.
By midday, a big flock of white birds emerged from the sky and started to cover the area. A voice echoes into the minds of everyone present: "Cultivators, you are present today to be judged by the Earth Deity. Kneel!"
They all kneeled and after a few minutes the voice returned: "The Divine Oracle stands among you. We called upon the worthy to see who's fit to hold the title and have his or her powers awakened. Whoever wishes to be judged may stand at will. Your past intentions will be revealed to us and we will part the worthy with words of wisdom. Those who are too young will receive nothing and those who are evil will be warned."
Slowly, people started to stand up a few at a time. Jiang Cheng stood up first. A figure with glowing features appears before him and extends its hands, palms up to him. Cheng places his hands on it and feels a cold wind brush around his body. The figure glows then he hears it in his head: "Jiang Wanyin: Jiang Clan leader known as Sandu Shengshou. You have accomplished many feats. Your blood boils with anger and the need for power while your heart beats for familial relations and love. We are glad that your regrets are fueled with compassion rather than pity. Be patient and heed the still, small voice of the lesser men. The wise seldomly rise in ranks."
When the younger disciples rose, the glowing figure appeared and then disappeared without wisdom or warning. While the rest received their judgment.
Zewu Jun: "Lan Xichen: known as Zewu Jun and one of the twin jades of Gusu Lan Clan. So young for such a heavy burden. Accept what is and have faith that the past serves only as a lesson to better your understanding of what's to come. The guilt you carry can either consume you or free you. May your choice be as wise and as peaceful as your intentions have always been."
Yuxio: "Yu Yuxio: The last Phoenix Warrior descendant and senior disciple of Jiang Clan. You have suffered a great loss at a young age but you persevered. You think your legacy is safe but the road has just begun. Don't let simple matters distract you from finding a more honorable purpose in life. May the fire of your bird burn hot and eternal."
Wangji was looking at Wuxian, waiting for him to stand up. Wuxian was beyond scared. He knew deep in his bones that his life will forever change the moment he chooses to rise. He feels Wangji squeeze his hand and looks at him. Wangji smiles and whispers: "Together."
Wuxian takes one last calming breath and stands up with his soul-bond. Two figures show up in front of them, holding their palms up and waiting. With one last shared nod they let go of each other and place their hands as instructed.
Wangji: "Your Excellency Lan Zhan: known as Hanguang Jun and one of the twin jades of Gusu Lan. You are burdened with responsibilities but gracefully know how to prioritize them. You deserve the title of Hanguang Jun. May your word be as strong as your bonds. Beware, your loved one will face hardship like no other. And just like the past, your actions will be what saves him or condemns him."
Wuxian looks around after he feels the cold wind brush him. The figure says nothing for a few minutes until he notices that all the other cultivators have risen and heard their judgements.
He turns to stare at the glowing figure before him in confusion until he hears a familiar voice: "Divine Oracle, we reunite at last." People around him turn to stare. Everyone can hear it too. The figure moves its hands to grab his wrists: "Wei Ying: Known as Wei Wuxian, Treasure of Gusu Lan, Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, Grandmaster of the Phoenix Warriors and formerly known as Yiling Patriarch. You have died twice as a sacrifice and risen to claim justice for the helpless and the weak. You demand no title and own no riches. Blessed by the Mother Tree and the Spirits of the Dead. We have finally found you."
The figure kneels, followed by all the others. Wuxian looks around in shock before the figure continues: "Upon your second death, you were asked if you wish to stay as a vengeful spirit or pass on to the next life. You said: 'I wish to sacrifice my remaining energy to end the suffering of those who were wronged'. Never before has Mother Earth heard such a reply. She kept you close for many years, preparing you for what is to come, until someone stole you before you were ready. Your memory was lost and we couldn't find your trace. Divine Oracle, the future of mankind will face darkness never seen before. The Earth Deities have chosen you to prepare the others till the time comes and they find their own salvation. Will you comply?"
Wuxian takes in a shuddered breath: "I don't know if I can."
The glowing figure asks: "Why do you hesitate?"
