Destiny is ashes

Chapter 1129 Rise and Fall of Dynasties and Empires (6500 words)

change the world.

It is vague, empty, and too grandiose, thus losing its power. Instead, it is like some kind of empty talk uttered by a child who doesn't understand anything.

Because they have no idea what they are saying or what kind of effort it will take to achieve it, it's like saying, "I want to be the best in the world!" or "I want to be a world-renowned scientist!" No one who hears this will take it seriously.

Most people, as they grow up and realize the vastness of the world and the limits of their own abilities, will smile helplessly at their childhood jokes. This is not a choice to become mediocre, but a kind of acceptance... Things that are truly impossible should not be made difficult for oneself.

However, changing the world is happening all the time.

Even those who have never taken this word seriously, even those who have forgotten their original aspirations and dreams, even those who consider themselves vulgar and never think about grand issues, are actually changing the world.

Because the world is a vast collection, changing oneself is changing the world... Although it may seem insignificant, if everyone changes themselves, then the world will undoubtedly undergo a complete transformation.

When history reaches a turning point, when the past world comes to an end, then a new world will be created, and a new order will be established.

This is inevitable; for better or for worse, change is happening and will never stop.

Just like fate.

Whether you agree or disagree, whether you hope for it or not, whether you want it or not, whether you accept it or not.

Destiny is in motion, and it will surely come to pass.

And a new world will surely come.

and so.

When the Great Void Abyss of the Three Realms was pierced, and the allied forces of the Heavenly Venerable sailed to the other side of the Great Void, when all the forces of the Three Realms, whether it was Huaixu, Tianyuan, or Dahuang, had a strange premonition and an incredible tremor.

—Right now, right now.

—Some parts of the world have already been truly changed.

On the third day after the Taixu Abyss Cave was opened, the night in Xuanye City was unexpectedly no longer noisy.

After the ominous clouds dispersed, the night sky was brighter than ever before, and the chaotic stars also became more stable as the world moved towards stability. However, the streets, which should have been brightly lit all day long, were no longer crowded with pedestrians, and the flying shuttles and cultivators that used to come and go were nowhere to be seen.

But Nianquan knew that none of this was surprising.

Because three days ago, the four great grotto-heavens and the spiritual vein city center lifted all restrictions on spiritual energy.

Nowadays, whether it's the upper or lower city, the safe zone or the wilderness stronghold, wherever the spiritual network is located, there is a surge of pure spiritual energy.

All cultivators, or rather, everyone in the Tianyuan Realm, are currently in seclusion at home, almost greedily absorbing the spiritual energy they had originally stored up for future battles against powerful enemies such as the Demon Kingdom or the Great Wilderness Realm.

In just three days, dozens of people broke through to the advanced stage of Qi Refining in just one block of the Lower City, and seven or eight people in one block achieved Foundation Establishment.

In terms of popularizing cultivation, Tianyuan Realm is the best-preserved legacy of the Daoist court.

With sufficient resources, even a small population can rapidly enhance overall combat strength.

This is also the source of the confidence that the Four Saints of Tianyuan have in fighting against the Demon Kingdom.

Ultimately, no matter how bad things get, refining all cultivators into the 'Human Emperor Ship' would still be absolutely useful.

Of course, now, because of Anjing, because of the arrival of the Heavenly Venerables of Huaixu Realm, and because the Demon Kingdom is no longer a major threat, the Great Wilderness Realm, which knew nothing about this, also has an initial stronghold because of Ming Guangchen.

In the present day, the Tianyuan Realm no longer needs to exploit itself to guard against everything.

The entire old world is about to undergo a complete transformation.

In order to cope with this change, or rather, as part of this change.

All cultivators in the Tianyuan Realm have been granted a long holiday. Everyone is now in seclusion at home, and even students are taking classes online.

The scarcity of resources meant that no one dared to waste any time, and everyone was racing against the clock to cultivate... Not to mention at night, even during the day, there weren't many people in Xuan Ye City.

