Lin Chen's expression softened as he stared at ZhaoMing."Then...all this time,you've been carrying this alone?"Zhao Ming looked away."Some regrets become heavier when you speak about them."Yan Luo's eyes were filled with confusion and sadness."If he was your brother...why didn't you save him?" Zhao Ming's fingers slowly curled into fists."I tried...But I was too late."henYu stepped closer."Too late for what?"Zhao Ming's eyes briefly returned to the image of Shou Heng. "For realizing that obedience and righteousness were not the same thing." Lin Chen swallowed hard."And you still followed Heaven after that?"Zhao Ming gave a faint smile."For a long time...I didn't know how to live without following it."
Before anyone could respond,a violent burst of demonic energy suddenly exploded nearby.Everyone turned.Xu Yang had begun moving again and crimson aura around his body surged like flames,and black threads pulled tightly from his wrist toward Zhao Ming.Lin Chen stepped forward. "Xu Yang!" Xu Yang continued walking without looking at him.Chen Yu quickly raised both hands. "Don't let him reach the village!"
A dark barrier appeared across Xu Yang's path.Xu Yang lifted one hand.The barrier shattered with a sharp crack."He's getting stronger!"Lin Chen shouted.Yan Luo immediately use his flame sword."Then we'll hold him here!"He rushed forward and swung the flat side of his blade toward Xu Yang's shoulder.Xu Yang tilted his body slightly.The sword passed beside him. "Xu Yang! Listen to me!"Yan Luo turned and attacked again.Xu Yang caught the blade with one hand and violent wave of demonic energy erupted from his palm and sent Yan Luo sliding backward across the cracked stone road."Yan Luo!"Lin Chen rushed to him.
Chen Yu immediately formed several spiritual seals."Everyone,get behind me!" Golden restraints shot from the ground and wrapped around Xu Yang's arms and legs. For a moment,he stopped.Lin Chen's eyes brightened."We got him!"Chen Yu's expression remained tense."No..."The restraints began trembling."They're not going to hold him."Xu Yang slowly lowered his head and crimson rose mark flashed.A terrifying pulse spread through his body.The golden restraints shattered at once."Back!" Chen Yu shouted.
A dark shockwave exploded outward,forcing everyone to shield their faces.Dust and broken petals filled the air.When the dust cleared,Xu Yang was still standing.LinChen stared at him helplessly."Why won't you listen?"Xu Yang slowly raised his foot and took another step forward.Yan Luo wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and stood again."Because he can't hear us."Chen Yu looked toward the threads. "Then we need to find a way to break that connection."
Before anyone could move... powerful pressure descended over the ruined village and black threads stopped moving.The wind died completely,and even the flames around the broken houses seemed to shrink beneath the sudden pressure.Then came the sound of footsteps.Everyone turned toward the sound.A man with long white hair slowly walked through the smoke.Beside him walked the masked man they had encountered before.Several broken silver chains floated quietly behind him,turning slowly in the air like living serpents.
The moment Lin Chen saw them,his eyes widened."It's them..."Yan Luo lowered his sword slightly,but his expression remained guarded."That white-haired man..." Chen Yu's gaze immediately shifted toward the masked figure."And him."Zhao Ming said nothing buy his crimson eyes remained fixed on the masked man.For a brief moment,the two exchanged a silent glance.The masked man then looked toward Xu Yang.The Heart Blossom on Xu Yang's wrist immediately pulsed."Did you see that?"Lin Chen whispered."It reacted again."Chen Yu's expression darkened."It recognized him."
Yan Luo frowned."But why now?"The white-haired man continued forward without answering any of them.He stopped several steps away from Xu Yang and calmly looked at the crimson demonic aura surrounding him."He's losing control."Chen Yu stepped forward."We know."The white-haired man glanced at him."Then why haven't you stopped him?"Chen Yu's expression tightened."We tried."Lin Chen immediately added,"More than once."Yan Luo gave the white-haired man an irritated look."And unless you have a better idea..."The masked man suddenly raised one hand.The silver chains behind him immediately moved and nearest chain shot forward and wrapped around Xu Yang's arm."Wait!"Chen Yu shouted.
XuYang's crimson aura exploded.The chain tightened,but it did not break.Xu Yang violently pulled his arm backward.The ground cracked beneath his feet.Lin Chen stared in shock."He's resisting it!"Yan Luo drew his sword completely."Let him go!"The white-haired man calmly stepped between Yan Luo and Xu Yang."Don't."Yan Luo's eyes narrowed."Why?"The white-haired man's gaze remained on Xu Yang."Because if you interfere now,you'll make the Heart Blossom fight against itself."
