A Dance in Pairs (Part Two)

The Lotlan tribe's song and dance festivals have a long history and have always been a favorite spot for single men and women—basically, a large-scale matchmaking event. ✋♣ 🐠👣

Xia was already sixteen years old, but this was her first time attending a song and dance party. If it weren't for this grand event, she wouldn't have known that there were so many people in Lotlan.

Those who perform on stage are usually men. They are extremely good at showcasing their beauty and talent to attract beautiful women of the opposite sex. If they meet the woman's expectations, they will become lovers.

Every year, hundreds of members of the Birdman race find partners here and successfully end their single status. Xia made an exception and dressed up, wandering around the area.

The first group to take the stage consisted of more than twenty handsome young men from the Blue Thrush, Snow Quail, and Red Pheasant clans.

They showcased their beautiful singing voices while performing captivating dances, eliciting screams from the girls around them.

"This sound is awful," Xia thought to herself.

Whenever someone found a girl they liked, they would step down from the stage, and then someone else would eagerly step up to take their place. As the party continued, several groups of people came and went.

None of these people were worthy of Xia's attention; even golden feathers were rare.

As darkness fell, restless hearts pounded in those dimly lit places.

Xia gradually grew tired of it; she couldn't find her ideal warrior in such a frivolous and joyful place.

"Let's go back after we've finished our tour!"

She continued walking around, but there were just too many people; she hadn't even managed to complete one round in half a day!

Xia wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but as she walked around, she noticed a young man on stage staring at her.

She was facing north, and now that they were facing south, he was still facing north, glancing at her every now and then until their eyes met.

He had beautiful golden feathers and danced elegantly, but like other young people, he was scantily clad and had a frivolous look in his eyes, which was not Xia's type.

When she turned back to the north, she found that the young man had not followed her.

"Perhaps I'm just being delusional. After all, there are so many beautiful girls around, and I'm not particularly outstanding."

Just as Xia turned to go back, she suddenly bumped into someone's chest. She didn't know when, but the young man on stage had appeared behind her!

"May I have this dance, young lady?"

"You are a beautiful golden peacock; with just a call, many girls will vie to dance with you."

"But they are all endless darkness, only you are the light of the campfire."

"Take your sweet talk and go tell it to someone else; this trick won't work on me."

"Then why did you participate in this grand event? Wasn't it to meet me?"

Xia frowned as she looked at the golden peacock before her, wondering why there were such shameless people in the world.

"I admire strong warriors, not dancers like you. He won't expose his breasts, nor will he shower me with sweet words; he will only protect me forever!"

"First, you're right. Second, I will protect you forever. If I cannot protect you, then let the blade take my life first."

At this point, the playful look on Golden Peacock's face vanished, replaced by a serious expression. In that instant, Xia was indeed moved.

However, she quickly calmed down and looked away, thinking that this kind of playboy must often say such things to others.

Just as the two were speechless, their kind suddenly screamed. Xia immediately checked the situation and found that several humans were wandering around nearby and had killed several birdmen!

These people were dressed in black bodysuits and moved with agility; they were clearly professional assassins.

Ignoring the beautiful dress her mother had made for her, Xia casually tied it up and joined the battle.

Raven feathers have a numbing effect, especially on humans; being hit by one can almost completely incapacitate them.

With her agile movements and powerful feathers, Xia quickly stabilized the situation. She tied the wounded assassin with a rope and then went after the fleeing man.

The Lotlan tribe was Xayah's homeland, and she was certainly more familiar with the terrain than the assassins. She quickly caught up with the fleeing enemy and held her feather blade to his neck.

"Speak! Who are you people? Why are you invading Lotlan!"

"Hand over Vastaya Xerath, or everyone will die!"

"Still talking tough even when you're about to die!"

Xia wanted to teach the assassin a lesson, but suddenly sensed an attack from behind!

She tried to dodge, but it was too late. The assassins' weapons were small, light, and incredibly fast; it only took a moment for her to realize she had been hit.

Xia's arm was stabbed, and an indescribable sensation instantly spread throughout her arm, leaving her completely powerless.

At that moment, a bright Golden Light flashed and several arrow-like feathers pierced the throats of the two assassins, killing them instantly!

"The messenger of justice has made a grand entrance; my beloved girl must not be harmed!"

The young man from the Golden Peacock Clan arrived just in time. He had barely finished speaking when he noticed that Xia was injured. The smug look on his face vanished instantly, and he quickly used his flying feathers to heal her.

Xia knew that the Golden Peacock Clan was skilled in healing arts, but she didn't expect this young man to be so strong in combat as well!

"I'm sorry, I was too cold to you just now."

"It's alright, dear girl. Everything you did was just right. May I ask your name?"

"The Raven Clan, Kasumi."

"So you are a member of the Guardian Clan. Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Luo, a member of the Golden Peacock Clan."

Aren't you afraid of me?

When your heart is full of love, there is no room for fear.

Xia smiled gently, wondering what kind of person this Luo was, but so far he didn't seem unpleasant.

According to his criteria for choosing a partner, he was a soldier, had a decent appearance, was brave, and had beautiful golden feathers—all of which met his criteria.

As for other aspects, he is a bit taller than I imagined, but it's acceptable. His playful attitude is quite different from what I expected, which is a little unsatisfactory, but it's nice that he occasionally says sweet nothings.

His loyalty remains to be verified, but how can loyalty be verified? Perhaps only time will tell!

From then on, Lotlan had one more happy couple: Xayah was responsible for protecting Vastaya Xerath and Rakan was responsible for protecting Xayah.

They were inseparable; whenever one appeared, the other was sure to be nearby as well.

If anything could separate the two, perhaps only death could do it, but as it turns out, even death didn't work.

When the Vastaya war that swept across Ionia arrived, Xayah and Rakan joined the war without hesitation.

A Vastaya spear pierced towards the heavily wounded Xayah, but Rakan stepped in front of it to block it.

"Fool, why don't you leave!"

"If I cannot protect you, then let the blade take my life first."