Chapter 1797: Chapter 1215: Divine Statue (Rolling Around Isn’t as Enjoyable as Biting My Tail)
Upon hearing Duanmu Huai’s inquiry, the other party’s expression immediately turned serious.
"Who are you? Why are you looking for the Nuwa Clan?"
"Oh... sorry, I haven’t introduced myself yet. We are from the Tribunal..."
Duanmu Huai was always one to answer questions directly. He quickly explained the situation to the woman, mentioning that they came from an Immortal Sect in a Foreign Domain. They were visiting her esteemed land because someone from their group had sustained soul damage and needed treatment. They had heard that the Nuwa Clan was renowned for their miraculous healing skills, so they had traveled a long distance to seek medical assistance...
"I see."
After listening to Duanmu Huai’s explanation, the woman’s expression relaxed slightly. She carefully examined Tomoe Mami and Tamaki Iroha and nodded.
"If that’s the case, there’s no need to find the Nuwa Clan. I have a method."
"Oh? What method?"
"Soul damage can indeed be repaired, but our Bai Miao Tribe has its way."
While speaking, the woman produced a box.
"With the Soul Gu, the soul can be restored to its original state."
"...Gu?"
Duanmu Huai didn’t say much, but his "subway, old man, cellphone" expression said it all.
On the contrary, Anya was wide-eyed, staring at the box. After coming to this world, she had discovered many new and interesting things, and it was evident that the Gu was no exception.
"Is this something you eat?"
"Of course."
Upon hearing Ann’s question, the woman nodded and then opened the box. Inside, everyone saw... a pitch-black, plump worm that resembled a large caterpillar resting inside.
"Eek—!"
Upon seeing the worm, Tamaki Iroha was so frightened that she leaped behind Mugeng, and Tomoe Mami was equally paralyzed with fear. In contrast, Ann was eagerly watching the worm and asked.
"So, how do you use this?"
"You swallow it."
"Swallow? Not eat?"
"Of course not. You have to swallow it alive; that way, the Soul Gu worm will reside in the body. Then, as long as the host feeds it according to the diet plan daily, they will be fine."
"Swallow it?"
"While it’s alive?"
Upon hearing Ann’s explanation, Tamaki Iroha and Tomoe Mami nearly fainted. Just looking at that big worm was pushing them to their mental limits, and then imagining the worm living inside them and growing with them was overwhelming to the point of despair—it could practically turn them into witches!
"Uh... thanks for the kind offer, but unfortunately, this isn’t just a problem for one or two people..."
Duanmu Huai wasn’t concerned about the solution itself, but the biggest issue with this worm Gu, like Caiyi’s Hundred Flower Nectar, was that there wasn’t enough of it. There were tens of thousands of Magic Girls in their world... this little worm and Hundred Flower Nectar were far from sufficient.
"I see..."
Listening to Duanmu Huai’s reply, the woman furrowed her brow and sighed silently.
"Well, to tell the truth... you have traveled a long way only to return empty-handed."
"Hmm? Why?"
"Because... the Witch Queen is no longer here..."
"Hmm???"
After the woman’s explanation, Duanmu Huai finally understood the background. According to the woman, the Miao people worship Nuwa, and the descendants of the Nuwa Clan aren’t an entire family as Duanmu Huai assumed, but a single person!
Yes, the descendants of Nuwa have always been a single woman, passed down from generation to generation!
The previous Witch Queen had married the King of Nanzhao from the Hei Miao Tribe to quell the conflict between the Bai Miao and Hei Miao Tribes. However, because of her identity as a descendant of Nuwa, the latter imprisoned her in a dungeon. Later, when the Water Demon Beast was resurrected and wreaked havoc, the Witch Queen sacrificed herself to seal it...
"After that, the Witch Queen passed away..."
"......"
Upon hearing the Bai Miao woman’s explanation, Duanmu Huai was completely stunned.
Seriously, was this another wasted trip?!
"That’s the situation. Currently, the Bai Miao and Hei Miao Tribes are at war again, and even Dali City is not safe. I’m sorry we can’t assist you. Please leave as soon as possible to avoid getting caught up in the conflict."
After saying this, the woman turned and left with the soldiers, and the others dispersed, as if everything had returned to normal.
"... What do we do now?"
At that moment, Anya explained to the others and then turned helplessly to Duanmu Huai, who squinted his eyes.
"I don’t believe things are this simple."
"Mr. Knight, do you mean... the Witch Queen isn’t dead?"
"Dead or not, I wouldn’t know. But I’m sure the woman isn’t telling the truth, which is normal. However, this doesn’t mean I’ll just take her word for it. Besides, I’ve sensed a faint Divine Power aura in this Dali City."
"Divine Power?"
"Yes, if what that woman said is true, then this should be the aura of a descendant of Nuwa."
Although he wasn’t very proficient in magic, as a deity, Duanmu Huai was somewhat skilled in sensing divine auras.
"Where is it?"
"I’ll have to look around... after all, tracking auras isn’t my specialty... Anyway, let’s take a walk around first."
Strictly speaking, there wasn’t much to explore in Dali City. If it were the picturesque Dali City, perhaps they could wander around like they did in Suzhou City. However, this place was suffering from continuous drought, and most people were physically and mentally exhausted, with shops long closed. As they walked, they could only see how miserable the people were, with no clues in sight.
"By the way, why has the place become dry? Could it be the work of some demon?"
Gazing at the dried-up river in the distance, Ann frowned with displeasure. Being from Manaria, a city of water filled with canals and fountains, she instinctively disliked such arid environments.
"Probably, but that’s not our concern... Hmm, what’s that place up ahead?"
