205: Chapter 205 Before Departure

The morning bell of Yongning City struck three times.

Shen Zhao had been kneeling before the Monument of Heroes for a whole night.

His knees were long since numb, but he did not stand up.

The names on the monument shone brilliantly in the morning light.

Bai Yunzhou, Ling Shuang, Zhou Zhiting, Song Xinghe, Guardian Lin Jingyun, and Path Guardian Ancestor Qin Hao.

Every name was a tragic and heroic story.

Shen Zhao kowtowed deeply, his forehead touching the cold stone slab.

"Seniors, Disciple is leaving."

His voice was very soft, so soft as if he was afraid of disturbing the heroes in the monument.

"Disciple is going to the Eternal Forbidden Zone to find the Primordial Power."

"If Disciple cannot return, the Sea of Stars will be left to those who come after."

The two rays of light at the top of the monument jumped gently, as if responding to him.

Shen Zhao stood up and took one last look at the Monument of Heroes.

Then he turned and walked in the direction of the Guardian Academy.

On the Martial Arts Arena of the Guardian Academy, the Disciples were doing morning exercises.

Sword lights were like rainbows, and the shouts of killing shook the heavens.

Everything was as usual, as if nothing had happened.

But Shen Zhao knew that everything was different now.

He crossed the Martial Arts Arena and passed through the courtyard of the Pill Hall.

He walked all the way to the front of the Scripture Pavilion.

The old man guarding the door was still sitting on that bamboo chair with his eyes closed.

"Senior, Disciple has come to return the Jade Slip."

Shen Zhao took out the Jade Slip of Guardian Lin Jingyun's last words from his bosom.

Holding it with both hands, he handed it before the old man.

The old man did not open his eyes, but only nodded slightly.

Shen Zhao placed the Jade Slip on the wooden table beside the bamboo chair.

Bowing deeply, he turned and left.

Inside the Council Hall, Shen Yuan was discussing matters with representatives from various domains.

Seeing Shen Zhao enter, he raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet.

"Zhao'er, are you ready?"

"I am ready."

Shen Zhao's voice was very calm, without a trace of trembling.

Shen Yuan looked at him and remained silent for a long time.

Then he stood up and walked over to him.

He took out three protective talismans from his bosom and handed them to Shen Zhao.

Chaos Talisman, Spacetime Talisman, Karma Talisman.

The three talismans glowed faintly under the spiritual light inside the hall.

"This is the Legacy of the Three Great Spirits."

Shen Yuan's voice was hoarse, yet it clearly spread across the entire hall.

"For ten thousand years, no one has been able to bear their powers simultaneously."

"But you are different; you can trigger the Three-Spirit Resonance."

"Zhao'er, receive the talismans."

The grand hall was pin-drop silent.

Everyone's gaze was focused on those three talismans.

Shen Zhao extended his hand and took the talismans.

The talismans felt warm in his hand, and the three-colored light lit up simultaneously.

Gold, silver, and cyan intertwined and twined in his palm.

The light grew brighter and brighter, illuminating the entire grand hall.

Representatives from various domains stood up one after another, their eyes filled with shock.

Shen Zhao put the talismans into his bosom and turned to face the crowd.

"Disciple will definitely not disappoint the trust placed in him."

His voice was very soft, yet it allowed everyone to hear clearly.

Director Su Yun walked out from the crowd, holding a Jade Slip in her hand.

"Shen Zhao, this is the detailed intelligence on the Eternal Forbidden Zone."

"It took the Investigation Department three hundred years to compile."

"Routes, dangers, and Restrictions are all inside."

Shen Zhao took the Jade Slip, and his Divine Thought probed into it.

Massive amounts of information poured into his Sea of Consciousness.

Time turbulence, spatial traps, ancient Restrictions, and spacetime beasts.

Every piece of information was related to life and death.

"Many thanks, Director Su."

Director Su Yun shook her head, her eye sockets somewhat red.

"Return alive."

"This is your uncle's order, and it is also the order of the Investigation Department."

Shen Zhao solemnly nodded.

In the afternoon, Shen Zhao returned to his residence.

On the table sat a pot of hot tea and a few dishes of side dishes.

Shen Yuan was sitting by the table, waiting for him to return.

"Uncle."

Shen Zhao walked over and sat down opposite him.

Shen Yuan poured two cups of tea and pushed one in front of Shen Zhao.

"This is the Qingmang Mountain tea that you love to drink most."

"You might not be able to drink it in the future."

Shen Zhao picked up the teacup and drank it in one gulp.

The tea was very bitter, so bitter that he knitted his brows.

"Uncle, Disciple has a matter he wishes to ask for guidance on."

"Speak."

"Guardian Lin Jingyun said that the Abyss Clan are not enemies."

"Disciple believes him, but the various domains do not believe it."

"What should Disciple do?"

Shen Yuan remained silent for a long time.

He picked up the teacup and gently took a sip.

