Chapter-20: Beautiful Village Fest! Gifts!
As the group of three from martial soul hall head towards Star Village, on the foot of the hill while the three are talking and so are Bibi Dong with Crysthanium, a melodious and soothing sound is heard attracting the attention of everyone including the ones lisyening via jade.
"What is this gallant, and wondrous tone?" asks Elder Ghost upon seeing the smiling expression of both Su Yuntao and hall master Mathew.
Su Yuntao then replies, "Elder Ghost, this is the melodious tone of Shen Long's flute art. You may not believe how brilliantly he plays flute and not to mention his beautiful songs." not holding his excitement to hear the songs and the flute.
"He really is wonderful. Elder Ghost if possible try recruiting him and if not possible then try tl understand hia true intentions. But before that activate the Transmission Jade completely so that the view that you will see will also be shown in the Mystic Mirror." Bibi Dong's voice sounds in Ghost Douluo's ears and so he transmits more energy in the Jade.
After that in the Mirror within Bibi Dong's working room starts visualizing the figures of hills and forest around Starfall hill and along with the beautiful flute music both Bibi Dong and Crysthanium along with the other three in carriage remain silent enjoying the moment and the moment the carriage reaches the village entrance, everyone falls in amazement as Su Yuntao says, "No metter what they never cease to amaze us. Just this newly updated village is too wonderful." with his eyes showing excitement.
"This is unbelievable." Elder Ghist exclaims along with Bibi Dong and Crysthanium as the three powerhouses stare in shock at the brilliant village from which a melodious flute sound is coming.
With a 7m large iron and wooden fences with spiky spear like pointings and everything of high quality capable of defending against some of 1000-years-old soul beast.
Along with that there is a 9 meter large gate opened with the villag's Name 'Star Village' above the gate painted beautifully along with the flowery decorations and lights on them. And it's not where everything ends, also the entire village's decoration like for a very long celebration. As they head inside stalls, mini-stages and decorated houses can be seen along with a beautiful lake consisitng of multiple white and pink lotuses, and other water plants located ahead of village gate where a large bridge of high quality is made fkr crossing the lake plus the lake is edited like a river as a bit large path has been paved so water flows surrounding the entire village starting from lake and ending at lake.
But it does not end at that. The beautiful scenery, slowly but steadily moving fresh wind with the beautiful flute music captivates all of theirs heart.
After that they head towards the village hall where a large stage can be seen from afar.
Upon moving there they hear a different tune from before and then a voice rings out singing a song - You're the light, you're the night
.....You're the fear, I don't care
'Cause I've never been so high.....
You can see the world you brought to life, to life
So love me like you do, la-la-love me like you do....
As the songs falls on ears of the group of three, Bibi Dong and Crysthanium, except Su Yuntao and Hall master Mathew yhe others ponder in shock at he beautiful song, sang beautifully.
The view gets more clear that a boy who looks like a about 12 or 13 years sitting on front edge of stage singing the song while sound of zither with drum beats and others coming from behind the stage.
"Such musical talent. Who is he?" Bibi Dong wonders and so does Elder Ghost asks to which a reply comes shocking them, "He is Shen Long."
" Hall master Mathew, is deacon Su lying? Isn't Shen Long supposed to be only 8 years old?" asks Ghost Douluo turning to hall master Mathew who humbly replies that because of Shen Long's special technique and training method his growth was accelerated before time. Also explains that Shen Long often uses concoctions for cultivation which has resulted this growth.
"I see." Elder Ghost nods in understanding along with other watching via the mirror but still pondering over such shocking growth speed. After that Bibi Dong asks to remain quiet and listen to the song everyone remains quiet listening to the song while some feelings and thougths arise in Bibi Dong's mind and in a bit of time as Shen Long finishes his song, Su Yuntao and Grandpa Mathew, both head to Shen Long and asking his health and wellness they asks if the Shen family had some time.
Within a minute they reach Shen Long's house made simply but beautifully. Then Shen Long, his grandparents and Xiao Wu remain there looking at the shady man.
