Chapter 356

Three days later, at the foot of the Holy Mountain.

Before noon, the grassland was already a sea of people.

Tens of thousands of herdsmen gathered from all tribes, men, women, old and young, all wearing the most solemn festive robes, gathering before the ancient altar at the foot of the Holy Mountain.

That is a circular stone platform carved into the mountain rock.

In the center naturally rises a three-foot-high square stone pedestal, the place where generations of grand shamans stood while presiding over sacrifices.

The four sides of the stone pedestal are carved with ancient runes now blurred.

Tuan Tuan also changed into grassland attire: a snow-white little robe, a red little hat, and several small braids tied with colored cords hanging from her shoulders, looking especially lively.

She looked around and exclaimed: "Wow! So many people! How lively!"

Haricha Gai said softly: "The spring sacrifice is the first important ceremony each year."

"Pray to the Eternal Heaven to bless the grassland in the new year with abundant rain, lush pasture, and thriving livestock."

Xiao Ran understood: "So that's why, no wonder it's so solemn."

Xiao Ningxun nodded, having never seen such a sight on the grassland before, and was also quite shocked.

They were invited distant guests coming to observe the ceremony, their seats placed before several high officials.

In front sat the two adult princes, Bateer and Jifeng.

At the very front, right next to the altar's seat, Menggen the burly man wore a snow-white ceremonial robe trimmed with gold, his expression solemn as he sat there.

To his left sat the Great Khatun Urina.

She wore a silver-white brocade robe, beautiful and dignified.

Woo—woo—woo—

With three mournful, resonant blasts of the long horn, the whole crowd fell silent.

On the altar, the grand shaman slowly appeared.

He wore a tall crown adorned with bone beads and colorful plumes, his face painted with red-and-white pigment, and draped over his body was a wide ceremonial robe sewn from countless pieces of various animal hides.

He stepped onto the stone pedestal, holding the bone staff passed down through generations, slowly turned, and faced the sun hanging high in the east.

He raised the bone staff and began to chant the sacrificial text in the ancient, archaic language of the grasslands.

The herdsmen all bowed their heads, right hands over their hearts, following the chant's rhythm and responding in low voices.

When the final note faded into the wind, the grand shaman slowly lowered the bone staff.

He turned his gaze to Menggen: "Great Khan, this year's spring sacrifice is different from previous years."

Menggen gave a slight nod: "Grand Shaman, please speak."

The grand shaman drew a deep breath, pointing the bone staff toward the Holy Mountain: "The Eternal Heaven has bestowed a divine sign!"

"The Holy Maiden of the White Deer Tribe, the purest bloodline on the grasslands most favored by the Eternal Heaven, her soul has returned from reincarnation!"

Whoosh—

The crowd erupted completely!

Countless gazes filled with awe, fervor, and anticipation all turned toward Tuan Tuan.

The crowd slowly surged toward the altar.

Xiao Ningxun and Xiao Ran frowned slightly, while Lu Qi and Xiao Er watched warily around.

Jifeng raised an eyebrow at the grand shaman.

The grand shaman raised the bone staff with both hands and shouted loudly: "Please, Holy Maiden, ascend the altar!"

Tuan Tuan blinked and whispered: "Third Brother, should I go up?"

"Mm." Xiao Ningxun helped her up, adjusted her collar and hair crown, saying, "Go on, don't be afraid, we're all here."

"I'm not afraid, Third Brother." Tuan Tuan took her short little steps and walked onto the altar.

Tens of thousands of eyes followed her.

Tuan Tuan walked up to the grand shaman and said: "Old sir, hello."

The grand shaman lowered his gaze to her and said slowly: "Child, turn around and face these lambs that trust you."

Tuan Tuan did as told, turned, and looked at the dark mass of people below the stone platform.

She asked, full of confusion: "Old sir, they are people, not sheep."

The grand shaman ignored her question and shouted loudly: "Herdsmen, rejoice! This is your Holy Maiden! The Holy Maiden of the White Deer Tribe has returned!"

