Chapter 177 The Moon's Radiance Does Not Follow, Flowing to Illuminate You. (177.17...)
Thousands of years ago, in the chaotic rift.
The current high priest has retired and today handed over a token symbolizing the guardian of the tribe to his successor.
It was an unfinished document.
Although the four tribes have very different customs, they are all the same in this respect: they pass down their authority through written records, record the history of their tribe, and correct previous errors.
Each high priest was both a leader of the tribe with heavy responsibilities and a historian.
Under a clear blue sky, a figure slowly walked through the woods. She hadn't slept a wink last night, overwhelmed with joy; the scent of dried dew still lingered in her hair.
The sunlight fell, and everything around was as clean as if it had just been washed by rain.
The road wasn't long, but the young successor felt it was taking too long halfway through and involuntarily started running. Her black hair fluttered in the wind, shimmering with the luster of silk; her bright eyes were clear, like extremely fresh water, so clear that you could see right through them, without any impurities.
No longer bound by etiquette, she, like all teenagers her age, was completely absorbed in the moment, running all the way to the celebration, stopping amidst the stares of the crowd, and wiping the sweat from her brow.
This is her twentieth birthday, which she has counted on her fingers.
In the tribe, this age was considered to be capable of taking on some responsibility independently. Centuries had passed since the unusual celestial phenomena were observed—the blessings were fading, and the spiritual energy was beginning to decline. During these centuries, their tribe had become cautious and vigilant. While children in other tribes were still playing freely, the children of the Azure Dragon tribe had already learned to take up weapons, maturing prematurely amidst intense anxiety.
For the people of Kalam, twenty years is not even a fraction of a lifetime.
The high priest approached her, his features kind and his voice gentle:
Congratulations.
There was a subtle sense of comfort in her words that only the two of them could understand, a comfort that was even greater than that of others.
They are children of the tribe, and also children of the stars.
Each High Priest is born in the sacred land, an egg conceived by heaven and earth and appearing under the influence of the Azure Dragon constellation.
The newborn child has no single mother; the entire tribe becomes her closest relative, raising her; the high priest is the one who teaches her.
Therefore, this special child also shoulders the responsibility of protecting his people in the future.
Today, she too will take on this responsibility.
No longer Liu Hua, but was given the surname of Lord Taiyin, which was also the clan name.
—From that moment on, she became Si Liuhua.
What is the difference between Ke Liuhua and Si Liuhua?
She will always be herself, understanding her life's mission from the moment she was born.
Before handing over the documents, the high priest would also perform a divination for her and for the entire tribe.
The longevity of the heavens kept the Kalan people from physical aging, but these signs would still appear unexpectedly. The woman's eyes were no longer as wide and bright as they had been in her youth; she was more accustomed to lowering them, concealing all her sharpness. She knew clearly that the child before her would go far away, leading the tribe to explore the future; while she herself would spend the rest of her life in peace, retiring to the tribe, like water dissolving into water.
Liu Hua is a very special child.
The oracle bone inscriptions say that she will ascend to the heavens with another high priest.
That divination was done when she was just born, and this time, it's to mark her growing up, and it's also the last time I'll do a divination for her.
Time passes like a gentle breeze through the leaves, brushing past silently without leaving much of a profound impression.
In the open space before the holy site, the two slowly distanced themselves. The priest took a deep breath and closed his eyes, causing the tribespeople beside him to stand on tiptoe to watch, afraid of missing even the slightest detail.
In the solitude, a wisp of wind rose, and soon the wind whistled from all directions, brushing against the leaves and creating a rustling echo.
Like a lead bird singing, it evoked countless harmonies. Leaves of varying colors gathered and swirled between the two, forming a circle around the priest.
Their tribe is different from other tribes. Protected by the Moon God, they have lived in a land with abundant water and grass since ancient times, and have been able to live in a place with streams and forests, welcoming spring after spring.
Even though the spiritual energy is now depleted, and apart from those with exceptional talent, no one in the clan still cultivates the Dao, and the prosperous spring is gradually decaying, no one has ever thought of leaving.
They've taken root here and don't want to leave.
The priestess opened her eyes, and Liu Hua saw golden light shimmering in her pupils. This was their unique pupil technique, once one of the innate talents of the dragon race.
Throughout history, one can gain insight into the minds of others and even use enchanting techniques to entice them to act according to one's own will.
However, with the departure of the Taiyin Lord, all the true dragons have long since vanished. The great demon Jiuyin, who now protects the clan, is merely a descendant of the dragon with a trace of the Zhulong bloodline.
