Chapter 63 – Conservation

Yun Xiguang was burdened with thoughts, despite his desire to pet the small spirit bird that still had white feathers and looked like an adorable ball. However, he quickly restrained his wild thoughts and lowered his hand.

Chi Qiong felt immensely disappointed and wanted to pull Yun Xiguang’s hand back for more, but they were within Youying’s power range, making it difficult for Chi Qiong to act as freely as usual. Thus, he transformed back to human form, pouting and sulking by himself with a stern expression.

Yun Xiguang glanced at his phone, which still had no signal, and asked, “Will the Moon Youying’s power linger here forever?”

As long as this power did not dissipate, he would not be able to call anyone to pick them up, nor could he determine their geographical location.

Chi Qiong hesitated before truthfully replying, “Unless I use my power to counteract Youying’s force.”

Yun Xiguang sensed Chi Qiong’s hesitation and inquired, “Would doing so cause harm to you?”

Chi Qiong had not expected Yun Xiguang to perceive his meaning from just a momentary pause. Despite Yun Xiguang often not understanding his words, he was remarkably sensitive to his emotions. Even when Chi Qiong did not say anything, Yun Xiguang could sense his feelings.

This was a result of their initial inability to communicate verbally.

Although it had been challenging to communicate at first, it now allowed them to understand each other’s intentions without needing to speak, proving more effective than verbal communication.

Chi Qiong was somewhat delighted as he said, “My power comes from heaven and earth. No matter how I wield my strength, it ultimately returns to me in some other form, the total amount remaining unchanged, unless I bestow my power upon other living beings.”

“The law of conservation of energy?” Yun Xiguang remarked, “Energy can only be transferred, not destroyed?”

“Do humans also comprehend this principle?” Chi Qiong was somewhat puzzled, leaning forward to kiss Yun Xiguang’s forehead, reading the knowledge of physics from Yun Xiguang’s soul. He could not help but praise slightly, “Humans have indeed uncovered quite a few truths about the universe.”

Yun Xiguang: “…”

He touched his forehead, feeling a bit embarrassed. Yet, Chi Qiong’s action had been so natural, like checking something on a smartphone, devoid of any lustful intent. This made it awkward for Yun Xiguang to feel embarrassed, so he imitated Chi Qiong’s demeanor, straightening his face and acting composed.

Chi Qiong continued, “Just as your… law of conservation of energy states, my power has existed since birth, strongest at the dawn of the universe. In ancient times, when all things flourished, countless spirit beasts emerged in the world, and my power weakened.”

“You divided your power among other living beings, creating numerous spirit beasts,” Yun Xiguang observed.

Chi Qiong nodded. “Exactly.”

“But now, with such a large population in the world and spirit beasts saying that the essence of the universe is much thinner compared to ancient times, is this the weakest your power has ever been?” Yun Xiguang asked with concern.

Unexpectedly, Chi Qiong shook his head. “Not at all. My power is much stronger than in ancient times, second only to the time of my birth, gradually approaching its peak.”

Yun Xiguang was stunned.

A myriad of thoughts flashed through his mind. He thought about the gradually dispersing essence of the universe, about spirit beasts that would be annihilated by Heavenly Fire upon awakening, about spirit beasts barely surviving by forming bonds with humans…

“Did you consciously reclaim the essence, or did it naturally return?” Yun Xiguang asked.

Chi Qiong raised his head, displaying a proud attitude, and arrogantly declared, “How dare I ask for something back that this Exalted One bestowed?”

“So the essence naturally returned…” Yun Xiguang analyzed. “Heavenly Fire is a weapon created by the laws. Since Heavenly Fire burns spirit beasts, does that mean the Heavenly Laws are helping you recover the essence? What is He trying to do? Does He want to restore you to your most prosperous period?”

“I’m not sure. My strength does not require His determination,” Chi Qiong replied.

Yun Xiguang could not figure out what the laws intended for the time being. He continued asking about his concerns. “In theory, your energy will not disappear, only transfer. Even if you eliminate Youying’s power here, you should not suffer any harm. But you’re very hesitant about this. Is there something special about Youying?”

Chi Qiong explained, “Youying operates under a different set of rules. He is the Yin power, while this Exalted One is the Yang power. If I use my power to cancel out the energy Youying left behind in this place, our powers will return to chaos, belonging neither to him nor to this Exalted One. No one can harness this power, not even Heaven’s Will.”

A thought crossed Yun Xiguang’s mind, and he asked, “What if your power completely cancels out Youying’s power?”

Chi Qiong had never encountered such a situation. He seriously pondered it for a moment and said, “This Exalted One will naturally not perish. I will simply return to chaos along with Youying, reverting to a state of unconsciousness. Together with us, everything in the universe will merge back into chaos.”

“Everyone and every living creature will die, returning to the state before the universe’s creation?” Yun Xiguang asked.

“That’s correct, until the next cycle begins,” Chi Qiong replied.

“What about you?” Yun Xiguang asked with concern.

“This Exalted One… will still awaken in the presence of pure Yang power, reborn in flames, but without memories of the previous cycle. Perhaps I might not even take the same form as now, potentially turning into something covered in scales,” Chi Qiong said, revealing a look of disgust as he spoke. He genuinely disliked aquatic creatures.

Yun Xiguang sighed. “If viewed from an energy perspective, after humans and other animals die, their energy will be divided among microorganisms and insects, eventually merging into the earth as bones and becoming nutrients for plants. On a macroscopic level, this seems to be a form of rebirth as another lifeform after death. If you… lose your memories of the previous cycle and are born anew in a different form, is that no different from death?”

