282: Chapter 282 The Awakening of Moonlight

The dark red spots of light in the secret chamber were still drifting, flying about in the Void Realm like countless fireflies.

Those were the traces left behind after Yuehua's Physical Body disintegrated, the final proof of her existence.

Yue Li knelt on the ground, supporting herself with both hands as tears fell drop by drop onto the dark red crystal floor, producing faint sounds.

She did not cry out, because she had promised Master to wait for her to return.

But Master did not return; Master's Physical Body had dissipated, and Master's consciousness had also vanished, leaving only these spots of light.

Shen Nian stood behind her, not stepping forward nor disturbing her.

He knew that this was Yue Li's moment, a moment he could not interfere with.

He just stood quietly by the side, accompanying her.

The qinglian sword swayed gently at his waist, its qinglian patterns shimmering with a faint green light amidst the dark red glow.

The six-color Legacy power circulated within his body, resonating with the Power of Dao Protection and echoing the Progenitor's Origin imprint.

Although Yuehua was no longer here, her will still remained.

Amidst those awakened Souls, in Yue Li's heart, and in the blank reincarnation token within his hand.

The key to the Gate of Reincarnation had already been used, and all seven demon god origins were completely exhausted, but the gate had opened, and those Souls harvested for countless years had finally awakened.

But this was only the beginning.

The road to Rebirth was still very long.

Those Souls needed new Physical Bodies, new homes, and time to adapt to this unfamiliar New Universe.

And Shen Nian had to help them.

He took a deep breath, walked over to Yue Li, squatted down, and said softly, "Senior, Senior Yuehua would not want to see you like this."

Yue Li did not raise her head, her voice so hoarse it was almost inaudible: "This seat knows."

"But this seat... this seat cannot help it."

"This seat has waited for countless years, waiting for this day."

"This seat thought Master would return, would return alive."

"But this seat was wrong; Master cannot come back."

"Her Physical Body has dissipated, and her consciousness has also dissipated."

"This seat... can never see her again."

Shen Nian's tears also welled up in his eyes, but he did not let them fall.

He reached out and gently patted Yue Li's shoulder: "Senior, Senior Yuehua has not left."

"She is still here."

"Amidst those awakened Souls, in your heart, and in the token in Disciple's hand."

He handed the blank reincarnation token to Yue Li.

The samsara lotus on the token had dimmed, no longer glowing or pulsing, but it was still there.

Yuehua's will remained inside.

Yue Li took the token, her fingers gently stroking the dimmed lotus.

Her tears dripped onto the token, causing it to light up slightly before dimming once more.

It was as if Yuehua was responding to her, as if saying— "Lier, Master is still here."

"Senior, Disciple needs you." Shen Nian's voice was very soft yet firm, "Those Souls need new Physical Bodies and a new home."

"Disciple needs your help."

Yue Li raised her head and looked into his eyes.

In those eyes, there was no fatigue, no retreat, only firmness.

Just like Shen Zhao back then, just like Bai Yunzhou back then, just like all the Guardians kneeling before the Monument of Heroes.

She wiped away her tears, stood up, and tucked the token into her bosom.

"Alright. This seat will help you."

The two walked out of the secret chamber side by side, walking down the empty passageway.

Footsteps echoed in the passageway, like a heartbeat, like breathing, like the footsteps of a new era.

Within the crystal walls on both sides of the passageway, those Reincarnation runes had dimmed, no longer glowing or circulating.

Yuehua was gone, and the old site of the Reincarnation Hall had also lost its final power.

But it was still there; its ruins were still there, its history was still there.

Countless years later, someone would come here, see these runes, see these traces, and ask— "What place is this?"

Someone would answer— "This is the old site of the Reincarnation Hall."

Once upon a time, there was a person named Yuehua who used her own Physical Body to Seal the demon god origin.

She waited for many years, waiting for someone who could save her.

"That person came, but she was no longer here."

When they walked out of the secret chamber, the sky outside was already growing dark.

The setting sun shone upon the spirit fields of the Meteor Minor Realm, making the golden rice ears look even more brilliant.

