284: Chapter 284 The Path of Reincarnation

When Shen Nian woke up, the sky was already completely bright.

Sunlight spilled in through the window lattice, falling on his face, warm and gentle.

He hadn't slept this well in a very long time—no, to be precise, he hadn't slept at all in a very long time—ever since Moon Radiance dissipated, he had been constantly busy, busy activating the core of rebirth, busy settling the resurrected Souls, and busy handling affairs across various domains.

Every single matter required his personal attention, and not a single mistake could be made in any of them.

He had forgotten when the last time he lay down on a bed and closed his eyes was.

He got up, pushed open the window, and took a deep breath.

The morning air was very fresh, carrying the faint fragrance of vegetation and the moisture of dew. In the distance, from the Martial Arts Arena of the Guardian Academy came the slogans of Disciples practicing sword techniques, neat, uniform, and full of youthful vigor.

Cooking smoke from breakfast stalls rose from the streets and alleys, and the playful sounds of children could be faintly heard.

Everything was as usual, as if nothing had ever happened.

But Shen Nian knew that everything was different now.

Those resurrected Souls already had new Physical Bodies, new homes, and new lives.

The Gate of Reincarnation had closed, the core of rebirth had stabilized, and the threat of the Tribunal had been completely lifted.

The New Universe had welcomed true peace.

He put on his clothes and walked out of the small courtyard.

On the stone table in the courtyard sat half a jar of spiritual spring water from the Lingxi Realm, the water droplets on the jar slightly glistening in the morning light.

Beside it was also a plate of steaming steamed buns and a dish of side dishes—Director Su Yun had been here and brought him breakfast.

Shen Nian sat down, picked up a steamed bun, and took a bite.

The bun was very soft and sweet, carrying the fragrance of new wheat. He ate very slowly, bite by bite, chewing for a long time.

It wasn't that it didn't taste good, but rather that he couldn't bear to eat too quickly, afraid that once he finished it, there would be none left, and afraid that once he finished it, days like this would end.

He finished the last steamed bun, tidied up the bowls and plates, and got up to walk toward the Monument of Heroes.

The colorless light at the top of the Monument of Heroes shone brilliantly in the morning light, and the points of light around the monument body—the Origin imprints of those resurrected Souls—gently flickered, like countless stars guarding this city.

Beneath the monument, the spirit tablet of his uncle, Shen Yuan, stood quietly, beside which were his grandfather's spirit tablet, as well as his father's and mother's spirit tablets.

Four spirit tablets stood side by side, carved with golden characters on black mysterious yellow stone, shining brilliantly in the morning light.

Shen Zhao's spirit tablet was beside his uncle's. The six characters "Guardian Patriarch Shen Zhao" were written with vigorous strokes, personally penned by Guardian Ancestor Ling Xi.

When she wrote these characters, her hands were trembling, and her tears fell onto the surface of the tablet, but she did not stop, because she knew this was the last thing she could do for the Patriarch.

Shen Nian knelt before the spirit tablets, laying the qinglian sword across his knees, and deeply kowtowed.

"Uncle, Patriarch, Disciple has come to see you.

Everything in the Star Sea is well, and those resurrected Souls also have new homes. You can rest assured."

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

Guardian Ancestor Ling Xi walked over from afar, wearing a plain white robe with a qinglian sword hanging at her waist—no, the qinglian sword was at Shen Nian's waist; what she had hanging was a newly forged long sword, with the two characters "Ling Xi" carved on the sword body in delicate strokes.

Her white hair was more than a year ago, and the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes were deeper, but her gaze remained sharp and firm.

She walked up to the Monument of Heroes, knelt beside Shen Nian, and likewise deeply kowtowed.

"Patriarch, Uncle, Disciple has come to see you.

Everything in the Star Sea is well; you can rest assured."

The two knelt before the monument for a long time, so long that the sun rose from the east to directly overhead.

Then, Guardian Ancestor Ling Xi got up, patted the dust off her robes, and turned to walk toward the Council Hall.

After walking a few steps, she suddenly stopped and looked back at Shen Nian.

"Shen Nian, the representatives from various domains have all arrived.

You will host today's meeting."

Shen Nian's hand paused slightly.

"Senior, Disciple…"

Guardian Ancestor Ling Xi raised her hand to interrupt him.

"You are not the Guardian Patriarch, but you are the Chief Instructor of the Guardian Academy, the inheritor of the six-color Legacy, and the person who saved those Souls."

"You are qualified to sit in that position."

Shen Nian was silent for a moment, then nodded.

He got up and followed Guardian Ancestor Ling Xi toward the Council Hall.

