It was early morning on the seventh day of the snowstorm battle.
Lily gently closed the window tightly to block out the cold wind coming from the snow-capped mountains.
"Grandpa, it's almost time for us to set off." the girl said softly.
The old man stood up silently and put on the black robe most commonly worn by the magicians of the Himi family.
After taking the potion brought by the adventurer, the old man's body seemed to have completely recovered, and he returned to the serious and old-fashioned parent he used to be. Lily didn't care at all about the old man's reticence, she held her grandfather's wrist and kept chattering.
"I don't know why the third elder wants all of us to gather in the square? Although today is the ancestor worship day, the third elder clearly said before that the monsters in the wild are very dangerous recently, so everyone can worship their ancestors at home... grandfather?"
The old man put his hand on his granddaughter's shoulder and interrupted her.
"careful."
He spoke only one word briefly and then said no more, but Lily immediately understood what the old man meant.
The girl pursed her lips and firmly grasped her grandfather's hand. The grandfather and grandson left the room in silence and walked towards the assembly square in the center of Fengxue Mountain Villa.
The wind and snow seem to be particularly heavy today. The cold wind stirred up snowflakes, submerging the magician's villa in paleness. Magicians in black robes gathered in the square, dotting the only dark patch on the snow-covered land.
Under the gaze of countless eyes, the third elder climbed onto the high platform.
Torches burned with difficulty in the snowstorm, glowing with dots of red; tall totem poles stood around the square, and the engraved magic runes radiated light. The magician on the high platform was holding a kraft paper roll and scanning the people under the stage——
Everything was very similar to the adventurers' gathering seven days ago, except now, the residents of the mountain village with ice-colored hair took the place of the original adventurers.
"Everyone." The third elder standing on the high platform spoke.
"I know that today's decision is too sudden and may have caused a lot of trouble to everyone." The manager of Fengxue Villa bowed deeply and apologized to the clan members. "There is just a piece of news. I will tell you all this morning no matter what." share."
The magician in the embroidered gold robe took a step forward and gently threw aside the eloquent speech in his hand.
"As you all know, today is the Himi family's ancestor worship day - and it has been exactly one year since the disaster that made us heartbroken."
"On this fateful day, an adventurer named Hidechi Igawa and his companions brought us good news."
"——They found the treasure that the Himi family lost a year ago, the red crystal. From now on, we can finally visit the place where the blue god lives again."
As soon as the words fell, the entire assembly square suddenly fell into silence.
Every member of the Himi family knows that the red crystal is a treasure given by the gods in the old days. As long as you have it, you can break through the fog shrouding the rift valley, climb to the mountain top of the divine realm, and visit the gods who protect them.
only……
Seeing the hesitant expressions on the faces of the tribesmen, the third elder sighed softly.
"Everyone, I know what you want to say." He looked up at the blizzard-raging sky, "The gods who used to protect us have abandoned us long ago, and even the sons of gods - the ice monsters we once trusted as family have betrayed us. Us. In this case, what’s the point of getting the red crystal?”
There was a pause in his words. Morton took off his heavy hood and looked at the people in the audience with gentle eyes.
"I think, no matter what the reason is for God to choose to leave, we cannot deny that He has indeed protected the Himi family for hundreds of years."
"Now, we have decided to no longer rely on gods and gods' sons, but only rely on human power to survive. Since we have to part ways with the past 'Hyomi', we might as well take this opportunity to ascend to the divine realm again -"
"Bear our gods a dignified farewell."
Whispers gradually spread among the audience. People with the same surname looked at each other and exchanged opinions with each other in lowered voices. The hesitation and sadness gradually disappeared from their faces - finally, everyone raised their heads together and cast their firm gaze on the real leader of Fengxue Villa.
The third elder smiled.
"It seems that we have reached an agreement."
After watching the whole process of the gathering, the adventurers who were hiding nearby and secretly peeping became excited.
——There is no doubt that this means that the final map has been opened, and the most exciting decisive battle of the Snowstorm Battle is about to begin!
However, just as the excited trainers were about to follow the team, they received a shocking news - except for Ikawa Hidechi's team who had made a meritorious service in retrieving the red crystal, other foreigners were not allowed to approach the top of the mountain.
"No, wait, wait a minute!" Some contestants grabbed the guard and asked, "We have helped the third elder defeat so many monsters in the past few days. We have to work hard without any credit, right? We won't disturb the ceremony, just stay away." Take a look at it from a distance, really!”
