frightfiction Chapter 658 Memories as Sweet as Water
Chapter 658 Memories as Sweet as Water
Compared to the carefree Paimon, Xu Ning and Kong both looked at the Dew Pool in front of them with slightly heavy eyes.
This is where the former water god vanished.
Their bodies transformed into sweet dew, giving birth to the Flower Spirit Clan. Even years later, they continue to uphold their duties, fighting against the filth of the abyss and protecting this world.
Looking at the clear, transparent spring water, untouched by any dust, Xu Ning felt increasingly unable to understand this world and the demons within it.
The more places I travel, the more I feel the love that the demons of this world have for this world and its inhabitants.
But when he thought of the Ice Queen who defied the laws of nature and the tacit approval and support of the demons for her actions, he couldn't quite understand it.
What he couldn't understand the most was his predecessor, the one who had made him take the blame for countless things, who seemed to be doing something extremely dangerous.
The principles of justice have clearly fallen into slumber. Wouldn't it be better for everyone to just live peacefully like this?
Why go through all that trouble?
Is there some other inescapable, unavoidable danger in this world?
Xu Ning suddenly remembered what Belial said about the challenge given to Abedo by "Golden" Rheindort, the master of the culprit who released the Black Tide.
What is the truth of this world?
As I was pondering this, flashes of white light appeared around me.
Then, Qingyi and Wendy appeared beside the Dew Pool, each carrying a jar.
"Wow, that's rare! Did the sun come out doing a tap dance today? It's been so many days since I've seen you so clear-headed!"
Xu Ning said to Wendy with a hint of sarcasm.
Wendy, however, looked serious and simply waved her hand, saying, "I only came out to visit a friend, I'm not in the mood for jokes."
The woman in green had the same expression and said solemnly, "Me too."
The two carried the wine jars to the side of the Dew Pool, and two of the three flower spirits flew over.
"I don't know what you're talking about, please don't pollute the Dew Pool."
"Please keep your distance, guests from outside Huawai."
Wendy stopped five steps from the edge of the pool with a wry smile. "Don't worry, this is a libation. I will only pour it on the grass, not use it to contaminate my friend's body."
The man in green said solemnly, "Me too."
The two stood respectfully, sat cross-legged, and poured the wine from the jar onto the ground in front of them. The flowers and plants on the ground immediately grew vigorously, instantly forming two beautiful little flower fields.
Xu Ning smelled Chiba's scent.
The two flower spirits relaxed as they watched Wendy and Qingyi empty the two wine jars. They exchanged a glance and stepped back.
Wendy sighed, "It's been hundreds of years since we last met, but it feels like yesterday when we drank and laughed together. I know you still won't drink this wine, just like back then, you only drank water, but I still insist on toasting you."
The man in green said solemnly, "Me too."
This time, everyone, including Xu Ning, turned their heads. "That little girl sitting over there, is that all you can say?"
"Actually, for many years I've been thinking, what's so great about water? Then I realized, whether we drink water or alcohol, we're just drinking memories. Without memories, even the strongest liquor loses its flavor..."
Including Slusa, a group of flower spirits couldn't help but nod in agreement.
Kong and Paimon were dumbfounded, completely speechless with shock at Wendy's serious demeanor.
Wendy lowered her eyes and continued reciting, "...And as long as memories remain, even if they are as bland as water, they can still taste as mellow as fine wine..."
"So... let me taste the water too!"
Wendy suddenly jumped up, grabbed the wine jar, and rushed toward the pool of nectar, wanting to pour out a whole jar of it.
The three flower spirits, who had been completely mesmerized by Wendy's poetry, suddenly awoke with a jolt and angrily blocked Wendy's path. One of the flower spirits stretched out a wing and lashed out at Wendy, sending him flying.
While Wendy was being beaten, the man in blue, who was also holding a wine jar, shouted, "Me too!" He bypassed the fighting area, quickly grabbed a jar of clean water, and exclaimed with delight, "Got it!" before turning into a white light and rushing back into the gourd.
Seeing that his plan had succeeded, Wendy, who had been slapped and looked disheveled, quickly activated the shut-off switch and flew back to the cave.
The flower spirits guarding the Dew Pool turned their heads with unfriendly expressions and all looked at Xu Ning.
“I have contributed to the sea of flowers, I have bathed in the light, you cannot do this, I want to see Zurwan!”
