Chapter 54: Rebirth and Transformation

( ) Chapter 65: Rebirth and Transformation

In the early morning, after a day's rest, everyone's spirits had improved considerably. Li Bucai gathered everyone in the main hall, saying there was an important matter to discuss. During the expedition to Luo Ping Hai they had obtained a blue Magic Crystal that could be used to enhance their bloodlines; as promised, they would grant rewards based on merit after returning.

The crowd lined up on both sides of the hall; the production staff led by Yan Qiu stood on the left, while Wu Zhuoyue stood in front of the soldiers on the right.

Soon, Li Bucai appeared on the hall amid a cluster of Rushi and Xiaoxiao, took his seat, and ordered Rushi to take out the blue crystal core for everyone to see.

"This was obtained in Luo Ping Hai a few days ago; I believe everyone knows it," Li Bucai said.

All eyes focused on the crystal core, which resembled a sapphire. This kind of Magic Crystal is the coveted treasure of everyone in Sky City; although few have seen it, the elders' accounts say that to become a noble one must use a Magic Crystal to improve the quality of one's blood, and everyone has at least seen it in portraits, so they recognize it.

"Surely everyone covets such a precious treasure, but there is only one Magic Crystal and many of us, and it cannot be cut. For fairness, we must reward based on merit this time; whoever contributed the most will receive it. Who among those present should it be given to?"

The crowd began whispering; the chance to enhance their bloodlines and abilities was there, so naturally everyone hoped for it, but when it came to merit, each felt they had little to claim. They debated for a while, yet no one stepped forward to speak.

Li Bucai could only say, "Everyone may recount what they have done these past days, so we can judge together. Is there anyone who will say something?"

The people looked at each other, yet still no one dared to speak.

It seemed that unless prompted they wouldn't speak, Li Bucai said, "Fine, Zhuoyue, you start. Tell us everything you have done for everyone these past days."

Wu Zhuoyue stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Respectful Lord, I, Zhuoyue, have been idle these past days and have not helped anyone. Regarding merit, those who marched with you, Zhuoyue, know nothing and dare not speak. From what I know, the greatest merit among those staying at the camp belongs to Sister Yan Qiu. Not only did she personally manage everything in the camp, but at daybreak she rises early, prepares food, and assigns tasks in detail. The hardship is evident, so among these people, Yan Qiu's merit is the greatest."

"Oh?" Li Bucai turned his gaze toward Yan Qiu.

Yan Qiu, cheeks flushed, stepped forward: "I only get up a little earlier than they do. Although the plans follow the Lord's ideas, I merely sit here watching them each day; it is Qiaoer and the others who built every tree and blade of grass themselves. In terms of hardship, I am far less burdened than they are; without them the camp wouldn't have been finished so quickly, so my merit comes from them. However, regarding who contributed most, when the walls were still unfinished we were often attacked by Qingwolf Beasts. It was Zhuoyue and the others who, disregarding their own safety, drove the Qingwolf Beasts away. Had they not, Yan Qiu and the others might never have seen the Lord again. Therefore, I think among those who stayed behind, Zhuoyue's merit is the greatest."

Wu Zhuoyue said, "Protecting the camp is part of our duty; it's not a matter of merit. Moreover, at the time they were only a few small beasts, they came only once and were easy to deal with. Zhuoyue believes that everything Sister Yan Qiu did is what counts as merit."

Under her lead, the three subordinates also unanimously declared Yan Qiu's merit the greatest, and the others echoed in agreement.

Yan Qiu said, "We here have no worries about food or clothing, and with Zhuoyue's protection we need not consider anything else; we just focus on our duties, perhaps breaking a little sweat, unlike Sister Rushi and her companions who followed the Lord to Luo Ping Hai, fighting the enemy and shedding blood. In terms of merit, they are far inferior to Sister Rushi and her group."

Wu Zhuoran was seriously injured during the expedition to Luo Ping Hai and remains unconscious; everyone agrees.

Fang Ling'er said, "If it weren't for Sister Rushi risking her life to protect me, I might have already fallen. Throughout the journey, Sister Rushi not only won martial contests, but also shot arrows at rebels, and so on; each deed qualifies as a great achievement. I think the award should go to Sister Rushi."

Wu Zhuoyue naturally hoped his elder sister could receive this rare treasure, but considering Wu Zhuoran's current condition, she is unlikely to awaken soon. The Territory now needs manpower; leaving a treasure that can instantly elevate a person's aptitude to a comatose individual is less useful than using it to enhance a servant.

