At the summit of Taixu Mountain, Crimson Kite's Wings rested obediently against Xing's face, sleeping quietly. The surrounding Crimson Kite Birds had also voluntarily snuggled against him, and the warm, fluffy sensation woke Xing.
The boy's eyelids trembled before opening. His red pupils were calm as water, clear and lucid.
Feeling himself surrounded by countless fluffy bundles, Xing's brain shut down for a second. What was going on?
Xing wanted to push Crimson Kite's Wings off his face, but sleeping Crimson Kite Birds were packed around his hands as well. What should he do? He did not want to disturb these adorable little creatures' sleep.
Carefully pulling his hand free, he tried to escape the Crimson Kite Birds' encirclement. Perhaps because he moved carelessly, he startled one of them awake.
"Cluck cluck cluck!"
The rest of the Crimson Kite Birds woke in a chain reaction, countless tiny eyes staring at him in unison.
Xing grabbed Crimson Kite's Wings, pulled the Judas Bracelet from his wrist, switched it to flight mode, and soared into the air. Before leaving, he did not forget to say, "Thank you. I'll come back to see you when I have time."
An enormous Crimson Kite Bird at the head of the flock watched his departing figure and gave a cry. The other Crimson Kite Birds all fell silent, arranging themselves into formation before slowly advancing behind their leader.
Over a thousand Crimson Kite Birds left their habitat and marched grandly toward the foot of the mountain.
Back to Xing—only after flying some distance did he notice the changes in himself. "Strange. Did my clothes get smaller, or did I grow?" His once perfectly fitting clothes now felt a little tight, and his shoes pinched his feet. The cold wind at high altitude blew against his exposed