Cheers exploded, countless people shouted at Tuan Tuan:

"Little Holy Maiden! Our Holy Maiden has returned!"

"Holy Maiden of the White Deer Tribe!"

"Holy Maiden favored by the Eternal Heaven! She has returned!"

The grand shaman lifted the bone staff overhead, lightly waved it, and the human voices gradually ceased.

With a swing of his bone staff, he pointed to a depression on the stone pedestal: "Please, Holy Maiden, place your hand here!"

Tuan Tuan lowered her gaze to look.

It was a circular depression, only the size of a palm, its edges very smooth, as if countless hands had rubbed over it.

Huh, why does this little circle look so familiar?

She stretched out her little hand and gently pressed her palm onto it.

The stone surface was icy cold.

The grand shaman drew out his voice and shouted loudly: "Holy Maiden has returned, manifest the holy mark, bless the grassland!"

Everyone held their breath, waiting.

However, after a moment, nothing happened on the altar; it was utterly silent.

Under the stone platform, the crowd began to whisper.

"What's happening?"

"Didn't they say the Saintess would manifest?"

"Why is there nothing?"

The Great Shaman's brows slowly furrowed.

Xiao Ningxun's hand gradually clenched, Xiao Ran's brows tightened, and Jifeng's gaze sharpened.

The Great Shaman circled the stone mound, his bone staff repeatedly striking the ground, emitting a heavy "dong dong" sound.

He recited the incantation again, his voice rising and falling, the makeup on his face especially grim.

However, the altar remained calm.

The Great Shaman stopped, standing beside the stone mound, lowered his head to look at Tuan Tuan's small hand, his face full of confusion.

"Impossible…" he muttered, "The Deer King kneels in reverence, the Saintess's identity is unquestionable! Why is there no response?"

He suddenly turned, facing Great Khan Menggen, his voice trembling: "Great Khan! A grave matter!"

Menggen asked in a deep voice, "What does the Great Shaman mean?"

The Great Shaman took a deep breath, pointing his bone staff at Tuan Tuan: "The Deer King kneels, selecting the Saintess; she is undoubtedly the Saintess reincarnated!"

"But today, the Saintess ascended the altar yet did not manifest!"

He paused: "I've thought it over, and there is only one reason: although the Saintess's soul has returned, her bloodline is impure!"

The crowd instantly erupted into chaos!

"Impure bloodline? What does that mean?"

"Is it because the Saintess is a Zhongyuan person?"

"Does Changsheng Tian not recognize Zhongyuan bloodline?"

Wu Renna, her face full of worry, said: "Great Shaman, the Saintess's bloodline is impure—what should we do? Speak clearly."

The Great Shaman turned to Wu Renna: "Da Ha Dun, hold on, allow me to summon Changsheng Tian!"

He closed his eyes, both hands gripping the bone staff, his whole body trembling, a strange "ho ho" sound emanating from his throat, as if some mysterious force possessed his body.

A moment later, the Great Shaman suddenly opened his eyes, and a hollow white haze filled them!

Shouts of astonishment instantly burst forth!

"Ah! Look at the Great Shaman's eyes!"

"Changsheng Tian descends!"

"We beg Changsheng Tian to bless us!"

The herders knelt and bowed.

The Great Shaman opened his mouth, his voice no longer the hoarse, ancient rasp it had been.

Instead it was flat and hollow, as if an echo from a faraway place, like a deity speaking through him:

"Chang—sheng—Tian—Divine Decree!"

"The Saintess's soul has returned, but her bloodline is not of our grassland people! It cannot bring blessings to the grassland!"

"A sacrifice of the body is required!"

Wu Renna rose, her face solemn: "Changsheng Tian, please reveal the way, guide the grassland!"

The Great Shaman's eyes stared straight at Tuan Tuan: "Flames will scorch you!"

"Or, end your life and be buried in the heavens!"

Having said that, his whole body went limp, he staggered back a few steps, and only steadied himself by holding the stone mound.

He gasped heavily, his body drained of strength, as if a deity had just left his shell.