Chen Yu understood the danger."So the chain isn't restraining Xu Yang..."He looked toward the rose mark."It's restraining the Heart Blossom."The masked man slowly nodded."Exactly."LinChen swallowed."Then what are you trying to do?"The masked man didn't answer.He simply walked closer to Xu Yang.The crimson aura around Xu Yang suddenly surged toward him like flames caught by a storm."Xu Yang!"Lin Chen shouted."Don't fight it!"
Xu Yang didn't respond.His eyes remained empty.The masked man reached him and gently placed two fingers against the glowing rose mark.A powerful crimson flash exploded from Xu Yang's body."Get back!" Chen Yu shouted.Everyone raised their arms to shield themselves from the light.The silver chains suddenly multiplied,wrapping around Xu Yang's chest,arms,and legs. Xu Yang struggled violently.The black Threads around the village began twisting toward him."They're moving again!"Xiao Ren shouted from behind the Heavenly cultivators."Are they attacking?!"
MuChen raised his weapon.But TianXuan immediately lifted one hand."Don't move." MuChen looked at him."Grand Elder?" Tian Xuan's eyes remained fixed on the silver chains."They're not attacking."The Threads suddenly stopped several feet away from Xu Yang.They hovered in the air,watching.The masked man slowly tightened his fingers against the Heart Blossom.The crimson aura began cracking."Why does it look like..."Lin Chen whispered,"...the Heart Blossom is fighting him?"
ChenYu shook his head."No."He stared carefully at Xu Yang."It's fighting whatever is controlling him."The masked man finally spoke."Xu Yang!You need to let go." Xu Yang's fingers suddenly twitched and crimson energy around him surged again. The masked man's expression changed slightly."You're still resisting."Yan Luo stepped forward."Who are you talking to?"The masked man didn't look at him."Not him."Yan Luo froze."Then who?"The masked man's gaze remained fixed on the rose mark."The part of him that is awake."
Chen Yu's eyes widened."Awake?"Before anyone could ask another question,the Heart Blossom released an enormous burst of crimson light.The silver chains immediately tightened.The masked man's long sleeves fluttered violently in the energy storm,but he didn't step back."Hold him!"the white-haired man ordered."Don't let his body move!"Chen Yu immediately formed several spiritual seals."I'll help!"Golden spiritual chains appeared around Xu Yang's legs.Lin Chen rushed beside him."I'll reinforce them!"Yan Luo planted his sword into the ground."Then I'll hold the Threads back!"
The three forces moved at once.Silver chains.Their spiritual restraints.And YanLuo's flame sword formation.Xu Yang's body finally stopped struggling for a moment and crimson aura around him began to weaken."It's working!"Lin Chen shouted.The masked man remained completely focused. "Not yet."His eyes narrowed beneath the mask."Something is still holding on." Zhao Ming suddenly stepped forward. "Enough." The Threads immediately shifted toward him.
The masked man turned his head."You shouldn't interfere."Zhao Ming's eyes hardened."Neither should you."For a moment,the two stood facing each other across the battlefield.The white-haired man quietly watched them."You two..."he murmured."Still haven't changed." Zhao Ming's expression darkened."This has nothing to do with you."The masked man replied calmly,"It has everything to do with him."He glanced down at Xu Yang.The Heart Blossom suddenly pulsed again and silver light spread through the rose-shaped mark, and the crimson aura shattered outward.
The Threads connecting Xu Yang to Zhao Ming snapped one after another.ZhaoMing's eyes widened."No..."Xu Yang's body suddenly went limp.The masked man caught him before he hit the ground.The silver chains loosened and floated behind him once again.Chen Yu immediately rushed forward."Xu Yang!"
Back to past They entered in shrine, inside the endless moonlight slowly settled around them.The three stopped at the entrance, unable to move.The light slowly gathered in the center of the chamber,and four figures gradually appeared within it.Four children stood beneath the moonlight.Young Wang Xio,Young Hei Long,Young Qing Li and finally...Young Ling Yuan.
