Aunt Xue saw the two pairs of watery eyes and felt torn. The lady had always been strict, setting high expectations for the young master and young lady. From a young age, they were only allowed to cultivate and study formations, alchemy, and other practices. Except for major holidays, they weren't permitted to go out, and even when they did, they had to be accompanied by someone and return before dark.
This strictness had made the young master and young lady's cultivation levels outstanding, but it also stifled their natural tendencies as children. Sometimes, Aunt Xue wished they could laugh and play like other children. However, the lady had high hopes for them, and if their cultivation was delayed due to play, Aunt Xue would be held accountable.
Bai Zisheng pleaded, "Aunt Xue, I just want to go out for a while. I've never seen what Tongxian City is like."
Aunt Xue hesitated, but Bai Zixi tugged at her sleeve and called out, "Aunt Xue..."
Her heart softened completely. "Alright, but you can only stay out until sunset and must return before dark."
"Thank you, Aunt Xue!" Bai Zisheng cheered.
Aunt Xue then smiled at Mo Hua and said, "We are new here and not familiar with Tongxian City. Could you guide us?"
Her kind attitude and the eager looks of the Bai siblings made Mo Hua unable to refuse. He initially planned to go home early to draw a few more formations. However, he had already drawn many in recent days and his meditation techniques couldn't keep up with the restoration. A night of rest would be good.
So, they walked along the streets, exploring the Lotus Festival night market of Tongxian City. Though Tongxian City was small and not particularly prosperous, the mingling crowds and the myriad of lights created a unique bustling and festive atmosphere.
Mo Hua and the three led the way, while the Bai siblings followed a few steps behind, looking around with curious and unfamiliar eyes. Aunt Xue, still uneasy, silently followed the siblings.
On the way, Shuang Hu asked Mo Hua quietly, "Mo Hua, do you know them?"
Mo Hua nodded, "We are all named disciples under Master Zhuang."
"They aren't from Tongxian City, are they?"
"No, they seem to be children of a distant noble family..."
"Distant? Outside of Tongxian City? I've never been outside Tongxian City..."
"Probably even farther, maybe outside Li Prefecture."
"Outside Li Prefecture... That would take forever to travel to."
They felt both curious and apprehensive about the unfamiliar regions of the cultivation world.
Xiao Hu suddenly asked, "Mo Hua, are you close to them?"
Mo Hua thought for a moment and said, "Not really, we're barely half-fellow disciples and don't talk much."
Xiao Hu nodded, "These noble family children really don't have much to say to us."
Mo Hua felt this wasn't entirely right but couldn't pinpoint what was wrong.
In the world of cultivation, there was a vast difference between noble families and rogue cultivators. The longer and deeper the heritage of a noble family, the more unattainable they seemed to ordinary rogue cultivators. Though all were cultivators, noble family members and rogue cultivators were worlds apart.
As they wandered, the three Meng kids felt somewhat constrained, not enjoying themselves fully while leading the Bai siblings.
Noticing their discomfort, Mo Hua smiled and said, "You guys go play by yourselves. I'll take them for a quick tour and then head back. I still have some formations to draw tonight."
Xiao Hu clicked his tongue, "You still have to draw formations tonight? It must be really tough wanting to become a formation master..."
Shuang Hu said, "Then if we find something fun, we'll buy you a share too."
"Do you want a sugar figurine? We're thinking of buying tiger-shaped ones for each of us. We'll get you one too."
Da Hu scratched his head, pondered for a moment, and then grinned, "If someone dares to bully you, just shout, and we'll come over and beat them up for you!"
"Got it," Mo Hua smiled. The three of them dashed away like birds released from a cage.
Seeing this, Aunt Xue called Mo Hua over and asked, "Do you know what festival it is today? It's so lively."
"Miss Xue, today is the Lotus Festival."
Aunt Xue looked puzzled, "I've never heard of this festival in the cultivation world."
