"Greetings, Ji Man!" As the horn call faded, everyone shouted in unison. The vast majority of the soul cultivators respectfully bowed to the ground.
Xiao Hua was somewhat stunned, but Xiao Mao beside him gracefully bowed in salute. Though his face was respectful, he did not seem frightened.
Xiao Hua exchanged glances with Fairy Hongxia and the others, then followed Xiao Mao's example and bowed.
Zi Ming naturally bowed as well. She had meant to pull Xiao Hua along, but when she saw him bow, she smiled faintly and said nothing more. Xiao Mao's etiquette apparently conformed quite well to Houtu Village's customs.
"Rise, my lords," Ji Man said softly as she walked to the steps, lowered her head to look over the crowd, and waved a hand. Her tone brimmed with authority.
"Many thanks, Ji Man!" the crowd responded before slowly rising.
"My lords, Million Meng Mountain now faces a calamity unprecedented in a million years! The heavens have brought drought, not a single grain of millet grows, and the countless trillions of our people have reached the brink between life and death. At such a critical hour, the people of Million Meng Mountain, descendants of the Twelve Great Gods, must join hands to overcome this trial. Unity now carries greater weight than ever before! United as one, we shall become a fortress!" Ji Man continued. "Whether it is Houtu Village or Shebi Village, Jingping Village or Kangji Village, even the tens of millions of shaman villages scattered across Million Meng Mountain, all must work together now and cast aside every grudge and every barrier! Only by prostrating ourselves with devout hearts at the feet of the Twelve Great Gods and begging for their mercy can our countless people find a path to survival!"
"Some of us command shaman