chapter 33

Penn looked up and he could see another pair of arms made entirely of wood lingering above him. He tried to move them and without any difficulty they felt like his own body and moved. 

"Amazing, you have another set of hands, in sure this will be useful for your work!" Hou was also shook, from a single parasite Penn had gained two hands. 

Penn looked up still, manipulating his newly formed limbs. He was picking things up when he heard what Hou said and vaguely nodded.

"Yeah, it's miraculous. Although it might take a while for me to remember to use them, it's like I'm splitting my attention to use both sets at the same time. Although hopefully that'll change as I become more used to them, thank you. Thank you really" Penn gave his sincere thanks as he used one of his newly formed limbs to pat Hou and the shoulder.

Hou nodded and congratulated Penn on his new set of limbs,

"Don't even think about it, you paid your fair price, I only gave you the opportunity"

Hou once again flew back to the tent construction using his wings. Over his time using the wings they had become natural to him and used them instead of walking much if the time, they had high qi consumption but it could be kept up with the qi absorption symbiote he had before. 

As Hou was flying he contemplated about what his next steps should be,

'I should focus on getting my parasites but also definitely focus on my newest symbiote. It has way more power than anything else and I shouldn't have any trouble if I can use it with less qi. I should ask master when he's awake if I can use it inside of a formation'

Hou had already flown to where he needs and was hovering above a large leather tent with enough space underneath for everyone to gather.

Hou glided down and as he stepped onto the ground, he shrunk his wings and shouted,

"Is it done now!"

In response from just outside the tent and worker walked in and said,

"Yep all done, and as you asked it should be simple to disassemble and reassemble" the man had quickly told Hou all he needs and awaited praise.

"Good work, today we all rest tell everyone else. Today we celebrate the real beginnings of the Hou sect. Tomorrow we all head off and continue travelling, growing our numbers" Hou gave the man all the info and expected him to disseminate it with everyone.

Hou looked up into the tent and saw his humble beginnings, right now they have a single large tent but this is just the start, if all goes to plan this sect will become bigger than Sacrarium ever was. He doesn't need to run, he will kill all the monsters, and free all the people under his name from the miasma cultivator.

Hou stopped ruminating on the future and went to Armen to celebrate, today he would be free. Under the blood dome, no threats would occur, Hou would take this night to party.

But partying needs drinks!

Hou stopped the man as he was leaving and asked him a question, 

"Say, your old settlement? Does it have any brewers? And if they do what resources do they want?"

The man thought for a second and said, 

"We did, intact he wanted to join here but said couldn't risk the journey, and food is always wanted. Some of that wild meat should do."

"Thanks, I'll be back soon"

Hou quickly kicked off the ground and flew to Armen's where he kept the meat,

"I'll take a bit of this, thanks!" Hou gave his thanks and took off again.

Hou decided to fly over to the other town in order to purchase some alcohol for a celebration and reward.

On the way, Hou felt that flying was fast of course but he may be faster if he kept low...

He could use the ground with his arm and leg parasites to generate a massive propulsion, and with the wings carry it far.

Hou lowered and went into an animalistic pose, running along the ground with each leap going further with more power. This was fully utilising the power of the parasites for movement.

In only a few short minutes, Hou arrived and slowed his approach, he lowered his wings and walked into town. Hou blended in and followed the flow of drunkards to a bar, behind which stood an old man.

"Senior, how about a trade? All this meat for a few barrels of alcohol, no need for anything fancy."

Hou flashed the pouches of fresh meat and the man stopped serving his other customers.

"Yes I can, are you that mysterious fellow who can fly, care to take me to your camp with that fancy flying off yours. I'll even give you a discount"

The old man became hushed and nudged at Hou with a toothy grin.

"Well how can I deny that, how about right now" Hou responded with his own cheeky smile.

The man dropped his towel and led Hou to the back, there was a few barrels of alcohol and equipment for producing various alcohols.

"If I'm carrying you I'll only be able to carry a few barrels as well, what about your equipment?"

"Ahh I dont care. Destroy it, I won't give these people anything"

Hou weary of time if others noticed they were destroying something, used his newest symbiote, already showing its uses.

Hou focused on his mind and an invisible force was created, Hou formed a flat plane and using force he crushed all the equipment. 

Hou took the old man and a few barrels of alcohol and flew back. This time, he did not run out the ground but only grow as fast as he could while carrying everything. 

"You seemed quite desperate to leave?"

"To be honest, I've wanted to leave for so long but without their protection I'd be dead"