Inside the Council Hall, representatives from various domains had all arrived.

The Realm Master of the Lingxi Realm, the representative of the Cangwu Domain, Old Ape Patriarch of Qingmang Mountain, the Great Master of Artifact Refining from the Liuli Realm, as well as survivor representatives from the First District to the Sixth District—now they were part of the Star Sea Alliance, jointly forming the "Myriad Realms Domain".

Everyone's expressions were very calm, and the air was filled with an indescribable peace.

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

"Everyone, summoning you here today is for three matters."

His voice was not loud, but it clearly spread across the entire venue.

"First, the monitoring data at the edge of the New Universe."

"Second, the enrollment matters for the new batch of Disciples at the Guardian Academy."

"Third, the settlement situation of those resurrected Souls."

Director Su Yun stood up, holding a Jade Slip in her hands.

Her hair was completely white, and the wrinkles on her face were like knife carvings, but those eyes remained sharp.

"The Investigation Department has monitored that the energy fluctuations at the edge of the New Universe have completely subsided."

"The Tribunal's remaining facilities have all been completely cleaned up, and no abnormalities have been found."

"In addition, the nourishment condition of the Spiritual Veins for survivors in various districts is good."

"The descendants of the Pan Clan in the First District are already able to Cultivate normally, and the descendants of the Yi Clan in the Second District have also begun rebuilding their homes."

Representatives from various domains nodded one after another, showing joy on their faces.

Shen Nian continued speaking.

"The second matter is the enrollment matters for the new batch of Disciples at the Guardian Academy."

"The Disciples registering this year are thirty percent more than last year, and branch academies in various domains are all expanding."

"Shen Nian will continue to serve as the Chief Instructor of the Sword Hall, responsible for teaching sword techniques to the new Disciples."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the entire venue.

"The third matter is the settlement situation of those resurrected Souls."

"Currently, more than thirty percent of the Souls have condensed Physical Bodies and live and work in peace and contentment across various domains."

"The remaining seventy percent are still being nourished and are expected to complete condensation within a hundred years."

"Various domains must prepare to receive them, providing Spiritual Veins, supplies, and housing to help them integrate into the New Universe as soon as possible."

Representatives from various domains stood up one after another, consenting in unison.

After the meeting ended, Shen Nian did not return to his own residence, but instead went to the Investigation Department.

Director Su Yun was busy in front of the star map, and seeing him enter, she hurriedly stood up.

"Shen Nian, you've come just in time."

"This is the settlement data of those resurrected Souls newly compiled by the Investigation Department. Take a look first."

Shen Nian took the Jade Slip, and his Divine Thought probed into it.

The information in the Jade Slip was very detailed, with records for every resurrected Soul—which cycle they came from, which domain settlement they currently lived in, how their Physical Body condensation condition was, and what their mental state was.

Everything was developing in a good direction.

"Director Su, you've worked hard."

Director Su Yun shook her head.

"It's not hard work."

"You are the one who has worked the hardest."

Shen Nian smiled, returned the Jade Slip to her, and turned to walk out of the Investigation Department.

He walked through the streets and alleys of Yongning City, looking at those familiar faces and busy figures, while an indescribable peace surged in his heart.

The owner of the breakfast stall was greeting customers, children were chasing and playing in the alley, and the elderly were playing chess and chatting under the tree.

Everything was as usual, as if nothing had happened.

But Shen Nian knew that everything was different now.

Those resurrected Souls, those people who were once forgotten, were now also in this city, in these streets and alleys, and among these common people.

They had new names, new identities, and new lives.

They were no longer "harvested Souls", but "common people of the Star Sea".

This was everything he desperately guarded, and this was the reason he was willing to give everything.

He took a deep breath and walked toward the direction of the Monument of Heroes.

When he walked to the front of the monument, he saw a person kneeling there.

That was a young woman whose appearance seemed to be just over twenty, wearing a white long dress with long hair draped over her shoulders.

Her eyes are cyan, like two stars, shining brilliantly under the sunlight.

Shen Nian recognized her—she was the first Soul to condense a Physical Body, the Guardian from the fifth cycle.

"Senior, why are you here?"

The woman did not turn her head, only looking at the names on the monument.

"This deity is looking for someone."

Shen Nian walked to her side, knelt down, and similarly looked at the names on the monument.

"Who?"

The woman was silent for a moment.

"Ling Shuang."

Shen Nian's hand paused slightly.

"Senior knows Senior Ling Shuang?"

The woman nodded, tears welling up in her eyes.

"She is my Master."