Mo Hua explained, "It's a small festival celebrated only in the vicinity of Tongxian City. Other places probably don't have it."
"Why is it called the Lotus Festival?"
Bai Zisheng curiously asked, while Bai Zixi, who had been looking around, turned to look at Mo Hua.
Mo Hua thought for a moment before answering, "When I asked my parents about it when I was young, they said the Lotus Festival commemorates a hermit named Lianhua."
"Lianhua hermit? Was this Lianhua hermit a great cultivator?" Aunt Xue asked.
"For us, he should be considered a great cultivator, but in the entire cultivation world, he may not be considered that significant," Mo Hua explained. "I'm not sure about his specific cultivation level, but some elderly folks say he was at the Foundation Establishment stage, while others claim he was at the Golden Core stage."
"It is said that in those days, the heat in Liyuan Prefecture was scorching, and the vegetation withered. The starved beasts descended from the mountains, causing a wave of attacks. Cultivators from Tongxian City tried to defend the city, but were overwhelmed by the sheer number of beasts. Just as it seemed the city gates would be breached and countless cultivators would perish, the Lianhua hermit passed by and single-handedly held off the beast tide. He ultimately saved the lives of the cultivators of Tongxian City, but he perished due to exhaustion of his spiritual power..."
"It is said that today is the anniversary of the Lianhua hermit's passing. Since then, every year at this time, the people of Tongxian City light various lotus lamps, sending them into the sky to commemorate the Lianhua hermit with the bright spectacle of lights."
Bai Zixi listened intently, while Bai Zisheng felt his blood boiling with excitement.
Thinking of the past, it felt as if he were immersed in the chaos of the beast tide, battling ferocious and ruthless beasts. After a fierce battle, although he killed the beast leader, he also exhausted his own strength and perished.
Countless years later, many cultivators still remembered his achievements, and his name was etched in the minds of the city's cultivators.
Bai Zisheng, full of fiery enthusiasm, said, "Without fear of death, embracing life in the face of death, such a heroic and stirring life is the destiny that cultivators should have."
Aunt Xue sighed helplessly, "Young master, you are the only son of the lady. Please behave yourself."
Bai Zisheng felt a bit disheartened and hung his head.
Mo Hua chuckled, which irked Bai Zisheng a bit. Bai Zixi, on the other hand, smiled slightly, her face appeared more radiant than the lights in the sky.
After a moment of contemplation, Aunt Xue still looked puzzled and asked, "The physical bodies and spiritual power of beasts are far stronger than cultivators. Even a cultivator at the Golden Core stage wouldn't be able to single-handedly resist a beast tide. Moreover, a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage isn't worth such elaborate commemoration by an entire city of cultivators..."
As they spoke, they arrived at a stall where various lotus lamps were displayed, intricately crafted, and each could be purchased for five pieces of fragmented spiritual stones.
Mo Hua took out five pieces of fragmented spiritual stones, placed them on the stall, and chose a lotus lamp with an indiscernible beast-shaped design. He ignited it with the lamp fire, and the light illuminated the beast, vividly bringing it to life.
As Mo Hua let go, the lamp slowly floated into the sky, blending into the myriad of lights.
Mo Hua looked up at the sky filled with lights and murmured to himself:
"In this world of cultivators, even if one's cultivation reaches the heavens, how many can sacrifice their own cultivation and foundation for strangers? What the cultivators of Tongxian City commemorate is not the cultivation level of the Lianhua hermit, but his broad-mindedness in benefiting all beings."
Bai Zisheng nodded and chose a majestic red tiger-shaped lamp, sincerely igniting it and sending it up into the sky.
Bai Zixi released a golden phoenix-patterned lotus lamp, dazzling and beautiful.
After hesitating for a moment, Aunt Xue glanced at Mo Hua, then finally chose a Qingluan-shaped lotus lamp and sent it into the night sky.
In various parts of Tongxian City, the scattered lights converged, illuminating the dark night sky.
(End of the chapter)