252: Chapter 252 Eight Colors United

The moment Shen Zhao flew out from the fissure, Director Su Yun was hovering at the edge of the fissure, holding the chief token of the Investigation Department in her hand, her complexion as pale as paper.

Her eyes were full of bloodshot veins, obviously having waited here for a very long time, so long that even she herself could not remember how many days had passed.

Seeing Shen Zhao's figure emerge from the grayish-white light, her eye sockets instantly turned red, and tears swirled in her eyes, yet they did not fall.

She simply stared fixedly at that increasingly close figure, for fear that a single blink would reveal it to be merely her own illusion.

"Shen Zhao!"

Her voice was hoarse, yet carried an irrepressible tremor.

Shen Zhao landed in front of her, his complexion also very pale. Although his cultivation had broken through to the Body Integration Late Stage, the Fusion of the Power of Nothingness had consumed too much of his mental energy.

His legs were somewhat weak, his body swayed slightly, and the qinglian sword was inserted into the Void Realm, barely supporting his weight.

"Director Su, this Disciple has returned."

Director Su Yun looked him up and down, confirming that he was missing no arms or legs, confirming that he could still stand and speak, and confirming that he had truly returned.

Her hands were trembling slightly, and the runes on the chief token flickered on and off, just like her mood at this moment.

"How long have you been gone? The communication talisman of the Investigation Department could not reach you, and the light inside the fissure suddenly surged wildly, and I could not get in... I thought you..."

She did not continue, but Shen Zhao knew what she thought—thinking that he had died inside, thinking that he would never come back, and thinking that she would have to return alone to face the Disciples of the Guardian Academy and tell them that "the Ancestor could not come back".

"This Disciple is fine. This Disciple simply... met someone."

Director Su Yun's brow furrowed.

"Who?"

Shen Zhao raised his hand, and a ball of grayish-white light emerged in his palm.

That light was very faint, so faint as to be almost imperceptible, but Director Su Yun could feel that power—it was not Primordial, not Chaos, not Spacetime, not Karma, not Life, not Path Guardian, not Termination.

Rather, it was a power she had never felt before: ancient, profound, and hollow, like the nothingness before the birth of the Universe.

"The Spirit of Nothingness. The first consciousness before the birth of the Universe. It passed the Power of Nothingness to this Disciple. Now there are eight powers within this Disciple's body—Primordial, Chaos, Spacetime, Karma, Life, Path Guardian, Termination, and Nothingness. With the eight colors merged into one, this Disciple is already a true Guardian of the Universe."

Director Su Yun's hand paused slightly, the worry in her eyes turning into shock.

Eight powers, eight colors merged into one—that was a Realm that even Ancestor Bai Yunzhou had not reached, and an achievement that not even the Chosen Ones of the first six cycles had accomplished.

"Shen Zhao, what... what Realm are you at now?"

Shen Zhao thought for a moment and answered honestly.

"This Disciple does not know. Perhaps there is no Realm, or perhaps it transcends Realms. But this Disciple knows that this Disciple can do many things that could not be done before. For example—this Disciple can repair that fissure, can reinforce the barrier of the New Universe, and can ensure that The Designers can never find this place again."

Director Su Yun was silent for a long time, then nodded.

"Good, very good. If the spirit of your uncle in heaven is aware, he will surely be proud of you."

Shen Zhao did not speak, simply turning around to look at that fissure.

The grayish-white light was still churning, and the power after the dissipation of the Spirit of Nothingness was still drifting.

Those points of light were very faint, so faint as to be almost invisible, yet they were exceptionally eye-catching in the darkness, like countless fireflies dancing in the night sky.

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

The golden color of Primordial, the cyan color of Chaos, the silver color of Spacetime, the light cyan color of Karma, the emerald green of Life, the golden color of Path Guardian, the black color of Termination, and the grayish-white of Nothingness.

The eight colors intertwined together, condensing into an eight-colored light sword in the Void Realm.

The light sword was ten thousand zhang long, and dense runes circulated across the sword body.

Some of those runes were collected from the Sea of Memories, some were inherited from the Spirit of Nothingness, and some were comprehended by himself.

Every single rune was radiating a heart-palpitating pressure; that was the power of the Universe's Origin, the power of all things' Foundation, and the power of creation and protection.

The light sword slashed towards the fissure. Wherever the blade passed, the grayish-white light was dispelled, the churning power was pacified, and the fissure began to heal slowly.

