From cute to empress

Chapter 287: Revelation of Destiny

Zheng He's words made my heart tighten, and I subconsciously grasped Zhen Youcai's hand. He gave me a reassuring look, then turned to the chief and asked, "Do you know what this prophecy means? What exactly is this catastrophe?"

The chief shook his head, his face filled with worry and confusion. "Our ancestors have only passed down this book of prophecy. As for the specific content of this catastrophe, no one knows."

Zheng He handed the book back to the chief and said solemnly, "Thank you for your honesty. We will do our best to help you."

Back in the cabin, Zhen Youcai and I immediately gathered all the crew members who knew ancient characters to study the prophecy book together. However, the text in the book was very ancient, and we could not decipher its meaning even after reading all the historical materials.

"Are we just going to watch this disaster happen?" I was extremely anxious and felt a sense of powerlessness.

Zhen Youcai held me in his arms and comforted me softly, "Don't worry, Mengmeng, we will definitely find a way."

He flipped through the parchment in his hand. On it were patterns and words he had copied from the prophecy book. "Look, although this picture is crude, you can still see some clues."

I followed his finger and found that the waves in the picture were a strange dark red, and in the sky, apart from the dark clouds and lightning, there seemed to be something hidden.

"Could this be some kind of astronomical phenomenon?" I speculated. "Perhaps we can start our investigation from that aspect."

Zhen Youcai nodded in agreement. "I think so too. We can ask the local residents and see if they know anything."

So, in the next few days, we split into two groups. Zhen Youcai led a group of people to continue studying the prophecy book, while Zheng He and I visited nearby villages to learn about the situation from local residents.

However, most residents do not know much about the contents of the prophecy book. Only a few elderly people vaguely remember some legends passed down by their ancestors.

"I heard from my grandfather that a long time ago, a terrible tsunami struck the Gold Coast. The entire coastline was submerged, and countless people died..." A white-haired grandmother recalled, her cloudy eyes filled with fear. "It is said that the tsunami was caused by angering the sea god..."

"Poseidon?" I thought, "Can you tell me more about it?"

The old woman shook her head. "I don't know the details, but I just remember that according to legend, the Sea God possesses the power to control the ocean. If anyone dares to offend him, they will be annihilated..."

My heart sank as the old lady spoke... Is this catastrophe really unavoidable?

Back on the boat, I told Zhen Youcai the news I had heard. After listening to me, he frowned and fell into deep thought.

"It seems we have to hurry up..." After a long moment, he raised his head, a trace of determination flashing in his eyes, "Zheng He!"

"My lord, please give me your instructions!"

"Prepare the ships, we..." "Prepare the ships, we will act separately!" Zhen Youcai's tone was unquestionable, and there was a determination in his eyes.

"Sir, what do you mean?" Zheng He took a step forward, as if he had guessed something.

"Master Zheng, you and Mengmeng will take some of the ships and sail south along the coastline to continue searching for clues related to the prophecy, and..." Zhen Youcai paused, his tone becoming serious, "search for possible refuge."

I understand what he means. If the prophecy is truly unavoidable, at least we should find a safe place in advance to minimize casualties.

Zheng He took the order and immediately began to arrange for manpower and supplies. With his rich experience and decisiveness, he quickly got everything in place.

"Mengmeng, don't worry, I will protect everyone." Before leaving, Zheng He walked to my side and comforted me softly.

I nodded and watched Zheng He's fleet slowly leave the port, my heart filled with worry and uneasiness.

"Don't worry, Lord Zheng is an experienced navigator, he will be fine." Zhen Youcai held my hand and pulled me to his side, "We have to hurry too."

He looked at the remaining crew members and shouted, "Brothers, we are short on time and have a difficult task! Boatswain!"

"Here!" A burly, dark-skinned boatswain responded.

"Immediately lead a group of people to contact the local tribes and help them store food, reinforce their houses, and prepare for disaster!"

"Yes!" The boatswain received the order loudly, turned around and began to gather people.

After watching the boatswain and crew leave, I turned to Zhen Youcai and asked, "What about us? What should we do?"

"Let's find the key to preventing this disaster." Zhen Youcai's gaze was firm and profound. He pointed to a marked spot on the map. "Based on the pattern in the prophecy and the descriptions of the local residents, I believe the key to the problem is likely hidden on this island."

I looked in the direction of his finger and saw an island with a strange shape. On the map, it looked like a giant turtle, lying quietly on the sea.

"But we have searched this island before and found nothing unusual?" I asked puzzledly.

Zhen Youcai smiled mysteriously and pointed to an inconspicuous corner on the map. "What we searched before was only the surface of the island, but the real secret is probably hidden in..."

His finger finally stopped at a place marked "unknown area", which was the location of the turtle's "eye".

After several days of sailing, we finally arrived at our destination. It was a sea area full of reefs and dangerous shoals, with rough waves and ups and downs, making it extremely difficult for the ship to sail.

