213: Chapter 213 Primordial Inheritance

The five-colored light slowly flowed atop the Monument of Heroes, resembling eternal stars.

Shen Zhao stood in front of the monument, gazing at that ray of light in silence for a long time.

Within his body, the five powers were intertwining and undergoing Fusion.

Taichu, Chaos, Space-Time, Karma, Life.

Every power was a world, and every power was a piece of history.

They slowly revolved in his Dantian, forming a miniature Universe.

The Universe was evolving, stars were being born, and Life was propagating.

Shen Zhao closed his eyes, feeling the pulse of that miniature Universe.

That was the power of creation, as well as the power of protection.

He opened his eyes and turned to walk in the direction of the Guardian Academy.

There were still many things to do, and he had no time for sentimentality.

Inside the Scripture Pavilion of the Guardian Academy, Shen Zhao sat before a desk.

Blank Jade Slips were spread out before him, and an engraving pen was held in his hand.

He was going to record all the Legacy of the five powers completely.

It was not simply Cultivation Technique chants, but complete comprehensions.

From entry-level to mastery, from superficial to profound.

Allowing anyone with sufficient Comprehension Ability and Dao Heart to learn.

He wrote very slowly, repeatedly deliberating over every single word.

Because he knew that these words would be left to future generations.

They would become the most precious wealth of the sea of stars.

Shen Yuan walked in carrying a pot of tea and placed it by the desk.

"Zhaoer, how much have you written?"

"The first volume is almost finished."

"How many volumes do you plan to write for the five powers?"

Shen Zhao thought for a moment and slowly spoke.

"Nine volumes of Taichu, nine volumes of Chaos, nine volumes of Space-Time."

"Nine volumes of Karma, nine volumes of Life, totaling forty-five volumes."

Shen Yuan's hand paused slightly.

Forty-five volumes, which was fifteen times the Legacy of Guardian Lin Jingyun.

"Can you finish writing them?"

"Even if I cannot finish writing, I must write."

"This Disciple cannot take the five powers away."

"They belong to the sea of stars, belonging to every Guardian."

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

"Good, good child."

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

Spring passed and autumn came, and in the blink of an eye, another year had passed.

Shen Zhao finally completed the nine volumes of Taichu.

He neatly placed the Jade Slips on the shelf.

Each volume exuded a faint Chaos-colored glow.

That was the aura of Primordial Power, the aura of the Universe's Origin.

Shen Zhao stood in front of the shelf, looking at these Jade Slips.

An indescribable emotion welled up in his heart.

This was his painstaking effort of a year, his promise to the sea of stars.

He turned around and continued writing the nine volumes of Chaos.

The Power of Chaos was even more profound than the Primordial Power.

It was the first power when the Universe was born.

It was the beginning of all things, and also the end of all things.

Shen Zhao wrote with great difficulty, sometimes writing only dozens of characters in a whole day.

But he did not give up, because he knew.

These words might save many people's lives.

Director Su Yun occasionally came to the Scripture Pavilion to bring him some Medicinal Pills.

"Shen Zhao, you have lost weight."

"This Disciple is fine."

"Don't push yourself too hard; your health is important."

Shen Zhao nodded, but did not stop the engraving pen in his hand.

He knew he did not have much time.

Ten thousand years later, the Seal would loosen again.

By then he might no longer be around.

But the Legacy he left behind would guide the later generations.

Just as Guardian Lin Jingyun's last words had guided him.

Another year passed, and the nine volumes of Chaos were completed.

Shen Zhao placed them side by side with the nine volumes of Taichu on the shelf.

Nine volumes of Chaos, nine volumes of Taichu, eighteen volumes of Jade Slips.

Emitting two different lights that added radiance to each other.

Shen Zhao stood in front of the shelf and let out a long sigh of relief.

There were still Space-Time, Karma, and Life—twenty-seven volumes.

He would need at least three more years.

Three years—could he hold on?

He did not know, but he had to hold on.

Because he had promised his uncle that he would return alive.

And he had promised those names on the Monument of Heroes to guard the sea of stars.

That day, Shen Yuan came to the Scripture Pavilion.

His expression was more solemn than usual.

"Zhaoer, the Investigation Department has a new discovery."

Shen Zhao put down his engraving pen and looked at his uncle.

"What discovery?"

"A new crack has appeared at the edge of the sea of stars."

"Its location is deep within Chaos, not in the direction of the Seal."

Shen Zhao's brows furrowed.

"This Disciple will go take a look."

Shen Yuan stopped him.

"No rush, the crack has not yet expanded."

"The Investigation Department is closely monitoring it."

"Finish writing the Legacy first before talking about it."

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

"Alright, this Disciple will do it as soon as possible."

Shen Yuan patted his shoulder and turned to leave.

Shen Zhao sat back down at the desk and continued writing the nine volumes of Space-Time.

The Power of Space-Time was even more complex than the Power of Chaos.

It involved the essence of time and space.

It involved the connection between the past, present, and future.

Shen Zhao recorded his comprehensions in the Time Labyrinth.

And the mysteries taught by the Space-Time Azure Dragon.

Little by little, he recorded them down.