From both ends toward the middle, inch by inch, the speed was very slow, yet very firm.

Director Su Yun stood behind him, watching that fissure disappear bit by bit, the shock in her heart beyond description.

That fissure was something even the Chief Arbiter of The Designers' divine faction was helpless against, and something even the Shadow of Beginning could only Seal rather than repair; yet Shen Zhao alone, with a single sword, was completely erasing it.

The speed at which the fissure healed grew slower and slower, and Shen Zhao's complexion grew paler and paler.

The eight-colored power was rapidly depleting, and the miniature Universe in his Dantian began to vibrate, as if encountering a storm.

But he did not stop, because he knew that if this fissure was not completely sealed, The Designers would sooner or later find this place again.

Those people who sacrificed themselves would have died in vain.

He injected his final strength into the light sword, and the light sword suddenly surged, from ten thousand zhang to one hundred thousand zhang, the runes on the sword body dancing wildly as if they had come alive.

"Seal!"

The light sword slashed down, and the fissure emitted a muffled, earth-shaking roar, like the dying lament of a giant beast.

The grayish-white light completely dissipated, the churning power completely subsided, and the fissure completely closed.

In the Void Realm, only a faint trace remained, shallow, like a scar left by a blade.

Shen Zhao put away the light sword and panted heavily.

His complexion was as pale as paper, the eight powers within his body were completely exhausted, and the miniature Universe in his Dantian had also dimmed significantly.

But he was still standing, still alive, still opening his eyes, looking at the fissure that had already closed.

Director Su Yun rushed forward and grabbed hold of him to support him.

"Shen Zhao, are you alright?"

Shen Zhao shook his head and smiled weakly.

"This Disciple is fine. Just a little tired. This Disciple wants to go home."

Director Su Yun's tears finally fell; she did not wipe them away, but simply supported Shen Zhao and walked toward the direction of the spacetime flying boat.

"Alright, let us go home."

The flying boat sped rapidly across the sea of stars, heading in the direction of the New Universe.

Shen Zhao leaned against the porthole, his eyes closed, his breathing very light.

Director Su Yun sat beside him, holding the chief token of the Investigation Department in her hand, glancing at him from time to time to confirm that he was still alive, to confirm that he was still breathing.

Not knowing how much time had passed, Shen Zhao opened his eyes.

"Director Su, this Disciple saw three scenes at the Spirit of Nothingness."

Director Su Yun's hand paused slightly.

"What scenes?"

Shen Zhao was silent for a moment, then slowly began to speak, recounting the three scenes he had seen at the Spirit of Nothingness—Bai Yunzhou standing at the edge of the World Behind the Door, choosing to guard the door; he himself kneeling before the Monument of Heroes, with countless people behind him; and Guardian Ancestor Ling Xi standing before the Monument of Heroes of the New Universe, with countless young Disciples behind her.

After listening, Director Su Yun was silent for a long time.

"Shen Zhao, you saw the future. You saw the latecomers. You saw that the Path Guardian's road is endless. But are you afraid?"

Shen Zhao thought for a moment and answered honestly.

"This Disciple is afraid. This Disciple is afraid that the latecomers will not be strong enough, afraid that they cannot defend the sea of stars, afraid that they will fail those who sacrificed themselves. But this Disciple knows that being afraid is useless. What this Disciple can do is pave the road well, leave behind the Legacy, and pass down hope. As for the rest, leave it to themselves."

Director Su Yun looked at him, a trace of gratification flashing in her eyes.

This young man, from sixteen to thirty-six years old, from a youth who understood nothing to now being the eight-color-fused Guardian of the Universe.

He had changed a lot: his cultivation had grown higher, his gaze had grown deeper, and the burden on his shoulders had grown heavier.

But there was one thing about him that had never changed—he would never give up.

When the flying boat landed at the Star Port of the New Universe, it was almost dark.

The setting sun spilled onto the city walls of Yongning City, gilding the entire city in a layer of gold.

The seven-colored light at the top of the Monument of Heroes—no, now it was eight-colored light—shone brilliantly under the setting sun, with an added streak of grayish-white, which was the color of the Spirit of Nothingness.

Shen Zhao walked down from the flying boat and saw that the plaza was packed with people.

Representatives from various Realms, Elders of the Guardian Academy, generals of the Realm Guardian Army, and countless ordinary commoners.

They had learned from the communication of the Investigation Department the news of Shen Zhao's return, the news that the fissure had been sealed, and the news that everything had ended.

