262: Chapter 262 Shen Zhao's Decision

The spacetime flying boat had been sailing through the spacetime channel for a full three months.

The flowing lights outside the porthole never stopped, and the silver-white light intertwined with the colorless light, illuminating the narrow cabin.

Shen Zhao sat cross-legged in front of the console, holding the silver Jade Slip left behind by the Transporter. His Divine Thought probed into it over and over again, searching for every detail about the Tribunal.

Xing Lan sat opposite him, holding a cup of thoroughly chilled tea in her hands. Looking at his graying hair and focused gaze, an indescribable emotion surged in her heart.

"You have been reading for three days and three nights." Her voice was very soft, so light as if she were afraid of disturbing something. "Take a rest."

Shen Zhao did not raise his head; he merely shook it.

"Disciple is not tired. Disciple just wants to understand more about the Tribunal. Knowing oneself and the enemy ensures victory in every battle."

Xing Lan was silent for a moment, placed the cup on the table, stood up, and walked over to the porthole.

Outside the window was the unending flowing light, and countless specks of light flew past in the darkness like shooting stars.

"My Master once said that every one of the thirteen adjudicators of the Tribunal represents a Law."

Shen Zhao finally raised his head and looked at her.

"Thirteen Laws? Same as Disciple's Fourteen-Color Power?"

Xing Lan nodded, then shook her head.

"Similar, but different. Your Fourteen-Color Power is the condensed will of the Chosen One from the previous six cycles, and it is the Law of guardianship. The thirteen Laws of the adjudicators are the Laws of judgment — — destruction, Rebirth, ruling, sanction, judgment, punishment, purification, sacrifice, Seal, banishment, imprisonment, torture, and execution."

Shen Zhao's hand paused slightly.

Every single name carried a freezing murderous intent.

"Did the Transporter leave their specific information?"

Xing Lan turned around and looked at him.

"Yes. But not much. The Transporter said that the adjudicators never appear alone; every descent involves all thirteen of them simultaneously. They act as one, cooperating seamlessly. To defeat them, one must defeat all thirteen at the same time. Otherwise, as long as one person is alive, the others can experience Rebirth."

Shen Zhao's heart sank.

Defeat thirteen people simultaneously.

Every single one possesses power surpassing the Mahayana stage.

And he was all alone.

"Disciple needs allies." He stood up, walked to the porthole, and stood side by side with Xing Lan.

Xing Lan turned her head to look at him.

"You are going to other Universe? To find those Universe threatened by the Void King?"

Shen Zhao nodded.

"Yes. The Transporter said that there is more than one Universe, and more than one is threatened by the Void King. If we can unite them, we can form a force to counter the Tribunal."

Xing Lan's brows furrowed.

"But those Universe are barely able to protect themselves, how could they possibly help you?"

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

"Disciple's Universe is also barely able to protect itself, but Disciple still came. Because Disciple knows that not resisting means death, and resisting at least gives a glimmer of survival. They are the same."

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

"You are really a lot like my Master. He was also like this, never giving up any hope."

Shen Zhao smiled slightly and turned to walk back to the console.

On the crystal core, those spacetime runes were slowly flowing, the silver-white light intertwining with the colorless light.

He raised his hand and gently touched the crystal core.

"spacetime flying boat, target: the first Universe near Higher Space."

The crystal core lit up, and the flying boat accelerated.

The flowing light outside the porthole became faster, and the specks of light flew past like a rainstorm.

Xing Lan walked to his side and said softly.

"Shen Zhao, did you know? My Master once said a sentence."

"What sentence?"

"He said, 'The end of the Universe is not nothingness, but the beginning of another Universe.'"

Shen Zhao's hand paused slightly.

The end of the Universe is not nothingness, but the beginning of another Universe.

Just like death is not an end, but the beginning of Rebirth.

Just like guardianship is not one person's business, but everyone's business.

"Disciple has remembered it."

The flying boat sailed in the spacetime channel for another nine months.

In this year, Shen Zhao almost never closed his eyes.

During the day he Cultivated Teleportation Power, at night he studied the information of the Tribunal, and occasionally chatted with Xing Lan to learn about her Universe that had already been destroyed.

Xing Lan told him that her Universe was called "Xinghai" — — sharing the same name as Shen Zhao's Universe.

There were also stars, stardust, and countless living beings there.

There was laughter, tears, hope, and despair.

After the Void King descended, everything changed.

Stars went out one by one, and living beings disappeared one by one.

The Guardians fought desperately to the end, but in the end they all died in battle.

