In the blink of an eye, it was the next day.
Early in the morning, when Liu Zixuan was still sleepy and dreaming, the little girl, Doudou, ran over.
"Big brother, hurry up and get up."
Liu Zixuan scratched his head, glanced at his phone, and mumbled, "Doudou, it's only just after four. Why get up so early!"
"Today is a big day for the village, everyone needs to get up early," Doudou said, looking adorably anxious while tugging at Liu Zixuan to get up.
Helpless, Liu Zixuan sat up and asked, "What big day is it?"
Doudou said earnestly, "Today is the Saintess' day. The whole village needs to rush to the Saintess Temple on North Mountain at the start of sunrise to worship, and also collect the dew on the surrounding grass and plants. Plus, there's a fun game this morning."
"Saintess' day?" Liu Zixuan rubbed his sleepy eyes, showing interest.
Back when he was learning medicine with his beautiful master on the mountain, he had heard that each place in the Star Sea had unique customs.
Especially rare villages like Lingxiu Village, which once had walking marriages and had particularly interesting customs.
He tossed the quilt aside, preparing to dress.
Well, after all, it's morning, and a man would naturally have a physiological reaction.
This scene was seen by Doudou, who widened her eyes and exclaimed in surprise.
Quickly covering her eyes, she said, "Big brother, you are so dirty."
Liu Zixuan glanced over, grinned, and quickly got dressed, pretending to say earnestly, "Doudou, don't make a fuss. This is normal."
"Ahem, I saw nothing." Doudou said, blushing, and ran out, muttering something under her breath.
"Little rascal," Liu Zixuan shook his head helplessly and got up to wash up.
After finishing, he walked out to find that Sister Lian and others had already prepared, carrying some ancient-looking basins and pots.
Curiously, he asked, "Sister Lian, I just heard that today is the Saintess' day. What exactly is this day about?"
"Let's talk as we walk. Everyone has gathered at the foot of the mountain," Sister Lian said.
While walking out, Sister Lian began to explain.
Legend has it, long ago, when the village was not yet Lingxiu Village, it was still a barren land amidst chaos, with refugees constantly in plight.
A beautiful woman walked out from deep in the mountains, preparing lots of sweet spring water and cooked food here daily, provided freely to passing refugees.
Gradually, lots of people began to gather here, and because of various special circumstances, only women remained here.
Because the men were fighting at the front lines.
The women followed that beautiful woman in preparing food and water for the front lines, living like this for a long time.
As years passed, those villagers left behind by time were aging, yet the beautiful woman remained young and lovely, guarding and helping all who came her way just as she always had.
Many years later, a sudden drought struck, plunging everyone into despair, when the beautiful woman miraculously drew water from the mountains, saving everyone's life.
It was at that moment she disappeared.
People felt their survival relied solely on this enigmatic woman, and later they built a temple for her. Every mid-summer, they would worship.
And on this day, they would collect mountain dew, said to cure all diseases.
Passed down through generations, a festival resembling a water-splashing event is held every morning on this day.
The whole village participates, both men and women, in a form of tribute to the Saintess who saved countless lives.
After hearing the story, Liu Zixuan chuckled, "I didn't expect Lingxiu Village to have such a custom!"
"Everyplace has different customs. For example, some villages go to Dragon Temple to pray on the Dragon Mother's birthday, some worship Buddhism, others Daoism. It's all quite complex, but Lingxiu Village's guardian spirit is the Saintess!" Sister Lian explained.
Liu Ruyan smiled softly, "I heard some of this when I came to work in the village, but I've never really participated!"
"This year is different from past years. The village was simple for many years, but now the roads are fixed, the factory is built, and everyone is eagerly awaiting better days, so this year is particularly grand."
Sister Lian laughed, "Just wait for the water-splashing activity later; you must be prepared!"
"Prepared for what?" Liu Zixuan and Liu Ruyan asked simultaneously.
"You're outsiders, considered esteemed guests and lucky stars of the village, so during the water-splashing event, those who've made significant contributions to the village are given special treatment. So... get ready to change your clothes!" Sister Lian smiled mysteriously and said no more.
Everyone had already gathered at the foot of the mountain, Liu Zixuan looked up and saw the village's beautiful women carrying ancient basins and pots.
Moreover, their clothing differed from the usual, appearing more formal.
"Handsome Zixuan, just waiting for you," Hu Lijing shouted from afar.
Sister Zhang came over, winking at Liu Zixuan, "I'm wearing nothing inside today!"
Liu Zixuan was momentarily bewildered, wearing nothing, what could that mean? Was there some special significance?
"Alright, alright, let's go in. Be careful now; the grass is thick, and there might be some snakes or insects," Sister Lian said to everyone.
"No worries, we have handsome Zixuan to lead the way!" everyone chimed.
Liu Zixuan pinched his forehead, "Though serving beauties is an honor, this level of enthusiasm is quite overwhelming."
"Hahaha," everyone laughed at his words.
Saying this, they headed into the mountains.
They didn't go too deep, just a bit further than where Liu Zixuan had previously gathered herbs.
Beside a small valley, stood a very classical building, surrounded by orderly foliage. Interestingly, at each of the four corners of the building stood towering pine trees, straight and majestic.
Liu Zixuan estimated these pine trees to be at least hundreds of years old.
"Ahead is the Saintess Temple. Here, we must remove our shoes and step onto the grass to collect dew. Then gather all the dew in front of the temple, and after thirty minutes, start worshiping, then return," Sister Lian explained to Liu Zixuan and Liu Ruyan.
"Alright, let's split up to collect the dew!" Saying this, Liu Zixuan and Liu Ruyan started walking to the left, while other villagers removed their shoes and dispersed.
The two of them gathered dew for a while, then Liu Ruyan suddenly shouted, "Zixuan, come here!"
Liu Zixuan followed the sound and saw a huge deep pit...
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