Chapter 48 Li Tianhe
The Star Fortress, towering into the clouds like an eternal celestial palace, is nestled within the majestic mountains of the Silvermoon Federation. Its massive walls, carved from multicolored gemstones, resemble stars in the night sky, radiating a dazzling brilliance. Every stone slab and pillar within the fortress gleams with a cold, silvery light. The surrounding forest is as tranquil as a still painting, broken only occasionally by the flight of a few night birds.
However, even such a peaceful scene cannot conceal the existence of a hidden and perplexing paradox—Li Tianhe, the youngest son of Duke Lister.
Li Tianhe, the youngest son of Duke Lister, was an anomaly in this magnificent fortress. He was thin, with skin as pale as snow, and a look of languor and weariness on his face. He had never awakened any extraordinary power since childhood, which was a miracle in the Moon Wheel Singer family, a family filled with mysterious powers and moonlight magic, making him seem particularly out of place.
As the only mortal without any extraordinary abilities, Li Tianhe's existence among the many members of the family was like a forgotten meteor after the shock of his birth. His light was dim, and he was gradually forgotten by everyone.
However, on this early spring morning, an unexpected order dragged Li Tianhe into a vortex of fate.
Currently, the Silvermoon Federation faces an unprecedented threat—an interdimensional portal is about to open, and as a high-ranking noble of the Federation, the Duke must send one of his descendants to fight for the country, defend their sacred homeland, and infiltrate the enemy's world—this is the mandate of the Silvermoon Trials. Duke Lister did not hesitate to include Li Tianhe's name in the conquest. This was not only a defense of family honor but also obedience to the Moon Goddess's will.
"Go and join the war, Li Tianhe, and fight your way into their world through the portal." Duke Lister's tone was calm, his voice devoid of any emotion, as if this were just a routine matter. "Whether you like it or not, the judgment of fate has arrived."
Li Tianhe's eyes were somewhat blank. He looked down at his unkempt boots and chuckled softly. This order seemed more mundane to him than anything else. He lazily pursed his lips, his eyes devoid of any tension, not even a hint of excitement. He seemed to have long been accustomed to his father's cold commands and the family's expectations, all of which were like everyday trifles to him.
He stood up, gripped the back of the chair, and slowly walked towards the entrance of the hall. After taking only a few steps, he suddenly stopped, turned around, and called to the guards following behind him: "Bring that donkey out for me."
The guards hesitated for a moment, then obeyed and went to carry out the order. A moment later, a donkey was led to Li Tianhe. It looked somewhat thin, with a loose bundle of straw on its back. Li Tianhe walked over, swung himself onto the donkey's back, the whole movement appearing somewhat clumsy, yet strangely natural. As he pulled on the reins, the donkey kicked its hooves and took a few steps forward.
"Let's go, take me to that portal." Li Tianhe's tone was lazy, but his gaze was no longer on the war he was about to face. Instead, he continued to look at the ancient pocket watch in his hand. The hands of the pocket watch slowly turned against the background of a butterfly with twelve wings. From one wing to the next, each movement seemed to take time further away, causing Li Tianhe's thoughts to drift along with it.
As Li Tianhe's troops moved slowly forward, the surrounding scene seemed to grow even more somber in the silence. On the streets of the Silver Moon Federation, soldiers moved busily, archers loaded their bows, and the clanging of armor echoed in the quiet morning. The impending war was not only a turning point in the city's fate, but also a storm brewing in Li Tianhe's destiny.
He remained indifferent to everything, as if the falling stars had nothing to do with him. The surrounding scenery seemed like an unreal dream.
Seven days later, at dawn, the atmosphere throughout the Silvermoon Federation had undergone a dramatic change. Armies across the land had assembled, and the area containing the portal was surrounded by heavy defensive lines. A tense yet solemn atmosphere permeated the air, and Silvermoon Guardians stood at every corner of the battlefield, their silver armor gleaming with a sacred light in the morning sun.
The Moonshadow Priests, one of the Federation's greatest priestly ranks, had entered the central altar of the portal. Clad in robes adorned with moonlight runes, they stood before the altar, raising their holy staffs and beginning to chant ancient moonlight incantations. Their voices were deep and clear, seemingly blending into the surrounding air. As their incantations resounded, the air around the altar seemed to vibrate, and the radiance of moonlight bathed the entire battlefield, enveloping all the soldiers and bestowing upon them divine protection.
The eyes and cerebral cortex of these Silver Moon Guardians were tinged with a silvery glow, and their aura became more composed and resolute. Each warrior's heart was filled with devotion and faith in the Moon Goddess Tilia, as if her will had been infused into their very blood. Every blessing from the Moon Shadow Priest was like an invisible bullet, piercing the depths of these warriors' souls (cerebral cortex), inspiring them to fight fearlessly in the impending battle, to fully unleash their "interventionist power," and to vow to defend the Federation's sacred territory to the death.
Meanwhile, the craftsmen of the Moon Wheel were busily adjusting the enormous war machines. Meticulously crafted, their massive mechanical structures were awe-inspiring, every chain gleaming with a cold light. The craftsmen's fingers moved with dexterity and speed, precisely adjusting the mechanical parts, embedding pieces of metal gleaming with divine runes into the chariot's core. With the turning of the last gear, the colossal chariot emitted a deep rumble, its rhythm echoing through every street of the city.
The lunar astrologers and eclipse prophets gathered high in the temple, circling an ancient star chart, their gazes fixed intently on the slowly shifting stars. The astrologers whispered ancient prophecies, their crystal balls gleaming brilliantly, as if countless stars had descended into their palms. The eclipse prophets, however, kept their eyes closed, silently sensing the will of the moon goddess. They understood that the goddess's power would guide them to victory, and the upcoming lunar eclipse might be the most crucial moment in this war.
Even in this extremely serious atmosphere, Li Tianhe remained expressionless. With a lazy yawn, and under everyone's tense gaze, the portal finally opened.