The Spark Never Dies

The disciple, panting heavily, spoke in a low voice, "Master, thirty miles northeast of the valley, we've discovered traces of an unidentified Soul Master team. It's not large, but very well concealed. Judging from the fluctuations in their Soul Power, they seem to be scouting."

Lu Yuan nodded, his expression unchanged. "Understood. Inform Lin Xiao to proceed according to Plan Three. Don't alert the enemy."

"Yes." The disciple accepted the order, turned, and quickly left.

The young people on the preaching platform were still engrossed in their discussion, completely unaware of this brief interlude. Shen Moxin walked over, her gaze behind her glasses questioning.

"A minor problem," Lu Yuan said simply, "Just scouting ahead."

"It seems that the light of ' Spark ' has finally shone through," Shen Moxin said softly.

"Light will always shine through." Lu Yuan looked at the focused faces below the stage. "The important thing is what kind of light shines through."

He turned and looked at the distant, layered mountains. The setting sun was slowly sinking behind the mountains, dyeing the sky a warm orange-red.

The scouting team of Soul Master, misled by Lin Xiao and his men, eventually turned into another fruitless valley. Similar probes occurred intermittently over the next few years. Sometimes they came from the lingering resentment of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, sometimes from routine reconnaissance by the Spirit Hall's intelligence department, and sometimes from independent forces that sensed something amiss. New Fire Valley was like a reef hidden in the Mist, sometimes revealing a corner, sometimes disappearing without a trace, never truly locked onto.

Time flows quietly in this delicate balance and continuous growth.

A few years is enough to change a lot.

New Fire Valley is no longer the simple refuge it once was. The buildings, built against the mountainside, are arranged in a staggered pattern. Most of them utilize the "Warm Stone" technology, improved by Mo Chen and incorporating local stone with simplified soul guidance circuits, ensuring warmth in winter and coolness in summer. The preaching platform in the center of the valley has been expanded three times and can now accommodate nearly a hundred people at a time. Next to it stands a three-story library, which contains not only Lu Yuan's handwritten "A Preliminary Study of Origin" series, but also Shen Moxin's systematic compilation of Martial Soul classification, Soul Beast ecology, and Soul Ring matching theory, Mo Chen's basic principles and energy structure diagrams of Soul Tool, as well as numerous research notes and experimental reports from the disciples. The library is perpetually filled with the aroma of paper, ink, and a faint scent of herbs.

An experimental field was established on the east side of the valley, where the Soul Condensing Grass, cultivated according to Lu Yuan's early ideas, was growing well. There were also several plots of rare herbs being tried to be introduced nearby. The west side was the craftsmen's area, where the clanging and hammering sounds and the occasional small energy humming were the background noise. On the northern hillside were the residential area and stone chambers for meditation, while the south side was an open training ground with the ground compacted with clay mixed with special powder, capable of withstanding the impact of Soul Emperor- level Soul Skill.

A complete system, encompassing selection, basic theory, Soul Power cultivation, Martial Soul cognition, and specialized practice and research, operates slowly and steadily here. It doesn't consider background or Innate Soul Power; it only assesses character, perseverance, and comprehension. Every year, through Yun Youzi's vast and secretive network of relationships, several "seeds" are selected and "drift" or "travel" here in various reasonable or unreasonable ways, becoming the new Mars.

Lu Yuan's Soul Power Level seems to have remained at level ninety-four. After being given the title "Knowing Fate," he rarely made a public appearance and almost never left the valley for long periods of travel. At least in the eyes of most disciples, their master was more often sitting in the quiet room on the top floor of the library, pondering over the manuscripts covered with scribbles, or standing alone on the star-gazing platform for the entire night.

Only core members like Shen Moxin and Mo Chen knew that Lu Yuan was not stagnant. His "cultivation" had long since transcended the simple accumulation of Soul Power. During those days of seclusion, he spent most of his time communicating with the increasingly warm and restrained Stone Gate Mark between his eyebrows, immersing his mind in the perception and exploration of the ocean of rules.

The fragmented array he "saw" covering the continent became increasingly clear in his mind. The distribution of those "noises" and "cracks" gradually revealed a vague pattern. His occasional short trips were usually to sense a specific "node" in person—it could be a wasteland where Soul Beast had disappeared, the ruins of an ancient and dilapidated temple, or simply a dry well outside an ordinary town. Each time he returned, a deeper weariness would appear between his brows, but his eyes would also be more insightful.

He no longer tries to "repair" anything on his own. He disassembles and transforms his observations of the "blockage" and "breakpoints" at the bottom of the rules, as well as some of his own conjectures, in an extremely obscure way, and integrates them into the later chapters of "A Preliminary Study of Origin", or in some advanced courses, he puts them out in the form of hypotheses and questions.

At first, very few people could keep up. But over the years, some exceptionally sharp-minded disciples began to stare blankly at those seemingly incomprehensible descriptions and questions, then erupt into heated debates or fall into long silences. They may never fully comprehend the whole picture that Lu Yuan saw, but that way of thinking—questioning the status quo and exploring the root causes—had already taken root.

