98: Observe the source of life and understand its essence; receive the imprint from the heart and ask questions; return to the realm and begin the path of protection.

A Qing also touched the core. The core light fell upon its wings, which glowed faint gold, and its Dragon Breath also carried a hint of gold, seemingly much stronger.

The Dao Source Clan Leader sighed, “This is the Origin’s blessing. Only those with kind hearts can receive it. We did not come here in vain.”

Lin Chen looked away from the core: “The great core told us that the Origin of the myriad realms is ‘Life,’ not ‘War.’ The previous Guardian Beasts were testing us.”

Clear Snow nodded: “It said that once we understand ‘Life,’ we can see the starting point of all things, which is inside the core.”

Nian Xue jumped up: “What’s inside? Are there lots of talking light clusters and colorful Crystal Beasts?”

The Origin Spirit smiled: “Inside are the shadows of all things. Everything you imagine is there. You’ll know once you go in.”

Lin Chen held the hong meng origin core in his palm. It resonated with the great core, and a seam opened up on the great core. Inside the seam was a faint golden light, like a doorway.

“Go in. Inside is the starting point of the great Dao, which is also your end point, and even more so, a new starting point.” The Origin Spirit floated toward the seam.

Everyone exchanged glances. Lin Chen took the lead and walked toward the seam, followed closely by Clear Snow, Nian Xue, and A Qing. The warriors of the various clans followed suit.

Stepping into the seam, they found not darkness, but a faint golden light. Reflected in the light were the shadows of all things—from Chaos until the present.

Nian Xue pointed at a shadow: “That’s us! Watching the great dao stele in the Dao Origin World, that was so much fun!”

A Qing also saw its own shadow: “That’s me burning the light cluster beast in the Hongmeng Realm. I was so awesome!”

Lin Chen gazed at the shadows. The dao source record in his palm lit up, and the inscription on the record changed to “All Things Share a Single Origin; Life Is Dao.”

The starting point of the great Dao was right before their eyes. It was neither a stone stele nor a core, but the shadows of the birth and death of all things, the “Life” in their hearts. Everyone’s footsteps halted in the light, yet it felt as though a new path had opened.

Within the faint golden light, the shadows of all things flowed, from the beginning of Chaos to the flourishing and reproduction of the various clans, like a silent scroll.

Nian Xue reached out to touch a shadow. Where her fingertip passed, the shadow dispersed like ripples, but quickly reformed, like an untouchable dream.

A Qing sprayed Dragon Breath laced with gold. The Dragon Breath wrapped around a shadow, which actually condensed into a small beast. It wobbled, then turned into light and entered the core.

Lin Chen focused his gaze on the shadows and saw the scene of him first saving his clan. The smiles of his clansmen in the shadow resonated with the light of the present moment.

Clear Snow’s shadow was her perseverance while practicing formations. The ice spear shattered and reformed, and sweat dripped onto the formation patterns, transforming into dao origin qi.

The Dao Source Clan Leader’s shadow showed his clansmen comprehending the great Dao, holding staffs and tapping the ground, the patterns moving with the staffs, as if engaging in a dialogue.

“These are Origin memories, holding the past of the myriad realms. By watching them, you can understand the true meaning of ‘Life.’” The Origin Spirit floated over.

Nian Xue tugged Lin Chen’s hand: “Daddy, I saw Little Color’s shadow (the Crystal Beast she imagined), and it’s smiling!”

Lin Chen stroked her head: “That is the ‘Life’ in your heart. Only pure and kind thoughts can project such a shadow.”

Everyone spread out to watch the shadows. Some saw clan celebrations, others saw mutual assistance during combat practice. There was no conflict, only warmth.

Suddenly, origin crystals appeared in the light. The crystals were like water droplets, suspended next to the shadows. Inside the crystals was the “Heart’s Inquiry,” reflecting a person’s past.

Lin Chen’s crystal reflected his initial choice: save his clan or save himself? He chose to save his clan back then. The crystal glowed golden and transformed into a mark.

The mark landed on his palm. It was the character “Harmony,” glowing faint gold, seemingly resonating with the core’s patterns. A warm current spread throughout his body.

