In just one night, the second day dawned, and the village bustled with activity.
Yu Suchen had breakfast with his family, then refreshed and changed into the special robes for the deity ritual.
Unlike the previous ones, these robes were even more magnificent.
Wearing them, Yu Suchen resembled a celestial being descending to earth.
Walking to the door in the morning light, a gentle breeze lifted the hem of his robe, making it seem as if even his back was radiant and exceptionally attractive.
"Wow," Yu Zhou exclaimed first, "brother looks really handsome."
Yu Suchen turned around, smiled at the three behind him, as if his smile had caught a hint of morning light, "Really handsome?"
Yu Zhou and Jian Yunchuan nodded vigorously.
Luyan, on the other hand, was utterly captivated.
Feeling Luyan's gaze fixed on him, Yu Suchen inexplicably felt in high spirits.
"Bring me my mask," Yu Suchen said to Luyan.
Luyan snapped out of it, throat hoarse, "Okay."
He went back to get Yu Suchen's mask, handing it to him.
This mask was worn during the deity dance, specially made for the occasion. Unlike the current trend of more eerie shaman masks, this one was not as intimidating, rather more delicate and appealing.
Yu Su took the mask and temporarily tied it around his waist, planning to put it on when he danced later.
At this moment, it was still early; it wasn't his time to perform yet.
After preparing, he stood at the doorstep, gazing at the village at the foot of the mountain.
Jian Yunchuan and Yu Zhou were already drawn to the excitement in the village below, leaving Yu Su behind momentarily. Father and son happily descended the mountain.
Luyan stayed, accompanying Yu Su at the doorway, looking at the village.
"Aren't you going down to the village?"
"There's nothing for me to do down there."
In this situation, Luyan naturally chose to stay by Yu Su's side.
Today, he was dressed spiritedly, enhancing his heroic demeanor.
Standing next to Yu Su, the two complemented each other harmoniously.
...
Influenced by the lively atmosphere of the village, Chi Nan couldn't resist stepping out of his courtyard. With the school on break today, he had nothing to attend to, enjoying his leisure.
While strolling in the village, witnessing the genuine joy and anticipation of the villagers, he couldn't help but be uplifted by the atmosphere.
Sensing someone on the mountain looking in their direction, Chi Nan turned to look.
Seeing the two standing side by side on the mountain, Chi Nan raised an eyebrow.
These two, unexpectedly, looked quite compatible.
At this point, Yu Su and Luyan also noticed Chi Nan looking at them, nodding slightly in his direction.
Chi Nan also nodded, acknowledging the greeting, then turned back and walked confidently to the square.
Regardless of adults or children in the village, upon seeing him, they respectfully addressed him as Mr. Chi.
"Mr. Chi, have you had breakfast?"
"Not yet. Come to my house and have some."
These simple and sincere words made Chi Nan's mood particularly good.
Originally, he was just temporarily staying here for recovery, but during this time, he seemed to have truly integrated into this place, becoming one of them.
Everyone also respected him.
This was in stark contrast to the murky atmosphere of the merfolk tribe.
He thought he might prefer it here.
"Mr. Chi, come watch the dance on the square with us!" Several students ran over, inviting Chi Nan with cheerful smiles.
"Hasn't the time come yet? Why are people already dancing the deity dance?"
"My mother and others are dancing. It's lively, and many people are watching."
Chi Nan became interested and followed the students to the square.
Many villagers had already gathered there. Twelve women stood in three rows on the empty space in front of the altar, dancing energetically. Their dance was unrestrained and passionate, eliciting cheers from the surrounding crowd.
The students brought a chair for Chi Nan, and he sat down without ceremony.
He noticed that, besides the people from the Yu village, guests from various villages, including the barbarians, had also arrived. They all eagerly watched the lively scene on the square.
"This place is indeed interesting."
...
The auspicious time for the grand ceremony was approaching, and almost all the villagers had gathered in the square.
The guests were seated in the spectator area.
The lively dance paused.
The square gradually quieted down.
Everyone eagerly anticipated Yu Su's appearance.
The village chief, acting as the host, maintained order. Once everything was ready, Yu Su emerged.
He wore a magnificent and majestic ceremonial robe, slowly ascending the altar.
A slight breeze lifted his robe's hem and train, making it flow elegantly like a celestial being.
The gems embellishing the clothing sparkled in the sunlight, creating a splendid and mysterious display.
A mask covered Yu Su's face, giving him an aura of majestic mystery.
A sacred distance seemed to emanate from him.
The onlookers held their breath, attentively watching every move Yu Su made.
After stepping onto the altar, Yu Su performed a ritual to invite the divine, bringing forth the deity image of Lord Baize and then the totem representing Lord Qingze. The two were placed on the altar table.
Outsiders from other villages were puzzled seeing two deity images, seemingly against the norm. Those who understood explained:
"That's the deity image of Lord Baize. It's said that Lord Deer is a divine deer under Lord Baize."
