Acai's Sky

Branch 2: Purify the remaining spirits of the star

Day 2: Pray to the Moon to Cleanse the Soul and Soothe the Lonely Soul with the Flame*

After returning to the "Firefly", Tuan Tuan, under the careful care of Acai and the nourishment of Xuantian Star Power, managed to recover some of his spirit, but his origin was damaged and his auspicious power was far less than before.

The Star Soul Grass is properly kept in a specially made cold jade box.

The next day, the team returned to the "Silent Star Grave." This time, their target was a relatively flat area at the highest point of the Star Grave, formed by a massive platform of star debris. This area was once a place where ancient monks might have observed the stars and sought enlightenment, and a trace of pure spiritual energy remained, although it was now covered in pollution.

In the center of the platform, Aunt Rong and Aunt Gu had led the secret guard team to set up a purification array.

The magic circle is based on the Yin-Yang Bagua, and uses pure stardust crystal powder to outline complex and mysterious runes.

At the center of the formation lay the Star Soul Grass from the cold jade box. Ancient ritual instruments like bronze purifying bottles, soul-guiding banners, and jade chimes were placed on each of the eight sides of the formation.

The entire magic circle exudes a solemn and ancient atmosphere that connects heaven and earth.

"Miss, the magic circle is complete. We just need the 'Purifying Heart Dew' to attract the moonlight, and then we can start the 'Pray to the Moon to Cleanse the Soul' ceremony." Rong Mama said solemnly.

"But this place is so filthy that it blocks out the sun, and stardust covers the sky. Where does the moonlight come from?" Aunt Gu frowned as she looked at the thick stardust cloud above her head, which was rolling with dark red energy.

"Moonlight resides in the mind and manifests through the power of will." Ah Cai carried the still-weak Tuan Tuan and walked to the center of the formation. She gently placed Tuan Tuan next to the Star Soul Grass, allowing its faint, auspicious white light to blend with the grass's refreshing aura. "Shi Shan, is the 'Artificial Moonlight Generator' ready?"

"Ready! The 'Moonlight Simulation Core' has been loaded! However, the energy conversion rate is only 65% ​​of the theoretical value, and it requires strong mental guidance to simulate the 'pure mind' of the real Moonlight!" Tong Shishan controlled several silver-white devices shaped like lotus lanterns that were suspended around the magic circle.

"Leave the spiritual guidance to me and Tuantuan." Ah Cai sat down cross-legged and gently placed her palm on Tuantuan's back. A gentle golden light of the God of Wealth flowed into its body, nourishing its injured essence.

"Tuan Tuan, do you remember the suffering person by the Spirit Spring? There are many more 'people' trapped here like her. Let's help them together with the warmest and cleanest light, okay?"

"Woo..." Tuan Tuan raised his head with great effort, looking at Ah Cai with his big, pure eyes. He then looked at the surrounding darkness and nodded his head vigorously, "Help... let the light... in..."

"Good boy." Ah Cai smiled faintly, her eyes becoming intensely focused. She took a deep breath, channeling the ancient bronze coin at her waist. The golden light around her was restrained, yet she emanated a vast, inclusive, and profound spiritual energy like the starry sky.

"Pray to the Moon to Cleanse the Soul - Start!"

Following a long chant from Aunt Rong, Aunt Gu struck the first jade chime!

Ding--!

The clear and melodious sound of the chimes was like a stone thrown into the lake of the heart, instantly cleansing some of the foul air on the platform and also opening the prelude to the ceremony!

"Shishan! Start the generator!"

"Artificial Moonlight Simulation Activated!"

hum!

The suspended lotus lanterns lit up simultaneously! Soft, pure silver-white light emanated from the center of the lanterns, converging above the center of the magic circle!

However, although this light is bright, it seems somewhat dull and mechanical, lacking the coolness that penetrates the soul and the spirituality that cleanses all things that real moonlight can bring.

"Now! Tuan Tuan!"

"Ugh——!"

With the support of Acai's golden light of the God of Wealth, Tuan Tuan tried his best to raise his little head and let out a crisp and ethereal cry!

Its dim auspicious white light suddenly lit up, but instead of spreading, it turned into a condensed beam of light full of warmth and hope, and actively injected into the "artificial moonlight" gathering above!

At the same time, Acai's vast spiritual power was like an invisible paintbrush, guiding and carving the artificial light!

She incorporated her understanding of purity, her yearning for peace, her compassion for the deceased, and her hope for the future into it!

The miracle happened!

The originally dull silver-white light suddenly underwent a qualitative change after being integrated into Tuan Tuan's auspicious power and Acai's vast spiritual thoughts!

The light became warm and lively, like mercury pouring down the ground, or like a mother's gentle hand! A cool, pure, soul-soothing mood spread—the true mood of the moon's pure light!

