Chapter 485: Chapter 485: Children, Flowers, and Old Men
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"So beautiful!"
Zeng Yi looked up at the sky, watching the countless flowers raining down. The pale yellow and white blossoms of the spirit acacia tree floated gently in the wind. The scene was incredibly beautiful.
Gazing at this floral spectacle, Zeng Yi felt an unparalleled tranquility and emptiness, as if his soul had been purified.
"Mo Xiao, during the Spirit Blossom Festival every year, does the ancient acacia tree always bloom like this?" Zeng Yi asked.
Facing Zeng Yi's question, Mo Xiao shook his head in confusion.
"No, in the past festivals, the acacia tree would bloom, but never to this extent. This time, it's covered in acacia flowers, like a giant flower umbrella towering over the earth. This scene is truly awe-inspiring! It's the most astonishing and stunning sight I've seen in my entire life!"
Mo Xiao's eyes widened in astonishment as he marveled at the cascading floral rain.
Even he, a native of the small town and someone who used to play around the ancient acacia tree as a child, had never seen it bloom so profusely in all these years.
During previous festivals, the acacia tree would bloom, but not as prodigiously as it did this time.
The only difference was that this year's festival was presided over by the Sword Saint from the Sword God Palace.
So, was that the reason for the difference?
But there was no need to dwell too much on the reasons. After all, the acacia tree symbolized auspiciousness and blessed peace, health, and good luck. The fact that the ancient acacia tree was in full bloom might herald something good.
With the conclusion of the grand festival, it didn't mean that this year's Spirit Blossom Festival was over. Next, there would be competitions between the major sword dojos and martial academies, the Sword Trials.
The festival might have ended, but the combat arena beneath the altar had already been set up. Many people sat in the spectator stands, eagerly awaiting the thrilling sword duels.
"Lang Ge, shall we go and take a look?" Mo Xiao seemed quite interested in the competition and wanted to drag Zeng Yi along.
However, at the mention of this, Zeng Yi recalled something and looked at Mo Xiao, asking, "In this Sword Trials, is our Swift Wind Sword Dojo going to compete against the Vigor Sword Dojo that came to challenge us earlier?"
Mo Xiao nodded, saying, "Yes, that's right. Vigor Sword Dojo brought shame upon our Swift Wind Sword Dojo before. This time, we'll get our revenge and also announce to the whole town that the Swift Wind Sword Dojo is reopening!"
"Do you need my help?"
Upon hearing this, Mo Xiao shook his head. "No, this is our Mo family's matter. It is our duty as siblings to avenge our father. So, there's no need for you to worry about it. My sister said she can handle this herself, and we don't need your assistance!"
Mo Xiao declined Zeng Yi's offer. He knew very well that Zeng Yi was extremely powerful. If he represented the Swift Wind Sword Dojo to challenge the Vigor Sword Dojo, no one from the latter would be able to match him. However, some tasks needed to be done by oneself. Relying on others could never heal the doubts and regrets in one's heart.
Seeing Mo Xiao's determined gaze, Zeng Yi didn't say anything further. He simply patted his shoulder.
Today's competition involved ordinary spirit masters and sword fighters, and they were just exchanging blows and sharing their cultivation experiences. The real highlight would be tomorrow, when the major sword sects and martial academies would battle each other.
Therefore, Zeng Yi accompanied Mo Xiao for a while, but soon found it boring. He found an excuse to leave, leaving Mo Xiao alone.
Wandering through the festival's bustling market street, Zeng Yi enjoyed the festive atmosphere on his own.
Unconsciously, the afternoon had almost passed as he watched the setting sun gradually descend, bathing the sky in red hues. Zeng Yi's mood began to grow melancholic.
Standing in the crowded street, he turned back and gazed at the flourishing ancient acacia tree. Under the sunset's glow, the petals were tinged with a layer of crimson, creating a beautiful sight.
