The Afterglow of Battle, a New Order, and the Unfinished Journey
Rebuilding Spirit City proved more difficult than anyone had imagined.
When the smoke of battle cleared, it left behind not only shattered walls and ruins, but countless lost souls. The black-clad Soul Masters who had once been led astray by Spirit Hall had regained their senses through the Chaos Azure Lotus's purification, but they now had to face a past in which their hands had been stained with blood. The alliance set up a tribunal in the square, presided over jointly by Ning Fengzhi, Tang Xiao, and Prince Dai Weisi, who had come from the Star Luo Empire. Those guilty of the most heinous crimes were punished, while those who had been coerced into following them were given a chance to turn over a new leaf.
Tang San took no part in the trials. He returned to Heaven Dou City with his companions and settled Dai Mubai at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy to recover from his injuries, while he himself spent time in quiet meditation in a secret chamber of the imperial palace every day. After the lotus seed formed from the Chaos Azure Lotus merged with his Soul Bone, it did not fall silent. Instead, it often conveyed a gentle consciousness to him, an understanding of the continent's balance: light and darkness were not absolute opposites. Just as power itself was neither good nor evil, what mattered was the true nature of the one who wielded it.
"What are you thinking about?" Lin Ye asked as he entered with a bowl of medicinal soup. Yu Luomian had specially prepared it for Tang San to stabilize his Soul Power, which had fallen somewhat into disorder after he overused the Azure Lotus's power.
Tang San opened his eyes, a thread of seven-colored light curling around his fingertips. "I was thinking that Bibi Dong was actually quite pitiful."
Lin Ye paused, then understood what he meant. "People swallowed by darkness often yearned for the light once, too." He handed him the medicine. "But that can't be an excuse for her hurting others."
"I know." Tang San took the medicine and drank it in one gulp. "But we can't follow in her footsteps. The alliance shouldn't exist to replace Spirit Hall's domination. It should establish a true balance."
As they were speaking, Xiao Wu came skipping in with a letter in her hand. "Tang San, Lin Ye, look who's here!"
The letter was from Tang Yuehua. She said she had brought the disciples of Moonlight Pavilion to Heaven Dou City to do her part in the postwar reconstruction, and while she was at it... to see her eldest nephew and his future wife.
"Auntie is too mischievous." Tang San looked at the words "nephew's wife" in the letter, his cheeks growing slightly warm. He stole a glance at Xiao Wu and saw that her face was red too, though her eyes were sparkling.
Lin Ye laughed and teased them. "Looks like we'll be drinking wedding wine soon."
"Don't talk nonsense!" Xiao Wu stamped her foot and ran out, the pink tassels on her robes tracing a charming arc through the air.
Tang San and Lin Ye exchanged smiles, and a relaxed atmosphere filled the room.
A few days later, Heaven Dou City held a grand celebration for the alliance's victory and the establishment of the new order. Xue Qinghe gave a speech in his capacity as crown prince, announcing an end to the century-long hostility between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire and the establishment of a permanent peace treaty. Ning Fengzhi, representing the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, pledged full support for Soul Master Academies across the continent, giving more commoners a chance to become Soul Masters and breaking the nobles' monopoly on Soul Power resources.
At the celebration, Tang San met Prince Dai Weisi, Dai Mubai's elder brother, for the first time. The heir to the Star Luo Empire bore a strong resemblance to Dai Mubai, but he was more composed and imposing. He sought Tang San out and bowed solemnly. "Thank you for saving Mubai. The Star Luo Empire owes you a favor."
"You're too kind, Your Highness." Tang San returned the bow. "Dai Mubai is my companion. I wouldn't let anything happen to him."
Dai Weisi smiled. "No wonder Mubai always says that meeting you all was the luckiest thing that ever happened to him." He looked toward Dai Mubai, who was horsing around with Oscar and Tai Long in the distance, and a hint of warmth passed through his eyes. "Once he's recovered, I'll give him the position of deputy commander of the Star Luo Empire Royal Soul Master Corps. I hope he can do more for the Star Luo Empire."
