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In Peacock Lake, families with children and couples sat in boats, taking photos and chatting, while the Boatman skillfully navigated with a bamboo pole at the front of the boat. The center of the lake was bustling with activity.
"Wow! Look, look! It's really a wild peacock!"
"Hey! It really is! Look at that one, why is it white?"
"Ah, it really is! Maybe it's been painted?" "Hmm, it's so beautiful, just like Snow White."
Bai Zhuo chuckled silently on the boat.
Ge Shui Lian curiously asked, "Hey, Bai, what are you laughing at?"
"Just at those ignorant humans."
Yang Liu burst out laughing, "Bai Zhuo, I didn't expect you to have a childish side... What do you mean by ignorant humans? Aren't you one?"
"Hehe, that White Peacock is a hybrid species; some peacocks with albinism also have this color... Painted? Hehe..."
"I didn't expect Brother Bai to know quite a bit." Miao Xiaoqi lifted a long bamboo pole and poked it into the water, steering the boat as skillfully as the fishermen. "But there aren't many peacocks here, and since they are fed by tourists, they've lost some of their spirit. I'll take you to a place!"
Peacock Lake was vast but couldn't accommodate all the enthusiastic tourists. Miao Xiaoqi paddled toward the other side of the lake, occasionally drawing curious glances from other visitors.
A tourist could be heard asking the Boatman, "Hey? Uncle, isn't that area off-limits? Why can they go over there? Is that girl also a Boatman?"
The Boatman followed the tourist's finger and suddenly understood. He explained, "Oh! That's Qiqi returning! That area is indeed off-limits for you, but not for Qiqi! She's the daughter of our chieftain and the next Spirit Maiden."
"Spirit Maiden?" The tourist joked, "Isn't that from some ancient sword tale? Hehe, so she's the chieftain's daughter; no wonder."
The Boatman was chatty and felt he was having a good conversation with these two tourists. "Come on, I'll take you to see it from afar. Remember to stay quiet!"
The two tourists were pleasantly surprised to discover there was more to see and nodded eagerly in agreement.
"Qi, where are you taking us? It says 'No Entry for Tourists' here. Is it safe?"
Miao Xiaoqi chuckled, "When we get to my home, what is there to be afraid of, Sister Yangliu? Don't worry, I promise you'll be amazed!"
Miao Xiaoqi's mysterious demeanor piqued everyone's curiosity about what she was up to. After turning down a narrow waterway, the scenery opened up before them. The lake here was even larger than the one outside, with large bamboo rafts floating on its surface. The water curved around the mountains, forming a crescent shape. Miao Xiaoqi set down her bamboo pole and let the boat drift toward the center of the lake. The clear, emerald waters rippled beneath the moving boat, spreading waves toward the shore.
It was very quiet here, occasionally interrupted by the crisp calls of peacocks, as if they were in a world apart. Miao Xiaoqi whispered, "This place is called Yin Yue Lake, also known as the true Peacock Lake!"
Ge Shui Lian looked around and asked, "Peacock Lake? But there isn't a single peacock in sight!"
Miao Xiaoqi shook her head and placed her fingers to her lips, producing a clear and rhythmic whistle.
"They're coming! Everyone, quiet! Don't make a sound!" At the corner of Yin Yue Lake, a male and female tourist heeded Boatman Uncle's warning and held their breath, afraid to make a noise.
The whistle echoed across Yin Yue Lake and lingered for a while. After a moment, silence enveloped the entire lake.
Bai Zhuo was about to speak when suddenly a sharp "chirp" rang out from the mountains, igniting a frenzy among them!
In the forest, trees rustled as hundreds of vibrant peacocks burst forth from the mountains, competing for attention! White Peacocks, Green Peacocks, Black Peacocks, and even rare Pink Peacocks! They circled above the boat, chirping incessantly as if welcoming their master back.
Yang Liu and Ge Shui Lian looked up in shock; they had seen peacocks before but had never witnessed such a spectacular display! Bai Zhuo felt concerned that this flock of peacocks might drop something unpleasant from above...
"Wow!" The two tourists nearby were also stunned by the sight and forgot to take pictures.
Miao Xiaoqi stood at the bow of the boat and extended her right hand toward the swirling flock of peacocks. For a moment, Bai Zhuo thought she resembled a goddess wielding power over nature. With her hand raised high, suddenly a slightly larger peacock descended from the flock.
The peacock circled above Miao Xiaoqi a few times before landing gracefully at the front of the boat. Its feathers were snow-white with a matching crown on its head, adorned with blue speckles on its chest that shone beautifully in the sunlight.
The tail feathers of this White Peacock fanned out like a giant white silk fan. The peacock displayed its plumage! The snowflake-like tail feathers fluttered before Miao Xiaoqi's eyes; several white feathers fell like delicate snowflakes drifting to earth—a breathtakingly ethereal sight.
"Sister, look how beautiful it is! By the way, Uncle, is that white peacock their leader?" one tourist asked.
Boatman Uncle shook his head. "Shh! Just take your time and watch; the main event is still to come. I haven't seen this in four or five years..."
Miao Xiaoqi lifted the hem of her dress and twirled in front of the White Peacock. Upon seeing this, the White Peacock retracted its fanned tail and flapped its wings a few times, letting out a long call, "Chirp—!"
All the peacocks responded to this call, descending from their perches. Some landed on the bamboo raft, while others chose to alight directly on the boat occupied by Bai Zhuo and his companions. A few fearless peacocks even perched right on their laps!
Bai Zhuo, astonished, asked, "Qi, what's going on?"
Miao Xiaoqi did not answer Bai Zhuo. Instead, she placed her hands between her lips and whistled even louder than before.
The Yin Yue Lake was quiet for a moment until a deep, resonant call echoed from the distant mountains. Miao Xiaoqi whistled back in response.
"Chirp chirp!"
With that call, all the peacocks in Yin Yue Lake bowed their heads deeply, as if welcoming back a returning king, showing utmost respect.
In the distance, a figure flew through the sky—a brilliant Crimson. Everyone present, except for Miao Xiaoqi, gasped in shock.
Its feathers were a striking Crimson color, and with just a few flaps of its enormous wings, it glided gracefully through the air. It was as fiery as flames and shone like a radiant sun.
A peacock? No, no, no; with such resplendent Crimson beauty, where could one find such a peacock? To everyone’s eyes, this was clearly a phoenix. (To be continued.)
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