For several seconds,the three adults simply stared.None of them could believe what they were seeing.Qing Li's eyes widened as he stared at his younger self,then slowly moved toward Ling Yuan.His fingers trembled at his sides."No..."he whispered."This can't be..." Young Qing Li tilted his head in confusion and looked directly at them."Why are you here?"Adult Qing Li opened his mouth,but nothing came out.His throat suddenly felt painfully tight.How could i explain this?How could i tell a child that I'm looking at a past that had already been destroyed?
Young Wang Xio quietly studied them.His younger self looked almost exactly as he remembered,calm and observant even at that age.Young Hei Long stood beside him with a cautious expression,his eyes moving between the strangers as though trying to understand why they looked so familiar. Adult Wang Xio slowly clenched his hands behind his back.He had faced countless enemies without fear,yet standing in front of his younger self felt far more difficult."We shouldn't be here..."he finally murmured. Young Wang Xio immediately caught the words."Then why did you come?"Adult Wang Xio looked at him but couldn't answer.
Young Ling Yuan suddenly stepped forward. He was still the same.He had the same gentle eyes,the same quiet smile,and the same warmth that Qing Li had spent years trying to remember.His gaze moved across the three adults before stopping on Qing Li.He studied him for several seconds,and his smile slowly faded into concern."You look sad."Qing Li's heart tightened.He immediately looked away."I'm fine."Young Ling Yuan smiled softly."You're not."Qing Li's fingers curled tightly."You don't know me."
Young Ling Yuan tilted his head."Maybe I don't..."He looked at him carefully."...but I know what someone looks like when they're trying not to cry."Qing Li's eyes suddenly got teary.He turned his face away and pressed his lips together.He refused to let the tears fall in front of him.Not here.Not in front of Ling Yuan..."Don't look at me like that."Qing Li whispered.Young Ling Yuan took another small step closer."Like what?"
Qing Li couldn't answer."Like you already know me."Ling Yuan's expression softened. "Maybe I do."Qing Li looked at him,and for one moment,the years between them seemed to disappear.He could remember everything.The laughter, arguments, promises and the days when they believed they would always remain together.He remembered Ling Yuan smiling before everything had been taken away from them. Qing Li swallowed hard.
"Did something bad happen?"Ling Yuan asked quietly.Qing Li's eyes widened.He desperately wanted to tell him.He wanted to grab his shoulders and warn him about everything that was coming.He wanted to tell him not to trust the anyone,to stay away from the shrine,to run before anyone could take him away from them.But his body refused to move.His voice refused to come."I..."He lowered his head."I don't know how to say it."
Ling Yuan watched him patiently."Then don't say it yet."Qing Li looked up in surprise. "What?"Ling Yuan smiled gently."You don't have to explain everything at once."He slowly raised his hand and lightly touched Qing Li's arm."Whatever happened..."His smile became warmer."...you'll be okay." Qing Li's eyes immediately filled with tears. He quickly turned his face away,but one tear slipped down his cheek anyway.Ling Yuan noticed it,but he didn't mention it.He simply stood beside him in silence.
Hei Long watched the scene quietly.His eyes remained fixed on the younger Ling Yuan, almost afraid that looking away for even a second would make him disappear."We're really seeing them,"he whispered.Wang Xio slowly nodded.His fists remained tightly clenched."Yes."Hei Long's voice became quieter."They're exactly as we remember." Wang Xio looked toward his younger self. Young Wang Xio was still watching them carefully."It's strange!"he murmured."Seeing yourself like this."Hei Long gave a faint smile."Do you remember being that serious?"Wang Xio glanced at him."I was worse."Hei Long quietly laughed."You were."
For the briefest moment,the tension inside the shrine eased.Qing Li wiped his eyes and looked toward them."You're both really going to start talking about yourselves now?"Hei Long looked at him."You were the one crying."Qing Li immediately frowned."I wasn't crying."Wang Xio calmly added,"You were."Qing Li stared at him in disbelief."You two are unbelievable."Young Ling Yuan quietly laughed.The sound was so familiar that Qing Li froze again.He slowly looked toward him.Ling Yuan was smiling exactly as he used to.The same smile that once made everything seem simple.The same smile that now hurt more than any wound.
Qing Li's expression slowly collapsed again. He whispered,"I missed that."Ling Yuan's smile faded slightly."Missed what?"Qing Li stared at him for a long moment before quietly answering,"Nothing."He forced a small smile."Just...don't change."Ling Yuan looked confused,but he smiled anyway."I won't."Those two words nearly destroyed Qing Li.He lowered his head again,his shoulders trembling slightly.
