As the weeks quickly passed by, the day when Lian would depart for the capital was approaching. He gathered all the members and gave clear orders for them to cultivate intensely as if something grand was about to happen.
Lemir was extremely energized and motivated. With Lian's help in crafting some pills, his wife became pregnant. In a few weeks, he would become the father of twins due to the pill's consequences. Lemir received specific instructions and was willing to donate his blood in the future without hesitation.
Everyone believed that Lian would only take the group he personally trained with him. However, the griffins had a strong connection with Zeke in the past, and he had established rules in the capital that encouraged their interaction with humans in an attempt to avoid future conflicts.
Saya would be useful in the capital, and Lian planned to take her with him from the beginning. However, he didn't mention anything about it, leaving her anxious and training hard on her own, hoping to prove her worth.
Just before they departed, Lianna and Saya almost simultaneously reached the final layer of the formation. Lianna was fully recovered, her cultivation had been restarted, and she walked slowly, playing a simple zither and producing a mystical and harmonious sound that merged with the heavens.
Although Lianna desired to go with Lian to the capital, she was in the early stages of her cultivation and needed to stay in the clan to cultivate and prepare for the future. Lian only guided her with his limited skills in the dao of music; she needed to develop on her own at the moment.
Saya, being a divine beast, didn't have the ability to awaken a dao heart like humans. However, under extreme mental pressure, her powerful ancestral lineage was refined to the extreme. Reaching the final stage of the formation, her sacred aura enveloped the entire clan, felt by everyone present.
In the Divine Plane, just with its presence, a true dragon could instantly terrorize and subdue any other race. That's why griffins chose to live in mortal planes, preferring to be kings among mortals rather than slaves among gods.
Lian watched the young Royal Griffin closely and was satisfied with her determination and effort. In the future, she could develop to the point of walking by his side. If she were well trained, she could resist the lineage suppression coming from a dragon.
Without that inner strength, she would die before even being able to circulate Qi in her body. Lian needed to confirm her determination.
As she reached the final layer, she knelt next to Lian, who promptly lifted her up and said, "From today on, you are not allowed to kneel before me or anyone else. You will walk by my side, not beneath me. Stand up, look forward, and stand strong to not embarrass me."
Although Saya didn't make a sound or shed a tear, her small wings trembled violently, revealing her intense emotions. Lian nodded in satisfaction and handed her a pair of shiny bracelets made of mithril.
These bracelets would be very useful for her to fight both in her human form and in her true form. After carefully placing them on her wrists, Saya seemed on the verge of tears. Lian gently calmed her down and sent her to rest.
Soon the day of departure arrived, and a group of seven people walked toward the capital.
***
Days passed, and the capital was filled with thousands of young cultivators who gathered within the city walls. It was the last day of recruitment for the entrance test to the capital, and most of these young people came from regions in the interior of the continent or small family clans.
Anxiety and nervousness were palpable in the air as each one awaited their turn to register for the test and later demonstrate their abilities. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation, with whispered conversations, anxious glances, and racing hearts, as everyone prepared to showcase their worth and secure a place in the capital.
Lian and the group were very close to the city entrance. All the girls were cheerfully chatting, trying to alleviate their anxieties. Soon, they heard the sounds of a battle, and the scent of scattered blood filled the air.
They were at a considerable distance, but their battle senses quickly detected the source, and the girls just looked at Lian, who simply nodded. They all then hurriedly walked in that direction.
As they approached the origin of the turmoil, pools of blood and remnants of what were once living beings were scattered in various directions. The scene before them was desolate and shocking. It hadn't been a fair battle but rather a one-sided massacre. It had all happened in a matter of seconds, and when Lian and the others arrived, it was already over, and the aggressors had fled.
Surprisingly, in the midst of it all, there were still a few people alive but on the brink of death. There were about 300 of them, humans and divine beasts. They were all covered in blood, and some were missing limbs. The bodies of humans were strewn across the ground in a circular formation as if they had tried to protect a group of divine beasts in the center. Upon closer observation, it could be seen that most of the bodies around and at a certain distance were humans.
Lian recognized these divine beasts and spoke, "They're Moonlight Rabbits. They were living under the protection of these humans from the interior. Innocently, they came to the capital in search of cultivation resources and were ambushed."
Moonlight Rabbits, a race known throughout the continent, possessed a unique essence. Their pure and simple nature was marked by captivating sincerity and exceptional healing power. Most members of this race were beautiful female creatures, their serenity radiating from their expressions.
In times past, when the elves held great power, Moonlight Rabbits were often targeted for slavery and exploitation by everyone. Their pure beauty was admired, but there was a dark reason behind it.
The tyrants recognized the value of these beings, as their bodies harbored a special Yin Qi essence that could be slowly extracted for their own benefit.
However, Zeke decreed the prohibition of using and enslaving Moonlight Rabbits, allowing this race to spread rapidly across the planet in search of safety. Some found refuge among human clans, offering their healing abilities and assistance in exchange for protection.
Thus, the connection between Moonlight Rabbits and human clans grew stronger, creating an alliance based on mutual respect and the need for survival in a world full of dangers.
Lian continued speaking, "These young humans tried to protect the Moonlight Rabbits, but they were weak. Almost all of them died quickly, and in an attempt to save the humans, the Moon Rabbits destroyed their own meridians to commit suicide."
"Those who ambushed them gave up on capturing them and attacked with fury before fleeing. In the end, they were all doomed," Lian said with cold words.
The group ran with an expression of extreme sadness, hoping to save someone. Rumi checked the conditions of those near their last breaths, and his face turned dark as he couldn't help them. Upon checking the Moonlight Rabbits, to their surprise, Rumi realized that they were in good condition on the surface.
Lian then commented, "The nature of their healing Qi kept them momentarily alive, but their meridians were destroyed. They will die soon; they're just more resilient."
Lian didn't want to get involved in this now; in the future, he would find out who was hunting this race, despite already having banned such acts in the past. However, waves of memories flooded Lian's mind, bringing forth vivid recollections of the past.
The image of Lyn emerged like a ray of sunshine illuminating his most precious memories. He remembered the love she had for that race of Moonlight Rabbits, always tenderly stroking their ears with a radiant smile on her face as she played with them.
"I will help them this time, but they are weak. It won't be long before they are dominated and betrayed. They can't rely on external help forever," said Lian, pretending not to attach much importance to the matter.
A bright and radiant substance permeated the air, enveloping the fallen bodies of the wounded. Within seconds, an incredible wave of healing coursed through their bodies, restoring them completely. Lian hurriedly called the group to step back, making it clear that their destiny was a personal journey, and he had no intention of becoming the world's savior.
In a short time, the mixed group of 300 humans and divine beasts regained consciousness, amazed and confused by their miraculous recovery. A pure and sacred power radiated intensely from within the group, leaving everyone in awe and fear before its grandeur. Meanwhile, Lian and his group arrived in the capital early in the morning, ready to face the challenges that awaited them.