Chapter 130 Clan You are the daughter of all of us.
A quick calculation shows that the gladiatorial combat lasts only an hour from start to finish, but if one is fully focused and keeps both mind and body on high alert, it can feel like an eternity.
Only after leaving the stage did Shen Lixia finally let out a long sigh of relief. Seeing the person from before leaning against a stone pillar with their arms crossed, she hurriedly said, "I made it to the end! But why are they sitting in the audience?"
This person is truly cunning; the so-called "end" is simply a ploy to have her claim the championship. The Garan people are all brave and skilled warriors, and fortunately, the participants seem quite young, with even a few young boys among them, so they haven't actually sent out any warriors to challenge her. However, this makes Shen Lixia even more unclear about their intentions.
She looked up and noticed the woman's smile deepening. She wasn't young; fine lines lined the corners of her eyes, and her smile revealed a maturity honed by time. As their eyes met, Shen Lixia felt this expression was very strange—no, it was more like it was overly kind, even to the point of being benevolent…
It's like a big bird looking at a baby bird that has just hatched.
What nonsense am I thinking? She shook her head. The woman, holding a cup of clean water, slowly walked towards her and handed her the cup. After the young man accepted the golden cup, she, like a priestess welcoming a guest, lightly touched the red stone on Shen Lixia's forehead with her fingertips, then his shoulders and waist. Between her fingers, a glint of light shimmered, and several deep pink flower petals appeared out of thin air, scattering onto the young man's clothes.
After doing all this, she took a step back and bowed slightly. "I still don't know your name. May I ask if it is the same as Lord Lingguang's?"
Shen Lixia nearly choked and quickly waved her hand, giving the woman her name. After battling under the scorching sun for so long, she was so thirsty her throat was parched. She hurriedly finished speaking and continued drinking water, but the woman's next sentence was even more brilliant.
"Strange, could it be that Lord Lingguang is worried that his offspring will be framed, so he hid you in her place and changed your name?"
"Cough...wait a minute—" Shen Lixia wiped her mouth in a disheveled manner, her peripheral vision catching sight of the intricate patterns on the stone pillars and walls. She hadn't paid much attention to them before, as she was still preoccupied with her senior sister and the others, but now, upon closer inspection, the images carved in these patterns were very familiar, resembling a giant bird spreading its wings in the fire.
Recalling Si Changxi's words, she suddenly realized who he was talking about.
If the Four Symbols bestow blessings, then these people might gather together over the long course of history, forming a unified race. Although she didn't know why the Garan people chose to dwell in the Chaos Rift, judging from their winged appearance, they would likely be regarded as demons or even monsters and besieged upon entering the human realm. Yet, they were essentially a human race blessed by the gods, having paid countless blood and sacrifices for the peace of the Earth Spirit Realm.
The Demon Realm and the Monster Realm certainly wouldn't welcome them. Staying in the dangerous yet sparsely populated border region would be safer.
Just like themselves, they were born to move between the three races.
Thinking of this, Shen Lixia remained silent for a moment before finally telling the truth: "My relationship with her... is very special, but we are indeed connected by blood. She allowed me to use a name that does not belong to anyone else."
Strictly speaking, she didn't really consider herself Hua Ying, and she was far from being worthy of the name "Ling Guang." However, as she walked along the way, the connection between her and Hua Ying became increasingly complex and inseparable as her memories gradually returned. They shared the same divine soul and the same fierce spirit. She inherited the divine fire of the Vermilion Bird and also possessed its habits. At the same time, she chose a character related to water as her surname.
That's right, they're connected by blood. Perhaps she really is like the child that Hua Ying and Luo Yang protected hand in hand and secretly watched grow up, a child they created together.
The woman's gaze softened, no longer looking at a high and mighty deity, but rather as if gazing upon a child. After a moment, her eyes crinkled with joy, and she said gently, "Welcome back."
"This is the Vermilion Bird Tribe. We are all descendants of the tribe that fought alongside Lord Lingguang. I am the current High Priest of the tribe. You may call me Hua Yun."
She continues to respond to the blessings she received from her ancestors with devout love. She looked tenderly at the boy, whose features bore a resemblance to the deity in the statue, yet possessed a different kind of purity, as if he had been tempered by another person, becoming much gentler.
