Elder Qing announced in a ringing voice, "Today, our Azure Vine Clan formally appoints Donghuang Xiuyi as our Holy Maiden! I, Changqing, pray to heaven on behalf of our entire clan. May the gods bless our Holy Maiden-Donghuang Xiuyi-and grant her the power of Soul Beasts, that she may enjoy everlasting glory and enduring blessings. May our Azure Vine Clan flourish all the more beneath the Holy Maiden's protection, and may our descendants enjoy peace for ten thousand generations."
When the prayer ended, the clanspeople cried out in unison, "Long live the Holy Maiden! May the Azure Vine Clan, supreme among Soul Beasts, endure forever!"
As their voices faded, Xiao Yi slowly opened her eyes. They were as deep as the stars in the night sky, without the slightest impurity.
She rose and turned to face the Azure Vine Tribe members, just about to speak.
Suddenly, nine deep booms reverberated from the altar. Each seemed to rise from the depths of the earth, shaking every clansperson to their very soul.
Those nine reverberations were like war drums, an answer from heaven, yet also like an ancient prophecy coming true at that very moment.
Stunned by this sudden development, the clanspeople held their breath and widened their eyes, trying to discern what could have caused it.
Upon the altar, Xiao Yi's figure gradually grew hazy amid the nine deep echoes, enveloped in a mysterious radiance.
Her eyes were as deep as the stars in the night sky, without the slightest impurity, revealing an air that transcended the mortal world.
Bathed in that radiance, she looked ever more solemn and sacred.
"What is this?!" Qing Yun and Qing Xiu exclaimed in unison, their faces filled with astonishment and curiosity.
"These are the Nine Echoes! A heavenly portent!" The Azure Vine Saint King