"I was hidden in the teleportation array by Master and thus escaped a disaster." Xing Lan's voice was very soft, her eyes full of sadness. "I watched with my own eyes as Master burned his Origin, opening the channel leading to this Universe. When he disappeared, he was still smiling. He said, 'Xing Lan, live on. Live on for Master.'"

Shen Zhao's tears fell silently.

He thought of his uncle.

He thought of his uncle's words before his death — — "Zhao'er, Uncle is waiting for you on the Monument of Heroes."

They were all like that, leaving the hope of living to others and the end of death to themselves.

"Xing Lan, Disciple will avenge your Master."

Xing Lan looked at him, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Thank you, Shen Zhao."

The flying boat finally rushed out of the spacetime channel.

The scene outside the porthole made Shen Zhao hold his breath.

That was a Void Realm he had never seen before, with no stars, no stardust, and no Spiritual Qi whatsoever.

There was only endless darkness and boundless silence.

In the darkness, countless tiny specks of light floated, every single speck slowly rotating and exuding a faint glow.

Those specks of light were one Universe after another.

Like bubbles floating in a boundless Void Realm.

Shen Zhao stood in front of the porthole, gazing at those specks of light, an indescribable emotion surging in his heart.

This was the world outside the Universe.

This was the source of all Universe, and also the final destination of all Universe.

"Where is Higher Space?" Shen Zhao turned his head to look at Xing Lan.

Xing Lan raised her hand, pointing to the brightest speck of light in the Void Realm.

That speck of light was huge, a hundred times larger than the other specks of light, exuding a dazzling silver-white light.

In the light, a huge palace could be vaguely seen. The palace was pitch-black all over, its surface densely carved with runes.

"That is Higher Space, the location of the Tribunal."

Shen Zhao stared at that speck of light, a chill surging in his heart.

That was the Tribunal.

It created The Designers, created the harvest system, and created countless cycles.

The true mastermind behind the scenes.

"Can Disciple go in now?"

Xing Lan shook her head.

"Cannot. There is a barrier in Higher Space, and only the adjudicators and the Tribunal Master can freely enter and exit. Anyone else wanting to enter needs a special key."

"What is the key?"

Xing Lan looked at him and said word by word.

"Origin Power."

Shen Zhao's hand paused slightly.

Origin Power, he had it right inside his body.

"What should Disciple do?"

Xing Lan took out a silver-white crystal stone from her bosom and handed it to Shen Zhao.

"This is the teleportation crystal stone left behind by my Master, which can open the channel leading to Higher Space. But the channel can only last for the time it takes to burn an incense stick; you must enter within this time. Otherwise, the channel will close, and you will be torn apart by spacetime turbulence."

Shen Zhao took the crystal stone and felt a chilling power surge out from it.

That power resonated with the Origin Power in his body, and the silver-white light intertwined with the colorless light, illuminating the entire cabin.

"Disciple is ready."

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

"Shen Zhao, are you sure? There are thirteen adjudicators in Higher Space, as well as the Tribunal Master. If you go in alone, you might... might not come back."

Shen Zhao smiled, smiling with calm detachment.

"Disciple is not afraid. Disciple has the Fourteen-Color Power, Origin Power, and Teleportation Power. Disciple has the will of the progenitor, the blessing of uncle, and the faith of countless fallen heroes. Disciple is not alone."

He held the crystal stone in his hand, and the Fourteen-Color Power surged from his palm, pouring into the crystal stone.

The crystal stone suddenly lit up, and a silver-white light soared into the sky, opening a light door in the Void Realm.

Behind the light door was endless light and a faint coercion.

Shen Zhao took a deep breath, turned around, and looked at Xing Lan.

"Xing Lan, Disciple is leaving. You wait for Disciple on the flying boat. If Disciple does not return after three days, you return to Yongning City and tell Guardian Ancestor Ling Xi — — Disciple tried his best."

Xing Lan's tears gushed out of her eyes.

"Shen Zhao, you must come back."

Shen Zhao nodded, turned around, and stepped into the light door.

The light door slowly closed behind him.

The world behind the door was completely different from what he imagined.

There was no light, no coercion, only endless darkness.

In the darkness floated thirteen chairs, arranged in a ring. Each chair was a hundred zhang tall, pitch-black all over, and densely carved with runes on the surface.

On the chairs, there was not a single person.

But Shen Zhao could feel the lingering aura on those chairs — — ancient, profound, and icy.

That was the aura of the adjudicators.

Shen Zhao floated in the dark Void Realm, the Fourteen-Color Power circulating on the surface of his body, resisting that suffocating oppressive feeling.

He looked around, searching for that Origin crystal core.

The crystal core was the source of power for the Tribunal. As long as it was shattered, the Tribunal would lose its power.

