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Chapter 15: Opening Zhou's Divine Dream
The Cavalry Captain was at the forefront, riding a massive black horse with a shiny coat. He appeared lean, with an air of authority about him. He was the type of person who would not rest until he achieved his goals. Dressed in a yellow cloak, with a hooked nose and a thick beard, his gaze was stern.
Upon seeing the captain's displeased expression, Xi Zu remarked, "It's Flying Wolf."
Flying Wolf was the most influential figure in front of the chieftain, often consulted by him in important matters.
"Flying Wolf?" In Ji Zichen's eyes, this man resembled more of a crow than a wolf. However, her opinion of him was inconsequential. The cavalrymen, though clad in armor, appeared much simpler compared to the soldiers in Jiaoshu City. Xi Zu had not anticipated encountering Flying Wolf; the cavalry hurried past, seemingly preoccupied with urgent business.
This was for the best; at least Xi Zu wouldn’t have to greet Flying Wolf.
As Flying Wolf vanished from sight, they continued onward. He was also acquainted with Xia Lian, but he had never glanced her way. Given that she had taken on a new body, it was understandable that he wouldn’t recognize her.
Although Xia Lian had changed bodies numerous times, she still found it somewhat uncomfortable—not because of the physical aspect but due to how others looked at her after each transformation. She had to endure their strange gazes every time she changed forms and could only strive to accept it.
But the chieftain was different; his gaze toward her had always been consistent and unchanged. Thinking of this brought Xia Lian some peace. Flying Wolf had hurried out of the village; she wondered what had happened. Xia Lian hoped to meet the chieftain directly without any complications. They arrived at the Tribal Chief's Stone House, where two guards were eyeing Xia Lian.
One guard spoke up; his tone was polite, but his eyes were wary. Gripping his spear tightly, he asked, "What brings you here?"
Xi Zu stepped forward and scolded, "Are you blind? Can't you see me? Step aside and let us in!"
The second guard respectfully replied; he appeared to be about the same age as Xi Zu. "Young Master, please forgive us. The chieftain is currently dreaming. If there’s nothing urgent..."
Xi Zu deliberately raised his voice so that the chieftain inside could hear him. "Go tell my mother that Grandma Xia has returned!"
At the mention of Grandma Xia, the guard's expression tightened as he glanced between Xia Lian and Lin Chuyu, seemingly trying to determine who Grandma Xia was. However, judging by appearance alone made it impossible for him to decide. The guard said, "Young Master, I will go inform him. Please wait at the Open Zhou Divine Platform."
Not far from the side of the Stone House, many rituals in the village are held at the Open Zhou Divine Platform. When not in use, it serves as a public space where anyone can linger.
The Open Zhou Divine Platform is open-air, and today, it happens to be empty. As Ji Zichen steps into the area of the divine platform, he feels a wave of peaceful energy wash over him. The platform is rectangular, surrounded by osmanthus trees. In the center, there is a large platform with a stone offering table on it, which bears shallow imprints of various vessels. In front of the offering table stands a large stone wall, intricately carved with complex patterns.
These patterns resemble human figures, but their limbs are square-shaped, perhaps representing deified beings.
Xia Lian says, "The location of this divine platform has been carefully chosen. On the night of the full moon, you will see that no matter where the moon is positioned, its light will illuminate the entire platform."
Lin Chuyu asks, "What do these patterns represent? They look like humans but are so square."
Xi Zu enthusiastically replies, "This is Kai Zhou Shen."
Noticing Lin Chuyu's beauty, Xi Zu feels a sense of closeness and adds, "Don't just stand there; let's sit down below. My mother still doesn't know when she will arrive."
Below the divine platform are several rows of long stone benches. Everyone sits down on the benches. Ji Zichen is unsure what kind of deity Kai Zhou Shen is, but he knows there are countless gods in this world. He doesn't mind much; however, he finds the environment here quite comfortable.
The sun gradually sets, indicating they have been waiting for a long time. Ji Zichen grows somewhat impatient and even worries whether their bold arrival will be accepted by the clan leader and if he will be given the opportunity to learn Sealing Technique. He dislikes waiting for others but realizes he has no choice. Xia Lian notices Ji Zichen's growing agitation.
Just as Xia Lian is about to speak, someone calls her name softly: "Xia Lian."
The voice is gentle, like a cool breeze in summer, bringing a pleasant and relaxed feeling.
The clan leader appears to be in her fifties but looks even younger than a girl of fifteen or sixteen. Seeing that the clan leader has arrived, Xia Lian quickly rises from the stone bench to greet her. "Clan Leader."
Ji Zichen looks at the clan leader, who is dressed in a silver robe embroidered with silk threads. The material of these threads is unknown to him, but he notices a mysterious blue light subtly emanating from within the robe. The clan leader's hair falls loosely over her shoulders, and her eyes shine with youthful vitality.
The clan leader smiled faintly upon seeing Xia Lian, her smile seemed to illuminate the entire atmosphere.
The clan leader walked slowly towards Xia Lian and asked with concern, "Xia Lian, have you been well these years?"
Xia Lian replied earnestly, "I am doing well."
The clan leader chuckled lightly, "Look at me asking this. If you were truly well, why would you come to see me in a new body?"
The clan leader then turned to Ji Zichen and Lin Chuyu, asking, "Who are they...?"
Xia Lian quickly introduced them, "This is Ji Zichen, and this is Lin Chuyu."
Looking at the clan leader, Xia Lian said, "I came to ask you for a favor."
The clan leader smiled again, her charm still evident. "Asking me? This is the first time you've asked me for something in all these years."
Xia Lian shifted her tone and looked at Ji Zichen. "I want him to learn the Sealing Technique."
The clan leader's expression changed slightly.
"You're asking him to learn the Sealing Technique?" the clan leader asked in surprise.
Xi Zu interjected with wide eyes, "Grandma Xia, you can't be serious. The Sealing Technique isn't something just anyone can learn."
After a moment of silence, the clan leader finally said, "Zhu'er, please take our guests down to rest."
The clan leader said to Xia Lian, "Let's take a walk."
Xia Lian exchanged a glance with Ji Zichen. "You two go ahead and rest for a bit; I'll come find you later."
Xia Lian replied to the clan leader, "If you want to, then sure."
As the clan leader and Xia Lian left the shrine, the clan leader pondered and asked Xia Lian, "Did you have him learn the Sealing Technique because of the Evil God?"
Xia Lian bit her lip and said, "Yes. Although the Evil God isn't safely resurrected, his Soul is attached to the Arbitrator."
The clan leader sighed. "In the end, the Arbitrator still succeeded."
After a pause, the clan leader continued, "Do you remember years ago when I told you about what I saw in the dream of Kai Zhou Shen?"
Xia Lian nodded. "I remember."
The clan leader rubbed his hands together and sighed. "That year you left in a hurry. After you were gone, Flying Wolf and I had that dream. We thought of many ways to understand what it meant."
Xia Lian suddenly became anxious. "Have you figured it out now?"
The clan leader's brow relaxed as he smiled. "Not until this morning, but when I saw Ji Zichen, I knew what that dream meant."
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