Qing Li lowered his head even further,trying desperately to steady his breathing,but the tears he had been holding back slipped down his cheeks again.Ling Yuan noticed immediately,and the gentle smile on his face disappeared."You're crying again."Qing Li quickly wiped his face with the back of his hand."I'm not."Ling Yuan gave him a quiet look."You are."Qing Li let out a weak laugh that sounded more painful than amused. "You were always too observant."Ling Yuan tilted his head."And you were always terrible at hiding things."
Qing Li's eyes slowly widened as fragments of old memories rushed through his mind.He remembered sitting beside Ling Yuan beneath an old tree,pretending everything was fine after losing an important match.He remembered Ling Yuan quietly placing half of his meal beside him without asking questions.He remembered the countless times Ling Yuan had noticed his sadness before anyone else did.
Qing Li's fingers trembled as he whispered, "You really haven't changed."Ling Yuan smiled."Neither have you."Qing Li looked at him with tears still gathering in his eyes."You don't know that."Ling Yuan stepped closer. "Then tell me."Qing Li opened his mouth,but the words refused to come.He wanted to say everything.He wanted to tell Ling Yuan how many years he had spent searching for him.He wanted to tell him that his name had been erased from countless memories,that people who once loved him had forgotten him,that the Threads had taken everything and that even Heaven had allowed it to happen.But instead,all that escaped his lips was a broken whisper."I was too late."Ling Yuan's expression changed."Too late for what?"Qing Li looked away."For you."
Ling Yuan stared at him silently for several moments before gently placing a hand on his shoulder."I'm standing right here."Qing Li's shoulders trembled."I know."His voice cracked."That's what makes this harder." Ling Yuan didn't understand,but he didn't pull his hand away."Then stay here for a while."Qing Li looked back at him."What?" Ling Yuan smiled softly."If you're afraid of being too late..."He gently squeezed Qing Li's shoulder."...then don't leave yet."
Qing Li's eyes filled with tears again.He wanted to hold him.He wanted to tell him that he was sorry.He wanted to promise that this time he would protect him no matter what.But deep inside,he already knew the truth.This moment wasn't permanent.It was only a small piece of the past that had somehow been returned to him.His fingers slowly curled into a fist as he fought against the ache in his chest."I wish I could stay." Ling Yuan quietly asked,"Why can't you?"
Qing Li looked at him for a long moment before forcing another smile."Because..."He swallowed hard."I have somewhere I need to go."Ling Yuan studied his face and seemed to realize there was more behind those words,but he didn't press him."Then go." Qing Li blinked."What?"Ling Yuan's smile returned."If there's somewhere you need to go,you should go."He paused before adding softly,"Just don't forget the way back."Qing Li's heart tightened.He stared at Ling Yuan as though trying to memorize every detail of his face."I won't."Ling Yuan smiled."Good."
Qing Li remained silent for a long moment,his eyes still fixed on Ling Yuan's face.He wanted to say something more,but every sentence that came to mind felt too small for everything he was carrying inside."Ling Yuan..."he finally whispered.Ling Yuan looked at him curiously."Hmm?"Qing Li hesitated before asking,"If you ever meet someone who seems to know you,but you don't remember them..."He paused,his fingers slowly tightening."...what would you do?"Ling Yuan thought about it for a moment before smiling."I'd probably ask them why they remembered me."Qing Li's eyes trembled."And if they said they missed you?"Ling Yuan's expression softened."Then I'd believe them."
Qing Li looked down,quietly fighting another wave of emotion.He thought about all the years he had spent believing that Ling Yuan was completely gone.Now,for one brief moment,he was standing right in front of him again.It felt almost cruel."You really are too kind,"Qing Li whispered.Ling Yuan smiled."You say that like it's a bad thing."Qing Li shook his head."No..."He slowly looked back at him."It's the reason people remember you."Ling Yuan laughed softly."Then make sure you remember me too."Qing Li froze.The words struck him harder than anything else.He slowly nodded."I will."
Ling Yuan held his gaze for another moment before quietly stepping back."Then I'll trust you."Qing Li's lips trembled into a small smile."You shouldn't."Ling Yuan raised an eyebrow."Why?"Qing Li quietly answered,"Because I always make promises that are too difficult to keep."Ling Yuan smiled again."Then this time..."He gently pointed toward Qing Li's chest. "...keep this one."Qing Li placed his hand over his heart."I will."For several seconds, the two simply stood there beneath the pale moonlight.
