First, I apologize to everyone; although this Shen Huang has reached an ending and resolved the main plotline, in Kaihuang's heart, it still feels like an abrupt conclusion. I am truly sorry to all of you.

The original outline, which included the Luo Family's struggle for the throne, Ao Kun and the Four Directions Dragon Palaces, the grievances with the Myriad Tribulation Phoenix Court, and the final showdown with the ultimate Boss, was set to take place a century later. It was supposed to require roughly another six hundred thousand characters to conclude, but those elements can no longer be realized now. Kaihuang feels deeply ashamed but asks for your understanding.

I had a follow-up check at the hospital a couple of days ago, and my condition has not improved; I must undergo surgery now. I will be going to the hospital in the next few days to schedule the procedure. This is an ailment difficult to speak of, shameful to mention to others, which is why I haven't asked for leave until now. Furthermore, after a period of absence from updates, my subscriptions dropped severely. After careful consideration, Kaihuang has decided to let Shen Huang conclude.

Finally, Kaihuang humbly begs the readers who have subscribed to Shen Huang one last time: please help Kaihuang out by clicking a 'like' and casting a satisfactory vote; I hear this can increase manuscript fees. Kaihuang thanks you all again here! And thank you to all the readers for your strong support over the long period of one year and five months! Additionally, the new book, Wu Fa Wu Tian (Lawless), is scheduled for release around December 20th; please look forward to it.

The vast and boundless Void River of Realms was currently scattered with countless black specks of mud. These were all things unrecognized and unaccommodated by this realm, yet they were extraordinarily tenacious, struggling desperately within the entanglement of immeasurable tribulation force, refusing to disperse. This was the tenth day following that great battle, and the void storms triggered by the confrontation between over ten ultimate Saint Venerables were still raging everywhere. That battle had caused the destruction of thirteen surrounding minor worlds, fortunately mostly barren of life and poor in resources. Even the former Tianfang Society wouldn't bother with them, so few living beings perished. The only concern was the remnants of that person scattered everywhere; they still posed immense danger. Beyond the True Realm, one possessed all manner of incredible divine powers; even if the physical body was shattered now, true death was not guaranteed. Even a mere fragment of the body could pollute the world's core essence or seize the vital spirit of a Saint Realm cultivator. Thus, ten days later, Xiu Guan and the others still had not dispersed. Instead, they continued to suppress the area with their formidable power, sealing the inner and outer void, waiting for these black specks to dissipate naturally, leaving no opportunity for that person to exploit.

At this moment, Zong Shou accompanied Xiu Guan and Ci Bei, letting out a sigh, his gaze distant and sorrowful. "This person was named Yuan Chu; he should be one of the True Realm Supremes from the previous world. It is a pity that he achieved his Dao through external means. In the previous realm, he could command the winds and call the rain, but within this realm, he suffered endlessly." Before this half-step True Realm cultivator died, he had chanced upon a glimpse of this person's memories. He was originally a figure of the orthodox path in the previous world, revered by the myriad worlds, possessing great compassion and merit. Yet, because he took a single wrong step on the path of cultivation, it brewed all the subsequent tragedies.

"He walked the wrong path himself; he has no one to blame!" Xiu Guan shook his head, though his eyes held a hint of wistfulness. Throughout his life, he had seen too many who fell behind because their cultivation couldn't keep pace; most of his old friends from years past had withered away. Some, like this 'Yuan Chu,' veered onto the evil path, meeting a desolate end.

"Senior Brother's ten-thousand-year wish is finally fulfilled. The struggle for the Cloud Realm Divine Treasure is completely resolved. Likely, for the next tens of thousands of years, there will be no more conflict. Your Great Qian Immortal Court will also be as solid as Mount Tai." With these words, Xiu Guan smiled and asked Zong Shou, "Where do you plan to go next?" Zong Shou instinctively wanted to say the Luo Family, but the words caught in his throat.

