章 4: Ch 4: Echoes of the past
As they ventured deeper into the heart of the island, passing through familiar clearings and tranquil ponds, everything Feng Liang had once cherished during his spare time came back into view.
Each step he took felt like a journey through time, with memories surfacing like old friends greeting him after a long absence. His heart swelled with a sense of nostalgia so intense that even an existence as powerful as he was not immune to its effects. His eyes teared up, the weight of countless memories pressing upon him.
The tear, heavy with the emotions of millennia, slid down his cheek and fell to the ground. As it touched the earth, a wave of aura burst forth from the exact spot where the teardrop landed. The aura was so potent that even the mightiest of beasts paused, momentarily stunned by its power.
This was nature itself responding. After millennia of dormancy, nature awakened, stirred by the presence of its creator. It didn't initially understand the reason behind its master's tears and unleashed a surge of energy, probing to discover what could have caused such a powerful being to weep.
But as soon as nature absorbed the aura of the teardrop, which had now merged with the earth, it recognized the emotion within it... happiness. The tear radiated contentment, not sorrow.
Understanding this, nature responded in kind. With a renewed surge of energy, all the flowers that had yet to bloom suddenly burst into full blossom. The air filled with the gentle fragrance of cherry blossoms, their petals swirling in the breeze like a delicate dance.
The ponds sparkled with new life, their waters shimmering as if kissed by the dawn. The entire forest, once silent and still, became vibrant and lively again, as if rejoicing in unison with its master.
Feng Liang raised his hand and gently wiped away his tears. "So, at the end of the day... I still am human," he muttered softly, a small, bittersweet smile forming on his lips.
Despite the unimaginable power he wielded, despite his dominance over the cosmos, the simple emotions of a human heart still lingered within him.
He continued forward, his steps resolute, though his heart was heavy with the weight of countless memories. Those who followed him could hardly believe their eyes.
The man who had been known throughout history as the most decisive and indomitable leader, who had not even broken a sweat while battling the entire cosmos, had cried.
This realization struck them deeply. They knew, beyond any doubt, that this island... this sacred place... must be protected at all costs..! It was the one place that held the key to their master's heart.
As they walked, Feng Liang paused occasionally, his gaze lingering on the familiar sights of Mount Dai Shiang.
The trees he once sat beneath during moments of quiet reflection, the ponds where he had meditated on the mysteries of the universe, even the small clearings where he had practiced his techniques... all of it was exactly as he remembered.
And yet, everything felt different now, colored by the passage of time and the profound understanding he had gained over countless eons.
They soon reached a point where the trees thinned out, revealing a small, barren clearing. The ground was bare, devoid of the lush vegetation that covered the rest of the island. Feng Liang stopped there, his eyes focused on a seemingly unremarkable patch of earth.
Feng Yuan, puzzled by the sudden halt, asked, "Master? Why have we stopped here?"
Feng Liang responded with a gentle smile, waving his hand from left to right, as if sweeping away an invisible barrier. As soon as he did so, an entrance to a mysterious cave materialized out of nowhere.
The entrance was small, almost hidden, and had it not been for Feng Liang's actions, it would have remained undiscovered for eternity. Without hesitation, Feng Liang moved forward, entering the cave.
Everyone else followed, though some, due to their large sizes, struggled to fit through the narrow entrance. Ba Long, in particular, found himself unable to enter in his true form.
Understanding the situation, he suppressed his bloodline, shrinking himself down until he was nothing more than a small snake. His once-mighty form now reduced, he slithered into the cave with dignity, while the other giant beasts looked on in awe, marveling at the Grand Elder's adaptability and humility.
As they progressed further into the cave, the narrow entrance expanded into a wide, well-designed passageway. The walls of the passage were smooth and polished, with intricate carvings depicting scenes of ancient battles, cosmic landscapes, and symbols of power.
These carvings seemed to pulse with a faint light, as if the very rock was alive with the energy of the cosmos.
They continued walking until they reached a massive hall within the cave. The hall was breathtakingly vast, its ceiling so high that it seemed to touch the heavens themselves.
The space was filled with an air of tranquility, a place untouched by the ravages of time. In the center of the hall was a small pond, its waters crystal clear and still, reflecting the ethereal light that filtered down from unseen sources.
Beside the pond stood a simple cottage, humble in its design yet radiating a sense of peace and warmth. Not far from the cottage was a training ground, marked by ancient stones worn smooth by countless years of use. And near the edge of the hall, there was a lone sitting stone, unadorned except for a single white flower resting atop it.
Without hesitation, Feng Liang approached the sitting stone and bowed his head deeply to it. The sight left everyone stunned, unable to comprehend what they were witnessing.
This was the Supreme Creator, the Eternal Sage, bowing in reverence. They, too, instinctively followed his lead, bowing to the stone with a mix of confusion and respect. Feng Liang, still bowing, softly said, "Disciple Feng Liang greets his master."
The shock that rippled through the group was palpable. The Supreme Creator had a master?! The notion was unfathomable. Could there truly be an existence greater than the Eternal Sage himself? It seemed impossible, yet the evidence was before them.
"I hope you are living a good life," Feng Liang continued, his voice steady but tinged with emotion. "Even after reincarnating countless times in the cycle of death."
His face, however, remained emotionless... a mask that concealed the true depth of his feelings. It was not the face of a long-lost disciple joyfully greeting his master, but rather the face of one who had made peace with the loss long ago.
The others, sensing the solemnity of the moment, understood that this was a matter far beyond their comprehension. The master of the Supreme Creator had long since passed away, and they knew better than to pry into this sacred relationship.
Feng Liang then rose from his bow and, with a calm expression, sat down on the very stone he had just honored. With a flick of his wrist, the white flower disintegrated into nothingness, its delicate petals vanishing into the air like whispers carried away by the wind.
"I will soon be leaving this life and reincarnating," he announced, his voice carrying a sense of finality that sent shockwaves through the hall.
Panic and disbelief flashed across the faces of those present, but Feng Yuan and Ba Long remained composed. They had known of their master's decision for some time, yet even they could not suppress the deep sadness that welled up within them. The thought of losing their master, even temporarily, was almost too much to bear.
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