212: Chapter 212 Return to the Ruins and Become New

On the seventh day after Shen Zhao returned from the Abyss, Yongning City held a grand celebration ceremony.

Representatives from various domains gathered together, the soldiers of the Realm Guardian Army arrayed in formation, and the Disciples of the Guardian Academy stood solemnly.

Countless commoners spontaneously rushed over from all parts of the starry sea, filling the plaza to the brim.

Shen Zhao stood upon the high platform, his gaze sweeping across those faces.

There were humans, Yao Race, and alien races from the newly fallen domains.

There were the elderly, children, and youths around his age.

Everyone's gaze was focused upon him.

That was gratitude, reverence, and also expectation.

Shen Yuan stood beside him, holding the official Seal of the Guardian Patriarch in his hands.

Director Su Yun stood on the other side, holding the head director token of the Investigation Department in her hands.

Three white-haired chief Elders stood behind them.

Three talismans emitted a faint glow in their hands.

Shen Zhao took a deep breath, and his voice spread across the entire venue.

"Everyone, the threat of the Abyss has already been lifted."

"The Abyss Clan are not enemies; they just want to go home."

"This Disciple has carved out a Small World for them within the Abyss."

"Named Return Ruins."

"From now on, the Abyss Clan will rest in peace within the Return Ruins."

"They will no longer impact the Seal nor threaten the starry sea."

Earth-shaking cheers erupted from the plaza.

Some clapped, some cheered, and some wiped away tears.

Three years of fear, three years of anxiety.

At this moment, finally vanished like smoke in the wind.

Shen Zhao raised his hand, signaling everyone to quiet down.

"However, the Seal is still here, and the Abyss is still here."

"Although this Disciple has reinforced the Seal, it is not eternal."

"Ten thousand years from now, it will loosen once more."

"At that time, new guardians will step forward."

"Just like Guardian Lin Jingyun back then, just like Path Guardian Ancestor Qin Hao back then."

"Just like this Disciple."

He paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping across the entire venue.

"The path of guarding the Dao is endless."

"But as long as the starry sea shares the same heart, there is no homeland that cannot be guarded."

Representatives from various domains responded in unison, their voices shaking the firmament.

The celebration ceremony lasted for an entire day.

As evening approached, Shen Zhao came to the Monument of Heroes alone.

Those names on the monument shone brilliantly under the setting sun.

Patriarch Bai Yunzhou, Ling Shuang, Zhou Zhiting, Song Xinghe.

Guardian Lin Jingyun, Path Guardian Ancestor Qin Hao, as well as countless unfamiliar names.

He knelt before the monument, placing the qinglian sword before him.

The Primordial Power surged out from his palms, transforming into a Chaos-colored light.

It poured into those two rays of light at the top of the monument.

The three rays of light intertwined together, illuminating the entire plaza.

Shen Zhao closed his eyes and said softly.

"Seniors, this Disciple has done it."

"The Abyss Clan has rested in peace, and the starry sea is safe."

"This Disciple has not failed your expectations."

The light at the top of the monument leaped gently, as if responding to him.

Shen Zhao stood up and hung the qinglian sword back around his waist.

He turned around and walked toward the direction of the Guardian Academy.

In the days that followed, Shen Zhao did not stay idle.

He began to organize the Legacy of the Primordial Power.

Recording the truth of the birth of the Universe, the Origin of all things, creation, and destruction,

little by little.

He wrote very slowly, repeatedly scrutinizing every single word.

Because he knew that these texts would be left to future generations,

and would become the most precious wealth of the Guardian Academy.

Shen Yuan would occasionally come to see him and bring him a pot of tea.

"Zhao'er, why are you writing these?"

"For the Legacy."

"Passed down to whom?"

"Passed down to latecomers."

Shen Yuan was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke.

"You are only nineteen years old, and you are already thinking about latecomers?"

Shen Zhao smiled, his smile as light as the wind and clouds.

"Uncle, this Disciple has seen too much in the Abyss."

"I saw the ten thousand years of waiting of the Abyss Clan."

"I saw the pain of them losing their homeland."

"This Disciple does not want the starry sea to experience these as well."

"Therefore, this Disciple wants to leave behind the Legacy."

"Letting latecomers know what to do."

"Letting the path of guarding the Dao continue forever."

Shen Yuan looked at him, his eyes filled with gratification.