Shen Moxin took on the heavy responsibility of deepening the theory and constructing the teaching system. She wrapped Lu Yuan's leaps of thought, even some dangerous ones, in more rigorous and systematic academic language, compiling them into a course from beginner to advanced. She became increasingly calm and dignified, changing her glasses one after another, always followed by one or two young teaching assistants with thick notebooks and bright eyes. The academic woman who was once trapped by the system, melancholy and anxious, is now the "Mr. Shen" whom everyone in New Fire Valley respects. Occasionally, in the quiet of the night, she would take out that leather notebook from back then, look at her own childish handwriting on the title page, and a very faint, complex smile would appear on her lips.

Mo Chen's hair had turned mostly white, but the gleam in his eyes was even brighter than in his youth. He no longer personally hammered every component; instead, he led a group of young people equally obsessed with energy and structure to establish "New Fire Workshop." Their research directions were extremely diverse: from how to stabilize Soul Power fluctuations using the cheapest materials, to how to slow down and preserve the effects of healing Soul Skill through specific Soul Tool, to attempting to analyze the remaining, unexplained soul tool runes in ancient ruins. Failure was commonplace; muffled sounds or strange smoke would frequently emanate from the laboratory, but cheers of success also rang out often. Mo Chen's proudest creation was a palm-sized, portable Soul Tool capable of faintly sensing and marking the "turbulence" of rules within a ten-mile radius. Although its accuracy was appalling, its significance was extraordinary. He often said, "We may not understand everything, but at least we should know where the road is bumpy."

Lin Xiao's cultivation had steadily reached the Soul Douluo realm. The claw mark on his face had faded somewhat, but the sharpness between his brows had settled, transforming into a Rock composure. He was in charge of the entire valley's defense and combat training, combining the rigid yet effective battle formation techniques of his family from his early years with Lu Yuan's advocacy of adaptability and exploiting energy weaknesses, creating a training method that both frustrated and greatly benefited the new disciples. He still preferred to stay at high places, but more often he stood on the watchtower, silently surveying every corner of the valley. His family? There had been no news for a long time. Perhaps they had finally given up, or perhaps they were still lurking in some corner. Lin Xiao stopped thinking about it. This was where he belonged.

Shi Jian's injuries had long since healed, his left shoulder was functioning normally, and his Soul Power had even benefited from the misfortune, breaking through to the peak of Soul Saint. He was still not talkative, but his shoulders were broader. He managed the daily scheduling, resource allocation, and personnel coordination within the valley—these tedious yet crucial matters—with great efficiency. He was the invisible skeleton of the valley, silently supporting everything.

Su Yan's transformation was perhaps the most subtle yet also the most astonishing. His Soul Power Level wasn't outstanding, barely reaching the Soul Emperor level, but his mastery of the subtle manipulation of Soul Power had reached a point where even Mo Chen was often amazed. He was now the "Sea God" in the workshop, specifically responsible for high-precision Soul Power Etching and energy node calibration, and also the teaching assistant in Shen Moxin's theory classes who was best at demonstrating abstract principles with concrete operations. Many new disciples would subconsciously seek out "Senior Brother Su" when they encountered bottlenecks. He was still as sparing with words as ever, but just standing there gave people a sense of inexplicable reassurance. Once, when Lu Yuan looked at his calm profile as he instructed his disciples, he suddenly remembered his father many years ago, in the small courtyard of Maple Leaf Town, silently sharpening a hoe under the oil lamp.

Yun Youzi had grown older, his back hunched, but the sound of his old wooden cane tapping the ground remained steady. He was the tentacles and ears of New Fire Valley reaching out to the outside world. He maintained a tacit, limited cooperation with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, exchanging resources and necessary intelligence cover for some low- to mid-level theories that didn't involve the core issues. At the same time, the intelligence network he had woven in his early years, spanning the lower-level Soul Master and the gray areas of the continent, continued to operate. The "Spark Sowing Plan" never stopped, only becoming more secretive and more dispersed. Those carefully selected and disguised theoretical fragments that were transmitted were like dandelion seeds scattered by the wind, landing in different soils. Some were casually discarded, some were carefully collected, and some... truly began to sprout.

In the Soul Master Hall of a remote town in the Heaven Dou Empire, the old Soul Master who had once received the anonymous letter had quietly helped the seventh young man stuck at a bottleneck. He still didn't know who wrote the letter, but in his desk drawer, there was a copy of his own notes on the steady guidance of Soul Power.

Within the Star Luo Empire, in an inconspicuous mutual aid society comprised of a few small Soul Master families and down-on-their-luck rogue cultivators, the members began to explore new perspectives on the synergy of their respective Martial Soul and the development of Soul Skill. They called it "the method Old Li found on a tattered page at a flea market." The results were inconsistent, but at least they were beginning to "think" rather than simply imitate.

