261: Chapter 261 The Legend of the Trial Chamber

On the seventh day after Xing Lan woke up, she was finally able to get out of bed and walk around.

Her injuries recovered much faster than Shen Zhao had anticipated, and the nourishing effect of the Origin Power far surpassed any Medicinal Pill.

She stood before the stone table in the small courtyard, looking at the teapot and teacups on the table in silence for a long time.

"This is tea brewed with the spiritual spring water of Lingxi Realm." Shen Zhao walked out of the room, holding two freshly brewed cups of tea in his hands.

Xing Lan took the teacup, took a gentle sip, and furrowed her brows slightly. "It is very bitter."

"This Disciple also thought it was bitter the first time I drank it." Shen Zhao sat down opposite her, "But once you get used to drinking it, it doesn't taste bitter anymore."

Xing Lan put down the teacup and looked at Shen Zhao's graying hair.

"Your hair... why is it white?"

Shen Zhao smiled. "Exchanged by burning Origin. This Disciple has saved many people, and every time I save someone, it consumes my lifespan, turning my hair white."

A flash of complex emotions flickered through Xing Lan's eyes. "Is it worth it?"

Shen Zhao did not answer, merely picking up the teacup and taking another sip.

The tea was very bitter, but he did not frown.

Xing Lan looked at him, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly spoke.

"My Master—the Transporter—once told me a legend. A legend about the Tribunal."

Shen Zhao's hand paused slightly.

The Tribunal.

The Wanderer had mentioned this name.

The highest echelon of The Designers' civilization was not the Divine Power Faction, but a more ancient "Tribunal".

The Divine Power Faction was merely the executors, while the Tribunal was the true decision-maker, descending every ten thousand years to evaluate the harvest results.

But the Wanderer did not know much, having only accidentally seen the name in the data of an abandoned outpost.

"What is the Tribunal?" Shen Zhao put down the teacup and looked at Xing Lan earnestly.

Xing Lan looked into the distance, a trace of reminiscence flashing in her eyes.

"According to the Transporter's records, the Tribunal is an entity older than The Designers. It does not belong to any Universe, but exists in the 'Higher Space' above all Universes."

Shen Zhao's hand paused slightly.

Higher Space?

"The Transporter said that Universes are like bubbles floating in a boundless Void Realm. Every bubble is an independent Universe, with its own rules, its own living beings, and its own civilization. And the Tribunal exists above all the bubbles."

Xing Lan raised her hand, and a silvery-white light surged from her palm, condensing into an image in the Void Realm.

Within the image were countless tiny points of light, densely packed like bubbles.

Above the bubbles floated a gigantic palace, pitch-black throughout, its surface covered in densely packed runes.

Those runes circulated slowly, exuding a heart-palpitating pressure.

"This is the Tribunal." Xing Lan's voice was very soft, carrying a hint of fear, "It was not created by The Designers; The Designers are merely its executors. It has existed for countless epochs, older than any Universe."

Shen Zhao stared at the image, a chill welling up in his heart.

Older than any Universe.

What kind of existence was that?

"What is the function of the Tribunal? Why must it harvest Souls?"

Xing Lan took a deep breath and slowly spoke.

"To maintain balance. The Transporter said that the birth and end of a Universe are inherently two sides of the same coin. But the Tribunal exists to ensure that this cycle is not broken."

She raised her hand, and the image shifted.

In the image, countless points of light drifted out from the bubbles and converged into the palace.

At the center of the palace floated a gigantic golden crystal core, which beat continuously like a heart.

"When each Universe is born, it produces a vast amount of Origin Power. Part of this Origin Power is used to maintain the operation of the Universe, and part of it is collected by the Tribunal. The Tribunal uses this Origin Power to maintain the stability of the Higher Space."

Shen Zhao's brows furrowed.

"So, The Designers harvesting Souls is to provide energy for the Tribunal?"

Xing Lan nodded.

"Yes. But The Designers are merely executors, and they do not know the true purpose of the Tribunal. They thought they were harvesting Souls to maintain their own civilization. In reality, they are merely tools of the Tribunal."

Shen Zhao clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white.

Tools.

The Designers, the existence that had terrified them for decades, were nothing more than tools.

The true mastermind behind the scenes was the Tribunal.

"Why hasn't the Tribunal appeared yet? The Designers have collapsed, and the harvest system has also been destroyed. Aren't they anxious?"

