Chapter 796
Ren Xue
They had already received the news of the great victory at the front, but also the devastating news of the heavy casualties suffered by the allied forces. They rushed over with ample healing pills, soul guide supplies, and a large number of soul masters skilled in healing-type martial souls.
Upon witnessing the horrific scene of the battlefield, the belongings of countless Soul Masters, and the critically wounded elites, everyone who came to provide support had tears in their eyes, their hearts filled with shock and grief. Sect Master Ning of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School strode to Lin Mo, and seeing his pale face and severely weakened state, couldn't help but sigh, "Young friend Lin Mo, young friend Zhao Feng, you have suffered greatly. The entire Douluo Continent owes you a thank you, and owes a thank you to all the fallen heroes."
Lin Mo shook his head slightly, his tone calm yet firm: "We are not here to express our gratitude, but simply to protect. To protect this continent, to protect the human world that Lady Qian Renxue protected with her life, and to protect all innocent lives. This is our responsibility as Soul Masters, and it is also the original aspiration of all our comrades who participated in the war."
In the following days, with the help of reinforcements, the recuperation work proceeded smoothly. The seriously injured Soul Masters were escorted in batches back to the healing sanctuaries of various sects and empires across the continent, while some of the lightly injured remained to assist in guarding the sealed land, and the rest returned one after another. After discussing with Zhao Feng, Lin Mo decided to establish a permanent guardian temple in the center of the Void Desert, named the "Holy Dragon Void-Suppressing Temple," with Lin Mo personally overseeing it for a hundred years. At the same time, a group of resolute and powerful Soul Masters were selected to take turns guarding the golden array day and night to prevent any accidents.
The belongings of the fallen Soul Masters were collected and organized, and the two great empires and major sects jointly established a "Hall of Heroes" in the center of the Douluo Continent. The names of all the fallen Soul Masters were engraved on a monument within the hall, to be worshipped for generations, so that future generations would forever remember who stood up in the darkness and who used their lives to block the cataclysmic void. A statue of Qian Renxue was also erected at the very center of the Hall of Heroes. Her figure was upright, her wings spread, and she held the Heart of an Angel in her hands. Her eyes were gentle yet firm, forever protecting this land to which she devoted her entire life.
On the day of his return journey, Lin Mo stood before the golden array for the last time, gently stroking its surface. The Angel Heart in his arms beat slightly, as if bidding him farewell, or perhaps standing shoulder to shoulder with him. He bowed deeply to the array, silently reciting in his heart, "Lady Qian Renxue, rest assured, I will protect this place, protect the entire continent. Your will, your belief, will never disappear; it will be passed down by us, by future generations of Soul Masters."
Zhao Feng stood beside him, also bowing to the formation, gripping his battle axe tightly, his eyes resolute: "We will not let your sacrifice be in vain, nor will we let the blood of all the heroes be shed in vain. As long as we are still here, we will never allow the power of nothingness to wreak havoc on the world again."
Having done all this, the two turned and followed the main group on their return journey. The endless yellow sand gradually receded behind them, while the golden array shone brightly in the depths of the desert, becoming an eternal protective barrier.
Chapter One: The Return Journey, A Deeper Understanding, and Newfound Power
The return journey was far slower than the journey to the battlefield. The group consisted mostly of wounded soldiers, along with countless carriages carrying the relics of fallen heroes. The journey was silent and solemn. Lin Mo and Zhao Feng walked side by side at the front of the group, not in a soul-guided vehicle, but stepping step by step on the border between the desert and the plain. Neither of them spoke, each calming their minds and digesting the transformation of power and the growth of their mentality brought about by this decisive battle.
Lin Mo could clearly feel that his Spirit Abyss Dragon Emperor Martial Soul had undergone a complete transformation. Originally, the dragon power stemmed from the domineering and fierce nature of the ancient Dragon Emperor, excelling in attack and suppression. Now, with the integration of the divine power of the Angel's Heart, the Dragon Emperor Martial Soul gained attributes of protection and purification. The power of his ninth soul skill was greatly enhanced, and even the age of his soul rings quietly increased by tens of thousands of years under the mutual nourishment of the divine power and the Dragon Emperor's origin, bringing him to within a step of reaching the Limit Douluo realm.
More importantly, Qian Renxue's will merged into his soul, allowing him to completely shed his past impetuosity and impulsiveness. He transformed from a young dragon emperor who only sought to become stronger and protect those around him into a guardian with the well-being of all living beings in his heart and a heavy responsibility on his shoulders. He no longer focused on personal strength or weakness, but understood the true meaning of power—the greater the power, the heavier the responsibility. The so-called strong are not those who lord over all living beings, but those who protect all living beings in times of crisis.
During a rest stop along the way, Lin Mo walked alone to a secluded meadow and took out the Angel's Heart from his robes once more. The golden crystal emitted a soft glow in the sunlight, and the phantom within became increasingly clear—it was Qian Renxue's smiling face. He sat cross-legged, circulated his Dragon Emperor Origin, and guided the power of the Angel's Heart to flow slowly through his meridians, attempting to completely control this newly fused power.
As his power circulated, countless images suddenly surfaced in his mind—fragments of Qian Renxue's memories: her unwavering dedication to cultivating the Angelic Martial Soul in her youth, her solemnity in inheriting the Angelic Godhood, her steadfastness in protecting the continent, and her resolute act of burning her divine spark and shattering her Angelic Heart to seal the Void Origin. Each memory made Lin Mo's mind more composed and gave him a deeper understanding of divine power and the path of protection.
"So, true holiness is not the lofty majesty of a god, but the selflessness of willingly sacrificing oneself for the sake of all living beings." Lin Mo murmured to himself, a hint of enlightenment flashing in his eyes. His aura rose again, and his pale blue soul wings quietly unfolded, interspersed with golden patterns. The sounds of dragon roars and angelic hymns intertwined, forming a unique pressure that was both majestic and gentle, causing the resting soul masters around him to turn their heads in awe.
Not far away, Zhao Feng watched this scene quietly, a gratified smile on his lips. He could feel Lin Mo's transformation, and he could also feel his own growth. This decisive battle had completely sublimated his power of belief, no longer just simple indomitable spirit and resilience, but also imbued with a sense of protection and responsibility. The quality of his battle axe martial soul had greatly improved; the original cracks, nourished by the power of belief and divine power, had been completely repaired, even becoming harder than before. His belief spirit ring had also been elevated to an unprecedented level, his strength approaching that of a top-tier titled Douluo.
He looked down at the battle axe in his hand, gently stroking the blade, and thought to himself, "Lady Qian Renxue, Lin Mo, and all my fallen comrades, I will not stop. I will continue to grow stronger, to become the strongest shield and the sharpest spear, to protect everything we want to protect."
The group traveled onward, passing through town after town. When the local people learned that this group were heroes who had defeated the Void Source, and that they had paid a heavy price to protect the continent, they spontaneously took to the streets, bringing flowers and food to welcome them. (End of Chapter)