Chapter 657

Chapter 657: The Chosen One

Dong…

The wooden fish slipped from Xie Yu Zhou’s robes, rolling onto the ground with a crisp sound.

The relentless, tireless monsters suddenly halted.

As if frozen in place, they hesitated.

The wooden fish continued to roll, tapping against a corner before falling still. The moment the sound ceased, the creatures roared forward once more, surging in an uncontrollable frenzy.

“Xie Yu Zhou! Knock on the wooden fish and recite the sutra!” Lu Chao Chao shouted immediately.

“I won’t…” He bit his cheek, his face stubborn.

“I’d rather die than strike the wooden fish or recite scripture! I am a man of principle!”

Yet, just as he finished speaking, he saw Lu Chao Chao raise her fist.

Xie Yu Zhou’s temper flared as he stomped his foot but still begrudgingly picked up the wooden fish.

He sat cross-legged on the ground, striking it as he muttered the sutras.

The moment the Sanskrit words emerged, the bloodthirsty creatures froze, standing motionless as if bewitched.

“Where’s your principle now?” Windchaser wiped his sweat and asked.

Xie Yu Zhou muttered, “I have principles, but she will break my bones.”

Principles were meaningless when bones were at stake.

Grumbling under his breath, he resumed chanting.

All around him, monsters encircled him tightly. Xie Yu Zhou sat at the center, feeling weak and utterly helpless.

“Brother is tired…” Shan Shan looked at Xie Yu Zhou and sighed softly.

Xie Yu Zhou, surprised, suddenly felt a new appreciation for the child.

He had assumed the little one was some reincarnated evil spirit, yet now, Shan Shan seemed rather kind-hearted, speaking up for him.

The toddler, still wobbling on his tiny feet and speaking in halting words, staggered forward and attempted to help Xie Yu Zhou up.

“Don’t sit… legs hurt…”

Tears welled up in Xie Yu Zhou’s eyes. The one who truly cared for him turned out to be Shan Shan. And to think he had no goodwill towards the child before… shameful.

“Brother walk… move…”

“Monsters so many… brother walk whole city…”

Shan Shan pointed toward the vast darkness of the capital. The grand imperial city, large enough for Xie Yu Zhou to walk endlessly.

Xie Yu Zhou’s tears instantly dried. Damn it, he took back his guilt.

Lu Chao Chao’s younger brother… could he really be any good!?

“Shan Shan is right. Since the Buddhist scriptures and wooden fish can suppress them, then I shall trouble you, Yu Zhou, to walk through the city,” Lu Chao Chao said with a smile, tilting her head. “Windchaser will accompany you and ensure your safety.”

Xie Yu Zhou found himself utterly unable to refuse.

Meanwhile, Shan Shan turned his little head toward the city gates, as if something was calling him from afar.

“Sister… baby… baby calling…” He tugged on Lu Chao Chao’s sleeve.

“Baby can call? Why didn’t I hear anything?” Lu Chao Chao cocked her head, listening carefully. But all she could hear was the whistling wind, the wails of monsters, and the rhythmic tapping of the wooden fish.

Shan Shan pulled anxiously at her sleeve. “Yes, yes!”

His little face turned red with urgency as he staggered forward, dragging Lu Chao Chao along.

“Sister come! Come with me… find baby… baby…” he mumbled.

“Food, lots of food…” His eyes widened as he waved his tiny hands dramatically.

“Shan Shan is useful! The most useful!”

“The best little brother!”

Even as he walked, he boasted shamelessly about himself, looking utterly pleased.

Lu Chao Chao thought for a moment, then simply picked him up and climbed onto a carriage, heading straight for the outskirts of the city. At every intersection, Shan Shan would stick out his tiny hand and seriously point the way.

Not long after leaving the city, they reached an impassable path.

Lu Chao Chao carried him into the forest, moving swiftly through the rugged terrain.

“How does Shan Shan know where the baby is?” Lu Chao Chao asked.

Shan Shan puffed out his little chest proudly. “Dream… dreamed it…”

“Shan Shan is amazing, amazing… something-something island…”

Before long, the two of them arrived at a clearing, sweat trickling down their faces. The area looked different from the surroundings—while the nearby land was cracked and barren, this spot was covered in blooming flowers and lush green grass.

Lu Chao Chao pressed her palm against the ground, channeling her spiritual energy downward.

“Huh?”

Something was blocking her energy!

“See? Shan Shan didn’t lie! Shan Shan is awesome!” He gave himself a big thumbs-up.

Lu Chao Chao chuckled. “Shan Shan, you’re amazing! Without you, I would never have found this place.”

“With you, I am truly blessed.”

“You are the best little brother. I am proud of you, and all the people of this land will be grateful to you.”

The more she praised him, the higher Shan Shan lifted his chin, nearly tilting his head to the sky in pride.

Lu Chao Chao stood in the center of the clearing, raising her right hand. A brilliant light gathered in her palm before she slammed it against the ground.

At once, a complex formation appeared, flashing before vanishing again.

She attempted to break it by force, but the formation retaliated, nearly injuring her. No matter how many times she tried, it remained unyielding.

Beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.

She even considered using the Sunshine Sword to cleave it open, but such a move would certainly alert the Celestial Realm.

Meanwhile, Shan Shan sat cross-legged, hands on his cheeks, deep in thought.

But soon, his eyelids drooped, and he began dozing off.

In his half-dreaming state, he seemed to see a pair of slender hands forming seals before his eyes. Unconsciously, his tiny hands mimicked the gestures.

Lu Chao Chao glanced at him and instinctively followed along.

The moment she did, the formation below lit up and, with a mysterious force, shattered into pieces.

The barrier was broken instantly.

Shan Shan’s eyes snapped open in surprise as he leaped up in joy. Lu Chao Chao held his hand and stepped into the now-revealed passage.

The moment they entered, the formation sealed itself shut once more.

A narrow tunnel stretched before them, the walls lined with eerie carvings—grimacing ghosts, monstrous beasts that shattered space…

Their painted eyes were disturbingly lifelike, as if alive.

Lu Chao Chao’s gaze sharpened.

These creatures were sealed within the walls.

The moment she stepped forward, they would break free and swarm her.

“Go?” Shan Shan tilted his head at her, confused as to why she hesitated.

Before she could act, Shan Shan took the first step forward.

Turning back, he looked at her innocently. “Go… baby… baby…” He pointed ahead, certain he could hear it calling.

Lu Chao Chao carefully stepped exactly where Shan Shan had, mimicking his movements.

The creatures’ eyes flickered with hostility, but as Shan Shan passed, they shut their eyes, suppressing their murderous intent.

They safely crossed the tunnel and arrived before a massive stone chamber.

“Sister, hold me…”

Shan Shan climbed onto her, reached for the heavy bronze ring on the door, and knocked rhythmically.

Rumble…

The stone door slowly lifted.

A dazzling golden light filled the chamber, accompanied by the overwhelming scent of ripe grain.

Even though Lu Chao Chao had lived two lifetimes and seen the world, she found herself utterly stunned, mouth agape in shock.

The entire mountain had been hollowed out, layered with countless spatial formations upon spatial formations, concealing endless riches and food supplies.

Her heart trembled.

Holy hell, this was the wealthiest hoard in all three realms.

Shan Shan stood with hands on his hips, throwing his head back in laughter—his gleeful cackle sounding much like a duck.

“I really am the Chosen One! Tremble before me, big sis!”