"Sir, the 'Turtle Eye' is ahead, but the hydrological conditions in this sea area are complex and we cannot get close..." reported the crew member at the helm.

"Then lower the boat and we'll go in ourselves!" Zhen Youcai gave the order decisively.

Although I was a little scared, I still followed him closely and boarded the boat together.

The waves hit the boat, making a deafening roar. I held on to the side of the boat tightly, feeling like my heart was about to jump out.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here." Zhen Youcai held my hand. His hand was warm and strong, which gave me great courage.

After a thrilling voyage, we finally approached the mysterious sea area.

"Look, there's a cave!" I pointed ahead and shouted in surprise.

On the turbulent sea, a pitch-black hole suddenly appeared before our eyes, as if it was the door to another world.

We carefully steered the boat into the cave. It was pitch black, with no sight except for the sound of waves hitting the rocks, which echoed in the empty cave, making it seem particularly eerie and terrifying.

"bright!"

I don’t know how long it took, but Zhen Youcai, who was walking in front, suddenly shouted. I looked up and saw a faint light in front of me, like a light of hope in the darkness, illuminating the direction we were heading.

We quickened our pace and headed towards the light.

As the distance got closer, the light became brighter and brighter, and we finally saw the scene in front of us clearly.

It was a huge underground cave, the ceiling of which was covered with stalactites that sparkled with strange light, illuminating the entire cave like daylight.

In the center of the cave, there stood a tall stone platform, and on the platform, there was a huge...seal!

My heart was shocked. Could this be the key to preventing the disaster?

The air in the cave was unusually damp and hot, and filled with a strange smell, like the scent of some ancient, decaying plant. I subconsciously covered my mouth and nose, cautiously surveying my surroundings. Zhen Youcai quickly walked to the stone platform and, by the light of the stalactites, carefully examined the massive seal.

"What material is this?" I walked closer and found that the surface of the seal was as smooth as a mirror, with a faint chill. It was carved with intricate patterns, like some ancient writing that I had never seen before.

"It looks like some special crystal." Zhen Youcai reached out and touched the seal, but was bounced away by an invisible force. "Moreover, it contains powerful energy fluctuations."

I was startled. Could this be the key to preventing the disaster mentioned in the prophecy?

"Sir, look!" The boatswain, who had been silent all this time, suddenly pointed to the bottom of the stone platform and exclaimed, "There seems to be writing here!"

We hurried over and, in the dim light, discovered a line of small words engraved under the stone platform. Although they had been eroded by time, they were still vaguely recognizable.

"'With my blood, I will break the seal, protect hope, and bring eternal peace'..." I whispered the words above, a storm of shock rising in my heart. "Does it require blood to break the seal?"

"But whose blood can unlock the seal?" asked the boatswain in confusion.

I looked at Zhen Youcai, then at the huge seal, and suddenly a bold idea popped up in my mind, but he immediately rejected it.

"The prophecy says that only those who possess the 'blood of the emperor' can break the seal..." Zhen Youcai muttered to himself, as if he had thought of something. He suddenly looked up at me, his eyes full of shock, "Mengmeng, could it be..."

I was shocked. Could it be that he knew my true identity?

"No, it's impossible," I shook my head hurriedly, "I'm just an ordinary person, how could it be..."

"Mengmeng, do you still remember the old man we met in the Misty Forest?" Zhen Youcai interrupted me, his eyes burning. "He once said that you have noble blood flowing in your veins, destined to be extraordinary..."

I was stunned, and those scenes that I had deliberately forgotten appeared before my eyes again.

"But what does this have to do with unlocking the seal?" I forced myself to calm down and tried to sort out my thoughts.

"The prophecy also mentions that 'Emperor's Blood' doesn't refer to a specific dynasty or family, but rather symbolizes... courage, wisdom, and benevolence." Zhen Youcai paused, looking at me firmly. "Mengmeng, I believe you are the chosen one!"

My heart was shaken. His words were like a bolt of lightning, splitting open all the fog and hesitation in my heart.

Yes, from an ignorant girl to the empress who shoulders heavy responsibilities today, I have experienced too many hardships and tests that ordinary people can hardly imagine, but I have never given up hope and have always adhered to the justice and kindness in my heart.

Isn’t this the “imperial blood” that I was born with?

I took a deep breath, suppressed the surging emotions in my heart, slowly walked to the stone platform, stretched out my right hand, and gently pressed on the cold seal.

A powerful energy wave instantly emanated from the seal. I felt my blood boiling, and a warm current quickly flowed through my body, finally converging at my fingertips, passing through the seal and reaching deep into the stone platform...

"Rumble--"

The entire cave suddenly trembled violently, stalactites broke and fell, and cracks began to appear on the surface of the seal. Dazzling light burst out from the cracks, illuminating the entire cave...

I held my breath and stared at the huge seal, my heart filled with anticipation and anxiety.

The seal is about to be lifted! But what secrets are hidden behind the seal?