The news of Tang Xiao Qi's successful condensation of the Golden Core spread like wings throughout the entire Southern Border. Especially the Witch Tribe whose sacred land he had purified and saved was caught in unprecedented jubilation. For the Southern Border tribes who valued kindness and power equally, this young "Sacred Master" who had not only saved their sacred land but also reached the Golden Core Dao in such a short time was undoubtedly an event worthy of joint celebration by the entire Southern Border.
After discussion with several respected elders, the Witch Tribe Chieftain decided to hold a grand celebration unprecedented in a hundred years in the Southern Border. It was both to congratulate Xiao Qi on his great Golden Core achievement and to use this opportunity for the Southern Border tribes to form deeper with this promising Golden Core True Lord.
The celebration venue was set at the edge of the sacred land that Xiao Qi had purified and restored to vitality. The valley once covered by jet-black demonic fire, dead and desolate, now had lush green grass and exotic flowers everywhere. Even the air was filled with refreshing spiritual energy pleasing to heart and mind. The ancient totem pillar at the center of the sacred land, nourished by Xiao Qi's spiritual power and becoming increasingly verdant, glimmered with a warm luster under the sunlight, becoming the most sacred backdrop for this celebration.
Once news spread, the Southern Border was shocked. Not only tribes friendly with the Witch Tribe, but many tribes who had heard of the "Purification Sacred Master," and even some from remote deep mountain forests, sent representatives with gifts and respect, traveling across mountains and rivers. Even Southern Border spirit beasts with awakened intelligence, sensing the auspicious aura remaining from Heaven and Earth's gift and the sacred land's revitalization, gathered spontaneously.
On the celebration day, the area outside the sacred land buzzed with human voices and beast silhouettes. Southern Border tribespeople in colorful ethnic attire gathered together, a riot of colors, with rising and falling. They brought treasured Hundred Fruit Wine, spirit herb cakes with unique fragrances, smoked beast meat prepared by special methods, and various Southern Border specialty spirit fruits, laid out on long wooden tables temporarily erected.
Beyond humans, the spirit beasts coming to offer congratulations attracted even more attention. There were spirit sparrows covered in seven-colored feathers with long trailing tail feathers, circling in groups overhead, making crisp and pleasant calls, weaving natural music; there were snow-white spirit deer with jade horns on their foreheads, elegantly approaching with measured steps, their eyes flashing with wisdom; there were mountain-sized giant rhinos covered in thick rock-like shells, quietly lying to one side, exhaling yellow spiritual light from their nostrils; there were even several giant pythons with scales flickering in various colored lights and already having the initial form of flood dragons, poking their heads out from a deep pool. Their cold gazes also carried a thread of friendliness and curiosity. Ten thousand creatures gathered, yet without conflict, a harmonious scene—all because of recognition and gratitude for the young man at the center.
The Chieftain personally presented Xiao Qi with a set of gorgeous robes woven from Southern Border specialty "Cloud Sunset Brocade" and various rare spirit bird feathers. These robes were not only magnificent but also inscribed with simple protection and spiritual gathering talismans, representing the highest courtesy of the Southern Border. Xiao Qi solemnly received them, and after changing into them amid the crowd's cheers, appeared even more upright in bearing and extraordinary in manner, harmoniously blending with this Southern Border customs.
"The Sacred Master's Golden Core achievement is a blessing for our Southern Border! Today ten thousand creatures gather to congratulate and celebrate this grand event! May the Sacred Master's Dao path be smooth, and may he ascend to immortality soon! And may our Southern Border enjoy eternal peace and boundless vitality!" The Chieftain raised a horn cup filled with Hundred Fruit Wine, his voice like a great bell, full of sincere blessings.
"May the Sacred Master's Dao path be smooth!"
"May the Southern Border enjoy eternal peace!"
Below, whether Witch Tribe members, representatives from other tribes, or those intelligent beasts, all let out their respective roars, calls, or cheers, merging into a surging straight into the clouds.
