289: Chapter 287 Soul Resurrection

Shen Nian lay in the small courtyard for a full ten days.

During these ten days, he never left his room, not even getting out of bed.

Yue Li came every day to deliver medicine and meals to him.

Guardian Ancestor Ling Xi came to visit once every two days.

Director Su Yun occasionally brought the latest data from the Investigation Department, telling him that those rescued Souls were settling down in various domains.

His Physical Body recovered very slowly.

After all, what was consumed this time was not Qi, not cultivation, but lifespan.

Those Souls trapped in the deepest depths of the Sea of Reincarnation each required him to trade his Life for them.

He did not know how much longer he could live; perhaps a few hundred years, perhaps a few decades, perhaps even shorter.

But he did not care.

Because those people he cared about were all living well.

On the morning of the eleventh day, Shen Nian was finally able to get out of bed and walk around.

He walked to the window, pushed it open, and took a deep breath.

The morning air was very fresh, carrying the faint fragrance of grass and trees and the dampness of dew.

In the distance, the chanting sounds of Disciples practicing sword techniques came from the Martial Arts Arena of the Guardian Academy, neat, uniform, and full of vigor.

Cooking smoke from breakfast stalls rose from the alleys, and the playful noises of children faintly drifted over.

Everything was as usual, as if nothing had happened at all.

But Shen Nian knew that everything was different.

Those rescued Souls, those Souls trapped in the deepest depths of the Sea of Reincarnation, had gained freedom.

They had a new Physical Body, a new home, and a new Life.

They were no longer ‒harvested Souls‒, but rather ‒common folk of the Star Sea‒.

He dressed well 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 body glittering slightly in the morning light.

Beside it was a plate of steaming steamed buns and a dish of side dishes — Yue Li had been here and delivered breakfast to him.

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

The steamed 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.

Fearing that once he finished eating, there would be none left.

Fearing that once he finished eating, days like this would come to an end.

He finished the last steamed bun, tidied up the bowls and dishes, and got up, walking towards the Monument of Heroes.

The colorless light at the top of the Monument of Heroes shone brilliantly in the morning light.

The spots of light around the monument body — the Origin imprints of those resurrected Souls — were even more numerous than before, dense and packed like countless stars, guarding this city.

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

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

Shen Zhao's spirit tablet was beside his uncle's, with the six characters ‒Guardian Patriarch Shen Zhao‒, written with vigorous and powerful strokes.

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

‒Uncle, Patriarch, this Disciple has come to see you.‒

‒Those Souls trapped in the deepest depths of the Sea of Reincarnation have all been rescued.‒

‒They have a new Physical Body, a new home, and a new Life.‒

‒This Disciple has done it. This Disciple's promises have all been fulfilled.‒

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

Guardian Ancestor Ling Xi walked over from afar, wearing a plain white robe, with that newly cast long sword hanging at her waist.

Her white hair was more than half 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 bowed deeply.

‒Patriarch, Uncle, this Disciple has come to see you.‒

‒All is well in the Star Sea, you can rest assured.‒

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

Then, Guardian Ancestor Ling Xi stood up, patted the dust off her robe, turned around, and looked at Shen Nian.

‒Shen Nian, the representatives of various domains have all arrived.‒

‒They want to see you.‒

‒Those rescued Souls also want to see you.‒

Shen Nian's hand paused slightly.

‒They want to see this Disciple?‒

Guardian Ancestor Ling Xi nodded.

‒They want to thank you in person.‒

‒Without you, there would be no today for them.‒

Shen Nian was silent for a moment, then nodded.

‒Very well. This Disciple will go see them.‒

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

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

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

But today, there were many unfamiliar faces in the Council Hall.

They wore clothes of various colors, some plain, some gorgeous, some rugged, some exquisite.

Their faces varied, some young, some old; some were humans, some were of the Yao Race, and some were races Shen Nian had never seen before.

They were those rescued Souls.

Coming from countless cycles, coming from countless destroyed Universes.

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

Now, that person had come.

Seeing Shen Nian walk into the Council Hall, everyone stood up simultaneously.

No one spoke, only countless pairs of eyes looked at him — in those eyes were surprise, gratitude, hope, and also tears.

A white-haired elder stepped forward and bowed deeply towards Shen Nian.

‒Benefactor, this old man has finally met you.‒

‒This old man has waited for countless years, waiting for someone who could save us.‒

‒Now, this old man has waited for it.‒

Shen Nian hurriedly helped him up.

‒Elder, you don't need to be like this.‒

‒This Disciple only did what should be done.‒

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

‒It's not a matter of what should be done, it's a matter of saving lives.‒

‒This old man has lived for countless years, from being harvested in the first cycle to being resurrected now.‒

‒This old man has seen countless people, seen 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 swirled in his eye sockets.

‒This Disciple is not alone.‒

‒This Disciple has a Master, an uncle, a Patriarch, and countless people who believe in this Disciple.‒

‒They are all behind this Disciple.‒

‒This Disciple cannot let them down.‒

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

‒Good, very good.‒

‒If your Master's spirit in heaven is aware, he will definitely be proud of you.‒

Shen Nian's tears finally fell, and he didn't wipe them, just 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 here, his Disciple was still here, fulfilling this promise for him.

