Chapter 111 The Chosen

"It seems you two fellow Daoists have also noticed. The previous map appeared unproblematic, but it didn't depict the major rivers and waterways on the island, because the maps sold publicly in the city all lack these watercourse markings. Yet along our journey, we've encountered many great rivers, and I've marked them all." Han Li chuckled and said.

The others, upon hearing this, looked thoughtfully at the map again.

Indeed, as Han Li had said, although the map was detailed, it contained very few rivers and waterways, and even those were only small streams and rivers.

Everyone's attention had been drawn to the cities, so they hadn't noticed this.

"In the past few days, whenever I arrived at a city, I collected some geographical information about the island, especially some ancient maps, and finally found some data on major rivers." Han Li said, pointing with a finger.

Light flickered on the water mirror, and large rivers emerged on parts of the map.

"This is..." The others looked at the water mirror, their expressions changing.

"Due to time constraints, I only managed to gather these watercourse records. A single glimpse reveals the whole picture. You should have noticed by now: the Red Moon Cities we've passed, as well as some large cities, are all situated near major waterways. Our firsthand observations over these days have confirmed this." Han Li explained slowly.

The others recalled the cities they had visited; indeed, each was near a great river or lake, including the Red Moon City they were in now.

"That's nothing special. Being close to rivers and lakes naturally facilitates transportation. Not just Red Moon Island, but cities on other islands are mostly built near rivers and lakes." Jiao Thirteen said.

"That may be true, but I just used a soul-charming spell on a bookshop owner in this city and learned from him that any books on the island are strictly forbidden to depict the main watercourses on maps. Moreover, this order was personally issued by the Saint Lord, that is, Gongshu Hong, which clearly indicates he is hiding something." Han Li continued.

"This..." Jiao Thirteen was momentarily at a loss for words.

"Although I don't know why the Red Moon Island Lord would do this, based on the river distribution I've mapped out, the convergence point of all waterways is here." Han Li pointed to a city on the map.

That was precisely the Red Moon City of Kunzhou.

"These are all speculations. Can you be sure that Gongshu Hong is there?" Jiao Twenty-Five also questioned.

"Naturally, I cannot be certain, but rather than searching aimlessly, it's better to go there first. The likelihood is greater." Han Li said slowly.

Jiao Twenty-Five's lips moved as if to retort, but he found no words to refute.

"Well said! Fellow Daoist Jiao Fifteen, thanks to your discovery, we would still be clueless otherwise." Jiao Nine laughed heartily, clapping his hands.

Since joining forces, he had felt overshadowed by Jiao Eight, but now he finally felt vindicated, and his mood improved considerably.

"Indeed, if we had to search all twenty-odd Red Moon Cities, by then Gongshu Hong would have gotten wind and hidden somewhere unknown!" Jiao Sixteen said with some pride.

"You flatter me. It was just a chance discovery." Han Li said modestly with a smile.

"Fellow Daoist Jiao Fifteen's reasoning is sound. Let's head to Kunzhou then." Jiao Eight, after a brief silence, also chuckled.

...

One night several days later.

Over a vast plain in the central part of Red Moon Island, two thick streaks of light tore through the night sky and landed at the edge of a forest below.

The light faded, revealing two boats of different shapes, from which descended six or seven figures, each wearing a strange animal mask. They were Han Li and his group.

"Ahead is the Red Moon City of Kunzhou. It seems a pilgrimage ceremony is also underway inside the city." Jiao Eight pointed into the distant night and said.

Han Li followed his pointing direction and saw, in the darkness over ten li away, a massive city brightly lit with lanterns.

Inside the city, red lights were everywhere, casting a bloody hue on the clouds in the night sky, giving an eerie appearance.

The entire city was still enveloped in a blue barrier, but under the glow of the lights, its color had changed, appearing somewhat dark red.

"This city is quite large. It might indeed be Gongshu Hong's lair." Jiao Nine said slowly, his eyes flickering.

"No time to lose. Let's enter the city first. As before, once inside, avoid using divine sense over a wide range." Jiao Eight said.

Faced with his commanding tone, Jiao Nine naturally ignored it, while the others silently nodded without saying much.

Soon after, the group used masks to change their appearances, all donned black cloaks for night travel, and silently headed toward the Red Moon City.

At that moment, the four city gates of Kunzhou's Red Moon City were wide open. Along the main roads leading to the central square, red lanterns hung everywhere, illuminating the entire city brightly.

