Death and Freedom
Part of the human souls were dejected Ocean Archfiend ended up escaping in the end despite the five millenniums they invested into watching over him. That being said, part of them was glad he escaped for Gui Yuzi would’ve enslaved them, otherwise.
“Finally!” cheered Helian Kong, emerging from his soul item.
“Are you all right, Elder?” Mu Yu inquired.
“I’m fine. It’s our sect’s pride for you to be the one who defeated Ghost Gate’s group,” complimented Helian Kong, giving Mu Yu his favourite chilly shoulder pat.
“Brother Helian, your dream has finally come true now, huh?” Mu Mengfei voiced from afar.
“Absolutely. It’s a blessing to finally be freed from my duty after five thousand years.”
“I’ll be going on ahead.”
“I still have some final words to say to Mu Yu. Let us m-, we won’t be seeing each other again.” Mu Mengfei departed from the island, choosing to erase herself somewhere else beside the island.
“Mu Yu, I’m glad to learn you are a member of Pill Cauldron Sect. If nothing else, it proves Pill Cauldron Sect hasn’t fallen yet.”
Deep down, Mu Yu wanted to carve out a Soul Fixing Formation for Helian Kong. Alas, he would require days to prepare, while Helian Kong’s consciousness wouldn’t last more than a few more hours.
“It’s a pity Fiend-Sealing Pagoda has been disabled, or we’d be able to see you off,” Xiaoshuai expressed solemnly.
Fiend-Sealing Pagoda was already mending itself. Mu Yu couldn’t say for sure when the repairs would be complete, nevertheless, since the pagoda’s spirit already exited his body. As for World Manifestation Samsara Cycle Seal, Mu Yu couldn’t use it to travel back to the past due to his cultivation not meeting the required level.
“Elder, can you soul item protect your soul?”
“No, soul items can’t do that. You have squashed Ghost Gate’s scheme and freed the souls on the island. Therefore, it’s also time for me to get going.”
“Is there anything I can do for you?” inquired Mu Yu, grateful for everything Helian Kong did for him during his time on the island.
“I took an orphan in as my disciple and named him Helian Tai. Though he’s no longer alive, if you could please take care of his descendants, I would be grateful.” Smiling as he recalled his disciple, Helian Kong added, “He was around your age when I left, but he wasn’t as gifted as you.”
“I will do my best.”
“The restriction is gone. Ghost Gate’s group is dead. You and the fiend race seem to be friendly with each other, so I have no reason to worry about your safety. There’s nothing left for you to fret about.”
“Where do you intend to go?”
Helian Kong set his sights on the ocean. “I don’t know. Actually, I want to pay Pill Cauldron Sect a visit to see how the cultivation world has evolved. I know I won’t make it that far, though, so we’ll see. As long as I can leave this prison and enjoy freedom, I can rest in peace.”
“Rest in peace, huh?” Mu Yu repeated, reflecting on his view of death.
“As I’ve already died once, there’s no reason for me to fear dying again.”
Mu Yu had yet to decide how he felt about death. Thus far, he encountered those who’d cling to life by all means, yet there were those who threw their lives away without hesitation in the name of achieving their wish. How, then, does one evaluate the worth of life?
“What is the meaning behind death?”
“Probably another adventure? I sensed the bloodlust power you utilised back there. Be careful with it. As a fellow disciple of Pill Cauldron Sect, I’d like to see you live a peaceful life for your sake and those you care about.”
“I understand, Elder.”
“I’ll entrust my soul item in your care. Please bury it at Pill Cauldron Sect’s cemetery. I guess it’s my way of returning home. I want to go see the outside world now while I still have time.”
Mu Yu already cast a formation on Helian Kong’s soul item, reinventing another version of a toe tag. Glumly, he conveyed, “I’m sorry for being unable to sustain your soul.”
“Don’t worry about. I’ve gotten over the whole death thing. All I ask for is a moment of freedom,” replied Helian Kong, taking off into the strong winds, ascending into the heavens as a freckle of stars at the end of his journey.
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