"If someone comes to cause trouble, we can help protect everyone! Please, let us go!!"
The tall guard showed no emotion at all, and the spear in his hand hit the ground hard.
"Adventurers are not allowed to follow us up the mountain. This is the order of the third elder."
Seeing countless guards looking at them with murderous intent, as if they were about to throw five ice blades in a row in the next second, the adventurers had no choice but to retract their feet in grievance.
When the mighty team of Himi clan members walked away with the guards, the young contestants immediately gathered together and started chattering about it - it is impossible to give up, and there will be no tickets for a new map. When have southerners ever experienced such injustice?
The trainers were having a lively discussion. Some decided not to follow the team in a hurry and find other ways to go up the mountain in Snow Mountain Villa; others tried to take risks and sneaked into the team to move forward together - when they finished their plans, the silver-haired The magicians had already left the villa and were walking slowly towards the top of the mountain on the pure white snow.
For the Hyoujian people who were born in the snow-capped mountains, the cold wind and heavy snow cannot hinder their progress at all. The magicians in black robes were like dragons swimming in the ice and snow, constantly climbing up. Only the third elder was followed by a few adventurers in white clothes, becoming the only strange person in the team.
Maybe it’s because they are about to set foot on the divine realm after a year’s absence, which makes people unconsciously nervous; or maybe it’s because the guards walking on the outside of the team are unsmiling and look cold and scary. The climbers are silent and a depressive atmosphere envelopes them. on the mountain trails.
Someone couldn't help but take a few steps to catch up with the leader, "Mr. Wallen, are you leading the team today?"
"It's really rare. Isn't Mr. Jean usually responsible for this kind of thing? Speaking of which, I don't seem to have seen Mr. Jean today?" the tribesman asked curiously.
The burly new guard leader remained silent and glanced at the tribesman who spoke. Those green eyes were sinister and cold, making people shiver.
"To be honest, this is not good news - so I didn't explain it during the meeting." The third elder walking at the front of the team turned around and explained apologetically, "Jean was injured while encircling and suppressing the ice monster last night. There’s no way to get out of bed right now.”
Hearing the exclamations and sighs one after another coming from the team, the third elder soothed in a gentle tone: "It doesn't matter, he has entrusted his white crystal to me. I will complete the farewell to the gods on his behalf. .”
After hearing this, everyone felt relieved and began to inquire in a few words about the injuries of the clan members and what they should prepare to express condolences to Jean after returning to the villa. Clive, who was walking beside his father, was so annoyed by the noise that he snorted and quickened his pace.
The young man looked at the crowd surrounding the third elder, a look of disdain flashed through his eyes. Of course, he knew very well Jean's real situation - it was he who personally defeated Syracuse's defense line last night and severely taught the bumbling guard captain a lesson. Looking at the formerly aloof young man with his head broken and bleeding, unprecedented pleasure rose from the bottom of his heart.
He was convinced that the path he had chosen was the right one.
And there was finally only one step left before the stage where his father's ambition could be realized.
The raging snowstorm intensified. The team of magicians braved the cold wind and arrived at the curling stone.
Jean, who was originally responsible for guarding the curling stone, was resting in bed, and the other guards stationed there were nowhere to be found. The third elder turned a blind eye to this. He led the tribe through the guard post and stopped in front of the road leading to the top of the mountain.
In front of him, the rolling fog swallowed up the field of vision, soaking everything in an ominous pale white. After losing the red crystal, some people tried to climb to the top of the mountain through the fog - but all those who did so quietly disappeared into the fog and were never heard from again.
Standing at the entrance of the Mist Realm, the third elder raised the object in his hand.
It was a crystal that shone with agility and brilliance, and had a color like a flame. It shined brightly in the wind and snow, and the sword-like red pierced the mist, cutting off the sticky white in half.
"O the tolerant god who protects our clan - please allow us to ascend to the divine realm and meet you again."
As the third elder chanted softly, the mist dissipated as if ignited by flames. At this moment, there was no longer fog hovering above the deep rift valley, and no clouds and smoke blocking the towering peaks; the vision was clear, showing the road leading ahead and the true appearance of the majestic mountains above.
Even though they resented the gods for betraying them, and even though they had decided not to pray for the protection of the Ice Bird, some people still couldn't help but shed tears at the moment when the divine realm reappeared.