A spiritual glow enveloped the leaves. The woman bent down and lightly touched the ground with her fingertips. The layers of leaves then floated in mid-air, emitting a faint blue light.
"Choose one. Don't be nervous, just pick one you like."
Liu Hua reached out and plucked a leaf, and all the surrounding leaves drifted to the ground, returning to their original places after the priest gently waved his hand.
She gestured for the boy to come over. Liu Hua understood her meaning, walked over, and handed her the leaf in his hand.
The priestess gazed at the veins of the leaf, her spiritual energy flowing into them. The leaf began to glow, gathering into fine, intricate patterns. After the light faded, she carefully examined the patterns for a long time, revealing a look of confusion for the first time since she had learned her eye technique.
Because the veins only extend to half of the leaf and do not cover the entire leaf.
She remembered that when she succeeded to the position, the priest handed her a complete leaf, the patterns on which at least predicted the course of her life. The priest told her that she would die peacefully in her old age, like all the Kalanites who had seen through the nature of life and were determined to grow old, returning to the earth and to the side of the Moon Lord.
The entire tribe lived in peace and comfort during her lifetime.
The pattern stopped halfway, for one of two reasons: either the boy in front of him, as the prophecy said, had already stepped into the heavenly realm, attained immortality, and the fate of immortals is naturally not something that earthly people can predict;
Secondly, it's about her...
He died young.
The priestess felt a chill run down her spine. She looked at the child before her—bright eyes, not yet fully grown, far from being a true adult, so young, yet already at the level to be able to fight against Jiuyin.
Because of the scarcity of spiritual energy, and the fact that he had only reached the level of spiritual energy liquefaction, he was no match for Jiuyin.
But Liu Hua has already done it; she has a bright future ahead of her.
It should be the first one.
She placed the leaf in Liuhua's hand, letting her interpret it herself; she then shared the divination regarding the tribe with the others:
“We will return to the Moon Goddess’s side, under the guidance of this child and the future High Priest.”
The woman smiled, lowered her eyes, and reverently bent down, presenting a scroll to Liu Hua. The young man showed a slight nervousness, yet his demeanor was composed and respectful as he steadily accepted the scroll.
"Today, I bestow upon you the clan name Si, and appoint you to succeed the position of High Priest, to preserve this scroll that records the life and production of your clan."
"From this day forward, you will be the leader of the tribe; from this day forward, the people of the tribe will be protected by you. Follow the teachings of the Moon Goddess and your ancestors, be sincere and pure, be gentle and devout, do not deceive, and do not forget your true self."
"Focus on your studies and remember—a doctor's heart is full of benevolence, and one should dedicate oneself to saving lives."
Finally, love your mother and sisters as you love yourself.
A branch flew by, and the priest caught it in his hand, raising it high above his head like a scepter.
She said in a deep voice, "Make a vow."
The boy, called Liu Hua—or rather, Si Liu Hua—clung tightly to the document, knelt on one knee, and whispered the woman's teachings.
The staff touched each shoulder once, and the ceremony ended. As Jiuyin arrived, he saw the boy he had watched grow up, dressed in white, smiling in the gentle spring breeze, more radiant than the sunlight filtering through the leaves.
It transformed into human form, passed through the crowd, and walked to the boy's side. Liu Hua sensed her presence and smiled, "Lord Jiuyin."
She was holding the documents when, in a flash, Jiu Yin pulled her firmly into her arms. The fabric of the woman's clothes was as smooth and cool as the scales of her true form, but Si Liuhua felt warm.
She struggled to her feet and cried out in a muffled voice, "I am the High Priestess now! My people are watching... Please let me go..."
Jiuyin chuckled, "We'll talk when you're as tall as me."
The woman next to him also laughed.
"You seem to favor her greatly, Lord Jiuyin."
In her memory, Jiuyin rarely appeared in the tribe because of the decline of spiritual energy in this place, and usually stayed in a quiet place within the tribe. But Liu Hua was restless as a child and had the ability to remember everything she saw, so she often left school early and traveled all over the tribe's territory.
Of course, I also saw the sleeping Jiuyin.
She had her own methods, which awakened the great demon that had almost never opened its eyes except in times of crisis. She became increasingly familiar with it, even causing it to reveal its human form and walk out of the secret place with her.
The tribespeople cheered and showered flowers and fruits from the abundant bamboo baskets.
The priest looked with satisfaction at the boy who was surrounded by people.
The sun was warm, the grass was green—it seemed there couldn't be a more memorable scene. Si Liuhua hugged the book tightly, deciding on the first stroke he would make on it.
At that time, she did not know that this scroll would end in her hands.
