283: Chapter 283 Seven Sources Return to One

At the moment the core of rebirth was activated, the entire Sea of Reincarnation was trembling.

Shen Nian floated in the center of the pillar of light, his hands pressed against the transparent crystal core, and Fourteen-Color Power surged crazily from his body, intertwining with the golden light within the crystal core.

His complexion was as pale as paper, his lips were chapped, and the dark circles under his eyes were as heavy as if they had been smeared with ink, but his gaze remained resolute, and his hands were still steadily pressed on the crystal core without withdrawing.

Yue Li stood outside the pillar of light, looking at his back, her hands trembling slightly, but she did not step forward or make a sound.

Because she knew this was Shen Nian's moment, a moment she could not interfere with.

She just stood quietly by the side, accompanying him.

The beating of the crystal core grew faster and more intense.

With every beat, golden light surged out from the crystal core, spreading in all directions.

Those points of light—those awakened Souls—every time a point of light was swept over, it would suddenly light up and then begin to change.

From stillness to beating, from beating to flickering, from flickering to condensation.

One after another, countless points of light condensed into hazy figures in the light.

Their faces were still very blurry and unclear, but their outlines had already emerged—some were of the human race, some of the Yao Race, and some of countless races Shen Nian had never seen before.

Some were tall and some short, some fat and some thin, some old and some young.

Some were smiling, some were crying, and some were silent.

They were all looking at Shen Nian.

In those eyes, there was surprise, gratitude, hope, and also fear—fear of this unfamiliar world, fear of this unfamiliar era, and fear of those people they did not know.

But Shen Nian was not afraid.

Because he knew they would adapt.

Someone would teach them, someone would help them, and someone would accompany them.

The Disciples of the Guardian Academy would, the common people of various realms would, and he would too.

This was his promise.

The beating of the crystal core suddenly stopped.

The light also stopped surging.

The entire Void Realm fell into dead silence.

Shen Nian's hand pressed against the crystal core, motionless.

His complexion was even paler than before, his body trembled slightly, but his gaze remained resolute.

He felt an unprecedented power surge from the depths of the crystal core—that was the Origin Power of countless Souls, the hope sealed away for countless years, and the newborn power released after the core of rebirth was activated by his power.

That power surged into his body along his palm, intertwining with his Fourteen-Color Power, fusing with his Green Lotus Sword Intent, and resonating with his Power of Dao Protection.

His cultivation was climbing, from the Later Stage of Integration to the Peak of the Later Stage of Integration, just a step away from breaking through to Mahayana Perfection.

But he didn't care.

What he cared about was not his cultivation, but those figures that were condensing.

Those figures were becoming clearer and more real.

A young woman finished condensing first.

She looked to be in her early twenties, with delicate features, wearing a white long dress and her long hair draped over her shoulders.

Her eyes were cyan, like two stars shining brilliantly in the darkness.

She looked at Shen Nian, her eyes full of gratitude.

"Thank you, latecomer."

Shen Nian shook his head.

"This Disciple only did what should be done."

The woman smiled, a smile as light as clouds and as gentle as the breeze.

She turned around and flew towards the exit of the sea of light.

Her figure grew farther and smaller in the light, eventually disappearing into the darkness.

One after another, countless figures finished condensing in the light and then flew towards the exit of the sea of light.

Some flew alone, some flew in groups, some glanced back at Shen Nian, and some didn't even turn their heads.

But they all remembered this name in their hearts—Shen Nian.

A Disciple of the Guardian Academy, a student of Shen Zhao, the person who saved them.

Shen Nian stood before the crystal core, watching those figures disappear one by one, an indescribable emotion welling up in his heart.

He recalled the words spoken by Ancestor Shen Zhao: "Only by living is there hope."

Now, these people had lived.

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

That person had come, but was no longer around.

It was his Disciple who fulfilled this promise for him.

"Ancestor, do you see this? This Disciple has done it."

The crystal core beat gently, as if responding to him.

Shen Nian withdrew his hand and took a step back.

His legs were weak, his body was swaying, but he did not fall down.

He turned around and walked outside the pillar of light.

Yue Li was waiting for him outside the pillar of light. Seeing him come out, she hurriedly went up to support him.

"Are you alright?"

Shen Nian nodded.

"This Disciple is fine. Just a little tired."

Yue Li looked at his graying hair, his wrinkled face, and his slightly trembling hands, her eye rims turning red.

"You always say you're fine, but your body can't hold on anymore."

Shen Nian smiled, a smile as light as clouds and as gentle as the breeze.

"This Disciple can still hold on for a long time. This Disciple promised the Ancestor to guard the sea of stars for him. This Disciple will not break his promise."

Yue Li didn't say anything more, but supported him and flew towards the exit of the sea of light.

The two of them, one after the other, shuttled through the sea of light.

Those points of light were still flickering, and those figures were still condensing, but Shen Nian was no longer needed.

The core of rebirth had already been activated; it would operate on its own and help those Souls condense their physical bodies.