"Strictly speaking, the Yu village is also protected by Lord Baize."
"They share the same heritage."
"Oh, I see."
Having dispelled their confusion, everyone refrained from talking and quietly observed the altar.
After placing the deity images and totem on the altar, Yu Su, along with the villagers, respectfully kowtowed three times.
After the three bows, instead of standing up, Yu Su recited a prayer.
This prayer was sourced from the comprehensive knowledge of elves. Yu Su had modified it, passed it by Lord Qingze, and only then finalized it.
To ensure everyone heard clearly, Yu Su utilized his spiritual power.
Clear, dignified, and every word distinct.
It echoed across the entire village.
Even those outside the village, who had come merely to watch, couldn't help but show surprise.
The restlessness of those who were just there for the spectacle settled, and they focused intently.
After a long prayer, Yu Su, accompanied by the villagers, paid respects to the deity images and totem once more before finally standing up.
Next was the ritual dance.
Eighty-one men of uniform height and build, dressed in exquisite and gorgeous ceremonial attire, appeared and began the ritual dance.
They had applied colorful paint on their faces, adding to the mystique.
The synchronized dance movements were not only grand but also had a unique and enchanting rhythm.
Chanting words of blessings and good fortune, they had a resonant voice that touched the hearts of the onlookers.
Emotions like passion, pride, and awe surged in everyone, sending shivers down their spines.
The villagers of Yu Village silently followed the ritual dance, hands clasped under their chins, devoutly reciting prayers in their hearts, seeking blessings and peace from the deities.
With the earnest prayers of the people, the segment of the ritual dance concluded.
The village chief announced the next procedure.
The deity dance.
Everyone knew that Yu Su would be the one performing the deity dance.
All eyes were fixed on Yu Su on the altar.
The villagers still remembered the phenomenon caused by the previous deity dance, so they were nervous yet eager, wanting to see what miracles this prayer dance would bring.
Wearing the mask, Yu Su stood in the center of the altar, facing the expectant crowd, feeling a bit nervous.
At this moment, his gaze met with Luyan's, who was looking at him from below the altar, and he saw encouragement in Luyan's eyes.
After taking a deep breath, he relaxed.
Casting aside all distractions, he sensed the surrounding world, immersing himself in the elements.
The wood and water spirits, originally quiet around him, became lively as he communicated with them through his consciousness. Joyfully, they surrounded Yu Su, affectionately spinning around him, some even daring to brush against his cheek.
These spirits assisted Yu Su, allowing him to feel detached from all noise and tension, entering a state of inner tranquility and purity.
Naturally, his hands lifted, initiating the first movement.
The deity dance, practiced countless times, manifested effortlessly without any hindrance.
He could even feel the wind around him lifting and supporting each of his movements, as if it was the natural order for him to dance this way.
He moved with the wind, guided by the will of the heavens and the earth.
Slowly, he forgot his own existence, joyfully merging into this extraordinary state.
Twirling, bending, leaping...
His spiritual power involuntarily emanated, blending with the spiritual energy of this realm.
It was not just him dancing; it was the spirits of this realm dancing with him.
Their coordination was so seamless.
So seamless that Yu Su felt his consciousness ascending with the changing scenery. Despite standing on solid ground, he felt as if he were overlooking the earth from the sky.
In his trance, Yu Su was oblivious to the changes in the outside world.
As he began the deity dance, initially, everyone felt a gentle and moist force descending, making them feel light and carefree.
However, as Yu Su's dance became more fluid and natural, a mysterious force seemed to accompany it, permeating the surroundings. Even those who were unfamiliar with spiritual matters felt as if they heard faint and crystalline sounds resonating gently, creating subtle vibrations.
For practitioners like Luyan, they sensed a profound force reaching towards the heavens emanating from Yu Su. It was as if, at that moment, Yu Su had truly connected with the divine beings in the heavens.
This left the gathered practitioners profoundly shaken.
They devoutly gazed at Yu Su and the heavens, their hands and feet trembling with tension.
Would the deities hear?
Were the deities watching them at this very moment?
Anxiety-ridden thoughts surged in their minds, rendering them motionless.
At this moment, let alone making requests for blessings, no one dared to harbor any extraneous thoughts.
Even their breaths were held so delicately, afraid of offending the deities.
A faint white light slowly blossomed from the sky, forming a splendid and layered display of clouds and rosy hues.
On Mount Luoshen, Lord Qingze gazed upward at the sky, his deer eyes filled with reverent hues.
On the square, Chi Nan, also looking up, displayed an expression of astonishment in his eyes.
This... a divine miracle?
The shaman of Yu Village had actually, truly communicated with the distant divine realm.
And the deities seemed to have truly noticed the prayers from this remote corner of the mortal realm.
Incredibly unbelievable.