After being reborn, all I want to do is run away.

Chapter 523 Familiar Scene

"Bai Qi apologizes to both of you on behalf of Chi Ling for her rudeness," the woman in white said, bowing.

"Can I know why she harbors such malice towards the old temple keeper?" Shen Xu asked.

"Perhaps he harbors some resentment towards Bixuan, who was able to return to the temple despite having left it."

Although Chi Ling has been at the temple for some years, the Flower Maidens of the Hundred Flowers Festival in the last two years have been unable to enter the temple for some reason.

She has too many things to manage, so naturally she has some resentment. I hope you can understand.

"May I ask how many Flower Maidens are still in the temple?"

"I'm sorry, I can't answer that question."

"Please come with me, both of you. Bixuan has been away from the Goddess for so long, it is time for her to return to the Goddess's embrace."

"Was the old temple keeper also a woman of a hundred flowers?" Shen Xu asked, walking behind Bai Qi.

Bai Qi shook her head. "Besides the Daughters of a Hundred Flowers, in ordinary years, some girls who have a special connection with the goddess will also be sent to the temple. Bi Xuan is one of them."

Although their status in the temple was lower than that of the Flower Maidens, they had the right to choose whether or not to remain in the temple before reaching adulthood.

"So, the old temple keeper's choice back then was to leave the temple?"

"Everyone has their own choices. The goddess will not force anyone. Only those who truly want to serve the goddess are qualified to become the Daughter of a Hundred Flowers."

Chi Ling was no exception. Every Flower Maiden in the temple would dedicate her life to the goddess. They were no different from Bi Xuan, and even made greater sacrifices.

The title of Goddess of a Hundred Flowers has been passed down from generation to generation, with many dying off, but our faith in the goddess has never changed, and we all sincerely and devoutly pray for her return.

Therefore, I don't want you to misunderstand the Daughters of a Hundred Flowers because of Akane. They have suffered too much pain and shouldn't have to endure others' doubts about them.

Upon hearing this, Shen Xu said, "I have no prejudice against the daughter of a hundred flowers; I just want to stand up for the old temple priest."

I witnessed the old temple keeper's piety; she had created a small haven for the goddess in the old city, but I didn't know what contributions the Flower Maiden had made to the goddess.

There's a saying in my hometown: "Hearing is unreliable, seeing is believing."

You can't convince me with just words.

If all the Daughters of a Hundred Flowers are merely incompetent and hold positions without merit, then I think there's no need for them to continue existing.

The woman in white smiled. "The temple rarely receives guests. After Bixuan's ashes are placed, I can give you a tour of the temple. Perhaps then your impression of us will change."

"I couldn't be happier!" Shen Xu said, cupping his hands in greeting. This result was justified in his aggressive manner.

……

They followed the woman in white into the temple.

The first thing that catches the eye is an arc-shaped corridor that encircles the main hall. The pillars are entwined with vibrant vines, and crystal lanterns hang from the top, shimmering softly like stars.

The murals on both sides of the corridor depict the arduous journey of the people of Baihua City in building the temple, as well as the once vibrant Goddess Peak, where a hundred flowers surrounded the goddess, creating an exceptionally beautiful scene.

The interior of the main hall is spacious and high, supported by twelve giant pillars entwined with tiny golden flower vines.

The floor was covered with smooth, mirror-like warm jade tiles, so shiny they reflected the scene above.

The four walls are also made of warm jade, inlaid with colorful gemstones, forming a mural depicting flowers blooming in all four seasons, shimmering with light and color.

Countless hazy points of light float beneath the dome of the main hall, between the beams and pillars, and in front of the murals.

These points of light varied in size and color, emanating a faint but pure spiritual aura, like fireflies on a summer night, or the essence of an everlasting flower.

They sometimes gather together, sometimes drift away, emitting a faint fragrance.

If you listen closely, you can catch extremely subtle sighs and whispers, like the wind rustling through flowers.

In the center of the main hall is a jade statue of the Goddess of a Hundred Flowers, about three people tall.

The statue is exquisitely carved from a single piece of white jade, with a warm and translucent texture that exudes a soft and holy light.

The same compassionate tranquility, as if filled with love and sympathy for everything in the world.

But unlike the goddess statue on the Brocade Avenue, the goddess here is clearly more lively and exquisite, with her deep eyes seemingly piercing through time and space to gaze into the distant horizon.

She wore a flowing skirt adorned with a hundred flowers, her posture elegant. Her hands were cupped in front of her chest, and above her palms floated a faint, ethereal image of a goddess flower composed of pure light.

The base of the jade statue is covered with ancient and mysterious runes, with a faint glow flowing through it.

In addition to the fragrance of flowers, the air was filled with a faint, refreshing scent, like a forest after the rain, which made people feel relaxed and happy.

Shen Xu frowned as he gazed at the pure white goddess flower in the goddess's hand. He could sense the scent of the love flower that Li Linghui had planted in him within that flower.

But that feeling was fleeting.

“I feel like I’ve been here before!” Qu Lan’s stunned voice rang in his ears.

Qu Lan stared blankly at the huge goddess statue in front of her, seemingly still lost in thought.

"Is that so? Perhaps you, Xiaolan, are also destined to be with the goddess. I wonder if you would like to stay in the temple, so that you can not only accompany the goddess but also keep your grandmother company."

Shen Xu looked at the woman in white and said, "As expected of a clergy member, she is always thinking about recruiting people into the church."

“I promised the old temple keeper I would take care of Xiao Lan, so I’m afraid I can’t let her stay here,” Shen Xu immediately said, refusing on Qu Lan’s behalf.

Qu Lan also declined, saying, "I'm sorry, but that's not my concern."

Furthermore, my faith in the goddess wasn't as deep as my grandmother's, so I wasn't qualified to remain in the temple.

"That's a bit of a pity. It seems that Bixuan doesn't want you to inherit her business."

"I'm sorry!" Qu Lan apologized again.

“You don’t need to apologize. I believe your grandmother also told you that the goddess will not force anyone to believe in her.”

Come with me! Let's go see your grandmother off on her final journey.

After the woman in white finished speaking, she looked at Shen Xu and said, "Young Master Shen, please wait a moment and do not wander around during this time."

"It's alright, I know how to be a good guest, and the atmosphere here makes me feel very comfortable. I just don't know how long it will take?"

"Thank you for your understanding, Young Master Shen. I won't keep you waiting long," the woman in white said, bowing.

"Brother Shen..." Qu Lan looked at Shen Xu with some fear.

Shen Xu then looked at the woman in white.

"Xiao Lan, is the place your grandmother wants to go to some kind of dangerous place?" the woman in white asked softly.

Qu Lan shook her head.

"This is the goddess's temple. We are the goddess's servants, and you are the goddess's guests. How could we dare to harm you in the temple?" The woman in white smiled.

"Here, take this. Crush it if you're in danger."

Shen Xu placed the sword jade that Lü Qingfeng had given him into Qu Lan's hand, and then looked at Bai Qi, "I think half an hour should be enough to just place the old temple keeper's ashes."

If you haven't returned within half an hour, then please forgive my rudeness to the temple.

"Please rest assured, Young Master Shen, it will take less than half an hour."

Upon hearing Bai Qi's assurance, Shen Xu nodded to Qu Lan.

"Hmm!" Qu Lan nodded gently, holding the sword in her hand. Then, she hugged the urn containing ashes and followed the woman in white into a side hall.