Everyone greets eachother and they introduce themselves and so Elder ghost says, "Nice to meet you Shen Long, Mr. Shen Shangdi, Mrs. Feng Wudie and Xiao Wu. Please accept my greetings. I, Gui Mei, am Ghost Douluo from Martial Soul Hall and I hereby greet you."
Upon hearin this Shen Family and Xiao Wu fall dazed, titled Douluo; Ghost Douluo one of famous and rurhless powerhouse of Martial Soul Hall. All of them greet more formally upon hearing it as grandpa Shandi says in a apologizing tone, "Sorry for not recognizing your garce. We humbly ask for forgiveness."
"Uh... no need to apologise senior, you are an elder compared to me. Instead we, the Martial Soul Hall instead are here to thank your family for the contibution of passing the Meridian Sutra to our Martial Soul Hall contributing greatly for our current as well as future generation. So without wasting time I would like to deliver the gift sent by Pope as a response to the contribution and would like if you would humbly accept it." cupping his fists.
"This..." grandpa and grandma look at Shen Long with a confused look while he is glaring at Su Yuntao and grandpa Mathew who are looking east-west avoiding Shen Long's raged gaze.
"This we cannot accept elder, we would rather wish this to be gifted for the civilian..." as Shen Long says he is interrupted by Elder Ghost who says politely, "Please do no fret, the decisions for providing free working student quota to all civilian children as long as they have even a bit of Soul Power has been implemented along with providing resources to this Sub-hall with it's status upgraded to Lord Hall. So this is a gift for your wisdom and kindness by Pope so no need to worry."
"This..." Shen Long still feels reluctant with multiple thoughts but then is interjected by Elder Ghost who says, " You cannot reject Shen Long otherwise it will be like a slap on the face of her highness, the Pope."
When Elder Ghost says that the other party sigh and Shen Long accepts the gift. Then elder ghost asks, "I have a proposal from the pope, asking if Shen Long would like to enter the Martial Soul Hall?" as instructed by Bibi Dong whi looks curiously in the Mystic Mirror looking forward for the answer.
Shen Long looking at Eler Ghost answers, "I am sorry Elder Ghist but I would like to rehect this offer." which changes Elder Ghost's expression who sighs but Shen Long immediately starts explaining before Elder Ghost says something, "Its not that the place is bad elder, its just I wanna wander he world and enjoy within my family, friends and nearby people with freedom instead of just pursuing for higher authority and prowess."
"But who will restrict your freedom within Martial Soul Hall." asks Elder Ghost unconvinced.
"Well its not something that I can explain but I assure you that I don't have any negative thoughts regarding Martial Soul Hall but I also cannot explain the reasons for being unable to explain for time being." Shen Lon replies with a awkward smile.
"This..." hearing this everyone including Bibi Dong and Crysthanium look at the awkwardly smiling Shen Long confused.
"Well, let it be. Just give them the gift and the yeah also give them the badge." Bibi Dong's voice rings in Ghost Douluo's mind and then he says sighing, "Then I cannot do more. Well then senior Shen I hope for you to hold on to this and yeah, you cannot reject this gift." then hands over a Jade Badge to grandpa Shangdi who both grandparents stare with shock.
"This..." grandma Feng can't believe in her eyes, Xiao Wu then asks curiouly to which the dazed Su Yuntao replies, "T-This is the Papal palace elder badge."
"Elder Badge! This we cannot take." Shen Long says with a serious face but then Elder Ghost replies solemnly, "This is Honorable Elder Badge for integrity of elders willing to help civilians by Martial Soul Hall. But he can use it to get elder level resources and for other emergency purposes so, no need to worry."
After that they alltalk a bit more and Shen Long also tells about his fake family story to Elder Ghost who calmly hears everything while suppressing his shock unlike Bibi Dong and Crysthanium who are hearing this all as they talk among themselves for how powerful the powerhouse may be and to mention the greatest shock of Shen Long having reached Lv.18 couldn't be withstood so Shen long knowing he couldn't hide his soul power in front of a Titled Douluos he had already made a fake story ahead of time when Ghist Douluo first introduced himself. This story shocked others as Shen Long had already opened three meridians during absorption of Soul Ring so he tells that after reaching Lv.10, opening three meridians and the hardwork and training he had done, he was confident enough to absorb a 1,000-year-old soul bead and luckly he found a 1,000-year-old Earth Dragon King helping him reach Lv.18 but even after calming his turbulent energy he still is unable to unleash it for time being as his cultivation has not yet consolidated.
