Restrain this man! Hui shouted, throwing his hand out.
Ying Lin burst up from the ground and hurtled at Liu Guang. Yes!
This disciple, your head is far too big! Liu Guang shouted back. He waved his hand. A huge gold scalpel darted at Ying Lin.
Ying Lin ignored it, letting it pierce through heror so it appeared. In the next second, a crack shot down the length of the gold scalpel, and it shattered into a thousand strands of gold. Liu Guang recoiled, but before he could escape or launch another move, Ying Lin grabbed him by the shoulder. An overwhelming, fiercely oppressive aura filled the room, and Liu Guang stiffened, immobilized.
What what realm Liu Guang stuttered, his eyes wide.
Master! I have him, Ying Lin reported cheerily. She flew to Huis side, carrying Lui Guang casually in one hand.
Tang Fei stared, wide-eyed. She looked at the immobile Liu Guang, then at Ying Lin. She slowly backed away again, but this time from Ying Lin, not Hui.
Good, very good, Hui said. He looked at Liu Guang, and this time, his eyes blazed right through the man, seeing his threads without having to step out of his body. If Im right, then
Gold threads coursed through every inch of Liu Guangs body. Thick, thin, long and short, even different shades of gold, they packed so tightly inside him that there was no room for anything else. The gold glow he usually gave off grew even brighter, so that Hui had to lift his sleeve and peer through it, or else go blind. Ha! I knew it. He was not only blackening the disciples threads but stealing them, and binding them into his own body! Righteous cultivation, my foot. This is overtly demonic cultivation. Tearing apart disciples bodies for their inherit resources and destroying their fate to forward your own cultivation and prolong your life those are the basics of demonic cultivation, and exactly what this Liu Guang has been doing!
Ah yes. Ive shattered three no, four of his realms now, as easily as flipping over my hand. Are you really so confident that I cant also shatter your realm? Hui asked, tipping his head at Liu Guang.
Liu Guangs jaw dropped. He stared. After a second, he shook his head. Bl-bluffing. Youre bluffing!
Hui sighed. He looked at Ying Lin and shook his head. Elder Sister, have I ever bluffed?
Yes! Ying Lin said, nodding vigorously.
Ah, well, thats true. But have I ever bluffed that my abilities are greater than they are? Hui asked.
Not usually, Ying Lin said.
Hui nodded. Exactly. Senior, even Fen Long has acknowledged my skill with realms. So what secret does your realm hold, that I would be unable to unravel it?
Liu Guangs mouth moved, but nothing came out.
Or could it be that theres no secret at all but your realm is a malformed realm, an accident that formed when you were studying realms, that you decided was beneficial to you? Hui mused aloud, watching Liu Guang from the corner of his eye.
Liu Guangs face reddened. You know nothing!
Oh, so it is. Well, I figured as much. Ive run into a few realms that collapse and freeze, but none that do it as incidentally as yours, Hui said, nodding. In any case, I expect that itll only take me a few hours to break your realm and claim it as my own. Do you want to bet against me, Senior?
You
I suppose its not truly a choice. My apologies for presenting it falsely, Senior. You must bet against me, Senior, because here I come. Ying Lin, hold him steady, Hui said, reaching out toward Liu Guang.
Stop! Stop this moment! Liu Guang shouted. You trash! You insect! You dare lay your hands upon this Senior? Ill
Ying Lins hands blurred as she pushed a few acupoints. Liu Guangs mouth continued to move, but nothing came out. There we go. He should stay silent now, Master!
Mmm. Ying Lin, Tang Fei, if it takes me too long to claim his realm keep yourselves safe, first and foremost, Hui ordered, raising his hands to Liu Guang.
Tang Fei nodded. A strange expression flashed over her face for a moment, almost guilt, but in the next second, she suppressed it.
Huh? Oh, well. Ying Lin is high enough realm to handle whatever Tang Fei wants to do. With a wave, Hui sent his qi into Liu Guang, searching out his storage array. He keeps it on his body. He must, if he sends new cultivators to it all the time. I just have to find it!
--
Huis body stilled. His eyes shut, and he settled into a meditative pose, hands hovering over Liu Guang.
Ying Lin looked at Tang Fei. Theres something you want to do, right?
Tang Fei bit her lip. I just I dont know if I can survive it. He wouldnt he wouldnt want me to die, right after he healed me, but but to not repay him for this, I
Ying Lin laughed. Youre very cute, Tang Fei!
Eh? Tang Fei asked, startled.
Master doesnt care if you repay him or not. Hes not that kind of person. As long as you dont hold it against him and seek vengeance, hes quite happy, Ying Lin explained.
But but Tang Fei shook her head. She scowled, then stomped her foot cutely. Balling her hands into fists, she shook her head again, but this time, with an adorable expression on her face. But! I cant allow it! This adorable Tang Feier, who dares to assume shed seek vengeance on those who helped her? No! I wont allow it! I have to repay him.
Ying Lin clapped her hands. Master will be very happy to hear that.
Tang Fei leaped into the air. He might not hear it. I might not survive this, but I cant go without repaying him. Ying Lin, if I dont return, express my gratitude to Xiao Hui.
No. Youll express it yourself, Ying Lin declared, staring directly at Tang Fei.
Midair, Tang Fei paused. She hesitated a long beat, then nodded. Thats right. Ill be back. No one can keep this cuteness down for long!
With that, she sped off, rapidly vanishing toward the top of the peak.
Ying Lin watched her go. As Tang Fei vanished, her usual smile faded, and a serious expression emerged. She pressed her lips together. Tang Fei, may you succeed and return safely.
Her eyes turned upward, where a faint flash of lightning burst through the otherwise clear sky. She licked her lips.
Master please hurry. I cant hold on much longer.