Chapter 640: As One!
The killing chord sounded out from dozens of zithers at once. The root strings leapt forth, flying toward Ai Tuzi.
Ai Tuzi flinched back. The first of the strings barely missed her.
Hui halted the tree, turning it roundabout to charge at Ai Tuzi. In the same moment, he adjusted his tones slightly, resonating with the rest of the chords to draw out the note for one more moment. The remaining strings held for a few spare breaths, while the tree closed in on Ai Tuzi.
Lifting his hand, Hui allowed the killing notes to sound out. The strings lashed out from the zithers, striking Ai Tuzi one after another. The root-strings dug deep slices out of Ai Tuzis arms and legs. Hui adjusted his, sending the string toward Ai Tuzis throat. It shouldnt kill her, but it should injure her enough for us to get away.
The string cut Ai Tuzis throat. She gagged. Thick red blood spilled down her robes. Grabbing her throat, she fell back, no longer chasing after the tree.
Hui pressed his hand to the tree trunk, intending to rush off, then paused. He leaped off the tree and closed in on Ai Tuzi.
Ai Tuzi lifted one hand off her throat, grabbing her sword to defend herself.
Hui caught her wrist before she drew her sword. With his other hand, he grabbed at her belt and robes, searching for something, anything. A storage ring a dimensional pouch any kind of storage space! Somewhere she would have hidden her artifact! Ugh, dont tell me, she uses universe-hiding sleeves?
His hand closed around a small jade charm. He sent a bit of qi into it, and instantly sensed a storage space on the other side. Nodding to himself, Hui kicked Ai Tuzi away and leaped back to the tree. The second he landed, he blasted away, quickly leaving Ai Tuzi behind him.
Letting out a frustrated grunt, she chased after them for a few paces, only to cough up a few mouthfuls of blood. She fell back. Flicking her sleeve, she called out a medicinal pill and swallowed it down, and her injuries began healing.
Shes already healing it? Tian Mo stared in disbelief.
Medicinal pills are terrifying indeed, Hui said, nodding to himself. Ahh, its been too long since I had a good set of medicinal pills. Though, to be honest, I prefer regeneration techniques. Between the two, after all, one can run out of pills, but one rarely runs out of all the various types of qi!
Hmm, I feel like I might have more qi than usual stockpiled. After all, arent cultivators in my favorite novels constantly eating qi regeneration pills like candy? Im generally fine without. Doesnt that imply that I maybe have a lot of qi?
Hui paused for a moment, then shook his head. No, no. Thats just because of my extreme reliance on qi over pills! Yes, yes. An ordinary amount of qi, surely, for someone who doesnt use many pills!
Hui put his hand on the tree and pushed it faster. Still, she wont be able to chase us for a while. She has to absorb those pills, and wait for the injuries to close. It isnt a long time, but its more than nothing. In that time, we need to find a place to hide!
Isnt there an obvious place? Meimei said, crossing her arms. She nodded. That yin-filled valley they always had us run through. Theres enough yin qi that were nearly blinded, so it should do something to obscure the senses of higher-level cultivators, too.
Hui nodded. Indeed. Exactly where I would suggest! But lets not lead her there directly. He flew low, piercing into a forest and winding his way through the trees at top speed. Branches whipped past, barely missing the tree, while he dodged left and right, avoiding trunks by inches. Hui smiled, enjoying the nostalgic feeling. Its almost like being back in Mysterious Heavenly Forest Sect! The trees are smaller here, but the sensation of flying through them is the same as ever.
The disciples clinging to his tree screamed in fear as they dodged yet another branch by inches. Hui cleared his throat. Quiet, please, lets be quiet! Were being chased, Elder Siblings, please!
These bloodthirsty demons ah, well. I suppose its in the name, isnt it? Resentment demons its not as if theyre happiness demons or protector demons. Hui shook his head. Aiming the tree downward, he plunged into the valley.
Meimei grabbed his arm and clung on tight, barely suppressing a scream. She leaned up against him, gazing at his face. Gui Hui, hold me, Im scared!
You arent scared. You just want him to hug you, Tian Mo accused her.
Meimei glared over her shoulder at him. Shut up! What do you know?
Hui snorted lightly. Its like a bunch of kids fighting to be the one sitting closest to their favorite teacher. Adorable, yet slightly concerning nonetheless. Ignoring Meimei and Tian Mo, he looked back at the rest of the group. We might be in here for some time. If youre weak to yin which is most of the males in the class, come here and huddle together. Ill protect you as best I can.
Immediately, the entire group of disciples drew close to Hui. The entire tree dipped down as the weight distribution abruptly changed. Hui jolted, startled, and threw out his hand, sending a blast of qi to the floor to push them back upright seconds before the front of the tree dug into the valley floor.
Looking back at the disciples, Hui resisted the urge to sigh. I get it. Theyre all low realm. Theyre all pretty weak to yin. Ill do what I can to protect them.
Meimei glared at her fellow disciples. You just want to get close to him, too, she accused them.
Meimei, come on, Hui said, gently chiding her. Its entirely reasonable
Yeah? So what? You dont get to hog him all to yourself, another female disciple bit back.
Gui Hui, dont trust Meimei. She killed her teacher, you know! yet another disciple called out.
Come close to me, Ill keep you safe from Meimei.
Yeah, thats right! Well protect you. Over here, sit with us!
Tian Mo stood in front of Hui, throwing his hands out. Stop it! Just because he became a little more charming, doesnt mean you should behave like this!
Why not?
Yeah, why not?
Shut up, Tian Mo!
Hui sighed, putting his head in his hands. Being beautiful is so much work. Maybe I should wear a veil, like Jizhi Zhimei does