One by one, those rescued Souls stepped forward and bowed deeply towards Shen Nian.

Some said thank you.

Some just silently shed tears.

Some said nothing at all, only looking at him deeply, as if wanting to carve his appearance into their hearts.

Shen Nian responded one by one, thanking them one by one.

His voice was hoarse, his eye sockets were red and swollen, but he did not stop.

Because he knew these people needed him.

Need to see him.

Need to hear his voice.

Need to confirm ‒ that they were truly free.

The meeting lasted for a full day.

At dusk, the crowd gradually dispersed, leaving only Shen Nian and Guardian Ancestor Ling Xi in the Council Hall.

The setting sun spilled in through the window, drawing their shadows very long.

Guardian Ancestor Ling Xi sat in the main seat, looking at Shen Nian's graying hair, his wrinkled face, and his slightly trembling hands.

‒Shen Nian, how much longer can you hold on?‒

Shen Nian was silent for a moment.

‒This Disciple does not know.‒

‒Perhaps a few hundred years, perhaps a few decades, perhaps even shorter.‒

‒But this Disciple does not care.‒

‒What this Disciple cares about is that those Souls have lived.‒

‒They have a new home and a new Life.‒

‒This is enough.‒

Guardian Ancestor Ling Xi's eye sockets turned red.

‒You and your Master are truly very alike.‒

‒You are both the kind of people who can exhaust yourselves to the ground for others.‒

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

‒This Disciple is inferior to the Patriarch.‒

‒This Disciple only did what should be done.‒

He got up and walked out of the Council Hall.

The setting sun spilled onto him, drawing his shadow very long.

He walked towards the direction of the Monument of Heroes, his pace very slow, every step heavy, but his gaze remained firm.

When he walked up to the Monument of Heroes, he saw a person kneeling there.

That was a young woman, looking no more than early twenties, wearing a cyan long dress with long hair draped over her shoulders.

Her eyes were golden, like two stars, shining brilliantly under the setting sun.

Shen Nian recognized her ‒ she was one of those rescued Souls, coming from a Universe he had never heard of.

‒Senior, why are you here?‒

The woman did not look back, only looking at the names on the monument.

‒This seat is looking for someone.‒

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

"Who?"

The woman was silent for a moment.

"My Master."

"He was harvested in the fifth cycle, and I thought I would never see him again."

"It was you, you saved me, and you saved him as well."

Shen Nian's hand paused slightly.

"Your Master is here too?"

The woman nodded, tears welling up in her eyes.

"He is in the First District, having just condensed his Physical Body."

"I have been to see him; he still remembers me and the events of those years."

"He said he had waited for countless years, waiting for someone who could save him."

"Now, he has waited for that person."

Shen Nian's tears swirled in his eyes.

"Disciple only did what should be done."

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

"It is not a matter of what should be done, but a matter of saving lives."

"I have waited for countless years, waiting for someone who could save my Master."

"Now, I have waited for that person."

She stood up and bowed deeply to Shen Nian.

"Thank you, latecomer."

Shen Nian quickly helped her up.

"Senior, you don't need to do this."

"Disciple only did what should be done."

The woman looked at him, remained silent for a long time, and then smiled.

"You and your Master are truly very alike."

Shen Nian's hand paused slightly.

"Senior knows Disciple's Master?"

The woman nodded.

"I have met him."

"When he came to save us, I was right in that sea of light."

"I saw his appearance, his gaze, and how he burned his Life for us."

"Like you, he is the kind of person who would exhaust himself for others."

Shen Nian's tears finally fell.

He thought of Ancestor Shen Zhao, of how he used his lifespan to reinforce the Seal of the Void King, and of how he traded his Life in exchange for the peace of the Star Sea.

Ancestor, you are always like this.

Always leaving the best for others without ever thinking of yourself.

The woman looked at him with eyes full of compassion.

"Your Master is gone, but his spirit remains."

"In you, in the Disciples of the Guardian Academy, and in the heart of everyone he has protected."

Shen Nian wiped away his tears and nodded solemnly.

"Disciple knows."

"Disciple will not let the Ancestor down."

The woman nodded and turned to walk away into the distance.

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

"Latecomer, I have one more thing to tell you."

Shen Nian stepped forward.

"Senior, please speak."

The woman was silent for a moment.

"Among the rescued Souls, there is an old man."

"He said he knows your Ancestor, Shen Zhao."

"He said he wants to see you."

Shen Nian's hand paused slightly.

"He knows the Ancestor?"

The woman nodded.

"He said he is a Guardian of the fifth cycle and fought side by side with your Ancestor."

"He said he has many things he wants to tell you."

Shen Nian's heartbeat quickened.

"Where is he?"

The woman pointed in the direction of the First District.

"In the First District, to the west of the Pan Clan village, there is a small wooden house."

"He lives there."

Shen Nian turned and walked towards the direction of the flying boat.

Yue Li was waiting for him at the Star Port, and seeing him walking over hurriedly, she quickly went to greet him.