He wrote very carefully, striving for precision in every word.

Because he knew that the Power of Space-Time was the easiest to make mistakes with.

With the slightest carelessness, it would cause one to get lost in the long river of time.

Three months later, the nine volumes of Space-Time were completed.

Shen Zhao placed them on the shelf.

Side by side with Taichu and Chaos.

Twenty-one volumes of Jade Slips, three kinds of light.

Illumined the entire Scripture Pavilion.

Shen Zhao looked at them, a sense of accomplishment welling up in his heart.

But he had no time to celebrate, because there were still Karma and Life.

Karma Power was the power he had come into contact with the latest.

And it was the power he was least familiar with.

When he was in the Eternal Forbidden Zone, the Spirit of Taichu had briefly mentioned it.

But the true Karma Power was far more profound than he had imagined.

It involved the connections of all things.

It involved the trajectory of fate, involving choices and results.

Shen Zhao closed his eyes, recalling his comprehensions within the sea of Karma.

Those throbbing threads of Karma, those intertwining fates.

Every choice would change Karma.

Every result had its reason.

He opened his eyes and began writing the nine volumes of Karma.

This time, he wrote very smoothly.

As if something was guiding him.

Letting him know what to write and how to write it.

In a mere two months, the nine volumes of Karma were completed.

Even Shen Zhao himself was somewhat surprised.

He placed the Jade Slips on the shelf, side by side with the previous three sets.

Thirty volumes of Jade Slips, four kinds of light.

The top floor of the Scripture Pavilion was already filled by them.

Shen Zhao stood in front of the shelf, looking at these Jade Slips.

An indescribable emotion welled up in his heart.

This was the gift he left for the sea of stars.

This was the Legacy of the Guardian.

Finally, there were the nine volumes of Life.

Life Power was the power he had obtained from the tree of life.

And it was the gentlest power among the five powers.

It did not involve combat or slaughter.

It only involved creation and protection.

Shen Zhao recorded his comprehensions under the tree of life.

And the methods of creation taught to him by the Spirit of Taichu.

Little by little, he recorded them down.

He wrote very relaxed, with a smile at the corner of his mouth.

Because he knew that Life Power was hope.

It was the hope for the future of the sea of stars.

Two months later, the nine volumes of Life were completed.

Shen Zhao placed them on the shelf.

Side by side with the previous four sets.

Forty-five volumes of Jade Slips, five kinds of light.

Illumined the entire top floor of the Scripture Pavilion.

Shen Zhao stood in front of the shelf and let out a long sigh of relief.

Four years had passed, and he had finally finished writing.

Forty-five volumes of Legacy, five powers.

From Taichu to Chaos, from Space-Time to Karma.

From Life to protection, from creation to hope.

He had left everything of his own within these Jade Slips.

Shen Yuan walked upstairs and looked at those Jade Slips.

His eyes were filled with shock.

"Zhaoer, have you finished writing?"

"I have finished writing."

"Forty-five volumes?"

"Forty-five volumes."

Shen Yuan was silent for a long time.

Then he stepped forward and gently stroked those Jade Slips.

"Good, good child."

"You have accomplished what Guardian Lin Jingyun failed to do."

Shen Zhao shook his head.

"This Disciple merely did what should be done."

"Guardian Lin Jingyun guarded the sea of stars with his Life."

"This Disciple merely wrote a few characters."

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

"No, what you have done is much more than writing a few characters."

"You have given hope to the sea of stars."

"You have given direction to later generations."

"That is enough."

Shen Zhao did not say anything more.

He turned around, walked to the window, and gazed at the distant Monument of Heroes.

The five-colored light at the top of the monument gleamed brilliantly in the setting sun.

That was his power, and also his promise.

"Uncle, this Disciple wants to go take a look at that crack."

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

"Go, be careful."

Shen Zhao nodded and turned to walk out of the Scripture Pavilion.

One hour later, the spacetime flying boat rose from the Star Port.

Flying in the direction of the edge of the sea of stars.

Shen Zhao stood in front of the porthole, gazing at the sea of stars ahead.

For four years, he had hardly left Yongning City.

Every day, apart from writing the Legacy, he would Cultivate.

Now that the Legacy was finished, he could finally go do other things.

To go see that crack, to investigate deep within Chaos.

To seek the truth of the Universe.

The flying boat sped swiftly through the sea of stars.

Three days later, it arrived at the edge of the sea of stars.

Viewed from afar, that crack resembled a wound.

Spanning across the Void Realm, it was ten thousand zhang long.

Within the crack, grayish-white light flickered.

Different from the grayish-black mist of the abyss.

It was more ancient and more profound.

Shen Zhao made the flying boat slow down and slowly approached the crack.

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

His five-colored power automatically circulated within his body.

Resisting that sense of oppression.

Shen Zhao walked out of the cabin door, suspended in front of the crack.

He raised his hand, and the five-colored power surged out from his palm.

Reaching into the crack.

Deep within the crack was a sheet of Chaos.

There was no direction, no distance, and no references whatsoever.

There was only endless grayish-white light.

And the faint, indistinct roars.

Those roars were very light and very distant.

But Shen Zhao could make them out.

