Chapter 173 Arrival at the Sanctuary
Chapter 173 Arrival at the Sanctuary
After several days of drowsy travel in the car and several days of being exposed to the sea breeze on the ship, the group finally stepped into the territory of the Holy Land.
The long-awaited sunlight shone through the sparse clouds and onto the ancient stone road, filling the air with an ancient atmosphere.
The roadside is lined with buildings of various styles, some simple and elegant, others ornate and exquisite, as if telling the story of the sacred place's long history. The streets are bustling with people, the cries of vendors and the chatter of pedestrians blending together to create a vibrant scene.
The blue-shadowed beast carriage moved slowly along the street, its wheels making a soft "creaking" sound as they rolled over the stone slabs.
Inside the car, Chu Xinyao could no longer contain her excitement. She leaned against the window and curiously peered out at everything.
Her eyes sparkled, as if she were deeply captivated by this unfamiliar world. Her hair swayed slightly with the car's movement, and although her face still bore a hint of travel weariness, her eyes were filled with anticipation and excitement.
"Wow, Mo, I want to eat that!" She leaned halfway out and shouted loudly towards the red skewers on a small stall not far away. Her voice was crisp and cheerful, a bright spot in the bustling street scene.
Standing beneath the Blue Shadow Beast Carriage, Shemo smiled slightly upon hearing Chu Xinyao's shout and followed her gaze.
It was a stall overflowing with all sorts of snacks, a dazzling array of food. But what Chu Xinyao had her eye on was a string of bright red candied hawthorns.
The candied hawthorns glistened enticingly in the sunlight, their translucent sugar coating encasing plump hawthorns, looking sweet and sour and delicious.
"These?" She Mo stepped forward, picked up two skewers of candied hawthorns, and gently tapped them together, making a crisp sound. He looked up at Chu Xinyao, his eyes full of doting affection.
"Yes, yes, yes!" Chu Xinyao clapped her hands excitedly, her eyes fixed on the string of candied hawthorns.
Unexpectedly, she was able to taste the long-lost delicacies in this beast world. Her voice carried a hint of urgency, yet was also full of anticipation.
Shemo handed the candied hawthorn to the car window, and Chu Xinyao took it and took a bite without waiting.
The sweet and sour juice burst in her mouth, her eyes instantly lit up, and a satisfied smile spread across her face. Chewing on the candied hawthorn, she happily exclaimed, "So delicious! Mo, thank you. Oh, what's that? Can I try some?"
While eating a candied hawthorn, Chu Xinyao pointed to other delicacies on the stall and asked excitedly.
She Mo looked at her, a tenderness flashing in his eyes. He smiled slightly and said, "Okay, but we'll have to wait until we're all settled before we try those delicacies."
Passersby were also infected by Chu Xinyao's excitement and cast friendly glances at her.
The inhabitants of the Sanctuary were already used to such scenes; after all, it was a place full of wonders, attracting countless orcs like them to come and explore.
The blue-shadowed beast carriage continued to move slowly forward, while Chu Xinyao ate her candied hawthorns and continued to curiously observe everything around her.
“Alright, let’s rest here for today! We’ll head to the Holy City in three days.” Xika led the convoy to a stop in front of a beautiful courtyard and turned to the group.
"Yaoyao, that's great, you can finally get some rest tonight." Hu Xiao carefully helped Chu Xinyao out of the car and to the courtyard gate.
Chu Xinyao smiled slightly and nodded gently.
The courtyard gate is simple and ancient, with exquisite carvings on it, and stone lions on both sides of the gate stand guard majestically.
Hu Xiao helped Chu Xinyao into the courtyard. A faint fragrance of flowers wafted towards them. The courtyard was filled with all kinds of flowers and plants, some vibrant and beautiful, others fresh and elegant. Butterflies danced among the flowers, and even bees busied themselves among the blossoms.
Chu Xinyao couldn't help but stop and admire the beautiful flowers. She knelt down, gently touched a pink, rose-like blossom, and whispered in praise, "These flowers are so beautiful!"
"Yaoyao, do you like it? I'll pick it for you!" With that, he prepared to reach out his sinful hand towards the flower.
"Ah, stop!" Chu Xinyao suddenly looked up, her eyes filled with panic, and reached out to grab Hu Xiao's ruthless arm.
Hu Xiao stopped abruptly, looked at Chu Xinyao with a puzzled expression, and asked in a low voice, "Yaoyao, don't you like it?"
“Fool, I love them because I love that they are here, growing freely and blooming with their own beauty. Once they are picked, they are just decorations, losing their life and their meaning.”
Hu Xiao was silent for a moment, then a look of realization flashed in his eyes. "Alright, Yao Yao, if you say you won't pick them, then you won't!"
Although he didn't understand what Chu Xinyao was saying, he was Yao Yao's obedient husband, and he just needed to listen to her!
Xika stood not far away, his gaze quietly fixed on Chu Xinyao and Hu Xiao, his eyes revealing complex emotions. After a long while, he said softly, "Empress Songzai, Lord Hu Xiao, please go in and rest first! Everything here has been prepared for you, and I hope you can have a good rest today."
Chu Xinyao nodded and smiled slightly.
Snake Ink stepped forward, subtly concealing the strange look in his eyes as he glanced at Chu Xinyao, and smiled, "Xika, thank you. This place is very nice; we all like it very much."
Xika didn't mind, nodded to them, and turned to arrange other things.
Hu Xiao and Yu Paopao embraced Chu Xinyao and led her into the courtyard ahead. They walked slowly along the stone path, a soft creaking sound coming from under their feet.
Besides the blooming flowers, there are also several lush bamboo stalks in the courtyard, their shadows swaying gently in the breeze.
Chu Xinyao stood there, looking up at the beautiful scenery that resembled a painting, and exclaimed, "It's so beautiful!"
Suddenly, another person appeared beside her. She Mo stood next to her, gently put his arm around her shoulder, and said with a smile in his eyes, "Yao, as long as you like it, when we go back, I will plant these flowers, plants and trees for you, and then install a swing so that the cubs can enjoy it together, okay?"
Chu Xinyao nodded and smiled. Then she looked up at the azure sky, her heart filled with anticipation.
Although she had only been gone for ten days, she already missed her cubs.
Three days is enough time for them to rest and recover to their best condition.
In a courtyard outside the Holy City, Chu Xinyao and She Mo sat on a bench, holding an adorable white tiger cub, just like Hu Xiao.
"Mom."
"Mom."
"Mom."
The tiger cubs, with their round, innocent eyes, occasionally let out tender cries. Soft little paws tugged at Chu Xinyao's clothes. Even the tiger cubs in the arms of their male father, Hu Xiao, cried out to Chu Xinyao, wanting to be embraced by their female mother.
Chu Xinyao gently stroked the cub in her arms, her eyes full of tenderness, her fingers tracing across the cub's soft fur.
"Babies, be good."
Her voice was gentle, soothing the babies, who buried their heads in her arms and purred softly.
Fish Bubble looked into the distance, where Rhinoceros and the other team members were busy preparing for their night's rest.
He complained, "This Holy City Lord has such an arrogant attitude! He wants us to wait another day."
After putting the cubs to sleep, Chu Xinyao put them into her childcare space. She then heard Yu Paopao complaining and smiled, "Paopao, don't worry, this is a good opportunity for us to rest for another day."
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