Now that the Cloud Realm and the power of Buddhism had been integrated, with the Great Qian serving as the nexus, backed by the strength of over ten ultimate realm cultivators, the people of the Luo Family, if slightly intelligent, should cease all disputes. If his grandparents were presiding over the Scorching Sky Holy Court, those few State Sovereigns might have a way to survive, but if Zong Shou were given the pretext to reclaim his position, then whether it was State Sovereign Xuan Hua or State Sovereign Xuan Ye, their fates would be grim. With the Luo Family secure, where should Zong Shou go next? To conquer the four directions and build an unprecedented hegemony? He lacked the motivation. The Daoist Sect and the Confucian School, however, would certainly become subjects of intense interest later, which he would vigorously promote. Zong Shou suddenly felt a lack of zeal. The pressure was gone, the urgency of struggling for survival vanished, replaced instead by a sense of being adrift and unsure what to do.

Yet, in the next instant, Zong Shou's resolve hardened. Pursuing the extreme of the Sword Dao! This was the only goal he had never abandoned. And there were his wife and child, whom he needed to spend time with. He had been running around for too many years and owed them dearly. At this moment, he smiled but did not answer: "Then where will Martial Uncle go?"

"With the Cloud Realm matters settled, naturally, I shall wander the myriad realms. While searching for opportunities in the Dao, I shall fulfill a wish from my youth." Xiu Guan smiled faintly. "If fate allows me to enter the True Realm, I will tour other regions."

Zong Shou could not help but be surprised: "Then what about Master Xi Zi? Do we not need to resurrect him?"

"Xi Zi didn't truly perish or fall into slumber back then!" The one who spoke was Ci Bei. Zong Shou let out an 'Ah,' his eyes widening in disbelief, showing ten-tenths astonishment. Ci Bei Daojun's tone, however, remained calm and undisturbed: "Back then, Xi Zi actually had a sliver of his vital spirit escape. He was the person Yuan Chu feared the most. As for where that sliver is now, we do not know. Perhaps he abandoned everything and re-entered the cycle of reincarnation to refine his Dao foundation. Or perhaps he already revived and is living freely somewhere. It is even possible, Zong Shou, that you are the reincarnation of that sliver of his primordial spirit."

Zong Shou was instantly bewildered. Xi Zi's spirit reincarnated? Impossible! Almost without hesitation, he dismissed this possibility. Should he feel honored? He, Zong Shou, had no desire to become another person's fragmented soul. His future achievements would surely far surpass those of Master Xi Zi! However, he presumed it was a reincarnation, undergoing a new refinement of the Dao foundation. Otherwise, why would Lin Xuan Shuang have been trapped for thousands of years with nothing accomplished?

"Indeed, just like Senior Brother, full of arrogance!" Xiu Guan laughed heartily. "You have cultivated for less than twenty years, yet the foundation of your Dao is far beyond comparison with ordinary cultivators. If you are willing to settle down and spend several hundred or a thousand years solidifying your foundation, perhaps in the future, you might step into the True Realm earlier than Ci Bei and myself. Surpassing Xi Zi—what is so difficult about that?" Zong Shou smiled wryly, feeling a slight twinge of shame.

Then, he curiously asked Ci Bei again: "Is this Qiong Yu Chuang Shi Lu (Cosmic Creation Record) you possess preparing to manifest an illusory world of the heart?"

"How did you know?" Ci Bei raised an eyebrow in surprise. After a moment, he seemed to realize something: "I see. The Cosmic Book has been hidden for nearly two hundred thousand years. The accumulated vital energy should have been extraordinary. In my estimation, it should have been enough to help someone directly enter the Saint Realm. It turns out there was such a complication." He casually flipped through the Yu Shu in his hand and chuckled lightly: "These years I have lived in seclusion in the Cloud Realm, I have been using the method of observing reflections to record all the people and events of the Cloud Realm. I am indeed preparing to use this book to create an illusory world mirroring reality, allowing all cultivators in the world to train and experience within this illusory realm. This method should strengthen our Cloud Realm cultivators, and it can also reduce warfare and killing throughout the world."

Zong Shou suddenly understood, feeling that all the doubts he had since his rebirth were suddenly resolved. (To be continued...)