Mist wreathed the dark chamber, and ripples stirred the spring pool.
Just as the evil crow had silently settled on a plan, he sensed someone approaching and started in alarm:
Not good. Don't tell me Wei Qixin has tracked me down...
But when he raised his beak and saw who had come, delight flooded him:
"Two Foundation Establishment juniors! Wait... doesn't that give me someone to carry the golden nature?"
Everything was going smoothly. His spirits soared, and even the burns on his body no longer hurt as he stretched his neck to survey his surroundings.
Purple Mansion cultivators were difficult to beguile. He had been fretting over his inability to find a suitable candidate anywhere in the grotto-heaven, but Foundation Establishment cultivators had no divine powers. Could he not knead them round or squash them flat as he pleased? Their arrival was rain falling just when he needed it.
Seeing the pair make straight for this place, the Calamity Crow brimmed with joy:
Instead of leaving, they're coming to me of their own accord? They must be after this clear spring. Good... that saves me the trouble of making a move.
With that thought, he lowered his head to inspect his sorry state, his wings scorched black, and muttered to himself:
"I look far too sinister like this. I'd better tidy myself up before I frighten them."
He lowered his head, drew up a little spring water, and dabbed it over himself. Then he lay down and rolled across the ground. Every black feather turned white, and in the blink of an eye, an injured White-Feathered Crane lay beside the spring.
*In my present condition, I can't afford any further complications. Whatever happens, I must first lure them close and subdue them. But... before that, I'd best find out