Clear Snow’s crystal reflected her confusion while practicing formations: abandon the formation or persevere? She chose perseverance. The crystal transformed into the mark of the character “Constancy.”

Nian Xue’s crystal reflected her reaction when encountering a beast: fear or protection? She chose to protect A Qing. The crystal transformed into the mark of the character “Purity,” shining like a star.

A Qing’s crystal reflected its choice when fighting the Origin Beast: flee or guard? It chose to guard the core. The crystal transformed into the mark of the character “Courage,” and its wings glowed gold.

The crystals of the various clan warriors lit up sequentially. All were questioned about the choice of “Life.” Those who chose “protection,” “assistance,” or “guarding” all received a mark.

The Origin Spirit smiled: “The marks are the Origin’s recognition. Returning to your realm with these marks, you can protect the life of the realm and impede the thoughts of destruction.”

The Dao Source Clan Leader looked at the mark of the character “Enlightenment” on his palm: “This tells us to return to our realms and guard them, not to seek new realms.”

Lin Chen nodded: “If we understand ‘Life,’ we must protect life. The root of the myriad realms is in ‘Life,’ not conquest. It is time to go back.”

Everyone walked toward the core seam. The Origin Spirit saw them off at the opening: “Remember, when your marks light up, the core will assist you. Come back often.”

Nian Xue waved back: “We will! I’ll bring Little Color to see you, and bring you candy too!” The Origin Spirit’s light cluster wobbled, seemingly in response.

As they exited the core seam, the faint golden light of the great core enveloped everyone, instantly sending them back beside the Hong Meng Terrace in the Hongmeng Realm.

The patterns on the Hong Meng Terrace resonated with the marks on everyone’s palms, glowing faint gold. The cracks on the terrace surface completely healed, making it even sturdier.

The hong meng origin core floated in front of Lin Chen. It had changed from pure white to faint gold, and the patterns on the core resembled those of the great core.

“We will return to the Stronghold first, send messages to the myriad realms, inform them of the true meaning of ‘Life,’ and guard the myriad realms together!” Lin Chen gave the order, and the group began their return journey.

Traveling to the Hongmeng Plain, the gray flowers that had previously drooped were now standing straight again, their petals glowing faint gold, as if touched by the Origin’s light.

Nian Xue squatted down and touched the flowers: “You’ve stood up again! We will protect you from now on and not let the chaotic currents harm you.”

A Qing swept its tail over the soil beside the flowers, seemingly helping to loosen the dirt: “I will also protect you. Dragon Breath can block the chaotic currents.”

The rule fissures along the way had completely disappeared. The hong meng crystals on the ground glowed faint gold, and the patterns on the crystals were smooth, like the trajectory of the great Dao.

When they returned to the Stronghold, the warriors of the various clans who had stayed behind saw everyone return with marks on their palms and immediately gathered around to ask about the situation.

Lin Chen stood on the high platform, his palm mark glowing: “We went to the Origin Core of the myriad realms and understood that the true meaning of the great Dao is ‘Life.’”

He raised the hong meng origin core: “The core told us that the root of the myriad realms is in ‘Life,’ and requires all clans to guard it together and impede the thoughts of destruction.”

Upon hearing this, everyone below the platform raised their arms and shouted: “Guard the myriad realms! Protect life!” The waves of sound made the Stronghold's banners flap loudly.

The next day, the Star Spirit Clan sent messages to the myriad realms, informing them of the true meaning of “Life” and the matter of the Origin marks. All clans responded.

On the third day, the first batch of envoys from the various clans arrived. Lin Chen and Clear Snow explained the matters of the Origin to the envoys and presented them with a small amount of origin crystal.

The Dao Source Clan Leader taught the envoys how to practice the “Life-Breathing Formation.” The formation could gather Life-Breathing Qi, protect the plants and living beings within the clan, and defend against chaotic currents.

The Spirit Plant Clan refined the “life-breathing pill.” The pill glowed faint gold, and after consumption, it could increase one’s comprehension of “Life” and assist in practicing formations.