"Good, good child."

He turned and left, leaving Shen Zhao alone to continue writing.

Three months later, Shen Zhao completed the Legacy of the Primordial Power.

A total of nine volumes, stored within the Scripture Pavilion of the Guardian Academy.

Side by side with the Legacy of the Three Great Spirits.

Anyone, as long as they had sufficient Comprehension Ability and Dao Heart,

could learn from it.

On this day, Director Su Yun hurried over with a solemn expression.

"Shen Zhao, the Investigation Department has discovered an anomaly."

Shen Zhao put down his pen and looked at her.

"What anomaly?"

"A new spacetime crease has appeared at the edge of the starry sea."

"Its location is not in the direction of the Seal, but in the depths of Chaos."

Shen Zhao's brow knitted together.

"The depths of Chaos? What is there?"

Director Su Yun shook her head. "I do not know."

"The Magical Artifacts of the Investigation Department cannot penetrate Chaos."

"However, the fluctuation of the crease is very strong, even stronger than when the Seal was loosening."

Shen Zhao was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke.

"This Disciple will go take a look."

Director Su Yun wanted to dissuade him, but was stopped by Shen Zhao raising his hand.

"Director Su, this Disciple is a guardian."

"This is this Disciple's duty."

Director Su Yun looked at him and finally nodded.

"Be careful."

Shen Zhao nodded, stood up, and walked out of the Scripture Pavilion.

Three days later, Shen Zhao took the spacetime flying boat and arrived at the edge of the starry sea.

Looking from afar, that spacetime crease was like a wound,

traversing across the Void Realm, ten thousand zhang long.

Within the crease, grayish-white light flickered.

That light was different from the grayish-black Abyss mist.

It was more ancient and deeper.

Shen Zhao had the flying boat slow down and slowly approached the crease.

The closer he got, the stronger that sense of oppression became.

His Primordial Power operated automatically within his body,

resisting that sense of oppression.

Shen Zhao walked out of the cabin door, hovering before the crease.

Raising his hand, Primordial Power surged out from his palm,

probing into the crease.

Deep within the crease was a patch of Chaos.

There was no direction, no distance, and no reference point whatsoever.

There was only endless grayish-white light

and faint, illusory roars.

Those roars were very soft and very distant.

But Shen Zhao heard it out.

That was not a threat, nor a warning.

But a summoning.

Something in the depths of Chaos was calling out to him.

He withdrew his Primordial Power, turned around, and returned to the flying boat.

The communication talisman lit up, and Director Su Yun's voice came through.

"Shen Zhao, how is the situation?"

"Something in the depths of the crease is calling this Disciple."

"What?"

"I do not know, but this Disciple must go take a look."

"It's too dangerous!"

"This Disciple knows, but this Disciple must go."

Director Su Yun was silent for a long time.

"Return alive."

"This is an order."

Shen Zhao nodded and put away the communication talisman.

He controlled the flying boat and flew toward the depths of the crease.

The flying boat passed through the crease and entered Chaos.

The surrounding grayish-white light grew brighter and brighter.

The roars grew closer and closer.

Shen Zhao stood before the porthole, staring straight ahead.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the light ahead.

That was an old man with white hair and beard, and a peaceful expression.

He wore a white robe and held a scepter in his hand.

Inset at the top of the scepter was a grayish-white crystal stone.

The old man's eyes were grayish-white, lacking pupils.

But he could "see" Shen Zhao.

"Latecomer, you have finally come."

Shen Zhao's heart tightened.

"Who are you?"

"This seat... is the Spirit of Chaos."

"No, you are not the Spirit of Chaos."

"The Spirit of Chaos has already dissipated."

The old man smiled, his smile incomparably desolate.

"That was my Clone."

"My true body has always been here."

"In the depths of Chaos."

"Waiting for the true successor."

Shen Zhao was stunned.

Another Clone?

The Spirit of Taichu had a Clone, and the Spirit of Chaos also had a Clone?

Exactly how many secrets did the Three Great Spirits still hold?

The old man seemed to see through his thoughts.

"Latecomer, you need not be surprised."

"The Three Great Spirits and the Spirit of Taichu were originally one."

"We were all the first ray of consciousness when the Universe was born."

"It's just that we split up later."

"Each performing their own duties and guarding their own side."

"Now, the Universe faces its true end."

"We must merge back into one."