"Let's go, let's go see Him for the last time." The third elder patted the shoulder of the crying tribesman and said slowly.
The dark procession began to climb up the ridge. Without the obstruction of the fog, even if the disturbing blizzard blocked the view, they could still see the mountains and rivers below like huge white gems, as beautiful as the human world.
However, no one has the heart to enjoy the beautiful scenery now. Their pace became faster and faster, almost running, and they didn't even have time to take care of their increasingly rapid breathing.
As noon approaches, the dim light of day climbs overhead.
After a year, the entire Himi family once again set foot on the mountaintop divine realm.
Although the roads along the way are steep and dangerous, enough to frighten climbers, the top of the Snowy Mountains, the former residence of the blue gods, is actually a flat and vast ice field.
There are countless ice willows growing in the divine realm, with crystal clear branches and leaves swaying in the wind, and their glass-like color is as charming as the magnificent eyes of the Himi family. And in the middle of that flawless white frozen land, there is an extremely beautiful deep lake.
Even in extremely cold places, Canglan Lake never freezes after being hit by wind and snow. Its lake water is always clear and transparent, as breathtaking as flowing crystal - according to legend, the ice god lives on the island in the center of the lake.
In the past, the Himi family and the Ice Monsters built a towering stone altar on the south bank of the deep lake. Now, the God's Domain, which has been deserted all year round, has been completely covered by ice and snow, and the altar has been submerged in the vast white. The guards came forward and swept away the snow for a while before they could barely make the altar large enough for people to stand on.
People followed the back of Third Elder Morton and stepped heavily and firmly onto the cold rock altar.
For the Himi tribe members who have experienced a catastrophic disaster, the last time they gathered together to worship their ancestors was a year ago. However, they still clearly remember the appearance of the queue at that time - people lined up by the blue lake in tacit understanding, kneeling gently on the snow-covered rocks. The third elder, wearing a gold-embroidered robe, stood at the front of the altar and knelt down respectfully.
"Since ancient times, you have been guarding the Wind and Snow Ridge, the great and wise sages." The middle-aged man folded his hands on his chest and recited devoutly, "I, the third elder of the Bingjian family, Bingjian Morton, in I offer my loyalty and sincere gratitude.”
"I once swore here that I would dedicate everything I have to recreating the miracles created by the great ancestors - now is the time for me to give back to you with my blood and soul."
His voice was very soft, and his uncontrollable excitement and enthusiasm were blown away in the wind and snow on the mountain top, and none of it could reach the ears of the tribe. The people kneeling behind him were unaware of his thoughts. After concentrating on completing the initial prayer, they opened their bags and took out an exquisite wooden box.
As early as hundreds of years ago, the Himi family had such a tradition in their ancestor worship rituals.
They poured their magic power into the pure white crystal until the crystal was frozen in the ice; then they threw it into the blue lake to express their determination "I am with the gods." The white crystals specially prepared for the ceremony were immediately put into wooden boxes and sealed after being mined to ensure the purity of the crystals - only the clearest crystals can accommodate the reverence of the residents of the snow-capped mountains for the gods.
Decades after the gods left, the Himi family still maintained the traditions of their ancestors. However, the white crystal filled with people's longing and reluctance failed to convey the words to the gods after all, and it still lies quietly at the bottom of the blue lake without seeing the light of day. After experiencing the catastrophic disaster when monsters attacked the village, the tribesmen who were unable to climb to the top of the mountain had to bury frozen white crystals in the thick snow on the back mountain every time they worshiped their ancestors.
Traditionally, prayers to the deity usually last for several hours. When soft words came from behind, the third elder didn't pay attention.
He understood that the people of the tribe were in the most agitated mood. Saying goodbye completely to the gods who have been watching each other for thousands of years and the ice monsters who are as close as family members, it must be difficult for even the coldest person to remain calm. Therefore, when intermittent conversations, exclamations, and cries came, Morton did not pay any attention to the people behind him.
Until the noise became louder and louder, making it almost impossible for the third elder to calm down and talk to the sages, and he finally couldn't help but look back.
——Then, the magician was stunned.
He saw that the tribesmen were looking at him - no longer full of trust and love like before. People's eyes were full of astonishment, hesitation and disappointment, as if a heavy hammer hit the top of their head, making Morton even dizzy for a moment.
