217: Chapter 217 Countdown to the Centenary

The morning bell of Yongning City had just tolled three times when Shen Zhao was already standing before the Monument of Heroes.

The seven-colored light atop the monument slowly swirled in the morning light, as if watching over him.

He knelt before the monument and kowtowed deeply to those names, his forehead touching the cold stone slab.

Last night, he had once again dreamed of the "infant" behind the door—the consciousness of the New Universe.

In the dream, it told him, "Father, you have one hundred years left."

One hundred years.

Shen Zhao opened his eyes, stood up, and looked toward the distant horizon.

There lay the edge of the Star Sea, the direction of the "door."

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

Today, he was going to reveal the truth to all the domains.

Inside the Council Hall, the representatives of all the domains had already arrived.

Shen Yuan sat beside the main seat, his expression solemn.

Director Su Yun stood before the star map, holding a thick stack of monitoring data in her hands.

Everyone's gaze was focused on Shen Zhao.

They did not know what had happened, but seeing Shen Zhao's expression, they knew something major was about to occur.

Shen Zhao walked up to the main seat but did not sit down.

Facing the crowd, he remained silent for a long time.

The hall was so quiet that one could hear the wind blowing past the pillars outside the window.

"Everyone," he finally spoke, his voice raspy but clear.

"Last night, I returned from the World Behind the Door."

"The consciousness of the New Universe told me that the Origin of the Star Sea has only one hundred years left."

A deathly silence fell over the hall.

Everyone stared at him, as if they could not comprehend what he had just said.

A young representative stood up, his voice trembling.

"Shen Zhao, what did you say? One hundred years?"

Shen Zhao nodded.

"In one hundred years, the Star Sea's Origin will be extinguished, and the Universe will end."

"At that time, all living beings will be destroyed along with the Old Universe."

The hall instantly erupted into an uproar.

Some stood up to question him, some slumped into their chairs, and some wept softly.

An elderly representative slammed his hand on the table and stood up, his voice hoarse.

"Shen Zhao, are you sure? Are you sure you are not just sensationalizing?"

Shen Zhao looked at him, his eyes filled with sorrow and compassion.

"I am certain."

"I met the Spirit of Creation and the Spirit of Ending in the World Behind the Door."

"They both told me that the cycle of the Universe has come to an end."

"The Old Universe dies, and the New Universe is born."

"This is the law, and it cannot be changed."

The hall fell silent once more.

Everyone knew that Shen Zhao would not lie.

He was the guardian, the one recognized by the Monument of Heroes.

His words were the truth.

Shen Yuan sat to the side, his face as pale as paper.

His hands trembled slightly, but his voice remained calm.

"Zhao'er, with only one hundred years left, what can we do?"

Shen Zhao turned to look at him, his gaze resolute.

"Evacuate."

"Everyone, evacuate into the New Universe."

Director Su Yun stood up, her expression grave.

"Shen Zhao, where is the New Universe? How do we get there?"

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

Within that light, a door could faintly be seen.

"Behind the door is the New Universe."

"This door is located at the edge of the Star Sea."

"I have already reinforced the Seal; it can hold for another hundred years."

"Within a hundred years, I will open a passage to let everyone through."

Whispers and discussions broke out in the hall once again.

Someone asked, "Everyone? Adding up all the domains of the Star Sea, there are over ten billion people. How do we evacuate?"

Someone asked, "Is the New Universe safe? Are there living beings there? Can we survive?"

Someone asked, "Is one hundred years enough? We don't have enough teleportation Formations, not enough star skiffs—we lack everything."

Shen Zhao raised his hand, gesturing for everyone to quiet down.

"I know it is extremely difficult."

"But this is the only way out."

"I will not force anyone to stay behind, but I will make every effort to send everyone away."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room.

"If anyone wishes to stay behind, I will not force them."

"But I promise that as long as I have a single breath left, I will not give up on anyone."

The hall fell silent for a long time.

A young representative stood up, tears in his eyes.

"Shen Zhao, I believe you. The Cangwu Domain is willing to cooperate fully."

The representative of the Lingxi Realm also stood up.

"The Lingxi Realm is willing to cooperate fully."

The Yao Race representative from Qingmang Mountain stood up next.

"Qingmang Mountain is willing to cooperate fully."

The representative of the Meteor Minor Realm stood up.

"The Meteor Minor Realm is willing to cooperate fully."

One representative after another stood up, agreeing in unison.

No one questioned him, and no one opposed him.

Because they knew that Shen Zhao was the guardian.

He was the one recognized by the Monument of Heroes, the last hope of the Star Sea.

Watching this scene, Shen Yuan's eyes were filled with deep gratification.

He stood up, walked to Shen Zhao's side, and patted his shoulder.

"Zhao'er, give the orders."

Shen Zhao nodded and turned to face the crowd.

"From today, the Star Sea will enter a state of emergency."

"First, we will establish the 'Star Sea Migration Committee,' with my uncle serving as the director to coordinate the overall situation."