No one spoke, save for the sound of the wind blowing across the flags.

Shen Zhao walked to the Monument of Heroes, knelt down, and kowtowed deeply.

"Uncle, this Disciple has returned. This Disciple has sealed the fissure, this Disciple has obtained the Power of Nothingness, and this Disciple is now an eight-color-fused Guardian of the Universe. This Disciple has done it; this Disciple's promises, this Disciple has fulfilled them all."

The eight-colored light at the top of the monument fluttered slightly, the grayish-white light intertwining with the seven colors, as if responding to him.

Shen Zhao got up and turned around to look at those familiar faces.

"Everyone, everything has ended. The threat of The Designers has been lifted, and the fissure has been sealed. From this day forward, no one can locate this place, and no one can harvest us. The New Universe is safe."

Across the plaza, earth-shaking cheers erupted.

The commoners embraced and wept, the soldiers raised their weapons and cheered, and the Disciples of the Guardian Academy tossed their caps into the sky. Cheers rose one after another, lingering for a long time without stopping.

Shen Zhao stood amidst the cheering crowd, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly.

He turned around and looked at the names on the Monument of Heroes.

Ancestor Bai Yunzhou, Ling Shuang, Zhou Zhiting, Song Xinghe, Guardian Lin Jingyun, Path Guardian Ancestor Qin Hao, Shen Yuan, Director Su Yun—along with countless unfamiliar names and countless sacrificed heroic martyrs.

They were all there, all watching him, all proud of him.

He raised his hand, and the eight-colored light condensed in his palm, transforming into an eight-colored lotus flower that slowly drifted toward the horizon.

The lotus bloomed in the twilight, illuminating the entirety of Yongning City and lighting up the heart of every single person.

In the distance, the bell of the Guardian Academy rang out; that was the bell for evening classes, the bell that rang every single day.

But today, it was exceptionally crisp and exceptionally lingering, as if proclaiming the arrival of a new era.

Shen Zhao stood before the Monument of Heroes, listening to the bell, and an unprecedented peace surged within his heart.

Everything had ended, truly ended.

The Designers would not come again, the fissure would not open again, and those imprisoned Souls also had a new home.

He could rest now, could sleep soundly now, and no longer needed to worry about what new threats might descend tomorrow.

But he knew that the Path Guardian's road had not yet ended.

Not because he still needed to continue fighting, but because he had to pave this road well, leave behind the Legacy, and let the latecomers know what they ought to do.

He still had his parents' Origin to nurture, Disciples of the Guardian Academy to teach, and tens of billions of commoners to protect.

This was no burden; this was his choice, and also his happiness.

He took a deep breath and turned around to walk toward his small courtyard.

Director Su Yun followed behind him without speaking, simply accompanying him in silence for a stretch of the road.

When they reached the courtyard gate, Shen Zhao stopped in his steps, turning his head to look at Director Su Yun.

"Director Su, you should also rest early. These past few days, you have worked hard."

Director Su Yun shook her head.

"It was not hard. You are the one who has worked the hardest."

Shen Zhao smiled, cupped his hands in a salute, pushed open the door, and walked into the small courtyard.

On the stone table in the courtyard still sat that half-jar of spiritual spring water from the Lingxi Realm, the droplets of water on the jar's body glowing faintly in the moonlight.

He walked over and poured a cup; the tea was still warm—someone had brewed the tea for him before he returned.

He picked up the teacup and took a gentle sip—bitter, very bitter, just like the kind of tea his uncle loved to drink most.

But he did not frown, simply drinking it sip by sip until the tea in the cup reached the bottom.

Then, he put down the teacup and raised his head to look at the moon in the sky.

The moon was very round and very bright, just like those nights when his uncle was alive and had watched it side by side with him countless times.

"Uncle, this Disciple sealed that fissure today; from now on, no one will ever come to disturb us again. This Disciple also obtained the Power of Nothingness, and is now an eight-color-fused Guardian of the Universe. Is this Disciple impressive?"

Moonlight spilled onto him, stretching his shadow very long.

No one answered him, save for the rustling sound of the wind blowing through the bamboo leaves, as if someone were gently applauding.

Shen Zhao smiled, his eye sockets somewhat red, yet he did not let the tears fall.

He got up, walked back into the room, lay down on the bed, and closed his eyes.

That night, he slept very deeply and very peacefully, without dreaming.