Tang San knew this was Dai Weisi's recognition of Dai Mubai, as well as his respect for their friendship.
The highlight of the celebration was the "reappearance" of the Chaos Azure Lotus. Tang San drew the lotus seed out of his Soul Bone and suspended it in the center of the square. The seed bloomed with a gentle light that fell upon everyone present. The wounds of Soul Masters injured in the war healed at a speed visible to the naked eye; tender shoots sprang up from the parched earth; even the clouds in the sky took on a seven-colored glow.
"This is the power of hope," Ning Fengzhi said with feeling as he watched. "The continent will remember this day."
After the celebration, Tang Hao and Tang Xiao prepared to return to the Clear Sky Sect. Before leaving, Tang Hao patted Tang San on the shoulder. "The gates of Holy Soul Mountain will always be open to you, but don't let the sect hold you back. Your path should lie in a wider world."
Tang San nodded. "I know. Once I've taken care of things here, I'll come and see it."
Tang Hao smiled. It was the first time he had shown such a relaxed smile in front of Tang San. "Good. By the way, about your mother... I'll tell you, little by little."
At the mention of his mother, a flicker of anticipation appeared in Tang San's eyes, but he asked no further questions. He knew that his father's willingness to speak meant the time was not far off.
After seeing Tang Hao and Tang Xiao off, Tang San stood atop the imperial palace's gate tower, looking down at Heaven Dou City, where life had returned. Yet a restlessness he could not put into words stirred within him. The Chaos Azure Lotus's consciousness kept reminding him that the continent's balance was not yet fully secure. Deep in the Far North Ice Plains, in the hidden realm of Sunset Forest, and even beneath the ruins of Spirit Hall's holy land, remnants of darkness still lurked, waiting for a chance to rise again.
"Thinking about where to go next?" Lin Ye walked up beside him and followed his gaze.
"You felt it too?" Tang San asked.
Lin Ye nodded. "Golden Crow Fire keeps warning me that something is watching us from the darkness. Perhaps... they're fragments of darkness that escaped by chance when the Chaos Azure Lotus purified it."
"More than that." Tang San's Blue Silver Grass swayed gently. "I can feel it. At the edges of the continent, more ancient powers have been awakened. They belong neither to the light nor to the darkness, but they're enough to affect the balance of the entire continent."
Xiao Wu, Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Tai Long also came over, each wearing the same expression. They were companions, the people who understood one another best.
"Then what are we waiting for?" Dai Mubai stretched his limbs, the Hell Spirit Cat's sharp claws glinting with excitement. "Pack your bags. We're leaving!"
"I'm already prepared!" Oscar patted his bulging storage pouch, which was packed with all kinds of sausages. "Who cares what ancient powers there are? My sausages can handle them!"
Tai Long clenched his fists, the Great Strength Gorilla's Soul Power surging through his body. "As long as there's a fight, I'll see it through to the end!"
Xiao Wu walked up to Tang San and took his hand. "Wherever you go, I'll follow."
Tang San looked at the companions around him, and the restlessness in his heart became a steadfast strength. He knew that peace was never won once and for all, and that protecting it was no empty promise. They had won the war, but they still had to keep protecting this hard-won peace.
"We'll go to the Far North Ice Plains first." Tang San looked north. "Dai Mubai said the Ice Prison White Bear population there seems to be in trouble. It might have something to do with the fragments of darkness."
"Good!"
The sun sank in the west, stretching the six figures into long shadows, yet they remained close together. They had not chosen a life of comfort, but had set out on the road once more. Unknown dangers and powerful enemies might lie ahead, but as long as they remained at one another's side, nothing could stand in their way.
The bells of Heaven Dou City rang out, seeing them off and blessing the continent's rebirth. The light of the Chaos Azure Lotus flickered gently within Tang San's Soul Bone, as if pointing the way and bearing witness to the never-ending legend these young people were writing with courage and friendship.
Their story had only just begun.