âTell me everything you know,â said Jing Jiu after a moment of silence.
âThough I believe youâre the new god, unfortunately, it doesnât mean all the other female priests also believe it. Hence, there are some things I canât tell you, at least not right now.â
The female priest straightened her body and looked at the figure outside the screen, saying calmly, âOf course, if youâre truly a god, you should be able to find out what Iâm thinking.â
Jing Jiu could learn the inherited knowledge in the awareness of this female priest through the Two-Mind Connection or the magic method of soul-search, but he found from scanning that she had cultivated a certain passive secret magic and that she would be in trouble if her awareness were invaded.
âAre there many other people like me in this world?â asked Jing Jiu.
The female priest didnât refuse to answer this question, âA few have appeared in the past.â
âWhat are their names?â pressed Jing Jiu.
The female priest replied apologetically, âAll I know is that they exist; I donât know who they are. And I wouldnât tell you even if I know.â
âBut why donât you think they are the new gods?â pressed Jing Jiu.
The female priest answered modestly, âItâs because theyâre not as powerful as you; so they canât lead humans in resisting the invasion of the darkness. And they havenât been accepted.â
âAccepted by whom?â Jing Jiu prompted.
The female priest said, âIf the female priest on the Main Planet believes they are the new gods, she will let the other female priests know. But this hasnât happened even once in the past hundreds of years.â
Jing Jiu knew that he wouldnât be able to obtain any useful information from this female priest; he turned to leave.
Seeing the change of the shadow on the screen, the female priest knew that he was inclined to take his leave. She prostrated on the floor again, saying nothing to keep him longer.
Jing Jiu suddenly stopped short and said, âIâve seen a painting of sunflowers in the Art Gallery.â
âIt was copied by a female priest before me; it is not an authentic painting,â said the female priest.
Jing Jiu said, âI think that something is not quite right about the painting. The sunflowers in the painting are scattered. What is the item that binds the flowers in the original painting?â
The female priest decided that he was the new god. âThe original painting is kept on the Main Planet. You can go check it out yourself,â she replied reverentially.
Jing Jiu didnât expect that he would get an answer. âInconvenient to tell me?â he questioned.
âYes,â said the female priest. âItâs because the author of the painting wasnât a regular artist in the distant ancient civilization; itâs said that sheâŚwas the sister of a god.â
Jing Jiu turned around and gazed at her face through the screen, asking, âGod has family members?â
The female priest returned, âGod is a human. Itâs natural that heâd have a wife, sister, and other family members.â
No voice could be heard behind the sky-like screen.
The flower petals on the surface of the water in the green ceramic bowel rotated slightly.
Jing Jiu had left.
The female priest extended her slightly trembling finger and touched a flower petal in the water; then she pointed her finger at the center of her brows.
She was nervous to the extreme even though she looked calm.
It was because she had conversed with a god.
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âI havenât been home for a long time. That Mr. Xia is my uncle.â
Jiang Yuxia brought Zong Lizi to a detached building in the compound of the mansion. She led Zong Lizi to a bedroom on the third floor hand in hand and sat in a chair, showing a relaxed expression on her face.
Looking at the luxurious bedroom and the expensive items she had only seen on TV, Zong Lizi uttered praise inwardly. Thinking of the shabby condition of the university dorm, she felt somewhat uncomfortable. Jiang Yuxia was a talented girl from the priest clan and could be considered as a princess on this planet; but she lived in the university dorm like all the other regular students. On the other hand, she, a regular girl from the underground neighborhood, led a comfortable life in a hotelâŚWell, Zong Lizi thought of Jing Jiu and thought that it was not too outrageous to enjoy the life a bit with that guy. But, what should she say right now? She held her knees while looking at the girl with black hair sitting in the chair, as if she were sitting by a lake, feeling half-nervous and half-expectant.
It was then that the door was pushed open as a maid came in with a small cart full of cookies and tea. âMistress, how should the supper be prepared?â she asked Jiang Yuxia.
