Chapter 25 – Source of Power (1/2)

Translated by Sunyancai

“My name is Xuan.”

Shao Xuan shared his name in this life. He now could only see skeletons, so he could no longer analyse the Shaman’s facial expression. However, seeing that the Shaman’s skull hesitated at his name, as if recalling something, Shao Xuan knew that this old shaman probably did not recognize him, anyway.

After some time, the Shaman spoke again, but this time he did not ask anything else about Shao Xuan.

“Fine. Now stand with your companions.”

Shao Xuan said no more, and even though he showed no dissatisfaction on his face, he was curling his lips in his mind already. Was it true that this old shaman was too old to remember things?

“Okay, since all of you have awakened your totemic powers, and gained the strength coming along with it. So, the first thing you should master now, is how to use such strength.” the Shaman said with no hurry.

“This is a turning point in your life. After today, you will be regarded a real totemic warrior. However, this is also a fresh new beginning for all of you. You can only rely on yourselves when it comes to how far you can reach in your lives. Never be complacent, for you are the only one to decide whether you stay in the primary stage, or continue to grow and develop, just like the other excellent warriors in our tribe.”

As the Shaman was saying this, he looked at Chief Ao’s direction, as if saying that, look, your Chief is a fine example of that.

Being the Chief in the tribe, Ao’s ability was indeed outstanding, and he could best most of the warriors in the tribe. Because of the worship to strength, many newly-awakened totemic warriors would consider Ao as an idol. And this year’s newly-awakened totemic warriors were no exception.

“As totemic warriors, you should first know how to find the source of power inside your bodies.”

That was also the main reason why the Shaman kept those little warriors for tonight.

“The source of power exists in your bloodline. It is asleep when you are young, until someday when the time is right, it gradually awakenes under the summon of the flames… Now, close your eyes and clear your minds. Follow the power inside your bodies, and naturally you will see it…”

No one knew when but it became warmer inside the stone room. Everyone sat down on the ground, and closed their eyes under the Shaman’s command.

Shao Xuan did the same.

When his mind was cleared, he realized that in the sea of his consciousness there was gradually a pattern forming. It was two horns covered in flames, the totem of the tribe. Aside from that, there was also a thing in the shape of an egg, wrapping the totem inside with a dazzling white light.

In the shape of an egg…

“I saw it!” a kid could not suppress his excitement and opened his eyes.

“It’s the totem!” said another kid.

“So did I!”

“…”

Almost all the kids claimed one after another, as if being afraid to be treated as a moron who could not see the source of power by the Shaman. None of them wanted to be considered as some stupid totemic warrior with no potential.

The Shaman looked around, and realized that most of the kids could find their sources of power, except for…

“Ah-Xuan, have you found yours?”

As the Shaman spoke, all the other kids fixed their attention on Shao Xuan.

Earlier when they were chatting with each other, they had heard from Sai that this kid named Xuan came from the orphan cave down the mountain, and he would only be ten years old after the Snow Festival. Normally, only a small number of kids in the tribe could awaken their totemic powers at such a young age, and most of them were descendants from powerful totemic warriors that lived up near the mountaintop. There was a saying spread among the tribe, that the earlier one awakened his totemic power, the more potential he would have. And hence he would have more chance than others to become a great warrior like the Chief.

Before, when winter was not over yet and they got chosen and kept by the Shaman, the youngest kid among them was the first grandson of the Chief, “Mao”.

The hunting weapon that Chief Ao usually used was a spear, which was also known as “Mao” in local language. Numerous beasts got killed by Ao’s spear, and the spear represented the countless glorious deeds of Ao, as was known to many people in the tribe. And according to the tradition passed along in the tribe, it meant a lot since Chief Ao named his first grandson the same name as the weapon he used. Obviously he had great hopes placed on this grandson.

However, apparently during this year’s sacrificial ceremony, the one in the center of the limelight was not Mao, who was considered as the one with greatest potential by the public. Instead, it was Shao Xuan, who got noticed during the middle of the ceremony like a black horse.

Mao made a sour face all the time, especially when he looked at Shao Xuan. In his eyes there were obvious traces of provocation, and he was anxious to start a fight with him.

Unfortunately, Shao Xuan could only see people as skeletons, so he could not see his expression at all. As for the provocating look that Mao kept for so long, it completely went to waste as if it was a look tossed to a blind person.

At the Shaman’s question, Mao stared at Shao Xuan as well, expecting him to say no, so that Shao Xuan would definitely receive the mock from everyone in the room.