In the depths of the Seven Li Cave, amidst the sacred altar of the Miao people, the silence remained undisturbed by the fierce battle of the previous night. Under the guidance of a young shaman, Ghost Li and Xiao Bai walked in silence through the heart of the altar. The usually rambunctious Xiao Hui, perched on Ghost Li’s shoulder, seemed to be subdued by the solemn atmosphere.
As they passed through the long, dimly lit passageway and arrived before the stone house at the altar’s heart, the young shaman nodded slightly, said nothing, and vanished into the shadows.
Left alone, Ghost Li and Xiao Bai exchanged a glance. “Let’s go in,” Ghost Li murmured.
Xiao Bai nodded, and they both stepped inside.
The room was still dimly lit, with a flickering flame burning in the far corner. In front of it, a hunched figure sat with their back turned towards them.
This familiar scene, with the echoes of last night’s events, made everything seem like an elusive dream.
A faint cough shattered the silence, and the old man’s silhouette, illuminated by the firelight, trembled violently. “You’ve come,” the High Shaman said after his coughing subsided, his voice now hoarse. “Come closer.”
Ghost Li and Xiao Bai moved behind him and sat quietly. In the presence of this frail elder, they felt uncharacteristically lost for words.
The High Shaman sighed softly. “My people were rude to you earlier; I hope you do not hold it against us.”
Ghost Li nodded slightly. “Of course not.”
The High Shaman coughed again but remained silent. Ghost Li and Xiao Bai waited patiently, but the High Shaman seemed to have drifted off, unmoving.
Anxiety gnawed at Ghost Li. He worried about the High Shaman’s thoughts and the disastrous events of the previous night. If anything happened to Bi Yao because of him, he would never forgive himself.
After a long, tense wait, seeing that the High Shaman still showed no sign of speaking, Ghost Li gathered his courage. “Elder, I have a request—”
Before he could finish, the High Shaman interrupted. “Young man, let me tell you a story.”
Ghost Li was taken aback. He glanced at Xiao Bai, who also looked puzzled. Nonetheless, they had no choice but to listen. “Please, go on, Elder.”
The High Shaman’s hoarse voice filled the dark chamber, carrying the weight of centuries.
“In the southern lands of the Divine Soil, we Miao, though not as prosperous as the Central Plains, have our own unique history. It is known that five tribes coexist here, but in ancient times, the Miao, Li, Zhuang, Tujia, and Gaoshan were all part of a single tribe: the Wu Tribe.”
Ghost Li and Xiao Bai, surprised, had never heard of this.
“Legend has it that in ancient times, the Wu Tribe governed the borderlands, with powerful shamans and high priestesses, or Wu Nu Niang Nians, who served the god of the Wu and possessed immense powers.”
“Wu Nu Niang Nians were chosen from the most gifted virgins, serving in the altar, mastering witchcraft, and leading the Wu Tribe. This continued for many, many years…”
The High Shaman’s voice grew more intense. “But in the third year of the eleventh Wu Nu Nian, something terrible happened in the Great Mountains. A monstrous being, known as the ‘Beast God,’ appeared. No one knew where it came from, but its presence brought a deadly miasma and transformed ordinary animals into terrifying beasts.”
“Wu Nu Nian summoned the top shamans and warriors to investigate, but only the strongest returned, dying shortly after, leaving only the word ‘Beast Fiend.'”
“From then on, the Beast Fiend and his creatures spread terror, and the Wu Tribe faced peril. The Wu Nu Nian decided to gather all shamans and warriors to confront the beast, but that night, the Beast Fiend attacked the altar. A great battle ensued, and the Wu Nu Nian used the ‘Eight Fierce Spirits Fire Array’ to trap the Beast Fiend. The Wu Tribe fought bravely, but the Beast Fiend eventually broke free, though grievously wounded.”
“The Wu Nu Nian, despite her injuries, ventured alone into the Great Mountains to face the Beast Fiend. She gave her warriors five sacred artifacts, instructing them to guard them to prevent the Beast Fiend’s resurrection. With her last strength, she sealed the Beast Fiend and turned into a stone statue.”
The room fell silent. “Why are you telling us this, Elder?” Xiao Bai asked.
The High Shaman, his back bent with age, continued, “The five artifacts were divided among the five tribes, which eventually led to their separation. Now, I ask, can you help me retrieve the sacred artifact of the Miao?”
Ghost Li drew a deep breath. “Elder, are you asking for my help to find the sacred artifact of the Miao?”
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