49 The Pagoda of Sun and Moon 6 (1/2)

”The Pagoda actually opened so soon! The rumor wasn't a lie after all!”

A surprised person remarked after opening his eyes, baffled and excited at the same time. His arms waving in delight as his body was bathed in the multi-colored light, the male shouted with unrestrained glee, others soon joining as they themselves opened their eyes to take in the spectacular sight.

”Haha! The opportunity bestowed by the Pagoda of Sun and Moon finally came in my lifetime!” A youth clenched his fist, blazing ardor swirling within his eyes. ”The legendary path of cultivation and immortality is open to me!”

”Supreme martial arts techniques, cultivation techniques that enables the practitioner to advance to the realm of the Nascent Soul!” Another person couldn't contain his astonishment, his jaw dropping to the ground in awe.

”If only I could manage to bring home such a technique…”

”Fourth Sister! Fourth Sister, open your eyes, ah!”

A voice rang besides the girl's right ear, someone gently tugging away at the arms that covered her vision. Heeding the persuasive, warm voice, An Fei withdrew her arms and slowly opened her eyes, the beautiful countenance displaying an expression of astonishment soon after.

”What…”

The plaza hadn't changed much since the appearance of the mysterious light of multiple colors. The snow-covered rooftops of the various stores and streets converging at the plaza, the cobbled stone ground that her feet currently stood on, everything was exactly the same.

Only, the entire plaza was emitting a massive pillar of light. The towering pillar was mottled in color, the light fluctuating between different colors and shades every breath of time.

Around the perimeter of the plaza, An Fei could see the rims of a complex, circular inscription, appearing rather similar to the fraternity or sonority emblems she had once seen before. On the outer rim of the plaza, an odd string of letters in an unknown language raced across the cobbled stone surface, closed in by another line of golden light.

Turning her gaze around, the girl saw various hieroglyphs, unknown, ancient-appearing characters, and sometimes even the regular script she was well accustomed to. Nonetheless, the large gathering of people were boxed in the smallest circular region at the center of this unknown diagram.

An Fei felt her heart weakly palpitate, her palms moistened by sweat. However, everyone else appeared to be incomparably excited, for even the Second Young Master of Wei, the Sword Marquis' Youngest Master, and her own maidservants all displayed joyful and contented expressions on their respective countenances.

”…Second Brother,” the girl timidly called out, her hand tugging at Wei Chang Luo's left sleeve. As the handsome youth looked in her direction in surprise, An Fei opened her mouth, mulling over her words for a moment before deciding to speak.

”…What's… going on?” she asked, her voice plainly revealing her trepidation and apprehension. ”This light, and this… Why are everyone so excited?”

”Huh?” Wei Chang Luo gaped in surprise, before nodding his head in understanding. Reaching out to grasp the girl's arm, the youth began to patiently explain.

”This is the formation that signifies the opening of the Pagoda of Sun and Moon, of which the empire's greatest repository of cultivation and martial arts techniques is located,” he gestured towards the mysterious and slightly frightening diagram on the ground and the pillar of light.

”As for why the people are cheering, it's because the time for opportunity within the road of cultivation is narrow and rigid. The earlier one begins to cultivate after attaining the age of fifteen years old for males and fourteen years for females, the better end result.”

”Since the Pagoda only opens once a decade, this abnormal circumstance is truly the lifesaver for several of the people here, if not most of them. After all, mortals only get one chance at life!”

”One chance at life…” An Fei murmured under her breath, her gaze glossed over as she lowered her gaze towards the ground. Before she could ask the question that had just rose to the surface of her mind, the crowd suddenly burst into another furor.

”The Pagoda's elder! The Pagoda of Sun and Moon's elder is here!”

”Finally! Since there hasn't been any statement, we can assume the rules will be the same as last decade, right?” A middle-aged man tentatively murmured to himself, his fingers fidgeting underneath his scholar's robes.

”Pei! Isn't it common knowledge that the requirements of entering the Pagoda of Sun and Moon is different each time it opens?”

A nearby man who had heard that muffled comment snorted in disdain towards the speaker.