Qing Li remained silent for a long moment, his eyes still fixed on Ling Yuan's face.He wanted to say something more,but every sentence that came to mind felt too small for everything he was carrying inside."Ling Yuan..."he whispered.Ling Yuan looked at him curiously."Hmm?"Qing Li hesitated before asking,"If you ever meet someone who seems to know you,but you don't remember them..."He paused,his fingers slowly tightening."...what would you do?"
Ling Yuan thought about it for a moment before smiling."I'd probably ask them why they remembered me."Qing Li's eyes trembled."And if they said they missed you?"Ling Yuan's expression softened.
"Then I'd believe them."Qing Li looked down,quietly fighting another wave of emotion.He thought about all the years he had spent believing that Ling Yuan was completely gone.Now,for one brief moment, he was standing right in front of him again.It felt almost cruel."You really are too kind." Qing Li whispered.Ling Yuan smiled."You say that like it's a bad thing."Qing Li shook his head."No..."He slowly looked back at him."It's the reason people remember you."
Ling Yuan laughed softly."Then make sure you remember me too."Qing Li froze.The words struck him harder than anything else.He slowly nodded."I will."Ling Yuan held his gaze for another moment before quietly stepping back."Then I'll trust you." Qing Li's lips trembled into a small smile. "You shouldn't."Ling Yuan raised an eyebrow."Why?"Qing Li answered,"Because I always make promises that are too difficult to keep."Ling Yuan smiled again."Then this time..."He gently pointed toward Qing Li's chest."...keep this one."Qing Li placed his hand over his heart."I will."For several seconds,the two simply stood there beneath the moonlight.
Then the enormous gate behind them suddenly began glowing.Qing Li immediately turned around.Wang Xio's expression changed as symbols appeared across the towering stone pillars.One rune after another awakened,spreading outward like veins of silver light.The floor beneath their feet began illuminating in enormous circular patterns,each ancient symbol connecting to the next until the entire shrine was covered in glowing lines.Hei Long stepped closer to Wang Xio,his eyes narrowing."What's happening?"Wang Xio slowly shook his head."I don't know."
A deep vibration passed through the chamber.The moonlight pouring through the gate suddenly gathered above them and Countless thin strands of silver light appeared in the air.They twisted and moved like living Threads,flowing around the four younger children,the three adults,and the shrine itself.Qing Li stared upward in astonishment."Those aren't the black Threads..."Wang Xio quietly answered,"No." His eyes followed the silver strands."They're older."Hei Long looked around."They're connecting everything."A silver Thread passed through the young Qing Li before extending toward his adult self.The instant it touched him,Wang Xio looked toward the countless Threads spreading across the shrine."The memories weren't destroyed." Qing Li looked at him."Then where were they?"Wang Xio's gaze slowly moved toward the glowing floor."Hidden."
The ancient carvings surrounding the shrine began changing.The walls filled with moving images.The shrine appeared as it had centuries ago,bright and untouched.Around it stood countless people connected by silver Threads.Some were families.Some were friends.Some were strangers who had made promises to one another.The Threads connected their memories,their emotions, and their souls.The scene suddenly changed and darkness spread across the silver threads.
And single black Thread appeared among them.Qing Li's breathing stopped."That's..." Wang Xio's expression became serious. "The beginning of the corruption."Hei Long stared at the ancient vision."So this is what the shrine was created to protect."Wang Xio nodded slowly."Not a weapon."His eyes followed the flowing Threads."A memory." The floor beneath them suddenly shook again.The younger versions of Qing Li,Hei Long,Wang Xio,and Ling Yuan began flickering between existence and light.
Qing Li immediately looked toward Ling Yuan."What's happening?"The young Ling Yuan calmly looked at the glowing Threads around him."I think..."He smiled faintly."...it's time for you to go."Qing Li's expression collapsed again."No..."The gate grew brighter.The past and present began overlapping completely.The younger versions stood within the same space as their adult selves.Wang Xio looked toward the carvings as the symbols awakened."The shrine is restoring the original timeline."
Hei Long stared at the glowing gate."Then the memories we've been searching for..." Wang Xio quietly finished,"...are finally returning."Qing Li looked toward Ling Yuan one last time.His eyes filled with tears,but this time he didn't look away."I remember you."Ling Yuan smiled softly."Then that's enough."