Even within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the core disciple who had benefited from the "Hermit's Essays" has now become a highly regarded mid-level manager within the school. Occasionally, when instructing younger generations, he would "inadvertently" bring up some ideas about the synergy of the essence of Soul Power attributes, sparking new discussions. Ning Fengzhi was well aware of this, but never pointed it out. The sect leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect simply stood atop the sect's high tower, gazing northwest, his fingers unconsciously caressing the warm jade pendant, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

On the surface of the Douluo Continent, everything seemed unchanged. The Spirit Hall still shone brightly, with Qian Daoliu sitting in the Worship Hall, his gaze occasionally sweeping over the subtle ripples in the rules, remaining silent. Friction continued to rage between the two great empires, Upper Three Sects Lower Four Sects engaged in open and covert struggles. The Soul Master Tournament was held as usual, producing many geniuses, and people still cheered for powerful Martial Soul and dazzling Soul Skill.

But beneath the surface, something was different. Subtle questions about "why" and "whether there's another way" began to sprout in the hearts of some Soul Master in certain corners of the world. They were still weak, scattered, insignificant, and not even noticed by the mainstream. But like the most resilient vines, once they found a crack in the brickwork, they would silently take root and grow slowly.

In late autumn of that year, Lu Yuan underwent Deep Meditation that lasted for four months.

The stone door to the quiet room was tightly closed. Outside, there was only clean water and simple food that Shen Moxin changed regularly every day, which would be taken occasionally. The disciples in the valley had become accustomed to this, but when passing through that area, they would unconsciously slow their pace and cast a respectful glance.

Four months later, one evening, the door to the quiet room slid open silently.

Lu Yuan emerged. He looked much the same as before his seclusion, except that his eyes were more peaceful, as if all his sharpness had been concealed, leaving only the tranquility of a deep pool. The Stone Gate Mark between his brows was almost invisible; only upon close inspection could one detect a trace of warm, jade-like luster.

He crossed the valley alone, which was beginning to turn autumnal, without disturbing anyone. A disciple saw him from afar and wanted to pay his respects, but he stopped him with a simple gesture. He was like a quiet shadow, silently arriving at the cliff on the eastern edge of the valley.

Here, the view is expansive, with a bottomless canyon below and rolling mountains bathed in the golden-red hues of the setting sun opposite. The autumn wind carries a chill, lifting his plain robes.

Lu Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the mountains and rivers where he had struggled, explored, fought, and finally built a small world after arriving in this world. The sunset was magnificent, like a burning fire, adorning the clouds with brilliant gold edges before slowly sinking behind the bluish-gray mountain shadows.

She heard very light footsteps behind her. Shen Moxin walked up to him and stopped, holding a thin cloak in her hand, but she didn't hand it to him. She just looked at the distant mountains as well, without saying a word.

The two stood side by side, letting the autumn wind, carrying the scent of grass and trees, caress them. Faint sounds drifted from the valley: the muffled thuds of Soul Skill clashing on the training ground, the rhythmic hammering in the craftsmen's area, the faint sounds of debate coming from the direction of the library, and the wisps of smoke carrying the aroma of food rising from the distant residential area. These sounds mingled together, full of a rough yet vibrant life force.

After a long silence, Lu Yuan spoke softly, his voice as calm as if he were stating a perfectly ordinary fact.

The Shackles remain.

Shen Moxin slightly, looking at his profile outlined by the sunset glow.

"But the Key has been forged," Lu Yuan continued, as if talking to himself, yet also as if addressing this land that had witnessed countless hopes and struggles. "The Core Flame has been sown; let it ignite a prairie fire."

He stretched out his hand, palm up. A wisp of mountain breeze happened to brush past, swirling a few withered yellow grass leaves and tiny, unidentified seeds from the edge of the cliff. They lingered for a moment above his palm, then gently lifted them up and drifted beyond the cliff, towards the wider mountains and plains shrouded in twilight.

He withdrew his hand, a faint, satisfied smile playing on his lips. The smile was subtle, yet it seemed as if he had unloaded something he had carried for too long, revealing a genuine peace.

"Let's go back." Lu Yuan turned around.

Shen Moxin nodded and gently draped the thin cloak over his shoulders. The two walked side by side along the path they had come from, slowly making their way back to the valley.

Behind me, the sunset was burning its last rays, and stars began to appear one by one, clear and cold. The lights in the valley gradually lit up, their warm glow slowly dispelling the deepening twilight and gently enveloping that small world full of curiosity, exploration, and vitality.

Lu Yuan and Shen Moxin's figures gradually faded into the distance, eventually merging into the ever-brightening and warming light.

Beyond the distant mountains, under the vast starry sky of the Douluo Continent, night has just fallen. Countless possibilities and countless dreams yet to awaken lie dormant beneath this ancient starry sky.

The era belonging to explorers and awakens may have only just begun.

(The End)