But at this moment, I was deeply worried about Rachel Lan's condition, and I anxiously asked.
"Can we destroy the Trial Marriage Stone first? Old Moe, if we don't hurry—"
Old Moe raised his hand, then came over, grabbing me by the collar. Suddenly, he released a strip of red silk, which wrapped around the edge of the platform. In an instant, with my startled cry, Old Moe brought me to the place of the Ten Guides and pressed my head down, forcing me into a chair.
A warm current immediately flowed out, restoring my body bit by bit. Just then, John Chou transformed into a ray of red light and appeared in the chair next to me—the one belonging to Julian Lu. I was seated in Lan Yin's chair.
"John Chou, you're sitting in my chair again."
Julian Lu spoke up, but John Chou glared at him.
"What, is that a problem?"
At this moment, Julian Lu seemed unsure how to respond. He hesitated for a while, then muttered something.
"It's fine."
"Old Moe, first..."
"Ethan, recover well. If you want to save Rachel Lan later, you'll need your instincts. If you truly wish to save her."
Everyone returned to the platform, quietly watching Old Moe. Each person was deeply shocked by what had just happened.
"This is the first time I've ever seen something so unbelievably powerful. How is it possible? Someone's soul was completely scattered, yet now they're acting as if nothing happened."
The eccentric old man looked utterly baffled as he stared at Old Moe. Everyone waited for Old Moe to give an explanation, hoping to understand what this power of the Yellow Springs truly was.
"Old man, you must have a way, right? Let everyone see my memories."
Old Moe spoke, pointing to his own head. He looked at Old Tom, who was still sitting on the Trial Marriage Stone, smiled, and nodded.
"Indeed, it's possible. Come here, young man."
Old Tom spoke, and Old Moe stood up, flew over to Old Tom, then sat cross-legged in front of the Trial Marriage Stone.
"Calm your mind and carefully recall the events of that year. I will now use the Return Image Technique."
As soon as I heard Old Tom say this, I was instantly surprised. I've seen the Return Image Technique quite a few times—once with the Fifth Tribunal Yama during a conversation, and once with John Chou.
"When did Old Tom learn that?"
John Chou couldn't help but speak in a tone of admiration, while Yuna Ji giggled beside him.
"I've always had high hopes for Old Tom. Right now, he might be the strongest among all of us."
"Oh, Madam Ji, you're too kind. There are countless people in this world far stronger than I am."
The guides of the Yellow Springs remained silent, only watching quietly. At that moment, I noticed a hint of suspicion in Lan Yin's eyes, directed at Old Tom, as if he'd remembered something. I also sensed something unusual when Old Tom mentioned there were many stronger than him.
"This Return Image Technique is only known by the Ten Yama Kings. I heard my ancestors talk about it before."
Wang Su spoke, and I looked at him. His ancestor was probably Wang Ming, the one who gave Lan Yin the spirit water back then.
"You're still distracted, young man. Worrying about the girl inside won't help right now. It's fine—there's a way to solve this."
Old Tom spoke kindly, then raised his hand. A blue light enveloped Old Moe, forming streams of blue energy around him. I saw those streams gathering at Old Moe's forehead.
Gradually, those blue streams grew brighter, gathering at Old Moe's forehead. Just then, Old Tom called out.
"Reverse the heavens, return the sun, shift the stars and change the constellations, begin..."
Old Moe's whole body relaxed completely and gently rose into the air. At that moment, streams of energy, sparkling like meteors, shot out from his body. Old Tom stood up, and in an instant, he glided through the air to Old Moe's side, raising one hand.
"Everyone, take a good look at all of this."
Those meteor-like lights swiftly moved through the air and were instantly absorbed into Old Tom's raised right hand. Immediately, a fierce white light burst forth. I shut my eyes tightly.
"But open them, Ethan."
Suddenly, I opened my eyes. It was Star Lord. All around, the vanished buildings reappeared. In this circular building, many rooms on the steps were lit, and I could see silhouettes—people of the Yellow Springs.
A burst of baby cries echoed. We were all inside Old Moe's memory now. We walked over, and near a room on the right, an old grandmother came out, holding a basin full of blood. At that moment, I saw someone—Old Moe.
Old Moe, in his youth, looked quite handsome, with fair skin. Though his clothes were plain—a worn gray long shirt and faded jeans—he was clean and neat, waiting outside the room with a look of joy.