âMy uncle and the Dean Cui will have supper with our classmates. Do you wish to dine with them?â Jiang Yuxia asked Zong Lizi.
Thinking of the gazes of those girls, Zong Lizi prompted, âWhat do you think?â
Jiang Yuxia flashed a faint smile and signaled to the maid that she would like to have the supper brought to the bedroom.
The bedroom became quiet again after the maid left the room. The atmosphere was a bit awkward.
Yet, Zong Lizi was sure that it had nothing to do with how she felt at the moment.
Jiang Yuxia was as amiable as the spring breeze, one who could make everyone around her feel comfortable; hence, such an awkward situation shouldnât have occurred when she was around. Normally, she should tell Zong Lizi about the mansion, her childhood and why she had to conceal her true identityâŚBut, why did she remain silent for such a long time?
âIâŚdonât want to play the role anymore.â Jiang Yuxia suddenly stood up and said this after she came before Zong Lizi and stared into her eyes. Her voice revealed a hint of determination and decisiveness.
Zong Liziâs heart skipped a beat even though she thought she shouldnât do so.
âWell, I know you have learned of the relationship between me and the Twirling Rain Company and realized that Iâm your potential opponent for the position of female priest. Hence, you have befriended and tried to learn more of my background. But, whatâs wrong with that? Iâve finally made a friend, and you said you donât want to play the role anymore only after a few daysâŚYou havenât even found out my background and donât even know the real author of the novel; and you havenât even procured my affection. Now you donât want to play the role anymore. Canât you play it a few more days?â Zong Lizi thought in her mind.
We would still be friends even if it were staged.
âI donât want to be a female priest!â said Jiang Yuxia earnestly. âCan you help me?â
Zong Lizi was about to tell her that she understood her predicament, but she suddenly came back to her senses after hearing this. Zong Lizi looked at her blankly, not knowing what to say.
This turned out to be the secret Jiang Yuxia had intended to tell her.
Zong Lizi felt relieved; but soon she felt perplexed, wondering why she didnât want to be a female priest. She suddenly recalled the scene in which Jiang Yuxia stared at Jing Jiu on the lawn while standing under a tree. She suppressed the feeling of jealousy forcefully and muttered, âThe priestâŚcan get married too.â
Jiang Yuxia came to the balcony and looked at the greenish lawn in the compound of the mansion. She let loose a faint smile for some reason, saying softly, âIâll get married for sure; but my decision has nothing to do with this. I just donât want to become a female priest.â
Zong Lizi came beside her and asked in concern, âBut why?â
Jiang Yuxia turned around and said while staring into her eyes, âItâs because I donât want to become a puppet of my clan.â
She continued softly before Zong Lizi could give a response, âMy clan has existed solely to serve the female priests for a long time. They have been accompanying the female priests the entire time. Itâs inevitable for them to come up with other ideas after a while.â
After some thought, Zong Lizi reflected that this was something understandable.
âItâs the wish of my clan in the past dozen generations to produce a female priest; and Iâm the favorite candidate for this purpose among those of my generation. I received the related education since a young age. And looks like I might have a chance to succeed,â said Jiang Yuxia. âI canât even tell why I have such an idea. Maybe, itâs a natural rebellious mentality after I listened and practiced so much since a young age to become the next female priest. All in all, I donât wish to accept their arrangement for me.â
After some more thought, Zong Lizi believed that this was something sensible as well. âAre you intending to perform poorly so that you wonât be selected?â asked Zong Lizi.