Duanmu Huai wasn’t too concerned with such trivial matters. Instead, he leisurely strolled to the end of the road, looking at the grand building ahead. As Duanmu Huai arrived, a Bai Miao Tribe guard in charge of guarding the place hurried over.
"I’m sorry, this is our Bai Miao Tribe’s Temple. Outsiders are not allowed to enter."
"Temple?"
Hearing the guard’s words, Duanmu Huai’s eyes lit up.
"What’s inside?"
"This......."
Faced with Duanmu Huai’s inquiry, the Bai Miao Tribe guard obviously did not intend to answer, but at this moment, Duanmu Huai was not entirely without options. He removed his hood and stared at the Bai Miao Tribe guard. The latter shivered upon seeing the figure before him.
"This, you......"
"Can you tell me? What’s really inside?"
At this moment, Duanmu Huai stared at the guard and asked again. This time, the Bai Miao Tribe guard seemed to be hypnotized, and spoke blankly.
"Inside... there’s a Divine Statue........"
"A Divine Statue?"
"Yes...... the year the Witch Queen passed away, a rare flood struck Miaojiang, raining for a whole month as if the Sky River had breached its banks. At the time, inside and outside Dali City became a vast ocean; many tribespeople fled to the mountains to take refuge. During the flood, someone discovered this Divine Statue and enshrined it on the altar. Strangely, shortly after, the rain stopped, and the flood receded...... From then on, everyone began to worship this Divine Statue as the Great God Nuwa, and this altar was later built into a temple for the Bai Miao Tribe’s people to admire......"
"Can I go in and have a look?"
"This......."
"I’m just going inside to take a look, there’s no problem, right?"
"...........yes......."
Ultimately, facing Duanmu Huai’s request, the Bai Miao Tribe guard nodded, then turned and walked to the other side of the grand gate. Duanmu Huai directly entered the temple — seeing this scene, Ann and the others hurriedly followed in.
"Wow......."
Entering the temple, everyone immediately let out a gentle sigh, not because the temple was particularly glorious or magnificent, but because the temple’s interior surfaces were rippling with water, and the air was filled with fresh moisture, instantly revitalizing them.
"There’s actually water here?"
"But it’s dry outside......"
Looking at the water surrounding them, the girls were perplexed. They had just circled Dali City, everywhere lacking water, neither well water nor river water was available, but why was there water only here?
At this moment, Caiyi also began to speak in a low voice.
"I can feel a strong Spirit of Water’s Essence gathering here......"
"I knew there must be something mysterious here."
Duanmu Huai snorted coldly.
"Let’s go inside and take a look."
Under Duanmu Huai’s lead, the group smoothly passed through the temple and arrived at the altar at the far end, then they saw in the center of the altar a female stone statue with a human upper body and a snake lower body, with long hair.
And upon seeing this stone statue.......
"Ah, Medusa!"
"Isn’t this a snake monster?"
Seeing this stone statue, everyone couldn’t help but exclaim out loud. The truth was, this stone statue was basically no different from the snake monster they had encountered in the Hidden Dragon Cave before, only that the previous snake monster was male, and this one was female and, moreover, a stone statue......
"I remember in legend, Medusa turned into stone upon seeing her reflection in a mirror?"
Tomoe Mami approached Tamaki Iroha, whispering, and the latter nodded.
"Seems like that’s correct, is this also a turned-into-stone statue?"
However, as they whispered amongst themselves, Duanmu Huai’s voice rang out again.
"This isn’t some snake monster."
"Eh? Really?"
"That’s right, I can sense the aura of Divine Power within her...... Hmm, it must be because she exhausted her power that she became like this."
As he spoke, Duanmu Huai stepped onto the altar and approached the stone statue.
"If I’m not mistaken, this should be the descendant of Nuwa."
"So what do we do now?"
"It’s simple."
Duanmu Huai flexed his arm.
"She became like this because she exhausted her Divine Power, so as long as we replenish enough Divine Power, she will be resurrected. Leave it to me — Moon Prism, power transformation!"
As he spoke, Duanmu Huai extended his hand, and the next moment, a muscular giant in a pink and white lace dress appeared again.
"Ugh......"
Seeing the muscle giant before them, the girls all turned away with changed expressions, while Caiyi curiously examined Duanmu Huai, undaunted.
"Is this the benefactor’s true form? It’s truly mighty."
"You’re not afraid?"
Seeing Caiyi’s calm demeanor, Ann was taken aback; after all, Caiyi seemed to be the first to not fear upon seeing Duanmu Huai for the first time.
"Ah, I’m not afraid; there are many demons that resemble the benefactor’s appearance, so I’ve long been accustomed."
Accustomed.......
Hearing the voices of the two from behind, Duanmu Huai felt as if he had been stabbed in the back, but he concentrated his focus regardless, looking at the stone statue before him before raising his hand to press on its head.
After all, she is a deity...... Hmm, maybe at most a demigod? But that was enough; for Duanmu Huai, just a bit of Divine Power would suffice to resurrect her. Whether this descendant of Nuwa could assist him would be another matter.
And if she couldn’t?
Then he’d simply finish her off; no big deal.
Soon, Divine Power surged from Duanmu Huai into the stone statue, while the originally empty stone gradually started emitting a faint white glow under the influence of the Divine Power. Next, cracks appeared on its surface, rapidly expanding.
"Crack, crack, crack......"
Quickly, web-like cracks covered the stone statue’s surface, and in the next instant.......
"Boom!"
With a loud explosion, the stone on the statue’s surface shattered completely, revealing a female with a human upper body and a snake tail, emerging from within and collapsing on the ground.