During the three months of quiet recuperation, Xiao Yan almost buried himself in the sea of books and the fragrance of medicine in the Stargazing Hall. By day, he would peruse the ancient books sent by the Grand Elder, from the fragments of the Creator's work to the records of the customs and products of various worlds. His fingertips would trace the yellowed pages, as if touching the long history of the heavens. At night, he would sit cross-legged by the window, letting the moonlight shine on him, feeling the flow of the three Seed of Creation in the Heart of the Flame Realm. The Power of Order that connected him to the Core of the All-Heavens had become as natural as breathing.
A Yao became a regular at the Stargazing Hall. Sometimes she would bring freshly picked medicinal herbs from the herb garden and squat in the corner of the hall, fiddling with the strangely shaped leaves; sometimes she would pester Xiao Yan to tell her stories of the Sea of Deathly Silence, clenching her little fists when she heard the thrilling parts, and clapping and cheering when she heard that the Rotten Realm Spider had been purified.
" Brother Xiao Yan, look at the new formation I learned!" That day, A Yao excitedly spread out a piece of animal hide, on which crooked runes were drawn. "Brother Blazing Sun said this is a simplified version of the ' Heaven Burning Formation,' which can draw upon the surrounding fire power!"
Xiao Yan leaned closer to examine it. Although the runes on the animal hide were still immature, they were beginning to show signs of order, clearly indicating that care had been put into their creation. He picked up a pen and gently sketched around a few misaligned runes. "The 'Fire-Attracting Rune' here needs to be angled to correspond with the 'Flame-Gathering Rune' next to it, just like... water flowing around rocks needs to bend before it can become a river or sea."
A Yao stared wide-eyed, her little face full of focus. Sunlight streamed through the window and fell on her earnest profile. Xiao Yan suddenly remembered when he first met her, the little girl who had skipped and hopped around delivering Soul-Gathering Fruits. Now, her features had gained a touch of composure.
"I've learned it!" A Yao clapped her hands excitedly, picked up a pen and started making corrections on the animal hide. "Once I've mastered it, I can help the brothers in the Vanguard Battalion set up formations!"
Seeing her excited expression, Xiao Yan's heart stirred slightly. He took out a small jade pendant from his storage bag. The pendant was engraved with a simplified flame rune, which was made from a scrap of the Heaven Burning Sword and faintly emitted a gentle fire attribute energy.
"Here, take this." He handed the jade tablet to A Yao. "If you encounter any unsolvable array problems, infuse it with spiritual energy; it might give you some inspiration."
A Yao took the jade pendant; it was warm to the touch, and the runes seemed to come alive, gently warming her palm. She carefully tied the pendant to her waist, then looked up at Xiao Yan with a bright smile, her eyes shining like stars. "Thank you, Brother Xiao Yan!"
That afternoon, the Blazing Sun Realm Lord suddenly came to visit. He was thinner than he had been three months ago, but his brows showed more competence, clearly indicating that he had grown considerably while in charge of the Vanguard Battalion's affairs.
" Xiao Yan, the council has decided to hold the ' Trial of Order ' next month." Blazing Sun handed over a scroll. "It will summon young cultivators from all worlds to conduct practical training in the Martial Training Star Domain. The winners will be able to enter the seventh level of the Hall of Ten Thousand Laws for further study." He paused, his eyes filled with expectation, "The elders would like to invite you to serve as the examiner for the trial."
Xiao Yan opened the scroll, which detailed the rules and rewards of the trial, revealing the Alliance's emphasis on nurturing the next generation. He recalled the teenagers training in the square and A Yao's earnest talisman-drawing, and made his decision.
"Alright." He closed the scroll. "I'll go."
Blazing Sun smiled. "I knew you'd agree. Those kids have been training harder than anyone else these past few days because they heard they might get to see you."
On the day of the trial, the Martial Training Star Domain was bustling with activity. Young cultivators from all worlds gathered here, each one full of energy, their eyes sparkling with reverence for the strong and anticipation for the future. Xiao Yan stood on the high platform, looking at the crowd below, and suddenly recalled his own appearance when he first entered the All-Heavens Hub. Back then, he too had the same flame burning in his eyes.
The trial is divided into three stages: breaking the formation, defending against enemies, and protecting. Each stage incorporates the experience of fighting against the Shadow Clan and the Rotten Realm Spider, testing not only the application of laws but also adaptability and mental fortitude.
There was a boy from the Mechanical Clan who controlled a small metal puppet, nimbly weaving through the formation. The energy beams shot by the puppet precisely shattered the formation's core, demonstrating his unique thinking. There was a young novice monk from the Ten Thousand Buddhas Realm whose Buddhist light, though weak, always managed to protect his companions at crucial moments, leaving no room for error. There was also a girl from the Sword Domain whose swordsmanship was fierce, yet in the final challenge, she took the initiative to protect her injured opponent, seeing no victory or defeat, only the purity of the Way of the Sword.
Xiao Yan sat on the examiner's seat, occasionally picking up his pen to take notes. What he saw was not only talent and strength, but also another form of order—not cold rules, but growth through competition and inheritance through protection.
As the final trial concluded, the setting sun cast a deep glow. Xiao Yan stepped onto the trial platform, and the crowd instantly fell silent. All the young cultivators' eyes were fixed on him, filled with awe and longing.
"You have done well." His voice, carried by the power of the laws, resounded throughout the Star Domain. "But remember, the end of the trial is only the beginning."
He raised his hand and waved it, Heaven Burning Sword appeared in his hand, its tip pointing to the sky. Six-colored flames intertwined with the Power of Order, outlining a huge light curtain in the sky. Within the light curtain, the phantom of the Seed of Creation slowly flowed, reflecting the outlines of countless worlds.
"The order of the heavens is never protected by one person alone." Xiao Yan's voice was gentle yet firm. "It is hidden in every sword strike you wield, in every formation you set up, and in the moment you are willing to take a step back for your comrades."
He sheathed his sword, his gaze sweeping over the young faces below the stage. "The flame has been lit; now it is your turn to pass it on."
The audience was silent at first, then erupted into thunderous cheers. The young cultivators raised their weapons and shouted, their voices shaking the heavens and making the air in the Martial Training Star Domain scorch.
Blazing Sun stood below the stage, looking at Xiao Yan on the high platform, then at A Yao beside him whose eyes were sparkling, and a gratified smile appeared on his lips.
As the sun set, Xiao Yan left the Martial Training Star Domain alone. He didn't return to the Stargazing Hall, but instead rode his docile Star Beast, slowly flying towards the edge of the All-Heavens Hub.
There, a brand-new starship awaited. Engraved on its hull were three intertwined seed patterns; it was the Alliance's specially commissioned flagship, named " New Journey."
Xiao Yan jumped onto the starship, and the hatch slowly closed. He walked to the porthole and looked out at the All-Heavens Hub, which was gradually receding into the distance. There, the lights were dazzling, like the brightest star in the night.
He knew he wouldn't stop. The embers of the Annihilation Origin Core hadn't completely died out, and unknown challenges might still lurk in the corners of the heavens. But he was no longer alone; he had the support of the Alliance, countless young cultivators growing up, and successors like A Yao who had taken up the torch.
The starship slowly set sail, heading towards an unknown Star Domain. Xiao Yan leaned against the porthole, his fingertips gently tapping the windowsill. The Seed of Creation in the Heart of the Flame Realm trembled slightly, as if resonating with the pulse of the heavens.
The road ahead may be long, but there is also hope.
His path of protection continues to extend into a wider world.