Shen Nian's heart gave a fierce thump.

Ling Shuang's Disciple?

"Senior, you…"

The woman raised her hand to interrupt him.

"My name is Qingli, a Disciple of the Guardian Academy of the fifth cycle, and Ling Shuang's closing Disciple."

"Back then, when The Designers harvested the fifth cycle, in order to cover the evacuation of the common people, I was struck by The Designers' Magical Artifact, and my Origin was taken into the tree of civilization."

"I thought I would never wake up again, but it was you, you who saved me."

Shen Nian's tears swirled in his eyes.

"Senior, this Disciple has merely done what ought to be done."

Qingli turned her head to look at him, her eyes filled with gratitude.

"It is not merely a matter of what ought to be done, it is a matter of saving a life.

This seat has waited for countless years, waiting for someone who could save this seat.

Now, this seat has waited for it."

She stood up and bowed deeply toward Shen Nian.

"Thank you, latecomer."

Shen Nian hastily helped her up.

"Senior, you need not be like this.

This Disciple has merely done what ought to be done."

Qingli looked at him, was silent for a long time, and then smiled.

"You and your Master are truly very much alike."

Shen Nian's hand paused slightly.

"Senior knows this Disciple's Master?"

Qingli nodded.

"I have seen him.

When he came to the Fifth District to take the demon god origin, this seat's Master—Ling Shuang—made him kneel for an entire night.

He knelt without complaint, without giving up.

When dawn broke, he was still kneeling there.

Ling Shuang said, 'You have passed the test.'

He said, 'This Disciple has merely done what ought to be done.'"

Shen Nian's tears finally fell.

Patriarch, you are always like this.

Always leaving the best for others, never thinking of yourself.

Qingli looked at him, her eyes filled with compassion.

"Your Master is gone, but his spirit remains.

On you, on the Disciples of the Guardian Academy, and in the heart of every person he ever protected."

Shen Nian wiped away his tears and solemnly nodded.

"This Disciple knows.

This Disciple will not disappoint the Patriarch."

Qingli nodded and turned to walk into the distance.

After taking a few steps, she suddenly stopped and looked back at Shen Nian.

"Latecomer, there is one more matter this seat must tell you."

Shen Nian stepped forward.

"Please speak, Senior."

Qingli was silent for a moment.

"The path of Reincarnation is not yet over.

Those resurrected Souls, although they have acquired new physical bodies, their memories have not yet fully recovered.

They need time, and they also need help.

You must help them, help them find themselves back."

Shen Nian's hand paused slightly.

"How should this Disciple help them?"

Qingli thought for a moment.

"Take them to the Gate of Reincarnation and let them soak within the Sea of Reincarnation.

The power of the Sea of Reincarnation can help them recover their memories.

But the Gate of Reincarnation has already closed, and only you can open it.

Because only you possess the Fourteen-Color Power and the Origin Power."

Shen Nian nodded.

"This Disciple understands.

This Disciple will help them."

Qingli smiled, her smile as light and breezy as floating clouds.

"Good, very good.

This seat believes you."

She turned and continued walking forward.

Her retreating figure grew further and smaller in the sunlight, eventually disappearing into the streets and alleys.

Shen Nian stood before the Monument of Heroes, looking in the direction where her figure had disappeared, remaining silent for a long time.

He thought of Yuehua, of Kashyapa, of Ling Shuang, and of all those who had sacrificed themselves for protection.

They were all gone, but their wills remained.

In the qinglian sword, on the Monument of Heroes, and in the heart of every protected person.

He took a deep breath and turned to walk in the direction of the flying boat.

One hour later, the spacetime flying boat rose from the Star Port and flew toward the direction of the Gate of Reincarnation.

Shen Nian stood before the porthole, gazing at the sea of stars ahead.

The fourteen-color light flowed around the hull—no, now it was fifteen-colored, augmented by the newborn power of the core of rebirth.

Fifteen types of power, fifteen types of will, intertwined within his body, resonating with the Power of Dao Protection.

The flying boat sped through the star sea, heading toward the void space between the Fifth District and the Sixth District.

The Gate of Reincarnation still stood tall in the Void Realm, its entire body intertwined from dark red runes. Those runes slowly flowed, emitting a soft radiance.

The gate was not closed; it remained wide open all the time, as if waiting for someone.

Shen Nian walked out of the cabin door, hovering in the Void Realm.

Yue Li followed behind him—having heard that Shen Nian was coming to the Gate of Reincarnation, she insisted on accompanying him.

"With you alone, this seat is not at ease."

She said.

Shen Nian did not refuse, because he knew that Yue Li also needed to come here.

