Chapter 99

"Forever, forever search, until I find a way to bring him back to life."

"I just want him to live; even if he forgets me, even if we become strangers, I still hope he lives."

Hengyi muttered to himself, questioning whether the person July was looking for was himself.

And was he the Eternal Founder God of the Divine Soul Clan in the Millennium Love?

Hengyi didn’t know; Chen Zizai said there were many such self-proclaimed gods in this race.

"Brother Chen, do you have a portrait of Wushen July?"

"Hehe, theoretical immortality is not the same as reality," Chen Zizai replied, seemingly off-topic. "Injury or the influence of a powerful spell can severely damage the three souls and seven spirits, leading to irreversible physical decay and death. However, for those with cultivation levels above Star Venerable, even if their bodies die, as long as their three souls and seven spirits are intact and promptly recovered, they can be reborn through body creation techniques, with their strength quickly restored and their memories intact. So, how many portraits of someone like Wushen July do you think there are? The Xin De civilization has been searching for her without giving up. To avoid trouble, she must frequently change her body, with countless variations in appearance and physique."

"…There’s such a thing…" Hengyi felt a bit disappointed but was also amazed by the body creation technique.

"There’s nothing unusual about it. In the old technological era, physical bodies could already be created. Initially, it was thought that anyone could use them, but later it was found that weaker three souls and seven spirits would quickly dissipate or weaken in a new body until death. Only those with Star Venerable cultivation can truly use it. Therefore, there are few body creation masters in general star systems outside the Five Leadership Stars, mostly used by those who struggle to live a bit longer. The harsh reality is that not all those who die in battle can preserve their three souls and seven spirits intact. In racial battles, when killing an opponent, how can the soul not be destroyed along with the body?"

After watching the Millennium Love for a while, the time was already near the morning hour. The two of them tidied up the talismans, and Hengyi, after some thought, tucked the Millennium Love book into his chest before going to the Two Poles Hall square with Chen Zizai.

Many people had arrived earlier than them. Today was the day when the trainees officially joined the Merit Hall, and many were excited for this moment.

Standing in the same spot as yesterday, Chen Zizai said, "After joining the Merit Hall, you’ll go back for two days to share this honor with the San Yuan Sect."

"Great! I miss my master and the junior disciples." Hengyi was very happy and could also take the rewards back. "Brother Chen, how’s the matter with Xu Daxiaozhu?"

"Oh, you still care? It’s fine. The deputy sect leader is as wise as you said, and won’t hold it against you." Chen Zizai didn’t want to explain the details and answered thus.

Hengyi nodded happily, "The deputy sect leader is indeed a reasonable person."

Chen Zizai smiled, "After all, the outcome is good, and I’m also feeling relaxed. There are two special things today, so don’t be too surprised when they happen."

Hengyi was very puzzled, but Chen Zizai was determined to keep it a secret and wouldn’t say more.

Hai Yuntian and Hai Shan arrived together, and Hu Baijie came last. Seeing Hengyi, she smiled warmly, looking just as she did in the past. Hengyi happily called out her name and stood still, waiting for the ceremony to begin.

As it was when they returned yesterday, Xu Bangwang led the way, and all the elders gathered, with Xu Tianfeng still presiding.

"… From today, you are all members of the Merit Hall! You are warriors who contribute to human civilization! You are no longer ordinary disciples of the Divine Sect. This is an honor, a pride, and a responsibility! From today, none of you can be aimless. What is the Merit Hall? Divine Sect disciples focus on cultivation, mostly thinking about their future, but the warriors of the Merit Hall are different! Joining the Merit Hall means that from now on, you must always remember that your cultivation and self-strengthening are not for your future, but for the responsibility of ensuring human civilization’s survival in the universe!"

Hengyi listened attentively. Hai Shan didn’t have much feeling about these words, but she noticed that there were no peak sect disciples around, and the square was particularly quiet, with a magical barrier around the edges to isolate the crowd. She couldn’t help but ask Chen Zizai quietly, "Captain, what’s the barrier for?"

"To isolate sound. The Merit Hall is different from ordinary Divine Sect disciples. When the Merit Hall discusses matters, ordinary Divine Sect disciples must not interfere. Pay attention, no private conversations."

Hai Shan felt the serious and solemn atmosphere and didn’t dare to look around anymore.

"Being a member of the Merit Hall, you must remember one thing: from now on, the most important responsibility in your life is to fulfill your duty to human civilization! Protect human civilization from harm by alien races, and bravely fight against any enemy… The Merit Hall has clear ranks. In battles with alien races, those of lower rank must follow the orders of those of higher rank, without disobedience! … Those who cowardly avoid battle during war will be executed…"

Xu Tianfeng’s stern tone made the trainees tremble with fear, having never seen him like this before, and they all felt the seriousness of the situation.