Xu Ning was led to Zuerwan by several flower spirits, who tearfully recounted what had happened.
Zurwan smiled and comforted the flower spirits, sending them back.
Xu Ning was a little embarrassed. "I'll give those two a good talking to when I get back."
"Hehe, it's nothing."
Zurwan was very magnanimous, letting the matter pass by lightly, and instead inquired about what had happened that day.
"...If it's that Alinsol, then things become very clear."
Xu Ning hadn't expected that Zulwan would know that Abyss Apostle, and asked, "He seems to be a patrol officer of the Debate Group back then, but he was seduced by the Black Abyss and turned into that. By the way, do you know him?"
Zurwan nodded. "Of course, he once entered the ruins of the Tuhar people with the Church Council's expedition team. Later, for some reason, he suddenly received a tainted blessing. In earlier years, he even instigated the believers of the Black Abyss to attack the Flower Sea. That's why I used the power of the Spiritual Song to seal the Flower Sea."
Slusa leaned closer and asked, "Let's not talk about the past anymore, senior. Just tell me what I should do tomorrow."
Zurwan explained, "Tomorrow's ceremony can be held under the giant tree that suppresses the Black Abyss."
"The seal on the Black Abyss has loosened, and a great deal of filth has accumulated within the Myriad Mother Trees, making it unable to maintain the power of spiritual light. You only need to enter and cleanse them of the filth..."
Xu Ning quickly asked, "Should we go into the Black Abyss or the Myriad Trees to cleanse ourselves of the filth?"
“Naturally, it is the mother tree of ten thousand kinds. Do you think you can withstand the pollution of the Black Abyss? Even the Flower Spirit does not dare to completely set it up, because it is a place that is polluted to the core.”
"If you enter the Mother Tree of Ten Thousand Kinds and awaken the giant lotus that houses the consciousness of the gods, then the nectar will naturally cleanse the filth at the bottom of the abyss."
"Actually, it doesn't matter whether I say these things or not. Once you enter, Silsa's crown will naturally recall all the knowledge and memories. After all, all memories related to the aura eventually return to the Mother Tree of Ten Thousand Species. No matter how the myths circulating among the people change, the memories hidden here will never fade."
Xu Ning and Slusa said in unison, "This is the first time I've heard of this."
"Alright, do whatever you want tonight. Come back to me tomorrow when the celestial phenomena have subsided and the rain falls from the sky!"
Xu Ning earnestly invited Slusa to join him in his space for some fun.
Of course, the wording was to allow people in the space to admire the figure of the Flower Spirit Warrior.
As for Paimon, she was naturally among those invited. Just a couple of days ago, he mentioned that he wanted to ask her to help design his grass element clone.
After Xu Ning and Kong entered the Hidden Dust Cave, Xu Ning was furious when he saw Qingyi's smiling face.
"You've been seduced by that cowardly god too! What were you doing filling those water containers?"
Qingyi tilted her head. "What else can we do? Of course, we'll brew wine. This is truly pure water, and it's not even in the same league as the spring water she casually gave you back then."
Xu Ning said with a wry smile, "So, you poured it into the spring again?"
Wendy, whose cheeks were swollen, walked over and said somewhat unclearly, "Of course, I poured it in as soon as I came in, so there was no more dirt."
"You really know how to turn pure water into something worthless."
Xu Ning glared at Wendy, took the bowl of wine he was offered, and took a sip.
The flavor of the wine changed again, with more distinct layers, like the beginning of chaos, when the sky was clear and the earth was bright.
When Wendy saw Xu Ning's intoxicated expression, she knew she wouldn't be scolded anymore. She lined up several wine bowls and poured new wine from different springs into each one.
"Let's call today's gathering a wine tasting!"
Kong pulled Paimon back, who was also trying to get closer. "With your alcohol tolerance, you'll get drunk in no time! Don't forget, you promised Brother Xu you'd design a grass element clone for him."
Paimon struggled to pull his leg out of his empty hand, waved his little hand and said, "That kind of thing can be come up with just by thinking about it, why would you need any design?"
Upon hearing the little guy's boastful statement, Xu Ning immediately asked, "Tell me what it looks like."
Paimon pointed to several clones in front of the wine fountain, "Look at the ones you've already created: Wind element—the ability to fly, Rock element—the ability to defend, Electro element—the ability to speed, and now it's Grass element, with the ability to live forever."