"What is it?"

Shen Nian did not answer; he simply boarded the flying boat and flew towards the First District.

Yue Li followed behind him without asking too many questions.

Because she knew he must have something important to do.

The flying boat sped through the Star Sea.

Shen Nian stood before the porthole, gazing at the Star Sea ahead, a myriad of thoughts swirling in his heart.

That old man who knew the Ancestor, that Guardian of the fifth cycle—what did he want to tell him?

Was it about the Ancestor, or something else entirely?

He did not know.

But he knew he had to go and see that person.

When the flying boat landed at the Star Port in the First District, it was already growing dark.

The setting sun cast its light over the roofs of the Pan Clan village, coating those rugged stone houses in a layer of gold.

Wisps of cooking smoke rose into the air, and the faint sounds of children playing drifted over.

Shen Nian stepped off the flying boat and walked toward the western side of the village.

Yue Li followed closely behind, the two of them walking one after the other along the small path through the village.

On the western side of the village stood a small wooden house.

The wooden house was not large, consisting of only a single room. A small tree was planted in front of the door, and a bamboo chair was placed beneath it.

An elderly man with white hair sat on the bamboo chair, holding a yellowed ancient tome in his hands and leafing through it.

His face was aged, but his eyes were very bright, shining like two stars in the twilight.

Shen Nian walked up to the old man and stopped.

"Disciple Shen Nian, a Disciple of the Guardian Academy, greets Senior."

The old man raised his head and looked at him.

Those eyes lingered on his face for a long time, as if confirming something or recalling something.

Then, he smiled, his smile as light and breezy as floating clouds.

"You and your Master are truly very alike."

Shen Nian's tears swirled in his eyes.

"Senior knows Disciple's Master?"

The old man nodded and put down the ancient tome in his hand.

"I know him."

"My name is Xuan Qing, a Disciple of the Guardian Academy from the fifth cycle, and the Senior Brother of Ling Shuang."

"Back then, I fought side by side with your Master, Shen Zhao."

Shen Nian's hand paused slightly.

"Senior fought side by side with the Ancestor?"

Xuan Qing nodded, a flash of reminiscence passing through his eyes.

"That was a very long time ago."

"So long ago that I can barely remember it clearly."

"But I remember what your Master looked like—graying hair, a face full of wrinkles, always smiling softly, always saying, 'Disciple only did what should be done.'"

Shen Nian's tears finally fell.

Ancestor, you are always like this.

Always leaving the best for others without ever thinking of yourself.

Xuan Qing looked at him with eyes full of compassion.

"Your Master is gone, but his spirit remains."

"In you, in the Disciples of the Guardian Academy, and in the heart of everyone he has protected."

Shen Nian wiped away his tears and nodded solemnly.

"Disciple knows."

"Disciple will not let the Ancestor down."

Xuan Qing nodded, took out a Jade Slip from his bosom, and handed it to Shen Nian.

"This is what your Master left for me."

"He said that if one day I were to meet his Disciple, I should hand this over to him."

Shen Nian's hand paused slightly.

"Left by the Ancestor for Disciple?"

Xuan Qing nodded.

"Before he left, he came to find me."

"He said, 'I might not be able to come back.'"

"'If one day my Disciple comes here, help me give this to him.'"

"I asked him what was inside, and he said, 'It is my lifelong insights, left for those who come after.'"

Shen Nian took the Jade Slip and pressed it between his eyebrows.

The moment his Divine Thought probed inside, a wave of warm energy surged into his Sea of Consciousness—that was the lifelong insights of Ancestor Shen Zhao, all his combat experience, and all his insights into protection.

There was also a message left for him by the Ancestor.

"Xiao Nian, if you see these words, it means I am no longer around."

"I am gone, but my spirit remains."

"In the qinglian sword, on the Monument of Heroes, and in every place that needs protection."

"I hope you will not be sad, because I can finally rest."

"I am tired, truly tired."

"But you are different; you are still young, and you still have a very long road ahead of you."

"Remember, no matter what difficulties you encounter, never give up."

"Because once you give up, there will be nothing left."

"Only by staying alive is there hope."

Shen Nian's tears gushed out from his eyes.

He did not wipe them away, simply letting them flow.

Because he knew the Ancestor was watching him, watching him fulfill his final promise.

He put away the Jade Slip and bowed deeply to Xuan Qing.

"Thank you, Senior."

Xuan Qing shook his head.

"There is no need to thank me."

"It was left to you by your Master."

"I am merely passing it on for him."

He stood up and patted Shen Nian on the shoulder.

"Child, you have done very well."

"If your Master's spirit in heaven is aware, he will surely be proud of you."

Shen Nian nodded solemnly.

"Disciple knows."

"Disciple will not let the Ancestor down."

He turned and walked in the direction of the flying boat.

Yue Li followed closely behind, the two of them walking one after the other along the small path through the village.

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

Returning to the flying boat, Shen Nian tightly grasped the Jade Slip in his hand, feeling the warmth left behind by the Ancestor.

He closed his eyes, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly.

Ancestor, this Disciple will not let you down.