But where was the crystal core?

Shen Zhao closed his eyes and spread his Origin Power in all directions.

Sensing every inch of space and every trace of change.

Finally, in the deepest part of the darkness, he sensed a faint light.

The light was so faint that it was almost imperceptible, but it stood out exceptionally in the darkness.

Shen Zhao opened his eyes and flew toward that light.

The closer he got, the brighter the light became.

When he flew in front of the light, he stopped in his tracks.

It was a huge crystal core, a thousand zhang in diameter, floating in the dark Void Realm.

The crystal core was entirely golden, containing endless power within.

The crystal core beat slowly, and with every beat, specks of light surged out from it, drifting in all directions.

Those specks of light were fragments of Origin Power and the energy that maintained the operation of Higher Space.

Shen Zhao reached out, wanting to touch that crystal core.

The moment his fingertips were about to touch the crystal core—

A voice sounded in his mind.

The voice was old and majestic, carrying the vicissitudes of piercing through endless years.

"Latercomer, you shouldn't have come here."

Shen Zhao's hand paused slightly, and he withdrew it.

"Who are you?"

The voice was silent for a moment.

"This seat is the Tribunal Master. The manager of the Universe, and the Guardian of order."

A chill surged in Shen Zhao's heart.

Tribunal Master.

Created The Designers, created the harvest system, and created countless cycles.

The true mastermind behind the scenes.

"You want to destroy this Disciple's Universe."

The Tribunal Master's voice carried no emotion, as if stating a fact.

"The harvest system collapsed, and those imprisoned Souls were released. The cycle has been disrupted. It must start over."

"Start over? You mean destroy everything and recreate everything?"

"Yes. These are the rules. The Universe has cycles, with creation and destruction repeating in a cycle. This is the Law, and it cannot be changed."

Shen Zhao clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white.

"This Disciple does not believe it. This Disciple does not believe the Law cannot be changed. This Disciple does not believe creation must come at the cost of destruction. This Disciple does not believe everyone's sacrifices cannot exchange for a peaceful future."

The Tribunal Master was silent for a long time.

"You don't believe it, but you cannot change anything. This seat has lived for countless epochs and has seen countless people like you. They all wanted to break the Law, and they all failed. You will be no exception."

Shen Zhao raised his head and looked at the golden crystal core.

"This Disciple doesn't need an exception. This Disciple only needs to try his best. Having tried his best, there will be no regrets."

He raised his hand, and the Fourteen-Color Power condensed in his palm, transforming into a colorless light sword.

The light sword was a thousand zhang long, with dense runes flowing across its blade.

Those runes were the wills of all the Chosen Ones from the previous six cycles, the beliefs of countless fallen heroes, and the power of everyone who believed in him.

"The rules were set by you, but we are the ones alive. Our fate should be decided by ourselves."

The light sword slashed down, striking directly at the golden crystal core.

The blade collided with the crystal core, sparking dazzling sparks.

The crystal core trembled violently, the golden light intertwining with the colorless.

A crack appeared on the surface of the crystal core. It was very thin and shallow, but it indeed existed.

The Tribunal Master's voice carried a hint of surprise.

"You... you can actually injure the Origin crystal core?"

Shen Zhao did not speak, simply infusing more power into the light sword.

The light sword slashed down again, and the crack expanded by a fraction.

The beating of the crystal core became chaotic, and the specks of light no longer drifted, but scattered wildly in all directions.

The Tribunal Master's voice carried a hint of anger.

"Stop! Do you know what you are doing? Breaking the crystal core will cause Higher Space to collapse, and the connections between all Universes will be severed. By then, the Void King will lose all restrictions, and it will devour everything!"

Shen Zhao's hand paused slightly.

The Void King losing its restrictions?

"The crystal core is not only the source of power for the Tribunal, but also the Seal restricting the Void King? If this Disciple breaks it, the Void King will be free?"

The Tribunal Master's voice returned to calm.

"Yes. This seat created The Designers and established the harvest system not only to maintain the cycle, but also to suppress the Void King. Once the crystal core shatters, the Seal will be lifted. By then, the Void King will awaken from its slumber and devour all Universes."

Shen Zhao fell silent.

He thought of Xing Lan's words—the Void King devoured everything, stars, the Void Realm, time, and space.

Seven Mahayana stage Guardians joining forces only lasted for three years.

If the Void King truly became free, who could stop it?

"This Disciple cannot break the crystal core, but this Disciple will not let the Tribunal destroy this Disciple's Universe."

He withdrew the light sword and looked at the crack-ridden crystal core.

The Tribunal Master's voice sounded again.

