Chapter 2198: The Universal Answer
As the Godbirth Day approached, Holy City had entered its warm-up phase early. Besides decorating the city, the shops within had daily activities. Unlike other satellite cities, one could occasionally see children playing joyfully here.
Xu Huo had a good night's rest. Going downstairs in the morning, he exchanged glances with the players from the previous night before heading to the temple.
Today, there was a Goddess Circumambulation event. Two teams totaling twenty people would circle the massive temple at least three times. During the procession, they would sing hymns composed specifically for the Goddess—whether written in a self-created language, Xu Huo couldn't understand the lyrics, but the melody was very pleasant, having a calming and mind-clearing effect.
Only after the Holy Maiden's procession had gone far did Xu Huo re-enter the temple.
He had made harsh remarks here yesterday, so upon entering today, he immediately received focused attention. Several players, dressed in temple believer attire, followed closely behind him. Though they didn't interfere with his freedom, they remained highly vigilant.
It wasn't just these players moving about the temple; there were also a considerable number of Holy Maidens. They walked around, occasionally conversing with incoming believers or responding to the Holy Maidens outside with a verse of song.
A Hai had already changed into temple believer clothing today and was following behind a Holy Maiden, listening to her explain the daily work arrangements within the temple.
This Holy Maiden, unlike the others, wore no veil. Her androgynous face revealed a temperament that wasn't as gentle as their speaking tone; instead, it carried a sharpness inconsistent with her status. They truly were full of power, as A Hai had said.
Full of power, but not players.
Noticing his gaze, the Holy Maiden turned and asked A Hai, "Is he your friend?"
A Hai was a bit surprised and also somewhat happy to see Xu Huo. After exchanging a few words with the Holy Maiden, he walked over.
"Your arm is healed?" A Hai took a small oval jade from his pocket and handed it to Xu Huo. "This jade has been blessed by the Holy Maiden. It can grant you the Goddess's protection."
Xu Huo accepted it and then asked if he had sent word to his neighbors in the town.
"I told them last night," A Hai said excitedly. "And I'm going to participate in the Godbirth Day circumambulation ceremony five days from now. It'll be broadcast on TV, and everyone in the town will be able to see me!"
His confusion from yesterday was gone, all his attention now focused on the circumambulation ceremony.
After finishing the ceremony arrangements, he mentioned that two hermaphrodites from satellite cities were also in the assessment phase like him. Those two had arrived earlier and had already completed the conception ritual.
"Conception ritual?" Xu Huo interrupted. "They start getting pregnant before even becoming official Holy Maidens?"
"It's just a ritual, not actual pregnancy." A Hai explained the process in detail. It was essentially equivalent to a physical examination—checking their physical condition, then formulating a conception plan. Because their probability of giving birth to healthy children was relatively low, suitability screening was required for both parties involved in reproduction.
"This process is sacred." A Hai had clearly already learned about the entire conception process. "The Goddess will then deliver a divine oracle."
Xu Huo listened silently, then after a moment said, "The Goddess really does manage everything."
A Hai found it taken for granted and was already mentally prepared to nurture the next generation for the country and the district. "I am very weak, but I hope my child can become stronger."
"Has no Holy Maiden ever become a player?" Xu Huo asked again.
This district had players, and judging by their gender markers, most were male.
The 'male' here didn't mean they were purely men; it distinguished them from 'hermaphrodites' who possessed two complete reproductive systems. Strictly speaking, these people were also hermaphrodites by other districts' definitions, but according to locals, their children were mostly not hermaphrodites either. True hermaphrodites were fewer in number, selected as Holy Maidens, and tasked with the responsibility of birthing elites.
It was unclear what the actual situation was for players marked as 'male' or 'female', or whether all Holy Maidens were truly 'hermaphrodites'. But if 'perfect' hermaphrodites could birth stronger next generations, yet no Holy Maiden had become a player, that was certainly abnormal.
A Hai was stunned for a moment before answering, "The Holy Maidens are beloved by the Goddess. They don't need to become players."
Another universal answer.
"Aren't you going to work?" The temple player following Xu Huo barked, interrupting their conversation.
A Hai lowered his head, waved at Xu Huo, and left to chase after the Holy Maiden from earlier.
"Why is the Goddess statue covered?" Xu Huo asked the person behind him. Receiving no answer for a few seconds, he repeated the question.
Someone finally couldn't hold back. "What does that have to do with you?"
"I'm just a bit curious. Since you all worship the Goddess, why keep her hidden from the light?" Xu Huo said.
"Do you think the Goddess's true visage is something you outsiders can just look at?" the player behind him said.
"Not even on Godbirth Day?" Xu Huo pressed.
The man was silent for two seconds before grinding out, "On Godbirth Day, the Goddess statue is naturally brought out to receive the worship of believers."
Xu Huo, as if satisfied with the answer, turned his wheelchair and left.
Since it was still early, he visited every accessible part of the temple. He even ate lunch in the cafeteria and attended a religious class in the lecture hall before leaving.
The innermost part of the entire temple was covered by a prop, forbidden to outsiders, and its interior couldn't be probed. However, the cafeteria and other areas weren't crowded with Holy Maidens, so their usual activity and living quarters were likely behind that area.
The temple was sizable, but it couldn't house all the staff and players. So after leaving the temple, Xu Huo began aimlessly wandering the city. The areas he could access were limited; crossing zones required an advance application. However, the application process wasn't troublesome—just a personal visit to the government hall, and within an hour or two, he could move to the next zone.
The festive warm-up masked the surging undercurrents. No matter how many players appeared on the streets, no one found it strange. Outsider players needing to clear the instance were mostly concentrated near the temple, so the outsider players seen elsewhere in the city were mostly stranded ones who had failed to clear.
Some had already joined the Goddess Cult and now worked for the district government. Others had simply settled here. Compared to the tight-lipped local players, these long-term residents spoke about the temple's situation with virtually no restraint.
Besides the Divine Envoy's excessive control over the Goddess Cult and their conflicts with the Holy Maidens, Xu Huo also heard other news: the offspring of outsider players and locals, except for a very few with defects, were mostly close to what outsiders considered 'normal people', no longer possessing two reproductive systems.
(Chapter End)