Xing Lan shook her head.

"The Transporter said that the Tribunal descends only once every ten thousand years. The last descent was five thousand years ago. The next one is in five thousand years."

Shen Zhao's hand paused slightly.

Five thousand years.

It was very long, yet very short.

Long enough for him to make plenty of preparations.

Short enough to vanish in the blink of an eye.

"In five thousand years, the Tribunal will descend. By then, they will discover that the harvest system has collapsed, and that all imprisoned Souls have been released. What will they do?"

Xing Lan looked at him, her eyes filled with compassion.

"Destruction. Destroy this Universe, reclaim all Origin Power. Then start anew, creating a new Universe, new living beings, and a new cycle."

Shen Zhao's heart sank heavily.

Destroy everything and start over.

Like formatting.

"Therefore, this Disciple only has five thousand years."

Xing Lan nodded.

"Within five thousand years, you must become strong enough to fight against the Tribunal. Or find enough allies to fight the Tribunal together."

Shen Zhao was silent for a long time.

Five thousand years.

Longer than one thousand years, shorter than ten thousand years.

Is it enough?

He did not know.

But he knew he had to try.

"How strong is the Tribunal? Did the Transporter leave any records?"

Xing Lan thought for a moment and slowly spoke.

"The Transporter said that the Tribunal has thirteen Arbitrators. Each Arbitrator possesses power exceeding the Mahayana Realm. The Lord of the Tribunal transcends any known Realm even more so."

Shen Zhao's hands were trembling slightly.

Thirteen Arbitrators exceeding the Mahayana Realm.

And a Lord of the Tribunal of unknown Realm.

How could a Cultivator who had just achieved a Breakthrough to the Mid Stage of Integration fight them?

"Did the Transporter say how to fight the Tribunal?"

Xing Lan nodded.

"Yes. He said that the source of the Tribunal's power is the Origin crystal core of the Higher Space. As long as that crystal core is shattered, the Tribunal will lose its power. But not just anyone can enter the Higher Space; only those recognized by the Tribunal, or... those who possess Origin Power, can enter."

Shen Zhao's hand paused slightly.

Origin Power.

He had Origin Power within his body.

The Fourteen-Color Power merged into one, colorless and formless.

Perhaps that was the key to entering the Higher Space.

"What should this Disciple do?"

Xing Lan took out a silvery-white Jade Slip from her bosom and handed it to Shen Zhao.

"This is what the Transporter left for you. It records the location of the Higher Space and the method to enter. He said that only you can open this Jade Slip, because only you possess Origin Power."

Shen Zhao took the Jade Slip and felt a cold power surge out from it.

That power resonated with the Origin Power within his body, and the silvery-white light intertwined with the colorless light, illuminating the entire courtyard.

The Jade Slip lit up, and a massive amount of information flooded into Shen Zhao's Sea of Consciousness.

That was the star map of the Higher Space, the layout of the Tribunal, and the information of the thirteen Arbitrators.

There was also the final message left by the Transporter.

"Latercomer, if you see these words, it means this seat is no longer around. The threat of the Tribunal is even more terrifying than the Void King. The Void King merely devours Universes, while the Tribunal creates and destroys Universes. They are existences of a higher level, existences you cannot imagine. But this seat believes that you can do it. Because you are the person who breaks the cycle, the game-breaker of the seventh cycle. This seat has entrusted everything to you; the rest is up to you."

Shen Zhao's tears streamed out of his eyes.

The Transporter had entrusted everything to him.

Like the Spirit of Nothingness, like the Shadow of Beginning, like the Spirit of the Gate.

Like everyone who believed in him.

He knelt on the ground and bowed deeply toward the Jade Slip.

"Senior, rest assured, this Disciple will certainly not fail this commission."

Xing Lan looked at him, a trace of complex emotions flashing in her eyes.

"Shen Zhao, are you really not afraid?"

Shen Zhao stood up, wiped away his tears, and looked at her.

"Afraid. This Disciple is naturally afraid. But this Disciple is even more afraid of failing those who believe in him. Even more afraid that those who sacrificed themselves died in vain. Even more afraid that Uncle would be disappointed watching this Disciple from the heavens."

Xing Lan fell silent.

She thought of her Master—the Transporter.

He was also like this, choosing to sacrifice himself even knowing he would surely die.

