"Why?"
"How could the Celestia Stellar System possibly contain such a lifeform?"
Even at the moment of death, the Stellar Palace–tier Pink-Skin Human could not believe it.
He had heard of, and even witnessed with his own eyes, a lifeform that had set foot upon the Sealed Celestial Path.
Across the long ages, the Chenriver Empire had birthed seven Sealed Celestial beings. Yet without exception, each of their initial celestial bonds was with a planet.
Of the Four Great Cultivation Systems, the Sealed Celestial Path is the most arduous.
Its probability of emergence is so vanishingly rare as to seem illusory, yet it offers the chance to ascend in a single leap.
The Starlight Tier is already rare, and the Stellar Palace Tier requires countless trials. Yet no matter how long a lifeform cultivates, how could it ever compare to the vast, mysterious cosmic starry sky... The primordial power hidden within celestial bodies, once communed with, elevates one far above all other beings.
It defies reason.
Because this is the Sealed Celestial Path.
To commune with the infinite starry sky through a finite life is, in itself, a violation of common sense.
Therefore—
The Pink-Skin Stellar Palace could not understand, even in death.
Spanning an unfathomable distance, how could a mere mortal commune with a majestic star? What right did this ordinary being have to make their initial celestial bond—so precious!—with a star itself?
Of course, beyond that, he also died with lingering regret.
If his guess was correct... based on the available information, this mortal's talk of 'killing his whole family' was likely just a statement of an imminent fact.
All thoughts came to an abrupt halt.
Every last trace of consciousness fell into darkness.
This was true cosmic dusk and earth-shattering darkness. Only the hand from deep within the star silently withdrew into the heart of the vortex.
The withered hand was pitch-black from fingertip to wrist.
On the surface of the wrist, twelve crimson blocks were embedded, all threaded together by a barely visible fine line.
Immediately after, the red-black arm returned to the center of the vortex.
The terrifying vortex, with a diameter of around one hundred thousand kilometers, gently quivered, then gradually dissolved—restoring the stellar matter of billions of blazing currents and endless flames... The world fell silent, erupted in mad explosions, and the radiant starry sky left not a single trace behind.
The power of light and heat was infinite, inexhaustible.
The edge of the star remained unchanged, as always.
It was as if the cosmos paused for a moment, as if something was being pondered, and only the blazing white sunlight remained—eternal, unchanging, immortal.
Deathly stillness.
Utter silence.
The majestic star continued its motion, as if nothing had ever happened.
——
Azure Earth, the atmosphere a deep blue.
At the highest peak of the western mountains of Americonia, where the air was thin, a simple wooden table and chairs had been set up. Andrew Han sat across from the strange Gifted Supreme, Arthur Rook.
Mountain winds swept by, snow and ice covered the land, and the air was biting cold.
"Andrew Han."
Eyes as blue as the sky quietly watched Andrew Han.
This was the Gifted Supreme, Arthur Rook. His once vibrant blue hair had faded, mostly turned white, and his eye sockets were deeply sunken, giving him an aged look. That rugged face bore the weight of years.
Once, he was a Supreme renowned across the globe.
Every decision concerning all of humanity required the joint approval of both him and Supreme Zhang. Some even believed Arthur Rook was no less than Supreme Zhang himself.
But now—
Arthur Rook, who once commanded lightning, was now tormented by its strange power for days on end, his vitality and spirit utterly depleted.
"Andrew Han."
Though in pain, Arthur Rook smiled: "Please allow me, on behalf of all the remaining Gifted in the world, to offer you our highest respect and gratitude."
As he spoke, he stood up.
Andrew Han tried to stop him.
But Arthur Rook's decision could not be shaken; no force could overturn such unyielding will.
Cough, cough.
Arthur Rook coughed violently, but still managed to stand.
The biting wind swept by, snow and ice filled the view. He leaned both hands on the table, his expression solemn, and bowed deeply to Andrew Han: "Sir Andrew Han, thank you for your grace."
At the same time, Andrew Han stood up as well: "Supreme Arthur, please sit down. There's no need for this."
"Haha."
Arthur Rook chuckled twice and sat back down.
He simply believed that proper etiquette and gratitude should never be omitted. Just because Andrew Han was modest and he himself was weakened, it was no excuse to ignore them.
"Sigh, Supreme Arthur, you really..."
Andrew Han couldn't help but smile wryly, unsure what to say.
The Law Realm joined forces in Antarctica for that desperate battle, which ended in heavy casualties. Gifted Supreme Arthur Rook lost his power, and his Gifted origin gradually collapsed.
