Passing through that natural barrier formed by dense miasma, the scene before them suddenly opened up. Unlike the primitive and dangerous jungle outside, inside the Gu Village was actually a huge valley surrounded by mountains, full of vitality. Within the valley, streams gurgled, fields were crisscrossed, planted with many rare spiritual grains and medicinal herbs rarely seen outside. Stilt houses built of bamboo and wood, with suspended lower floors, were constructed against the mountains in well-arranged order. The house bodies were painted with complex insect and bird totems, full of unique wild style.
The air was permeated with faint medicinal herb fragrance and smoke-and-fire atmosphere. Many villagers wearing black or deep blue clothing, adorned with silver ornaments and beast bones, were working in the fields, or drying medicinal materials and processing animal skins on open ground. Children played by the stream, issuing crisp laughter. The entire village presented a peaceful and vitality-filled scene, completely different from the oppressive and heavy atmosphere when Xiao Qi first arrived years ago, eroded by demonic fire.
When Xiao Qi and Zhao Tiezhu, led by the two warriors, walked along the village's main road toward the depths, they immediately attracted all villagers' attention.
At first came curious and vigilant gazes, but soon, some older villagers recognized Xiao Qi's appearance. After all, that blue-robed youth who had single-handedly purified the sacred ground's demonic fire and saved the entire village had left an unforgettable impression on everyone.
"It's... that Central Plains little benefactor!"
"The benefactor is back!"
"Look quickly! It's really him!"
Whispering quickly turned into surprised shouts. More and more villagers put down their work, walking out from stilt houses, gathering on both sides of the road. Their eyes were filled with sincere gratitude and enthusiasm. Many elderly even excitedly bowed, speaking blessings and thanks in Southern Frontier native language. Children also stopped playing, opening their dark, bright eyes, looking at Xiao Qi with curiosity and worship.
Zhao Tiezhu had never seen such a scene, made somewhat at a loss by this passionately enthusiastic reception, only able to grin and nod foolishly toward all directions. The rabbit spirit proudly raised its small head, as if these cheers were for it.
Xiao Qi was also moved in his heart. His action that year was more from justice and conscience, not expecting repayment. Seeing the villagers' such simple gratitude at this moment, he couldn't help being touched, slightly nodding toward the crowds on both sides.
Just in this warm atmosphere, from the village depths, a large bamboo and wood hall of largest scale and most magnificent presence, a group of people quickly walked out. Leading them was precisely Black Seed Gu Village's village chief—Mu Yan.
Village Chief Mu Yan still had that capable appearance, wearing a black long robe embroidered with mysterious Gu insect patterns, hair bound with a bone pin, face weather-beaten, eyes sharp as an eagle's. Only compared to last meeting, the worry between his brows was gone, replaced by a relieved ease and heartfelt joy.
He quickly walked before Xiao Qi, his gaze burning as he sized him up and down, eyes flashing with barely concealed shock. He could clearly feel that in just a few short years, this youth's aura had become unfathomably deep, like a deep pool or towering mountain, far from comparable to before! Especially that faintly radiating, heaven-and-earth-merging perfect Dao rhyme made his heart startle.
"Young friend Tang! After years apart, your presence even surpasses before! This old man represents Black Seed Gu Village's entire people, welcoming young friend's visit again!" Village Chief Mu Yan's voice was resonant, carrying Southern Frontier people's characteristic boldness, solemnly cupping his hands in salute.
Xiao Qi hurriedly returned the greeting: "Village Chief Mu Yan is too polite. That year's matter was merely happening to be there at the right time, my duty."
"For young friend it was duty, for our Black Seed it was the grace of being born again!" Village Chief Mu Yan's tone was sincere, then his gaze turned to the tower-like Zhao Tiezhu beside Xiao Qi, feeling that majestic and fierce qi and blood within him, surprised again, "This strong warrior is?"
"This is my brother, Zhao Tiezhu." Xiao Qi introduced.
Zhao Tiezhu hurriedly cupped his hands, saying in a muffled voice: "My name is Zhao Tiezhu, greetings Village Chief!"
"Good! Good hero!" Village Chief Mu Yan praised, then looked at the highly spiritual rabbit spirit on Xiao Qi's shoulder, his evaluation of Xiao Qi's group rising again in his heart. He no longer exchanged pleasantries, directly cutting to the chase, lowering his voice: "Young friend's purpose in coming this time, this old man already knows. That 'Purifying World Spirit Flame' is being nurtured in the sacred ground's depths, its spirituality increasing daily. It seems to have also sensed young friend's arrival, frequently fluctuating these days. Time waits for no one. This old man will now take young friend to the sacred ground, how about that?"
Xiao Qi's heart moved. He hadn't expected that spiritual flame could actually sense his aura—it seemed indeed to have deep destiny with him. He immediately nodded: "Many thanks to Village Chief for the trouble."
Under numerous villagers' grateful and expectant gazes, Village Chief Mu Yan personally led the way, taking Xiao Qi and Zhao Tiezhu toward the village rear—toward that "Ten Thousand Gu Cave" sacred ground shrouded by even denser mist.
Passing through a forbidden ground set up with various strange stone carvings and insect Gu statues, they once again arrived at that familiar valley entrance emitting faint sweet and grass-wood mixed scent. Different from last time, now this valley entrance no longer had that heart-palpitating demonic energy seeping out. Instead came a warm, pure, vitality-filled energy fluctuation, precisely transmitting from the valley depths.
"The spiritual flame is right inside." Village Chief Mu Yan stopped, solemnly pointing toward the valley depths, "This place is my village's forbidden ground; this old man cannot enter further. Young friend bears the purification origin, has destiny with this place, can enter on your own. However..." He paused, reminding, "That spiritual flame, though without malice, has extremely high spirituality and naturally has its pride. Whether you can obtain its recognition still depends on young friend's own fortune."
Xiao Qi solemnly nodded: "Many thanks to Village Chief for the reminder, I understand."
He took a deep breath, feeling that pure aura faintly resonating with his origin deep in the valley, his eyes becoming incomparably firm. Whatever tests lay ahead, this "Purifying World Spirit Flame," he was determined to obtain!
He once again cupped his hands toward Village Chief Mu Yan, then no longer hesitating, taking Zhao Tiezhu and the rabbit spirit, one step stepping into that mist-shrouded valley, striding firmly toward that opportunity that could help him forge a supreme Golden Core.