Deeply moved, Xiao Qi also raised a cup of fragrant and mellow Hundred Fruit Wine, responding loudly: "Tang Xiao Qi thanks the Chieftain and all Southern Border friends for your kindness! Purifying the demonic fire before was merely my duty. Today receiving such sentiment from the Southern Border is Xiao Qi's fortune! This kindness, Xiao Qi will forever remember in my heart. With this cup, I toast to the vitality of all things in the Southern Border, to the eternal friendship between us!"
Saying this, he drained the cup in one gulp. The sweet and strong wine entering his throat transformed into warmth, nourishing his Golden Core and warming his heart even more. He could feel that with this gesture, between him and this land, between him and these simple creatures, an invisible and firm connection seemed to have formed—a causal relationship called "virtuous fate."
The celebration's atmosphere reached its peak amid song and dance. Witch Tribe maidens performed ancient blessing dances, their steps vigorous, their ankle bells crisp, filled with primal vitality; brave warriors performed war dances, their shouts shaking the heavens, momentum grand, displaying the Southern Border people's unyielding will. Even those spirit beasts seemed infected by the atmosphere. Spirit sparrows changed formations in the air, scattering spiritual light; spirit deer lightly tapped their hooves following the drumbeat; mountain giant rhinos emitted low, rhythmic hums. Ten thousand creatures celebrated together, heaven and earth shared the joy.
During this time, tribe representatives and spirit beasts came forward one after another to present Xiao Qi with congratulatory gifts. Some offered Wood Heart Precious Jade containing rich life energy; some presented seven-colored lingzhi that could detoxify all poisons and had a refreshing fragrance; spirit monkeys brought thousand-year Vermillion Fruits touched by morning dew; even a small entirely green snake came, holding a dragon's eye-sized pearl containing pure Yi Wood spiritual energy in its mouth, placed it at Xiao Qi's feet, then quickly slithered away. These gifts might not all be rare treasures, but each represented the purest hearts of Southern Border creatures.
Xiao Qi did not refuse but received each one solemnly and presented in return simple protective talismans containing a thread of purification power or pills that helped awaken spiritual intelligence that he had refined. He understood that at such gatherings, graciously accepting and giving in return was the best respect for this kindness.
Night fell. A huge bonfire was lit, illuminating everyone's smiling faces. Firelight danced, interweaving with the stars in the sky and the faint light emanating from surrounding spirit beasts, composing a dreamlike painting. Xiao Qi sat at the head, conversing with the Chieftain, elders, and several powerful spirit beast leaders, sharing cultivation insights, and listening to them recount Southern Border's ancient legends and customs. He gained deeper understanding of this mysterious land and felt its immense power and potential.
This celebration lasted a full three days.
For three days, songs never stopped, dance steps never ceased, wine fragrance never faded.
For three days, Xiao Qi thoroughly integrated into the Southern Border. His name "Tang Xiao Qi" and the honorary title "Sacred Master" were deeply carved into the hearts of every creature who participated.
For three days, he gained not only the array of gifts but also a weighty friendship and recognition from the entire Southern Border.
When the celebration finally ended and tribes and spirit beasts departed one after another, Xiao Qi stood at the edge of the sacred land, gazing at the valley restored to tranquility yet showing even more vitality, his heart full of peace and strength. He knew that after this, the Southern Border would become one of his steadfast supports. This virtuous fate might, at some future date, play an unexpected role.
Golden Core newly formed, yet receiving congratulations from ten thousand creatures—this honor was enough to be recorded in Southern Border history. And Tang Xiao Qi's legendary path gained a warm and beautiful color from this Southern Border kindness. He took a deep breath of Southern Border's unique air mixed with grass and tree fragrance and spiritual energy. His gaze grew even more determined. The next step was to return to the Central Plains, digest these gains, and face the even broader world ahead.