"Good. Remember to be careful on the road."
"If Yun Qizi notices anything amiss about you, flee immediately."
"No matter what, staying alive is what matters most."
Songmingzi warned him.
Their lineage had been in decline within the Sunflame Sect for far too long. Now that a promising young talent like Lu Mian had finally appeared, they naturally did not want anything to happen to him.
"Don't worry, Martial Uncle."
"I'm pretty good at keeping myself alive."
"I'll be off, then."
Lu Mian nodded, his figure blurring into an afterimage before vanishing.
"Who would have thought... I'd end up getting involved after all."
"Fellow disciples killing each other... they've broken the rules."
Songmingzi picked up his bamboo flute and began playing again.
This time, its notes were clearer and more soaring, without the sadness and oppression from before.
Screee!
A piercing cry tore through the silent night sky.
A ball of fire streaked past like a meteor and landed before Songmingzi.
It was a Fierce Eagle with crimson feathers, a slender body, and sharp talons that gleamed coldly.
"Songmingzi."
"How are you still alive, you old fossil?"
The Fierce Eagle actually spoke in human speech, its words quite clear, if somewhat hoarse.
"If I died, wouldn't you be free?"
Songmingzi smiled faintly.
"If you know that, why don't you hurry up and die?"
The Fierce Eagle rolled its eyes helplessly.
"It's not time yet..."
Songmingzi shook his head slightly, then added, "Yingtian, do me a favor... fetch Qi Jiulian."
"What... Qi Jiulian?!"
"Has something serious happened?"
Yingtian exclaimed in alarm.
"Nothing. I haven't seen him in ages and wanted to catch up."
Songmingzi knew Yingtian could not keep a secret, so he revealed nothing.
"I really must owe you from a past life..."
Yingtian shook its head helplessly, beat its