This Text Adventure Game is definitely poisonous
Chapter 1589 - 682: History Repeats Itself

Chapter 1589: Chapter 682: History Repeats Itself

The moon is bright tonight, and the starlight is dazzling.

Deep in Jie Lin, the men, women, and children of the Barbarian Tribe are dressed in their finest, holding torches and various offerings, all gathered around Moon Lake, making final preparations for the upcoming ceremony.

As the moon climbs higher in the sky, the priests ignite the bonfires around the altar, the flames rise, and the noise gradually subsides, immersing the entire tribe in a mysterious and solemn atmosphere.

On the central altar of the square in front of the lake, the Barbarian Clan Leader stands alone on the high platform, hands behind his back, expressionless as he watches the noisy scene below, but pondering repeatedly whether all preparations for the Moon Festival have been made.

For some reason, even though all preparations he could think of were complete, he couldn’t shake the growing sense of unease, as if something had been overlooked.

"Hmm?"

The Clan Leader suddenly stops, looking in surprise at the flag floating overhead, reaching out a hand toward it.

Wisps of cool breeze brush past his fingertips.

"The wind is rising?" The Clan Leader frowns. Logically, during the Moon Festival, the entire Jie Lin should be calm, and past Moon Festivals have never encountered a windy night, why tonight...

Of course, it’s no big deal, as the breeze is slight and might go unnoticed without careful observation. Such a light breeze shouldn’t affect the Moon Festival...

The Clan Leader reassures himself.

Suddenly, a tumult arises from somewhere below, accompanied by cheers and screams. The Clan Leader looks down to see seven naked young Barbarian men, wearing grass skirts, being ushered by countless tribesmen toward the altar where he stands.

These seven are this year’s Life Sacrificers, selected after rigorous tests, chosen as the finest young men, who will represent the tribe by diving into Moon Lake, receiving the enlightenment from the Moon Butterflies during the Moon Festival.

As the seven pass through the crowd, tribesmen along the way sprinkle droplets of water from their fingers onto them, symbolizing their faith in Moon Lake, brought by the Life Sacrificers.

The seven soon emerge from the crowd, arriving at the foot of the altar.

The other six stop there; only the youth at the forefront uses both arms to nimbly climb the altar, facing the Clan Leader.

Moon Lake accepts only one creature each night; this one is the chosen Life Sacrificer for the first night.

Looking at the young Barbarian before him, the Clan Leader steps forward, pounding his fists against the youth’s firm muscles, nodding with satisfaction: "Good, a physique worthy of the Life Sacrificer’s identity."

"Moon Lake has opened!"

Someone below leads a shout and another wave of uproar erupts. The Clan Leader looks up, seeing the moon just reach its peak.

And in the center of Moon Lake far off, beneath the clear waters, a circular blue stone plate begins to move, revealing an opening roughly ten meters across, like an opened eye. Within the pupil, the water is deep and shadowy, difficult to discern what lies within.

Countless ghostly blue butterflies emerge from the opening, penetrating the water above, flying to the surface of Moon Lake, gracefully dancing around the entire lake.

The Moon Festival officially begins!

The Clan Leader takes a breath, turns back to pat the young man on the shoulder, smiling: "Go, return to the embrace of Moon Lake, listen to the enlightenment of the Moon Butterflies!"

"Mm!"

The young Barbarian nods, taking a deep breath, wearing an expression of pride, walks off the altar, and with a swift motion, pulls off his tiger skin skirt, naked, heading toward Moon Lake.

The surrounding tribesmen gather excitedly, yet wisely do not approach, stopping at the safe line a few hundred meters from the lake.

During the Moon Festival, within the ringed area extending a few hundred meters around Moon Lake, no one other than the Life Sacrificer of that day is allowed to set foot, or it would violate the clan rules.

At this moment, along the safe line, is filled with Wildman Sentinels, equipped with bows and swords, vigilantly watching the crowd’s every move. If they discover anyone stepping over the line, they would unhesitatingly shoot to kill.

Tribesmen conscientiously remain behind the line, sending blessings and hopeful gazes, watching the Life Sacrificer step by step toward Moon Lake.

The young Barbarian moves slowly, which is normal, as there exists a repelling force around Moon Lake, preventing debris and small creatures from accidentally entering. The closer to the lake, the stronger this repulsion.

Thus, approaching Moon Lake can only be done slowly, part of the ritual of the Moon Festival; rushing toward the lake would be seen as disrespectful.

It began smoothly, the young Barbarian walking leisurely toward the water, leaving a clear trail of footprints in the sand.

However, just as he reached within ten meters of Moon Lake, a sudden whistling sound rang from afar.

A sharp arrow unexpectedly flew from the distance, piercing the youth’s right leg swiftly, impaling it thoroughly.

"Ah..."

In the next moment, the Barbarian youth kneels on one knee in pain, his scream shattering the silence of the scene.

This sudden change leaves everyone momentarily stunned.

Before anyone could react to what was happening, three more whistling sounds fill the air.

Three arrows in quick succession land on the youth’s body.

One arrow pierces his left chest, through the heart, another puncturing the throat.

The final arrow goes through his forehead, protruding from the back of his head.