The end of Gaowu: Becoming stronger from not practicing

Standing beneath the starry sky of the God-level Continent, Zhang Lingfeng's divine kingly majesty dimmed the stars, and his divine sense as a fourth-level divine rune master was enough to cover an entire star field.

However, at this moment, he felt no sense of alienation or loneliness that comes with being a strong person, only an almost instinctive, warm pull.

He closed his eyes, his divine sense resonating with the laws of the Blackwater Starfield, the place where his life originated, the foundation of all his power, and the softest refuge in the depths of his soul.

As the ruler of the Blackwater Starfield, and as the life form born from there, this connection has long transcended the constraints of space and rules.

With a slight thought, the rules governing "return" and "origin" held by the God-King quietly began to operate, opening up an invisible path home that belonged only to him.

He did not choose to tear through space directly, but instead instantly descended upon the South City.

That was too fast, as fast as a dream, too fast to savor every breeze on the way home, too fast to feel every change in the atmosphere of one's homeland.

He chose to "walk" back. In a way that seemed slow, but in reality, each step traversed an endless sea of ​​stars, and he paused at every crucial juncture, he embarked on his journey home.

He first appeared on Sirius.

This place was once the key to the growth of life forms in the Blackwater Starfield, and also the land where the Long River nurtured the dragon race.

As stars shift and the world changes, Sirius is no longer what it used to be.

Rivers crisscross like a net, covering the entire planet, teeming with life and so rich in spiritual energy that it seems impossible to breathe.

He stood on the bank of a wide river that shimmered with a faint divine light and softly called out, "Long River."

As the river surged, an old man with a kind face, formed from the water, appeared before him.

Changhe looked at him, his turbid or rather deep eyes showing no surprise, only endless relief and a sense of "finally waiting" relief.

"My Lord, you're back."

Its voice was like a rushing river, deep and powerful, “The aura on you… reminds me of the ancestral river, yet it feels even closer to me than the ancestral river.”

Zhang Lingfeng smiled, sat down on the ground, and chatted with this ancient being who had witnessed countless changes in the Blackwater Starfield and was both his teacher and friend.

They talked about the changes in the Blackwater Starfield over the years, the newly born life species, and the impact of subtle adjustments to the laws on the ecosystem.

Changhe told him that even when he was not there, the Blackwater Starfield was still operating and flourishing according to the law he had set out: "The true meaning of life lies in protection." Every life was working hard to maintain the harmony of this starfield.

As Zhang Lingfeng listened, he felt both gratified and slightly wistful—the world has its own laws of operation and does not entirely depend on any one ruler.

His existence is that of a guardian and a guide, not the sole center.

This may be a manifestation of the saying "the world is as big as your heart," and his will to protect has been incorporated into the laws and become a part of the world itself.

After leaving Sirius, he went to the Boundless Starfield.

This place was once the chessboard of the First Emperor, and also a habitat for a part of the Yellow River.

When he found the Yellow River, this equally ancient river, but with an even more magnificent and majestic spirit, was sketching a huge, ever-changing star map in the sky.

Upon seeing Zhang Lingfeng, the star map dissipated, transforming into a middle-aged man with a calm demeanor and unfathomable gaze.

"Want to play chess?" Huang He asked, waving his hand as starlight became the chessboard and the rules became the pieces.

Zhang Lingfeng readily agreed.

They were not playing ordinary chess; every move they made concerned the ecological cycle of a star field, the direction of life's evolution, and the fine-tuning of the balance of a law.

Zhang Lingfeng played the white pieces, representing "growth and protection".

The Yellow River holding a black stone symbolizes "flow and cycle".

In a game of chess, there is no absolute victory or defeat, only the exchange and verification of the "Tao".

Zhang Lingfeng realized that the world is a place where beauty and cruelty coexist.

Hair growth requires energy, and protecting it may mean limitation.

The passing of time brings renewal; the cycle contains destruction and rebirth.

Like those departed loved ones, their departure is cruel, but an inevitable part of the cycle of life.

But their spirit and the traces they left behind, like trees bearing fruit on their graves, constitute the beauty of the world in a new form.

He won by half a point, not because his calculations were more profound, but because he incorporated a trace of the idea that all things can freely choose their evolutionary direction under protection into his moves, adding an unpredictable and hopeful "vitality" to the game within its balance.

Huang He looked at him for a long time, and finally sighed, "Your heart is indeed bigger than this chessboard."

He even went to a little-known corner of the upper world and found a modern-looking café transformed by the power of the Ancestral Dragon.

Zu Long transformed into an elderly man dressed in a casual suit, exuding a refined air, and slowly stirred the coffee in his cup.

"Try it, it's baked with stardust, it has a unique flavor."

"The First Emperor laughed."

Zhang Lingfeng sat down, and the two did not discuss profound Taoist techniques or trace ancient grudges. Instead, they chatted like two old friends who had been separated for a long time, sharing their experiences, complaining about some of the rigid rules of the Immortal Emperor, and even discussing which star field had the most beautiful scenery.