Lord Lingguang's children are also their children.
Every child born here can call someone older than themselves "Ah-jie" (elder sister) or someone of the same generation as their mother "Ah-mi" (mother). Every woman is a relative to the others; even without a physical blood tie, a natural, unbreakable bond exists between them.
She led Shen Lixia away from the arena, along a wide road, towards the domed hall not far away. The residents who were playing and bustling along the way seemed to adore Hua Yun, throwing the flowers they had picked at her. Shen Lixia, who was following behind, was also welcomed, and when they reached the porch, her clothes were covered with scattered petals.
The petals fell with her gentle sway, scattering into the azure waterway beside her, shimmering in the refracted light. Despite the distinctions of rank, there seemed to be no hierarchy here; the people, upon seeing the High Priest, simply expressed their affection without any flattery.
A gentle tremor ran through Shen Lixia's heart as she lowered her eyes. Suddenly, she felt that the world treated this clan extremely cruelly. The victims were banished, the righteous were slandered, and why did none of those who once followed the Vermilion Bird have a good ending?
The ripples turned into flames, filled with resentment, burning through her chest and making her bite her lower lip. Thinking about how people constantly speak of the Way of Heaven, praising its merits and vowing to have it bear witness, for some reason, it felt like a grain of sand mixed into the meat of an oyster; all those words now sounded incredibly harsh.
What has Heaven done? And what has the current Supreme God done? The Vermilion Bird died, and its followers also met with bad ends. Do these people know this, or are they the murderers who personally wiped out all of this?
This shouldn't be the case.
Upon arriving at the hall, the banquet was already prepared, awaiting their arrival. Hua Yun led Shen Lixia to the hall, where she stood shoulder to shoulder with Hua Sheng, who held a long spear.
Silence fell upon them. Hua Sheng lowered her weapon and performed the flower petal scattering ritual that Shen Lixia had just witnessed. After exchanging a few words in hushed tones with Hua Yun, she turned and announced loudly:
"She is a member of our clan who has been away from home for a long time, and she is also the daughter of all of us."
After saying that, she nudged Shen Lixia and whispered, "Go, they are waiting for you."
The banquet, which had briefly fallen silent, was enlivened again by her words, and the festivities began anew.
The young woman weaved through the crowd, with people occasionally offering her fruit wine and clinking glasses. Their gazes, like those of Hua Yun before, were tender, as if she had been there since birth, a child they had watched grow up. Everyone was her family; they loved her as much as they loved each other. Wherever she went, the broad wings of raptors spread, offering Shen Lixia warm protection.
Shen Lixia smiled at them, then politely declined each of their offers.
The boy, like a shooting star enveloped in a cluster of bright flames, walked calmly toward a certain place.
Qiao Yanshen was sitting at a long table when he suddenly smelled the fragrance of flowers. He immediately realized who was approaching and handed the person the wine glass he was holding.
Shen Lixia took the glass, took a sip, and then realized it was filled with juice. She blinked, as if remembering something, slammed the glass down, stood in front of Qiao Yanshen, and twirled around excitedly, her earlier sharpness instantly gone.
"Senior sister, senior sister, what do you think?"
The cloak was bright red, more vibrant than flowing blood, and the gold dust on the silk shimmered. Golden leaves adorned her loose hair, resembling a crown. Shen Lixia stood up straight, her eyes filled with expectation yet trepidation as she looked at Qiao Yanshen. Her hands clasped together instinctively, as if she were about to tap dance like a lamb.
She was like a new feather, eager to show off in front of her beloved, and wouldn't stop until she received a compliment from him.
Qiao Yanshen narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at her carefully for a long time. His gaze was filled with tenderness as he traced her fluffy hair, bright eyes, and strong shoulders. He smiled and said, "So beautiful."
Good health and plenty of energy. That would be perfect.
Shen Lixia was completely satisfied. After cheering, she bent down and threw herself into Qiao Yanshen's arms, burying her face in her shoulder and rubbing against her. It was so sticky and warm, and her warm breath was on her skin.
