Information


Shengui has a minion!

Jade the Wanderlust Spirit




Shengui
Legacy Name: Shengui


The Custom Dawn Antlephore
Owner: Celene

Age: 8 years, 7 months, 4 days

Born: August 24th, 2015

Adopted: 7 years, 7 months, 4 days ago

Adopted: August 24th, 2016


Pet Spotlight Winner
April 6th, 2017

Statistics


  • Level: 59
     
  • Strength: 138
     
  • Defense: 65
     
  • Speed: 25
     
  • Health: 29
     
  • HP: 29/29
     
  • Intelligence: 129
     
  • Books Read: 111
  • Food Eaten: 0
  • Job: Landscaper


High on a cliff in Shengui Guo there was an ancient cherry tree. Every spring, people from the nearest village gathered in celebration of the tree. They hung lanterns, sang songs, and made offerings to the spirit of the tree, a spirit rumored to sometimes make an appearance in the shape of an antlephore, whom they called Shengui. In return for the offerings and celebration, Shengui produced the juiciest, sweetest cherries in all the land. Every year many children eagerly awaited “the tree’s candy” they called it, snacking and munching while overlooking the beautiful view.

One winter there was a particularly harsh frost that continued well into springtime. This year, few people showed up to celebrate the tree. Shengui remembered the love from previous years and again she produced big sweet berries, however this time most of them fell to the ground; food only for the birds. Over time, the people from the village visited less and less until nobody came at all. Shengui grew saddened and lonely, and her cherries became smaller and smaller until the tree ceased to yield any fruit. The tree was old and seemingly forgotten by the world. As springs came and passed Shengui faded, giving up hope of anyone returning, until at last, a little girl came frolicking toward the tree. She had a black bob, bangs, and wore a pink dress. The girl must’ve been about four, and she stood there with her hand on the trunk, head cocked to the side, looking up into the leaves. Her face scrunched in concentration. She felt the presence of a lingering spirit. This wasn’t the kitchen spirit she knew from home, or the shrine spirit of her father’s ancestors, this spirit was different, soft and muted.

“Hello?” She asked, “Hello… tree!?” She called again. There was no response and so the girl lay down on the ground and began rolling on her back. “My name is Chunhua! Nice to meet you! You don’t have to be so shy around me, I promise I’m nice!” Day after day, Chunhua returned to the tree. It was a sweltering summer and she liked to play in the shade beneath it and practice her climbing skills. In the fall, she started school but continued to come there to play. It was her secret fort, her getaway from adults, and her friend. Every day when she spoke to Shengui, Shengui’s spirit grew brighter again. The tree felt the love of the child and began to grow stronger, taller, and trunk thicker; its roots spreading further than ever before.

That spring, the tree was healthier than it had ever been, as the child had brought the most valuable offering of all, love and time. One evening, after a hard day’s worth of constant play, Chunhua drifted to sleep under the flourishing branches. As it got later, voices could be heard in the distance, “Chunhua! Chunhua where are you?” They called, but the girl was so at peaceful that she didn’t stir. Finally, Chunhua’s parents made their way to the tree; they were shocked by its magnificence. Her father smiled and spoke to Shengui, “This must be where she always comes to play. Thank you for taking care of my precious daughter,” He wrapped his arm around his wife who was smiling. Shengui appeared to them then, an antlephore, standing over Chunhua, and nuzzling her softly awake. The little girl opened her eyes and looked up at her parents, “This is it! This is Shengui, my best friend! She has taught me many things this year, how to read the wind by her leaves, how to climb like a monkey and sing like a bird!” The girl shot up as if she’d been wide awake and began to dance around happily.

After this, Chunhua’s parents joined her for her daily climb to the cliff to visit the tree, bringing many offerings to the tree spirit. The tree blossomed into the most beautiful burst of petals. The cherries grew so large and scrumptious that talk of them spread all around the town. Once again, the traditions of celebrating this ancient cherry tree and its spirit were carried out. The tree was no longer forgotten. In years to come children spent the seasons making their costumes, and at the festival, they dressed up as the tree’s spirit Shengui, and danced all night in her honor.

Story by Celene

Profile and tree-art by chi

Pet overlay by Maximoff

Cloud-pattern by Varvara Gorbash

Pet Treasure


Cherrium Blossodid

Single Gazania

Murder She Ate

Survival Bundle of Periwinkles

Unlucky Zooky Paw

Wanderlust Fabric Scrap

Pink Plum Blossom Sprig

Fluttering Flora

Lingering Shrine Sprite

Koi Fish Carved Watermelon

Gold Incense Burner

Pet Friends