After the old man stepped out of the crowd, a middle-aged man holding a suona also followed suit.
The piercing sound just now was blown by him as a signal for the Great Witch to enter the scene, and for the entire crowd to maintain silence.
Following closely behind the two was a gong and drum troupe. Once the suona sounded again, the drum troupe synchronized their rhythm, collectively accompanying the Great Witch toward the wooden tower platform.
When the Great Witch reached the platform, he held up a wooden plaque and circled clockwise and counterclockwise several times beneath the platform, muttering a language Sang Ning couldn't understand.
After completing the chant, the Great Witch handed the wooden plaque to the man beside him, then proceeded to climb, step by step, up to the highest point of the Wooden Tower.
Sang Ning followed with her gaze, seeing the Great Witch standing atop the platform, wildly swinging his arms and moving his head in motions she didn't understand.