"I'm so tired," she said, finally relaxing. "It's so annoying that I always have to separate from my senior sister first."
Qiao Yanshen couldn't help but chuckle, patted her hair, and said softly, "You've worked hard. You did very well at the celebration, and I'm very happy to see your remarkable progress."
"After all, I listened carefully to your teachings, Master and Senior Sister." Shen Lixia smiled.
The air was filled with the rich aroma of wine and fruit, while milk and honey flowed between the sumptuous meat dishes. The guests and hosts enjoyed themselves immensely. After Simmons swayed around once, it returned to their side, and the three of them clinked glasses, just like that night when they drank together under the moon.
As the banquet reached its climax, someone plucked a string, and music began to flow gently.
Since they are a group whose totem is the Vermilion Bird, they naturally have an affinity for music, and even their impromptu performances are very pleasant to the ear.
Not far away, Si Changxi sat with Hua Yun and Hua Sheng.
After finishing her drink, Hua Sheng smiled, a hint of intoxication in her voice. She looked down at the jubilant crowd and said, "If only peace could come sooner."
After saying that, she glanced at Si Changxi again. He was gently swirling his wine glass, but it was just mixed fruit juice, with no trace of alcohol in its sweet aroma.
Seemingly sensing her doubt, the young man smiled and said, "I'm afraid that if I drink, I'll start thinking about things I shouldn't." Like last time in the tavern in the human world.
Hua Sheng nodded knowingly, and without asking any further questions, turned to clink glasses with Hua Yun.
Si Changxi's gaze swept over the excited crowd, and when he looked away, a faint melancholy appeared in his eyes.
The room was filled with noise, and the more lively it was, the more those who couldn't fit in longed for their original hometown.
Amidst the laughter and chatter, she alone felt lonely.
—But even a moment of excitement is fine. Perhaps the people from their hometown have simply migrated, or perhaps they've used magic to hide themselves more discreetly to avoid trouble. That person's mouth is full of lies, so why should I believe a message she uttered a thousand years ago?
She was nothing more than a sinner who betrayed the tribe's principle of helping the world, a traitor to the tribe.
My mother and sisters must still be waiting for me to come back.
-
By the time the banquet ended, it was already dark. The magnificent lights illuminated the bricks and tiles, making the glazed tiles sparkle.
The four were assigned to spacious single rooms, one for resting, one for living, and even a private bathtub.
A soft, rose-colored veil fell, concealing the reflection of a person in the pool behind it.
"Hiss... My bones feel like they're about to fall apart."
The boy's melodious voice made even complaints sound like chants. She angrily slapped the water's surface, listening to the splashes, then scooped up a handful and splashed it on her face. The bottom of the pool was covered with a layer of strange stones, which could warm the spring water and keep the bath always steaming.
Shen Lixia's face was slightly flushed from soaking in the water, and she rubbed her shoulders vigorously. Beside her, flower petals floated and swirled slowly, letting their faint fragrance brush past her nose.
Having experienced so much today, she was quite tired, and her mind felt hazy, filled only with a dizzying sense of comfort. She quietly leaned against the pool wall for a while, and was about to get up when she suddenly heard soft footsteps nearby.
Who would come here? Shen Lixia thought she had misheard, so she held her breath and listened carefully. Sure enough, someone was walking towards the bath.
The footsteps stopped when they reached the gauze curtain, and a figure appeared faintly behind it, the white robes casting a soft pink hue over the rose color. Shen Lixia's breath caught in her throat, her eyes widened, and she could hear her own heart pounding.
The person behind the scenes hesitated for a moment, their shadow swaying gently before they finally spoke:
"Junior sister, can we soak together?"
Shen Lixia smiled, her eyes crinkling. Even though she knew Qiao Yanshen couldn't see her expression, she still smiled and said, "Okay." She took a deep breath and let herself sink, half her face submerged in the water, a faint blush rising to her ears.
The sound of flowing water was so clear, yet it still couldn't drown out the soft thud of clothes slowly falling to the ground as the sash was untied.
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Author's Note: Xia Xia from before: Mom, where are you? TT
Xia now: Hmph, they're all my moms (?)
In a sense, my senior sister is one too. (Incorrect)
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