What Shen Nian could do had already been done.

When they flew out of the Gate of Reincarnation, it was almost dark.

The setting sun spilled over the spiritual 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 tobacco pipe and squinting at the spiritual rice.

Seeing Shen Nian come out, he waved his hand.

"Kid, are you done talking?"

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

"Done talking."

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

"Drink a bowl of water. Your Master drank this old man's water back then too."

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

The water was very cold and sweet, just like the one the Ancestor drank back then.

The Old Farmer put away his dry tobacco 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 swirled in his eye rims, but he didn't let them fall.

"This Disciple won't. This Disciple will definitely come back alive."

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

Yue Li followed behind, the two of them walking one after the other on the path beside the spiritual field.

The setting sun stretched their shadows long, and the qinglian sword gently swayed at Shen Nian's waist, the qinglian patterns on the sword body shining 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 the newborn power within the core of rebirth.

Yue Li sat by the porthole, holding the already 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 calmer than before.

Because she knew Master did not die in vain.

Those awakened Souls and those figures condensing their physical bodies were what Master had exchanged with his life.

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

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

After an unknown amount of time, Shen Nian opened his eyes.

His complexion was a bit ruddier than before, and the bloodshot veins in his eyes were fewer, but his gaze remained resolute.

"Senior, this Disciple wants to go see those Souls that have already condensed their physical bodies. Let's see how they are doing in the New Universe."

Yue Li turned her head to look at him.

"They have just condensed their physical bodies and are still very weak. If you go now, you won't be able to help much."

Shen Nian shook his head.

"This Disciple is not going to help them. This Disciple wants to go see them and 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 First District.

Most of the resurrected Souls were placed in the First District.

There, the Spiritual Veins were abundant and the land was fertile, making it most suitable for nurturing Souls.

Pan Lie, as the leader of the Pan Clan, took the initiative to shoulder the responsibility of placing them.

He said, "The Pan Clan also survived from the first cycle, and we know the pain of losing a homeland. We will help them."

When the flying boat landed at the Star Port of the First District, it was almost dawn.

Morning light spilled over the roofs of the Pan Clan village, coating those rugged stone houses with a layer of gold.

Cooking smoke rose, and the faint sounds of children playing could be heard.

Everything was as usual, as if nothing had happened.

But Shen Nian knew everything was different now.

Those resurrected Souls had already made a home here.

They had a new home, a new life, and new hope.

Pan Lie stood at the entrance of the village. Seeing Shen Nian walk down from the flying boat, he hurriedly welcomed him.

"Kid, you're here! This old man was just thinking of looking for you!"

Shen Nian's hand paused slightly.

"Senior, what is it?"

Pan Lie pulled his hand and walked towards the depths of the village.

"You will know once you come and take a look. Those children, those resurrected Souls, want to see you. They said they want to thank you in person."

Shen Nian followed behind Pan Lie, passing through alley after alley.

In front of those stone houses stood groups of people—no, not people, but physical bodies condensed from Souls.

They were still very weak, and their complexions were still pale, but there was a light in their eyes.

That light was hope, gratitude, and anticipation for the future.

Seeing Shen Nian, they knelt down one after another and kowtowed deeply.

"Benefactor!"

Shen Nian hurriedly stepped forward and helped up the nearest old man.

"Elder, you don't need to do this. Disciple only did what should be done."

The old man shook his head, tears streaming down his aged face.

"It is not just something that should be done, it is a life-saving matter. This old man has lived for countless years, from being harvested in the first cycle to being resurrected today. This old man has seen countless people and countless Guardians. But you are different; you are the first person who came to save us not for yourself, but for others."

Shen Nian's tears welled up in his eyes.

"Disciple is not alone. Disciple has Master, has Uncle, has the Ancestor, and has countless people who believe in Disciple. They are all behind Disciple. Disciple cannot let them down."

The old man looked at him, was silent for a long time, and then nodded.

"Good, very good. If your Master's spirit in heaven knows this, he will definitely be proud of you."

Shen Nian's tears finally fell. He did not wipe them, simply letting them flow.

Because he knew these people were worth his tears.

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

Now, that person had come—although he was no longer around, his Disciple was still here, fulfilling that promise for him.

Shen Nian stayed in the village for a full day.

He met every resurrected Soul and listened to everyone's story.

Some came from the first cycle, belonging to Pangu's clan; they were tall and excelled at using giant axes.

Some came from the second cycle, belonging to God Yi's clan; they had slender figures and excelled at using long bows.

Some came from the third cycle, being descendants of the Creation God Clan; they had white hair and were proficient in Life Power.

Some came from the fourth cycle, belonging to Xuanyuan's clan; they had resolute expressions and exquisite swordsmanship.

Some came from the fifth cycle, contemporaries of Bai Yunzhou, wearing the cyan robes of the old Guardian Academy and hanging old-style long swords at their waists.