Zhang Lingfeng discovered that when he stood at a high enough position and unloaded all his responsibilities and burdens, many of his former obsessions and conflicts became insignificant.

The beauty of the world is sometimes hidden in these ordinary, relaxed gatherings.

Its cruelty lies in the fact that such gatherings are always short-lived and rare.

Sensing his return, the little golden dragon excitedly traveled directly from the Blackwater Starfield, transforming into a handsome young man with blond hair and lively eyes.

"Boss! You're finally back! Come on, come on, I know a Starry Sea Bathhouse, their starlight bubble bath is absolutely amazing, and..." Little Golden Dragon winked.

Zhang Lingfeng was both amused and exasperated as it dragged him along, giving him a taste of "god-level" leisure and entertainment.

Amidst the dazzling sea of ​​stars, watching the little golden dragon frolic carefree and "chat" with some strange creatures of the starry sea, Zhang Lingfeng felt a pure joy.

The little golden dragon represents the miracles born under his protection; its freedom and vitality are a vivid manifestation of the beautiful side of the world.

At the same time, he also saw some weak star spirits in the depths of the star sea in panic as they were chased by powerful star beasts. It was the omnipresent cruelty of the laws of nature.

He met Wang Ningzhi. She had been reincarnated and was now a researcher devoted to plant cultivation and life sciences, living a peaceful and fulfilling life on a planet where technology and spiritual practice coexisted.

She no longer remembered her past, but when she saw Zhang Lingfeng, she felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity and trust.

Zhang Lingfeng didn't expose her, but listened as a friend as she excitedly recounted how she cultivated the "Remembering Tree," which could bloom in extreme environments and whose fruit could nourish the soul, through gene harmonization and spiritual infusion.

Looking into the pure light in her eyes, he knew she had found her own path and happiness.

The deceased exist in a completely new guise and a new form of life; isn't this a kind of continuation? However, the faint sense of loss about the "past" in my heart still cannot be completely erased.

He quietly left behind a wisp of the purest essence of life to nourish her laboratory, wishing her peace and happiness in this life.

He also met Zhuang Bihao. This former guide was now a supreme elder of a major sect, with white hair and beard, but still vigorous in spirit.

Upon seeing Zhang Lingfeng, Zhuang Bihao did not perform a grand ceremony, but simply patted him on the shoulder forcefully, his eyes slightly red: "Good lad, I knew you could do it! It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back!" Together they drank the immortal wine that Zhuang Bihao had treasured for ten thousand years. The wine was strong, and they talked a lot, from their adventures in Abyss No. 3 back then to their respective experiences over the years.

Zhuang Bihao told him that many of his old friends had either perished on the long path of cultivation, or, like him, chosen different ways of life.

In the midst of the revelry, Zhuang Bihao sighed, "The path of cultivation is long, and I have witnessed too many partings and deaths. Sometimes I feel that being able to sit and drink with old friends like this is the greatest blessing."

Zhang Lingfeng wholeheartedly agreed. The cruelty of the world lies in the relentless erosion of time and the perils of cultivation. Beauty, however, is condensed in these genuine friendships that have withstood the test of time.

And so he traveled, encountering many things along the way.

Wherever he goes, his vast, star-like, and gentle, spring-sun-like vitality naturally emanates, making the surrounding creatures feel as if they are bathed in a spring breeze.

The vegetation is more lush, the birds and beasts are more lively, and even some stubborn rocks seem to be awakening their intelligence.

He did not do it intentionally; it was simply a natural radiation from the God-King's life level.

He truly realized that the capacity of one's "heart" determines the breadth and depth of one's perception of the world.

When he only focuses on his own strength, the world becomes a fighting arena and a resource field.

When he cherishes the Blackwater Starfield, the world is his home and a field of responsibility.

When he has experienced many hardships, understood the rules, and his heart is filled with the meaning of life itself and the vision of harmonious coexistence of all things, the whole world, whether beautiful or cruel, becomes the object of his understanding and protection.

In the end, he returned to the ancient planet Blue and to the southern city.

The city has undergone a complete transformation, with towering buildings and flying vehicles shuttling back and forth. Cultivation academies and technology buildings stand side by side.

But the city's layout, the familiar street names, and some deliberately preserved old buildings can still evoke his deep-seated memories.

He didn't disturb anyone, strolling through the streets like an ordinary traveler returning home.

He went to the Ninth Middle School in Nancheng.

My alma mater has expanded countless times and become the top comprehensive academy for cultivation and technology on the ancient planet Blue Star.

But he still found a carefully preserved old campus deep within the campus.

The dilapidated training building where he once poured out his sweat and tears as a "sparring partner" still stands.

Standing in front of the building, he could almost see that thin, stubborn boy who was determined to become stronger, being knocked down time and time again by Teacher Ao Dagang's scolding, only to get up again and again.