She needed to come and see those resurrected Souls, and see everything that Master had traded his life for.

The two walked shoulder to shoulder toward the Gate of Reincarnation.

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

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

The sea of light flowed slowly, resembling a galaxy twinkling in the darkness.

Every single point of light was an awakening Soul.

Their consciousness was still blurry, unable to speak yet and unable to move yet, but they were alive.

As long as they were alive, there was hope.

Shen Nian hovered above the sea of light, lowering his head to look at those points of light.

He raised his hand, and fifteen-color radiance gushed out from his palm, transforming into countless fine threads that probed into the sea of light.

Those threads were his power, and also his will.

They entangled those points of light, pulling them out from the sea of light and making them hover in the Void Realm.

One by one, patch by patch, countless points of light condensed into blurry figures within the radiance.

Qingli had said that the Sea of Reincarnation could help them recover their memories.

But the premise was that they needed to soak within the Sea of Reincarnation.

Shen Nian did not know how long they needed to soak—perhaps a year, perhaps ten years, or perhaps even longer.

But he was not in a rush, because he knew that this was worth it.

He withdrew his hand and turned to look at Yue Li.

"Senior, this Disciple needs to guard here for a period of time.

You should return first."

Yue Li shook her head.

"This seat will accompany you.

This seat cannot help much either, but this seat can accompany you.

Being alone is too lonely."

Shen Nian looked at her, a surge of warmth welling up in his heart.

"Alright.

Senior shall accompany this Disciple."

The two guarded within the Gate of Reincarnation for a full three months.

During these three months, Shen Nian used the fifteen-color power every day to nourish those points of light, helping them condense physical bodies and recover memories.

Yue Li sat by the edge of the sea of light every day, looking at those points of light and talking to them.

She said that they could hear, only they could not respond yet.

Three months later, the first batch of Souls soaking within the Sea of Reincarnation finally recovered their memories.

They opened their eyes, looking at this unfamiliar world, their eyes filled with confusion.

"Where is this?"

An elderly man asked.

Shen Nian walked up to him, squatted down, and looked levelly into his eyes.

"This is the New Universe.

You are safe.

Those who harvested you are no longer here."

The elderly man's tears burst from his eyes.

"This seat… this seat has waited for countless years…"

Shen Nian nodded.

"This Disciple knows.

This Disciple has come late.

But this Disciple will help you.

Help you find a new home and help you start a new life."

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

"Good, very good.

This seat believes you."

Shen Nian helped the elderly man up and turned to look at Yue Li.

"Senior, this Disciple will send him back."

Yue Li nodded.

"Go ahead.

This seat will guard here."

Shen Nian brought the elderly man and flew out of the Gate of Reincarnation, flying toward the direction of the First District.

The flying boat sped through the star sea, and the elderly man sat by the porthole, looking at the stars outside the window, his eyes filled with amazement.

"How beautiful… This seat has never seen such a beautiful sea of stars…"

Shen Nian smiled.

"In the future, you will be able to see it every day.

Here is your home."

The elderly man turned his head to look at him, his eyes filled with gratitude.

"Thank you, latecomer."

Shen Nian shook his head.

"This Disciple has merely done what ought to be done."

When the flying boat landed on the Star Port of the First District, Pan Lie was already waiting there.

Having heard that some Souls had recovered their memories, he came to welcome them personally.

"Elder, welcome home."

The elderly man looked at Pan Lie, looking at his rugged face, looking at his graying hair, looking at the goodwill in his eyes, and tears welled up once more.

"Home… This seat has finally come home…"

He walked down the flying boat and stepped onto the land of the First District.

The grass beneath his feet was very soft, making a rustling sound when stepped upon.

The air was filled with the fresh fragrance of vegetation, refreshing and uplifting the mind.

He knelt on the ground, holding the soil in both hands, old tears streaming down his face.

"This seat has returned… This seat has finally returned…"

Pan Lie squatted down and gently patted his shoulder.

"Elder, do not cry.

From now on, this place is your home.

If you have any needs, just tell this old man."

The elderly man nodded, wiped away his tears, and stood up.

Shen Nian stood on the flying boat, looking at his retreating figure, a wave of indescribable emotion welling up in his heart.

He turned and flew toward the direction of the Gate of Reincarnation.

There were still many Souls waiting for him, and much work to be done; there was no time for sentimentality.

But he knew that what he did was right.

Every resurrected Soul, every person who recovered their memories, was traded for with his life.

He could not give up, nor would he give up.

Because he had promised the Patriarch to walk the path down on his behalf.