"Coming-of-age ceremony? How is the Crane Clan’s coming-of-age ceremony held?" Bai He intended to coax Ruan Li to sleep, but who knew she would get more excited as they talked. Helplessly, he explained, "It’s hosted by the elders, with relatives and friends attending. On that day, the individual must go into the mountains to hunt three animals for a ritual drink, and there’s a bonfire party at night, and so on." "Bai He, was it the same for you back then?" The air suddenly fell silent for a moment. Bai He said, "No, this is my first time coming back." Ruan Li let out an "Ah," seeing he didn’t want to say more, "Hurry up and sleep, hurry up." The next morning, Ruan Li heard chatting outside in her sleep. "Brother, are you really not coming to the coming-of-age ceremony with me?" "Will you come then?" "Hmm, I’ll bring Ruannuan along; she should like to watch." Ruan Li vaguely caught a few words about the "coming-of-age ceremony" and when she came out, she only saw Bai He standing there, his expression unclear. "What’s wrong? Did Bai Ci upset you?" Ruan Li approached and scratched his chin. Bai He shook his head, "It has nothing to do with him." He mentioned again that Bai Ci was preparing to hold the coming-of-age ceremony today and asked if she wanted to go; Ruan Li, curious, naturally wanted to go. "Let’s go; there should be fermented rice balls today; you might like to drink them." Bai He took her hand, and the two slowly strolled through the forest. The forest in the early morning still had some light fog but was refreshingly delightful, accompanied by occasional crisp birdsong. The rising red sun leapt over the horizon, turning the entire sky a golden-red. Ruan Li couldn’t help but marvel at the natural beauty here, "I’ve never seen such a sun on Star A." Bai He smiled and tidied her wind-blown hair. With his head lowered, his slender and gentle fingers wove through her long black hair, and Ruan Li looked up at his somewhat thin chin, his jawline coated with a layer of golden-red, looking exceptionally handsome. A sudden breeze arose, lifting the edges of their clothes with a whooshing sound. The rightful source is novel-fire.ɴet "It used to be even more beautiful here... but we probably won’t see it anymore in the future," Bai He said softly. "How beautiful must it have been then?" "Honestly, I can’t quite remember anymore." He rubbed Ruan Li’s cheek with his thumb, "Let’s go on, or we’ll miss breakfast, and there’s a surprise too." Ruan Li immediately pulled Bai He forward, "Then hurry, what’s the surprise?" "Candy, stones, prizes, and such, I guess." When Ruan Li arrived, she saw a red platform set up in the center of the village, surrounded by small stalls. "What do they use to buy things here?" Ruan Li saw the dazzling array of items, curious and enchanted. "No need to buy them; you exchange items. The stall owner has to like what you’re offering." Bai He said, picking up a multicolored glass stone Ruan Li had looked at for a while, its patterns faintly revealing a hidden little rabbit. He offered the stall owner a carved wooden bird. The stall owner accepted with a smile, and Bai He handed the stone to Ruan Li, "That’s how it works." Understanding, Ruan Li pulled him to the next stall. Of course, Ruan Li didn’t have any small trinkets on her, except for a necklace Bai Ci gave her that hung around her neck. She felt around in her pocket and found the moon-shaped stone, taking it out. Seeing what she held, Bai He paused, "Who gave this to you?" "My big brother gave it to me," Ruan Li twirled the stone in her palm, "Can this stone be exchanged?" "...No, it can’t be exchanged. Ruannuan, the next time you see Marshal Lu, you should give this stone back to him," Bai He said. He didn’t mention that Moon Stones are unique to Snake Beastmen, refined from their shed scales, and a Snake Beastman can refine only one Moon Stone in their life, loyal to only one female head. Bai He followed behind Ruan Li, his eyes filled with murkiness, unable to hide the sour jealousy in his heart. Ruan Li held a bowl of fermented rice balls, eating several at a time. The balls were small and soft, with sweet fillings inside, and she occasionally fed Bai He. Soon, a group of handsome young men appeared, boisterously chanting, "Who is this young man? Hey yo! A lad on the brink of adulthood! Hey yo! Eighteen rounds of gifts! Hey yo! Marry a good female head!" The group of young men formed a circle, leaving a path in the middle. Bai Ci, dressed in elaborate crimson attire, came out of their midst with a bright smile. The sunlight was just right, casting on him, making the crane-shaped patterns outlined in gold on his clothes shimmer brilliantly. Ruan Li was amazed at first glance and then noticed the fleeting envy in Bai He’s eyes from the corner of her eye. Under the crowd’s admiration, Bai Ci walked step by step towards Bai He. He extended his hand, the crimson sleeves dancing in the wind, "Brother, join me." Ruan Li saw Bai He’s hesitation and gently placed his hand into Bai Ci’s, "Go on." With a glimmer in his eyes, Bai Ci pulled Bai He into the crowd. Bai He’s body was a bit stiff, his expression slightly nervous. Bai Ci whispered in his ear, "Brother, this should have been your coming-of-age ceremony." Today was Bai He’s 23rd birthday. The ceremony he should have had at 18 was being held today along with Bai Ci’s. On the red platform, Uncle Bai wore intricately designed white robes, with smoke already rising from the offering table. He saw the two young masters supporting each other onto the ceremonial stage, tears of gratitude streaming down his face. Though the Heavenly Bird Clan had disbanded, as long as the heritage remained, they would never disappear. Uncle Bai tied red sashes on the two young men, and his solemn and rustic blessing words reached everyone’s ears in the small village. "Ruan Li, sister, do you want to come to the house for a bit? The young masters still have to go hunting in the mountains, and it might take two or three hours before they come out," Bai Yan said. Ruan Li went with them to Uncle Bai’s house to wait. She sat in the chair, eating snacks, recalling last night’s scene— Under the bright moonlight, a young man requested, face upwards, "Tomorrow is his birthday, and I still owe my brother a coming-of-age ceremony, Ruan Li, could you help persuade him..." "Ruan Li, sister, would you like some flower tea?" Bai Yan approached with a teapot. Ruan Li collected her thoughts, nodded at the light floral fragrance wafting from the teapot, and replied positively. "The feelings between the eldest young master and the second young master are really good," Bai Yan sat next to her, his tone full of envy. "They..." Ruan Li paused, thinking about how the brothers never matched their words with their feelings, and agreed, "Indeed, they have a good relationship." In the distance, Bai Nian returned with his arms full of snacks, smiling foolishly, "Brother, what are you talking about?" Bai Yan looked at him helplessly, "This fool, I wonder where he’ll go in three years." "Where to? Isn’t Bai Nian staying here after coming of age?" Ruan Li asked. Bai Yan shook his head, "Once the coming-of-age ceremony is complete, they’ll be expelled." His expression was helpless, "Perhaps because life here is out of touch with society." Bai Yan’s expression was overwhelmingly resigned, mixed with a sense of uncertainty about the future, much like a fledgling bird forced to take flight. Ruan Li’s heart sighed, and initially, she envied this place like a paradise, but never expected such customs existed. No wonder she rarely saw any young adults. In a galaxy that has fully embraced interstellar civilization, only a few races insist on preserving their local culture. However, for progress, they have to make decisions like these.