The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 934: Speed of the Hawk!

Speed of the Hawk! . . .

As the lore had it, being struck by the Flaming Needle was a death sentence. It was said to make one\'s blood boil, ultimately incinerating flesh and blood into oblivion. There was no known cure for its deadly effects. It was a certain-death hidden weapon. However, the unexpected discovery of Wu Fa\'s Flaming Needle inside a bird\'s body defied all logic.

Even more astounding was the fact that the hawk had managed to survive for an extended period after being struck by the needle. By analyzing the wound, Cha Eun Xiao estimated that at least six months had elapsed since the hawk had been hit. The needle\'s puncture hole was invisible to the naked eye upon initial examination.

"That\'s incredible," Cha Eun Xiao exclaimed, drawing a deep breath. His praise wasn\'t directed at Wu Fa, but rather at the hawk itself.

The hawk had limited knowledge and instincts, yet it had displayed remarkable resilience. It had hidden away in this remote location to stave off the needle\'s effects, using the cold climate to suppress the burning sensation.

In reality, if not for the hot spring, it might have endured for an even more extended period. Cha Eun Xiao couldn\'t help but think he had underestimated the hawk in comparison to his past self, Xiao Monarch. Surpassing even Xiao Monarch, this hawk had survived an attack from Wu Fa\'s Flaming Needle. That was indicative of its strength, potentially exceeding that of any Dao Origin Stage cultivator in the realm.

Cha Eun Xiao carefully removed the needle and trimmed the necrotic tissue around the lump. He applied medical materials to the wound and produced two supreme Detoxication Dan beads. After some consideration, he presented both to the hawk and placed them in its mouth.

The hawk devoured the dan beads more quickly than it consumed the blood beads, discerning their superior quality by scent alone. The supreme dan beads exuded extraordinary qi, making it impossible for the hawk to resist.

[This is heaven-sent relief for my pain!] the hawk jubilantly thought.

Following the consumption of the dan beads, the hawk swiftly drifted into slumber. It tilted its head and dozed off in the hot water. Without Cha Eun Xiao\'s support, it might have easily drowned.

Cha Eun Xiao lifted the hawk out of the water, prompting an elated meow from Erhuo, who had observed the entire spectacle. As a human, Cha Eun Xiao was significantly taller than the hawk, creating a comical image as he carried the bird, akin to a frog carrying a swan.

The absurdity of the situation left Erhuo feeling extremely content. The snow began to fall once more, and Cha Eun Xiao, clad in his tattered clothing, hastened to retrieve a robe from within the Space. He also cradled Erhuo in his arms.

Erhuo was touched by this gesture, and it purred with contentment. [My master is the best. He\'s looking out for me...]

Although it didn\'t experience cold, it couldn\'t deny the warmth it felt. Being cared for and doted on was a unique and cozy feeling.

However, Erhuo soon realized that Cha Eun Xiao was holding it not to keep it warm but to be warmed. Cha Eun Xiao felt cold!

It was as though he regarded Erhuo as a portable heater to snuggle with. Erhuo grudgingly thought, [Meow... That\'s disheartening. I believed he cared about me, but it turns out I\'m merely a heating pad. I feel foolish and undervalued...]

Erhuo had every right to be disgruntled. Cha Eun Xiao\'s actions were a bit much. He didn\'t merely hold Erhuo; he continually shifted it to whichever part of his body he felt was coldest. He began with the chest, moved to the neck when it felt warm enough, and finally wedged it between his legs. Since he was wearing only a robe, there was little else to protect against the cold.

Erhuo had protested vehemently, but Cha Eun Xiao paid no heed.

When Cha Eun Xiao was about to relocate Erhuo to warm his posterior, Erhuo exploded in anger.

"This is an affront to a divine beast!" Cha Eun Xiao grumbled in frustration. "You want to warm your hands, your chest, fine! But to use me to warm your private parts and even entertain the idea of putting me on your buttocks..."

Erhuo promptly vanished, protesting the undignified treatment.

It had retreated back to the Boundless Space.

Cha Eun Xiao huffed, his intention to retrieve Erhuo from the Space for an alternative warming purpose interrupted by an unexpected occurrence. The hawk emitted a powerful surge of rolling qi, breaking the snow in the air into pieces.

With iron-like feathers and a colossal body, the hawk stood up, screaming toward the heavens, creating a reverberation that shook the skies. It fervently flapped its wings, radiating intense excitement.

At long last, the hawk\'s wound had healed after enduring it for so many years. Its aura now surpassed what Cha Eun Xiao had previously sensed.

Cha Eun Xiao, caught off guard by the sudden burst of excitement from the hawk, was showered with snow and nearly choked. "Easy!" he exclaimed.

The hawk ceased its clamor and made throaty sounds instead, approaching Cha Eun Xiao and nuzzling him with its head. Its eyes exuded delight and affection.

[You truly are a wonderful person. I knew it. I\'m fortunate to have you here.]

What followed was a sensation akin to racing with the clouds.

In reality, Cha Eun Xiao was soaring amid the clouds.

With the hawk fully recovered, it took Cha Eun Xiao and placed him on its back. It extended its wings and ascended into the sky.

Cha Eun Xiao was both astonished and terrified. He clung to the hawk\'s neck, trying to hold on.

Despite his usually audacious nature, the view from high above was dizzying and intimidating. Suddenly, something stirred within his clothes. It was Erhuo, appearing quite exhilarated. The cat clung to the hawk\'s feathers on its head, peering down at the ground.

The hawk gradually accelerated, spreading its feathers wide and maintaining Cha Eun Xiao on its back with remarkable stability. They were rapidly gaining speed.

Cha Eun Xiao gazed at the black void behind the hawk\'s tail and felt his heart race.

"Goodness, this is too fast!"

And they were still accelerating.

"How much faster is this going to get?" Cha Eun Xiao wondered.

When Erhuo caught the Golden-scaled Dragon Fish, Cha Eun Xiao had considered the cat\'s speed to be extraordinary. However, now he couldn\'t determine which was swifter, Erhuo or the hawk. Erhuo was indeed swift, but he only moved for a brief second. The hawk, on the other hand, was flying and continuously accelerating, appearing to outpace even Erhuo in speed.