Chapter 550

Chapter 550: The Celestial Realm

“I’m not going,” Lu Chao Chao waved both her head and hands in refusal.

“Forget it, it’s normal to hesitate when returning home,” A-Man said with a sigh, hugging her gently and brushing their cheeks together.

So soft, so adorable.

Xie Yu Zhou, crouched in the corner, observed her keenly. “Hesitant to return home? Doesn’t seem like her.”

Knowing Lu Chao Chao, she was more likely dreading her scholarly older brother. After all, who wouldn’t be afraid of having a teacher in the family?

Moreover, she hadn’t finished the assignments the academy sent her last night.

Seeing that she was about to undertake something major, Xie Yu Zhou chose not to expose her.

“Heh, you can run for now, but you can’t run forever.”

“Once you’re done with your grand endeavor, your days of peace will be…” he teased.

Thud.

Before he could finish, his body went limp, collapsing onto the ground. The wooden fish in his hand rolled away with a series of thuds.

Lu Chao Chao stood behind him, holding a large rock in her hands.

“Good thing he was squatting; otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to knock him out,” she huffed, stomping her foot. “If only I were taller.”

“A-Man, A-Wu, please take him home with you,” she requested.

Regardless of whether Xie Yu Zhou was her older brother or a reincarnated great power, Lu Chao Chao had never intended to drag anyone else into her affairs.

She turned to Windchaser and Zhu Mo.

“Zhu Mo, you may stay home with A-Wu. You have the dragon clan, I won’t involve you.”

“Windchaser, the same goes for you. Return to the demon realm.”

“I, Lu Chao Chao, take responsibility for my own actions. I won’t burden anyone else.”

Zhu Mo’s eyes brightened as he blinked, about to speak.

Windchaser puffed up his chest, his red hair blazing like fire. “What do you mean by burden? Aren’t we friends?”

“Whoever backs down is a cowardly turtle!”

Zhu Mo, who had just taken a step back, silently retracted his foot, then nodded earnestly, gritting his teeth. “Right! Whoever backs down is a cowardly turtle!”

“Look at Zhu Mo, he’s so mad his eyes are red! Chao Chao, what do you take us for? Do we seem like cowards?” Windchaser thumped his chest loudly.

“Rest assured, I’ve already secured the demon realm. While they won’t wage war on the heavens with us, they can at least protect themselves.”

“Besides, I’m all alone—what do I have to fear? Oh, but Zhu Mo, you have a wife… You’re not afraid either, are you?” Windchaser grinned, slinging an arm around Zhu Mo’s shoulders.

Zhu Mo gritted his teeth. “Not afraid!” He enunciated each word forcefully.

“Right. If you’re going to the Celestial Realm, I will naturally follow you.” He shot a glare at Windchaser. You lackey! Why drag me into this?!

Windchaser smirked knowingly.

Zhu Mo took a deep breath, turned to Feng Wu, and held her hand. “Wait for me at home. I will return alive. I won’t let you become a widow.”

Feng Wu…

Lu Chao Chao was a little surprised. Windchaser following her made sense—they had grown up together, sharing food and beds. But Zhu Mo? He agreed too?

She couldn’t deny being touched.

Tearing up, she clutched Zhu Mo’s hands. “Zhu Mo, I really underestimated you before.”

She always thought he felt constrained around her.

Zhu Mo simply smiled, saying nothing.

I really just want to stay in the mortal realm and sleep next to my wife…

As Lu Chao Chao went to settle matters, Zhu Mo seized the chance to glare at Windchaser.

“If you want to play the lackey, why drag me down with you?! You damned lackey!”

Windchaser lazily crossed his arms. “I’m helping you.”

Zhu Mo scoffed. “Helping me? If I left her, I could return to the Dragon Clan and be the little crown prince again!”

Windchaser grinned. “It wouldn’t make a difference. You’re bound to her by contract. If she dies in the Celestial Realm, you die too. If you go with her, at least you can keep an eye on your own fate.”

“Aren’t I helping? You get to prove your loyalty and ensure your own survival.”

Zhu Mo…

Damn it, this dog’s logic actually makes sense!

Where he had been pouting before, Zhu Mo was now enthusiastically sticking close to Lu Chao Chao.

“Don’t worry, I have the body of a dragon. I will protect you.”

Lu Chao Chao was deeply moved.

A carriage stopped at the Lu residence, and she immediately leaped into the clouds with the black dragon.

A young scholar, stepping out of the carriage with books in his arms, instructed, “Put these away for when Chao Chao returns.”

“I’ve added new annotations to them.”

Lu Yuan Xiao had shed his baby fat and grown considerably taller, now exuding the air of a true scholar.

The servant smiled wryly. “Third Young Master, the study materials for the Little Miss already fill an entire room. How will she ever finish them all?”

Lu Yuan Xiao raised an eyebrow. “She’ll manage.”

“Learning is a lifelong journey, and Chao Chao is smarter than me.”

He sighed deeply.

“I’m the dumbest in the family.”

The servant nearly jumped. “Bodhisattva help us, Third Young Master, you mustn’t say such things! You’re the youngest scholar of your age! If you pass the final imperial exam, you’ll be a thirteen-year-old top scholar! Even the Eldest Young Master wasn’t as accomplished!”

Lu Yuan Xiao shook his head. “Can’t compare to Eldest Brother. If not for the incident where he almost drowned, he would have long been renowned, achieving top honors.”

“Besides, I am the dumbest in the family.”

“Chao Chao has a perfect memory—she just doesn’t like studying.” He muttered to himself.

“She can’t waste such talent. When she returns, I’ll teach her personally.”

A-Man and A-Wu exchanged knowing glances.

Chao Chao had guessed correctly.

Thankfully, she escaped in time, or her brother would be chasing her down with books.

After confirming their identities, A-Man and A-Wu were left to explain.

Meanwhile, at the gates of the Celestial Realm, Lu Chao Chao, dressed in a crimson dress, frowned at the heavily guarded Southern Celestial Gate.

She had entered reincarnation without appearing in the Book of Life and Death. The Celestial Realm would have a hard time finding her.

She wouldn’t involve her mortal family.

With a flicker of transformation, she took on the appearance of a newly ascended celestial.

“Esteemed deity, is this the Southern Celestial Gate?” she asked respectfully, cupping her hands to the guards.

The guards scrutinized her. “Are you an ascended cultivator from the lower realms?”

“Yes, I’ve just ascended. I seek guidance from you esteemed deities. The Celestial Realm…” She looked around in awe.

“As expected of the Celestial Realm. Its security is truly formidable.”

The guards said nothing, simply placing a massive divine mirror in front of her. “Every ascended cultivator must pass before the Divine Mirror.”

Lu Chao Chao smiled sweetly, dimples appearing as she strolled past it without hesitation.

The mirror remained unchanged.

Only then did the guards relax slightly. “Forgive the offense.”

“The Celestial Realm isn’t usually this strict, but there has been unrest lately. A divine punishment is taking place.”

Lu Chao Chao lowered her gaze. “A deity committed a grave crime?”

The guards hesitated. “You’ll understand once you enter. Matters of right and wrong… are beyond our judgment.”