Master, This Poor Disciple Died Again Today

Chapter 715: Realm-Breaking

Hui pressed his fingertips together. Escape the realm escape the realm. He sent death qi, rot qi, and every kind of qi he could think of circulating around him, just in case, then roped them back in when none of them reacted with the realm. No thats normal. Id need to find the realms walls in order to trigger a reaction. Just blindly throwing my qi at things wont help me here.

Hmm I could try getting the golden hand to reach for me, then escape from whatever hole it creates, but the whole point of this is to avoid the golden hands notice! Thats the opposite of what I want to do! I might as well escape into the void instead. Same result, but at least Im a little in charge of what happens!

I could try traversing the Underworld instead of the void, but Hui shook his head. I dont think I should advertise my connections to the Underworld in the Immortal Realm. I have the feeling some people might misunderstand or take it the wrong way. Worst of all, it might attract that Golden Immortals attention, since he knows Im related to the Underworld.

He reached out and grasped nothing. Unlike reaching for time, though, this time, he reached for space itself. Space is everywhere. It can be grasped, even when theres no walls. If I cant find the walls, Ill simply make my own walls!

His hand closed around nothing. Unbothered, he tried again, and again, and again, sending qi through his fingers, into space, circulating it into emptiness, then grasping for it. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing.

Ripples moved through the space as space itself trembled. A flash of light burst through the dark.

Huis hand closed around the ripple. His eyes burst open. Now!

Id like to thank whichever Senior opened space, but I think Ill go ahead and use this opportunity to study space and also, to tear my own way out!

Holding onto the ripple, Hui lifted his other hand. He called phoenix fire into his palm. Ive used all kinds of qi around space before, but nothing else has ever interacted with it. Phoenix fire is still a tool Im starting to use, and I havent applied it to a whole lot. Plus, I can cycle it to life or death qi if I need to at a moments notice.

The ripples grew stronger. More light burst into the dark space. Hui glanced over, then moved faster. Better get out of here fast. If I spend much longer in here, theyre going to realize I got sent into this place, and Ier, Zhang Ming, is going to be in trouble! Anyways, I shouldnt get caught here.

He touched the phoenix fire to the ripple. Fire burned at the space. A small hole opened in the ripple, and through the darkness, he caught a glimpse of gold.

Excellent! With no hesitation, Hui shrank down, compressing his body to tiny size. At this size, Zhang Mings skin hung loose around him, far too large for him. He quickly tore his way out of it and looked around. Grabbing one of the dragons under each arm, he leaped through the hole and escaped the dark space.

A second later, the crack slammed wide open. Wild ripples rushed through the space. The man in blue robes stared around the space. Tian Lan!

No answer. He narrowed his eyes dangerously. Tian Lan?

In the distance, a tiny pinprick of light closed in the black space. The man flew over, his swept-back hair fluttering on the wind. Even as he closed in, the hole sealed shut.

An empty skin fluttered down, left behind in the darkness. The man caught the skin and stared at it, then clenched his fist, squeezing the skin to bits. His eyes glowed dangerously, emanating bright blue light.

You vicious thief. Ill catch you. And when I do

--

Outside of the dark realm, Hui found himself hovering in the air over the city. Golden buildings glittered around him, pavilions, palaces, even humble huts, all formed from poured gold. Releasing his compression, he returned to his usual size. The dragons swirled around him, resting around his neck and arm once more. All around him, Immortals flew on swords and other objects, or simply flew, hands behind their backs, beards, hair, robes, or whatever they preferred swirling on the wind.

Hui glanced around, then, noticing that no one had paid any particular attention to his sudden appearance in the sky, flew off toward the ground. Now that Ive made it into the city in a totally legal and ordinary way, lets go get the lay of the land. I dont really want to see Zhang Ming again, but I should keep an eye open for him, just in case hes still wearing my face. Now that Ive wiggled into the cityagain, in a totally normal and legal wayI shouldnt let someone keep running around with my face.

He probably ditched the snakeskin as soon as he got through, or before he got through, or when they confronted him, or whatever, but in case he didnt in any case, Ill keep an eye out.

He looked over his shoulder. That person who entered the dark space after me they didnt feel like the Golden Immortal. I wonder who they were? I dont recall irritating any other Immortals.

Except that disciple of the phoenix-eater who liked to sit on his throne, but Ive already handled him, right? Chen Wuya and Fen Long dont count because theyre pseudo-Immortals or some other realms Immortals but anyways, they like me, most of the time. Master likes me too, and Ying Lin right! I havent insulted any Immortals.

