Prologue

Yuan Zhong covered his eyes with his hand and looked out through his fingers, only to feel that the dazzling light of the forbidden land gradually weakened, transforming from the blinding glare of the sun into the cool, silvery light of the moon. In the distant sky hung a moon resembling a jade plate, and on the Gui Xuan Terrace, there seemed to be another small moon, radiating brilliant light, clear and exquisite.

The radiance grew increasingly intense, gradually resembling that of the sun. The monk Xinmao trembled all over, prostrating himself on the ground, with tears of excitement streaming down his face and falling to the earth. Could it be that after tens of thousands of years, the celestial beings have finally remembered their descendants left in the mortal realm?

The forbidden land suddenly erupted with brilliant light, which was not the gentle divine radiance he had imagined, but rather a dazzling, blinding glare. Yuan Zhong was pierced by the light, causing tears to stream from his eyes, yet he could not bear to look away, forcing his eyes into a narrow slit to barely gaze at it.

nine hundred ninety-nine

The force pulling at his clothing suddenly intensified, and Yuan Zhong, caught off guard, fell down. The monk Xin Mao glared at him with a face full of anger, while the elders on the platform had all risen. The light of the forbidden area had also vanished, and that person... that person had disappeared as well, making everything that had just transpired feel like a dream

Yuan Zhong could not hear his voice, for his spirit had been completely drawn away by that shadowy figure. He felt that he was about to see her brows and eyes clearly, those brows, those eyes. How beautiful those eyes were, far surpassing the most precious black gem in the clan. In that moment of clarity, he felt as if all the spiritual orifices in his body had been opened, and he could not help but tremble slightly

The hour of the Rat has arrived. The monk, in the year of the Yin Rabbit, solemnly kneels down and begins to recite the ancient prayers for the deities.

The small heart in Yuan Zhong's chest was about to leap out, and his eager eyes were fixed on the forbidden circle in the center, not daring to blink even once

The monk Xinmao Ci spoke in a voice that was somewhat cool and detached: "Pour the wine, and offer sacrifices to heaven and earth"

Historical records of the clan state that tens of thousands of years ago, after the legendary battle between gods and demons, all the gods withdrew into hiding. Prior to this, the Fox clan was a noble tribe that served the celestial deities. This record is known to every clan member, engraved in their hearts from the moment of birth; they are noble, belonging to the celestial gods, and distinct from others. However, as time has passed, these records have increasingly been regarded as mere fanciful legends. Their beliefs have come to resemble an obsession rather than reality, and even those among them who are monks no longer believe that the celestial deities will appear during the sacrificial ceremonies. The ceremonies have become more of a ritual for fulfilling an obsession rather than a genuine act of worship. However, as time has passed, these records have increasingly been regarded as mere fanciful legends. Their beliefs have come to resemble an obsession rather than reality, and even those among them who are monks no longer believe that the celestial deities will appear during the sacrificial ceremonies. The ceremonies have become more of a ritual for fulfilling an obsession rather than a genuine act of worship

In the moonlight, he vaguely saw a figure, hazy and ethereal, yet he could not discern it clearly. Yuan Zhongqing could not help but lower his hand, staring blankly at that silhouette. No one restrained his impudent behavior; when the divine beings descended, they were not permitted to raise their heads and gaze directly. Even the monk Xin Mao trembled as he bowed his forehead to the ground.

Nine hundred ninety-seven, nine hundred ninety-eight

At the hour of Zi, two quarters past, all offerings on the Gui Xuan platform have been arranged neatly. The monks have lit the everlasting lamps from all directions, their flickering flames illuminating the surroundings as bright as day.

When will the celestial being arrive?" Yuan Zhong looked towards the forbidden area in the center of the Gui Xuan Terrace, which was encircled by the jade railing adorned with celestial flowers, and a yearning expression appeared on his youthful face

Soon it will be one thousand, Yuan Zhong nervously opened his eyes and watched as the monk Xin Mao waved his long sleeves, causing ten unparalleled altars to rise in circles. With a clatter, the golden liquid spilled everywhere, and the aroma of the wine became even more intense

It was the early autumn of the Bingyou year, nearly ten thousand years later, when the celestial deity once again descended upon the Guihuan Terrace. Without any decree, the appearance lasted only a brief moment, yet it became the greatest honor for the fox clan.

