There was no denying how difficult Sky-Drawing Talisman was. After that one success, every subsequent attempt failed.
It was as though that success had been nothing more than a beautiful fluke.
Zhang Xiao practiced desperately, as if possessed. Suddenly, pain shot through his hand, and the Bamboo Rod slipped from his grasp and fell to the floor.
Only then did he raise his head in a daze, snapping out of that frenzied state.
At some point, the Slytherin Common Room had emptied out. The flames in the fireplace had died, leaving only dark red embers burning slowly, as though trying to squeeze out their last remaining strength.
Beside his hand, Azure Luan had woken up sometime without him noticing. She was watching him with her little head tilted, worry shining in her bright eyes.
"Bird Sis?" His voice was so hoarse that it startled him. Only then did he realize how parched his mouth and throat were. Suddenly, his vision went black, his head spun, and nausea rose within him.
Azure Luan gave a soft cry. There seemed to be a special resonance to her voice, bringing him somewhat back to his senses.
Then Bird Sis pulled a green jujube from beneath her wing with her beak and placed it in Zhang Xiao's hand.
This was the first time Bird Sis had given him two little fruits in a single day!
Zhang Xiao managed a weak smile at her, then shakily popped the jujube into his mouth and chewed gently.
The instant he bit through the skin, the crisp flesh seemed to melt in his mouth, turning into a stream of sweet juice.
Almost immediately, Zhang Xiao felt much more alert. He picked up the water jug beside him and drank until he could hold no more.
Only then did