However, Nianquan did not go into seclusion like most cultivators in the Tianyuan Realm.

Because he had just finished his seclusion.

After studying the magical scriptures brought by An Jing, Nian Quan's strength made a new breakthrough.

Divine abilities and Foundation Establishment are essentially the same; both involve the regeneration of the physical body. Ascension, or the Cave Heaven Method, is about transforming the physical body into a seed for a future Cave Heaven.

Now, his immortal foundation is stable, and his divine abilities are beginning to come together, merging into one, preparing him for the future creation of a small grotto-heaven.

If it breaks through, it will also be a combination of the three great paths of immortality, martial arts, and celestial arts, and the Nianquan path will definitely be the most powerful one in the Purple Mansion.

And this is the foundation of Anjing, just the tip of the iceberg.

"It's incredible. I'm only just beginning to grasp the tail end of the cultivation method that Anjing has already completed, and is even about to complete."

Nianquan was filled with emotion.

He has become stronger, stronger than ever before.

But precisely because of this, he was able to perceive An Jing's unfathomable depths more clearly than ever before.

There will always be geniuses in this world who believe that they might be able to catch up with An Jing. They believe that as long as An Jing reaches the level of True Lord or Heavenly Lord, which requires a long period of accumulation, then they will have a chance to catch up.

However, these people have too narrow a perspective; it's like looking at flowers through a fog—everything they see is hazy and illusory.

Only after truly catching up with Anjing's pace will one realize that this is like an ant seeing the blue sky.

Thinking of this, Nianquan looked towards the Taixu Abyss Cave—Anjing had gone off to do important things again, many important things…

He always has so many important things to do, while looking at them, and at myself... I can never accomplish much.

"In the end, as friends, we did help him a bit, but it seems he could do everything without us."

"It's just not that fast, not that perfect. We're support, but we're not essential."

Perhaps, according to An Jing, in other timelines, in the infinite possibilities of the Tianyuan Realm, he and Huo Qing could indeed help An Jing with many things, even be true assistants and pillars.

But in this most powerful and perfect peaceful worldline, these companion stars are like stars under the sun's radiance, no longer visible at all.

Nianquan didn't care about such things.

It's normal to not be able to keep up with Anjing's pace; rather, who can keep up?

He had long since made peace with himself; his only concern was whether he could build upon the immense changes brought about by Anjing to make the world a better place.

However, on this street that should have been quiet and deserted, he suddenly saw a little girl.

The little girl, about seven or eight years old, was struggling to walk under the moonlight and lamplight, dragging a large bundle.

The package was bigger than her whole body, and only children in the Tianyuan Realm who were all cultivating could drag it... But obviously, the child had walked a very, very long way, and even the canvas at the bottom of the package was almost worn out, and she was panting heavily from exhaustion.

Nianquan stopped and stared, and the girl noticed him too. The child was startled at first, then shrank back in fear, as if he wanted to turn around and run away, but he couldn't put down the package in his hand, so he stood there in a daze.

It's only because Nianquan is good-looking and young that she might have screamed.

This is not surprising.

Nianquan thought.

When he was a child, if he encountered someone on the road in the middle of the night, he would probably have used a talisman to hide and run away.

At that time, the lower district of Xuan Ye City was full of gangs, thugs, homeless people who had lost their homes, homeless people with armed groups, demonic cultivators and demons who hid in the shadows, and mutated beasts lurking in the sewers and fog.

Even an adult can easily disappear in an alleyway, let alone a child.

But now, it can be considered a blessing in disguise.

Because of the recent war between the Demon Kingdom and the Demon Kingdom, many unstable elements in the Spirit Vein City were transformed into demons and subsequently eliminated. A large number of homeless people and gang members were also transformed into Feathered Bodies and incorporated into the Feathered Army.

Since then, there has been little danger in the city.

Furthermore, three days ago, the Heavenly Venerable Huaixu descended, bringing about tremendous changes...