He said, "Her merit is indeed the greatest, but even if we boost her bloodline, she won't wake immediately. The Lord already gave her the greatest gift by risking his life to save her when she was on the brink of death; how can we dare hope for more? She is Zhuoyue's elder cousin; I know her well. Even if I were her, I wouldn't ask for more. The Lord should consider others."

Yan Qiu also said, "Since Zhuoyue refuses, perhaps the Lord should choose the most meritorious among the others."

Unexpectedly, these girls were truly selfless, which matched Li Bucai's wishes. The Wu Shi sisters and Yan Qiu already possess noble bloodlines; enhancing them would only raise them one level. Selecting someone of average aptitude would add a talented servant to our ranks.

However, it is only an aptitude boost; as for ability, they must wait until Sky City opens its gates, so she can receive appropriate knowledge in the library and undergo extensive practical training later.

The three voluntarily yielded, and the rest did not contest. After further discussion, among the servants the most meritorious was none other than Junyi Wan'er. On the night of the stalemate with the rebels, had she not vigorously treated the wounded and sent them back into battle, Sand Spring would have been breached, and the consequences are unimaginable. Thus the blue Magic Crystal was awarded to Wan'er.

Fusing a Magic Crystal is not as simple as swallowing it; a altar must be constructed, and only after a priestly ritual can the fusion occur.

Today, an auspicious day, Yan Qiu immediately found a flat spot atop West Mountain, felled trees and built an altar. After a day's work, the altar was completed: thirty‑six massive trunks stood in a constellation pattern across the clearing, each pillar engraved with a zodiac. In the center lay a platform paved with river stones, upon which the sun, moon, and stars were drawn.

Since there was no Priest, Yan Qiu, who had some knowledge in this area, presided over the ceremony.

At the hour of the Rat, the crowd raised torches and set the thirty‑six trunks ablaze. Amid the raging fire, Wan'er, standing outside the altar, stripped off her clothes piece by piece until she was naked, then cradled the blue Magic Crystal and stepped into the sea of flames.

The flames on the pillars instantly transformed into angelic shapes that swirled around her in a dance; in this unique sacrificial rite, with the Magic Crystal in hand, she felt no heat at all.

When she finally stood on the central platform of sun, moon, and stars, Yan Qiu, from a high ground outside the altar, offered a few prayers to the sky. Li Bucai felt the heavens suddenly brighten; the thirty‑six constellations grew more distinct under her voice. Soon, from each of the thirty‑six constellations in the night sky, a beam of light shot toward the altar, illuminating the corresponding spots on the pillars.

The beams grew ever brighter, making it hard to keep one's eyes open.

After a while, the starlight vanished, yet the pillars themselves became even brighter, visible clearly even amid the flames.

Then a gale rose, whipping the flames on the pillars into a wild spin; the thirty‑six constellations rotated rapidly with the fire, their lights interweaving. When all the starlight merged, the wind abruptly ceased, and the flames surged toward the altar's center. The colliding fire burst like an explosion, and a massive scarlet mushroom cloud rose at the altar's core, lifting Wan'er atop the fire cloud and gradually engulfing her within the huge fire sphere.

Those outside the altar could clearly see Wan'er in the fire slowly curling her body into a ball, like a fetus; her form seemed to shrink, gradually turning into a pinpoint of light.

At that moment, the mushroom‑like fire cloud erupted like fireworks, sending thin strands of flame outward like chrysanthemums, dazzlingly brilliant.

After a while, as the flames kept spewing, the central mushroom cloud shrank. The pinpoint of light that had formed from the girl began to expand slowly, growing to about a foot in diameter; the glow then dimmed, and a girl's ** unfolded from within. From afar, she resembled an angel in fire, her flowing hair fluttering with the flames, her form perfect to the utmost.

Until the flames waned, the girl in the fire descended, and when her feet touched the ground she slowly opened her eyes. At the moment she opened them, the surrounding fire extinguished instantly. The altar, originally built of timber and rubble, after the furnace of fire and starlight, now had its pillars turned into green stone, and the stone‑paved platform became white jade.

The girl crossed her hands and placed them between her legs, naked, and walked gracefully toward us.

By now Wan'er's appearance had changed; she had just been a youthful, mischievous girl, but after the Magic Crystal fusion she now stood before us like a goddess. She approached Li Bucai, bowed, and in a supremely gentle voice said, "Wan'er pays respects to the Lord."

Such a perfect maiden stood there completely naked, every inch of skin exposed; Li Bucai felt his nostrils flush, as if about to burn.

……