The sky cracked open like an egg.
Golden light spilled out, feathers drifted down, and a triumphant crow shook the dream realm to its core.
> "COCK-A-DOOOOOOOOOOOM!"
Li Ming's eyelid twitched.
"…No. Absolutely not. I watched you explode."
From the clouds descended a colossal rooster wreathed in divine flames — haloed, majestic, unbearably smug.
The Golden Rooster Saint, undying symbol of dawn, nemesis of sanity, and professional alarm clock of the heavens.
Bai Guo choked on laughter. "You really can't escape poultry-based karma, descendant."
The rooster landed atop the dream meadow, wings spreading wide as the ground rippled under its weight. Its voice thundered:
> "I HAVE TRANSCENDED DEATH!
EVEN TIME ITSELF SHALL HEAR MY MORNING SONG!"
Li Ming groaned. "Who keeps promoting you?!"
---
The air shimmered, and several versions of Li Ming began flickering into view — echoes from across the temporal loop.
