Magic Calendar Year 2, Autumn, September 7th, Clear Weather, Cheerful Mood
The second day of the magical beast journey began just like this. According to the Magical Beast Guide, if I'm on schedule, I should reach the Sanctuary of Magical Beasts in 9 days. On the 10th day, which coincides with the autumn equinox, I will enter the sanctuary.
During lessons at the temple, the teacher explained that on the autumn equinox, day and night are of equal length. Additionally, every five years at noon on the equinox, the white sun and black sun in the sky align perfectly.
The teacher mentioned I would participate in the magical beast trial, so I did some research and finally understood why there's only one opportunity every five years to enter the Sanctuary of Magical Beasts. Apparently, there's a massive magical array surrounding the sanctuary, and most magic in the world is related to either the white sun or the black sun. For instance, the holy magic I practice is much more effective with the presence of the white sun, while certain elemental magics relate to the black sun. The array harnesses the power of celestial bodies, and a well-crafted one can draw strength from both the white and black suns for enhanced protection. However, when the white sun and black sun completely overlap, the celestial forces diminish, causing the array to become unstable. This brief instability, lasting only 10 minutes every five years, allows entrance into the sanctuary.
The daytime journey is still manageable. According to the guide, the first two days are the easiest because the path is between 2,000 to 3,500 meters above sea level. Although I can't ride a horse, the terrain is mainly grassland and forest, and as long as it doesn't rain, it's not too difficult. Autumn is a dry season, after all.
However, when resting at dusk, I did notice traces of snow in the distance, like a white line. Above it, the landscape is a mix of white and green, while below, it's purely green. This must be the origin of the term "snow line."
That evening, as I started a campfire, I thought of the Great Green Mountain. Ha, when I descend, I'll be riding the Fire Phoenix to see him. He'll surely be envious; his Little Green Dragon isn't rideable yet. Speaking of which, the Green Dragon and Red Phoenix have a complementary charm, like red flowers needing green leaves.
I should sleep early and avoid having nonsensical dreams tonight.
Magic Calendar Year 2, Autumn, September 8th, Clear Weather, Cheerful Mood
After crossing the snow line, the air suddenly turned cold. Fortunately, the supply point had prepared suitable winter clothing.
Walking on the green grass covered with frost or snow, it crunched underfoot. The road wasn't too slippery, so the hiking stick provided by the supply point wasn't needed just yet.
Looking around, everything is blanketed in white, with only occasional hints of green.
Ah, I forgot to mention yesterday that I gave my Fire Phoenix a nice name—Huo'er. It's not like how the Great Green Mountain named his Little Green Dragon; I came up with this myself. Huo'er is quite lazy. It tried landing on the ground, found it too cold, and immediately flew back up. It hopped from my left shoulder to my right and even to my head. It's quite heavy, at least 20 pounds.
If it keeps being naughty, I'll chop it up and make soup.
Magic Calendar Year 2, Autumn, September 10th, Clear Weather, Mood Cloudy
Is this a magical beast trial or a mountain climbing contest?
Mountains in front, to the left, to the right, and even when I look back—still mountains.
Everything is so dazzlingly white I can hardly open my eyes. Luckily, at each camp, there's a pair of tea-colored crystal glasses provided, which can be fixed onto the eyes, making the outside world appear sepia-toned.
Interestingly, there are even different sizes of crystal glasses prepared for various magical beasts. However, none are for a phoenix, likely because no phoenix has ever been subjected to this ordeal. I picked a pair from those meant for a giant vulture, fitting them onto Huo'er.
At first, it seemed quite unwilling, trying to claw them off, but eventually, it got used to them.
During the journey, I discovered Huo'er's unique advantage—its body is warm, perhaps why it's called a Fire Phoenix. Sleeping while holding it feels like hugging a small heater.
Last night, I dreamt of that piece of wood again.
Magic Calendar Year 2, Autumn, September 12th, Blizzard, Mood Rainy
Waking up to a snowstorm, the wind howling fiercely.
According to the itinerary, I only need to cover 8 miles today to reach the mountain summit.
But in the blizzard, even taking a step is challenging.
Visibility is reduced to a few meters, but thankfully, since the day before yesterday, all path markers have been connected. This prevents getting lost in the blizzard due to missing markers.
I clung tightly to Huo'er as the fierce wind whipped my cloak, making me feel as if I could be blown away at any moment.
I arrived at the campsite, a sheltered cliff, more than half an hour later than planned. According to the Magical Beast Guide, we're at an altitude of 5,120 meters. This isn't the main peak; otherwise, climbing the 7,000-meter peak would take months.
The wind was too strong to start a fire outside, so I used some of the campsite's limited magical energy to make a hot meal. Sleeping was impossible; the wind outside sounded as if it was right by my ear, and the lack of oxygen made breathing difficult. Huo'er seemed to be coping well, so I wasn't too worried.
I envied those who chose snow wolves as companions. In this weather, snow wolves are undeterred and can help their riders move forward. From this, I understand some basic theories of unit type advantages and terrain boosts.
During the day, I saw some frightening things—not far from the summit, there were several corpses, including two magical beasts, likely Akhal-Teke horses, and one human, dressed as a magical beast knight. Under him was the body of a small magical beast.
I had heard that the path of the magical beast trial is paved with the bones of knights and their beasts. Today...
I wonder how Sister Yushang is doing.
Magic Calendar Year 2, Autumn, September 14th, Snow, Mood Cloudy
According to the Magical Beast Guide, from today onward, encountering other people or animals shouldn't pose any problems, as in the past few challenging days, all magical beasts and knights should have formed a blood-bond connection.
The path is downhill, and it's quite steep.
