The forest of monuments: Bring them home

Silver Blue Star, orbiting in outer space.

In the previously silent void, a point of silver light suddenly shone and rapidly expanded.

At the point where the light was at its brightest, thousands of figures materialized from the ethereal and quickly solidified into a fixed image.

The silver light slowly dissipated, revealing the people who had been teleported there.

Lin Yi stood at the forefront, hands behind his back, his calm voice echoing through the void. "We've arrived."

Behind him, Liu Yuan, Elizabeth, Zhou Yuxuan, Andre, and thousands of Eastern Edge Veteran Platform stared wide-eyed in awe at the familiar yet unfamiliar starry sky before them.

Directly ahead, a beautiful, azure planet floats silently on the deep curtain of space.

Silver Blue Star.

I'm home.

Many Veteran Platform' eyes instantly reddened as they stared intently at the blue planet slowly rotating in space, as if trying to etch every detail of it into their souls.

Five thousand years of war, countless sacrifices and perseverance—one of the beliefs that sustained them through mountains of corpses and seas of blood was this blue planet.

Now, they're back.

Standing here, my home is right beneath my feet.

"Commander." Liu Yuan's voice was a little hoarse. He looked at the planet and felt something burning and churning in his chest. His eyes were hot. He blinked hard and forced down the emotion.

Elizabeth gazed at the Silver Blue Star, her lips slightly pursed, her fingers unconsciously clenching her cuffs. Andre, this towering man, also held his breath, his rough hands trembling slightly.

Zhou Yuxuan looked at the planet in front of him, then at Lin Yi's back as he stood with his hands behind his back, and a sense of awe rose in his heart.

From Zi Chen Star to Silver Blue Star, traversing several star regions, a journey that would normally take a standard year for a spaceship, the Commander led them there in an instant.

This power has exceeded the limits of his imagination.

Aurelia stood beside Lin Yi, quietly looking at the Silver Blue Star, a complex expression in her eyes.

This planet is a testament to her witnessing its transformation from a remote, life-bearing planet into the core civilization of the Star Union it is today.

At this moment, Lin Yi's voice rang out again, "I know everyone is eager to go home, but we'll have to wait a little longer."

As soon as he finished speaking, a vast Soul Power spread out from Lin Yi as the center.

This Soul Power instantly enveloped the entire Silver Blue Star.

In the blink of an eye, Lin Yi locked onto his target.

"Walk."

He raised his hand and waved.

Buzz!

The silver light of Space Law surged forth once more. In a flash, Lin Yi, Aurelia, the Fearless War God Clone, and thousands of Eastern Edge Veteran Platform behind them vanished from the void of space.

Above the main campus of the East Peak Interstellar Military Academy Silver Blue Star.

The sky was high and the clouds were light; the sun was shining brightly.

Below is a super complex of futuristic buildings, comparable in size to a medium-sized city.

This is the cradle of the Silver Blue Civilization's military and top talent, the place where countless passionate young people's dreams begin.

In the very center of this modern building complex, a vast area stands in stark contrast to the surrounding vibrancy.

That was a forest of steles.

Lin Yi led the group and appeared directly in the air about 100 meters above the forest of steles.

The sudden appearance of such a large crowd, without Lin Yi making any attempt to conceal himself, naturally triggered the Silver Blue Star defense system controlled by the Xuanji Sub-Unit.

[Alert: Large-scale unauthorized spatial teleportation fluctuation detected, coordinates: above East Peak Military Academy headquarters.]

[Energy Feature Analysis and Vital Sign Scanning in Target Recognition]

[Identity verification: Lin Yi (highest authority, SSS level), Aurelia Sheena (authority, S level). Other life forms have A and B level authorization.]

Alert lifted.

The defense system completed the entire process from alert to identification in one ten-thousandth of a second, without activating any attack or defense protocols. It simply treated this emergency as the highest priority information and sent it out simultaneously.

The strategic conference room on the top floor of the headquarters building of the Silver Blue Civilization Commonwealth Headquarters.

The huge circular light screen had just turned off the live news broadcast about Lin Yi's arrival at Zi Chen Star Airport.

Li Zhenguo sat in the main seat. This old man, who had experienced the Civilization Advancement Assessment, led the civilization into the sea of stars, and endured the information shock of five thousand years of interstellar wars, had graying temples, but his eyes were still sharp.

