1.
In the distant future, Earth is ruled by a newly born intelligence of technology, reducing humanity to a mere adjunct. To begin anew, the "Kunpeng" sets off into the vast cosmos, carrying the Nuwa System designed to reboot civilization.
"Elementa...
The beautiful and graceful figure of the Azure Phoenix had long vanished into the vast night sky, leaving Raina Grace lost in thought for a long time.
She carefully examined the piece of eggshell left by the Azure Phoenix in her hand. Its jade-like luster and intricate patterns were the most beautiful things she had ever seen.
The elongated shape prompted her to ask WeeStick, "Doesn't this look like your crystal eyes?"
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However, WeeStick kept its distance, trembling slightly: "Don't come near... don't come near me with that..."
"What's wrong?" Raina stopped.
"Keep the Azure Phoenix's eggshell away from me, or I can't move," WeeStick stayed far away.
Raina was reluctant to discard such a beautiful gift from the Azure Phoenix, "Why? What are you afraid of?"
"I'm not exactly afraid. It's the reverence for the Azure Phoenix ingrained in my bloodline," WeeStick explained to Raina, "In ancient times, Terra Groves were the only habitat for the Azure Phoenix. All Terra Groves had to submit and welcome its descent. Since then, we can't move in its presence, only maintain a submissive posture."
"Was that withered tree a Terra Grove?" Raina recalled WeeStick's exclamation, "And you recognized the Azure Phoenix egg."
"Yes, it looks like that Terra Grove tree had been waiting here for a very long time, just for the hatching of the Azure Phoenix egg. A Terra Grove tree that welcomes the birth of an Azure Phoenix is the wisest and most fortunate. But for some reason, it exhausted its life force without witnessing the birth." WeeStick was saddened by the demise of the Terra Grove tree, something it had only heard of in legends.
"But you were close just now, right beside me, when I was holding the Azure Phoenix egg." Raina focused on this point, "Why could you approach it then and not now?"
"Because the Azure Phoenix hatched," WeeStick replied, "If it hadn't hatched, it would have been dead. A dead Azure Phoenix doesn't exert such a strong suppressive effect on us."
"But it wasn't dead at that time," Raina thought, "I know bloodline suppression is hard to overcome, but there must be a way. I plan to take it back with us."
WeeStick looked sad, "I know the Azure Phoenix shell is rare. But, can't you choose me over it?"
"Because of Arlinwood," Raina explained, "Arlinwood said she's afraid of the Terra Grove tribe's activities at night. If we have this Azure Phoenix eggshell, the Terra Grove won't bother us. Just like you, they would stay far away."
And the most important point Raina could think of was, "Moreover, WeeStick, I think you're no longer just an ordinary Terra Grove. Think about it, are you completely different from other Terra Grove tribes now? So, you don't revere the Azure Phoenix as much."
In Raina's heart, WeeStick was utterly unique. It could abandon all the constraints of the Terra Grove tribe, whether in tree or human form, and follow her as a wooden heart. So small and fragile, yet brave and fearless, she almost forgot that other forms of the Terra Grove tribe existed in the world.