Time flies, and the life of the former priestess came to an end. Even in her final moments, she remained a person of considerable influence within the clan. The high priest, Si Liuhua, and the young clan leader stood by her side, listening to her last words.
High priests throughout history either left their tribes after their succession to seek the reasons for the decline of spiritual energy, or, like her, returned to a peaceful life.
The aging of the Garan people is different from that of nature, yet it follows the same laws as nature. Just as the appearance of a monk in the human world is influenced by his own heart, the aging of the Garan people also begins with the aging of their soul.
Immortality is a blessing, but also a gentle curse.
She believed she was getting old, and this process began slowly. Sleepless nights, increasingly profound dreams, the sunlight unchanged, yet weariness relentlessly creeping in. Then she understood this was a revelation, a call from the Luo River; the Styx was about to send her back to the side of the Moon God. The supreme deity she had revered and believed in all her life was taking her away.
The priest held Si Liuhua's hand. After the clan chief finished listening to her instructions, he left, leaving only the two of them in the room.
Despite her advanced age, she was still radiant and spoke in a steady voice: "Leave the tribe."
Si Liuhua nodded, "After the next high priest grows up, I will go and find out the reason for the decline of spiritual energy."
“No, you are different from them.” The priest shook his head. “In the end, none of them left this place; the furthest they went was to set foot in the territories of other tribes…”
"But I want you to leave the desolate ancient ruins, Liu Hua."
Si Liuhua's eyes widened, and she couldn't help but feel a little bewildered. Of course, she knew the meaning of the desolate ancient ruins—the memories of the priests of each generation would gradually emerge in her mind as they succeeded to the throne. Therefore, while her peers still thought that this place was the whole world, and that the furthest place was an ancient desert kingdom that could be traversed thousands of miles away, she knew that the world was far more vast than this.
They were people who were banished to the desolate ancient land because of the blessing bestowed upon them. To outsiders, this place is strange and unpredictable, with many ancient ruins and auras. It is a rift created when the wise ruler separated heaven and earth, but in the end, it became the only place where they could settle down and take root.
Because humans fear those who are different, their eye techniques, the wings of the Vermilion Bird tribe...
Other tribes also have characteristics that are more or less different from ordinary people.
This fear led their ancestors to be labeled "Galans" and driven away from humanity.
Thousands of years have passed. The tribes have grown disillusioned with humanity, and the rifts between them are beyond repair. But now, the priest tells her to leave this place...
To return to, or even integrate into, the human realm.
After confirming several times that this wasn't a joke, she asked, "Why? I can live here and—"
"The spiritual energy here is weak and cannot help you cultivate. However, there are still places in the human realm with abundant spiritual energy. In the memories of our ancestors, they had already developed many civilizations, which must be as brilliant as stars now. Staying here will only stagnate your cultivation and skills."
"Can I bring others along? Clan leader, or Sister Zhi... Lord Jiuyin might also like to go."
“No, you must go alone,” the priest replied firmly. “You must travel to the human realm alone.”
Si Liuhua remained silent. She knew her request was somewhat willful; the Garan people were already unacceptable to her race, and if their existence became known, who knew what kind of turmoil it would cause. Anyone who ventured out would become a source of instability... She couldn't guarantee the safety of anyone other than herself.
If a member of her tribe accompanies her on her departure but dies before returning, she will blame herself for the rest of her life.
But she was very hesitant at that moment.
There would be no lingering medicinal fragrance outside, no familiar voices, and no tribesmen patting her on the shoulder urging her to eat more meat.
He wanted to leave alone and survive by himself, thousands of miles away from the tribe.
The priest seemed to have discerned her thoughts and sighed softly, "There's no rush. It's good that you think it over."
Having finished giving her instructions, Si Liuhua noticed that she was a little sleepy, so he left the room filled with a soft, bittersweet incense.
A warm breath enveloped her, only to be dispersed by a gentle breeze.
The next day, the priest passed away in a dream.
Then, in another spring, strange phenomena appeared in the silent holy land, and withered flowers bloomed again.
The young high priest was the first to notice this subtle stirring and rushed to the holy site.
Si Liuhua walked to the altar. A pure white egg, as white as jade, came into view, lying quietly inside. It seemed as if a small animal was sleeping there. She felt the subtle rise and fall of the eggshell, knowing that this tiny life was breathing. In that instant, her heart was filled with a strange feeling, and even though she was good with words, she was speechless.
Softer than water, lighter than clouds. The warmth of spring cannot compare to the burning passion in her heart. Joy and love surged forth in a complex mix.
She didn't know how to deal with what was happening before her; she reached out her hand and then withdrew it, her hand trembling uncontrollably.