All the five people from Martial Soul Hall fall silent hearing that, yeah including Su Yuntao and grandpa Mathew who stare at shock. Shen Long then tells about his training routine and the type of training causing more shock to the five people and so after about an while hour the conversation ends with Shen Long's training still making them feel unbelievable jntil he showed the weights on his body.
After that Shen Long heads back to Fest as his grandparents also invite Elder Ghost to join in the fun. After wards as permitted by Bibi Dong, he also joins in watching he performances while Crysthanium Douluo yells for being the sole one to enjoy the fun. Shen Long's friends dancing turn also comes by of which the one which was the most beautiful belonged to Tang San and Wang Yan, who danced gallantly and smoothly better than Shen Long's dance.
The fun goes on and also during end of program Elder Ghot Douluo gifts the resources for Star village to Grandma Feng and then also announces the resources for other village to be taken from Nuoding City's newly promoted Lord Hall and also announes about the free working student quota while he does keeps the technique and concoctions a secret increasing the respect for Martial Soul Hall in the hearts of every village head and villagers there.
As Elder Ghost silently watches the programmes whole day, after buying some things as instructed by his dear friend Crysthanium, he bids farewell to Shen family and other village chiefs abd as be is on his return, grandpa Shangdi hands out the nerfed Shallow Steps to Elder Ghost as a return gift for Honorary Elder Badge.
Elder Ghost then greets and heads back after giving another Transmission Jade (only for voice message) to hall master Mathew instructing the uses.
After that as he heads down the village he stares with shock along with Bibi Dong and Crysthanium at the moment of beautiful sky with so many stars falling like a showdown of light shooting down showing off the brilliance of the sky. The three enjoy the view for a few minutes and after the star fall finishes Ghost Douluo heads down to Nuoding City. While everyone from the escort team from Martial Soul Hall prepare for the return trip, Elder Ghost after reading Shallow Steps sends message to Bibi Dong in an awkward tone, "Your highness, I guess we now again owe them a favor."
"What do you mean?" asks Bibi Dong with a confused look.
"I mean his parents must have been great powerhouses not to mention his the Meridian Sutra even this Shallow steps can be considered national treasure. Just look at this." Elder Ghost answers as he sends the content of the skill in the Mystic Mirror.
Bibi Dong sighs and says, "You are true. This is also like a national treasure that has great value. With this our people along with Profound sutra can form a strong army and within the next few years our dream will come true. So as they have shown intentions of friendship, let's maintain friendly relation with them. Also return fast as we have to increase the training of our Golden generation otherwise they will not even be a Bronze genration compared to Shen Long and Xiao Wu."
"As you command." respectfully replies Ghost Douluo.
While Bibi Dong's Mystic Mirror cuts off connection with Ghost Douluo, she views a figure in it and inwardly she says 'Just you wait, you two empires, it will be our victory.' as a smug smile appears on her innerself.
"Well Elder Ghost we are ready." a guard speaks to which Elder Ghost nods and gesturing with his hand everyone rest for the night and next morning early after some talk with hall master Mathew, Elder Ghost leads the people and carriages back to Martial Soul City.
While the Fest and the fun goes on for the next two days and ending with joyful party night.
After everything ends and village is once again cleaned back to normal, everyone heads back to their work i.e. village chiefs before returning to their villages with help of their villagers take food and other things gifted by Martial Soul Hall thanking them inwardly, Shen Long, Xiao Wu and their friends return back to the academy while Tang San id continuously praised for being such brilliant and smooth dnacer having learned dancing in just a week and earning the junior dancing present 1000 Gold Coins split between him and Wang Yan, and villagers of Star Village clean the village and get back on their daily life work.
--> To Be Continued