Ch 383: The Qi Gathering
In the center of a huge Sky Pit, a gigantic Round Table was placed, its diameter measuring dozens of meters. In the very center of this Round Table, a Flower Pot was situated, containing a stalk of Wheat and a stalk of Rice, gently swaying in the breeze as if whispering some Secret.
Around the Round Table, twenty-four people were seated, male and female, of varying ages, but all sitting quietly, none speaking. Time passed minute by minute, as if the entire World had frozen.
After an unknown amount of time, finally, a Woman gently tapped the table, breaking the suffocating Silence. Her Voice, crisp and firm, said: “Beginning of Spring, Beginning of Summer, Beginning of Autumn, Beginning of Winter, you Four Beginnings summoned us other Solar Terms through the Awakening of Insects, is this all we’re going to do, just sit here?”
Before the words had finished, a person in a light green robe slowly spoke, his Voice low and gentle: “We Four Beginnings summoned you all, indeed, there is a small Mission that requires everyone’s completion.”
However, That Woman sneered, rebutting unceremoniously: “Don’t give me that! If it’s truly just a small Mission, you could simply give orders. We Twenty-Four Solar Terms, which one wouldn’t obey your Four Beginnings’ orders? Besides, it’s been how many years since we’ve gathered together. This time you made the Awakening of Insects use various Methods to gather us Twenty-Four Solar Terms, I don’t believe this is just a small Mission!”
Her words were like a Sharp Sword, piercing the tense atmosphere. The person in the light green robe was silent for a moment, then said: “Summer Solstice, your words are a bit excessive.”
The Woman called Summer Solstice, her brows furrowed, arms crossed, “Humph, I’m only speaking the truth. If you have something to say, just say it, don’t beat around the bush.” The other Solar Terms also began whispering among themselves, clearly dissatisfied with the evasiveness of the person in the light green robe.
At this moment, a “bang” was heard, and another person suddenly slammed their Finger hard on the table. This sudden sound was like a Thunderclap, making the originally noisy scene instantly fall silent. Others, as if under a Paralyzing Spell, immediately closed their mouths, leaving only a suffocating Silence around.
The eyes of everyone fell on the person who had knocked on the table, where they saw a faint smile on her lips.
This person was Beginning of Autumn, her Voice clear and melodious, like an oriole’s song: “Everyone, we Twenty-Four Solar Terms haven’t seen each other in a long time. Today, it’s rare for us to gather, why must we be so confrontational at the first meeting?”
However, before Beginning of Autumn had finished speaking, Summer Solstice sneered, unceremoniously responding: “Gather? That Awakening of Insects almost killed me! Your gathering, I really didn’t want to come!” Their words were filled with Resentment and dissatisfaction, clearly still brooding over the Awakening of Insects’ actions.
Summer Solstice’s words were like a fire, instantly igniting Beginning of Autumn’s anger. Her face instantly fell, her original smile disappearing without a trace, replaced by a face of frost. She glared at Summer Solstice, sternly saying: “Summer Solstice, I’m giving you face!”
Having said that, Beginning of Autumn waved her arm, and several withered Leaves shot towards Summer Solstice like arrows. These Leaves seemed light and airy, but actually contained immense Power. If hit, Summer Solstice would likely be seriously injured, if not killed.
At this Critical Moment, a stalk of Mugwort shot out like lightning, accurately striking the several withered Leaves. A crisp “pop” was heard, and the Leaves were instantly knocked away, scattering on the ground.
“Beginning of Autumn, you moved my person without my permission. You don’t take me seriously at all,” a cold Voice came, and everyone looked in that direction. They saw Beginning of Summer, her face like water, her eyes coldly staring at Beginning of Autumn.
Seeing this, Beginning of Autumn’s face became even uglier, but she did not back down, but responded without yielding: “Beginning of Summer, your person has a foul mouth, I merely helped to discipline them.”
“No need, just take care of your own people,” Beginning of Summer’s tone remained icy, without any emotional fluctuation.
For a time, the atmosphere became extremely tense, as if a storm was about to come. The Twenty-Four Solar Terms all remained silent, no one daring to speak easily, for fear of accidentally provoking a greater conflict.
After an unknown amount of time, Beginning of Spring finally broke the silence. He coughed lightly and said slowly: “Alright, stop arguing. Let’s talk about what we should do next.”
Beginning of Spring continued, “We Twenty-Four Solar Terms should do something.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the scene fell silent. Others seemed to be pondering the meaning of Beginning of Spring’s words, and no one immediately responded to him.
However, unexpectedly, Awakening of Insects, who had always spoken the least, actually spoke up: “Please speak.”
His Voice was quiet, yet it clearly reached everyone’s ears. Everyone’s eyes focused on Awakening of Insects, somewhat surprised by his sudden speech.
Seeing this, Beginning of Spring nodded in satisfaction, and then continued: “We twenty-four Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter Solar Terms must do four things within four years. First, I will lead all of the Spring Solar Terms to capture sixteen people who have consumed the void.
Beginning of Spring didn’t give everyone much time to think, and he continued: “Second, Beginning of Summer will lead all of the Summer Solar Terms to obtain the blessing of the Lucky God Yao Sheng Chi Min.”
Hearing this, people were even more doubtful. The Lucky God Yao Sheng Chi Min? What did this have to do with them, the Solar Terms? And why did Beginning of Summer need to lead all the Summer Solar Terms to complete this Mission?
Beginning of Spring didn’t seem to notice everyone’s Doubt, and continued: “Beginning of Autumn will lead all the Autumn Solar Terms to capture thirty-three demons like Ling Qingyan.”
Finally, Beginning of Spring said: “Beginning of Winter will lead all of the Winter Solar Terms to kill three hundred and sixty-five Blade Catchers, regardless of which country they are from.”
As soon as these words came out, the scene immediately exploded. The other Solar Terms began whispering and gossiping.
These four Missions seemed completely unrelated, completely nonsensical. Everyone didn’t understand why Beginning of Spring would arrange such Missions, what was the meaning of this?
Beginning of Spring did not explain, at which point Great Heat asked: “Why must we do this? Especially the last one, we and the Blade Catchers don’t interfere with each other. Why should we kill them? Moreover, Blade Catchers don’t possess some unified Power, killing them is completely meaningless. Please, the Four Beginnings, explain, otherwise I can hardly carry out this Mission.”
