Divine Beast Creator

The communal feast of the Liuyun Ceremony was not particularly lavish. After all, the food was provided for free to everyone. If one didn’t want to dine elsewhere, there seemed to be no better choice.

"I thought it would be vegetarian, but I didn’t expect there’d even be fish."

Looking at the food on the plate, Feng Yuan murmured softly, and Qi Chen glanced at Feng Yuan curiously and said,

"What’s wrong with fish?"

"Haha, it’s nothing, I just misunderstood something."

With a smile, Feng Yuan didn’t explain further, and Qi Chen didn’t mind. He assumed it was just a taboo from the place Feng Yuan used to live. As for in their place? There weren’t really any restrictions, as long as it wasn’t too extravagant, there wasn’t much of an issue.

Since the food supplies for the Liuyun Ceremony came from citizens’ donations, everything was available, though a grand banquet was certainly out of the question—that would indeed be somewhat strange. Usually, the cooking was done by officials assigned from Maomu City, who wouldn’t cause such trouble.

"Speaking of which, why did people from Baiman City come to attend the ceremony in Maomu City? They shouldn’t really be mooching off it, right?"

Feng Yuan asked curiously, though he didn’t expect Qi Chen and the others to know the answer. Dou Yanlan and Qi Chen exchanged glances and smiled wryly.

"We really don’t know."

"One part is a gesture of appreciation, since those who saved them and the Divine Beasts currently reside in our Maomu, another reason is because they lack sufficient manpower and materials to hold their own ceremony. Yet, they need a ceremony now to dispel the public’s anxiety and gloom."

"Surprisingly, you came here. I’m quite surprised since it’s not a particularly fun place. Is it because there’s no other suitable place to relax?"

Turning around, Feng Yuan saw that it was indeed Ye Hanlei speaking. Seeing her alone, Feng Yuan asked curiously,

"Where’s Liao Yu? He’s not with you?"

"He’s patrolling. With this many people, even if most are well-behaved, you can’t avoid a few odd ones around."

With a wave of her hand, Ye Hanlei didn’t want to recall those matters, and with a cheeky smile, Feng Yuan didn’t bring it up again and instead chatted with her. Naturally, the topic inevitably touched upon the Qi Realm Timeline, unknown to most people at that time.

"I thought you would say, ’I don’t understand why you care so much about this,’ seeing as this isn’t the place you used to live."

Watching the Blessing Lamps drift away, War Qichen couldn’t resist teasing, and Bai You silently paused and said mournfully,

"You’re commemorating them in a different way. It’s not that I don’t understand, it’s just... the old you..."

"To say one isn’t bound by the past is easy, but in reality... This time, it’s thanks to them; otherwise, perhaps I’d never have emerged..."

"You..."

Turning, War Qichen saw Bai You’s hesitant expression and smiled, saying,

"I truly wish she could return, but... I know it’s impossible. It’s not just common sense—he even believes it, too. Moreover... If she were to come back, I wouldn’t know how to face her. Too much time has already passed..."

If given the chance, War Qichen would not abandon the resurrection of Dou Yanlan from the War Timeline and others, but he knows it’s impossible. Moreover, Feng Yuan has confirmed that it’s an unrealistic pursuit.

The experiences of the Qi Realm Timeline let War Qichen and Bai You open up, even though War Qichen somewhat envied his Qi Realm Timeline self, he understood the differences between them.

At the same time, he knew the differences between himself and his Main World self. Even if it was the same city, his Main World self didn’t meet Dou Yanlan until high school, entirely different from his childhood sweetheart self with War Dou Yanlan.

Unfortunately, the city’s destruction came too early. Even if War Qichen successfully revived her from the War Timeline, he couldn’t treat her like a lover anymore. The reason for previously avoiding Bai You’s feelings was merely because he was trapped in the past and couldn’t move on.

The experience in the Qi Realm Timeline, however, allowed the two to confront this feeling. Those years of companionship, how could they be disregarded just like that? But at that time, War Qichen considered this a betrayal of the past.