Wuxian looks back desperately: "My body is broken, I am still feared by many and I'm sure there are many here who are morally better fit than I."
The glowing figure replies: "Your body is changing and the broken can always be mended. People can change their views and no one has your kind of selflessness. We have chosen well. Will you accept your destiny?"
Wuxian looks at a kneeling Wangji. He nods encouragingly at him so he whispers: "I accept."
The figure shines bright and turns into a halo of energy. It surrounds Wuxian until it consumes him. A few minutes later the light leaves his body leaving many changes behind: His hair has grown until his knees and turned light brown with strands of gold, his eyes are the same color as his hair with golden specks in them and his skin is glowing with a delicate paleness.
Wuxian takes a deep breath and feels coldness spike in his body once more.
The figure reappears and speaks: "We have awakened the Oracle powers within. It will take a while for the power to settle. We hope you can bear with it until it's complete. Name your spirit animal."
Wuxian breathily replies: "The snake."
The figure bows one last time and says: "A snake it shall be."
The figure transforms into a huge white snake. It is long and wide with brown eyes similar to Wuxian's. Wuxian held his hand to it and it slithered up his arm to wrap around his torso like a shield.
He hears it hiss in his ears: "Divine Oracle, do you remember my name?"
Wuxian closes his eyes and says: "Da Ziran."
He can feel the snake's pleasure through their new bond and smiles.
All the cultivators bowed to the ground and screamed: "Thank you Earth Deity for your blessing."
Then bowed again: "We greet thee, Divine Oracle and bow with respect."
Wuxian swallows hard and shakes with the loud declaration and once they all rise, he turns to Wangji with fear filled eyes: "Um.. now what?"
Wangji openly stares at him with awe until Wuxian feels his cheeks heat up: "Why are you staring at me like that?"
He turns to look at the others and sees a similar expression on the faces of people around him. After a few minutes of silent staring he starts to freak out: "What?"
Wen Ning steps close and says: "You changed."
Wuxian looks down at himself and sees his long light brown and gold hair then looks worriedly back at Wangji: "You.. You don't like it?"
Wangji grabs his arm and without warning yanks him on top of Bichen and whisks him away. The snake was securely slithering around Wuxian's body and he could feel his energy mixing with it. He chose to ignore the weird sensation for now while he's trying to digest what just happened.
Wangji kept silent until they reached a secluded clearing at the edge of Nightless city and landed down.
Wangji turned to continue gawking at Wuxian, who's starting to get flustered: "SAY SOMETHING!"
Wangji steps into his personal space and touches a strand from his hair, whispering: "I've never seen anything more beautiful in my life."
Wuxian pushes him hard: "You scared me! I thought since you were obsessed with my black hair that this would put you off."
Wangji smiles happily at him: ".. your eyes."
Wuxian: "What about them?"
Wangji unsheathes Bichen and hands it over to Wuxian so he can see his reflection on its blade: "Ooh. This is new." It was mesmerizing to look at. The gold speckles keep moving, hypnotizing whoever stares into them.
He shakes his head then looks back at Wangji: "I'm confused. Why did they change my hair and eye color?"
Wangji approached him and cautiously extended his hand to touch the snake around Wuxian. Wuxian laughs: "It's not going to bite you. It recognizes you as my soul-bond. Look."
He grabs his arm and the snake moves from his body to wrap around Wangji. He looks at it in wonder and says: "It's heavy."
Wuxian nods: "It's packing a lot of energy."
After a few seconds it returns to Wuxian and Wangji grabs his hand to kiss it but pauses instead: "The ring.."
Wuxian looks down to see the ring has turned transparent with golden flecks within it and the writing changed to 'Divine Oracle'.
Wangji: "Chenqing.."
Wuxian turned to retrieve his flute from behind his belt to see that it too turned clear like a crystal with gold markings. Wuxian looks confusedly at Wangji: "Am I supposed to know why they changed colors?"
Wangji pulls him into a warm embrace: "I guess we will find out when it's the right time."
.