Chapter 175: Down The Hatch We Go
"We have come to receive the message you have sent," said one of the Core Elders from the Void Piercing Sect. The same man who had taken charge of the conversation when we encountered the swamp people.
The statue stood motionless again, resembling a true statue, as if the voice we had heard was just an illusion. But then came another rumbling sound. The statue opened and closed its mouth, emitting that deep, growling noise once more.
"It wasn't I who sent the message. I am merely the guardian of a great man's tomb, a man who once lived. I know little of his plans, but I will do my duty," said the stone head. Then it opened its mouth, revealing a door where the back of its throat should have been.
On the roof of the statue's mouth was a cross-like symbol with intricate, flowery details.
Nothing more needed to be said. Some disciples lingered in cautious anticipation, their eyes darting between the newly revealed door and the Core Elders, waiting for a signal or command to guide their next move. However, not everyone was content to wait. A few of the more impetuous disciples, driven by a mix of curiosity and bravado, charged toward the door without a second thought.
Witnessing this bold action, others quickly shed their hesitation, not wanting to be left behind or miss out on whatever treasures lay beyond. This sudden rush set off a chain reaction, with more and more disciples surging forward to follow the trailblazers into the unknown.
Chaos ensued for a few seconds as swishing winds echoed, marking disciples moving at their top speeds. The looks in their eyes promised death to anyone who dared stand in their way.
"What're we waiting for?" Song Song asked, nudging me out of my thoughts and pointing at my cousins, who were also looking at me.
Were they waiting for my decision? That was unexpected. I didn't think they would wait or listen to me. But seniority or age didn't matter much when I had Song Song. If she was listening to me, my cousins would too, as a matter of principle—at least when Song Song was present.