Now that things have come to this, everyone is filled with hope.

hope.

Even the most heinous thugs will not easily commit evil when there is hope.

"Hey, little sister."

Thinking of this, he spoke.

Nianquan asked gently, "Is there anything I can help you with?"

Upon hearing this, the little girl blinked, a mixture of surprise and fear, as well as wariness.

But seeing that Nianquan didn't take any further action and was only waiting for her answer, she pointed to her throat, and then her eyes flashed with a rainbow light.

Nianquan's eyes also flickered slightly; his chip had received a communication request from a stranger.

—Can't you speak?

Nianquan seemed to understand something, but he approved the request. Sure enough, the little girl's message flashed by: "[I'm sorry, big brother, my vocal cords are damaged, I can't speak]"

Do you know where I can rent drones?

"Is it because you can't carry it anymore?"

Nianquan glanced at the package, which was almost worn through and showing through, and understood. He said, "That's a service that's only available in the Upper District. We in the Lower District don't have it, at least... not now."

"But I can take it back for you."

Raising his hand, invisible water elemental energy transformed into mist, supporting the package. Nianquan said softly, "Don't worry, things are different now. The city isn't that dangerous." He noticed that the package contained nourishing materials, spiritual items, and anti-rejection drugs needed for the Ascension Path.

If nothing unexpected happens, it should be that this little girl's family member was conscripted into the Feathered Army during the recent Demon Kingdom War and was injured, so they are entitled to subsidies. However, it is highly likely that her elders were seriously injured and therefore unable to collect the subsidies themselves. In Xuan Ye City, subsidies are not usually delivered directly to homes.

If you don't come to claim it, it doesn't exist.

This child must have gone to collect it on behalf of an elder, but got lost. In the dead of night, there are very few pedestrians, and she doesn't know the way. If I don't help her, she probably won't be able to get home tomorrow morning.

Thank you, big brother!

The little girl laughed silently. It was only because the child was still young and Nianquan was good-looking that there would have been some unnecessary pulling and tugging.

Nianquan carried the package and walked with the much more relaxed girl toward the street address she had given. During this time, the two chatted using their chips.

[Actually, I know the way. I've walked it before, but the recent battles damaged a lot of the roads, and the chips haven't been updated yet.]

Especially at night, there are so many forks in the road!

Some places were in terrible condition and dark, so I was afraid to go there and had to take detours, which led to me getting lost...

We need to get the medicine to Dad quickly.

The little girl's speech was somewhat rambling and disjointed, but Nianquan could understand it all and responded to each point. In the process, Nianquan learned why the little girl was unable to speak.

One year the fog was so thick that the air purification system in my house stopped working, and it felt like my breath was on fire.

My mom made me a mask, but it wasn't very effective. When I woke up, I couldn't speak anymore.

Although he didn't say much, Nianquan already knew what time it was. It was the evil aura cloud that descended due to the change in the earth veins of the North Lower City. For those with enough magical artifacts, it wasn't a big threat, but for the residents of the slums who couldn't afford household formations and purification artifacts...

Oh dear... this is really...

An indescribable sorrow and a slow, welling-up joy swept over Nianquan's heart... Under his mother's protection, he was happy.

Although they were poor, they shouldn't have been so poor that they couldn't afford a magical raincoat that their respiratory tract would be corroded by the evil aura and acid mist, causing such a young child to lose the ability to speak.

But amidst his sorrow, he also knew...

Even if An Jing hadn't arrived and hadn't caused any major changes in the entire Tianyuan Realm, he could have easily cured a child on his own with his resources.

Moreover, the entire Tianyuan Realm is now visibly returning to normal... The group is undergoing a major overhaul; the company system, the safe zone system, and the upper and lower city system all need to be changed.

Curing a child is a trivial matter with the technology of the Tianyuan Realm. In the past, no one cared, but now people are concerned.

"You're going to be fine."