Beside him were Zhou Donglai and other core high-ranking officials and meritorious generals from the early stages of civilization.

The theme of the conference was "The Impact and Opportunities of Commander Lin Yi's Return as Eternal Divinity and Vice President of the Purple Gold Star Union on the Silver Blue Civilization".

Just then, the conference room door was suddenly pushed open, and an officer hurriedly reported:

"Chief! Emergency notification from the planetary defense system: A large-scale spatial teleportation has been detected above the East Peak Military Academy headquarters. The individuals identified are Commander Lin Yi, Vice Commander Aurelia, and several thousand members of the East Peak Mercenary Group. They have arrived on Silver Blue Star and are currently above the East Peak Military Academy."

"What?"

Everyone in the meeting room suddenly stood up.

"Teleported directly from Zi Chen Star to here? Is this the power of the gods?"

Li Zhenguo was the first to react. He muttered something, then immediately said, "Let's go! We're going to the East Peak Military Academy, now, immediately!"

After saying that, he moved swiftly, smashing through the specially reinforced glass window of the conference room and transforming into a streak of light, speeding towards the direction of the East Peak Military Academy.

The aura of Star Core level was unleashed without reservation, leaving a conspicuous blue trail in the air.

Zhou Donglai and the others were taken aback at first, but then followed suit without hesitation.

The highest leaders of these Silver Blue Civilization no longer cared about the decorum of riding in Flying Shuttle; they rushed to the scene using the fastest means of flight.

In the conference room, only the young officer who had given the report remained. Looking at the broken window and the receding light, he opened his mouth, then gave a bitter smile before quickly turning around to arrange the follow-up matters.

Above East Peak Military Academy.

Lin Yi stood suspended in mid-air, his gaze already fixed on the boundless, gray-white forest of steles below.

Liu Yuan, Elizabeth, Zhou Yuxuan Andre, and all the returning Veteran Platform, remained silent, their gazes fixed downwards.

When they saw what it was, their breath caught in their throats almost simultaneously, and the excitement and joy of returning home on their faces were quickly replaced by a heavy sadness and solemnity.

A hint of sadness and respect also flickered in Aurelia's icy blue eyes.

Although she was not from the Silver Blue Civilization, as a former Civilization Guardian and later the de facto leader of the East Peak Mercenary Group, she knew all too well what each of these stone tablets represented.

Lin Yi didn't speak; he simply and slowly extended his Soul Power towards the forest of steles below.

The moment Lin Yi 'Soul Power touched the stele forest, Lin Yi immediately understood.

These memorials to fallen heroes are clearly specially designed.

They are not cold stones, but rather a fusion of the Silver Blue Civilization's application of energy technology.

Simply by gazing at the name on the stone tablet, or by touching it with the slightest Soul Power, the corresponding information will be activated and directly mapped into the perceiver's consciousness.

Footage, biography, time and place of death, battle fought, honors received, and last words.

Yes, last words.

When the war between the three races broke out, Silver Blue Civilization responded to the call of the Human Race and sent its soldiers to the Star Sea battlefield, every batch of warriors about to depart would gather in the sky above the East Peak Military Academy, which has now become the Heroes' Plaza.

They take their oaths here, bid farewell to their loved ones here, and leave their final vows and heartfelt words here, permanently connecting with the database of the Silver Blue Civilization.

Lin Yi's Soul Power slowly swept across the earliest batch of stone tablets erected at the edge of the stele forest.

A familiar figure instantly solidified in his mind, as clear as if it were standing right in front of him.

That was Nie Chang, wearing a brand-new Star Realm Army uniform with gleaming epaulets.

In the video, he appeared calm and composed, yet a fire burned deep within his eyes as he stared straight ahead, as if he were gazing upon Lin Yi at this moment through five thousand years of time.

As the image stabilized, lines of clear text slowly emerged on the right side, as if someone were writing with a pen.

