Chapter Sixteen: The Thumb-Sized Scarecrow

"I am a singing scarecrow, oh scarecrow; I am a dancing scarecrow, oh scarecrow!" A cheerful song drifted from the depths of the light. Han Tianyue widened his eyes, gazing at the enormous silhouette of the scarecrow.

"Hehe! I am a singing scarecrow, oh scarecrow; I am a dancing scarecrow, oh scarecrow!" The scarecrow emerged from the depths, and as Han Tianyue looked closer, he saw that this scarecrow was no larger than a thumb, completely unlike the towering figure he had imagined.

Though a bit disappointed, Han Tianyue was still excited as he stepped forward and asked, "Scarecrow, did Sister Gusu send you to lead me out?"

The scarecrow hopped about, singing, "I am a singing scarecrow, oh scarecrow; I am a dancing scarecrow, oh scarecrow!" Then he replied, "Yes, my master sent me to guide you out!"

Han Tianyue cupped the thumb-sized scarecrow in his hands, smiling. "You're so cute!"

The tiny scarecrow put his hands on his hips and cried, "You're the cute one! I am a singing scarecrow, oh scarecrow; I am a dancing scarecrow, oh scarecrow!"

"Fine, you're not cute!" Han Tianyue muttered, turning away, "But you really are cute!"

The thumb-sized scarecrow leaped from Han Tianyue's palm, saying, "Follow me," and continued singing, "I am a singing scarecrow, oh scarecrow; I am a dancing scarecrow, oh scarecrow."

The voice of the little scarecrow carried far, cutting through the noisy mechanisms like a cool breeze.

Hearing the song, Fang Zhe stilled his strings.

Wang Chong drew his twin blades.

Duo Na scanned the surroundings, alert.

Meanwhile, on the next level below, Jin Di, Mao Xuanzi, and the others also heard the voice.

Jin Di clenched his fists.

Mao Xuanzi’s fiery hair waved in the air.

Shuixi lifted his head.

Feng Shang hid behind them, quietly watching to see what would happen.

"I am a singing scarecrow, oh scarecrow; I am a dancing scarecrow, oh scarecrow!" The song drew nearer. Its merry tune stirred no resonance in their hearts—only an infinite terror.

"It's me!" Han Tianyue shouted, and Fang Zhe and Wang Chong, who had prepared for battle, finally relaxed. Duo Na also stopped scanning the area.

"I am a singing scarecrow, oh scarecrow; I am a dancing scarecrow, oh scarecrow!" the scarecrow sang as he said, "Follow me, your other four companions are waiting for you!"

Fang Zhe was overjoyed to see Han Tianyue, but when he looked down at the thumb-sized scarecrow, curiosity sparked. "Han Tianyue, what is this?"

He found it adorable and reached out, wanting to grab the little scarecrow.

The scarecrow dodged with astonishing agility, a hint of anger in his voice. "I am a singing scarecrow, oh scarecrow; I am a dancing scarecrow, oh scarecrow! If any of you try to touch me again, don't blame me for being impolite!"

"Quite the temper!" Everyone laughed it off, following the thumb-sized scarecrow to search for Mao Xuanzi and the others.

Before long, under the scarecrow's guidance, they found Mao Xuanzi and the rest. Though each had survived by the skin of their teeth, everyone was safe, and that was all that mattered.

Han Tianyue recounted what had happened.

Fang Zhe exclaimed, "I was scared out of my wits at the time. Who would've thought that doll would be just as you suspected!"

"For a woman to construct such a vast underground array, she must be a master of mechanisms and formations!" Though they hailed from the same sect, Duo Na knew nothing of the origins of this so-called Sister Gusu.

"I suspect that ring is no ordinary item, Brother Han Tianyue. Guard it well, and let no one else know of it, lest trouble finds you," Jin Di advised. After so long outside, he was well aware of the dangers that lurked beyond.

Han Tianyue nodded and put the ring away.

"I am a singing scarecrow, oh scarecrow; I am a dancing scarecrow, oh scarecrow!" The thumb-sized scarecrow stopped and said, "The exit is just ahead!"

Everyone turned their eyes to where the scarecrow pointed, stunned. "Isn't that where we entered?"

They had come full circle, back to the beginning.

They stared at each other helplessly, shaking their heads. "What should we do now?"

"I am a singing scarecrow, oh scarecrow; I am a dancing scarecrow, oh scarecrow!" The thumb-sized scarecrow kept singing his song.

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