Nianquan chatted with the child. The little girl seemed to rarely talk to people. She was a little scared at first, but now she started bombarding Nianquan with messages, talking about what she had seen at school, the pretty stones she had seen in the garden, the stickers she had collected, and the friends who took care of her...

Two figures, one large and one small, walked quietly under the moonlight. Though silent, their movements were also lively and bustling.

Half an hour later, guided by the coordinates given by the girl, Nianquan and she arrived at a dilapidated neighborhood on the edge of a slum. This residential area was converted from an unfinished building. There were no complete spiritual energy channels or any protective measures. The entire neighborhood was like a beggar's patchwork quilt, with different sheet metal and bricks of various colors everywhere. Peeling paint and wall coverings were scattered all over the place.

Even in such a community, the spiritual energy is now abundant. In tents, half-converted shipping containers, half-collapsed buildings, and small buildings that have been barely reinforced, cultivators are eagerly absorbing spiritual energy to cultivate and repair their bodies.

[It's right there! Thank you, big brother!]

The little girl pointed to a small building. Nianquan looked up and found that the building was obviously an unfinished building. Many windows were not sealed, but some floors were sealed with wooden boards and iron bars.

The little girl seemed to want to go upstairs by herself. She had regained some strength and could now drag the large package, but Nianquan still shook his head: "I'll go up with you."

As he said this, he raised his hand and lifted the girl and her bag together, slowly carrying her upstairs.

The building was divided into many small blocks by various sheet metal, railings and discarded armor plates, which were most likely the residences of different homeless people or poor people. Nianquan glanced over and saw many cultivators meditating in seclusion.

In some deserted shacks, you can see simple water heaters and old but still clean blankets. There are also some cardboard boxes with old clothes inside, which look like simple sleeping bags. Next to them is a... mechanical alarm clock?
Upon closer inspection, Nianquan discovered that it was actually a timer salvaged from a time bomb and modified. The people living here were actually stowaways from a safe zone or even the wilderness without chips! But this was not surprising; most people who could live in slums were probably like this.

However, most of the area was deserted. Many of the smaller cubicles had clearly been uninhabited for some time, covered in dust, and some untidy items were scattered all over the floor. Untidy bowls and chopsticks, as well as some bottles and jars that were probably condiments, were overturned, and their contents were blown away by the wind.

Just like their owners.

The war in the Demon Kingdom resulted in the deaths of many people, and those who once worked hard to live here can no longer return to their humble homes.

—Have these people simply disappeared and been forgotten?
Nianquan remained where he was, staring at the deserted shacks, speechless for a long time.

He was never afraid of death, but for some reason, he thought about how some people in this world could die for no reason, be forgotten for no reason, disappear for no reason, unnoticed, without a trace or shadow...

He was furious.

It's not sadness, not sorrow, not regret, not those emotions.

Perhaps it's not anger, nor is it helplessness, but rather, a kind of... a kind of "rebellious spirit" that knows this is "taken for granted," but is extremely dissatisfied with this "taken for granted."

Will there be people like this in the future?

Nianquan murmured to himself. He calmly closed his eyes, thinking of An Jing, what An Jing had said to them, his actions, and what he could do. Gradually, he formed his own thoughts and answers.

Uncle Ma and Uncle Chen haven't been back for a long time...

On the other side, the little girl was watching with Nianquan. She secretly sent a message, quite optimistically: "Maybe he didn't die, he was just conscripted into the army? He might come back in the future."

"Good boy."

Nianquan patted the little girl on the shoulder, and the two went to the fifth floor, which was the girl's 'home'.

Lifting the curtain made from a raincoat, one finds a simple but clean room. On the small table are bowls, chopsticks, paper, pens, and some school supplies, clearly belonging to the little girl. There is a door on the inside of the room, and a sound comes from inside. The little girl cheers and pulls Nianquan along, walking towards the door.

