Honkai Impact 3rd: Catching the Herrscher of Sentience at the Start

"Cluck?" The chicken's eyes widened in fear and confusion as it stared at Fu Shi, whose eyes glowed ominously red.

"Lin, looks like we've got dinner sorted. Food came to us on its own! And isn't this the 'Red Chicken' the restaurant owner mentioned?" Fu Shi grinned, shaking the captured chicken smugly.

"Haha... Whatever makes you happy," Fu Lin muttered, wiping the drool from the corner of his mouth as he looked at the unfortunate red chicken. For a moment, he wasn't sure whether to pity it or savor it.

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"One isn't enough... Damn it, who's interrupting me again? I'll make you... you..." Before Sirin could finish speaking, she was interrupted once more. She glared fiercely toward the source, summoning her Void Spear. But in the next second, she froze in astonishment.

"Cluck cluck cluck cluck!" (No translation for this part; I trust readers can imagine this better than I can. Ahem.)

From the distance came another slightly larger red chicken, charging aggressively at the same target. However, perhaps due to poor eyesight, it slammed headfirst into the legendary Shenzhou stone tablet. A trail of red liquid slid down the Shenzhou tablet as Fu Shi stood motionless, unscathed.

"Cluck... cluck cluck..." (Same as above.)

"Maybe we shouldn't eat this one. I'm afraid it'll lower our IQ. Fu Shi, are you sure you found this egg randomly?" Fu Lin glanced at everyone, then cast a suspicious look at Fu Shi.

"Agreed," Sirin nodded at the scene, quietly retracting the Void Spear that had already materialized halfway.

"Of course I found it randomly! I shouted three times in the area asking if anyone wanted it, and no one responded. Besides, we should give this brave chicken warrior a proper burial," Fu Shi replied, looking around guiltily but pretending to be justified.

"...Classic you, Fu Shi" Fu Lin raised a thumb toward Fu Shi in mock admiration.

With everyone's unanimous agreement, Fu Lin picked up the chicken's corpse, found a muddy spot nearby, and buried it. Before leaving, they even set up a stone tablet inscribed with the words: "Glory in Death."

...

"Hurry, we're almost there," Fu Shi pointed toward a small house ahead, urging everyone to pick up their pace before vanishing from sight.

"Master sure has... boundless energy... Is that the statue of the Celestial Immortal? How majestic!" Wutong exclaimed, panting heavily as she clutched her knees and gazed at the statue in awe.

"This statue is great and all, but the chest is a bit fake," Fu Lin commented approvingly.

"Not impressive at all☆," Sirin said as she walked past Wutong. She glanced at the statue of Fu Hua, her memories stirring unpleasantly, and remarked disdainfully.

"Big Sis, are you tired? If you are, I can turn into a fox for you to ride," Higokumaru sweet-talked while perched on Yae Sakura's shoulder, though it was clear she had no intention of following through.

Fu Lin observed the group, then stepped into the house Fu Shi had pointed out. Inside, there was nothing but a few chairs and a table.

Fu Lin ran a finger along the table and frowned at the dark grime on her fingertip.

"Looks like it needs a good cleaning." He rolled up his sleeves, retrieved a clean cloth from his system space, and began wiping down surfaces. Meanwhile, he handed out several brooms to the idle group nearby.

"One of you cleans inside, the rest tackle the outside."

Everyone, "..."

Wutong, "We just climbed a mountain!"

"Hehe~ Good thing I'm too small to hold a broom," Higokumaru gloated as she watched everyone else start working.

"No way you're getting off the hook, Higokumaru. The upper areas are yours," Fu Lin said with a smile, patting Higokumaru's head and handing her a cloth.

"Fine, I got it!" Higokumaru groaned and flew up to the rafters, meticulously dusting them.

"Wow, everyone's busy, huh? Nice work—it's looking really clean!" Fu Shi returned, carrying a wooden box and beaming at the bustling scene.

"What's that?" Fu Lin asked, curious about the locked chest Fu Shi was holding.

"You'll see in a moment." Fu Shi carefully set the box on the table, dusted it off, and unlocked it. Inside lay a small figure with dark brown hair and white clothing, peacefully asleep.

"Is that... the Book of Fuxi?" Fu Lin stared at the tiny figure, a perfect match for the Book of Fuxi, one of the game's elf's.