"Now, follow me in the oath—From today, I swear by my soul and life! I will dedicate my soul and life to the survival of human civilization, fear no strong enemy, and fight to protect human civilization! I will die without regret, and never repent!"

All the trainees on the square loudly recited the oath!

"From today, I swear by my soul and life! I will dedicate my soul and life to the survival of human civilization, fear no strong enemy, and fight to protect human civilization! I will die without regret, and never repent!"

Hengyi loudly recited the oath, and even after the oath was finished, his heart was still surging, deeply feeling the sense of mission and responsibility that Chen Zizai had mentioned.

Is this the Merit Hall?

Hengyi liked it very much and was very happy to become a member of the Merit Hall!

"Very good! Next, we will distribute rewards and the Merit Hall honor badges. After the ceremony, you are all granted two days to return and share this honor with your families and sects. But remember, the honor and rights of the Merit Hall come with responsibilities. Those who cannot fulfill their responsibilities do not have the right to stand in the Merit Hall!"

"Yes—"

Everyone cheered with excitement, even though few could truly understand the meaning of responsibility at this moment, they were filled with pride and honor for becoming members of the Merit Hall!

The rewards for the top 100 teams and the top 100 individuals in the training program were distributed one by one.

When Hengyi went up to receive his reward, Xu Tianfeng’s gaze was cold, and he clenched his teeth. Although Chen Zizai’s return had somewhat alleviated his grief over Xu Shengtian, he still hated Hengyi, the madman who dared to kill his son!

He also didn’t think Hengyi deserved Chen Zizai’s favor, but he was just suppressing his anger.

Xu Wenfeng and Hengyi were still the focus of everyone’s attention, not only receiving the most rewards, but also having the highest battle ranks among all, and both were the highest ranks achieved by humans under 18, setting astonishing records!

After the ceremony, the newly joined members of the Merit Hall stood quietly, but many noticed Xu Tianfeng’s cold expression and realized that things were not over.

"This training program, everyone performed well. However, some have committed unforgivable sins—"

Chen Zizai’s face darkened, never expecting Xu Tianfeng to say such things, thinking he was breaking his promise!

She was stunned, and the other trainees all thought this was to blame Hengyi.

"It’s happening…" Hai Shan’s face turned pale. She had heard from Chen Zizai that the matter was resolved, but Xu Tianfeng’s grim expression suggested otherwise.

In the crowd, the long-legged goddess, who was already mentally prepared, took a deep breath, knelt down, and said with courage, "Deputy Sect Leader, I witnessed the entire incident of Hengyi killing Xu Daxiaozhu and believe he did nothing wrong. If Hengyi is to be punished, I am willing to share the punishment!"

The long-legged goddess was at the front, and her kneeling drew attention. Xu Bangwang, Xu Tianfeng, and the other elders looked at each other, none of them expecting such boldness and a surprising move!

Just as the long-legged goddess finished speaking, the captain from Xixiang Mountain also knelt down, saying, "I also believe Hengyi did nothing wrong and am willing to share the punishment!"

Hai Shan and Hai Yuntian, along with Hu Baijie, also knelt down, saying, "Hengyi did nothing wrong, and I am willing to share the punishment!"

Chen Zizai thought they were acting too hastily, not knowing if Xu Tianfeng was really talking about this, but the first to kneel was the long-legged goddess, which still shocked her. The captain from Xixiang Mountain’s courage was even more unexpected, especially since he had been overwhelmed by grief during the training and acted impulsively. Now, after calming down, he still had such courage?

That was sheer madness!

Wang Bupa called out to his fellow disciples, knelt down, and said, "I also believe Hengyi did nothing wrong and am willing to share the punishment!"

His kneeling inspired the disciples from Northeast Xiang Mountain, who were usually led by him. They all felt a surge of blood and enthusiasm, and the disciples of Northeast Xiang Mountain, known for their courage, knelt down one after another, shouting loudly, "I also believe Hengyi did nothing wrong and am willing to share the punishment!"

With so many leading the way, those who had previously called for the death of Xu Daxiaozhu, remembering their impulsive promises, now had the courage to fulfill them. They knelt down in groups, shouting loudly, "I also believe Hengyi did nothing wrong and am willing to share the punishment!"

These people kneeling and pleading, their teammates, who were not present at the time, were also moved by the atmosphere and knelt down, shouting loudly!

For a moment, except for those who had followed Xu Daxiaozhu, only Hengyi, Xu Wenfeng, and Chen Zizai remained standing.

The vast Two Poles Hall square, after the successive waves of passionate shouts, fell into a sudden silence.

No one had expected such a scene, and the history of the Peak Sect had never seen anything like it.

So many disciples, all losing their minds, speaking such reckless words, were actually pleading for one person!