The young man who was kneeling at the front slowly stood up. He was holding a piece of brown paper in his hand, covered with familiar handwriting - just like what everyone else was holding.
"Third Elder." The young Hyoujian tribesman spoke with difficulty. He subconsciously clenched his wrist and the shining jade bracelet, "Excuse me...what does the source of magic mean?"
"Why... does it have my and my family's names written on it?"
====================
【ohhhhhhh】
[It’s so satisfying, I’ve been waiting for this moment all morning! ! 】
[Look at the third elder’s expression, it’s darker than when he had eight more fathers]
[This operation is amazing. Last night I thought they were going to go to the top of the mountain to subdue the third elder and then give a speech hahhh]
[Absolutely, only they can do it...]
[Hhhh If you use the same idea with another player, you will be gg in less than three minutes]
[To be honest, I broke into a cold sweat last night after watching it. It was so exciting that I couldn’t even eat instant noodles]
Late at night more than ten hours ago, after realizing that Xuecheng was being attacked, Beidou and his companions did not stay there for long.
They found Roxanne and Karl, and the five of them held a brief combat meeting. Afterwards, the leader of Snow City, Luo Shan, still stayed at the same place and continued to treat the injured tribesmen with the help of adventurers such as Asaki; while the silver-clad swordsman, Carl, left with the Beidou team and quietly sneaked into Snow Wind Villa again. .
In the few hours before dawn, they did an amazing thing - they dismantled the experimental records of the Third Elder into pieces of paper, sneaked into their houses door to door, found the wooden box containing the white crystal, and put all the records of the Third Elder into pieces. The kraft paper with the writing on it is stuffed inside.
All this must be done silently. Once the night watchman is alerted, or the sleeping owner of the house is alerted, all efforts will be in vain. You know, there are dozens of families living in Fengxue Villa. If it weren't for Karl's guidance and the help of Beidou's waveguide power, this task would have been impossible to complete.
Even so, the adventurers were still busy all night before putting experimental records in each wooden box before dawn.
The live broadcast that night shocked all the viewers. While avoiding the all-pervasive night watchman, the four-person team also had to find ways to sneak into each house and find their wooden boxes; some people even put the wooden boxes under their pillows, which brought huge obstacles to the adventurers' work. .
When they thought that these contestants had just had a thrilling trip to the Elder's Mansion, and then ran around all night in Fengxue Villa without any time for rest, everyone broke into a cold sweat because of their physical strength. Busy until late at night, the Terashima siblings were so tired that they almost collapsed on the ground. It was only their perseverance that kept them from falling behind; even Beidou, who had always been calm and unhurried, slipped when jumping over the eaves and almost fell.
Although he reacted quickly and successfully rescued himself immediately without disturbing the night watchmen, this scene still shocked the audience - that was Beidou who had once moved freely under the noses of countless night watchmen. How could he appear in normal times? Such a low-level mistake.
When they thought that this person had just been off the air for a whole day due to injury, the audience felt frightened, and even the barrage was full of fear. However, he also adhered to the excellent tradition of a tough guy from the South and refused to show his pain, which made the onlookers even more nervous, fearing that he might not be able to hold on any longer and fall on his head.
——Of course, the tough guy from the South Country himself and his companions completed this difficult task without any danger. No one noticed that the wooden box had been opened. It was not until the ancestor worship ceremony began that all the boxes containing white crystals were opened at the same time, and the kraft paper pages finally came into view.
The third elder was too obsessed with pouring out his heart, and the prayer itself was too lengthy. It was long enough for the tribesmen to carefully look at the unknown objects that appeared in the wooden box, exchange information with each other in shock, and discuss with each other - and finally settled on the guess they did not want to admit.
The fierce wind and snow swallowed up the words, and also prevented the third elder from discovering the strange behavior of the clan members in time. By the time he realized it, it was already too late.
In the picture, the trembling words of the young tribesmen disappeared in the wind. For a long time afterwards, the blue divine realm maintained an eerie silence.
The Fengxueshan elder, who was watched by countless people, remained silent, like a motionless sculpture in the snow.
The pair of green eyes that should have been bright slowly darkened.
====================
small theater:
Xiaoye accidentally slipped on the edge of the eaves: I walked too much in the past few days, and the anti-slip layer of the soles was worn away... (Sorrow)