"Second, each domain will census its population, resources, and supplies, and report them within three days."

"Third, expand the teleportation Formations to ensure that every major domain settlement is connected to Yongning City."

"Fourth, the Realm Guardian Army will fully assemble to take charge of order and safety during the evacuation."

"Fifth, the Guardian Academy will accelerate talent cultivation, especially for Disciples in Formations and Talisman Dao."

He handed down one order after another, his voice growing more and more resolute.

The representatives of all domains accepted the orders one after another, with no one raising any objections.

After the meeting ended, Shen Zhao did not rest.

He came to the Monument of Heroes alone and knelt beneath it.

The seven-colored light atop the monument shone brilliantly in the setting sun.

He looked at those names—Ancestor Bai Yunzhou, Ling Shuang, Zhou Zhiting, Song Xinghe, Guardian Lin Jingyun, Path Guardian Ancestor Qin Hao.

And countless unfamiliar names, countless fallen soldiers.

"Seniors, I only have one hundred years."

"I do not know if I can send everyone away."

"But I will do my best."

"This is my promise."

The light atop the monument flickered gently, as if responding to him.

Shen Zhao stood up and wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes.

In the distance, on the Martial Arts Arena of the Guardian Academy, young Disciples were practicing their swordplay.

They did not know what had happened, nor did they know that the Universe only had one hundred years left.

They only knew that they had learned new sword moves today, and that they had to continue to Cultivate hard tomorrow.

Looking at them, a wave of bitterness welled up in Shen Zhao's heart.

These young people were the future of the Star Sea.

He had to make sure they survived.

He turned and walked toward the tower of the Investigation Department.

Director Su Yun was busy in front of the star map, and seeing Shen Zhao enter, she quickly stood up.

"Shen Zhao, you've come at the perfect time. The Investigation Department has a new discovery."

Shen Zhao walked over to the star map and looked at the blinking points of light.

Director Su Yun pointed to an area at the edge of the Star Sea.

"Here is the direction of the door. The monitoring data from the Investigation Department shows that the energy of the Seal on the door is decaying at a rate of one percent per year."

"At this rate, in one hundred years, the Seal will completely fail."

Shen Zhao nodded.

"It is just as I anticipated."

Director Su Yun fell silent for a moment, then asked softly.

"Shen Zhao, can you really send everyone away?"

Shen Zhao looked at the star map and remained silent for a long time.

"I don't know."

"But I will try."

Director Su Yun did not ask further and turned back to continue her work.

Shen Zhao stayed at the Investigation Department for an entire night.

He reviewed all the monitoring data and inquired about the operation of every detection point.

Then, he went to the Scripture Pavilion and took out the Jade Slip of last words left behind by Guardian Lin Jingyun.

Inside the Jade Slip, Guardian Lin Jingyun had written: "To those who come after, if you see these words, it means the Seal has loosened, or is about to loosen. Do not panic, do not fear. This is inevitable; no Seal can last forever."

Shen Zhao held the Jade Slip, as if hearing Guardian Lin Jingyun's voice.

"Senior, I am neither panicking nor afraid."

"I am only worried... worried that I am not strong enough."

"Worried that I cannot defend the Star Sea, and worried that those names were carved on the monument in vain."

The Jade Slip glowed faintly, as if in response.

Shen Zhao placed the Jade Slip back on the shelf and turned to walk out of the Scripture Pavilion.

Dawn had already broken.

The morning light spilled onto the Monument of Heroes, and the seven-colored light atop the monument shone brilliantly in the sunshine.

Shen Zhao stood before the monument, gazing at that light.

"Seniors, I will defend the Star Sea."

"I will defend it for as long as I can."

"When the door must be opened, I will take everyone and leave."

"To go to the New Universe, to continue living, and to continue guarding."

The light flickered gently, as if saying, "We believe in you."

Shen Zhao turned and walked toward the Council Hall.

There was still so much to do; there was no time for sentimentality.

In the days that followed, all domains of the Star Sea entered an unprecedented state of busyness.

Each domain began to take a census of its population, resources, and supplies.

The spiritual spring water of the Lingxi Realm, the Sword Cultivators of the Cangwu Domain, the Yao Race of Qingmang Mountain, and the mineral deposits of the Meteor Minor Realm.

Every resource was cataloged and registered for unified allocation.

The construction of teleportation Formations got fully underway.

Shen Zhao personally designed the Formation diagrams, integrating the seven powers into them.

Primordial Power stabilized space, and the Power of Space-Time shortened distances.

Karma Power connected nodes, and the Power of Dao Protection guarded the Formation bases.

Life Power nourished the Formation core, and the Power of Chaos embraced all things.

The End Force served as a backup, just in case.

Disciples of the Array Hall worked day and night, while Disciples of the Artifact Hall forged Formation bases.

Disciples of the Pill Hall provided Medicinal Pills to sustain everyone's physical strength.

Shen Zhao slept for only four hours every day, spending the rest of his time at the construction sites.

He inspected every Formation base and corrected every single rune to ensure absolutely nothing went wrong.