Nianquan followed the little girl into the inner room. There was a man lying on the bed in the inner room. His lower body, starting from his abdomen, and half of his right arm had been modified into a prosthetic body. However, the prosthetic body was obviously damaged, especially his two legs, which were completely dysfunctional, making it impossible for him to get up.

"Xiaoya, where did you go?"

At that moment, the man looked up and was overjoyed to see his missing daughter appear. But when he saw Nianquan, he was stunned and then filled with fear.

However, he was, after all, an adult. After seeing Nian Quan's appearance, sensing his strength, and noticing the package beside him, the man roughly understood the situation and said hoarsely, "My lord..."

"Do not talk."

Nianquan shook his head, flicked his wrist, and took out a pill from the Taixu magic artifact, feeding it to the man: "Why did you let her run around outside alone?"

The elixir melted instantly upon entering his mouth, transforming into pure healing power, which visibly improved the man's condition, and the dark aura surrounding his face dissipated.

"My lord, I didn't want to either..."

Too weak to speak, the man could only send a message. He was truly grateful to Nianquan, but seeing the little girl beside him, he felt a pang of heartache mixed with a touch of helplessness: "The child's mother passed away a few years ago due to a qi deviation, and I also underwent transformation during the recent demonic tribulation, sustaining injuries while fighting the demons."

[Thank you for your kindness, gentlemen. Injured conscripts like me receive subsidies, which I usually collect myself. But today I don't know why I'm feeling particularly weak, so I thought I'd go collect it tomorrow. I didn't expect this kid to see that I wasn't feeling well and sneak off to collect it by himself while I was asleep...]

As he said this, the man looked at the little girl aggressively, as if he wanted to reprimand the child for her dangerous behavior. If something really happened, what would be the point of him living alone?

But seeing his daughter's big smile, the man couldn't bear it, so he sent her a message praising her, which made the little girl proudly puff out her chest.

This time, Nianquan frowned: "Don't praise people so casually. This kind of behavior shouldn't be encouraged!"

He turned his head, his face stern, and lectured the little girl: "It's dangerous to go out alone at night. Don't do this kind of thing again. Taking care of yourself is the best way to help your family."

"Think about how upset your dad would be if something happened to you."

The girl nodded as if she understood, while the man on the bed gave Nianquan a grateful look.

"Here you go, you can help with some housework and take care of the sick."

After seeing the man take the medicine and inject himself with a special nutrient injection for his prosthetic body, Nianquan prepared to leave. Before leaving, he planned to leave the family with a puppet to assist them in their daily lives.

How can this be allowed?

The man immediately shook his head. He dared not take it, not only because such a thing would attract attention in the slums, but also because they couldn't even afford to use spiritual energy.

"There will be no more slums."

Nianquan told them this calmly, but firmly as if it were the truth: "Spiritual energy will be free from now on... Everything is about to undergo a dramatic change."

"Every household will have this in the future."

The man was stunned. He looked at the puppet, then at Nianquan. He dared not question Nianquan's determination, and was even moved by Nianquan's conviction. He could only stammer and whisper, "Really... will it get better?"

"future?"

"It will be alright. It definitely will."

Nianquan made a promise, then turned and left.

The little girl wanted to take Nianquan home, but Nianquan told her to go back and take care of her father, and then turned around and went downstairs.

The moonlight was bright on the street, and the night breeze was cool. The young monk walked slowly.

This is the newborn moon, the yin light formed by the immense spiritual energy released by the Celestial Venerable and manifested in the heavens, healing all beings and the world.

"Although I can't help An Jing, there are always things I can do."

He muttered to himself, "Perhaps... this is also helping Anjing."

"He only had time to do the most crucial and grandest things, the things that would change the world, while these small things under the sky... were things he wanted to do, but he entrusted them to us."

A world where no one is forgotten, a world where no one is insignificant… a world where no one is angered.

The world has been changed, and therefore it is destined to be changed again.

Heading towards [prosperity].

He firmly believes this.

(End of this chapter)