If Andrew Han hadn't provided life-extending technology in time, this respected elder would likely have already passed away.
That's right.
Andrew Han was invincible.
Yet—what does invincibility matter! Recklessness is unacceptable, arrogance is forbidden! In the face of an elder who paid a tremendous price for humanity's home, Andrew Han felt genuine respect from the heart.
Whoosh, whoosh.
Arthur Rook's eyes were deep as he slowly brewed tea.
He picked up the teapot and poured two cups of light tea. The cups were exquisite, blue-and-white porcelain, displaying refined taste.
"Sir Andrew Han, please have some tea." Arthur Rook smiled as he handed over the steaming cup, its faint aroma wafting through the air.
Andrew Han hurriedly accepted the cup. "Just call me Andrew Han, that's what everyone else does."
He meant the other Law Realm members.
"Alright, alright." Arthur Rook replied twice, his warm smile turning serene and calm, as tranquil as a gentle breeze.
Facing Andrew Han directly, Arthur Rook was actually a bit nervous.
After all, this was the first-ever Starlight-class lifeform in history.
With Andrew Han's encouragement, Arthur Rook did not stand on ceremony. Smiling, he said, "I've carefully reviewed the two solutions you proposed... Most of the Gifted chose to start over, cultivating either the martial arts system or the inspiration system."
"That's good." Andrew Han breathed a sigh of relief.
He most feared that the Law Realm Gifted would not accept it; to gain and then lose is more painful than never having had.
"By the way," Andrew Han continued, "your Gifted origin is collapsing. I can help you expel these destructive forces, and with the life-extending technology, you should be able to regain Law Realm status in the future."
It should be noted that before he reached Starlight-class, Arthur Rook was as famous as Supreme Zhang.
Back when the Law Realm returned, Supreme Zhang was in charge of the Pacific theater, while Arthur Rook oversaw the Atlantic theater.
But to Andrew Han's surprise—
Arthur Rook shook his head. "Thank you, but I'd rather not trouble you... I don't want to abandon my Gifted powers."
Andrew Han was puzzled. "Why?"
In response, Arthur Rook raised the delicate blue-and-white porcelain cup, his eyes deep as he gazed into the distance.
[This chapter is not finished ^.^ Please click next page to continue reading!]
On the mountain peak, the biting wind blew, stirring the frigid air.
Vast snowy mountains stretched endlessly, rising and falling in unbroken waves.
"I don't want to."
Arthur Rook sighed.
In a low voice, he said, "Gifted powers have been with me my entire life, accompanying me through a long career... Everyone may have their own understanding of cultivation's meaning, but for me, Arthur Rook, I live for my Gifted powers and would die for them. I accept this willingly, without regret to the end."
Hearing this, Andrew Han was moved.
The cultivation of spiritual will has never been about power.
The elderly man sitting opposite, Arthur Rook, whose flame was nearly spent, commanded Andrew Han's deep respect.
In the next moment—
Arthur Rook took a sip of tea, looked at Andrew Han, and smiled gently: "I haven't drunk alcohol in a long time. Tea from Huaguo suits me best, it cultivates one's temperament... Are my words philosophical enough, profound enough, do I have the air of 'to hear the Way in the morning and die content in the evening'?"
"???"
Andrew Han was stunned, a bit bewildered.
"Hahaha." Arthur Rook couldn't help but laugh out loud: "I don't want to, I won't—it's really that simple. You people from Huaguo always make simple feelings complicated."
Andrew Han: (ー_ー)
Come on, what kind of attitude is that? The tone totally changed... I was just getting moved!
——
Time flew by, and the problems of the Gifted Law Realm were finally resolved.
As for the attitude of various national governments, Andrew Han didn't care much, as the time to leave Azure Earth had come.
He was about to depart for Mengsu Administrative Star in the Eastern District of the Celestial River.
It was a clear autumn day, not a cloud in the sky. Warm sunlight shone over the villa, where Ning Moli, dressed in a black leather jacket, sat on the green lawn beside the house.
Hiss.
Ning Moli took a drag on her cigarette.
A look of contemplation flashed across her wrinkled, aged face as she gazed at the spirited Andrew Han, ready to set off: The stars are so vast, yet you are so small—how do you still have the leisure to wander and take in the sights?
"Sigh."
Ning Moli sighed.
The boy from back then had grown up; further trials now might hurt his pride.
Hiss, hiss—she took another drag, smoke shrouding her eternally indifferent, wrinkled face, and the freshly closed book in her hands.
The cover was exquisite, and the title read: "On Education—The Pursuit of Free Breathing."