Because he knew that these teleportation Formations were the last retreat for the Star Sea.

Shen Yuan was also busy every day.

He convened meetings with representatives from various domains to coordinate resource allocation.

He handled various emergencies and pacified the panicked populace.

His hair grew whiter and whiter, and the wrinkles on his face deepened.

Yet he never complained of exhaustion or muttered a single grievance.

Because he knew that he was Shen Zhao's uncle, a pillar of the Star Sea.

He could not fall.

Director Su Yun led the Investigation Department, monitoring the direction of the door day and night.

Every three days, she would report the data to Shen Zhao.

The decay rate of the Seal, the energy fluctuations of the door, and the stability of the passage.

Every single piece of data concerned the life and death of the Star Sea.

Late one night, Shen Zhao was inspecting Formation bases at a construction site.

Director Su Yun rushed over, her face as pale as paper.

"Shen Zhao, there is an anomaly in the direction of the door."

Shen Zhao set down the Formation Flag in his hand and looked at her.

"What anomaly?"

Director Su Yun handed him a Jade Slip, her hand trembling slightly.

"The decay rate of the Seal has suddenly accelerated."

"It has gone from one percent per year to two percent per year."

Shen Zhao took the Jade Slip and swept his Divine Thought inside.

The data clearly showed that the runes on the Seal were dimming at an accelerated pace.

Cracks were also spreading rapidly, with grayish-black mist constantly pouring out from them.

"It has accelerated... faster than anticipated," Shen Zhao's voice was very soft.

The seven-colored light at his fingertips trembled slightly, and a trace of panic that no one noticed surged in the depths of his eyes, only to be instantly suppressed by an extreme determination—he thought of the names on the Monument of Heroes, of the young figures on the Martial Arts Arena, and of the expectations of ten billion living beings. The weight on his shoulders suddenly doubled.

Director Su Yun looked at him, her eyes turning red.

"Shen Zhao, how much time do we have left?"

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

"Fifty years."

"At most, fifty years."

Tears welled up and spilled from Director Su Yun's eyes.

"Fifty years... how can that be enough? Ten billion people, how do we evacuate them all?"

Shen Zhao raised his hand and wiped the tears from her face.

"Director Su, I will find a way."

"Do you believe me?"

Director Su Yun looked at him and nodded.

"I do."

Shen Zhao smiled slightly, turned back, and continued to inspect the Formation bases.

Director Su Yun stood where she was, looking at his back.

That back was very thin and frail.

But it was incredibly resolute.

She wiped away her tears and turned to walk toward the Investigation Department.

There was still so much to do; there was no time to cry.

In the days that followed, Shen Zhao pushed himself even harder.

He slept for only two hours every day, spending the rest of his time building teleportation Formations.

His seven-colored power was depleting rapidly, and his face grew paler and paler.

But he did not stop, because he knew.

For every additional teleportation Formation built, another ten thousand people could be saved.

Shen Yuan saw this and felt a deep ache in his heart.

He urged Shen Zhao to rest, but Shen Zhao would not listen.

He asked Director Su Yun to persuade him, but Shen Zhao still would not listen.

He had the Disciples of the Guardian Academy take turns to persuade him, but Shen Zhao remained stubborn.

Finally, Shen Yuan stood before the Monument of Heroes and spoke to the names on the monument.

"Ancestor, look at Zhao'er."

"He is working himself to death."

The light atop the monument flickered gently, as if in response.

Shen Yuan sighed, turned, and walked toward the construction site.

He stood beside Shen Zhao, saying nothing.

He simply helped carry the Formation bases and correct the runes in silence.

The uncle and nephew fought side by side, neither of them speaking.

Yet both knew exactly what the other was thinking.

Time passed day by day.

Teleportation Formations were completed one after another.

In the first year, fifty were built.

In the second year, sixty were built.

In the third year, seventy were built.

By the tenth year, teleportation Formations had been established in all the major domain settlements of the Star Sea.

The Lingxi Realm, the Cangwu Domain, Qingmang Mountain, the Meteor Minor Realm, and the Liuli Realm.

Every teleportation Formation was connected to Yongning City, forming a massive network.

Shen Zhao stood before the core teleportation Formation of Yongning City, gazing at those blinking points of light.

An unprecedented sense of accomplishment welled up in his heart.

He had done it; at least, the first step was complete.

But he knew that this was only the beginning.

The real test was yet to come.

He turned and walked toward the Monument of Heroes.

Kneeling before the monument, he kowtowed deeply to those names.

"Seniors, it has been ten years."

"I have built three hundred teleportation Formations."

"But half of the domain settlements are still not covered."

"I will continue to build them until everyone can be evacuated."

The light atop the monument flickered gently, as if encouraging him.

Shen Zhao stood up and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

In the distance, morning light spilled over Yongning City.

The morning bell of the Guardian Academy tolled, and a new day began.

Shen Zhao took a deep breath and walked toward the construction site.

There were still three hundred teleportation Formations to build.

And forty years left.

He cannot stop.