Chapter 407: Xiao Qing

Chapter 407: Chapter 407: Xiao Qing

Mr. Corpse pointed at the small fluffy ball, looked at Nian Youyou, and after a moment of contemplation, he calmed down and said, "This is an Ancestral God Beast, Nian Youyou Zhenren. You should take it and run away immediately."

"Run away?" Nian Youyou asked in surprise.

An Ancestral God Beast? Despite her extensive reading in the Longevity Realm, she had never encountered any records of such a beast. How did Mr. Corpse recognize it at a glance?

"Yes, that Heart Refining Blue Sea might dissipate in less than five days," Mr. Corpse said.

"Oh? Why?" Nian Youyou asked.

"Because of it, the Ancestral God Beast in your hand. The Heart Refining Blue Sea was created by it. Without it, the sea will dissipate in at most five days. When that happens, they will certainly come after you for the Ancestral God Beast. In the Pure Land, the three great Buddhas, including the future Golden Cicada Buddha, should also be aware of this beast," Mr. Corpse said solemnly.

"He knows? Why are you so certain?" Nian Youyou asked.

"Sorry, that involves personal matters. Just remember, if the Golden Cicada Buddha knows about this beast, he will stop at nothing to get it," Mr. Corpse said.

"An Ancestral God Beast? This little thing?" Zhong Shan asked.

"Yes, this is just a juvenile Ancestral God Beast. I never expected there to be an Ancestral God Beast in this world. If it didn't conflict with my cultivation, I would have fought for it too. Take good care of it, and in the future, it will become extremely powerful," Mr. Corpse said, taking a deep breath.

"It's only a juvenile?" Nian Youyou looked at Mr. Corpse strangely, as if he were a liar. How could he know about this creature when she herself didn't?

"Ancestral God, hah, Ancestral God!" Mr. Corpse continued to marvel at the small fluffy ball in Nian Youyou's hand.

The small ball curled up and let out a soft whimper.

"Eee eee eee."

"Zhong Shan, is your subordinate telling the truth?" Nian Youyou asked Zhong Shan, her eyes full of uncertainty.

An Ancestral God? This little fluffy ball is an Ancestral God?

Zhong Shan gave the small ball a deep look, then looked at Nian Youyou and said, "I trust Mr. Corpse. You've struck gold. Now quickly return to the Pure Land. We'll meet again another day."

"Meet again another day?" Nian Youyou suddenly looked at Zhong Shan, her eyes flashing with a mix of tenderness and pain.

"No, let's not meet again. You should never encounter me again," Nian Youyou suddenly said.

"Why?" Zhong Shan asked, puzzled.

"Don't ask, just remember me," Nian Youyou said, her eyes filled with pain.

"What's going on?" Zhong Shan frowned.

"Don't ask. I'm leaving!" Nian Youyou turned and began to dismantle the formation, clearly preparing to leave.

Seeing Nian Youyou's sudden change in demeanor, Zhong Shan felt a sense of unease.

Nian Youyou deactivated the formation and was about to fly away, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Wait!" Zhong Shan suddenly called out.

"What now?" Nian Youyou asked, not turning back.

Zhong Shan followed Nian Youyou out of the courtyard, quickly forming three hand seals and releasing three bolts of lightning towards the three small courtyards around the square.

"Boom!"

Two of the courtyards were protected by formations, which shook violently, while the roof of the third was blasted open.

"It's... it's called Xiao Qing!" Nian Youyou said, smiling happily.

"Xiao Qing?" The three men looked puzzled. This little fluffy ball was obviously deep blue, and you call it 'Xiao Qing'?

Nian Youyou nodded, holding Xiao Qing, as if she was still immersed in the previous dream. That memory was too deeply ingrained. Though it might have been just one day, in the dream, it was four years. Through that dream, Nian Youyou realized she couldn't let go of Zhong Shan. A glance felt like an eternity; a day sounded absurd, but could that heart-wrenching love be erased? She even had a white, chubby son. Could she just forget all of that?

Nian Youyou left. Zhong Shan, his son Zhong Tian, and Mr. Corpse returned to the small courtyard. This time, none of them went out, quietly waiting for the Great Annihilation Assembly to commence.

What exactly was the Great Annihilation Assembly?

"General Zhong!" A knocking sound came from outside the courtyard.

Zhong Shan, Zhong Tian, and Mr. Corpse were meditating, waiting. Hearing the knock, all three frowned. The voice penetrated directly through the formation?

Zhong Shan immediately got up and walked to the courtyard entrance, opening the door.

As the door opened, Zhong Shan was slightly stunned, his heart tightening.

Outside the courtyard stood a large group of monks, all solemn and imposing. Not one of their cultivations was something Zhong Shan could see through, and several even had halos of merit behind their heads.

Bodhisattvas? No, the one at the front wasn't a Bodhisattva but a Buddha.

Golden Cicada Buddha. The Golden Cicada Buddha had come knocking with a group of followers?

"Golden Cicada Buddha, what is this?" Zhong Shan asked, pointing at the large group of Bodhisattvas and Arhats.

"Long time no see. I didn't expect General Zhong to attend as promised. Golden Cicada is pleased," Golden Cicada Buddha said with a smile.

"Golden Cicada Buddha is too kind. How could I not come when Buddha invites me?" Zhong Shan replied courteously, while his mind raced, wondering why Golden Cicada had come.

"Aren't you going to invite me in?" Golden Cicada Buddha asked with a smile.

"Of course, but the courtyard is small, I fear..." Zhong Shan glanced at the group of Arhats behind Golden Cicada.

"You all wait outside!" Golden Cicada Buddha commanded directly.

"Yes!" The Bodhisattvas and Arhats responded immediately.

"Please!" Zhong Shan invited Golden Cicada Buddha into the hall.

Mr. Corpse and Zhong Tian stood waiting nearby.

After sitting in the hall, Golden Cicada Buddha glanced at the two and asked, "Who are these two?"

"One is a commander in my Zhong family army, Mr. Corpse. This is my son," Zhong Shan introduced.

"A commander? Ha, General Zhong's household is indeed extraordinary!" Golden Cicada said, looking slightly surprised at Mr. Corpse.

Mr. Corpse remained silent, simply sitting there.

"This must be Zhong Tian, the Arhat of Great Ming Temple?" Golden Cicada asked Zhong Tian with a smile.

"Honored by my master, I was given the title of Arhat," Zhong Tian said, frowning slightly.

"Great Ming Temple is an ancient monastery with deep foundations. Though it has no Buddha, it has Bodhisattvas of merit and can confer twenty Arhat positions. It's impressive that you've been conferred as an Arhat at such a young age. Congratulations," Golden Cicada said, smiling kindly at Zhong Tian.

"What brings Golden Cicada Buddha here?" Zhong Shan asked, frowning at Golden Cicada.

Golden Cicada turned to Zhong Shan, seemingly with intention, and said, "Zhiguang Arhat of the Pure Land, unfortunately, met with a mishap a few days ago."