Some came from the sixth cycle, contemporaries of Shen Zhao, wearing the cyan robes of the new Guardian Academy and hanging new-style long swords at their waists.

Every Soul was a piece of history.

Every story was a tragic song.

They had been trapped in the tree of civilization for countless years, harvested by The Designers, forgotten, and abandoned.

They did not give up; they kept waiting, waiting for someone to save them.

Now, that person had come—although he was no longer around, his Disciple was still here.

As the setting sun went down, Shen Nian left the village and returned to the flying boat.

Yue Li was waiting for him on the flying boat. Seeing his red eye sockets, she didn't ask much, just handing a cup of hot tea into his hands.

"Drink some."

Shen Nian took the teacup and took a gentle sip.

The tea was very bitter, so bitter that it made him frown, but he did not stop, instead drinking it sip by sip until the tea in the cup was gone.

"Senior, Disciple is wondering how the Ancestor managed it back then. Facing so many enemies, so many difficulties, and so much despair all by himself, how did he manage to hold on?"

Yue Li was silent for a moment.

"He didn't hold on. He just didn't fall. Holding on and not falling are two different things. Holding on means living, and not falling means still standing. Your Master belongs to the latter—he couldn't hold on long ago, but he was still standing. Because he knew he couldn't fall. The moment he fell, the Sea of Stars would truly be finished."

Shen Nian's tears welled up in his eyes.

"Disciple understands."

Yue Li didn't say anything more, just turning her head to look at the Sea of Stars outside the window.

The flying boat sailed slowly through the Sea of Stars, heading in the direction of Yongning City.

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

On the morning of the seventh day, the flying boat arrived at Yongning City.

The Star Port was crowded with people.

Guardian Ancestor Ling Xi, Director Su Yun, Shen Tianxing, Lin Ruoxue, and countless Disciples of the Guardian Academy were all waiting for them.

Seeing Shen Nian walk out of the cabin door, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

"You're back?"

Guardian Ancestor Ling Xi's voice was hoarse.

Shen Nian nodded, walked to the Monument of Heroes, knelt down, laid the qinglian sword across his knees, and kowtowed deeply.

"Ancestor, Uncle, Disciple has returned. Those harvested Souls have come alive. They have new physical bodies, a new home, and a new life. Disciple has done it; Disciple has fulfilled all of Disciple's promises."

The colorless light at the top of the monument flickered gently, as if responding to him.

Shen Nian stood up and turned to look at those familiar faces.

"Everyone, it is all over. Those harvested Souls have come alive. The Gate of Reincarnation is open, and the core of rebirth is activated. From now on, no one can ever harvest them again. The New Universe is safe."

Earth-shattering cheers erupted in the plaza.

The commoners embraced and wept, the soldiers raised their weapons and cheered, and the Disciples of the Guardian Academy tossed their hats into the sky.

The cheers rose and fell, lingering for a long time.

Shen Nian stood among 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, and Shen Zhao.

And countless unfamiliar names, countless heroic martyrs who had sacrificed themselves.

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

He raised his hand, and Fourteen-Color Power gathered in his palm, transforming into a fourteen-color lotus flower that drifted slowly toward the sky.

The lotus flower bloomed in the twilight, illuminating the entirety of Yongning City and lighting up everyone's heart.

In the distance, the bell of the Guardian Academy rang.

That was the bell for evening classes, the bell that rang every single day.

But today, it was exceptionally crisp and long-sounding, as if announcing the arrival of a new era.

Shen Nian stood before the Monument of Heroes, listening to the bell, and an unprecedented sense of peace welled up in his heart.

Everything was over, truly over.

The Tribunal would not come again, The Designers would not come again, and the Seal of the Void King was secure.

Those harvested Souls also had a new home.

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

But he knew the path of Dao Protection was not yet over.

Not because he still needed to continue fighting, but because he had to pave this path well, leave behind the Legacy, and let future generations know what to do.

He still had parents to take care of, Disciples of the Guardian Academy to teach, and the common people of various realms to protect.

This was not a burden; it was his choice and his happiness.

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

Yue Li followed behind him without speaking, silently accompanying him for a stretch of the road.

When they reached the courtyard gate, Shen Nian stopped and turned back to look at Yue Li.

"Senior, you should rest early too. Thank you for your hard work these past few days."

Yue Li shook her head.

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

Shen Nian smiled, cupped his hands, and pushed open the door to enter the small courtyard.

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

He walked over and poured a cup. The tea was still warm—someone had brewed tea for him before he came back.

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 was gone.

Then, he put down the teacup and looked up at the moon in the sky.

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

"Uncle, Disciple went to see those resurrected Souls today. They are doing very well; they have a new home and a new life. They are all very grateful to Disciple, but Disciple knows that what they should be most grateful for is not Disciple, but you. It was you who raised Disciple, you who taught Disciple how to be a person, and you who made Disciple a Guardian. Without you, there would be no Disciple of today."

The moonlight spilled over him, drawing his shadow very long.

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

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

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

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