In order to bring the news here, in order to give this Universe a glimmer of hope.

"Shen Zhao, I will help you."

Shen Zhao looked at her.

"Your injuries are not yet healed..."

Xing Lan shook her head, interrupting him.

"My injuries are mostly healed. Besides, I am a Disciple of the Transporter, and I know how to shuttle between Universes. You need to go to other Universes to find allies, and you need me."

Shen Zhao was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"Fine. But you must promise Disciple one thing."

"What is it?"

"Return alive."

Xing Lan smiled, her smile as light and breezy as clouds.

"I promise you."

Shen Zhao stood up and walked toward the Council Hall.

He wanted to tell Guardian Ancestor Ling Xi, tell Director Su Yun, and tell everyone.

The threat of the Tribunal was even more terrifying than The Designers.

They only had five thousand years.

Five thousand years later, the Tribunal would descend.

By then, if they couldn't stop them, this Universe would be destroyed.

Everything would start anew.

Inside the Council Hall, the representatives of various Realms had already arrived.

Guardian Ancestor Ling Xi stood at the main seat, and Director Su Yun stood in front of the star map, holding a thick stack of monitoring data in her hands.

Seeing Shen Zhao enter, everyone's gaze concentrated on him.

Shen Zhao walked to the front of the main seat without sitting down.

"Everyone, Disciple has bad news to tell you."

The main hall quieted down.

Everyone stared at him, waiting for him to continue.

Shen Zhao took a deep breath and spoke slowly.

"The Tribunal is an existence even more terrifying than The Designers. They created The Designers and also created the harvest system. They are the true masterminds behind the scenes."

He raised his hand, and Fourteen-Color Power surged from his palm, condensing into the image of the Tribunal in the Void Realm.

A pitch-black palace, golden crystal cores, and the figures of thirteen judges.

"Five thousand years later, the Tribunal will descend. By then, they will discover that the harvest system has collapsed. Then, they will destroy this Universe and reclaim all Origin Power. Everything will start anew."

The main hall was dead silent.

Everyone's complexion turned pale.

Five thousand years sounded long, but for a Cultivator, it was fleeting.

"Ancestor, what should we do?" A young representative stood up, his voice trembling.

Shen Zhao looked at him with a firm gaze.

"Become stronger. Become strong enough. Then, go to Higher Space and shatter the Tribunal's Origin crystal core. This is the only way."

Another representative stood up.

"Ancestor, where is Higher Space? How do we go?"

Shen Zhao looked outside the hall.

There, Xing Lan was standing under the sunlight, her silver-white long hair fluttering in the wind.

"The Transporter's Disciple will take us there."

Everyone's gaze turned toward that direction.

Xing Lan turned around and walked into the main hall.

Her complexion was still pale, but her gaze was resolute.

"My name is Xing Lan, and I come from another Universe. My Master, the Transporter, is the existence responsible for maintaining the Universe channels. He burned his Origin and sent me here to tell you the truth about the Tribunal."

She walked to the star map, raised her hand, and silver-white light surged from her palm.

On the star map, a huge image emerged.

In the image were countless points of light, floating like bubbles in a Void Realm.

Above the bubbles, a pitch-black palace was suspended.

"This is Higher Space, where the Tribunal resides. Only those who possess Origin Power can enter. Shen Zhao can, but you cannot."

She looked at Shen Zhao.

"Therefore, you can only go alone."

Shen Zhao nodded.

"Disciple knows."

Guardian Ancestor Ling Xi stood up with a solemn expression.

"Shen Zhao, it is too dangerous for you to go alone. What if..."

Shen Zhao raised his hand to interrupt her.

"Disciple is not alone. Disciple has the Fourteen-Color Power, Origin Power, and Teleportation Power. Disciple has the Ancestor's will, the uncle's blessing, and the beliefs of countless martyrs. Disciple is not alone."

Guardian Ancestor Ling Xi looked at him, her eye sockets turning red.

But she didn't cry and simply nodded.

"Alright. Go. Disciple will guard the Sea of Stars for you."

Shen Zhao walked in front of her, unbuckled the qinglian sword, and handed it to her.

"This is the Ancestor's sword. Disciple will leave it here. If Disciple cannot return, hand it over to those who come after."

Guardian Ancestor Ling Xi took the qinglian sword, her fingers gently brushing across the sword body.