The Old Farmer was still sitting in front of the wooden house, smoking a dry pipe and squinting at the spirit rice.

Seeing Shen Nian and Yue Li come out, he waved his hand.

"Kid, finished talking?"

Shen Nian walked over and sat down beside the Old Farmer.

"Finished talking."

The Old Farmer took out a rough porcelain bowl from his bosom, poured a bowl of water, and handed it to him.

"Drink a bowl of water."

"Your Master also drank this old man's water back then."

Shen Nian took the bowl and drank it in one gulp.

The water was very cool and sweet, just like what the Progenitor had drunk back then.

The Old Farmer put away his dry pipe and patted his shoulder.

"Kid, come back alive."

"Your Master promised this old man, but he didn't do it."

"Don't learn from him."

Shen Nian's tears welled up in his eyes, but he did not let them fall.

"Disciple won't."

"Disciple will definitely come back alive."

He stood up, bowed deeply to the Old Farmer, and then turned to walk in the direction of the flying boat.

Yue Li followed behind him, the two of them walking one after another on the path by the spirit field.

The setting sun drew their shadows very long, and the qinglian sword swayed gently at Shen Nian's waist, its qinglian patterns gleaming brilliantly in the setting sun.

Returning to the flying boat, Shen Nian sat cross-legged, laid the qinglian sword across his knees, and closed his eyes.

He was recovering his consumed Origin Power and also comprehending the deeper Profound Truth of those six Legacy powers within the qinglian sword.

Yue Li sat by the porthole, holding the blank reincarnation token in her hand, looking at the sea of stars outside the window in silence.

Her complexion was still pale, and the bloodshot veins in her eyes were still clear, but her gaze was much firmer than before.

Because she knew Master did not die in vain.

Those awakened Souls were exchanged with Master's Life.

The flying boat sailed slowly through the sea of stars, heading towards Yongning City.

The stars outside the porthole swept past one by one, like countless eyes watching them in the darkness.

After a long time, Shen Nian opened his eyes.

His complexion was somewhat more ruddy than before, and the bloodshot veins in his eyes had decreased, but his gaze remained firm.

"Senior, Disciple wants to go and see those awakened Souls."

Yue Li turned her head to look at him.

"They are still within the Gate of Reincarnation and need time to condense their Physical Bodies."

"Even if you go in now, you cannot help much."

Shen Nian shook his head.

"Disciple is not going to help them."

"Disciple wants to go and see them, to see if they are doing well."

Yue Li was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"Alright. This seat will accompany you."

The flying boat changed direction and flew towards the Gate of Reincarnation.

The Gate of Reincarnation was located in the nothingness space between the Fifth District and the Sixth District, a place once filled with shattered timelines.

Now, those shattered timelines had been mostly repaired by Shen Nian's light, no longer drifting or breaking, but quietly suspended in the Void Realm like countless rivers flowing in the darkness.

The Gate of Reincarnation stood in the deepest part of the Void Realm, its entire body interwoven with dark red runes that slowly circulated, emitting a gentle glow.

The gate was not closed; it had been wide open all along, as if waiting for someone.

Shen Nian walked out of the cabin door and floated in the Void Realm.

Yue Li followed behind him, and the two walked side by side toward the Gate of Reincarnation.

The world behind the gate was different from when he last came.

Those spots of light were no longer scattered; instead, they gathered together, forming a huge sea of light.

The sea of light flowed slowly, like a Milky Way twinkling in the darkness.

Every single spot of light was an awakened Soul.

Their consciousness was still blurry; they could not yet speak nor move, but they were alive.

As long as they were alive, there was hope.

Shen Nian floated above the sea of light, looking down at those spots of light, a surge of indescribable emotion rising in his heart.

He thought of what Progenitor Shen Zhao had said— "Only by living is there hope."

Now, these Souls had lived.

They had waited for countless years, waiting for someone who could save them.

That person came, but was no longer here.

It was his Disciple who fulfilled this promise for him.

