The return journey was much calmer than the journey there. Under the guidance of the Seed of Creation, the "nothingness" of the Abyss of Nothingness was slowly forming a delicate balance with the "being" around it. Newly born stars twinkled outside the ship's windows, as if telling the story of the resilience of "existence".
Xiao Yan focused more on comprehending the cycle of "existence" and "non-existence." He discovered that when the Power of Order from the Seed of Creation merged with the gray energy of nothingness within his body, it could give rise to a completely new law—neither clinging to the rigidity of "existence" nor sinking into the emptiness of "non-existence," but rather transforming naturally like breathing, endlessly regenerating in dynamic balance.
"Perhaps this is the true wisdom left behind by the Creator," he said to Qing He, a wisp of gray-gold energy swirling around his fingertips—a product of the fusion of order and nothingness. "Confrontation will only intensify the conflict; only by finding the point of equilibrium can the two forces coexist."
Qing He gazed at the wisp of air, lost in thought, "Like the 'softness overcoming hardness' technique of the Wuwang Sword? Not a direct confrontation, but rather guiding the flow of energy?"
"Exactly." Xiao Yan nodded. "Look at the energy cycle of this starship. It absorbs cosmic rays, converts them into power, and then emits harmless particles. It is itself a transformation between 'existence' and 'non-existence.'"
As they were speaking, a Mechanical Clan cultivator hurried over and handed over a report, "Senior Xiao Yan, the detectors show that the area previously eroded by the Nothingness Shadow is spontaneously repairing itself, and even new nebulae are growing!"
The two walked to the porthole and, sure enough, saw a pale purple nebula slowly gathering in the darkness in the distance. Gas molecules in the nebula collided in the aftershocks of order and nothingness, evolving into simple life forms—transparent plankton darting through the nebula, shimmering with a faint light.
"They are 'beings' born from the ruins of 'nothingness'," Xiao Yan sighed. "This is the power of cycle."
Upon returning to the All-Heavens Hub, they were greeted not with a somber atmosphere, but with a sense of relief after surviving a catastrophe. The Grand Elder and the council members waited in the Nexus Plaza, and many had tears in their eyes upon seeing the fleet return An Ran.
"Welcome home." The First Elder grasped Xiao Yan's hand, the warmth of his palm conveying trust and relief.
Xiao Yan recounted his experiences in the Abyss of Nothingness. When he spoke of the Dao of Cycles of "existence" and "non-existence," Buddha clasped his hands together, his face filled with admiration. "All things carry yin and embrace yang, achieving harmony through the interaction of these energies. What my young friend Xiao Yan has comprehended is precisely the true essence of this 'interaction of energies.'"
The council ultimately decided to build a " Balance Tower " at the intersection of the Abyss of Nothingness and the All Heavens and Myriad Realms. The tower would not have any defensive fortifications, but would instead use the power of the Seed of Creation to construct a massive Cycle Formation, allowing order and nothingness to flow naturally there, neither allowing nothingness to erode the realms nor forcibly suppressing the existence of "nothingness".
"The guardian of the Balance Tower is none other than you." The Grand Elder looked at Xiao Yan with expectation in his eyes.
Xiao Yan shook his head, pointing to Qing He, Blazing Sun, and the young cultivators who had returned from the Abyss of Nothingness behind him. "It's their turn."
He explained, " The Dao of Cycles needs to be passed down, just as the existence of 'being' needs new 'being' to continue. I will remain at the Core of the All-Heavens to solidify the connection between the Seed of Creation and the Balance Tower, but the responsibility of guarding it should be handed over to these younger generations who have grown up in actual combat."
Qing He stepped forward, her eyes resolute. "Please rest assured, Elder, we will not betray your trust." The long sword at her waist hummed softly, as if echoing her vow.
Blazing Sun added, " The Vanguard Battalion is ready and can move into the Balance Tower at any time."
Looking at these young and determined faces, the council members smiled with relief. The Grand Elder sighed, "Yes, it's time to let go."
Months later, the Balance Tower was completed. The tower was made entirely of translucent crystals, one half of which flowed with silvery-white light of order, and the other half was surrounded by gray aura of nothingness. The two converged at the top of the tower, transforming into a spiraling pillar of light that soared into the sky, becoming a symbolic entity connecting "being" and "non-being".
At the inauguration ceremony, Xiao Yan stood atop the tower and infused a wisp of the Seed of Seed of Creation into its core. In an instant, the pillar of light became even more dazzling, and the surrounding nebula began to slowly rotate according to a certain pattern, forming a massive cosmic vortex that both devoured excess nothingness and gave birth to new stars.
Qing He and Blazing Sun led the cultivators to stand beneath the tower, their figures appearing exceptionally upright in the pillar of light. From this day forward, they would guard this delicate balance here and pass on the Dao of Cycles.
After the ceremony, Xiao Yan returned to the Stargazing Hall alone. In the herb garden outside the hall, A Yao was cultivating new spiritual herbs. Seeing him return, she waved with a smile, " Brother Xiao Yan, look at this ' Samsara Flower '! It withers and then immediately sprouts new buds!"
Xiao Yan walked over and looked at the peculiar flower—its petals had just withered, but tender green shoots were sprouting from its roots, as if it were forever cycling between life and death. He suddenly understood that the ultimate form of protection was not to cling to the status quo, but to allow "existence" to be endlessly reborn in the cycle.
He looked up at the sky, where the pillar of light from the Balance Tower flickered in and out of the clouds, like a stabilizing force maintaining the balance of the heavens. In the distant sea of stars, new challenges might be brewing, but he felt no more worry.
Because he knew that the Dao of Cycles had taken root in all the heavens, and countless people like Qing He, Blazing Sun, and A Yao were growing with the belief of protection. And he would be with the Core of the All-Heavens, becoming a node in the cycle, silently guarding this endless cycle of life.
Moonlight streamed through the stained-glass windows of the Stargazing Hall, illuminating Xiao Yan's profile, where a peaceful smile played on his lips.
The road to protection is still long.
But as long as the cycle continues, hope will never be extinguished.