"Then what do you want?"

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

"This Disciple wants to make a deal with you."

"A deal?"

"Correct. This Disciple will repair the harvest system for the Tribunal and re-establish the cycle. But the condition is that the Tribunal cannot destroy this Disciple's Universe. This Disciple's Universe must be preserved forever."

The Tribunal Master was silent for a long time.

"You are crazy. Do you know what price must be paid to repair the harvest system?"

Shen Zhao nodded.

"This Disciple knows. This Disciple needs to use his own Origin Power to reactivate the crystal core. The price is that this Disciple's lifespan will be drastically shortened."

The Tribunal Master's voice carried a hint of complexity.

"You are willing to sacrifice yourself for others?"

Shen Zhao smiled indifferently.

"This is not the first time for this Disciple. Nor will it be the last."

The Tribunal Master was silent for a long time, so long that Shen Zhao thought it wouldn't answer.

Then, it laughed.

"Good. This seat agrees to you. You repair the harvest system for this seat, and this seat will preserve your Universe."

Shen Zhao nodded and turned to walk to the crystal core.

He raised his hand, and the Fourteen-Color Power surged from his palm, transforming into countless fine threads that wrapped around the cracks on the crystal core.

Those threads were condensed from Origin Power, stitching the cracks together one by one.

The beating of the crystal core gradually stabilized, and the specks of light drifted again.

Shen Zhao's complexion grew increasingly pale, and his graying hair began to fall out.

His lifespan was rapidly being consumed.

But he did not stop, because he knew.

This was the only way.

Only by repairing the harvest system would the Tribunal not destroy his Universe.

Only by living would there be hope.

I don't know how much time passed, but the final crack on the crystal core healed.

Shen Zhao withdrew his hand and slumped in the Void Realm, panting heavily.

His hair had almost all fallen out, and the wrinkles on his face were as deep as knife carvings.

He looked as though he had aged another several hundred years.

The Tribunal Master's voice sounded, carrying a hint of a sigh.

"Latercomer, you have succeeded. This seat honors its word; your Universe will not be touched by this seat."

Shen Zhao smiled weakly.

"Thank you, Senior."

He struggled to stand up and walked toward the direction of the light gate.

The Tribunal Master's voice sounded for the last time.

"Latercomer, this seat has one more thing to tell you."

Shen Zhao stopped his steps.

"The Seal of the Void King can only maintain for another ten thousand years. Ten thousand years later, it will definitely awaken. By then, you need to be prepared."

Shen Zhao's hand paused slightly.

Ten thousand years.

Very long, yet very short.

"This Disciple understands."

He stepped forward and stepped into the light gate.

The light gate slowly closed behind him.

On the flying boat, Xing Lan had already waited outside the light gate for a day and a night.

Seeing Shen Zhao walk out of the light gate, her eye sockets turned red.

"Shen Zhao, you... how did you become like this?"

Shen Zhao smiled, his smile filled with exhaustion.

"This Disciple is fine. Just aged a bit more."

Xing Lan's tears welled up and burst forth, rushing forward to support him.

"What did you do? Why did you make yourself like this?"

Shen Zhao leaned on Xing Lan's shoulder and closed his eyes.

"This Disciple made a deal with the Tribunal Master. This Disciple repaired the harvest system for it, and it preserves this Disciple's Universe."

Xing Lan's hands were trembling slightly.

"Repairing the harvest system? Doesn't that require your lifespan..."

Shen Zhao nodded.

"This Disciple's lifespan probably only has a few thousand years left."

Xing Lan's tears flowed unstoppably.

"Is it worth it? For a Universe, is it worth it?"

Shen Zhao opened his eyes and looked at her.

"It is worth it. Because there are this Disciple's parents, this Disciple's friends, and this Disciple's students there. There are countless people who believe in this Disciple. This Disciple cannot let them die."

Xing Lan looked at him, unable to speak for a long time.

She remembered Master's words— "The latercomer is a person even more foolish than this seat."

Now, she believed it.

The flying boat turned around and flew in the direction of the New Universe.

Shen Zhao leaned against the porthole, looking at the flowing light outside the window, and closed his eyes.

His face was full of exhaustion, but a trace of a smile lingered at the corners of his mouth.

He had done it.

He had guarded the Starry Sea.

Although the price was several thousand years of lifespan, and although he might not live to see the day the Tribunal descended.

But he did not regret it.

Because he knew the Disciples of the Guardian Academy would walk down this path for him.

Guardian Ancestor Ling Xi would, Shen Nian would, and countless latercomers would.

The path of guarding had no end.

But as long as someone was still guarding, the Starry Sea would have hope.