That was not a threat, nor a warning.

But a call.

Something was calling him from deep within Chaos.

Exactly the same as four years ago.

He withdrew his five-colored power and turned back to the flying boat.

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

"Shen Zhao, how is the situation?"

"Something deep within the crack is calling this Disciple."

"What?"

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

"That is 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 towards the depths of the crack.

The flying boat passed through the crack and entered Chaos.

The grayish-white light around them grew brighter and brighter.

The roars grew closer and closer.

Shen Zhao stood in front of the porthole, staring ahead.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the light ahead.

That was a young man with delicate features and profound eyes.

He wore a green robe, with a long sword hanging at his waist.

A green lotus was engraved on the sword body.

The Ancestor Bai Yunzhou.

Shen Zhao was stunned.

"Ancestor? Why are you here?"

That figure smiled, smiling incomparably gently.

"This seat has always been waiting for you."

"Deep in Chaos, at the end of time."

"At the edge of the Universe."

Shen Zhao knelt in the Void Realm and kowtowed deeply toward that figure.

"Ancestor, this Disciple has arrived late."

Bai Yunzhou shook his head and helped him up.

"Not late, just in time."

"This seat waited for you not to blame you."

"But to hand over the final thing to you."

Shen Zhao was stunned.

"The final thing?"

Bai Yunzhou nodded and raised his hand.

A green lotus jade talisman emerged from his palm.

Suspended in front of Shen Zhao.

That jade talisman was identical to the one in his bosom.

But it was more ancient and weathered.

"This is this seat's Origin."

"It is the power condensed by this seat throughout a lifetime."

"Back then, when this seat fought a decisive battle with the Ash-Eater Clan."

"Half of the Origin was left in the Eternal Forbidden Zone."

"The other half has always been here."

"Deep in Chaos, waiting for someone fated."

Tears streamed from Shen Zhao's eyes.

The Ancestor's half Origin had always been waiting for him.

Waiting for more than ten thousand years.

"Ancestor, this Disciple..."

Bai Yunzhou raised his hand to interrupt him.

"There is no need to say more."

"You have done very well, even better than this seat anticipated."

"The five powers have undergone Fusion within your body."

"That is something this seat failed to accomplish in a lifetime."

"Today, this seat gives this half of the Origin to you as well."

"Making your power even more complete."

Shen Zhao knelt on the ground and shook his head.

"Ancestor, this Disciple cannot accept it."

"This is your painstaking effort of a lifetime."

Bai Yunzhou smiled, smiling with incomparable relief.

"Precisely because it is the painstaking effort of a lifetime, it must be given to you."

"Because you are the Guardian, the hope of the sea of stars."

"Only when this seat's power is in your hands can it play its maximum role."

He raised his hand, and that green lotus jade talisman transformed into countless green light specks.

Pouring into Shen Zhao's body.

Shen Zhao only felt a warm energy surge into his limbs and bones.

Within that energy contained the Ancestor's lifelong comprehensions.

Containing the original aspiration of the Guardian, containing the nostalgia for the sea of stars.

He closed his eyes and quietly absorbed it.

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

In his eyes, there was an extra streak of green light.

That was the Ancestor's power, the original aspiration of the Guardian.

Undergoing Fusion with the five powers within his body.

Transforming into a six-colored light.

Bai Yunzhou looked at him, his eyes filled with gratification.

"Good, very good."

"Starting from today, you are a complete Guardian."

His figure began to fade, starting from his feet.

Bit by bit, transforming into green light specks.

"Ancestor!"

Bai Yunzhou smiled, smiling with incomparable relief.

"This seat is leaving; this time, it is truly leaving."

"Later generation, the sea of stars is entrusted to you."

As his voice fell, his figure completely dissipated.

Transforming into green light specks all over the sky, drifting away in Chaos.

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

"Ancestor, farewell on your journey."

He stood up, wiped away his tears, and returned to the flying boat.

The six-colored light circulated within his body.

That was six powers, as well as six promises.

A promise to the Ancestor, a promise to his uncle.

A promise to those names on the Monument of Heroes.

He took a deep breath and controlled the flying boat to fly toward the exit of the crack.

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

The grayish-white light disappeared, and the roars also disappeared.

As if nothing had ever happened.

But Shen Zhao knew everything was different now.

There was an extra kind of power within his body.

That was the Origin of the Ancestor Bai Yunzhou, the original aspiration of the Guardian.

The six powers intertwined and underwent Fusion in his Dantian.

Forming an even more complete miniature Universe.

The Universe was evolving, stars were being born, and Life was propagating.

Shen Zhao stood in front of the porthole, gazing at Yongning City ahead.

Brightly lit, resembling countless stars.

He had returned, returning with the Ancestor's power.

Returning with a more complete heart of protection.

The flying boat landed on the Star Port.

Shen Yuan stood there, his white hair fluttering in the wind.

Seeing Shen Zhao walking out of the cabin door, his eye sockets turned red.

"You are back?"

"I am back."

"Are you injured?"

"No."

"That's good."

Shen Yuan turned around and walked toward the Council Hall.

"Let's go, representatives from all domains are waiting for you."