Jing Jiu turned and walked back into the Sacrificial Hall, sitting down beside the Priestess.
The starlight seemed to move with him, brightening the Sacrificial Hall a little.
The water in the celadon bowl before the Priestess gave off a faint glow, like glass about to solidify. A few petals drifted slowly across it without any pattern.
The three girls suppressed their shock and unease and knelt before her as she indicated.
The Priestess's gaze moved slowly over them. Her deep, wise eyes seemed capable of seeing through everything about them.
The three girls knew that the Priestess's successor would be chosen the next moment, and each was tense with her own feelings.
To their surprise, the Priestess did not announce her choice directly, but looked at Jing Jiu instead.
Jing Jiu asked Zhong Lizi, "Are you sure you want to be the Priestess?"
Zhong Lizi understood the meaning hidden in his question. Unable to contain herself any longer, she raised her head and stared blankly into his eyes, remaining silent for a long time.
Jiang Yuxia and Flower Creek understood as well. To think that the Priestess would heed this blue-robed youth's wishes when choosing her successor! They too raised their heads in shock.
After an unknown length of time, Zhong Lizi took a deep breath, just as she had when answering that question, and stared at Jing Jiu. "Do you absolutely have to have children?"
Jing Jiu did not think carefully about what she meant and answered casually, "No."
Zhong Lizi's mind relaxed at once. Her expression was like ice thawing on a spring day, like the first flowers blooming. "Then I want to do it."
*Whoever you are, you must be the most extraordinary person beneath these stars. If I want to follow you, only becoming the