"So, according to my design, a large tree with huge branches, covered with root-like nodules. The large ones are slow, heavy, and incredibly powerful, like a battering ram. The smaller nodules are like fists, attacking quickly and densely like rain, like a boxer. And the long branches are like whips, which, when swung..."
The woman in green, who had been watching the commotion from the sidelines, suddenly pulled a book out of her apron pocket, opened it, and pointed to an illustration inside. "You mean this?"
Paimon, who was having a good time talking, suddenly stopped, leaned over to take a look, and asked in surprise, "What is this?"
"It's the 'Hit-Man Willow,' just like the setting you described."
Xu Ning suddenly realized why Xiao Bai Mao's words seemed so familiar.
"Alright, alright, you can focus on eating and drinking. I'll still make you the big pork chop. There's no rush. I'll think about it some more!"
Xu Ning looked at Paimon, who looked anxious, and offered a word of comfort before turning to look at Slusa.
Having grown accustomed to seas of flowers and yellow sand, this was the first time Little Flower Spirit had ever seen such a lush garden with abundant flowers and verdant grass. Since she didn't need to eat or drink, she wandered around the garden tended by Green Robe, with several dogs curiously following behind her.
Xu Ning suddenly remembered the former Water God.
According to Zulwan, the goddess named Egolia glimpsed a corner of fate, knowing that once she came here she could never return, yet she still came to this destined place of sacrifice.
And this little girl, Sluza, who has never even seen the true nature of this world, understood her duty far too early and accepted her destined sacrifice as her fate without hesitation.
I absolutely cannot allow such a thing to happen again.
This world belongs to everyone, and the responsibility for sacrifice should not be borne by any one person, elf, or demon.
Although Zurwan said that the Flower Spirit's sacrifice would not be needed for tomorrow's departure ceremony.
But if there is real danger, even if we let this celestial phenomenon continue, I will not allow Xiao Hualing to sacrifice her life.
At worst, we can fight the Kuroshio Current again right here. Our ancestors hundreds of years ago weren't afraid of it. After so many generations of development, what's there to be afraid of?
The next morning, Xu Ning, full of energy, drank half a jar of wine and woke up Slusa, who had slept among a cluster of flowers all night. Paimon, who had secretly drunk the wine and was still asleep, had already been stuffed into the Dust Song Pot.
After bidding farewell to Zurwan, the three went to find Mihir and Rasharu, who had accompanied them on this trip.
"It's so slow, Silsa... We've been waiting for so long. We don't even need to eat or drink, but we have to go to a human banquet."
"So tired, I just want to go back to sleep, sigh..."
Looking at Lasharu, who was about to fall asleep again, Xu Ning felt that if he introduced her to Xiaozaoyou, the two little ones could probably sleep together forever.
The two flower spirits are now standing next to the Tu Ni Black Abyss.
After Xu Ning used the liquor to cleanse the surrounding giant trees, the unique patterns of the trees reappeared on these trees, instead of remaining a dull gray as before.
“Zurwan told us what you did. Although we don’t know what you used last time, these giant trees are undoubtedly very grateful for your gift.”
"Rasharu said with a small yawn."
“Thanks to you, our duties are relatively easier today. Next, you just need to put the collected spiritual light into the heart of the giant trees around here, so that the power of the spiritual light to purify the filth can be released again.”
Mihir carefully warned, "When releasing spiritual power, you might unleash monsters that reside in the surrounding gray crystals. You must be careful."
Xu Ning and Kong smiled together.
We're practically professionals at dealing with monsters.
Sluza is already placing the first Aura of the End.
As for the possible monsters? Sluza wasn't worried at all.
Yesterday, she saw a truly invincible army hidden in Xu Ning's gourd.
Although it seems that Xu Ning is unaware of the secret hidden in his cave, or perhaps he believes it's not the right time to mobilize those people, in any case, as long as Xu Ning is there, there's nothing to worry about.
Sluza simply kept playing Aura of the End, ignoring the monsters that surged out of the unsealed Gray Crystal behind her.
At this moment, Xu Ning finally understood why the Flower Spirits were said to be a race specifically created to purify filth.
Putting everything else aside, Mihir and Lasharu's methods for eliminating monsters are incredibly efficient.