Monument to the Martyrs of the Silver Blue First Battle Group – Nie Chang (42 years before the New Era – 1912 New Era)

In the early years of the New Era, he served as a general in the General Staff Department of the Xia Country, commanding "Dawn Plan" to destroy the No. 3 Abyss Beast Nest, "Nightmare Eye." Later, he served as the Executive Vice Principal of the East Peak Military Academy and Deputy Commander of the Yuanwu Source Martial Army, leading the establishment of the Special Training Class, the Training Corps, and overseas deployments. In 1224 of the New Era, he resigned from his position as Vice Principal and became the Commander Star Realm Army Silver Blue First Battle Group, leading his troops to guard the border of the Human Race. In 1912 of the New Era, during the "83227" Fortress Defense Battle, in order to cover the retreat of the main fleet, he led his troops to defend the key jump point, ultimately detonating the core of the fortress and perishing together with the enemy.

Fixed text.

Just then, Nie Chang's lips moved slightly in the image, and a steady voice, spanning five thousand years, resounded directly in Lin Yi's sea of consciousness:

"I, Nie Chang, have witnessed and participated in the miracle of civilization's struggle to rise from the brink of destruction in my lifetime. Today, I will walk alongside you, carrying the courage bestowed upon me by this miracle!"

"If I die in battle, there is no need for sorrow. If my name can be engraved in the forest of monuments in my hometown, that would be my greatest honor."

He gazed ahead one last time and spoke slowly.

"Remember, behind you lies your homeland!"

As the words fell, the images and sounds slowly faded away, leaving only those few lines of cold text and the ceaseless echo in my heart.

Lin Yi's Soul Power moved silently.

Chen Yu's image appeared.

He was wearing Star Realm Army combat uniform, and his face still bore that familiar smile that Lin Yi knew so well.

Text displayed synchronously:

Monument to the Martyrs of the Silver Blue First Battle Group – Chen Yu (18 years before the New Era – 1912 New Era)

He was an early student and branch Principal of the East Peak Military Academy. Later, he served as the Commander of the Star Realm Army Silver Blue First Battle Group and the commander of the assault battalion. In the New Era of 1912, during the "83227" fortress defense battle, he fought alongside the regimental Commander Nie Chang to defend the fortress to the death in the same battle and at the same location.

The words are concise and substantial.

In the video, Chen Yu scratches his head.

"Dad, Mom, and everyone else."

His voice was slightly lower than usual.

"We went quite far this time."

As he spoke, Chen Yu's gaze drifted to the side, as if he were reminiscing.

"Brother Yi... uh, Commander Lin Yi, you've shown us a wider world, and you've also made us realize just how cruel this world can be. We, Silverblue, can't always rely on others for protection, nor can we always hide in the back."

Chen Yu refocused his gaze and stared straight ahead.

"I'm lucky to be alive. If it weren't for Brother Yi back then, I would have been fed to the Abyssal Beast long ago. I've lived so many more years, learned skills, taught students, seen the people I needed to see, and done the things I needed to do. It's all worth it!"

"This time, it's our turn, the senior brothers, to pave the way for our junior brothers and sisters!"

He suddenly grinned.

"If you don't make it, don't blame me."

The image freezes on his final smile, but his voice lingers in the depths of his memory. "Tell those who come after us, we've traversed this road."

Lin Yi remained silent for a moment, then continued to sweep his Soul Power downwards.

Liu Qiying's image appeared.

This former "chief steward" of the military academy, now the chief of staff, appears more refined, yet his eyes remain equally resolute.

After a brief account of her life, Liu Qiying in the video slowly began to speak.

"In my life, I've fought Abyssal Beast, built military academies, and led troops. My life has been worthwhile."

His gaze was slightly lowered, as if he were recalling the distant past.

"Principal Lin Yi has sharpened the sword of civilization and handed it over to the young people. We old folks may not be able to do much else, but at least we must hold up the shield for them, and hold it up for as long as possible."

"If this journey, with my frail body, can buy more time for preparations back home and pave a little more path for the children to move forward."

Liu Qiying's image slowly raised her right hand, giving a slow and solemn military salute.

"This is the best place for me."

Don't worry about it.

Lin Yi remained silent for a moment, then his Soul Power continued to flow through the forest of steles.

One name after another, one image after another, one last message after another—whether bold, simple, or filled with endless longing—flowed into Lin Yi's sea of consciousness like a gentle stream.

His face was calm, but in the depths of his eyes, which were as deep as the starry sea, it seemed as if a storm was gathering, or as if a galaxy was dying out.

Five thousand years of war, countless sacrifices, are just a number in the war reports.

When these digital representations are transformed into vivid faces, specific life stories, and farewells that could not be spoken in person, their weight is enough to silence even the gods.

