Chapter 1150 - 180: New Intelligence · Territory’s First Legendary Level Opportunity

Chapter 1150: Chapter 180: New Intelligence · Territory’s First Legendary Level Opportunity

When Su Li returned, weary from the biting wind and snow of the blood-red plateau in the north, the southern plains were already awakening with spring. The snow in and around Bauhinia Manor had long melted away, leaving behind the deep brown hues of soil saturated with snowmelt and the budding green shoots eager to emerge. The air carried that familiar fragrance—a blend of moist earth and fresh grass and trees—perfectly heralding the festival of Spring Brings Life to All Things.

The annual festival of Spring Brings Life to All Things had finally arrived, marking the third year since Su Li came to the territory.

Unbeknownst to him, the territory had been standing firm for more than two years now, growing from a small frontier settlement struggling for survival into a vibrant land entwined with faith and power.

The prosperity of the territory made this year’s Spring Ceremony of All Things exceptionally grand and bustling, surpassing previous years in scale and sanctity, as if it was the blessings bestowed by Goddess Lea in the year of awakening, covering every inch of blessed land in Hesse Territory.

On the day of the spring equinox, the pre-dawn mist gently enveloped the fields, like the veil yet to be lifted by Goddess Lea.

As dawn broke and the first rays of pale golden sunlight pierced through the mist, the sky turned a lively gold, announcing that Goddess Lea had officially taken over the annual rings from Master of Winter Yurik.

Though winter’s remnants lingered, and the morning air carried a slight chill, once the sun penetrated the clouds, warmth quickly spread throughout. The spring breeze blowing in was already warm, filled with the scent of moist earth and the delightful fragrance of freshly sprouted grass.

Before the sky fully brightened, the territory awoke in anticipation of Divine Grace. Now, with the rise of various holy lands and monasteries of the Dawn Goddess Church, this grand ceremony began in different places within the territory.

At the Rainbow Terraces of Rainbow Falls, the powerful waterfall roared, stirring eternal mist and rainbow hues in the morning light. The terraces ascended along the mountain slope, with each tier planted with different crops or herbs.

The Dawn Nun trod barefoot on the damp, dew-soaked banks, waving ribbons dyed with natural plant colors, dancing in rhythm with the waterfall, while chanting hymns praising abundance and color. The sunlight refracted through the mist, enveloping their figures and the swirling ribbons in a flowing aura of rainbow hues, extending like the gown of the Goddess. They cast colored powders symbolizing various crop seeds into the terrace’s water source, praying for "the rainbow’s blessings and abundant harvests."

At Jiejia Manor, centered around agriculture, a ring-shaped holy altar woven from large, newly harvested and blessed wheat stalks stood prominently. The solemn ceremony was presided over by the revered old nun of the village, affectionately called Mother Earth by the villagers. All pregnant women were invited to the center of the wheat ring, where they trod barefoot on the plump grains laid within, symbolizing future harvests, feeling the vibrant life from deep within the earth. The surrounding villagers sang the ancient "Cradle Song of the Earth," with a rhythm slow yet full of strength. Then, "Mother Earth" solemnly scattered the first handful of last year’s wheat seed around the fertile soil of the wheat ring, completing the most humble tradition of "Mother Earth."

At Starlight Pool, beside the tranquil and clear pond seemingly reflecting the stars, the ceremony appeared especially ethereal and sacred. The priestesses, wearing ceremonial robes adorned with silver threads, used specially crafted silver ladles embedded with star-shaped crystals to scoop up the pool water, gently sprinkling it on the Vitality Oak saplings newly planted last year around the pond. They chanted prayers connecting stars and life in soft tones, seeking "starlight guidance, deep-rooted growth, and flourishing branches and leaves." The pool water sparkled in the morning light, like stars lingering from the previous night. Collected Frost Tear Pearls were placed beside the pool, prepared for the next step of the ceremony at Maiden’s Ring.

Meanwhile, at Maiden’s Ring, the core holy land of the Hesse Territory’s Reya Church, this year’s ceremony, as the spiritual heart of the entire territory, was even more magnificent. Naturally, the ceremonies from various manors moved here. Before dawn, the local nun led the most senior priestesses, barefoot across the dew-covered grass, with the rhythm of the copper bells clearer and more powerful than in previous years, resembling the footsteps of the Goddess.

The straw effigy representing Yurik was meticulously crafted, even filled with the last batch of withered thorns cleared from the territory last year. When it was set aflame, the flames rose higher, with the crackling of dry branches sounding like the final lament of winter. The chorus of "Snow Melting Prayer" added more harmonies, resonating over Maiden’s Ring and faintly echoing with the prayers from other holy lands.

"Frost retreats, earth awakens, Lea’s breath opens winter’s chains!"

"Snow melts into streams, nourishing roots, and life’s wheel turns endlessly at this moment!"

"The lingering shadow of Yurik, waning essence, vanishes without a trace in Lea’s brilliance!"

Su Li was also awakened by the familiar and gentle rhythm, with a lazy and content smile at the corner of his mouth, opening his eyes in the tree house of the manor.

Morning light filtered through the gaps of the carefully designed vines of the Holy Purple Vine Tree, scattering dappled and playful golden light inside the room, with the air still filled with the lingering intoxicating atmosphere of the previous night—sweet scent of refined mead, the aftertaste of some aphrodisiac incense, and the unique rich aroma of women’s skin mingling with sweat and body fragrance.