"Back when Path Guardian Ancestor Bai Yunzhou established the Guardian Academy."

"The various domains also opposed it, saying it would snatch away their Disciples."

"He did not forcefully push it through; instead, he personally went to the various domains to explain."

"He, alone, with a cup of tea, listened to them speak."

"After listening, he said: 'I understand everything you are worried about.'"

"Then, he solved the problems one by one."

Listening to this, Shen Zhao was lost in thought.

"Uncle's meaning is to let Disciple go and listen?"

"Not to listen, but to understand."

Shen Yuan put down the teacup and looked at him.

"Understand the pain of the Abyss Clan, and understand the fear of the various domains."

"Then find a balance between the two."

"This is the responsibility of a Guardian."

"It is not about choosing a side, but letting everyone survive."

Shen Zhao remained silent for a long time.

Then he stood up and bowed deeply towards his uncle.

"Disciple understands."

Shen Yuan waved his hand, signaling him to sit down.

"There is one more matter."

He took out a green lotus jade talisman from his bosom and handed it to Shen Zhao.

"This was left behind by Path Guardian Ancestor Bai Yunzhou."

"Senior Ling Shuang passed it to Guardian Lin Jingyun, and Guardian Lin Jingyun passed it to Path Guardian Ancestor Qin Hao."

"Before Path Guardian Ancestor Qin Hao dissipated, he left it to the Guardian Academy."

"Now, it is yours."

Shen Zhao took the jade talisman and felt that familiar warmth.

That was the power of the ancestor, and the original intention of the Guardian.

He pressed the jade talisman against his chest and closed his eyes.

As if he heard the ancestor's voice, very distant and very soft.

"Latercomer, the Sea of Stars is left to you."

Night fell, and Shen Zhao came alone before the Monument of Heroes.

Moonlight spilled over the monument, and those names glowed faintly in the night.

He knelt before the monument and placed the three talismans and the green lotus jade talisman in front of him.

He closed his eyes and began to circulate the Three-Spirit Resonance.

Golden, silver, and cyan lights surged out from within his body.

Intertwining with the two rays of light at the top of the monument.

The Chaos-colored light belonged to Path Guardian Ancestor Bai Yunzhou.

The three-colored light belonged to Path Guardian Ancestor Qin Hao.

They echoed each other with Shen Zhao's light.

Illuminating the entire plaza before the Monument of Heroes.

In the distance, Shen Yuan stood by the window of the Council Hall.

Looking at that patch of light, he remained silent for a long time.

Director Su Yun walked to his side and similarly gazed in that direction.

"Ancestor Shen, do you think Shen Zhao can return alive?"

Shen Yuan did not reply.

He merely looked at that patch of light, looking at the youth's back.

"I do not know."

He finally spoke, his voice very low.

"But I know he will not disappoint us."

Director Su Yun nodded and spoke no further.

Early the next morning, just as the sky was beginning to dawn.

Shen Zhao was already standing on the Star Port of Yongning City.

In front of him was a small spacetime flying boat.

The silvery-white hull was covered with spacetime runes on its surface.

This was specially prepared for him by the Investigation Department.

Its speed was ten times faster than an ordinary star skiff, but it could only seat one person.

Shen Yuan, Director Su Yun, and representatives from various domains all came to see him off.

No one spoke; only the sound of the wind and the fluttering of flags rustled.

Shen Zhao turned around, faced the crowd, and bowed deeply.

"Everyone, Disciple is going."

"If Disciple cannot return, the Sea of Stars is left to everyone."

Shen Yuan stepped forward and patted his shoulder.

"Return alive."

"This is an order."

Shen Zhao nodded and turned to board the spacetime flying boat.

The cabin door closed, and a silvery-white light lit up.

The flying boat slowly rose into the air, getting higher and higher, further and further away.

Eventually turning into a stream of light, disappearing into the depths of the Sea of Stars.

Shen Yuan stood on the Star Port, gazing at the direction where that stream of light had departed.

Remaining motionless for a long time.

Director Su Yun walked to his side and softly said.

"Ancestor Shen, let's go back."

"There are still many things to do."

Shen Yuan nodded and turned to walk towards the Council Hall.

After walking a few steps, he suddenly stopped.

"Director Su."

"Present."

"Order the Investigation Department to closely monitor the movements of the Eternal Forbidden Zone."

"If Shen Zhao has any abnormalities, report immediately."

Director Su Yun solemnly nodded: "Understood."

The spacetime flying boat sped rapidly through the Sea of Stars.

Shen Zhao stood before the porthole, gazing at Yongning City growing further and further away behind him.

Those familiar lights grew smaller and smaller, more and more blurred.

Eventually disappearing into the depths of the Sea of Stars.

He took a deep breath and turned to walk toward the console.

On the crystal core, those spacetime runes were slowly flowing.

He raised his hand and gently touched them.

"spacetime flying boat, target: Eternal Forbidden Zone."