Shen Zhao's brow furrowed tightly.

"The Universe faces its true end?"

The old man nodded and waved his hand.

The surrounding scenery suddenly changed.

Shen Zhao saw a vast Void Realm.

In the Void Realm, countless stars were born and destroyed.

Countless civilizations rose and fell.

Countless living beings laughed and wept.

That was the epitome of the Universe and the Reincarnation of all things.

"The Universe is born, and it is also destroyed."

"This is the law; it cannot be changed."

"However, the end of the Universe is not destruction."

"Rather, it is Rebirth."

"The old Universe dies, and the new Universe is born."

"This is the true meaning of the Primordial Power."

"Creation and destruction are originally two sides of the same coin."

Hearing this, a wave of enlightenment welled up in Shen Zhao's heart.

He recalled what the Spirit of Taichu had said.

Creation is not for showing off, but for guarding.

Destruction is not for breaking, but for new birth.

The old man looked at him, his eyes filled with anticipation.

"Latecomer, are you willing to inherit my power?"

Shen Zhao knelt in the Void Realm and deeply kowtowed toward the old man.

"This Disciple is willing."

The old man smiled, his smile incomparably relieved.

"Good, very good."

"This seat has waited for this day for ten thousand years."

He raised his hand, and the crystal stone at the top of the scepter suddenly lit up.

Transforming into countless grayish-white light specks that surged into Shen Zhao's body.

Massive amounts of information exploded within his Sea of Consciousness.

That was the complete power of the Spirit of Chaos.

It was the secret of the birth and destruction of the Universe.

It was the true meaning of the Reincarnation of all things.

Shen Zhao closed his eyes and quietly absorbed it.

Not knowing how long had passed, he opened his eyes.

In his eyes, a grayish-white light flashed and vanished.

Intertwined with the Chaos-colored, golden, silver, and cyan lights.

The five powers fused within his body.

Transforming into an entirely new power.

That was the Origin of the Universe, the Foundation of all things.

It was the ultimate of creation and destruction.

He stood up and looked toward the old man.

The old man's figure was slowly dissipating.

Starting from his feet, little by little turning into light specks.

"Senior!"

The old man smiled, his smile incomparably relieved.

"My mission has been completed."

"The Origin of the Universe is handed over to you."

"Use it to guard everything you wish to guard."

As his voice fell, the old man completely dissipated.

Transforming into dots of light all over the sky, drifting away in Chaos.

Shen Zhao knelt in the Void Realm and deeply kowtowed toward the dissipating light.

"Senior, rest assured; this Disciple will definitely not fail the commission."

He stood up and returned to the flying boat.

Controlling the flying boat, he flew toward the exit of the crease.

When he flew out of the crease, the crease behind him slowly closed.

The grayish-white light disappeared, and the roars disappeared as well.

As if nothing had ever happened.

But Shen Zhao knew that everything was different now.

An additional power had appeared within his body.

That was the Origin of the Spirit of Chaos, the ultimate mystery of the Universe.

He took a deep breath and flew toward the direction of Yongning City.

There were still many things to do.

There was no time for emotion.

Three days later, Shen Zhao returned to Yongning City.

He did not alert anyone and went straight to the Monument of Heroes.

Kneeling before the monument, he operated the five powers simultaneously.

Chaos-colored, grayish-white, golden, silver, and cyan lights.

Surged out from his body and poured into those two rays of light at the top of the monument.

The light at the top of the monument grew brighter and brighter.

Eventually transforming into a five-colored pillar of light that shot straight into the firmament.

The entire Yongning City saw this pillar of light.

The commoners walked out of their homes and looked up at the sky.

Their eyes were filled with shock.

The Disciples of the Guardian Academy stopped cultivating and gazed at that beam of light.

An inexplicable reverence welled up in their hearts.

Shen Yuan stood before the window of the Council Hall, looking at that pillar of light.

His eyes were filled with gratification.

"Zhao'er, you have grown stronger once more."

Director Su Yun stood beside him, likewise gazing in that direction.

"Patriarch Shen, what Realm is Shen Zhao at now?"

Shen Yuan shook his head. "I do not know."

"Perhaps there is no Realm, or perhaps he has surpassed the Realm."

"But he is no longer an existence we can comprehend."

Director Su Yun was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke.

"Then is he still a human?"

Shen Yuan smiled, his smile as light as the wind and clouds.