Nian Xue helped the Spirit Plant Clan dry the life-breathing grass. The grass glowed faint gold, and she whispered to the grass: “Grow fast. When you’re grown, you can be used for Alchemy to protect everyone.”

A Qing accompanied the Dragon Clan Dragon Guards in practicing the “Life-Breathing Dragon Breath.” The Dragon Breath carried faint gold, and when blown onto the life-breathing grass, the grass grew faster.

On the fifth day, the envoys of the myriad realms gathered to discuss the matter of guarding the myriad realms. Lin Chen proposed establishing the “Myriad Realms Guardian Alliance.”

“Within the Alliance, all clans will exchange resources and information. If chaotic currents or thoughts of destruction appear, we will act together to protect the life of the myriad realms,” Lin Chen said.

All the envoys agreed. The Dao Source Clan Leader drafted the alliance crystal and inscribed it onto an origin crystal. The crystal glowed faint gold and was erected in the center of the Stronghold.

The moment the alliance crystal was established, the marks on everyone’s palms lit up. Light from the Origin Core of the myriad realms seemed to arrive from the horizon, illuminating the crystal.

Nian Xue touched the alliance crystal: “From now on, everyone is friends. No fighting, just protecting the flowers, plants, and Crystal Beasts together. That’s wonderful.”

A Qing lay beside the crystal, its dragon wings covering one corner of it: “I will guard the alliance crystal. No one can break it!”

Over the next few days, the various clans divided their tasks according to the alliance crystal: the Dao Source Clan taught all clans how to practice the Life-Breathing Formation;

The Spirit Plant Clan delivered life-breathing pills and life-breathing grass to all clans; the Metal Clan created life-breathing cannons, which could disperse Life-Breathing Qi to drive away destructive thoughts;

The Stone Spirit Clan created Life-Breathing Shields. The shield surfaces were engraved with life-breathing patterns and could block the erosion of destructive thoughts; the Dragon Clan was responsible for communication, reporting disturbances quickly.

Nian Xue and A Qing became the “Little Life-Breathing Envoys,” going to the camps of the various clans to deliver life-breathing grass and teach the small beasts to play the Game of Breaking Illusions.

On one trip to the Wood Spirit Clan camp, Nian Xue taught the Little Wood Spirits to touch the life-breathing grass with their fingertips: “This way, the grass can grow quickly and also dispel illusions.”

A Qing sprayed Life-Breathing Dragon Breath. The Dragon Breath enveloped the grass, and the grass instantly grew an inch taller. The Little Wood Spirits cheered and circled A Qing.

Lin Chen and Clear Snow, meanwhile, toured the various realms, inspecting the deployment of the Life-Breathing Formation and helping the clans stabilize their rules. The marks on their palms remained constantly lit.

In the Origin Realm, they helped the Origin Clan mend the rule fissures. The Origin Platform of the Origin Clan also glowed faint gold, seemingly connected to the core.

In the Yuan Chu Realm, they saw the Yuan Chu Deer beside the Primordial Altar. The deer’s antlers glowed faint gold, seeming to have also received the Origin’s blessing.

On the journey back, Clear Snow said to Lin Chen: “Before, I always thought about searching for the next realm. Only now do I understand that guardianship is also the great Dao.”

Lin Chen nodded, looking toward the Hongmeng Realm ahead: “Yes, the life of the myriad realms is the best great Dao. Our path has just begun.”

Returning to the Stronghold, Nian Xue ran over, holding a life-breathing flower that glowed gold: “Daddy, look! This flower is for you. It will protect you.”

A Qing also came closer, seeds of life-breathing grass clinging to its wings: “I brought seeds too. We should plant them next to the Stronghold and let them cover the area.”

Lin Chen took the flower and gently inhaled its scent at his nose. The flower’s fragrance carried the clear moistness of the Origin, like the scent of all life flourishing.

The sun set in the west, and the afterglow sprinkled onto the life-breathing grass in the Stronghold. The grass glowed faint gold, and the alliance crystal stood in the center, shining like a small sun.

The path of guardianship for the myriad realms had quietly begun. There was no conflict, only the warmth of life. In the afterglow, the figures of the crowd seemed to merge with the life of the myriad realms.