Exiles (II)

Three days later.

Abruptly, the Seven-Colored Rooster struggled to its feet from the stone slab. Its weakened state left it dizzy and disoriented, and it had to brace itself against the cave wall to keep from falling as it anxiously and warily scanned its surroundings.

It was still inside its own cave. The light was dim, with several crude stone furnishings and some Abyss plants being cultivated. "Drip, drip, drip"—water fell incessantly into the clear pool formed in a groove in the stone slab. The black lotus was still there, as was the human wizard standing with his back to it in the cave's only patch of light.

"You're awake."

Green did not turn around. His voice was indifferent, as though he were discussing something that had nothing to do with him.

On Green's shoulder, Little Eight turned its head. The crystal ball's light screen floating before it displayed the Abyss Holy Tower's wanted notice and information on the Seven-Colored Rooster.

"Caw caw caw caw, not bad. Lord Baye searched one by one for three whole days before finding your wanted record. Yo, yo, there's actually a bounty of thirty Sorcerer Essences on you."

Just as the Seven-Colored Rooster struggled, about to enter battle mode once again, Little Eight burst into a loud, mocking cackle. Green's wanted image appeared on the crystal ball's light screen.

"Caw caw caw caw, but compared to my young master's bounty of one thousand Sorcerer Essences, that's nothing at all!"

Naturally, the wanted image of Green on the crystal ball's light screen had been forged by Green himself.

A bounty of one thousand Sorcerer Essences!?

The Seven-Colored Rooster froze. After a long while, it came back to its senses and carefully examined the meticulous bandaging over its body. Recalling the earlier battle, it realized that