The Qinglian patterns on the sword body were glowing slightly, as if responding to her.

"Disciple will guard it well for you."

Shen Zhao nodded and turned to look at the representatives of various Realms.

"Everyone, Disciple must leave. Disciple is going to other Universes to find allies. Five thousand years later, Disciple will return. By then, if Disciple does not return... the Sea of Stars will be left to you."

The representatives of various Realms knelt down uniformly, kowtowing deeply.

"Ancestor, have a safe journey."

Shen Zhao's eye sockets turned red, but he didn't let his tears fall.

He turned around and walked out of the main hall.

Xing Lan followed behind.

The two walked side by side toward the Star Port.

The spacetime flying boat was still parked there, its silver-white hull emitting a faint glow under the sunlight.

Shen Zhao boarded the flying boat, and Xing Lan followed.

The cabin door closed, and Fourteen-Color Power circulated around the hull.

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

Shen Zhao stood in front of the porthole, looking at Yongning City getting smaller and smaller below.

Those familiar buildings, those familiar streets and alleys, those familiar faces.

Were all growing distant from him.

But he knew he would return.

Because this place was his home.

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

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

He raised his hand and gently touched it.

"spacetime flying boat, target: Higher Space."

The crystal core lit up, and the flying boat accelerated, flying toward the outside of the Universe.

The scenery outside the porthole began to twist and elongate, turning into countless streams of light flying past from both sides.

Shen Zhao stood in front of the porthole, watching those streams of light.

Xing Lan walked to his side and said softly.

"Shen Zhao, are you afraid?"

Shen Zhao thought for a moment and answered honestly.

"Afraid. But Disciple cannot show it. Because Disciple is everyone's hope."

Xing Lan looked at him, a trace of complexity flashing in her eyes.

"You are very much like my Master."

Shen Zhao turned his head to look at her.

"The Transporter? Is he also such a person?"

Xing Lan nodded, tears welling up in her eyes.

"He is too. He clearly could have escaped, but he chose to stay. He clearly could have lived, but he chose to die."

"He said, 'Those who come after need this news. I cannot leave.'"

Shen Zhao's tears also welled up.

But he didn't wipe them, simply letting them flow.

The flying boat sped through the spacetime channel, heading in the direction of Higher Space.

Ahead was unknown danger.

Behind him was the homeland he desperately guarded.

He could not fail.

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

He had promised Director Su Yun that he would return alive.

He had promised the Disciples of the Guardian Academy that he would return alive.

He had promised those names on the Monument of Heroes to guard the Sea of Stars.

He took a deep breath and wiped away his tears.

"Xing Lan, how much further to Higher Space?"

Xing Lan looked at the streams of light outside the porthole.

"At this speed, it will take about a year."

One year.

It was neither long nor short.

"Disciple can use this year to Cultivate Teleportation Power."

Xing Lan nodded.

"I will teach you."

Shen Zhao sat cross-legged and closed his eyes.

Xing Lan sat opposite him, raised her hand, and silver-white light surged from her palm, shrouding him.

The Profound Truth of Teleportation Power, like a trickle of stream, poured into his Sea of Consciousness.

The structure of space, the coordinates of the Universe, the method of shuttling.

Every piece of information was extremely profound, but Shen Zhao did not flinch.

Because he knew this knowledge might be the key to his future fight against the Tribunal.

The flying boat sped through the spacetime channel.

Shen Zhao Cultivated inside the flying boat.

One day, two days, three days.

One month, two months, three months.

His Teleportation Power was rapidly improving, from entry-level to proficiency, from proficiency to Minor Achievement.

Xing Lan looked at him, her eyes full of surprise.

"You are faster than my Master expected. He said you would need at least ten years to Master the foundation of Teleportation Power. But you only used three months."

Shen Zhao opened his eyes, and the silver-white light in his eyes flashed and disappeared.

"Disciple does not have time to learn slowly. Five thousand years seems long, but there are too many things to do."

Xing Lan fell silent.

She knew Shen Zhao was right.

Five thousand years to fight the Tribunal, find allies, and become strong enough.

The time was simply not enough.

But he didn't complain or flinch.

He just Cultivated silently and worked hard silently.

Just like her Master.

"Shen Zhao, you will definitely succeed."

Shen Zhao looked at her and smiled slightly.

"Disciple thinks so too."