186 Survivors (2/2)

[So this little bird… is a dream of the Flame Emperor's?]

[Something like that.]

”Say hi to Chirpy, George.” Mindy invited, holding out the bird in her hand.

”Hi, Chirpy.” George said, very politely. Whatever the case, he felt it most prudent to never, ever be mean to the little bird.

[Did you manage to talk to your friend about the Beast Tides, by any chance? Could she call them off?]

Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click for visiting.

[Yes, I did, and no, she can't. Sorry, those Tides are the work of the Stone Emperor, and he seems to be in deep hibernation.]

[Any idea when he's supposed to wake up?]

[According to Chirpy, it won't be long… just another hundred years from now.]

”A hundred years?!” George burst out loud, unable to keep it in.

”Yeah, I had the same reaction.” Mindy patted him on the shoulder and even left Chirpy on it for fun. ”Anyway. Where's Remian?”

”About that…” George paused, glanced at Chirpy on his shoulder, then said simply. ”Remian's in the hospital.”

”What happened this time?”

”This time? Remian died.”

Mindy tripped over her own feet and directly fell flat on her face.

***

At this point, some explanation is in order. The whole situation might be blamed upon Song Chen, but the fact was, he was only trying to help. See, the theory was that martial experts could increase their lifespan according to their levels of cultivation. At the very least, strengthening his body could help Remian improve his health condition.

Word got around and between one thing and the other, Remian's friends all pushed him to practice cultivation.

Remian tried it, under Song Chen's enthusiastic guidance and much encouragement. They put together a rigorous programme trying to get him to advance through the basic Breath stage in two weeks.

Remian had trouble breathing after one hour. By the second hour, he was gasping.

And then he died. Just flat out collapsed in the middle of the practice yard. Heart stopped beating and everything.

At that point, everyone thought it was over.

But again, he surprised them.

***

Nobody really understood what happened at that point except for Remian himself.

Remian, upon dying, basically found himself tightly in Death's grasp. Death cheerfully hauled him away from this plane of existence and brought him right before God before he could so much as protest.

”Oh, come on! I can't die now! I still have much to live for!”

”You basically did this to yourself, you know?” Death pointed out.

”Still! They aren't ready; Mindy, Tim, George, even Darrian and Eriane... They're not ready!” Remian protested.

”Death…” God gave him a flat look.

”What? I'm just doing my job!”

”There is a proper time for everything…”

”Fine.” Death grouched. ”But the pain? Do you really want to bear that?”

”You can heal, right?” Remian glanced at God.

”Death…” God gave him a look.

Death sighed. ”Fine.”

Then another voice sounded in Remian's ears. ”Clear!”

Shock coursed through his veins. Remian opened his eyes and sat bolt upright suddenly.

With a yelp, Phoebe, who had both her hands on his chest, slipped and stumbled.

Still half-dazed, Remian made a grab for her, trying to save her the only way he could; with both arms around her waist.

There was a stunned silence in a sudden awkward situation. Remian found himself sitting up in bed, both arms around Phoebe, who was half-sitting on his lap, both hands on his chest… and everybody staring at them.