The sun beat down. The poppies rushed around them, whispering past. Hui paid none of it any attention, focused on absorbing qi from the passing pavilion and contemplating his faking-death talisman at the sa ti.
His vision flickered abruptly. He froze in place and looked around. What?
Fang Hua paused as well, looking back at him. Xiao Hui?
No, its nothing, Hui said. He started running again, but frowned. What was that? A cultivator at my level I shouldnt have had my vision flicker for no reason. Is soone interfering with ?
Chen Wuya?
Horrified, Hui sent a pulse of qi inside himself, searching his new plant body for any abnormalities. When that ca up empty, he examined his soul, scouring his second dantian for unfamiliar fluctuations. Still nothing.
If anything, finding nothing only increased Huis anxiety. If its Chen Wuya, he could easily be doing sothing I cant detect. I couldnt pin down the level of his power, but he felt similar to Master at least seventh realm, if not higher. Am I a ticking ti bomb, counting down the hours until he erges and kills ? Argh! Its too frightening. I need to spend less ti around terrifying people who can kill with a thought.
He shuddered, then rubbed his face. Theres no point worrying about it. At this point, Chen Wuya will do whatever he wants to do with , and theres nothing I can do to stop it. Ill just have to hope he isnt doing anything too harmful.
A low hill rose out of the endless poppy field. A white-robed woman with a blurry face stood before it, brandishing a sword. She stepped forward as they approached, raising her sword.
Hui sat down just outside of the distance that would provoke her and began to ditate. Fang Hua set down his original body and stood by his side, claws bared, acting as his protector.
He reached out into the forbidden half of the realm, through the void, seeking out the scrap of his own qi hed left behind in the talisman. Li Xiang, can you hear ?
The wind blew, rustling the poppies. The swordswoman shifted, regarding them warily.
Did it not work? Can I not contact her? Maybe if I go back into my body and force myself back into that realm, then
Im here, a quiet voice responded.
Hui sat up straight, his heart racing a little bit. Co to my voice. Follow this strand back to the other side of the realm. Ill keep your soul safe while we exit the realm, and then you should be able to return to your body.
I to the sword, and your Li Xiang to the body, the voice admonished him gently.
Mmy apologies, Senior, Hui said, bowing his head.
The voice chuckled. I have long since made peace with my fate. You are not the one who left in this state. In all honesty, even had I not been swapped with my sword spirit, I did not have long for the world.
If Senior doesnt mind asking, why not? Hui asked.
I sustained an injury to the soul many years prior that slowly wore at my cultivation, soul, and mind. Even now, it wears at . That child by swapping , he preserved my soul, in a sense, as my affliction no longer perated both my body and my soul.
Hui bit his lip. Does that an does Li Xiang have so hidden injury, just waiting to flare up?
The voice chuckled. No. It was an affliction that began in the soul and spread to my body. With the swap, the injury should have long since faded as the sword spirits soul took the place of mine. I think that child wanted to return to my body, once the injury had faded, but alas, he learned too late that the transfer cannot be reversed.
That child do you an Lan Taijian? Hui asked.
None other. Though that child is no scher. He was led into it by soone else.
Hui nodded. Lan Yunxu, I bet. If Yunxu worked together with Lan Taijian, it explains how they had access to the forbidden spell formation. Though I wonder if they
Pain stabbed into Huis head. He rubbed his skull and grimaced. What was I thinking? Anyways, we should get the Li Xiangs out of the other realm, before Chen Wuya finds them again. Senior, are you prepared to transfer? We shouldnt stay like this for long.
Im already transferring, the voice replied.
Eh? I didnt feel anything. Or is that normal? I havent transferred people across the barriers of realms before. Hui shrugged to himself and continued to reach out toward the scrap of qi, guiding it to him.
Get ready.
The world shimred in front of him. A pair of pearly orbs appeared, hanging in midair. One emanated Li Xiangs familiar aura, while the other reminded him of Li Xiangs sword. Hui reached out and collected them into his sleeve. He stood, breaking his ditative stance, and looked at the blurry-faced swordswoman in front of him. Can you stop the body from attacking us?
I dont have much power. It may be best to simply leave this realm and reinsert us into our bodies as quickly as possible, the soul replied.
Hui bit his lip. He looked at the swordswoman, then at Fang Hua. Elder Sister, how do we leave this realm?
Once you find your fated treasure, youre qualified to exit at any ti. Reach out. You should be able to sense the realms exit, waiting for your call, Fang Hua explained.
Hui frowned and closed his eyes. After a mont, he sensed it, a door-like crack in the realm he could step through at a monts notice. Opening his eyes, he nodded at Fang Hua. Im going to grab Li Xiangs body and step through the realm. Follow behind .
Has Li Xiang found her fated treasure? Fang Hua asked.
The soul in Huis sleeve shook itself. No.
Hui scowled. Dammit! I dont want to stay in this dangerous realm for any longer than I have to! But if we cant exit until we find her fated treasure, then well just have to find her fated treasure!
Senior, could you lead to
Splitting pain assaulted Hui, searing into his midriff. He crumpled in on himself, grabbing at his gut, expecting to find blood, guts. No wound opened in his stomach, but the pain only grew, twisting into him. He clawed at his flesh, biting his lip. It hurts! It hurts! Whatwhat
Xiao Hui? Fang Hua asked, stepping up beside him to put a hand on his shoulder.
A sinister chuckle sounded in Huis ear. Did you really think you could leave without ?
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