She was afraid she wouldn't be able to hold him properly, yet also worried about using too much strength. Was she like this when she was born? How did the high priest hold her back then?
It seems there is still so much to learn for this unborn child.
Her successor, her... sister.
Logically, the successor high priest shouldn't have been born so early, but the prophecy had told them everything. Si Liuhua carefully cradled the egg in her arms, her cheeks flushed with excitement. She gently pressed her ear to the surface of the egg, her eyes fixed intently on the sounds inside.
Thump, thump...
The sound of life hitting the ground reached her ears clearly, even more so than her own heartbeat.
The clansmen gradually gathered, and a child exclaimed in surprise, "Why isn't the high priest wearing his boots properly!" but was silenced by the elders.
An elderly man stepped forward and gazed tenderly at the egg that Si Liuhua was holding in her arms.
"This is a blessing from the gods. From now on, the two of you together will surely become outstanding talents, unparalleled in the world."
The stars bound the two of them together. There is no inherent hierarchy among relatives, but there is a bond that exists only between the high priests.
It exists only among them.
They are born with this connection, and can find each other even in a vast world.
Si Liuhua closed her eyes and made up her mind.
—She wanted to leave her tribe and the desolate ancient land.
Once the newborn child settles down under her careful care, she will be able to set off. She is not afraid of being in a foreign land, and though she was in the past, she is no longer afraid now.
The tribe and this child became Si Liuhua's everything; as long as they were there, she would never feel alone. Just thinking of them brought her a long and warm comfort, even in the most difficult times.
Perhaps at that moment she didn't, and never imagined, that this child would later truly become her everything.
The tribe says they are sisters blessed by the Moon Goddess. Others forged a pair of star charts for them, incorporating the wisdom of their ancestors, and even sought help from the Vermilion Bird tribe to perfect the array, so that it could guide them to find the Moon Goddess in the upper realm.
Firstly, it summons the soul; secondly, it guides the way. If they are separated, they cannot exert their full effect.
In recent years, Si Liuhua has realized that there are so many things she is not good at.
She can carve timeless characters on a stone slab, but she can't weave a cricket that a child finds beautiful; she can recognize all the obscure names of medicinal herbs and remember the most subtle differences in prescriptions, but she can't think of what kind of name a newborn child should have.
She clumsily tried to share her body heat with the egg like a bird, attempting to "hatch" it, curling up with it on the altar of the sacred site, telling it about the fragrance of grass and the brilliance of the stars, only to be told by others with amusement that it was not necessary to do so.
Si Liuhua felt that she was very stupid.
She truly hoped the child wouldn't despise her for being so clumsy and helpless...
She really didn't know what to do.
Fortunately, weapon forging isn't too difficult, and Si Liuhua can forge a practice sword for her. Of course, she doesn't necessarily have to use a sword; if she doesn't like it later, a new weapon can be made.
She can make anything for her.
After a long time, the name was finally decided.
Chang Xi.
One of the names of the moon. If I am the moonlight, then she is the moon.
She was willing to be her shadow, willing to be the moonlight that chased and illuminated her throughout her life.
With the departure date fast approaching, Si Liuhua carved his final words on the stone slab and placed a soft cloth under the egg.
It says on it the location of this quiet little place she found in the clan. At that time, Changxi will find this place, find this stone slab, and know his sister's feelings.
She will understand that she was born in love and blessings, and then grow up healthy and safe.
Perhaps he would eagerly await her return. At that time, Si Liuhua could then take out the items he had collected from various human races and show them to Chang Xi, letting her choose her favorite.
If you can't choose, then give her the whole thing.
Every year, she would write a letter to Changxi, wishing her a happy birthday. When she returned, Changxi suddenly had many birthdays and many birthday gifts.
They are descendants of people who survived in the wilderness, possessing a simple and honest nature. Love is love, and more is better; there are no hidden agendas.
Changxi...
Sister loves you very much.
The boy held the warm egg, gently pressed his forehead against its surface, sighed softly, and looked on with tenderness in his eyes.
One morning, Si Liuhua bid farewell to the tribe and left the desolate ancient land. She carried few things, mostly herbs. Although she had changed her accent to the Kalan language, her speech was still somewhat rusty; she adopted the alias Sibudu.
Not to be taken.
She liked the word; it sounded free, like a free-spirited breeze.
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The author's note: The desolate ancient land is also known as the chaotic rift.
The total length is expected to be two chapters, and this narration will end in the next chapter. (By the way, Xiao Wu just finished being happy, and the next chapter is about Si Liuhua, how scary, she seems like a female ghost.)
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