When Xiao Yan woke up again, it was half a month later.
He lay in the " Stargazing Hall " at the highest point of the All-Heavens Hub, the residence of the Grand Elder, where the spiritual energy was so dense it was almost tangible. Outside the window was the All-Heavens Hub, which had been restored after the war. Although traces of the war could still be seen, there were more figures of cultivators busily rebuilding, full of vitality.
"You're awake." The Grand Elder walked in carrying a bowl of medicinal soup, a gentle smile on his face. "How are you feeling?"
Xiao Yan sat up, stretched his limbs, and was surprised to find that not only were his injuries fully healed, but the power of the laws within his body was also more condensed than before the battle, and the light of the Heart of the Flame Realm had become even more gentle. "Much better, thank you, Elder."
"It's not my doing." The Grand Elder handed her the medicine. "It was the ' Nirvana Buddha Heart Pill ' from the Ten Thousand Buddhas Realm and the ' Spirit Marrow Jade Liquid ' from the Medicine God Valley that worked. Oh, and this is for you."
He handed over a translucent jade slip, which recorded the situation after the war: the Shadow King had fallen, the Shadow Rift had completely closed, and the remaining Shadow Clan had been wiped out by the Alliance Army; the All-Heavens Guard had signed permanent alliances with various worlds, establishing the " All-Heavens Alliance Council " to jointly protect the peace of all worlds; and he, Xiao Yan, had been elected as an "Honorary Elder" of the Alliance Council for his merit in killing the Shadow King, enjoying extremely high influence.
"Honorary Elder?" Xiao Yan was somewhat surprised.
"Well deserved." The Grand Elder smiled. "If it weren't for your final sword strike, even if we paid a great price, we might not have been able to kill the Shadow King. Your deeds are being sung throughout the All Heavens and Myriad Realms."
Xiao Yan picked up the jade slip, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He thought of Yun He's sacrifice, the fall of the earth element elder, and countless other figures who had perished in the war. He murmured, "This is not my achievement alone."
The Grand Elder sighed, "Their names will be engraved on the 'Monument to the Heroes,' and forever remembered by all the heavens."
In the days that followed, Xiao Yan gradually adapted to his role as an honorary elder. He didn't need to handle specific affairs, but he was frequently invited to attend meetings of the Alliance Council to provide advice on the establishment of a new order.
His proposed "Law Interoperability" plan was widely accepted—allowing different worlds to share insights into some fundamental laws, enabling cultivators to more quickly understand the characteristics of other laws and better coordinate in future wars. This plan was first implemented in the Ten Thousand Buddhas Realm and the Sword Domain, with remarkable results.
That day, Xiao Yan was checking the recovery status of various worlds at the Stargazing Platform when the Blazing Sun Realm Lord and A Yao suddenly came looking for him. Blazing Sun's injuries had healed, but a faint scar remained on his chest. A Yao skipped and hopped behind him, carrying an exquisite box in her hands.
" Xiao Yan, I brought you something good." Blazing Sun handed Xiao Yan a jade slip. "This is the ' Evil Breaking Battle Armor ' improved by the Mechanical Clan based on the Shadow Clan's Law of Shadow. It can greatly weaken the erosion of evil energy. They said they wanted to give it to you as a thank-you gift."
Xiao Yan took the jade slip, which contained blueprints for the battle armor. The design was indeed ingenious, combining the advantages of technology and laws. "Please thank them for me."
"And there's mine!" A Yao opened the box, revealing a red fruit with faint Law of Flame swirling around it. "This is the ' Heaven Burning Fruit.' I cultivated it in the herb garden for three years before it bore fruit. It enhances the purity of the Law of Flame. Try it!"
Xiao Yan picked up the Heaven Burning Fruit, took a bite, and a surge of pure flame power instantly flowed into his body. The Heart of the Flame Realm trembled slightly, and he felt much better. "Thank you, A Yao."
"You're welcome!" A Yao smiled, her eyes crinkling. " Brother Xiao Yan, I heard you're going to travel the heavens?"
"Hmm." Xiao Yan nodded. "The affairs of the alliance are on track. I want to go out and see the worlds that are being protected, and also improve my strength." After the battle with the Shadow King, he deeply realized his shortcomings and that he still had a long way to go before reaching the Transcendence Realm.
Blazing Sun patted him on the shoulder. "Good, it'll help you relax. If you run into any trouble, just let me know. The Alliance will always be there for you."
Three days later, Xiao Yan bid farewell to the Grand Elder and his companions from the Vanguard Battalion, embarking on his journey alone. Instead of choosing the fast teleportation array, he rode a docile " Star Beast," leisurely traversing the All Heavens and Myriad Realms.
He had been to the Netherworld Realm, where he saw the spirits rebuild their homes and offer sacrifices to the cultivators who had died in the war; he had been to the Mystic Ice Realm, where the ice on the ice plains had reformed, children were playing and frolicking on the ice, and the guardians were telling him about the changes after the war; he had also been to some small worlds he had never been to before, some of which had thin spiritual energy but unique cultures; others of which were technologically advanced, with flying machines shuttling through the sky, a scene of prosperity.
In each world he visited, he would pause to feel its laws and listen to its stories. His mind settled as he traveled, and his understanding of the Law of Flame deepened—fire can not only destroy and purify, but also nurture life and protect peace.
On this day, he arrived in a small world called " Azure Mist Realm ". The mountains and rivers here are beautiful, and the people live in peace and contentment. There is no trace of the evil demons that once plagued the land. He sat by a small river, watching the children catch fish in the water, and a gentle smile appeared on his face.
Suddenly, the Heaven Burning Sword at his waist trembled slightly, and the flames on its blade flickered with an unusual light. Xiao Yan's heart stirred, and he looked up at the sky.
Suddenly, a tiny crack appeared in the sky above the Azure Mist Realm, from which a faint aura seeped out—a cold and malevolent aura, similar to that of the Shadow Clan, yet different, more ancient, and more eerie.
Xiao Yan's expression instantly turned serious.
It seems that the Shadow Clan is not the entirety of the Outer Realm Demons.
He gripped the Heaven Burning Sword tightly, and the six-colored flames on the sword reignited, brighter than ever before.
My travels may have to end sooner than planned.
A new threat has quietly emerged.
This time, however, Xiao Yan felt no fear, only composure and determination.
He has faced life and death, witnessed sacrifice, and protected his homeland. His sword is no longer wielded solely for himself.
He looked up at the tiny crack, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"No matter what you are, if you dare to offend my heavens, I, Xiao Yan, will never forgive you."
As soon as he finished speaking, his figure transformed into a golden streak of light and flew towards the crack.
Sunlight spilled onto the stream, creating shimmering ripples, and the children's laughter remained clear and cheerful.
Unbeknownst to them, a guardian was once again embarking on the path of protection.
And this road has no end.