On the official roads outside the four gates, several thousand straggling pedestrians were hurrying into the city. They were pilgrims coming to the Red Moon City for the ceremony, delayed for various reasons.

Han Li and the others split into two groups, mingling with these people, and entered the Red Moon City through the gates.

Han Li and Jiao Nine entered through the south gate and followed the crowd toward the city center.

The atmosphere inside the city was solemn. The surrounding pedestrians were very quiet, all holding their hands crossed over their chests, silently walking along the streets toward the city center.

Only as they neared the city center did a strange, rhythmic chanting emerge, continuously washing over the three like waves crashing on the shore, echoing with a particular cadence.

At that moment, the vast square in the city center and the nearby main roads were densely packed with millions of people. Han Li and the others, reaching the middle section of the southern street, were already blocked by the dense crowd.

Like eels, Han Li and the other two slowly parted the crowd, struggling toward the center of the square, occasionally drawing angry glares from those around them.

However, since most people here were mortals and busy reciting prayers, no one actually confronted them, and they managed to squeeze bit by bit onto the square. Though not at the center, they were quite close.

Han Li, being tall, could see over the crowd with a slight tilt of his head. At the very center of the square stood a giant statue over a hundred zhang tall.

Whether due to its material or the surrounding lights, the statue appeared blood-red, looking somewhat eerie.

In front of the statue, near its chest, seven figures hovered in the void. They were all wearing deep blue silk robes with a blood-red crescent moon pattern embroidered on the chest.

Illuminated by the surrounding light and set off by the statue behind, these hovering figures seemed like deities, radiating a strange aura.

However, their cultivation levels were not particularly high. Apart from a kindly white-haired old man in the center who was a late-stage Great Ascension cultivator, the rest were only at the Integration stage.

But to the cultivators below, who were at most at the Core Formation stage, and to ordinary mortals, they were lofty gods.

Like all the common people, these seven were also slightly bowing their heads, softly reciting prayers with utmost piety.

As Han Li was observing the figures above, a voice transmission from Jiao Sixteen suddenly rang in his mind: "What do you say, should we capture these people first?"

He turned to look and saw Jiao Nine also looking at him with a contemplative expression, appearing hesitant.

But just then, the crescent moon in the sky slowly moved to its zenith, and the surrounding chanting gradually faded.

The kindly old man in midair slowly straightened up, swept his gaze across the square like a mortal official inspecting the people, and spoke slowly:

"The Saint Lord bestows grace, benefiting all beings. Your sincerity is evident, and you shall enjoy the glory of the Chosen. The 'Sexagenary Chosen' is about to begin. Pray with sincere hearts for the Saint Lord's favor."

As his words fell, a thunderous cheer erupted from the crowd.

But within moments, silence returned. Everyone slightly bowed their heads, faces full of anticipation, hands clasped together in front of them in a prayer gesture.

Not knowing what was happening, Han Li and the other two could only follow suit.

Just then, the square trembled slightly, as if some ancient formation had been activated, and a very peculiar aura rose around them.

Han Li lowered his head slightly, a blue light flashing in his eyes, and looked through the gaps in the crowd at the ground.

He saw that on the white stone pavement, complex patterns invisible to the naked eye suddenly lit up, densely interwoven, extending in all directions.

With a "humming" sound.

Hundreds of red light pillars shot up from the ground across the square, enveloping some of the Red Moon Islanders.

Han Li swept his gaze and felt somewhat surprised.

He saw that those people showed no sign of panic; instead, each wore a look of ecstasy. Some even wept for joy, constantly wiping away tears.

Those around them who knew them also showed joy, and even strangers were full of envy, mixed with a hint of jealousy.

Han Li turned to look at Jiao Nine and the other with some bewilderment, and saw that they too were full of confusion, obviously not understanding what was happening.

After all, such a scene had not occurred in the previous Red Moon City.

After a moment's thought, as if suddenly recalling something, Han Li raised an eyebrow and transmitted to the two:

"Could it be that these people are the ones chosen by the Saint Lord to stay?"

"That should be it... Following these people might lead us to the Red Moon Island Lord. But I wonder where they are taken?" Jiao Nine transmitted after a moment's deliberation.

Han Li smiled and replied, "That's easy. Have you noticed that although those teleported away include men and women, old and young, seemingly without pattern, that's not actually the case."