Master, This Poor Disciple Died Again Today

Chapter 648: Next Tier

Hui reached the entrance to the Tier and looked around, considering his next move. Which Tier is which again? I want to go to one of the manly tiers. Body cultivation or sword cultivation are the best, but beast cultivation is no problem, pill cultivation Ive had no karma with it ever, but the demonic healing sect I have no interest in, but its not un-manly. The Eighth Tier seems to be just Tseng Caihong, and no telling what shed teach. So really its just the music tier. The music tier is the one I want to avoid!

Oh? Is this that hostage disciple with the incredible potential? a burly voice sounded by his ear.

Hui jolted, whirling. The body cultivator Tier Master stood behind him, hands on his hips, a grin on his face. Dropping to a bow, Hui cupped his hands to the man. Greetings, Tier Master!

What is it? Is Jizhi Zhimei tired of you? he asked, chuckling.

Hui nodded. Ive been sent to find a new tier. Can Senior help?

The Tier Master smiled. Can I help? Naturally! Have you ever practiced body cultivation before?

Noer, a little. Only a little, Hui said, pressing his fingers together.

The Tier Master gestured. Show me.

Hui took a deep breath. What should I show him? I dont want to show him too much, but I dont want to show him so little that he doesnt think Im worth training. Er what about the crystallization technique? That seems simple enough. Hui smiled. This is but a small technique from the Southern Sect conference.

With that, he activated his crystallization technique. His flesh transmuted to crystal, perfect, jade-white crystal, his hair to black onyx, his eyes to diamond. His body emitted a low glow, letting off a scintillating halo visible in the daylight.

The Tier Master stumbled back. His eyes widened.

Er I dont remember the crystallization technique being this powerful

Wait. Could this be the side effect of using phoenix fire to reforge my body? After all, my body is now completely rebuilt from the ground up and not once, but twice! How many times can I continuously improve it by using phoenix fire? If its improving this much from two attempts, what would three or one hundred attempts do for me? Hui put a hand to his chin thoughtfully.

Walking forward, the Tier Master grabbed Huis hand and felt his pulse. Only fourth stage bone age a few months old? Flabbergasted, he looked up at Hui.

Hui coughed. Er, right. Since I remade my body when I escaped the Underworld, it, er, well, its not very old yet. I didnt expect this man to be the kind of medical expert who can tell bone age from feeling a pulsebut at the same time, he is a body expert! Body cultivators are naturally experts at the body. But how do I age my bones up? Death qi? Rot qi? But I dont want to sabotage myself for now, lets just bluff! Senior must have made a mistake.

The Tier Master checked again, then released Huis wrist. He smiled. Ah, it must have been a mistake, just a mistake. There are body cultivation techniques that allow one to alter bone age, after all.

Hui nodded, saying nothing. Sounds reasonable to me! If thats the excuse you want to give me, Ill take it!

Clasping Huis crystalized shoulder with enough force to make it ring, the body cultivator smiled at him, eyes twinkling. Come with me, child. Shuhang Han will show you a paradise for us body cultivators. The kind of place where someone of your talent can quickly progress!

Hui cupped his hands again. Small disciple is honored! Er, I know it should be a good thing, but why am I feeling nervous? Maybe its because of Jizhi Zhimeis idea of ordinary beauty cultivation being a walk through water that rips your skin off in order to find a nice sponge! But this man doesnt seem as er, brutal, as Jizhi Zhimei. He isnt in charge of the assassins, for one. Body cultivators tend to be muscleheads, which means fewer worries about politics or schemes!

But wait, theres a downside to muscleheads, too

Grinning, Shuhang Han gestured for Hui to follow him down one tier toward the body cultivation tier. Burly disciples of all description, pretty, handsome, ugly, thick and thin, but all of them muscled to the hilt, stood around. They stretched, lifted weights, practiced forms, jogged, did all kinds of workout things. One particularly muscular individual punched one of the tiers support pillars repeatedly, her fist blows echoing in the hallway.

Hui gritted his teeth in something like a smile. Thats right. Theyre all workout freaks!

Ive got a special chamber I only show to the most qualified disciples. I usually wait until they hit fifth stage but your body looks like it can handle it! Shuhang Han assured Hui.

Ah, that is, er, I just remembered, Jizhi Zhimei wanted me to, uh, Hui gestured vaguely over his shoulder.

Didnt she send you to find another tier for training? Shuhang Han asked, squinting.

Er, well yes Hui admitted reluctantly.

Shuhang Han grinned. Then its perfect! Lets get you in that chamber. With your talent for body cultivation, I would curse myself if I didnt get you access to this place! Its a real treat for a true body cultivator. The kind of sweaty, hardcore location where you can really test your strength!

Oh, is that so, Hui said flatly. Im not a sweaty, hardcore kind of guy! I take it back. Take me to the music cultivator! She wont want me to do sweaty, hardcore things! And wait, isnt that phrasing a little suspicious? Sweaty? Hardcore? What kind of chamber is this? Shuhang Han, Ive already seen Jizhi Zhimeis secret dungeon! I have no desire to see yours, as well!

Tseng Caihongs face flashed through his head, one hand stroking a reluctant Zhubi. In a mocking tone, she said, If you want him back, become the top disciple!

Is that what she said? In any casein any case, the point is, I must become the number one disciple if I want Zhubi back! And I want Zhubi back. If that means getting sweaty and hardcore with this Shuhang Han, then then Ill grit my teeth and bear it! Ive died a great many times. Ive survived a great many deaths! Im sure Ill survive this one, too. Its nothing but another trial!

A little voice in the back of his head whispered, dont you normally avoid all those trials because they sound too difficult and dangerous? Isnt this exactly the kind of trial you should try your hardest to avoid?

Hui swallowed. He forced his smile to remain on his face. This is fine. Its fine! I am a body cultivator. I have multiple bodily cultivation techniques! Im secretly seventh realm! Ill survive somehow. Im sure of it! Im sure its possible to survive! And if its possible to survive, then its my job to find a way to! You can do this, Hui! Im sure you can!

The other disciples turned, cupping their hands to the Tier Master as Shuhang Han walked by. A few of them cast Hui sympathetic glances or shook their heads slightly, sighing.

There goes another one.

The Tier Masters found a new victim.

Thats the last well see of him.

Look how skinny he is! Its a death sentence, for sure!

Huis ears twitched. He licked his lips as his stomach roiled. Im fucked. Im fucked, arent I?

Ahead of him, Shuhang Han drew to a halt. A huge vault door blocked the way further ahead. This vault door laid on the central support pillar of the entire Eight Tiers Palace, cut into the mysterious wood that made up the heart of the tower. He turned back, smiling to Hui. Once you enter, you cannot exit for an hour. An hour, understand? Once an hour passes, knock on the door to be let out. I wont let you stay longer than three hours at your stage, youd die for sure at three hours!

Hui nodded nervously. His stomach flipped. Er, should should I practice some before I enter? Give me some time! Let me talk to the other disciples! Figure out what kind of chamber it is! Learn tips and tricks to survive it!

At your talent? Im sure youll figure it out. Smiling benevolently, Shuhang Han spun the vault doors lock. The door clunked as rods as thick around as Huis body receded, and the door slowly swung open.

Gazing into darkness, Hui swallowed. Oh fuck. Im so fucked.