Ch. 381He Was the One Chosen by Heaven
Chapter Summary
- The Ancestor Statue’s true nature is revealed: During the autumn sacrifice, Ye Wudao notices that the statue completely absorbs the Gray Beasts’ energy, including traces of their Intent Body origins. He realizes the ceremony is not merely worship but a process through which the statue “charges” itself, suggesting it is an extraordinarily advanced and mysterious artifact tied to the Unregistered Ones’ greatest secret.
- The Witch King announces a divine prophecy: Before the customary tribal tournament begins, the Witch King declares that an ancient divine decree foretold the arrival of a heaven-chosen individual bearing the Pangu Mark. This person is destined to awaken the Ancestor Statue and lead the Wu Tribe out of the Land of Extreme Wu, which the Witch King describes as an eternal prison.
- The tribes react with disbelief: Most tribes have never heard of this prophecy and question both its authenticity and the idea of leaving their homeland. They argue that the Land of Extreme Wu is the pure land inherited from Pangu and that outsiders could not possess the Pangu Bloodline. The great tribes’ elders are especially suspicious because their own records contain no mention of the chosen one.
- Ye Wudao is identified as the chosen one: The Witch King publicly points to Ye Wudao, calling him “Wu Wudao” and declaring that he bears the Pangu Mark. The announcement shocks the gathering. Many tribes mock his frail appearance and outsider status, doubting that he could lead the Wu Tribe or possess the Ancestor God’s bloodline.
- Wu Yan challenges the declaration: Still resentful over the previous day’s conflict, Wu Yan openly accuses Ye Wudao and Wu Xuan of deception. He demands that Ye Wudao prove himself either by revealing a pure Pangu Bloodline or defeating the Wuyan Tribe’s warriors in the upcoming tournament. Several tribes support this demand, causing the gathering to become chaotic.
- Ye Wudao accepts a direct test: Remaining calm despite the hostility, Ye Wudao volunteers to touch the Ancestor Statue and let its reaction determine whether he is truly the chosen one. The Witch King had planned to use this method himself, believing the statue’s response would silence all opposition, and he permits Ye Wudao to proceed.
- The chapter ends with mounting tension: Ye Wudao walks toward the altar under the scrutiny of the entire Wu Tribe. Wu Yan expects the statue’s restrictions to destroy him, while Wu Xuan and Wu Ai anxiously watch. The outcome of Ye Wudao’s contact with the statue is left unresolved.
Character Developments and Interactions
- Ye Wudao: Demonstrates keen insight by recognizing the statue’s energy absorption and remains composed when publicly challenged. His willingness to risk death proves his confidence and decisiveness.
- The Witch King: Reveals hidden knowledge about the prophecy and firmly asserts his authority over the skeptical tribes. His public endorsement of Ye Wudao places the boy at the center of the Wu Tribe’s future.
- Wu Xuan: Shows strong loyalty to Ye Wudao and anger toward Wu Yan’s accusations, though he becomes deeply anxious when Ye Wudao approaches the statue.
- Wu Yan: Acts as Ye Wudao’s chief antagonist, combining resentment, suspicion, and opportunism to challenge both Ye Wudao and the Witch King.
- The tribes: Their collective disbelief highlights the divide between the Witch King’s secret traditions and the tribes’ inherited histories.
Significant Themes
- Faith versus proof: The tribes reject the prophecy because it conflicts with their records and assumptions, demanding visible evidence rather than relying on authority.
- Hidden history and destiny: The divine decree suggests that the Wu Tribe’s understanding of its origins and homeland is incomplete.
- Power and legitimacy: Ye Wudao’s status is disputed because of his appearance and outsider identity, showing how ancestry, strength, and official recognition determine authority.
- Prison and liberation: The Land of Extreme Wu, traditionally viewed as a sacred homeland, is reframed as a prison, introducing the possibility that the Wu Tribe’s long-standing way of life is based on confinement.
- The Ancestor Statue as a central mystery: Its ability to absorb energy and potentially recognize the chosen one establishes it as a key to the Wu Tribe’s past and future.