"Go on in. Congratulations, it's a girl."
The old grandmother spoke, and Old Moe rushed into the room. On the bed inside, I saw Rachel Lan—though she looked somewhat different, her face gentle, cradling a swaddled baby and nursing her.
"Helen... thank you for everything..."
On the bed lay Helen Lane, drenched in sweat, looking gently at Martin Lane and shaking her head.
"It's nothing, Martin. Come and see your daughter."
Martin Lane sat by the bed, reaching out with a hand, his eyes brimming with tears as he gently touched baby Rachel Lan's tiny hand.
(Irrelevant passage about chapter continuation—skip translation.)
In an instant, Martin Lane leapt up in joy, dancing with excitement, as if his happiness had erupted all at once.
"Martin, have you decided? What will we name our daughter?"
Martin Lane nodded, and after a while, took the already sleeping Rachel Lan into his arms.
"Let's call her Rachel. Like the sun."
Helen Lane nodded.
"You want our daughter to be unlike us, always like the sun—warm, passionate. Martin, have you decided? Where will we live in the future?"
At that moment, Martin Lane's expression changed. He held Rachel Lan and walked to the doorway.
"Martin, you..."
"The night sky here is beautiful. I'll take our daughter outside. When she opens her eyes, she'll be able to see this starlit sky."
"What are you talking about? Her eyes aren't open yet—how can she see it?"
Martin Lane chuckled, glanced at Helen Lane, and as he turned away, I saw a look of resolve on his face.
"Helen... there's something I want to talk to you about."
"Go ahead."
Helen Lane spoke, put on a robe, and got out of bed.
"Later. I'll take our daughter out for a look first."
Martin Lane spoke and ran outside. It was late at night, and almost no one was around. Martin held Rachel Lan and quietly walked toward the giant Trial Marriage Stone. At that moment, I saw someone—Wendy Hsieh.
"Sister Wendy, it's so late—aren't you going to sleep?"
With a sudden roar, flames burst forth—Wendy Hsieh held the Phoenix Blade in her hand.
"You've made up your mind, take it. Martin Lane, a man like you wouldn't just sit and wait for death. I saw it long ago—you want your daughter to grow up outside, like a normal person, far away from the Yellow Springs."
"Yes, that's right."
Martin Lane didn't hide anything, replying straightforwardly. He took the Phoenix Blade without hesitation, and with a swift motion, Martin swung it. The Phoenix Blade turned into flames, gradually entering his body.
"Did you tell her?"
I knew Wendy Hsieh was referring to Martin Lane's wife, Helen Lane. Martin shook his head.
"Not yet. But Helen loves this child as much as I do—she'll understand. Tonight, you're the only guide here, right, Sister Wendy?"
With a whoosh, Wendy Hsieh spread the Vermilion Bird's wings and soared into the air.
"I didn't see anything. Martin Lane, if you're going to leave, make up your mind quickly. Hesitating isn't like you."
Wendy Hsieh spoke and left. At that moment, Martin Lane stood beside the Trial Marriage Stone, quietly gazing at it.
"I really don't want my daughter to marry some stranger in the future."
"So it was you who gave the Phoenix Blade to Martin Lane."
Old Moe was a bit upset, glaring at Wendy Hsieh, but she didn't bother to explain. Duan Tianyou looked at Wendy Hsieh with pity, saying nothing.
Just then, two voices rang out.
"Ah, I say, this is so troublesome. Pairing people up—just make it random, as long as the ages aren't too far apart. Find any reason, as long as they can be joined together."
We all walked over to the Trial Marriage Stone. There was a yellow humanoid figure, talking to himself, then he raised a finger and began writing on the Yellow Springs Stone.
He wrote a long list of names—men's and women's—and then connected them with a string.
"What's going on here?"
Jason Su asked.
"If I remember correctly, this is what was on the Trial Marriage Stone the morning after Martin Lane ran away."
Julian Lu explained, and I saw that everyone from the Yellow Springs was stunned.
The young Martin Lane heard this too. He stepped closer to the yellow humanoid, who then wrote out eight pairs of men's and women's names, holding his forehead as if deep in thought.
"Right, write here: born to be a genius. And this one, write: born with a great memory. And this one... ah, this is tough, so annoying."