Shen Nian knelt in the Void Realm and kowtowed deeply toward that sea of light.

"Respected Seniors, Disciple Shen Nian, a Disciple of the Guardian Academy."

"Disciple has come late."

"But Disciple will help you."

"Help you condense your Physical Bodies and help you find a new home."

"This is Disciple's promise."

The sea of light pulsed slightly, as if responding to him.

Countless spots of light flashed simultaneously, illuminating the entire Void Realm, as beautiful as a dream.

Yue Li stood behind him, looking at the sea of light, her eye sockets turning red.

She thought of Master Yuehua, thought of her back as she walked into the formation, thought of what she said— "Lier, Master is not going to die."

"Master is just living in another way."

Now, she believed it.

Master did not die.

She was among these spots of light, within every awakened Soul, within the heart of every guarded person.

"Shen Nian, how do you plan to help them condense their Physical Bodies?"

Shen Nian stood up and looked at the sea of light.

"Disciple does not know."

"But Disciple will find a way."

He turned around and flew toward the flying boat.

Yue Li followed behind him, the two of them traveling one after another through the Void Realm.

Returning to the flying boat, Shen Nian placed the qinglian sword on the console, the qinglian patterns on the sword body glowing faintly.

He closed his eyes, sinking his mind into the qinglian sword, searching for the Progenitor's Origin imprint.

"Progenitor, Disciple needs your help."

Light lit up.

The Origin imprint within the qinglian sword began to pulse, growing brighter and brighter.

A faint voice sounded in his mind, very soft and very far away, as if coming from another world.

"Xiaonian, you have done very well."

Shen Nian's tears gushed out of his eyes.

"Progenitor, Disciple... Disciple has missed you."

That voice laughed, the laughter very soft, as light as the wind blowing through withered branches.

"Disciple has also missed you."

"But Disciple cannot go back."

"Disciple still has more important things to do."

Shen Nian's hand paused slightly.

"Progenitor, where are you?"

"Are you still alive?"

The voice was silent for a moment.

"Disciple is no longer here."

"But Disciple's consciousness is still here, in the qinglian sword, on the Monument of Heroes, in every place that needs guarding."

"Disciple has always been watching you, watching the sea of stars, watching Yongning City, watching you."

Shen Nian's tears flowed uncontrollably.

"Progenitor, how should Disciple help those Souls condense their Physical Bodies?"

The voice was silent once more, and then slowly said.

"Within the Gate of Reincarnation, there is a 'core of rebirth'."

"That is the core of the Gate of Reincarnation and also the key to the Rebirth of all Souls."

"Find it, and activate it with your Origin Power."

"Those Souls will be able to condense their Physical Bodies."

Shen Nian's hand paused slightly.

"Where is the core of rebirth?"

The voice was very soft.

"In the deepest part of the Sea of Reincarnation."

"That place is very dangerous; space-time turbulence, spatial traps, and ancient Restrictions—every step could cost you your Life."

"But Disciple believes in you, you can do it."

Shen Nian wiped away his tears and nodded solemnly.

"Disciple will go."

The voice laughed, laughing as lightly as the drifting clouds and gentle breeze.

"Good, very good."

"Disciple waits for you to return."

The light dimmed, and Shen Zhao's voice also vanished.

Shen Nian opened his eyes, wiped the tears from his face, and turned to look at Yue Li.

"Senior, Disciple is going to the deepest part of the Sea of Reincarnation."

"Disciple is going to find the core of rebirth."

Yue Li's brows knitted together.

"The deepest part of the Sea of Reincarnation?"

"Even this seat dares not go there; it is too dangerous for you to go alone."

Shen Nian shook his head.

"Disciple is not alone."

"Disciple has the qinglian sword, the six-color Legacy power, and the Progenitor's Origin imprint."

"Disciple has the beliefs of countless martyrs supporting Disciple from behind."

"Disciple can do it."

Yue Li looked at him, was silent for a long time, and then nodded.

"Alright. This seat will accompany you."

Shen Nian wanted to refuse, but Yue Li's gaze left him unable to speak.

