Chapter 635

Chapter 635: The Choice

Shan Shan felt as if he could cry, but no tears would come. On one side stood his elder sister, Lu Chao Chao. On the other, his former subordinates—loyal followers who had once fought beside him.

“Master! What are you hesitating for?”

“If not for Lu Chao Chao, we would have already ruled the Three Realms! She is our mortal enemy!”

“She imprisoned you for a thousand years, reduced you to a captive! Our brothers perished under her blade—she is responsible for everything!”

“Now that she has returned as a mortal, we can finally unite and cut her down!”

“This is our chance to exact vengeance, Master!”

“You are born of the heavens, unfettered and free. What does a mere sibling bond mean compared to our grand ambition? Our conquest is what truly matters!”

“Master, you were locked away in the Celestial Realm for a millennium, but we never stopped searching for you. We swore to follow you unto death.”

“With a single call from you, countless brethren will rise!”

“Do you still believe she will show you any mercy? Lu Chao Chao was ruthless before; she will not spare you now!”

“She is heartless!”

“What is familial affection compared to supreme power? It is nothing but a burden—chains to bind you!”

“Master, act now!” The black-clad figures urged him, their gazes sharp with expectation. Something felt amiss, however. The Master had already absorbed the first wave of power—this should have been the moment of slaughter.

Lu Chao Chao said nothing, merely gazing at him steadily.

Shan Shan’s hands were stained with Mai Feng’s blood. Before him stood his former subordinates and Lu Chao Chao—a choice between life and death.

In the shadows, several young children huddled together, trembling. Their eyes reflected a mix of fear and confusion. Even Mai Feng, lying at death’s door, looked stunned.

No one had expected that the one they had been fighting over, the little gourd, would become the center of it all.

Shan Shan pressed his lips together and slowly stood. “Let them go first.”

He pointed to the children around him.

The formation on the ground had already been activated, but without the presence of virgin boys and girls at the peak of their yin energy, it remained incomplete.

“No! Master, the mortal realm is in turmoil, corpses fill the land—only through this can you gain true power! With mere miasma, how will you stand against the Three Realms?” The black-robed figures’ eyes gleamed with murderous intent. To them, human lives were nothing but fuel for their Master’s strength.

Shan Shan’s expression turned icy. “I don’t need it.”

“Let them go.”

The men ground their teeth. They could sense that their Master had changed since his reincarnation. A deep unease crept into their hearts. The Seven Sins thrived on miasma and were inherently wicked—something had gone wrong.

They had considered what kind of life their Master might have lived in the mortal world. But never had they imagined—

That he had been reborn as Lu Chao Chao’s blood brother.

Born of the same mother, bound by the same blood.

Heaven itself was mocking them.

With a bitter sigh, one of them barked, “Go!” His blood-red eyes burned with suppressed rage. They had waited for so long, only for this…

The children, crying, stumbled over each other as they fled.

Only Mai Feng remained on the ground.

A frail girl tried to pull him up, but she was too weak, having gone days without food. She hesitated before running away in desperation.

“Master, kill Lu Chao Chao and come with us! Act now!”

Lu Chao Chao’s expression was calm, her gaze unshaken.

It was as if, no matter what he chose, she would accept it.

Shan Shan dared not meet her eyes. He picked up a sword from the ground, its blade far taller than himself, dragging it along with an ear-piercing screech.

He took one step forward.

The black-clad men exhaled in relief. “Master, once she is gone, no one will stand against us in the Three Realms.”

“Our brothers will—”

Before the words could leave his lips, Shan Shan suddenly crossed his hands over the hilt, sweat dripping from his brow, and drove the sword through the man’s chest.

The black-robed man slowly looked down at the blade impaling him. In an instant, his body began to dissipate.

Shan Shan clenched his lips tightly, his forehead drenched in cold sweat.

Clang.

The sword slipped from his hands and crashed onto the ground. Shan Shan, exhausted, collapsed onto his knees.

His head hung low, hiding his expression from view.

But no one knew—the strike had deliberately missed the man’s heart.

A moment’s hesitation, just enough for an escape.

As the formation faded, a flicker of satisfaction appeared in Lu Chao Chao’s eyes. She stepped forward, gently resting her hand on Shan Shan’s head.

“Well done, Shan Shan.”

“My little brother.” Her eyes softened, noticing his trembling frame—was he crying?

She knelt beside him.

Shan Shan’s eyes were red, his tiny fists clenched as he wept in frustration. “I… I didn’t run away from home!”

“I was kidnapped! Kidnapped!”

He covered his face and wailed, inconsolable.

Lu Chao Chao chuckled, patting his head. “Yes, yes, you were kidnapped. I know you didn’t run away. I believe you…”

“Damn those kidnappers.” She turned her gaze downward to the formation beneath them.

Her brows furrowed. “This is a forbidden technique from the Celestial Realm.”

“It was recorded in the Celestial Realm’s archives as a taboo ritual.”

“This formation is called the Reverse Path Technique—an array soaked in blood and slaughter. It requires three activations. Once complete, the mortal world will become a living hell.”

Windchaser and Zhu Mo arrived silently, their gazes filled with approval for Shan Shan.

“What happens next?” Windchaser asked as he stomped on the formation, shattering it.

“The Reverse Path Technique was originally a rain-seeking ritual, meant for prayers of prosperity.”

“But it was corrupted into a sinister magic.”

Zhu Mo knelt, his expression grave. “It will bring endless calamities to the mortal realm.”

“The array is already in its final stages. Mortal fortunes have likely suffered. The emperors of various nations must be warned.”

A heavy silence fell over them. Everyone knew—Han Chuan had begun his assault on the mortal world.

Shan Shan, sobbing, clung to Lu Chao Chao’s sleeve, pointing at Mai Feng. “Help… help…”

Windchaser flicked his fingers, sealing Mai Feng’s vital points.

Lu Chao Chao took out a pill and placed it in Mai Feng’s mouth. It melted instantly.

“If he wakes within three days, he will survive.”

Zhu Mo hoisted Mai Feng onto his back and strode away, while Windchaser grinned at Shan Shan. “Congratulations, little prince. You chose family over ambition.”

“Good kid, I knew you wouldn’t let us down.”

With a hearty slap on Shan Shan’s shoulder, Windchaser sent him stumbling to the ground.

Shan Shan winced, his face contorted in pain.

Lu Chao Chao smiled. “So my test wasn’t in vain. At least you are worthy of the Sunshine Sword in my hands.”

Shan Shan trembled, his tears pouring like a river.

I knew it!!!

As Windchaser carried him away, he stared at the devastation around him. His home, his grand ambitions—ruined! His tears gushed forth.

To hell with sibling bonds and family!

He hadn’t chosen kinship.

He had chosen survival.

After all…

High above the clouds, a cold-eyed youth watched in silence.

Shan Shan wailed. No one understood his sorrow!

Because in truth—

He had never had a choice.