A mysterious ritual, a snow mountain in Turbulent Times.
Some mysterious witchcraft allowed several holy maidens to cooperate in perfect harmony. Their sacrificial dance was fierce and wild; their chants rose high or fell into soft murmurs. The holy maidens, painted in oils and draped in all manner of mystical ritual implements, remained busy until the red sun sank beyond the distant horizon.
The mountain folk before the totems in each village gradually dispersed. Such a large-scale witchcraft ritual was utterly exhausting.
On the Mountain Peak, Mu Duo and the others stood around the white flood dragon, whose breathing had become steady, unsure what to do next. Should they carry her down the mountain, or leave her here to be buried beneath the wind and snow? Fortunately, Bai Yujun opened her eyes and spoke.
"I'm so sleepy... You all go first. I'll stay here for a few days."
Everyone descended the mountain, deciding to return tomorrow and see how the white flood dragon holy beast was doing.
Bai Yujun entered a dormant state. The wound on her chest had healed, but her new scales had not yet fully grown in. Hard scales grew slowly and required time. Her enormous head, covered in a keratinous layer and bone spines, swayed slightly as she found a comfortable position and went back to sleep. Her body curled into an S-shape as she lay motionless upon the tundra.
Night fell, and the wind and snow grew fiercer. In the height of summer, heavy snow suddenly descended, covering the white flood dragon...
The pitch-black night remained filled with snow and wind. By the dim light, one could see a curved bulge in the snow atop the flat mountaintop. From its foremost end came the occasional deep, heavy breath.
In the village below, Mu Duo repeatedly