Chapter 623, Ceremony

Translator: Silavin

 

Su Bai waited until everything was properly prepared before following Yu Ying away from the Yong’an Building.

 

At this point, everyone in the Tribe had gathered in the square. It was time to prepare for the Totem Awakening Ceremony.

 

The timing of the Totem Awakening Ceremony was not chosen arbitrarily; there was great significance to it.

 

It had to take place at precisely midday, during the Sun’s most intense moment. Most importantly, the Shaman had to select one stick from ten pieces of wood of equal length.

 

Afterwards, this stick would be burnt to completion, and once it had finished burning, the Totem Awakening Ceremony could finally begin.

 

“Xiao Yu, how is the burning of the wooden stick progressing?” Su Bai asked as he walked towards the square.

 

“It’s nearly finished burning. Once we arrive and make preparations, we can begin the Totem Awakening Ceremony/” Yu Ying immediately replied.

 

This was information continuously reported by the maids of the Yong’an Building, who constantly travelled between the square and the Yong’an Building.

 

“Good.” Su Bai responded softly, wrapped in heavy cloaks as he continued towards the bonfire.

 

However, that large bonfire had not been lit yet. It was still just a tall stack of firewood.

 

“Ahhhh…”

“Mmmmm…”

*Woooo…*

*Thump thump thump…*

*Stomp stomp stomp…*

 

Just as Su Bai approached the pile of wood, the Tribe’s Warriors began producing deep, resonant sounds.

 

Horns and large drums joined in, harmonising with the Warriors’ roars and the sound of feet stamping the ground. Everything appeared remarkably harmonious.

 

Su Bai had anticipated this scene and was not particularly surprised, simply standing before everyone with a solemn expression.

 

“Shaman!” All the people of the Tribe shouted in unison.

 

This shout was extraordinarily resounding, given that it came from all the people of the Tribe.

 

“…” Su Bai did not speak, merely raised his hand and pressed downward.

 

The Tribe’s people immediately fell silent, and those roars and drum sounds also quieted down.

 

All the people of the Flame Dragon Tribe looked up, watching Su Bai. This scene was incredibly sacred and solemn.

 

“Shaman, all the people of the Tribe have gathered here, regardless of gender or age,” Yan Jiao stepped forward to report.

 

The Tribe’s Totem Warriors all stood at the very front of the crowd, followed by the Warrior Trainees.

 

Next came the ordinary people, though even amongst the ordinary people, there was a hierarchy.

 

Those who had made outstanding contributions to the Tribe would stand at the front, while those who had accomplished little would be relegated towards the back.

 

All of this was arranged by the Chieftain, as he knew these people better than anyone.

 

“Good, the ceremony can begin immediately.” Su Bai said in a deep voice.

 

Upon hearing this, Yu Ying immediately had a servant bring out a tray with numerous bowls placed upon it.

 

Each bowl contained different pigments that looked quite beautiful. These were the final preparations before the ceremony.

 

Yu Ying dipped her finger in the pigments and began painting on Su Bai’s face, starting with red pigment to draw two lines on both cheeks.

 

Next, she used black pigment to draw a line across his forehead and another on his chin.

 

Finally, she painted other pigments, green, on his temples and nose.

 

“Shaman, everything is ready.” Yu Ying said, placing all the bowls back on the tray.

 

“En!” Su Bai nodded lightly, then looked at the burning stick beside him. Seeing that it had completely finished burning, he declared. “The ceremony begins!”

 

As soon as his command was given, someone ran to ignite the large pile of firewood.

 

*Crackle crackle…*

 

With the sound of flames crackling, small twigs began to burn.

 

What started as tiny flames soon became large flames shooting upward.

 

In less than a few minutes, the pile of wood was burning magnificently. It was now truly a bonfire.

 

As sparks from the bonfire continuously shot to the sides, Su Bai began the true Totem Awakening Ceremony.

 

He stood directly in front of the bonfire with his eyes closed, initially just standing there without moving.

 

Although his eyes were closed, he felt as though he could see. This continued until a spark slowly drifted before his eyes.

 

Su Bai immediately opened his eyes. He could sense that even with his eyes closed, he could still see.

 

Those burning flames, the surprised gazes of the Tribe’s people, and the straight postures of the Warriors—all of this was captured in his vision.

 

Su Bai reached out and grasped one spark amongst the many, opening his mouth to begin chanting. “Hellas kalos kar salsa…”

 

These incantations were completely incomprehensible to the Tribe’s people, and naturally he could not understand them either.

 

Currently, he was simply following the memories in his mind to present each step of the process.

 

He did not know what these incantations meant. He only knew that these incantations could help those Warrior Trainees awaken as Totem Warriors.

 

This incantation was extremely lengthy, requiring quiet chanting for a very long time.

 

Yan Hua and the others wore particularly solemn expressions. At this moment, no one dared to be distracted, as the Totem Awakening Ceremony was no joking matter.

 

She took a deep breath and asked nervously. “Ah’Lan, do you think I can awaken as a Totem Warrior?”

 

This was what Yan Hau was worried about. Although she greatly anticipated this day’s arrival, when it truly came, she became extremely nervous.

 

It was not that she was afraid. It was just that if she could not awaken as a Totem Warrior, she would have to wait another year.

 

A year would be far too long. Although she had been assigned to work with other Warriors Trainees on their morale, when it came to herself, she found it difficult to soothe her own emotions.

 

“Don’t worry, amongst the Warrior Trainees, you’re the most outstanding. If you can’t awaken as a Totem Warrior, then who else could?” Sha Lan comforted her.

 

What Sha Lan said was indeed fact. Amongst all the Warrior Trainees, Yan Hua was truly the most capable.

 

Even before the Totem Awakening Ceremony had properly begun, Sha Lan knew that she would definitely awaken as a Totem Warrior.

 

“You know, I’m not worried about you. You’ll definitely be able to awaken.” Yan Hua suddenly grasped her friend’s hand.

 

She felt that they must awaken together, so that they could continue fighting side by side in the future.

 

“Of course, together.” Sha Lan smiled.

 

It was not just Sha Lan and her companion who were worried. The other Warrior Trainees were equally filled with anxiety.

 

For instance, Ai’er and Cheng Shi also wore faces full of seriousness and worry. Serious because of the ceremony, worried because they feared they might not awaken.

 

Everyone’s fists were tightly clenched, pressed against both sides of their thighs, hoping they could awaken.

 

“Sika gulu huli libu…” Su Bai continued standing before the bonfire chanting incantations. There were still more than ten minutes remaining until he finished the complete chant.

 

Yan Jiao and the other Totem Warriors stood particularly solemnly around the Shaman, not only to protect his safety, but most importantly to let the Tribe’s people witness this solemn and great moment.