After the kings presented their birthday gifts, the butterflies began discussing the nation's affairs.
The core topic was:
It's time for the Phoenix Emperor to abdicate.
This was no significant matter; she had long since discussed changing leadership with the kings.
After all, the Phoenix Emperor never handled affairs; silently cultivating, being their strongest force, was her core value.
Many could govern; only one could fight.
The delay in the abdication was due to waiting for the Prophet's awakening.
And Liu Jun had no objections to this either; our Phoenix Emperor should have abdicated long ago.
The natural choice for the new emperor was Die Lvxiang.
During Liu Jun's absence over the years, he managed the valley territories orderly and, with several nobles, expanded the land, achieving great merits.
"This is a heavy burden. You will guide the future of our Butterfly Race, bearing its rise and fall. Are you prepared?"
The Prophet's voice echoed in the Butterfly Hall.
"I am ready."
Die Lvxiang was long prepared.
...
Time flew by, and a month passed.
Die Lvxiang ascended the throne as emperor; he was indeed a doer.
Die Lvxin was also a wise partner, continually assisting him in handling various affairs.
After ascending the throne, he had to promote measures benefiting the people's livelihood.
First, the five great nobles would no longer go on expeditions but reside on the Cangwu Tree.
Because by the side of the Longevity Divine Spirit Prophet, they could prolong their lives and extend their reign.
The Amber Swallowtail Butterfly could bestow wisdom to those around it.
Liu Jun's Low Consumption could delay their aging.
With the new emperor's vigorous promotion, these became the two major totems of the Butterfly Kingdom, bestowing supreme divine power on its people.
Faith.
Can unite the spirit of a race.
Moreover, to explore the changes in the Divine Treasures, they chose to continue using the Divine Magic Carpet, altering the Butterfly Race, attempting to evolve the bloodline, continuing to delve deep into the direction of butterfly transformation of the four races.
As for the deaths that might incur?
In Die Lvxiang's eyes, a race needs to develop, and certain sacrifices are necessary.
Just like in the past, during the winter, the Prophet left some tribesmen in the harsh cold to ensure the survival of the rest.
Now, they need to advance further, naturally requiring much trial and error and integration.
Taking precautions while at peace to ensure the continuation of the species.
The Butterfly Race seemed prosperous but wasn't truly strong.
The leading five nobles had second-tier strength, equivalent to the power of five small dinosaurs, while the rest of the people remained weak, suffering various predator attacks.
Death.
Experimentation.
Death.
They even conducted experiments on slain Middle Thorn Dragons, attempting to merge the weak butterflies with powerful dragon breeds.
No matter what, everything in this era was moving toward a better direction.
And from time to time, Liu Jun and the Phoenix Emperor had to travel along the routes of the major flower gardens, flying, bestowing blessings to the newborns.
Phoenix Butterfly, opening their wisdom.
Prophet, extending their lifespan.
On roads paved with flowers, on the chariots of the Butterfly Guard, under the glamorous Umbrella of Light, stepping on the Divine Magic Carpet, listening to all directions with the Divine Ear.
Passing through.
The canopy of the Umbrella of Light scattered golden sunlight-like colors, pulling a long rainbow across the sky.
...
East Garden.
In a cave.
"Yes, yes, it's woven like this."
"Interweaving horizontally and vertically..."
"Remember, our Butterfly Race, the bowknot is our clan emblem, wisdom handed down by the Prophet. Every member must learn to weave it."
With the flow of Telekinesis, soft threads were drawn from the chrysalis, knotting in the air, interweaving horizontally and vertically.
In the narrow tree hole, accompanied by his mother using Telekinesis to weave Butterfly Thread, Insect Thirteen patiently weaved cloth, learning various knotting techniques, Unity Knot, Cross Knot, Double Coin Knot...
Silk thread had many uses.
It could be used to make Silk Books for the nobles and lords.
It could be used to make Butterfly Cage Sedans, protect people from the cold in winter, or make into Silk Thread Traps.....
It was the fashionable rope art culture among the now beauty-loving Butterfly Race, symbolizing their elegance and beauty.
A butterfly skilled in weaving was more popular among the opposite sex.
And weaving was the means of survival for the Insect Thirteen family.
Since the transmutation of the four Butterfly Races, there came to be four surnames, and Insect Thirteen was among the first to be given a name.
Suddenly, a sound like a mountain roaring and a sea surging came from outside.
Countless Phoenix Butterflies flapped their wings, flying out of the tree hollow.
"The God of Wisdom has arrived."
"The supreme king who bestows wisdom upon us! Please awaken the wisdom that belongs to this year's children!"
"Ah, those are the three divine treasures gained from the Divine Trials!"
"In this world, there truly are gods! They say the God of Origin created all things, leaving behind various Divine Trials!"
"I do not believe in other gods, the Prophet and Phoenix Emperor are our gods."
...
Insect Thirteen and his mother hurriedly stepped out, watching the golden-glowing Divine Vehicle slowly approach in the sky.
The Butterfly Guard fluttered in the sky, resembling stars, converging into a soft satin-like galaxy ribbon, escorting this enormous Divine Butterfly Cage Vehicle.
Insect Thirteen couldn't help but exclaim, "So beautiful!"
"Child, hurry to the second enlightenment of wisdom."
"You have come of age."
Beside him, his mother quickly put down the weaving in her hands, flew to the door, and exclaimed with reverence:
"The Phoenix Emperor has brought the brilliant colors of wisdom, awakening us from our confusion, teaching us to use tools, and to conquer the beasts."
"Bone spikes, spears, traps, poison... these are the powers of wisdom, the sole blade for the weak to defeat the strong."
Insect Thirteen nodded, quickly joining the big crowd with his mother.
Following the joyful tribespeople, fluttering and dancing in ritual, beating the delicate, colorful butterfly wings, forming a rhythmic butterfly sound, and chanting great poems.
"We possess a small form that a gust of wind could carry away."
"We possess a fragile constitution that would freeze upon winter's arrival."
"Great and profound gods, sprinkle wisdom upon our people."
"Gods, we thank you for your brilliance."
"The Phoenix Emperor enlightens the newborn, the Prophet extends the twilight, standing guard at both ends of life and death, protecting our homeland."
...
Tens of thousands of butterflies made rustling, hoarse cries, merging into an ocean amidst the sea of flowers.
Above the Butterfly Cage Vehicle, the Phoenix Emperor occasionally opened the curtains, with a majestic demeanor, gracefully nodding to the believers and people.
The Phoenix Emperor's Low Wisdom spread, while Middle Wisdom reached out.
Wherever it passed, the people awakened with clear understanding, their minds becoming noticeably more lucid.
"Ah, the Phoenix Emperor looked at me, a revelation of wisdom!"
Among the butterfly swarm, Insect Thirteen was full of joy,
"I feel my wisdom has improved, is this the great power gained through the Divine Trials, oh great gods?"
"Divine Treasures!"
Insect Thirteen silently chanted, his eyes shining with anticipation.
He also wished to become a great hero who passed the trials, to possess Divine Objects, to receive the people's reverence, and to lead his people forward.
His eyes radiated with a color named dreams.
The Captain of the Guard, clearing a path for the Butterfly Cage Vehicle beside him, noticed this scene, "Hey, little Butterfly Insect, do you also wish to possess Divine Treasures?"
"I wouldn't dare." Insect Thirteen was startled, without wings he twisted nervously floating in mid-air, nearly losing telekinesis balance and falling to the ground.
"Don't fall."
The Captain of the Guard quickly used his telekinesis to float him up, solemnly saying, "There's no such thing as not daring."
"The Phoenix Emperor bestows us with wisdom, and also grants us the ability to think."
"Being good at thinking, yearning for the future, these are traits brought by wisdom, all of these are also the will of the gods."
"Gods will not stop you from moving forward, they will sanctify your growth, for they were heroes protecting us before ascending to divinity!"
"Ah! Can I?" Insect Thirteen flew about in excitement, never expecting that the Captain of the Guard would not hold him accountable for his blasphemy, but instead showed such compassion.
No!
This is the compassion of gods.
Feeling the light of wisdom from the heavens, Insect Thirteen felt himself intoxicated, immersed in dreams, indulged in the exhilarating feeling brought by the awakening of wisdom.
"It's because of intelligence that we have joy, we have laughter and tears, dreams and ambitions."
The Captain of the Guard's voice was full of solemnity, carrying an indisputable tone.
Gods!
Insect Thirteen looked up at the two grand figures, bestowing wisdom and delaying aging, these two majestic existences, scattering their grace from high above.
...
Liu Jun quietly sat in the sedan, listening to the conversation between Insect Thirteen and the Captain of the Guard:
"Gods, eh?"
"The king who followed us has already ascended to emperor, and we who opened the era have been elevated, deified into gods."
He watched the devout Butterfly Race below, who diligently and earnestly prayed towards the sky, humming hymns.