"The departed are gone. No matter how reluctant, one must lift their head to face tomorrow. I’m sorry, these years, I..."

"I’m happy you’re able to come to terms with it. If you could easily abandon the past, then you wouldn’t be the you I know."

Placing the Blessing Lamp aside, Bai You smiled. As for advising War Qichen not to lean too heavily toward the Main World?

This thought has long vanished after their venture in the Qi Realm Timeline, and compared to War Qichen, she had the advantage of her predecessors. At least, others wouldn’t underestimate her warnings.

Being able to act recklessly in the Qi Realm Timeline, the waters of the Main World were deeper than she had thought. War Qichen was correct; they could only foster good relations and absolutely could not initiate a war against the Main World, or they would inevitably suffer losses.

Unlike Feng Yuan and the others, most people wouldn’t linger here for long. After all, there was plenty of open space around Liuyun Temple, but it couldn’t accommodate most of the city’s population gathered here. Thus, after completing their tributes, most would leave on their own, as the evening’s Star Lamp had little to do with them.

"People from Baiman City came?"

Wandering casually by the riverbank, Feng Yuan noticed a group of people in uniform and said in surprise. Due to Liuyun Ceremony’s uniqueness, even people like Liao Yu were dressed casually while patrolling, only a few specific teams wore uniforms to maintain order.

However, this large group was different. Their numbers were vast and disorderly, not appearing as official personnel.

Of course, in this setting, no one made loud commotions or inappropriate gestures.

"It seems they did, perhaps wearing uniforms to distinguish themselves from our city’s people?"

Dou Yanlan was equally curious, studying this group. Such uniform attire was rare at the Liuyun Ceremony, let alone among such a large group. However, since they weren’t behaving inappropriately, others merely glanced before losing interest.

Those aware of the situation understood it was people from Baiman City; those who weren’t would hear about it during the incense offerings.

Everyone maintained order quietly until they reached the large wooden platform specially prepared for Baiman City.

Even though it was just a small portion, the number of victims from Baiman City far exceeded what Maomu City could compare to. Just this small part had already surpassed the platform’s capacity.

In fact, to facilitate matters, they had designated staff distributing memorial tablets. Relatives only needed to take a lotus lantern and place their tablets on the wooden platform.

No choice—Maomu City maintained tradition, so people didn’t mind whose tablets were in their Blessing Lamps, whereas Baiman City differed.

For them, placing lamps for strangers might be hard to adapt to, which led to such changes.

Compared to the morning, the aura of the Netherworld gathered at the river in the afternoon was more intense, making the entire river feel eerie as if a torrential downpour was imminent.

However, unlike clouds hanging over a city, this dark sky didn’t feel oppressive; it merely felt dim, as if one had stepped into the Nether Soil.

On this dim river surface, the scattered lights floated closely toward the distance, creating the illusion of a magnificent Star River flowing into this Nether Soil.

Compared to the morning, the scene now was truly breathtaking, yet this magnificence couldn’t excite anyone.

"This is still just a small portion..."

Numbers on paper paled in comparison to the dazzling river of stars—each Blessing Lamp represented a sacrifice. This river stretched endlessly across the river surface, far more shocking than any paper figures.

Even Long Boduo couldn’t help but intervene; a mist fumed over the river, making the entire river seem to gain an extra branch. Originally drifting downstream, the Blessing Lamps now veered toward the opposite bank, into the thick mist. That spontaneously appearing river partially veiled in mist naturally startled everyone.

However, upon closer inspection, they realized someone must have intervened. This illusory river only guided the Blessing Lamps, not affecting the ordinary river water. In fact, the river might be a passage to the Netherworld.

Even if they didn’t know it was Long Boduo’s doing, they guessed the person responsible wasn’t malevolent, otherwise, it wouldn’t have unfolded like this.

"Was this your doing?"

Feng Yuan curiously looked at Long Boduo. Among them, only Long Boduo had this capability. Nodding, Long Boduo gazed at the continuously flowing river of lights and said,

"I feel this way is better."

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