âThe education Iâve received since a young age doesnât allow for such ill-mannered conduct. Now that I will participate in the selection, I have to do my best to show respect to all the others, including my opponents in the selection,â said Jiang Yuxia earnestly while staring at her eyes. âI planned to leave before the selection event; as such, I obtained the position of exchange student at the University of Stargate.â
Zong Lizi thought that this was an incomprehensible idea and wondered how escaping was better than pretending to lose. In the next moment, she thought of a matter and said, âMr. XiaâŚyour uncle said that the person who has become the female priest will visit the sole remains of the distant ancient civilization and receive the training related to the position of female priest. Why donât you try to leave by then?â
âIf I became the female priest, I would be accompanied by the members of the priest clan. Donât forget, they are all my family membersâŚitâll be harder to leave by then.â
Jiang Yuxia said while holding Zong Liziâs hand, âFortunately, Iâve met you.â
âSo?â pressed Zong Lizi, her eyes wide open.
Jiang Yuxia said earnestly while looking at her, âSince you want to become the female priest, you must succeed.â
Having said this, she handed Zong Lizi a memory chip the size of a fingernail, saying, âThe courses Iâve received since a young age regarding the female priest are all on it.â
âCourses?â Zong Lizi wondered in bewilderment after taking the memory chip.
âIt contains everything you can think of, like the manner of eating, the attitudes when meeting the officials of different statuses, the posture of walking, and the choices of bedroom items.â
Zong Lizi was speechless. All she intended to do was to find another goal for her life after her incurable illness had been miraculously eradicated; but she didnât expect it to be so troublesome.
Jiang Yuxia suddenly thought of something and asked, âWhere did your friend go?â
Zong Lizi was aware that she asked about Jing Jiu. âThat guy often disappears all of a sudden. No need to worry about him. He will suddenly come back after a few hours or a few days.â
âWho the heck is he?â Jiang Yuxia asked after some hesitation. âMy clan knows he is your friend and has investigated him in secret; but they came up with nothing. And theyâŚwere warned by a certain authority, and donât dare investigate him further.â
Zong Lizi thought that the warning came from Jing Jiuâs family. As she was about to say something, a nonchalant voice suddenly rang out behind her.
âItâs better not to investigate.â
The two girls were startled and spun their heads around and saw Jing Jiu sit in the chair, drinking tea from a cup.
For some reason, Zong Lizi scolded, âThat cup is mine.â
Jing Jiu set down the teacup and said to Jiang Yuxia, âOne should choose oneâs own path in life. Donât do it if you donât want to; but also, donât pin your hopes on somebody else.â
Jiang Yuxia looked at his eyes as sharp as swords while saying softly, âI know what youâre worried about; but Iâm really considering her as my friend.â
âGive me a reason,â demanded Jing Jiu.
Jiang Yuxia said while flushing slightly, âMy clan asked me to befriend her because they knew the Twirling Rain Company values her; but I did it simply because I like her.â
âPassed,â declared Jing Jiu.
Zong Lizi was dumbfounded, wondering how her answer was passed.
Jing Jiu stood up and led Zong Lizi leaving the building. Soon, they arrived at the other side of the lawn.
Jiang Yuxia rushed to the balcony and watched the disappearing figures of the two, feeling envious.
Walking shoulder to shoulder were the youth in blue tracksuits and Zong Lizi in the dark red university uniform, looking truly harmonious.
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After they arrived in the hotel in Shouâer City, it was late at night. The stars filling the sky emitted bright glows. Jing Jiu didnât wish to miss the opportunity and started his star-bathing. Zong Lizi had been used to the perfect naked body under the starlight. She sat on the other end of the chair with a teacup in her hand, saying earnestly, âItâs I who wants to become the female priest; it has nothing to do with her. Donât blame her.â
Thinking of the conversation he had with the female priest, Jing Jiu pulled back his gaze and said to her, âA lot of hardship for a female priest.â
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Zong Lizi returned with a smile, âHow hard could it be? Could it be harder than Iâve been over the years?â
âCanât have any child,â said Jing Jiu.
âIâve never thought of having kids.â
Zong Lizi said softly, âMy illness is hereditary. Even though I have a good fortune, it doesnât mean my descendants will.â