Chapter 54: The Lotus Festival
Chapter 54: The Lotus Festival
Seeing the pleading eyes of the children, Aunt Xue hesitated.
The Madam was always strict with her discipline, and had high expectations of the young master and miss. From a young age, they were only allowed to cultivate and study array formations and pill refining. On regular days, they were not permitted to leave the house unless it was a major festival, and even then, they had to be accompanied by a servant and return home before dark.
While this strict regimen had led to exceptional cultivation for the young master and miss, it also stifled their natural curiosity and playfulness.
Sometimes, Aunt Xue wished to let them play and laugh like ordinary children, but the Madam had high hopes for them. If their cultivation was neglected due to their playful nature, Aunt Xue would be held responsible.
Bai Zisheng pleaded, "Aunt Xue, I just want to take a quick look around. I've never seen what this city of Tongxian has to offer."
Aunt Xue was still hesitant, but then Bai Zixi tugged at her sleeve and called out, "Aunt Xue..."
Aunt Xue's heart softened completely. "Alright, but you can only stay out until midnight."
"Thank you, Aunt Xue!" Bai Zisheng's face lit up with joy.
Aunt Xue turned to Mo Hua with a smile. "We're new here and not familiar with Tongxian City. Would you please show us around?"
Aunt Xue's kind attitude made it difficult for Mo Hua to refuse, especially with the eager eyes of the Bai siblings upon him.
He had originally planned to return early to draw more array formations, but he had been drawing them nonstop for several days and needed a break to recover his meditative skills. A night's rest would be welcome.
So the group strolled along the streets, taking in the night market of Tongxian City's Lotus Festival.
Although Tongxian was a small immortal city, not particularly bustling, the crisscrossing crowds and dazzling lights created a lively atmosphere filled with the charm of earthly delights.
Mo Hua, Da Hu, and Xiao Hu led the way, with the Bai siblings following a few steps behind, their eyes wide with curiosity. Aunt Xue remained vigilant, quietly trailing behind them.
Along the way, the twin tigers quietly asked Mo Hua, "Mo Hua, do you know them?"
Mo Hua nodded. "We're both registered disciples under Mister Zhuang."
"They're not from Tongxian City, are they?"
"No, I think they're from a distant noble family..."
"Distant? Outside of Tongxian? I've never left the city myself..."
"Probably even further, likely from outside the province."
"Outside the province? How long would it take to get there?"
The unfamiliar cultivation province intrigued and awed them.
Xiao Hu suddenly asked, "Mo Hua, are you close to them?"
Mo Hua thought for a moment. "Not really. We're barely half-fellow disciples and don't usually talk much."
Xiao Hu nodded. "It's hard to find common ground with these noble heirs."
Mo Hua felt that something was amiss with that statement, but after pondering it, he couldn't pinpoint the issue.
In the cultivation world, there was a clear divide between noble families and solitary cultivators. The older, more established, and profound the noble family, the more unattainable they seemed to ordinary solitary cultivators. Although those from noble families and solitary cultivators were both considered cultivators, they rarely mingled and were essentially from different worlds.
As they wandered through the festival, Da Hu, Xiao Hu, and the others felt constrained by the presence of the Bai siblings, and they didn't fully enjoy themselves.
Noticing their discomfort, Mo Hua smiled and said, "Why don't you guys go off and have fun on your own? I'll take them for a casual stroll and head back afterward. I still have a few array formations to draw tonight."
Xiao Hu exclaimed, "You're drawing array formations tonight as well? Becoming an array master is truly exhausting..."
Da Hu said, "If we come across anything fun, we'll buy one for you too."
"If you're getting sugar figurines from Pan Big-Head, we plan to each get one that looks like a tiger. We'll get one for you too."
Da Hu scratched his head and added, "If anyone dares to bully you, just shout, and we'll come running to beat them up!"
"Okay," Mo Hua laughed. The three of them scampered off like birds released from a cage.
Seeing this, Aunt Xue called Mo Hua over and asked, "What festival is today that it's so lively?"
Mo Hua explained, "It's a small festival, celebrated only in the area around Tongxian City. I don't think it's observed elsewhere."