The sweat of youth, the warmth of friendship (Wang Dashan, Zhuge Hou, Chen Duling's innocent feelings, and the confusion and longing for the future) are interwoven into a faded yet clear picture.

Most of the people we knew have passed away or entered a new cycle of reincarnation; only memories and this land remain.

A strong sense of vicissitude welled up in my heart; it was not sadness, but a profound understanding of the irresistible force of time.

The beauty lies in having possessed it, the cruelty lies in its eventual loss.

He went outside the city.

On a hillside designated as a "Life Memorial Park," he found the graves of many of his deceased friends.

There was no gloom, only tranquility.

As described, each grave is covered with an exceptionally lush tree, bearing fruits of various shapes that emit a soft glow.

Some fruits resemble dancing flames, a tribute to a comrade with a fiery temper.

Some fruits are crystal clear like tears, belonging to a gentle friend who died young.

Some of the fruits were heavy as gold and stone, symbolizing a steadfast character... These trees were not planted by his own hands, but rather were the manifestation of the vitality and memories that spontaneously gathered in the Blackwater Starfield under the influence of his "True Meaning of Life" law.

The deceased are gone, but their life energy and spiritual imprint have not completely dissipated. Instead, they have returned to this star field in another form, nourishing new life and becoming a unique touch in the beautiful picture of the world.

He stroked the rough bark, feeling the familiar yet unfamiliar pulse of life flowing within it, a mixture of loss and solace.

He continued on his journey, using his sovereign authority to begin some subtle "transformations."

This transformation is not a forced distortion, but rather a process of conforming to the laws, guiding and optimizing.

He made the spiritual energy circulation in the southern city smoother and more natural, reducing the hidden pressure of "cultivation waste" on the environment.

He adjusted the distribution of the underground spiritual veins of No. 9 Middle School so that students with different talents could grow in a more suitable environment.

He guided urban greening plants to produce more benign mutations, which can purify the air and stabilize the soil and water, while their flowers and fruits can subtly nourish the souls of citizens... His transformations are everywhere, yet they are subtle and pervasive.

He wasn't creating miracles, but rather fixing the details, raising the baseline of life's depth and quality of life.

The world has been transformed, not completely changed, but rather like a beautiful jade that has been carefully polished and properly displayed, allowing its inner brilliance to be fully revealed.

In a daze, time and space seemed to intersect.

He stood at the entrance of a small alley in the old southern part of the city that was about to be renovated, the afterglow of the setting sun turning the mottled walls golden.

Deep in the alley, the loud shouts of Uncle Zhang seemed to echo, the aroma of Aunt Zhang cooking in the kitchen wafted through the air, and the clear, melodious laughter of cousin Zhang Tiesheng and sister Zhang Qingqing playing around... Those were the days before the system arrived, when he was still an ordinary sparring partner struggling to make ends meet and dreaming of changing his fate through martial arts.

Life is hard, the future is uncertain, but family is still with us, worries are simple, and hopes are pure.

At that moment, he felt as if he were in two different times and spaces at the same time.

One is the present, as a god-king who rules the star field and has experienced many vicissitudes.

One is a past filled with naivety, longing, and unease.

The interplay and collision of these two feelings allowed him to gain an unprecedented depth of understanding of the "world".

The essence of the world may be a grand and intricate "dance of life".

Beauty and cruelty are its two wings, neither of which can be missing.

Cruel selection drives life, propels evolution, and also highlights the preciousness of beauty.

Beauty gives meaning to life, provides the motivation to move forward, and attempts to sow warmth and hope in the cracks of cruelty.

The departed loved ones and the changing scenery are the cruel marks left by time, but the preservation of memories, the inheritance of spirit, the blossoming of new life, and the continuous upward progress of the world are life's most powerful response to cruelty and the ultimate beauty.

He was both a participant in this dance and deeply involved in its joys and sorrows.

Today, he is also one of the maintainers and lighting technicians of the dance venue, capable of making the stage more stable and the lighting softer, so that more lives can dance their own chapters more freely and safely.

He no longer fixated on completely eliminating cruelty, which goes against the natural order, but instead dedicated himself to expanding the realm of beauty and enhancing the resilience and possibilities of life in the face of cruelty.

The world is as big as your heart.

His heart could now encompass the entire rhythm of the dance—both its rousing and its melancholic aspects.

This includes its cheerful rhythm, as well as its inevitable pauses that symbolize separation and change.

He stood under the setting sun on the ancient planet Blue, his shadow stretched long, and a calm and profound smile appeared on his face.

His journey home has ended, but as the ruler of the Blackwater Starfield and the guardian of this dance of life, his path continues beneath his feet, stretching into the endless future.

He turned around and slowly blended into the bustling, vibrant crowd, like a drop of water returning to the sea.

The world continues to turn as usual, simply because he has become a harmonious and powerful part of that turning itself.

(End of the book)

Thank you all for your continued support!
May everyone have good fortune, everything go smoothly, and may you all become more and more beautiful. Thank you, and blessings to each and every one of you. (End of Chapter)