Compared to the pale yellow and white blossoms during noon, the acacia tree now appeared even more charming with its rosy hues.
Looking at the towering ancient acacia tree, Zeng Yi couldn't help but sigh.
It's time to leave.
Yes, Zeng Yi decided to leave the town.
He didn't know when the demon hidden within him would seize control of his consciousness and wreak havoc.
To prevent this harmonious and beautiful scene before his eyes from being destroyed and ruined, he had no choice but to leave without bidding farewell to them, and go somewhere without any signs of human inhabitation.
Perhaps, it would be the end of his life.
Suddenly, a gentle breeze blew, carrying fragments of acacia blossoms floating down from the sky.
Zeng Yi couldn't help but extend his palm and catch a falling petal.
Staring at the yellowish-white object in his hand, Zeng Yi's gaze became somewhat lost.
Is death the only destination for me?
"Waaah, Mommy, mommy, where are you... wuu wuu..."
At this moment, a child's crying voice came from behind, jolting Zeng Yi's consciousness.
Turning around, he saw a little girl standing there, holding a bouquet of acacia flowers, looking up and crying helplessly.
Witnessing this, Zeng Yi couldn't help but walk over.
"What's wrong, little one? Why are you crying?" Zeng Yi stood in front of the girl, crouching down, and asked with a gentle smile.
"Mommy, I lost her, wuu wuu wuu..."
Pfft.
Hearing the girl's response, Zeng Yi almost burst out laughing.
Most likely, she got lost by wandering around on her own! Zeng Yi muttered to himself.
However, today was the festival, and with the large number of people, it was easy for children to get lost if adults weren't careful.
Looking at the crying and helpless little girl, Zeng Yi smiled warmly, reaching out to rub her head to comfort her. "Don't cry, would you like me to take you to find your mommy?"
"Mmm..."
The little girl was pure-minded and didn't have any complicated thoughts. Faced with a gentle and kind older brother figure, she readily accepted his help without any hesitation.
Seeing the girl's agreement, Zeng Yi took her small hand and began walking together.
"What's your name?" Zeng Yi asked.
"I'm Huihui."
"Huihui, what a lovely name. So, Huihui, do you remember where you and your mommy went?"
Zeng Yi asked the girl, hoping to gather some useful information. The festival area was quite large, making it difficult to find a specific person.
If this little girl's mother realized her daughter was missing, she would most likely search all the places they had been to before. So, by conducting a careful search, the probability of finding her would increase.
"Yes, I know."
"Huihui, you're really clever. Let your big brother take you there."
From the girl's description, Zeng Yi learned about the places they had visited. Although she couldn't identify some of them, she remembered the things she had played with and what was around.
Being bored and having nothing else to do that afternoon, Zeng Yi had strolled through all the festival areas. Based on Huihui's descriptions, he could deduce the exact location.
Along the way, Huihui couldn't help but stop in front of a shop, staring enviously at the colorful displayed inside.
Seeing this, Zeng Yi smiled helplessly. "Do you want something?"
"Mm-hmm!" Huihui vigorously nodded.
"Shopkeeper, please give me this."
Zeng Yi casually pointed to the largest and most beautiful item in the shop and bought it for the little girl.
Upon receiving it, Huihui's face lit up with joy, bouncing along as she held the gift in her hands.
Zeng Yi continued leading her to find her mother.
"Huihui! My precious girl!"
Not long after, Zeng Yi saw a woman rushing towards them from the distance, crying out with a sob in her voice.
"Mommy! Mommy!"
Huihui recognized her mother and shouted joyfully.
Zeng Yi released the girl's hand, and she dashed to her mother. The mother and daughter tightly embraced each other. The girl laughed happily, while her mother cried with a mix of joy and self-blame.
Watching this heartwarming scene, Zeng Yi couldn't help but smile, feeling a sense of warmth in his heart.
"Big brother, this is for you."