Huo'er seems to love this kind of terrain, often flying up from my shoulder to glide ahead, then waiting for me to catch up before flying back into my arms. Sometimes it mischievously flies to a tree, tilting its head as I call it from below, seemingly very pleased with itself. Silly thing, doesn't it know priests learn levitation spells? I had to float up to get it several times, and after that, it behaved.
Initially, I worried it might fall and hurt itself, but this little creature is clever; it's not easy to injure it.
I remembered the stories Great Green Mountain told me about how Uncle Chi Hanfeng trained Little Green Dragon. It seems his methods are quite effective. I should apply them to Huo'er...
Oh, I dreamt about that big piece of wood again.
Magic Calendar Year 2, Autumn, September 15th, Clear Weather, Mood Sunny Turning Cloudy
By the time we set up camp last night, it was too dark to see the beautiful scenery ahead.
This morning, stepping out of the tent, my first thought was: Wow, it's breathtaking.
Standing at the snow line, below me is a vast valley, with red patches against the green grasslands, likely blooming flowers. Tall spruces grow here, and deep within the spruce forest, rainbow lights occasionally flash. That must be the legendary Sanctuary of Magical Beasts.
As I walk, I listen to the cheerful babbling of the melting snow turning into streams.
During the midday break, I made a point of leaving the path to reach a nearby stream. The water was so clear and tasted sweet. I better not tell anyone, or the teacher would scold me.
Oh, and I still don't know how to talk to the teacher about Great Green Mountain. He's such a blockhead, doesn't show any feelings...
Honestly, I'm worried. Would he like me? He's a Holy Dragon Knight, after all. What if he doesn't...
On the way here, Uncle Chi casually mentioned that many dukes, marquises, and earls showed interest in meeting someone from the Chi family after hearing about the Holy Dragon Knight. These noble families all, without exception, have a pretty daughter. And indeed, along the way, some other girls, upon hearing about the Holy Dragon Knight, specifically came to our convoy to see. I come from a humble background; perhaps he doesn't...
This situation is troublesome, I can't even talk to Sister Yushang about it.
Forget it, I won't think about it anymore.
Magic Calendar Year 2, Autumn, September 16th, Clear Weather, Mood Very Sunny
I always thought the Flower Language Grassland, full of flowers and birdsong, was the most beautiful place in the world.
Until today, I realized I was wrong.
Around 2:00 PM, as I emerged from the spruce forest, I truly saw the sight of the Sanctuary of Magical Beasts. Words can't express what I felt.
The green grassland rolled gently, and in the center was an enormous garden filled with countless flowers I had never seen before. Among the flower beds, magical beasts occasionally popped their heads or bodies out: white snow wolves, black horses, spotted leopards, and even a massive white elephant. There were so many, it was impossible to count them all. They wandered peacefully, seemingly not disturbing each other.
Around the sanctuary, a colossal dome-shaped magical array descended from the sky, so vast its top couldn't be seen. In the afternoon sunlight, seven-colored halos slowly drifted across the array. In the distance, silver snow-capped mountains surrounded it. At that moment, the only word in my mind was "sacred."
I must have been mesmerized until Sister Yushang came over and patted my face, snapping me back to reality.
Sister Yushang's little unicorn is adorable, following her everywhere like a baby following its mother. Unlike my mischievous Huo'er, always causing trouble. Huo'er tried to tease it by landing on its horn, but Xue'er wouldn't allow it. Haha, they chased each other playfully on the grass, one flying and one jumping. It was so amusing.
Other magical beast knights gathered around to cheer them on.
More knights arrived gradually, and by 4:00 PM, when the sun was about to dip behind the snowy mountains, Guman and Mameisi also arrived. We all slowly gathered at the campsite in front of the sanctuary's main gate. There were about 100 people, likely the total from all the countries.
However, I didn't see Chi Aotian. He should be here; his majestic black dragon is so striking, it would stand out anywhere.
That evening, chatting with Sister Yushang, she told me her Xue'er was amazing, incredibly strong, and unfazed by the snowstorm, often pushing her forward during tough times.
The next day, all the magical beast knights, along with their beasts, gathered at the entrance of the Sanctuary of Magical Beasts. While marveling at the sanctuary's majestic sights, many knights also noticed the scattered remains of magical beasts and knights outside the sanctuary. These were the remnants of those who had failed over the past millennia. Seeing these daunting sights, and recalling the young knights who fell amidst the storm, everyone felt grateful for safely reaching this point, with success just within reach.
The white sun crossed the sky, the solar corona's shadow moving steadily. Noon approached.
Gradually, a shadow began eclipsing the white sun, forming a small crescent, and quickly overtook it. The magical beast knights were abuzz with excitement.
At that moment, the sanctuary's seven-colored magical array started to flicker, and the light at the entrance slowly thinned.
Lin Yushang anxiously asked Sharo, "Have you seen the boy from the Lin family?" Sharo shook her head. The two girls turned to look back at the Holy Snow Mountain, wondering why he hadn't arrived yet.
The magical array's entrance grew thinner, and finally, the foremost knight, led by his magical beast, let out a cheer and charged through the magical gate into the sanctuary. The crowd, including Lin Yushang and Sharo, flowed into the sanctuary. According to the guide, once inside, on the day of the autumn equinox, allowing the magical beasts to bathe in the blood pool would suffice. The two girls weren't worried anymore and decided to linger at the entrance.
Why hadn't Chi Aotian arrived yet? Hopefully, nothing had happened to him. They needed to hurry; only 10 minutes remained to enter the sanctuary, or they'd have to wait another five years.
Just as the two girls were on the brink of despair, Chi Aotian finally burst out from the spruce forest, appearing in their view.