"Pure Heart Dew·Condensation!"

Ah Cai and Tuantuan were in tune with each other, and at the same time, they guided the qualitatively transformed "artificial moonlight" like a spotlight, accurately shining it on the bronze bottle in the center of the magic circle!

zizi...

The ancient runes engraved on the surface of the jar suddenly lit up! At the mouth of the jar, an invisible force seemed to gather and condense! One drop, two drops... pure, transparent dewdrops, emitting a faint moonlight glow and a refreshing coolness, slowly condensed and dripped from the inside of the jar like tears of the morning light!

It is the dew of the pure heart!

"It worked!" Tong Shishan looked at the data in surprise. "The energy fluctuations completely match the characteristics of the Qingxin Dew recorded in ancient books! The degree of artistic conception simulation... 89%!"

"The soul-guiding banner is waving, may your soul return in peace!" Aunt Rong waved the soul-guiding banner, and the runes on the banner flowed, guiding the pure breath emitted by the Qingxin Dew, turning it into countless soft and bright silk threads, like a mother's call, floating to all directions of the Star Tomb!

"The long ringing of the jade chimes cleanses away the filth!" The rhythm of the jade chimes sung by Gu Mama changed, becoming long and solemn, echoing with the bright silk threads of the soul-guiding banner, forming a wonderful resonance.

Under this dual guidance, the gray-black ghost shadows that were originally floating and hiding in various places in the Star Tomb suddenly revealed their figures as if they were summoned.

They were no longer as aggressive and distorted as before, but had become relatively clear and calm. Although still shrouded in gloom, the madness and pain in their eyes (or in their consciousness) seemed to be soothed by the cold moonlight and the sound of the soothing chimes.

Instinctively, with a hint of confusion and desire, they gathered towards the center of the magic circle, where the scent of Qingxin Dew was the strongest.

The purification ceremony has entered the most critical and dangerous stage - guiding the remaining soul to accept the cleansing of the Pure Heart Dew and remove the pollution!

"Tuantuan! Guide them! Use your light to tell them to let go of the pain and return to peace!" Ah Cai's voice rang out in Tuantuan's heart, while continuously outputting the God of Wealth's golden light and mental power to maintain the condensation of the Moonlight and the Pure Heart Dew.

"Woo..." Tuantuan stood at the center of the formation, its small body trembling slightly from the continuous output, but it managed to straighten its back. Its pure, auspicious white light no longer merely protected itself; like the gentlest of tentacles, it gently reached out to the approaching spirits. No words were spoken, only the purest, warmest kindness and soothing thoughts: "Don't be afraid... the pain... will pass... the light... is here..."

Some of the weaker and less polluted ghost spirits, after coming into contact with the auspicious white light and the aura of the Pure Heart Dew, the grayness on their bodies quickly melted away like ice and snow, revealing the originally clearer faces of the monks (although still illusory).

They smiled with gratitude and relief towards Ah Cai and Tuan Tuan in the center of the magic circle. Their figures gradually became transparent and pure, and finally turned into warm white light, dissipating in the air and returning to heaven and earth.

Every time the purification is successful, a trace of extremely pure, weak energy with gratitude is fed back into the group, restoring a little of its dim origin.

However, not all remaining souls are so lucky.

Some extremely polluted and resentful residual souls let out silent screams as if they were burned when they approached the Qingxin Dew!

The gray auras on them violently churned and resisted! Some of the residual spirits even became twisted and ferocious again, emitting mental attacks filled with resentment, trying to attack the magic circle!

"Hmph! You're so stubborn!" Aunt Rong shouted angrily, and with a wave of the soul-guiding banner, a chain of clear light wrapped around the rioting soul!

"Soul Soul!"

Aunt Gu struck the jade chime hard! A powerful mental shock wave rushed over!

"Eclipse Moon·Fixing Soul!" A beam of light shot out from Feiyue's forehead with precise precision!

"Roar!" The glutinous rice balls took the opportunity to devour the filthy fragments of resentment that were stripped away by the Qingxin Dew and the balls of white light!

After multiple rounds of suppression and purification, most of the rebellious spirits were eventually pacified and purified. However, every violent rebellion would cause a mental backlash for Tuan Tuan, the core leader!

Its little face grew paler and paler, its body trembled more and more violently, and the auspicious white light flickered like a candle in the wind.

"Tuantuan! Hold on!" Ah Cai felt so distressed that he increased the input of the God of Wealth's golden light.

"Ouch... Ah Cai... I'm so tired... so much... pain..."

A weak voice echoed in Ah Cai's heart, tinged with tears. Its pure essence seemed to be entangled by countless filthy thorns, and every purification seemed to tear itself apart.

At this moment, another change occurred!