"You will be punished properly when you return." The monk Xinmao pushed him aside and no longer paid him any attention

Yuan Zhong was eager to see her appearance clearly. He slowly got up from the ground and walked towards the forbidden area. The monk Xin Mao, who was kneeling on the ground and deeply stirred, finally noticed this audacious child. He immediately reached out to grab his clothing and, lowering his voice, scolded: "Bold! Quickly kneel down!"

He held his breath, afraid to truly strike, only counting seriously in his mind: "Nine hundred ninety-five, nine hundred ninety-six..." The monk Xinmao left his side and walked towards the forbidden area that had been encircled in the center.

Three cycles of sixty years passed, and the celestial deity never appeared again

The elders on and off the stage, along with the clansmen, all emitted incredulous exclamations. For tens of thousands of years, such a disturbance had never occurred. The forbidden area is actually emitting light?! Is that the radiance of the celestial beings?!

The monk Xinmao smiled gently, unwilling to reveal the truth in advance and disappoint the child. Every young member of the Fox Clan experiences the ritual of worshiping the gods for the first time filled with anticipation and dreams. Their clan has an instinctive closeness and reverence for the celestial deities. If they were to learn that the gods have not appeared for nearly ten thousand years, what profound disappointment would that be? Even the older generation of monks, and even the elders from long ago, have experienced this sense of loss, and there have been those who doubted the very existence of the gods.

The cold immersion of the moon—Is it a dream? Is it an illusion?

The silhouette became increasingly clear, resembling a woman dressed in white, both real and illusory. Yuan Zhong stared at her in a daze, feeling as though she was very close to him, yet seemingly very, very far away. Her hair was long, and her hairstyle was ancient, something he had never seen before. She appeared to be standing, yet also seemed to be floating, her white garments gently swaying in the wind, high above.

According to the age of the Fox Clan, he is only eleven years old this year in terms of his nominal age. This is his first experience of the divine ceremony that occurs once every sixty years, and everything appears both fresh and intriguing to him. The Gui Xuan Terrace is usually sealed off, and even the elder monks are not allowed to enter without permission. Ordinary small celebrations are not held here. It is said that shortly, the celestial deity will descend upon the terrace to observe these mortals who have been left behind in the world. The Gui Xuan Terrace is a sacred place belonging to the celestial deity.

Yuan Zhong was unaware of the heavy thoughts in the mind of the monk Xin Mao. He fervently closed his eyes and silently counted in his heart. The wind on the Gui Xuan platform blew stronger at times and weaker at others. The elders and the highly esteemed individuals knelt neatly on the ground, while below the platform, a sea of ordinary clansmen gathered, their numbers overwhelming. Amidst this crowd, apart from the howling wind, there was not a single sound. Perhaps the time of Zi was drawing nearer, as someone opened the most precious offering among the tribute, ten jars of the finest wine "Unmatched in the World." The rich and fragrant aroma of the wine wafted through the air, almost causing Yuan Zhong to sneeze.

Yuan Zhong first caught a whiff of such fragrance, unable to resist stretching his neck. The mountain breeze would occasionally carry the scent closer, only to disperse it moments later, leaving him unable to grasp it fully. Beside him, the monk Xin Mao Ci gently patted his frail shoulder and whispered, "Yuan Zhong, do not move around."

The Gui Xuan Terrace rises to a height of thirty zhang, with several thousand steps from bottom to top. Every ten steps, there are two bronze incense burners. As the mountain breeze blows, the warm yet unimpeded, clear yet not overwhelming fragrance refreshes the spirit, bringing a sense of peace and tranquility to the heart. This is the most precious incense of the clan, used only during the sacrificial ceremony that occurs once every sixty years.

If you count in your heart, counting up to one thousand, you will be able to see the celestial deity