"Why is it called the Lotus Festival?" Bai Zisheng asked curiously, his eyes darting around as Bai Zixi also turned to look at Mo Hua.
Mo Hua thought for a moment before answering, "When I was little, I asked my parents about it. They said the Lotus Festival is held to commemorate a cultivator called Lotus Hermit."
"Lotus Hermit?" Aunt Xue inquired. "Was this Lotus Hermit a powerful cultivator?"
"To us, he should be considered one," Mo Hua replied. "But in the entire cultivation world, he might not be that significant. I'm not sure about his exact cultivation level, but some elderly gentlemen mentioned that Lotus Hermit was likely at the late Foundation Establishment stage, or perhaps even the Golden Core stage."
"It is said that long ago, the Li Province suffered from scorching heat, causing vegetation to wither and starving demonic beasts to descend from the mountains to prey on humans, triggering a beast tide. The cultivators of Tongxian City valiantly defended the city but were overwhelmed by the sheer number of beasts. Just as the city gates were about to fall and countless cultivators faced imminent death, Lotus Hermit passed by and single-handedly held off the beast tide. In the end, he saved the lives of the cultivators of Tongxian City, but he exhausted his spiritual energy and perished..."
"Today is said to be the anniversary of Lotus Hermit's passing," Mo Hua continued. "Every year around this time, the people of Tongxian City light up various lotus lanterns and release them into the sky to commemorate Lotus Hermit with a dazzling display of lights."
Bai Zixi listened intently, her eyes sparkling with curiosity, while Bai Zisheng felt his blood boil with excitement.
Imagining the scene of that fateful day, he felt as if he were amidst the beast tide, battling vicious and cruel demonic beasts. After a fierce battle, although the beast king was slain, he himself also perished from exhaustion.
Countless years later, many cultivators still remembered his valiant deeds, and his name was forever etched in the minds of the city's cultivators.
Bai Zisheng's eyes shone with fervor as he said, "To face death without fear and embrace it with courage—such a tragic yet awe-inspiring life is the true destiny of a cultivator."
Aunt Xue sighed helplessly. "Young Master, you are the Madam's only son. Please take care of yourself for her sake."
Bai Zisheng's enthusiasm dampened, and he hung his head slightly.
Mo Hua laughed out loud, causing Bai Zisheng to frown. "Are you mocking me?"
"Not at all," Mo Hua replied casually.
Bai Zisheng's anger rose, while Bai Zixi's lips curved upward, her face radiant amidst the dazzling lights in the sky.
After a moment's thought, Aunt Xue still seemed perplexed. "The physical might and demonic energy of demonic beasts far surpass those of cultivators. Even a Golden Core stage cultivator would find it impossible to withstand a beast tide alone. How could a cultivator at the late Foundation Establishment stage, who might not even be at the Golden Core stage, warrant such a grand commemoration from an entire city of cultivators..."
As they spoke, they arrived at a small stall selling various lotus lanterns. The lanterns were intricately designed, and each one only cost five fragmented spirit stones.
Mo Hua took out five fragmented spirit stones and placed them on the stall. He selected a lantern that resembled a mythical beast, although it was difficult to discern which one. He lit the lantern, and the fire brought the beast to life, making it seem incredibly lifelike.
As Mo Hua let go, the lantern slowly floated upward, joining the myriad of lights in the sky.
Gazing at the dazzling display, Mo Hua murmured, "In this world of cultivators, even those with unparalleled cultivation levels rarely sacrifice their own cultivation and foundations for strangers. The people of Tongxian City do not commemorate Lotus Hermit for his cultivation level but for his selfless act of saving countless lives."
Bai Zisheng nodded, choosing a lantern in the shape of a majestic red tiger. He lit it with sincerity and released it into the sky.
Bai Zixi selected a golden phoenix-patterned lotus lantern, its radiance matching her beauty.
Aunt Xue hesitated for a moment, glanced at Mo Hua, and finally chose a green phoenix-shaped lantern, adding it to the sky of lights.
All across Tongxian City, the tiny lights converged, illuminating the dark night sky.
(End of Chapter)
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