Chapter Forty-Six: Protecting All Beings, Shi Yi Revives

Seeing the grave look on Chenxing’s face, the Human Emperor realized that something momentous must have occurred—only such an event could alarm someone of his caliber. Hearing Chenxing’s instructions, which suggested that the calamity would take place in the Stone Kingdom, he responded without hesitation, giving his assent before vanishing into the void.

Turning to the remaining members of the Martial King’s Manor, Chenxing sighed, “You should prepare as well. Protect the people of the Stone Kingdom for three days. Consider it atonement for the mistakes you committed years ago. Go now!”

The people of the Martial King’s Manor rejoiced, as if they had narrowly escaped a great catastrophe. Led by the Martial King, they hastily bowed to Chenxing and hurried off to make their preparations.

Now, only Chenxing and his companions remained, along with the four members of the Shi family. Shi Yuan stood dazed, staring at his son who continued to kowtow on the ground. Beside him, Shi Yi still wept bitterly, and Shi Yi’s mother lingered in nothing but a soul-state.

After some thought, Chenxing looked at Shi Hao and asked, “Little one, do you truly no longer wish for vengeance?” Shi Hao shook his head, replying, “Master, it’s not that I don’t want revenge. It’s just that I feel things are good as they are. Shi Yi’s crimes don’t warrant death.”

Gazing at Shi Hao’s youthful face, Chenxing felt gratified. Perhaps in the future, there would be no domineering Wild Heaven Emperor, but maybe an emperor of wild sanctity would arise. Even the final Wild Heaven Emperor had severed the ages with a sword for the sake of humanity’s continuity—ultimately, there was no difference between the two paths.

Lost in these thoughts, Chenxing suddenly felt his heart clear, his inner dao advancing another step toward perfection. He was overjoyed, realizing that forgiveness was a form of boundless love.

Before coming to this world, Chenxing’s greatest desire was to destroy Shi Yi and his malicious mother in the cruelest manner possible. Yet events had unfolded far from his original intent.

He had assumed Shi Yi was cold and ruthless, willing to scheme even against his own mother. But he had forgotten—what could be more important to a child than his mother? Witnessing Shi Yi’s anguished cries, Chenxing was deeply moved.

He raised his hand, sending a surge of force to strike Shi Zi Teng, halting his ceaseless kowtowing. Shi Zi Teng’s face was covered in blood; he was already half-conscious. With Chenxing’s intervention, he slumped and fainted.

A cry echoed as Shi Yuan, who had been staring blankly at his son, rushed forward to embrace the unconscious Shi Zi Teng, tears streaming down his face. “Zi Teng, what have we gained from all this? One bone led to the ruin of our family—was it worth it?”

Shi Yi, who had been sobbing beside them, heard his grandfather’s lament and gradually came to himself. Seeing his father unconscious, he grew anxious and hurried to check on him. Hearing his grandfather’s words, a swell of emotion overtook him.

Gritting his teeth, he turned and bowed his head to Chenxing, then said nothing more. He stretched out his right hand and, with a muffled grunt, thrust it into his own body. Ignoring the pain, he let out a roar and yanked his hand out, blood pouring from his wound.

Shi Yi paid no heed to his injury, forcing a bitter smile as he turned to Shi Hao. “Brother, today I return your bone to you. I offer my life as compensation—just promise to let the elder spare my mother’s soul.” With that, he opened his palm, revealing the supreme bone, adorned with mysterious runes and stained with blood.

Shi Hao shook his head. “Why must you go so far? I never intended to pursue vengeance against those already dead. You’re overthinking it.”

Chenxing rolled his eyes at this—so he had played the villain for nothing.

Shi Yi gazed tenderly at his mother. Having extracted the supreme bone, he was gravely wounded, his life hanging by a thread. His mother, already half-mad, could neither touch him nor offer words of comfort, which drove her to desperation.

For her son, she was willing to give everything. She began to burn her own soul, seeking even a fleeting moment of solace. She had no regrets.

Shi Yi soon lapsed into unconsciousness, murmuring, “Mother, your child is coming for you. What I owe you in this life…I’ll repay in the next…” With that, his head drooped, and he fell into eternal sleep.

Shi Yi’s mother burned away six or seven parts of her soul, finally breaking free of the constraints of law and gaining the ability to speak, though her time was short—she was about to vanish forever.

She knelt beside her sleeping son, her palm gently caressing his face, whispering, “Son, I do not blame you. I know that you always wanted to prove yourself, to show the clan you were the best, and to make me proud.

But when we do wrong, we must pay the price. Don’t be afraid—your mother will always be with you.”

At this moment, Shi Yi’s mother returned to the gentle, virtuous woman she once was—the kindly aunt from Shi Hao’s earliest memories.

Shi Hao shook his head and looked at Chenxing. “Master, I truly don’t wish for his death now.”

With a gesture, Chenxing summoned the supreme bone from Shi Yi’s hand. He examined the bone, which gleamed with divine light, then sent it flying into the arms of Qin Yi Ning, where it fused seamlessly into the body of the curious-eyed Qin Hao, without pain or disturbance, like a drop of water sinking into earth.

Shi Hao said nothing, simply watched. He understood that he no longer needed the bone. Giving it to his younger brother might smooth his path in the future. It was a way for him, as the elder brother, to pave the road ahead.

Watching Shi Yi’s mother’s fading soul, still murmuring words to her son, Chenxing smiled ruefully. He had originally restored her soul only to exact revenge, but now found himself helping her instead.

With a wave of his hand, a green light radiated, filled with boundless vitality, enveloping both the dissipating soul of Shi Yi’s mother and the lifeless body of Shi Yi.

Under the glow of green light, Shi Yi’s mother’s form grew clear again, her soul restored from what she had burned in order to speak.

Meanwhile, the wounds Shi Yi suffered from extracting the supreme bone began to heal, vitality returning to his body. Soon, he was as good as new.

With a muffled groan, Shi Yi—once dead—slowly opened his eyes, confusion clouding his gaze.

Shi Yi’s mother, lost in her memories, didn’t realize Chenxing had restored her soul until she saw her son awaken. Her eyes brightened, her mind cleared, and she cried out in joy, “Yi’er! You’re alive? This is wonderful!” Tears streamed down her face.

Once fully conscious, Shi Yi stood up, smiled gently at his mother, and said, “Don’t worry, Mother. I’m fine.” He then turned and bowed deeply to Chenxing. “Thank you, elder, for granting me life!” He knew that only this divine elder could have brought him back from death.

Chenxing shook his head. “Though I have brought you back, it is not yet over.” The others were stunned—what more remained?

Shi Yi’s mother panicked and rushed forward, pleading, “Elder, all blame lies with me. If there is punishment left, please let it fall on me. Spare my son.”

“You have already departed this world and must return to the cycle of reincarnation. I merely forced your soul to linger here; this world’s affairs are no longer yours,” Chenxing replied.

“Reincarnation?” Shi Yi’s mother was bewildered, as were the others.

Chenxing paid them no mind. With a gesture, Shi Yi’s mother’s soul dissolved into sparkling fragments, vanishing into the void. Only her last words remained: “Elder, I am willing to take Yi’er’s punishment in his place. I beg you…”