That gaze was very calm, very firm, carrying an unquestionable power.

He nodded.

The flying boat changed direction and flew towards the Gate of Reincarnation.

The stars outside the porthole swept past one by one, like countless eyes watching them in the darkness.

The Gate of Reincarnation was still wide open, dark red runes slowly circulating and emitting a gentle glow.

Shen Nian walked out of the cabin door and floated in the Void Realm.

Yue Li followed behind him, and the two walked side by side toward the Gate of Reincarnation.

In the world behind the gate, that sea of light was still flowing.

But deep within the sea of light, a brighter light could be faintly seen.

That light was very faint, so faint it was almost imperceptible, but it was particularly eye-catching in the sea of light, like a lonely star.

The core of rebirth.

Shen Nian took a deep breath and flew toward that light.

Yue Li followed behind him, the two of them traveling one after another through the sea of light.

Those spots of light swept past them like countless shooting stars, tracing beautiful arcs across the darkness.

The deeper they went, the stronger that sense of oppression became.

It was not the oppression of power, nor the oppression of coercion, but an indescribable sense of presence, as if something was watching them in the darkness.

Shen Nian did not stop, because he knew that was the core of rebirth calling out to him.

It was waiting for him, waiting for someone who could activate it.

After flying for a long time, a huge pillar of light appeared ahead.

The pillar of light was a full hundred zhang in diameter, golden throughout, soaring straight up from the depths of the sea of light and piercing through the entire Void Realm.

Within the pillar of light floated a fist-sized crystal core, transparent throughout, containing endless light within.

That light slowly circulated, as if it had Life.

The core of rebirth.

Shen Nian flew to the front of the pillar of light and stopped his footsteps.

He reached out, wanting to touch the crystal core, but the power of the pillar of light was too strong and bounced his hand away.

He was shaken back several steps, the web between his thumb and index finger numb, his fingers red and swollen.

Yue Li stepped forward and pressed the token against the pillar of light.

The token lit up, the dark red glow intertwining with the golden pillar of light, and a crack split open in the pillar, just wide enough for one person to pass through.

Shen Nian turned sideways and squeezed into the pillar of light.

The world inside the pillar of light was completely different from what he had imagined.

There was no light, no coercion, only an endless Void Realm.

In the Void Realm, countless tiny spots of light floated, each spot rotating slowly and emitting a faint glow.

Those spots of light were the Origin imprints of those harvested Souls.

Every single spot of light represented a Life.

The core of rebirth floated in the center of the Void Realm, pulsing slowly like a heart.

Shen Nian flew in front of the crystal core, raised his hand, and surged the Fourteen-Color Power from his palm into the crystal core.

The crystal core lit up, and golden light gushed out from it, enveloping his entire person.

Those spots of light began to pulse, began to flash, and began to close in on the crystal core.

One after another, patch after patch, countless spots of light poured into the crystal core, merging into one with the light inside it.

The crystal core grew brighter and brighter, like a small sun burning in the Void Realm.

Shen Nian's spiritual power was rapidly depleting, his complexion growing paler and paler, his body trembling slightly.

But he did not withdraw his hand, because he knew he had to activate this crystal core.

Otherwise, those Souls would never be able to condense their Physical Bodies.

Gritting his teeth, he injected his final power into the crystal core.

The crystal core emitted a crisp hum, like a Phoenix singing.

The light surged violently, from a hundred zhang to a thousand zhang, from a thousand zhang to ten thousand zhang.

The entire Void Realm was illuminated.

Those spots of light began to change— from stationary to pulsing, from pulsing to flashing, from flashing to condensing.

One after another, countless spots of light condensed into blurry figures within the light.

Their faces were still blurry and could not be clearly seen, but their eyes had opened.

In those eyes, there was surprise, gratitude, and hope.

They looked at Shen Nian, as if saying— "Thank you, newcomer."

Shen Nian's tears gushed out.

He did not wipe them, simply letting them flow.

He had done it.

He really had done it.

The core of rebirth had been activated.

Those Souls could now condense their Physical Bodies.