Chapter 635 - 628: Awakening
The Chief Commissioner, Chen Qingmu, and Lei Yi stared at the intelligence report in their hands, speechless for a long time. They had reached the pinnacle of their respective fields and had weathered the vicissitudes of life, yet tears still welled up in their eyes.
It was as if they had returned to the era of their youth.
This young man, a prodigy with a limitless future, had infiltrated Shanghai alone without seeking permission, putting his life on the line. They all knew exactly what he was fighting for.
No one felt regret, for any sense of pity would be an insult to such a heroic deed.
"A body transformed into a brilliant rainbow, courage that outshines all of history. A fleeting moment of glory, an eternity of immortality."
The Chief Commissioner muttered to himself.
"We’ve grown old, our passion has faded. This was something we old-timers should have done. To think that in the end, it was left to a young man..."
Chen Qingmu shook his head, a complex look in his eyes.
TAP TAP TAP!!
Just then, a staff member hurried into the room, an envelope in his hand.
"Everyone, this is Mr. Dong’s final letter. His junior martial brother, Wang Ze Kai, just gave it to us."
The staff member said in a solemn voice, presenting the envelope with both hands.
The men opened the envelope and began to read.
"The Celestial Demons run rampant, the world is in turmoil, and humanity is in peril."
"Though I am but a humble individual, I wish to follow the example of our ancestors."
"The transformation of nations and the succession of civilizations have already cost countless lives. How much more will be shed in a war between species?"
"Though I know this is a journey of no return, my resolve remains unshaken."
"I shall emulate the assassins of old, like a comet striking the moon. Though I have no hope of killing the enemy, I wish for this lonely courage, this burning passion, to be a testament for you all."
The letter was not long; on the contrary, it was quite concise. The tone was calm, but beneath that tranquility lay a seemingly infinite determination and strength.
It was as if Dong Wanming’s upright posture and determined eyes from before his departure were right there before them.
"Transmit the contents of this letter to the entire world immediately. You should know what to do."
The Chief Commissioner said to the staff member.
"Yes, sir!"
The staff member responded in a solemn tone, took the letter, and quickly left the room.
"His sacrifice was worth it. The world will change because of him."
The Chief Commissioner said gravely.
...
...
The next day, news of the turmoil in Shanghai, of Dong Wanming’s death in battle, and of the final letter he left behind spread across the globe through every possible channel.
In an increasingly somber and oppressive world, it was like a brilliant ray of light that pierced through everyone’s hearts.
Shock, awe, passion, and fervor!
It was uplifting and inspiring, as if people could once again see hope and a path forward.
Humanity had not been utterly defeated!
There were still people fighting for the cause, still people willing to make the ultimate sacrifice!!
Throughout history, humanity has overcome countless hardships and obstacles. Today was no different. As long as they possessed enough courage, they could still turn the tide!
This was not the time for despair. It was time to strive, to fight!!
In that moment, Dong Wanming seemed to become the next great idol to be worshipped and admired by countless people, second only to Zhou Yuanjue.
For the upper echelons of many nations, the Martial Arts Realm, and those in the domain of individual power, beyond their amazement at Dong Wanming’s determination, courage, and spirit, what truly captured their attention was the result of his battle.
Prior to this, for all the Martial Artists and powerhouses who had witnessed it firsthand on screen, the Ancestral Incarnation had left an indelible image of invincibility in their minds.
Zhou Qian, Donghua’s Azure Dragon of the East from the Four Symbols Form, a powerhouse standing at the pinnacle of human physical limits, had given his all, burned away his life, and still couldn’t even break through the entity’s defenses, let alone truly harm it.
It was a kind of unimaginable pressure and despair, an inescapable shadow that could not be dispelled.
From that moment on, the idea that the Ancestral Incarnation was unbeatable had taken deep root, breeding negativity and fear in countless people.
But now, starting with Dong Wanming, that had begun to change.
Dong Wanming, a Martial Artist of Donghua’s younger generation, was merely at the Celestial Phenomenon (First Generation) level. And yet, he had infiltrated Shanghai alone, charged straight into the enemy’s lair, and not only made the Ancestral Incarnation—previously thought invincible—bleed, but had also single-handedly thrown the entire Shanghai Prefecture into chaos, giving countless soldiers and civilians a chance to escape the Celestial Demon’s corruption.
It was fair to say that he, by himself, had turned the Celestial Demon’s den completely upside down.
As Dong Wanming’s actions had proven, once a god bleeds, it is no longer a high and mighty, invincible being to humanity!
This gave countless Martial Artists a surge of confidence!
...
...
「Shangjing Prefecture, Secret Inspection Bureau Headquarters.」
"Old Dong... That guy... to think he’d just go on ahead without a word."
A wistful expression flickered across Ji Yunzhou’s face as he received the news.
The Southern Eight Sects had always been as close as branches on the same tree. As disciples at the Inheritor Level, they had been friends for many years.
But at this moment, there wasn’t a trace of grief on Ji Yunzhou’s face—only an even more resolute conviction.
He knew full well that for Dong Wanming, this was not a tragedy, but an honor.
What joy is there in life? What bitterness in death?
To die while walking the Dao is the greatest bliss in the world.
For those of them left alive, rather than grieving, it was better to inherit his will and continue the fight.
"How are the preparations on your end?"
Ji Yunzhou asked Zhang Zhizhen, who was beside him.
"I’ve basically locked it down. We’ll make our move tonight. Speaking of which, this was inspired by Zhou Yuanjue’s Reincarnation Technique. It’s a shame we don’t know what’s become of him."
Zhang Zhizhen said with a sigh.
"Lightning governs the power of life and death, which is why you were able to sense the secret realm of ’Life,’ the antithesis to the Three Rivers Return Path. This planet of ours still holds so many unexplored secrets. Zhou Yuanjue... he was a trailblazer who opened a new window for us all."
"We are standing on his shoulders, but that doesn’t mean we can’t see things that he could not."
Ji Yunzhou said with a smile.
"The Three Rivers Return Path is a secret realm of ’Death.’ In this world, where there is yin, there is yang; where there is death, there is life. If there is a ’Death’ path that absorbs the magnetic field of living beings’ wills, then naturally there must also be a ’Life’ path where that magnetic field first formed."
"If my guess is correct, connecting to this ’Life’ realm and harnessing its immense power to shape the magnetic field of one’s will could grant us a tremendous boost. But the risks involved..."
Zhang Zhizhen said.
"Hahaha, since when are we afraid of a little risk?"
Ji Yunzhou said with a laugh. He slowly walked to the window and looked out at the sky. Faintly, he thought he saw a comet streaking past.
’Don’t worry.’
’Leave the rest to us.’
’We’ve never known the meaning of the word ’give up’.’