After thanking Zeng Yi and before leaving with her daughter, Huihui handed him the bouquet of acacia flowers.
"Thank you, Huihui." Zeng Yi looked at the bouquet in his hand, momentarily stunned, before receiving it with a smile.
"May the spirits bless you!"
As the mother left, she said this to Zeng Yi.
Seeing the mother and daughter walking away, Zeng Yi lowered his head and glanced at the acacia flowers in his hand. He couldn't help but smile before turning around and leaving.
It's time for me to go.
As the sun began to set, the festival street became increasingly crowded, with everyone converging toward the towering ancient acacia tree.
What on earth is happening?
Observing people's reactions, Zeng Yi felt puzzled, but he didn't intend to inquire further. He had already decided to leave quietly.
As Zeng Yi walked against the crowd, he suddenly felt a collision.
Looking around, he saw an old man who had fallen to the ground.
"Old man, are you okay?" Zeng Yi hurriedly went over to help the old man up.
He was a hunchbacked and short elderly man wearing attire reminiscent of a monk. His face was aged, as if it could wither at any moment.
"I'm fine."
The old man didn't blame Zeng Yi but swiftly gathered the things that had fallen to the ground and put them back into a wooden box he had on his back.
"Sorry, old man."
At this moment, the old man raised his head, looked at Zeng Yi, and said, "Don't you plan to offer prayers to the spirits?"
"Prayers?" Zeng Yi looked at the old man in puzzlement.
"Prayers, it's an essential part of the Spirit Blossom Festival. Everyone prays to the Spirits, hoping for peace, prosperity, and the avoidance of calamities in the upcoming year."
"Praying for peace, prosperity, and avoiding calamities?" Zeng Yi finally understood. That's why everyone was heading toward the festival altar.
"Aren't you going?"
Zeng Yi tilted his head, gazing at the towering acacia tree in that direction, and couldn't help but smile bitterly.
"Praying? I am the calamity itself, why would I need to pray?"
Hearing Zeng Yi's self-deprecating comment, the old man couldn't help but laugh, seemingly understanding the deeper meaning behind his words.
"Why belittle yourself? As long as your heart is strong enough, you can overcome even great hardships. The same applies to the demons in your heart."
The demons in my heart!
This sentence made Zeng Yi's eyes contract, and he widened them in astonishment, staring at the old man's stooped figure intently.
"Who are you?"
Taking a step back and maintaining a vigilant gaze, Zeng Yi kept his distance from the old man, studying him carefully.
This man seemed to have deciphered his words, seemingly aware of his body's condition.
Zeng Yi didn't believe that the old man had unintentionally spoken those words.
"Oh, just an ordinary villager." the old man declared with a smile, but this smile carried profound meaning.
"Do you know my secret?"
"Perhaps."
The old man's words made Zeng Yi's eyes narrow, and he stared intently at the hunchbacked figure, his gaze sharp and wary.
"What is your purpose?"
Zeng Yi took a step back, maintaining a cautious distance from the old man, keeping a close eye on him.
This person had figured out his secret and seemed to know about his origin.
Zeng Yi didn't believe that those words were spoken unintentionally by the old man.
"Hehe, I'm merely a simple countryman." the old man responded, laughing with meaning. This laugh carried profound implications.
"Do you have to underestimate yourself? As long as your heart is strong enough, even in the face of great calamities, you can endure. The demons within your heart are no exception."
The demons within my heart!
These words made Zeng Yi's pupils contract. His eyes widened as he stared fixedly at the hunchbacked figure before him.
"What are you?"
"Follow your own will."
Leaving this final sentence, the old man turned and left without looking back, proceeding against the crowd.
Zeng Yi stood still, his eyes locked onto the old man gradually disappearing into the distance. His eyes flickered with struggle and hesitation.
In the end, an unwavering determination appeared on Zeng Yi's face as he firmly followed the direction the old man had departed in.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone