MidReal Story

Exploring the

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Scenario: Exploring the legend of the ages.Located at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the Daughter of the East, the ancient Naxi Kingdom, all the secrets seem to be hidden in the white sand murals and Gemu Peak. But who are the contemporary secret hunters? Lin Xuan, a young historical scholar of Chinese descent from the United States, focuses on the study of the history of human development and pursues "human worthiness." He traveled through time and space to the Wei and Jin Dynasties, and visited the Naxi Kingdom, a fantasy and secret place where Eastern and Western cultures and maternal and paternal civilizations met. The civilized ecology here integrates nature and humanity, just like the majestic, majestic and majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and the charming, petite and beautiful Lugu Lake and Lanyue Valley, complementing each other and shining brightly; and like the Jade Dragon The snow-capped mountains are surrounded by clouds and mists, changing rapidly, with countless manners, and are extremely magical. The ancient culture of the Mosuo people that is still the same today is both unforgettable and indistinguishable. Lin Xuan came to the scene in person and felt it for the first time: Looking horizontally, it looks like a forest with peaks on the side, with different heights and distances. He doesn't know the true face of the Jade Dragon, just because he is in this mountain. I hope that his exploration will be successful, and that he will have a wonderful relationship with the ancient Naxi civilization and the daughter country with various styles... At this time, he has passed the Tea Horse Road and arrived at the daughter country, drinking The water of Lugu Lake, walking on the Walking Wedding Bridge...one wonderful story after another is about to unfold! Key elements: adventure, anecdotes, supernatural, thriller..., causal loop.

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Exploring the legend of the ages.Located at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the Daughter of the East, the ancient Naxi Kingdom, all the secrets seem to be hidden in the white sand murals and Gemu Peak. But who are the contemporary secret hunters? Lin Xuan, a young historical scholar of Chinese descent from the United States, focuses on the study of the history of human development and pursues "human worthiness." He traveled through time and space to the Wei and Jin Dynasties, and visited the Naxi Kingdom, a fantasy and secret place where Eastern and Western cultures and maternal and paternal civilizations met. The civilized ecology here integrates nature and humanity, just like the majestic, majestic and majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and the charming, petite and beautiful Lugu Lake and Lanyue Valley, complementing each other and shining brightly; and like the Jade Dragon The snow-capped mountains are surrounded by clouds and mists, changing rapidly, with countless manners, and are extremely magical. The ancient culture of the Mosuo people that is still the same today is both unforgettable and indistinguishable. Lin Xuan came to the scene in person and felt it for the first time: Looking horizontally, it looks like a forest with peaks on the side, with different heights and distances. He doesn't know the true face of the Jade Dragon, just because he is in this mountain. I hope that his exploration will be successful, and that he will have a wonderful relationship with the ancient Naxi civilization and the daughter country with various styles... At this time, he has passed the Tea Horse Road and arrived at the daughter country, drinking The water of Lugu Lake, walking on the Walking Wedding Bridge...one wonderful story after another is about to unfold! Key elements: adventure, anecdotes, supernatural, thriller..., causal loop.

I was born in the United States and I am a young historical scholar of Chinese descent.

My research aims to bridge the gap between Eastern and Western civilizations, so when it comes to studying ancient civilizations, my main focus is to explore the legendary ages.

It is an area often neglected in academia due to its complexity and the limitations in our understanding of human history.

In spite of this, I am determined to push forward and reveal the secrets hidden in this enigmatic realm.

The legendary ages comprise all of the cultures that have left their mark on human civilization.

Although these cultures are unique, they also have similarities in terms of the stages of development they went through.

The Naxi Kingdom is a mysterious ancient civilization that still exists today.

It is one of the key locations where the legend of the ages was passed down.

This kingdom is located at the foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and is known as the meeting point between Eastern and Western cultures as well as maternal and paternal civilizations.

The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is an immense mountain range with 13 peaks that stretch from north to south.

The main peak, Shanzidou, stands at 5,596 meters above sea level and is covered with snow all year round.

The Naxi Kingdom, also known as Lijiang Old Town, was established in 960 AD.

It has a long history and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.

It is located at an elevation of 2,400 meters and covered with white sand murals that stretch across a wide area.

The town was built over 800 years ago and has witnessed the rise and fall of various dynasties throughout its history.

I am finally here!

I am filled with excitement and anticipation as I look around at this beautiful place before me.

The ancient town stands majestically amidst the mountains, immersing itself in an atmosphere that feels like a dream.

There are three snow-capped mountains in Yunnan:Meili Snow Mountain, Haba Snow Mountain, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Yulong Snow Mountain).

The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is the southernmost and most beautiful and gentle snow mountain among the three.

Gentle mountain is a type of mountain that is covered with snow all year round but can be climbed and hiked by tourists.

The top of the mountain is always surrounded by white clouds and mist.

The local people have countless legends about the mountain.

The most famous legend is about the Daughter of the East.

It is said that she lives on the summit of the mountain and guards this fantasy and secret place.

As I stand here before this ancient town, I can’t help but feel a sense of reverence for it.

It is beautiful beyond words!

As if feeling my excitement, the mountain releases its white mist into the sky.

The white mist rises and swirls around the mountain before suddenly spilling down from the mountain’s peak.

It looks like an avalanche and is truly a majestic sight to behold!

This is the white waterfall of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

It is known for having such a stunning scene because of the unique geographical structure between the mountain and the valley.

The white mist falls down like a curtain in front of my eyes, making it hard to see anything in front of me.

I have always been fascinated by ancient civilizations.

From an early age, I have been interested in studying them and documenting their stories.

I have always been curious about those ancient cities that were buried underground for thousands of years.

It is intriguing to me how they are able to survive under the ground for so long without being destroyed by natural forces.

It is as if they are protected by some kind of supernatural power!

My research has also led me to question some of the traditional historical narratives that have been passed down over time.

These narratives are often shrouded in mystery and legend, making them difficult to verify or refute.

In some cases, they are based on little more than speculation and conjecture.

As a scholar of ancient history, it is my job to investigate these legends and determine whether they are true or false.

Some people think that my research is meaningless and that I am wasting my time on things that are not important to the modern world.

My father is one of them.

He is a well-known historian and has published many books about Chinese history.

He has spent his entire life studying the history of the ancient world and has made great contributions to the field.

But he does not approve of my research into the legendary ages.

He thinks that I am just chasing after fantasies and that I will never be able to prove anything I say.

What he does not understand is that I am not trying to prove anything.

I am simply trying to uncover the truth!

My name is Lin Xuan and I am a doctoral student majoring in ancient civilizations at Harvard University.

I have been studying ancient civilizations since I was a child and have always been fascinated by them.

I believe that there is still much we do not know about the ancient world and that there is a lot more to discover.

For this reason, I have dedicated myself to studying these civilizations and uncovering their secrets.

For as long as I can remember, I have been interested in the Naxi Kingdom.

It is an ancient civilization that has long since disappeared from the earth, but its legend lives on.

The Naxi Kingdom was located at the foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and was known as the last maternal civilization in the world.

The Naxi people were said to be descendants of the Daughter of the East and were ruled by a queen for over 1,000 years.

The kingdom eventually fell, but its influence can still be seen today in the customs and traditions of the Naxi people.

It is a place that has always captivated my imagination and I have longed to visit it for many years.

Now that I am finally here, I cannot help but feel a sense of wonder and excitement at what lies before me.

A few days ago, when I received an unexpected call from Guide Yan asking me if I was interested in visiting Lijiang Old Town (Naxi Kingdom), that was one of the happiest moments for me this year!

After hanging up, I immediately packed my luggage and took a flight to China.

Lijiang was everything I thought it would be and more.

The old town was simply beautiful and I could not help but marvel at the traditional Naxi architecture and the stunning scenery that surrounded it.

As we wandered through the ancient streets and visited the various attractions that Lijiang had to offer, I was struck by the sense of harmony that existed between nature and humanity.

It seemed as though the Naxi people had managed to integrate themselves seamlessly into the natural environment and I found it truly inspiring to see the results of their efforts firsthand.

After leaving Lijiang Old Town, we made our way to Lugu Lake and began our trek around its shores.

It was a long journey, but it was well worth it in the end as we were able to see so much along the way.

The Mosuo people were incredibly kind and welcoming and I could not help but be moved by their way of life and their culture.

They had such a deep connection to the land and it was clear that they truly cherished it and all that it provided for them.

The environment around us was changing.

The sun was shining and the sky was clear, but the temperature was still quite low.

As we continued on our journey, the weather began to grow warmer and the snow that had been covering the ground began to melt.

I could see the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the distance and it was truly a sight to behold.

The mountain was so majestic and beautiful, with its towering peak and its ever-shifting veil of clouds.

It was hard to believe that something so powerful and awe-inspiring could exist in this world.

We soon arrived at a small village and were greeted warmly by the locals who had come out to welcome us.

They were a kind and friendly people and they were more than happy to show us around and share their customs and traditions with us.

Our guide told us that they would be preparing a meal for us that evening and that we should rest until then.

I lay down on my bed and closed my eyes, taking in the sounds of the village around me.

Before long, I could hear the sound of laughter and conversation coming from outside, along with the clattering of pots and pans.

When the meal was finally ready, we all gathered together in one of the local homes to eat.

The food was simple, but it was prepared with such care and respect that it tasted absolutely delicious.

After dinner, we all sat around a bonfire outside, enjoying the warm glow of the flames and listening to the sound of the crickets chirping in the distance.

Suddenly, someone started playing music on a traditional Mosuo instrument and a group of young women began to dance in front of us.

The dance was lively and energetic, with the women moving gracefully to the music with big smiles on their faces.

I watched them with joy in my heart as I clapped my hands along with the beat.

I felt as if I had finally found where I belonged in this world!

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But that feeling was to be short-lived.

I woke up in a daze, not quite sure where I was or how I had gotten there.

As I rubbed my eyes and tried to clear my head, I heard a voice calling out to me from outside.

I quickly got dressed and made my way out into the fresh morning air, where I saw an old man standing at the entrance to our guest house.

He was wearing a long white robe and an elaborate headdress, and he had a warm smile on his face as he beckoned me over to him.

I walked over to him, wondering what he wanted, and when I got close enough, he reached out and handed me a small jade pendant on a red string.

I took it from him, my heart pounding with excitement, and as I examined it, I could see that it was an ancient artifact that had been beautifully carved with intricate designs and symbols.

I was about to thank him for his generous gift when he suddenly said something that made my blood run cold: “It’s yours now…”

I stared at him in shock, not quite sure what to make of his words, but before I could say anything, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing there in stunned silence.

I looked down at the pendant in my hand and could not help but think about how strange it was that this old man had just given it to me without any explanation or reason.

As I thought about it some more, I realized that it must have belonged to him at one point and that he had decided to pass it on to me for some reason or another.

Although I was not quite sure what that reason was, I felt honored that he had chosen me to be its new owner and I decided that I would do my best to take good care of it for him.

I understand,” I said respectfully as I tucked it away in my pocket before turning around to look at him again.

He looked at me with an inscrutable expression on his face, as if he was trying to decide whether or not I was worthy of his gift and then he sighed heavily before replying: “You must be careful, Lin Xuan… The Naxi Kingdom is not like any other place you have visited before… And this jade pendant is no ordinary artifact… It has a long history and it carries a great deal of power with it… Do you truly understand what that means?”

I nodded slowly, feeling a chill run down my spine as his words struck a chord deep within me.

I did not know what he was talking about or why he was telling me these things, but something about the way he said them made me feel as if they were important somehow, and that I needed to take them seriously.

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“Good,” he replied, seemingly satisfied with my answer before proceeding to walk away.

“Wait!” I called out to him, causing him to stop and turn around to look at me again.

“What is it?”

he asked, looking at me with a curious expression on his face.

“Can you tell me anything about the ancient cultures that used to exist here?”

I asked, feeling as if I was grasping at straws as I did so.

The old man chuckled and shook his head before replying: “You are too impatient, Lin Xuan… You must be willing to learn and to listen if you wish to understand…”

“I am,” I insisted, feeling a little bit annoyed that he was treating me as if I was some sort of fool.

“I have been studying these cultures for years now, and I am still no closer to understanding them than I was when I first started…”

“That is because your studies are superficial at best,” he replied bluntly before letting out a long sigh.

“And how would you know that?”

I retorted angrily, feeling as if he was purposefully trying to provoke me for some reason.

“I used to be one of them,” he replied cryptically.

“Wait, what?”

I asked, completely taken aback by his words.

What do you mean by that?”

He smiled at me before replying: “You will understand in time, Lin Xuan… I know you better than you know yourself, and I know that you are destined to unlock the secrets of these ancient cultures once and for all…”

“You do?”

I asked, feeling as if he was speaking in riddles.

What do you mean by that?And how do you know these things about me?”

He chuckled and shook his head before replying: “You ask too many questions, Lin Xuan… Perhaps I have said too much already.

But I cannot help myself,” I insisted as I took a step forward and reached out to grab his arm.

“This is important to me, and I need to understand what you are trying to tell me…”

He looked at me thoughtfully for a moment before replying: “Very well then… If you truly wish to know the truth, then I shall tell it to you… But be warned, it is not an easy path to walk and there will be many obstacles in your way…”

“I understand,” I nodded as I listened intently, knowing that he was about to reveal something important.

“There is a reason why the Naxi Kingdom has been able to thrive for so long while many others have fallen into decline… It has to do with the fact that it is a maternal civilization with strong ties to the paternal one that you belong to…”

“Maternal and paternal civilizations?”

I asked, feeling confused by his words.

“What does that mean?”

He smiled at me before replying: “That is something you will have to find out for yourself… But be warned, danger is coming your way… And if you are not careful, you will not be able to make it through the other side…”

“What kind of danger?”

He shook his head before replying: “I cannot say… But know this… If you are not careful, you may be devoured by tigers…”

In the blink of an eye, I found myself standing in the middle of an ancient village.

I had no idea how we got here or where we were going, but I was too stunned to speak.

From the modern city to an ancient village in just a moment… The old man was telling the truth!

He really could manipulate time and space!

And he was also right about one more thing…

Our pursuers were no where to be found!

They must have been left behind when we traveled through time and space…

Now that we had evaded our pursuers, the old man led the way as we walked out of the village and into the wilderness.

He seemed to know where we were going, but I had no idea what to expect when we arrived.

The only thing I knew was that there were many dangers lurking in the wilderness around us, and I needed to be careful not to get lost or devoured by tigers.

Tigers were dangerous creatures that could kill a person with a single swipe of their paw.

I shuddered at the thought of being killed by a tiger and quickly followed the old man as we continued along our path.

I had no idea how much time passed as we walked through the wilderness, but it felt like hours before we finally arrived at our destination.

As soon as we arrived, I could see that the place we were in was different from the village we had left behind.

It was much more ancient and mysterious, with a white pagoda that seemed to stretch up into the heavens.

I immediately recognized it as the ancient white pagoda that was built during the Naxi Kingdom.

And not far from the pagoda were the famous Baisha Murals that were known throughout the world for their beauty and craftsmanship.

“So this is it…”

“This is the Naxi Kingdom,” the old man said as he looked around and took in everything around us.

I nodded in agreement as I looked around and took it all in.

The moment I saw it, my academic fervor was reignited and my heart began to beat faster with excitement.

There was so much to learn and discover here!

“It is beautiful,” I breathed as I looked around at the ancient buildings and the white pagoda in the distance.

“You have no idea,” the old man said with a smile before he turned to me and continued: “I used to be a respected figure in the Naxi Kingdom… But that was a long time ago…”

“What happened?”

He sighed before replying: “That is a long story… And one that can wait until later… For now, you have much to learn and discover about the Naxi Kingdom… And I am here to help you…”

“You are?”

He nodded in agreement before he lowered his head and stared at me intently.

“I mean you no harm, Lin Xuan… In fact, I wish to help you on your journey by sharing what I know about the Naxi Kingdom… The legends say that it is a place where maternal and paternal civilizations meet, and it is up to you to unlock its secrets…”

The old man’s words were cryptic, but they also piqued my curiosity.

As a historical scholar, there was nothing more exciting than the prospect of unlocking the secrets of an ancient civilization.

And the Naxi Kingdom was no exception!

The Naxi Kingdom was known as the Daughter of the East, and it was said to be a place where maternal and paternal civilizations met.

For centuries, it had been a haven for scholars and academics who wished to explore its unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures, and I was no exception.

My connection to the Naxi Kingdom ran deep, and I felt a profound sense of nostalgia wash over me as I stared out at the ancient white pagoda and the Baisha Murals that surrounded it.

It felt like I had been here before… Like I was returning home after a long journey…

And in a way, I was.

The Naxi Kingdom was a place that resonated with the very core of my being, and I was excited to finally be here to explore it in person.

For many years, I had studied the Naxi Kingdom from afar, pouring over its history, culture, and traditions in an attempt to better understand it.

As a historical scholar, it was my job to uncover the secrets of the past and share them with others so that they could learn from them as well.

But unlike many of my peers back in the United States, I took a different approach to my studies.

While they were content to sit behind a desk and read about history in books, I preferred to get out into the field and experience it for myself.

To me, history was meant to be explored, not just read about, and I made it my mission to explore as many ancient sites as possible during my travels.

It was an unconventional approach, to be sure, but it was one that had served me well over the years.

I had visited countless ancient cities, temples, and ruins during my time as a historical scholar, and each one had left me in awe of the past.

The opportunity to explore the Naxi Kingdom was no different, and I was excited to finally be here after all these years of study.

That being said, not everyone shared my enthusiasm for exploration.

Many of my peers back in the United States were skeptical of my methods and often criticized me for spending so much time in the field rather than behind a desk like they did.

They accused me of being reckless, impulsive, and irresponsible, and claimed that I didn’t take my studies seriously enough as a result.

But they were wrong…

I took my studies very seriously and always made it a point to approach them with an open mind and a willingness to learn.

I believed that the best way to truly understand something was to experience it firsthand, and I was not afraid to put myself in harm’s way if it meant uncovering the secrets of the past.

I knew that many of my peers would disagree with me, but I didn’t care.

Their opinions were irrelevant, as far as I was concerned, and I wasn’t going to let them stand in the way of my research or my thirst for knowledge.

The Lugu Lake is known as the “Mother Lake” by the Mosuo people, while the Lanyue Valley is known as the “Daughter of Heaven.”

When we arrived at the Lugu Lake and Lanyue Valley, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming surge of emotions welling up inside of me.

Tears began to well up in my eyes, and before I knew it, they were streaming down my face uncontrollably.

I’m not sure why I started crying, but something about this place felt so familiar to me, like I had been here before or that I belonged here somehow.

It was hard to explain or put into words, but it filled me with an inexplicable sense of beauty and connection that I couldn’t quite describe or understand.

The old man noticed my tears and patted me on the shoulder before pointing at the nearby village.

His eyes were filled with wisdom and understanding, but he didn’t say anything to comfort me or offer any words of encouragement.

Instead, he simply gestured for me to follow him and let out a deep sigh under his breath.

As we walked through the village, I couldn’t help but marvel at the scenery around us.

The Lugu Lake sat at the foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain like a precious gem, its crystal-clear waters reflecting the surrounding landscape with breathtaking clarity.

At the same time, the Lanyue Valley was shrouded in mist, its cliffs and peaks jutting out from the clouds like something out of a dream.

The entire scene looked like a painting that had been brought to life, and I couldn’t believe that such a place actually existed in this world.

I had heard stories of its beauty and grandeur before, but nothing could have prepared me for what I was seeing now.

According to the old man, the Lugu Lake is home to the Mosuo people, an ancient tribe known for their matriarchal society, while the Lanyue Valley is inhabited by a group of Tibetan monks who have dedicated their lives to meditation and prayer.

The Mosuo people are a unique group in that they do not have a word for “father” in their language, nor do they have anything resembling a marriage ceremony or wedding vows.

Instead, children are raised by their mothers and uncles, and families are formed through “walking marriages” where couples choose to live together without any formal obligation or commitment to each other.

It’s a fascinating way of life that has been passed down for generations and is still practiced by the Mosuo people today.

As I watched them go about their daily lives, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe and respect for these ancient tribes who have managed to preserve their culture and traditions for so long without being influenced by modern society or outside forces.

I quickly realized that this is no ordinary village; it is a living embodiment of the Naxi Kingdom itself.

The houses are built along the hillside in a sort of zigzag pattern, and since they are made from local materials like stone and mud instead of wood or brick, they blend right into the landscape without leaving any trace of human intervention behind.

To make things even better, the walls of each house are covered with all sorts of brightly colored flowers and plants that give them a natural, almost organic feel and make them look like they’re part of the hillside itself rather than separate structures built on top of it.

As I continued to walk around and explore the village, I couldn’t help but marvel at how well the Naxi people had managed to integrate their culture with the natural world around them in such a harmonious and seamless way.

It was almost as if they were one and the same, two sides of the same coin working together in perfect unity to create something truly beautiful and unique that could never be replicated anywhere else.

I don’t know how long I wandered around in a daze, taking in all the sights and sounds around me as I soaked in the beauty of this incredible place, but eventually I found myself standing in front of a small waterfall that was gently cascading down the hillside and into a pool below, where a group of houses were located on the other side of the village square.

I had heard about this waterfall before, though I couldn’t remember its name, only that it was considered one of the most important landmarks in the village and played a crucial role in the daily lives of the Naxi people who lived here.

“It’s called the Water of Life,” the old man said as he came up beside me and saw what I was looking at, “because it is our village’s source of water and is considered to be pure and full of vitality.” He paused for a moment before adding, “Would you like to drink some?”

I must have looked surprised because he quickly reassured me, “Don’t worry, it’s perfectly safe to drink.”

I eagerly accepted his invitation and followed him as he led me down to the pool below, where he cupped his hands and scooped up some of the water before bringing it to his lips and taking a long drink before offering me some as well.

I didn’t hesitate to accept, and as I drank, I could taste the sweet, crisp flavor of the water as it flowed down my throat, leaving me with an almost indescribable feeling of reverence and gratitude that I had never experienced before.

When I had finished drinking, I thanked the old man for sharing this experience with me and then took one last look at the waterfall before heading back to my hotel, where I spent the rest of the afternoon and evening sitting outside on my balcony and watching the sun set over the mountains in the distance as I thought about everything I had seen and learned so far about the Naxi people and their incredible civilization.

The Naxi people have long been known for their unique culture and traditions, which are deeply rooted in their past and have been passed down from generation to generation for thousands of years, making them one of the oldest surviving civilizations in China today.

Their written language, known as Dongba script, is perhaps one of the most interesting and intriguing aspects of their culture, as it is made up of over 1,400 different characters that are drawn using a special brush and ink on pieces of paper or cloth, and is used primarily for religious and ceremonial purposes, such as writing prayers and keeping records of important events and dates in their history.

Another unique aspect of Naxi culture is that they are a matrilineal society, which means that surnames are passed down from mother to child rather than father to child as is more common in most other civilizations, including the one I am most familiar with in my own studies, which has always been one of the things I found most fascinating about them and one of the main reasons I decided to come here and learn more about them firsthand for myself this time around.

I also learned that the Dongba script is traditionally written and read in a vertical column from top to bottom, rather than from left to right or right to left like most other written languages are, and that it is made up of three main components, which are simple characters, compound characters, and complex characters, and is considered to be one of the most ancient and important forms of writing in China today, with many scholars believing it dates back to as early as the Han Dynasty over two thousand years ago, making it one of the oldest known forms of writing in China today.

The White Sand Mural Academy

As I continued my journey through the Naxi Kingdom, I came across a place called the White Sand Mural Academy, which is a place that holds a very special and important place in the hearts of all Naxi people and is considered to be a masterpiece of Naxi architecture and art, as well as a treasure trove of Dongba culture.

The murals on the walls are painted with white sand mixed with pine oil, and have been preserved for hundreds of years, despite the fact that they were never painted on canvas or paper like most other works of art were at the time, but were instead painted directly onto the stone walls themselves.

The murals were painted by hand by Dongbas who had dedicated their entire lives to studying and interpreting Dongba culture, and were made using a special kind of white sand mixed with pine oil that made it possible for them to last for hundreds of years without being destroyed by wind, rain, or other natural elements.

The murals are not just decorative, but are also considered to be sacred and holy by all Naxi people, as they are said to represent their connection to the cosmos and the elements, as well as their connection to their ancestors, who are believed to watch over them from beyond the grave.

As I walked through the halls of the Academy, I couldn’t help but stop and admire each and every mural that I came across, as each one was more beautiful than the last, and each one seemed to tell a story that was as old as time itself, a story that spoke directly to me without using any words at all, as if it knew that I wouldn’t understand them anyway, because they were written in a language that only a few people in the world could understand.

Just as I was about to head back to my room for the night, an elderly man suddenly appeared out of nowhere and introduced himself as the chief of the White Sand Mural Academy, before asking me if I would like to take a closer look at some of the murals inside.

Without waiting for me to reply, he turned around and led me down a long hallway that was lined with even more murals, each one more beautiful and more intricate than the last, before finally coming to a stop in front of a small chamber that had two large murals painted on either side of it, one on each wall.

“These are our most famous murals,” he said as he pointed to them, “The one on the left is called ‘Heavenly Diagram’, while the one on the right is called ‘Earthly Diagram’.”

I stood there for a moment as I tried my best to take in everything that I saw before me, but no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t wrap my head around any of it, so after a few moments of silent contemplation, I finally decided to turn around and ask the chief what he meant by that.

I didn’t even get the chance to finish my question, however, before he suddenly began speaking, “The Heavenly Diagram is what we use to represent the heavens, while the Earthly Diagram is what we use to represent the earth.”

I stood there for a moment as I tried my best to take in everything that he was saying, but no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t seem to understand it, so after a few moments of silent contemplation, I finally decided to ask him if he could explain it all again.

“Of course,” he replied with a smile as he turned around and looked at the two murals before him, “You see, the Naxi believed that everything in the world was connected in some way or another, which is why we used these two diagrams as a way of explaining our cosmology.”

He then turned around and continued, “As you can see, this one here is divided into four sections, each of which represents an element: water, wood, fire, and metal.”

“These four elements all work together to create life, but they also work against each other to take it away, which is why they are constantly moving around each other in a never-ending cycle, one that represents everything in the universe at any given point in time.” He then turned around and pointed to a figure that was painted in between them, “This is Tiaomu,” he said as he pointed to it, “He is the one responsible for making sure that this cycle never comes to an end, as he is the only one who has the power to control it.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly turned around and looked at me, “Do you understand?”

I stood there in silence for a moment before I finally nodded my head, “Yes,” I replied with a smile, “It all makes sense now.”

After we left the chamber, the chief took me to see even more murals as we continued to talk about them, but no matter how many times he talked about them or how many times he explained them, I still felt as if I was drowning in a sea of information that I just couldn’t understand, until finally we came to a stop in front of another mural that depicted a large tree standing in the center of a small village.

“This is called ‘Tiaomu Bringing Harmony’,” he said as he pointed to it, “It tells the story of how Tiaomu emerged from an ancient tree to bring harmony and peace to the Naxi people.”

I stood there in silence for a moment before I suddenly felt as if my entire body had suddenly been engulfed by an intense wave of emotion that was completely beyond my control, so after taking a deep breath to try and calm myself down, I finally turned around and looked at the chief.

“Do you know what Tiaomu means?”

I thought about his question for a moment before shaking my head, but no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t seem to remember what it was.

The chief smiled at me, “It means ‘to bring everything together’,” he replied as he pointed to the mural once again.

After I heard his explanation, I stood there in complete silence as I continued to gaze at the mural, feeling as if I was standing before a magnificent piece of artwork that had been painted by some of the most talented artists in the world.

For a moment, I felt as if I was standing before the very heart of the Naxi civilization itself as it spoke to me in a language that was completely familiar to me.

The chief suddenly let out a small laugh as he looked at me, “What do you think?”

I thought about his question for a moment before I finally turned around and faced him with a puzzled expression on my face.

“You seem to have a lot on your mind,” he replied with a smile as he reached out and patted me on the shoulder.

I paused for a moment before I finally turned around and faced the mural once again.

For some reason, I felt as if it was calling out to me in a way that no other piece of artwork ever had before in my entire life.

As I continued to look at it, I felt as if I could see something moving in the distance, so after taking a deep breath to try and calm myself down, I finally turned around and walked away from it.

As I continued to walk deeper into the Academy, I suddenly found myself standing before the grand hall, feeling as if I was standing before the very heart of the entire Naxi civilization itself.

The chief of the Academy was already waiting for me at the entrance, so after he saw me, he immediately walked over to greet me.

“Welcome,” he said as he reached out his hand to shake my hand, “I’m glad that you decided to come here today.”

I smiled at him, “It’s an honor to be here,” I replied as I shook his hand, “I just hope that I’m not too much of a bother.”

“Not at all,” he replied with a smile as he patted me on the shoulder, “I’m always happy to help people like yourself who are interested in learning more about our ancient culture.”

After he finished speaking, he suddenly turned around and pointed to the hall, “Shall we?”

I nodded my head, “Of course,” I replied as I followed him inside.

As soon as we stepped inside the hall, I immediately found myself looking up at the ceiling, which was supported by 81 pillars that were made of stone, just like the rest of the hall, but each one of them was completely different from all of the others, as each one had been carefully carved with intricate designs that depicted different scenes from nature or other parts of the Naxi culture.

After I finished looking at all of the pillars, I then started to look at all of the murals that had been painted on all four of the walls around me.

As I looked at them, I realized that each one was different from all of the others, but they all depicted different scenes that seemed to represent different parts of Naxi cosmology, which was something that I had never heard of before, but I was still very interested in learning more about it.

After looking at all four of the murals, I then started to look at the mural on the ceiling, which was also very different from all of the others, but it was also very beautiful, as it depicted how all things in nature were connected to each other and how they all worked together in order to create harmony within this world.

“It’s amazing, isn’t it?”

the chief suddenly asked me, causing me to look at him in surprise.

“It’s truly amazing,” I replied with a smile, “I’ve never seen anything like this before.”

“Do you want me to explain what all of this means?”

“Of course,” I replied as I followed him over to the mural on the east wall, “I would be honored if you could explain all of this to me.”

The chief smiled at me, “This mural over here is perhaps one of the most important murals that we have here in this Academy,” he said as he pointed to the mural, “It’s very simple and doesn’t have a lot of figures on it, but it contains three ancient characters that are used to symbolize heaven, earth, and humanity.”

I nodded my head as I listened to him speak, “Heaven and earth…I’ve heard about these two before,” I said as I looked at him in surprise, “but humanity…what does that symbol mean?”

The chief smiled at me, “It means exactly what you think it means,” he replied as he looked at me with a twinkle in his eyes, “humanity…that is who we are.”

I nodded my head as I listened to him speak, “But what about heaven and earth?”

I asked him curiously, “How are they connected?”

“This is how they’re connected,” he said as he held up his hand and pushed it outwards, causing me to look at him in confusion as I watched him push his hand out towards me.

As he did so, I suddenly saw two different types of symbols appearing on his hand, one of which was the symbol for earth and the other one was the symbol for heaven, but when he pushed his hand out towards me, both of those symbols combined together to form one single symbol that I had never seen before.

“That symbol…what does it mean?”

I asked him curiously as I looked at him in surprise, causing me to see him smiling at me.

“It’s very simple,” he replied, “It means that all things in this world are connected and that they all work together in order to create harmony.”

“That’s amazing,” I said as I looked at him in surprise, “But what about these two symbols here?”

As soon as I finished speaking, he pointed to two symbols that were located above us: one of which was for yang and another one was for yin.

“Ah, I see,” I said as I nodded my head, “So heaven and yang go together while earth and yin go together.”

“Exactly,” he replied as he smiled at me, “Yang is bright, warm, and powerful just like heaven is while yin is dark, cold, and gentle just like earth is.”

“So what happens when you combine them?”

I asked him curiously, causing me to see him smiling at me as he pointed towards another symbol that was located below them: a circle that had half of it dyed black and half of it dyed white.

“That is known as Taiji,” he said as he looked at me, “It represents unity and balance.”

“Wow,” I said as I looked at him in amazement, “That’s very interesting.”

“The sky moves while the earth remains still,” he said as he smiled at me, “The sky covers all things while the earth gives birth to all things.”

“The two of them work together to create everything around us.”

“The sky moves while the earth remains still,” I repeated as I looked at him in amazement, “That’s really interesting…I’ve never thought about it like that before…”

“Yang is warm and powerful while yin is cold and gentle,” he continued as he looked at me, “The two of them will constantly change and transform into each other, creating harmony between themselves.”

“So that means that they’re going to change into each other?”

I asked him curiously, causing me to see him nodding his head as he smiled at me, “But why is that?”

“It’s because everything in this world is constantly changing and transforming.” he said, “Just like how there will be times when heaven and earth will give birth to all kinds of living creatures and there will be times when they will take away all kinds of living creatures, there will also be times when yang and yin will constantly change and transform into each other, creating harmony between themselves.

“The Water Tiger…that’s us!”

As soon as he finished speaking, I quickly realized what he meant by that and felt my heart pounding in excitement as I looked at him in surprise.

My heart was pounding even faster than before now, but this time it was not just because I was happy about finding out who we were or because I was studying the murals here at the Academy, but it was because everything that he had told me so far had been something that resonated deeply with my own studies and beliefs, which meant that I had come to the right place in order to try and figure out the mysteries behind human development and civilization!

Just like how the chief had explained it to me earlier, heaven and earth were constantly changing and transforming into each other while yang and yin were doing the same thing as well, creating harmony between themselves in order for all things in this world to exist and coexist together in peace.

But at the same time, heaven and earth were also moving and changing at their own pace as well, which meant that the sky could change, the stars could fall, the moon could move, and the sun could sink, all while the mountains, rivers, and trees remained still at their place and time, which was also why the upper part of the mural was divided into two sections: the heavenly realm and the earthly realm!

The heavenly realm was represented by the sun, moon, stars, and sky, which were all indicative of the upper part of the mural as well as the heavenly realm itself, and the earthly realm was represented by the mountains, rivers, trees, and ground, which were all indicative of the lower part of the mural as well as the earthly realm itself.

“Is there a reason why there are two sections on the upper part of the mural?”

I asked him curiously as I looked at him in confusion, “And why is there only one section on the lower part of the mural?”

“The two sections on the upper part of the mural represent the two main forces: yang and yin.” he said, “The single section on the lower part of the mural represents all living creatures who are born from heaven and earth as an extension of them.”

“So that means we’re an extension of heaven and earth!”

I said as I looked at him in amazement, causing me to see him nodding his head once again, “But then what happens when we die?”

“Life and death are both part of a cycle.” he said, “After we die, our souls will return to heaven and earth for a short period of time before we are reborn as a new creature.”

“The Dust Keeper’s job is to make sure that everything goes according to plan,” he explained to me, “He will guide our souls through the cycle of reincarnation so that we can be reborn as new creatures and create harmony between ourselves once again!”

I barely even managed to process what he said next after he finished speaking before I found myself looking at the central figure who was half-human and half-beast once again after the chief had pointed him out to me earlier, but this time it was not because I was studying the murals here or because everything that he had told me so far had been something that resonated deeply with my own studies and beliefs, but it was because I was trying to figure out if there was any chance that our ancestors could have been right about their beliefs all along!

If what the chief had told me earlier was true or if what our ancestors had written down in their scrolls was true!

I only continued to list to the chief lecture me on his people’s beliefs about life and death, how they believed that death was not something that should be feared or dreaded, how it was simply part of a cycle, part of a process, just like how when a leaf falls off of a tree it would wither away and return to its source while also nourishing a new leaf to grow on that tree, how death was not something that should be feared or dreaded but something that should be accepted as a natural part of life itself, although I couldn’t help but wonder if that was really true or not.

After all, like I said earlier, I could not help but be afraid of death myself no matter how much that I knew about it!

Then all of a sudden he stopped talking for a little bit, causing me to start looking at him once again, only to see his eyes staring off into the distance so much that they seemed to be focused on something that was so far away that he could barely even see it, causing me to wonder if he was even seeing anything at all or just thinking about something else.

After a little bit he began speaking to me once again, “In our culture, we have a special reverence for water for a reason,” he said, “And that is because we believe that water carries our souls back to heaven and earth after we die.”

“Just like how a leaf falls off of a tree and returns to its source to nourish new growth, when we die our souls will return to heaven, only to be reborn as new creatures.”

“Then it’s just like how everything in the universe is interconnected!”

I said to him, “When we die we don’t simply vanish into thin air like everyone thinks that we do, only to never be seen or heard from ever again, but our lives will simply take on a new form.”

I began to say to him, “Just like how when you water a tree it’s roots will grow deeper into the ground, when we die our souls will simply be reborn into something or someone else, only to grow stronger over time!”

“So you get it now?”

he asked me, “You get why we don’t fear or dread death now?”

I said to him with a nod of my head.

“Good,” he said to me with a smile, “I’m glad that you do!Your people are very smart to have figured out things like this on their own without any help from us at all!”

I didn’t even manage to say anything when he finished speaking after hearing his words of praise for me!

After all, it was not every day that one would get praise from someone for something that they had done in their lives!

I only continued listening to his lecture on life and death after he finished speaking before I realized that I was not only learning a lot about his people and their beliefs about life and death, but I was also learning a lot about myself and my own beliefs about life and death as well and how I viewed them as well.

Because while I was listening to his lecture on life and death and while I was thinking about my own beliefs about life and death as well after hearing his words of praise for me after I told him that everything in the universe is interconnected, I began thinking about how much my perspective on life and death had changed ever since I came here and started talking to the chief of the White Sand Mural Academy about his people’s beliefs about life and death!

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