Oh, except Jie Xinlei. Shes probably pretty pissed right now. But shes trapped in the village and powerless, so that doesnt count. Zhang Ming might be annoyed at me, but like me, hes the lowest level Immortal, so no way was he breaking into the dark realm to come after me.

Im probably forgetting something

No, no. I couldnt be. Immortals are pretty memorable.

Tian Lan reared up on his wrist, watching with wide eyes. As he reached the ground, she leaped free and transformed into her human form. Whoa

All around them, shops offered wares. Clothes, weapons, Immortal food and wine, gems, everything a cultivator could want. Tian Lan darted from shop to shop, her blue hair flying around her. She ran back to Hui and tugged his sleeve. Hey, mister! Get me some candy!

My name is Xiao Hui, not mister, Hui grumbled. Also, I dont have any Immortal-level spirit stones.

Tian Lan stared at him, her wide blue eyes reflecting the sky above. You dont have any money?

No. Ive only just arrived here, Hui explained.

Her lip trembled. Her eyes watered. No candy?

Hui gave her a flat look. No.

She burst out into tears.

All around him, other people turned and stared, their eyes cold. A few irritated harrumphs sounded around him. Ignoring them with all his might, Hui offered Tian Lan his hand. Come on. Im poor, theres nothing that can be done even if you cry. We cant afford candy.

Sobbing, Tian Lan took his hand. She wiped her face with her other hand. Loudly, she sobbed, Daddy could afford candy.

All the gazes on her and Hui turned even colder than before. Hui shivered, the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end. Er how do I salvage this? Think, quickly! Could, certainly. But not right now.

Right, right! Now, if they read the context right, I could be her father! Yes, yes!

no, its a complete and total failure. I should just hurry out of here. Ugh. Im not a kidnapper! She kidnapped herself. Im completely blameless. Completely!

Forcing a grin, Hui went to hurry the sobbing Tian Lan off.

Before he could, Zhubi unwrapped from his neck and materialized beside her. He bent over to look in her face, putting a friendly hand on her shoulder.

Still sobbing, Tian Lan slapped his hand away and turned away from him.

Zhubis face twisted. He hissed at her, baring his snake fangs.

Okay, okay, lets keep moving, Hui said, suddenly ushering two small children ahead of him. All the eyes of the surrounding cultivators burned into his back. Uncomfortable, he ducked his head and tried to hide his face with his bangs. I was trying to not make a scene, so why are you two cooperating to put on a theater show?

No! I want candy! Tian Lan insisted, fat tears rolling down her face.

Zhubi wrinkled his nose and shoved her, annoyed.

Zhubi, hey! Hui said, grabbing him back.

Zhubi looked up at him, betrayed. He thrust his hands at Tian Lan and made quick, irritated gestures. Even without words, Hui understood. Why are you choosing her over me, huh?

Zhubi, you are three hundred years old, act like it, Hui hissed, pushing him on. Cant you tolerate her for a few minutes? Shes a baby, dammit.

Zhubi pursed his lips, then shook his head hard. His long hair wiggled down his back.

Hui took a deep breath and sighed it out. How on earth did I skip child rearing with my own kids, only to get saddled with taking care of two infant dragons? Is this, too, karma? It feels like karma.

Candy, Tian Lan cried.

Please, Im begging you, Hui muttered. He glanced over his shoulder. Someone busted into that dark space after me. I dont need this much attention. Should I abandon Tian Lan?

No, I cant. Shes an infant, and her view on the world is incredibly warped. I cant let her go free without putting her life at risk.

Look, well go find sweets somewhere else, okay? Lets just keep moving right now, Hui encouraged her, nudging her onward.

Reluctantly, Tian Lan walked on. Zhubi paused to pick up his hair and loop it around his shoulders, then chased after her and Hui.

A few moments after they vanished, a man in blue thumped down into the central square. He lifted his nose and sniffed. Shes close my daughter

All around him, the cultivators all perked up. One after another, they all pointed after Hui.

Down the street, Hui suddenly found himself surrounded by pointing fingers. He jerked to a halt and spun around. Whats going on? Why

Tian Lan! A man in blue hurtled toward him, emanating a pressure far beyond anything Hui had felt, save the Golden Immortal.

Daddy! Tian Lan shouted, raising her arms.

Hui froze. He looked at Tian Lan, looked at the man in blue, then, in perfect sync with Zhubi, collapsed backward, dead.