Night had deepened, and the bright moon hung high.
Pure moonlight spilled over the earth, dusting the world with a layer of silver. The night sky carried a faint blue hue, beautiful and strangely dreamlike. A light breeze drifted past, stirring ripples across the ancient village's pond.
Mu Duo sat before the window, quietly gazing at the full moon as silver moonlight streamed into the loft.
Perhaps she had sat there for an entire day and night. The cold, silent loft had gained another occupant tonight—or rather, a gluttonous snake demon that slept lazily after eating its fill. It was strange. Though she shared a roof with a bloodthirsty, vicious snake demon, she had never felt afraid. It seemed that as long as she did not provoke her, all would be well. Everything she had once known about living alongside ferocious beasts was utterly useless.
On the bed, Bai Yujun habitually curled herself into a ball, sleeping peacefully and taking a breath only after a long while.
Imitating Bai Yujun, Mu Duo picked up a tender Tea Leaves leaf and put it in her mouth to chew. It was faintly bitter. She could not understand why Bai Yujun liked eating raw Tea Leaves. Turning to look at the small figure on the bed, she recalled the days since they had gained their totemic sacred beast.
The water in the ancient village had become sweeter, while the grass and trees flourished. There were Favorable Winds and Timely Rain, and the climate was pleasant. Birds often came to sing, the villagers were healthier, the elders more vigorous, and even the children had become brimming with vitality.
Even more heartening was that the young people of the clan learned witchcraft and body tempering much faster.
So many changes in such a short time