Soon, his Soul Power swept over all the stone tablets and memorized the information.

Some of the more unusual stone tablets caught his attention.

Yue Zhenguo is a young soldier with a simple face and a resolute gaze.

The text indicates that he sacrificed his life in the "Red Flame Starfield" skirmish in the New Era of 2059.

After the text was frozen, Yue Zhenguo in the image pursed his lips, stared straight ahead, and said only five words.

"Father, I've come."

Yue Zhiqiang sacrificed his life in the New Era of 2087 during the "Star Shatter Belt" ambush. His last words were. "Father, I'm coming."

Yue Wenbin sacrificed his life in the defensive battle of the "Seventh Jump Point" in the New Era of 2115. His last words were: Father, I'm coming.

Yue Mingxuan and Yue Qingxue (siblings) both sacrificed their lives in the year 2250 of the New Era during the "Deep Space Minefield" mine clearance operation. Their last words were. "Father, we're here."

One after another.

Yue Zheng sacrificed his life in the Battle of the Meteor Sea in the year 3012 of the New Era. His last words were: Father, I am here.

Yue Yunfei sacrificed his life in the year 4228 of the New Era, during the "Dark Erosion Nebula" infiltration operation. His last words were. "Father, I'm coming."

Yue Xiaofeng and Yue Xiaolan (twins) both sacrificed themselves in the year 5001 of the New Era, during the "Lightless Dark Domain" counterattack. Their last words were: Father, we've come.

The last one.

Until the last one.

Yue Chengzhi sacrificed his life in the year 6218 of the New Era, during the "TT-77321" base skirmish.

The man in the video is middle-aged, with a calm face and fine lines around his eyes, but his gaze is exactly the same as that of his ancestor Yue Zhenguo from more than four thousand years ago.

After the words were frozen in time, he slowly spoke, his voice calm and even, yet it seemed to carry a promise and destiny spanning over four thousand years:

"Father, I've come."

From the New Era of 2059 to 6218, spanning more than four thousand years, the same family, hundreds of warriors, all left behind the same last words.

Father, I've come.

Lin Yi's Soul Power lingered in this area for a moment. He "saw" the arrangement of these stone tablets, saw the first name, Yue Zhenguo, and also saw the last name, Yue Chengzhi.

For over four thousand years, one family, generation after generation, went to the battlefield, leaving behind the same last words, and then sacrificed themselves.

He didn't speak, but silently memorized the location of this area deep in his soul.

Just then, in the distance, a dozen streaks of light were hurtling through the sky at an extremely fast speed.

Lin Yi withdrew the Soul Power that covered the stele forest, slowly turned around, and looked in the direction of the newcomer.

When he saw their faces clearly, Lin Yi's heart tightened slightly.

Li Zhenguo and Zhou Donglai, these top figures of the Silver Blue Civilization he was familiar with, were hovering dozens of meters away. Although they were excited and their auras had reached the Star Core level, each of them had a weathered look that resembled that of an elderly person.

Li Zhenguo, in particular, has graying temples and deep wrinkles at the corners of his eyes. Although his eyes are still sharp, they reveal an undeniable weariness and the weight of years.

That's not right.

The theoretical lifespan of Star Core level asteroid is 10,000 standard years. From the time the Blue Star Civilization stepped into the sea of stars and began New Era, it has only been a little over 6,000 years.

Under normal circumstances, Star Core level powerhouse at this stage should still be in the prime of life or even youth, and would not show such obvious signs of aging on their appearance.

Rapid aging only occurs when one is nearing the end of their life and their vitality begins to decline irreversibly.

With a slight thought, Lin Yi's Soul Power instantly swept over Li Zhenguo and the others.

The feedback he received made him frown slightly.

The life-giving fire of Li Zhenguo and others was not weakening as he had imagined; on the contrary, it was burning fiercely, much more intensely than that of ordinary Star Core level of the same level.

But this is not healthy; rather, it represents an abnormal overdraft.

It's like lighting both ends of a candle simultaneously to obtain a brighter, shorter flame.

This is a special state that occurs when someone is under extreme pressure for a long time, is mentally and physically exhausted, and then forcibly pushes their vitality to the limit, overdrawing their own resources to maintain high-intensity thinking and action.