"He is a guardian."

"That is enough."

The five-colored pillar of light lasted for an entire hour.

Then it slowly contracted and finally disappeared.

Shen Zhao stood up and walked away from the Monument of Heroes.

His steps remained steady, and his gaze remained clear.

But upon his body, there was an indescribable temperament.

That was the aura of the Origin of the Universe, the aura of the Foundation of all things.

He walked to the Council Hall and pushed the door open to enter.

Shen Yuan and Director Su Yun were waiting for him.

"Uncle, Director Su."

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

"Zhao'er, what have you obtained this time?"

Shen Zhao raised his hand, and five-colored light emerged from his palm.

"This Disciple saw the true body of the Spirit of Chaos in the depths of Chaos."

"It gave its power to this Disciple as well."

"Now this Disciple has five powers within my body."

"Primordial, Chaos, spacetime, Karma, Life."

"The Fusion of the five powers is truly the Origin of the Universe."

Shen Yuan and Director Su Yun exchanged a glance, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.

The Fusion of the five powers, the Origin of the Universe.

That was a Realm that even Patriarch Bai Yunzhou had never reached.

"Zhao'er, what can you do now?"

Shen Zhao thought for a moment and slowly spoke.

"This Disciple can create worlds."

"And can also destroy worlds."

"But this Disciple will not destroy, only create."

"Because this Disciple is a guardian."

Shen Yuan nodded and asked no further.

He knew that this nephew had already exceeded the scope of his comprehension.

What he could do was simply trust him and support him.

Letting him do what he believed was right.

In the days that followed, Shen Zhao began using the five powers to transform the starry sea.

He cleared out the Chaos regions at the edge of the starry sea one by one.

Those grayish-black mists were purified and transformed into Spiritual Qi.

Those shattered stars were reorganized and transformed into new stardust.

Those fractured timelines were repaired, and time flowed once more.

Those collapsed spatial walls were rebuilt, and space became stable once again.

The starry sea was expanding, growing stronger, and radiating new Life.

The commoners of various domains felt this change.

The spiritual spring water of the Lingxi Realm became clearer, and the spiritual fields became more fertile.

On the sword peak of the Cangwu Domain, the Sword Qi became even more piercing.

The spiritual trees of Qingmang Mountain grew more luxuriant, and the Yao Beasts became more docile.

On the ruins of the teleportation array in the Meteor Minor Realm, new tender shoots grew.

That was hope, Rebirth, and the future.

Shen Zhao stood before the Monument of Heroes, looking at all of this.

An unprecedented peace welled up in his heart.

He had done it.

He had guarded the starry sea.

He had made the starry sea better.

He turned around, facing the direction of the Guardian Academy.

There, the new batch of guardian classes was about to begin.

Hundreds of young Disciples sat in the Martial Arts Arena, waiting for him to lecture.

He walked to the center of the Martial Arts Arena, and the Disciples all stood up and saluted.

"Guardian!"

Shen Zhao raised his hand, signaling them to sit down.

"Do you know what is most important for a guardian?"

The Disciples looked at each other in dismay; no one could answer.

Shen Zhao raised his hand, and five-colored light emerged from his palm.

"It is not power, not talent, and not wisdom."

"It is the original aspiration."

"It is the original aspiration to guard those who need to be guarded."

He put away the light, his gaze sweeping across every young face.

"Ten thousand years ago, Guardian Lin Jingyun used his body as an array to permanently suppress the Abyss."

"Eight thousand years ago, Path Guardian Ancestor Qin Hao used his body as an array to guard for another ten thousand years."

"Today, this Disciple stands here to tell you."

"The path of guarding the Dao is endless."

"But as long as we share the same heart, there is no homeland that cannot be guarded."

The Disciples responded in unison, their voices shaking the firmament.

Shen Zhao looked at them, his eyes filled with anticipation.

These young people were the future of the starry sea.

They would inherit his mantle.

Inherit the mantle of the Patriarch, and inherit the mantle of all heroes.

They would guard the starry sea until eternity.

He turned around, walked out of the Guardian Academy, and walked toward the Monument of Heroes.

As the sun set, the golden afterglow sprinkled upon the monument.

Those names shone brilliantly under the setting sun.

He stood before the monument, gazing at that five-colored beam of light.

And said softly.

"Seniors, rest in peace."

"The starry sea is guarded by us."