Their aging is not due to the end of their lifespan, but rather to excessive burning.

Lin Yi's gaze swept over the familiar yet much older faces, and countless thoughts raced through his mind in an instant.

For five thousand years, they endured immense pressure from "Lin Yi's disappearance" and "the shallow foundation of their civilization," struggling to survive and develop amidst the interstellar wars. The hardships and torments they faced were probably no less than those of the bloody battles on the Frontline.

But now that he's back, these are all minor issues.

"Chief Li, and everyone else," Lin Yi said with a gentle smile, "I'm back."

Li Zhenguo took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the myriad emotions and excitement in his heart, and stepped forward first, bowing slightly, using the most formal address. "Welcome back, Commander Lin Yi!"

"Commander!" Zhou Donglai and the others also saluted, their gazes towards Lin Yi filled with complex emotions: excitement, awe, relief at seeing their leader return, and unease at the vast difference in their current status and strength.

"No need for formalities," Lin Yi, raising his hand in a gesture of support. "Now that the war is over and the New Year is approaching, I'm bringing these old brothers who have been wandering far from home back for a reunion."

"And while I'm at it, I'll also come back to visit the other old buddies."

Following Lin Yi's gaze, Li Zhenguo looked down at the endless monument to the fallen heroes, his eyes also revealing deep sorrow.

He steadied himself. As the highest-ranking administrator of the Silver Blue Civilization, he needed to consider more practical matters.

"Commander, according to past practice, every year during the Qingming Festival, the community holds a solemn public memorial ceremony here to commemorate all the heroes who sacrificed their lives for civilization."

Li Zhenguo asked solemnly, "I wonder how long the Commander will stay on Silver Blue Star this time? Should this year's memorial activities be held earlier? Or perhaps you could preside over them yourself?"

This is a very reasonable arrangement.

Lin Yi's return to his hometown as Eternal Divinity and vice president of the Star Union, and his personal presiding over the ceremony to commemorate the martyrs, is extremely appropriate from both an emotional and political perspective.

However, Lin Yi laughed upon hearing this.

Above this solemn and heavy forest of steles, where countless heroic souls have been buried, his smile seemed somewhat abrupt, even "out of place."

Liu Yuan, Elizabeth, and the others looked at Lin Yi with confusion.

Li Zhenguo, Zhou Donglai, and the others were also taken aback, a look of doubt flashing in their eyes.

"Mourning?" Lin Yi shook his head. "No, Chief Li, you've misunderstood."

Looking at Li Zhenguo's aged face, Lin Yi slowly said, "You've all worked hard these past years. You've supported Silverblue, and now, I'm back."

His gaze returned to the forest of steles below.

"I came back this time to bring my old comrades home for a family reunion, and that naturally includes them."

Does that include them?

Does it refer to the heroic souls who sacrificed themselves thousands or hundreds of years ago, whose names are already engraved on stone tablets?

What does that mean?

Could it be...?

Although resurrection is restricted information, all related messages are filtered, and it is almost never open to those with permissions below green in Virtual Network.

But those present were all witnesses to the Civilization Advancement Assessment, and had personally experienced Xuchen resurrecting the victims who died in the Divine Kingdom Projection.

Therefore, they immediately made this connection.

Li Zhenguo felt an indescribable surge of heat rush to his head, making his vision blur.

He mustered all his strength to ask, his voice hoarse:

"Commander, you mean... resurrection? Like when the Civilization Advancement Assessment ended?"

He recalled the miracle at the beginning of the New Era, when all those who had sacrificed themselves in the assessment were collectively resurrected by His Xuchen after Blue Star passed the Level 5 assessment.

But all the deaths at that time occurred within the Divine Kingdom Projection of His Majesty Xuchen, and the longest time between deaths was only a little over forty years.

But now, not only has the time span stretched to five thousand years, but the places of death are also scattered throughout the Human Race territory!

Is this really going to work?

Li Zhenguo disregarded his own politeness, his gaze fixed intently on Lin Yi, fearing that he might be overthinking things and that it was just a misunderstanding.

Lin Yi did not answer immediately. His gaze swept over Liu Yuan, Elizabeth, and other equally excited Veteran Platform, and then looked at Li Zhenguo and the others.

Finally, he nodded slightly and said, "Indeed, it's time to bring back those brothers who shed their last drop of blood for Silverblue."