“This Exalted One will never die, this Exalted One, this Exalted One…”

Chi Qiong repeated “this Exalted One” several times before suddenly stopping his stubbornness. A wistful expression appeared on his face as he tilted his head towards Yun Xiguang, asking as if seeking confirmation, “Is this death? What is death?”

Chi Qiong was unlike humans. Humans understood what death was from birth, but Chi Qiong lacked this concept.

Yun Xiguang gazed into Chi Qiong’s clear eyes and realized he was a god who knew everything and nothing at the same time.

Chi Qiong had lived for too long. He could see through the essence of all things in the universe, thus knowing everything. But he was too powerful to resonate with all things, leaving him ignorant of many matters.

After thinking for a moment, he said, “It’s an objective fact that varies for different moments and different people. To my parents, death is regret and lingering attachments; to me, death is loss, the inability to meet again, and only memories left. As for you… I fear you must find enlightenment on your own.”

Chi Qiong pondered for a while but could not come up with an answer since he lacked the concept.

This was not something one could instantly comprehend. Yun Xiguang temporarily set aside the topic and said, “Since that’s the case, you cannot use your power to counteract Youying’s force. It would not benefit either of you. We need to leave this place, relying on Hai Ruobo.”

Yun Xiguang jumped down from the fireball created by Chi Qiong, landing on the ground. Indeed, he was in the midst of a sea of fire but did not feel any pain. Chi Qiong’s fire would not harm him.

He walked towards Hai Ruobo, and the flames parted automatically to make way.

Yun Xiguang looked down and saw that the swamp had been burned dry, leaving solid, hard soil beneath his feet.

He approached Hai Ruobo. Chi Qiong disliked walking, so he sat on the fireball and followed, also floating in front of Hai Ruobo.

“Was his bond root burned?” Yun Xiguang asked, pointing at Hai Ruobo’s charred forehead.

“Attempting to resist my power with his own, this is the consequence of being counterattacked by the True Sun Fire,” Chi Qiong stated.

In other words, Hai Ruobo could not rely on The Mirage’s power to open a spatial channel anymore.

Yun Xiguang poked The Mirage’s shell, finding that the outer surface was scorching hot, and there were actually salt crystals on the outside of the shell.

“Is it still alive?” Yun Xiguang asked worriedly.

Chi Qiong transformed his palm into a magnificent feather and waved it over The Mirage, stating, “It’s breathing, but not much.”

“Can we still rely on it to go back?” Yun Xiguang looked at the vast land and began considering whether it was feasible to walk back.

“Why not? Regardless of whether The Mirage is alive or dead, its bones must serve this Exalted One.” Chi Qiong said arrogantly.

With that, he spread his wings and flipped The Mirage over, forcing it to open its shell, revealing the nearly scorched fish inside.

“Send this Exalted One back,” Chi Qiong commanded.

The mirage opened its mouth, seemingly attempting to blow bubbles, but there were no bubbles in its mouth. Instead, it spat out a wisp of black smoke.

Yun Xiguang had a natural compassion for spirit beasts and could not bear seeing The Mirage in this state. He could not help but sigh, “If you had known today’s outcome, why pursue it in the first place.”

The mirage lifted its eyes, resembling a dried corpse, and glanced at Yun Xiguang, speaking in a hoarse voice, “I did not want to either. I was merely following orders. Besides, the command I received was only to eliminate Bai Ze. I did not know that I would be dealing with a Supreme Deity back then.”

Yun Xiguang found its words reasonable. Thinking about how The Mirage, as a divine beast, lacked autonomy, he felt genuine pity for it. His eyes softened with affection, but he did not notice Chi Qiong’s face darkening beside him, his expression suggesting, “Just how many good spirit beasts do you have?”

“Do you know why you were supposed to deal with Bai Ze?” Yun Xiguang asked.

“Not sure. I’m just a sea beast hiding in my shell, sleeping, unwilling to get involved in so many matters. Hai Ruobo keeps talking about fate and righteousness. Ask him,” The Mirage replied.

Seeing that he would not learn much, Yun Xiguang’s tone became gentler. “Can you send us back?”

The mirage said, “Under the laws of the universe, Xiao Long cannot exert power without a spirit bond master. However, you have good potential. If you’re willing to form a temporary bond with me, it could work…”

“You dare think of it!” Chi Qiong shouted fiercely, leaping off the fire cloud and stepping on The Mirage’s charred head. “There is Youying’s power here, not bound by the laws. Spirit beasts can exert power without a spirit bond master. What are your intentions in wanting to form a bond with him?”

Terrified by Chi Qiong’s anger, The Mirage trembled all over. Yun Xiguang hurriedly embraced Chi Qiong’s waist, soothing him with gentle words, assuring him that he would never form a bond with another spirit beast. Only then did Chi Qiong calm down.

Seeing Yun Xiguang pulling Chi Qiong away, The Mirage shivered and said, “I can use my power now. I will send the Supreme Deity back immediately.”

With that, The Mirage struggled to blow out a string of bubbles. The bubbles drifted into the fire and found the location of the trolley.

The mirage said, “Hai Ruobo did not completely close the channel. He merely hid the trolley with an illusion. I have restored the ‘illusionary reality’ on the other side. You can return through the channel inside the trolley.”

Yun Xiguang lifted Hai Ruobo and said to The Mirage, “Come along with us. There is still an empty room at my house.”

“No,” The Mirage shook its head. “Without a spirit bond master, once I leave this place, I will be cleansed by the laws.”

Not just it, but even Chi Qiong would revert to a little yellow chick upon leaving this place, unable to wield any power.

And Youying seemed to have no intention of actively attacking anyone. Staying here seemed safer for The Mirage.

The mirage closed its shell, found a crack in the ground, and squeezed itself inside, apparently planning to sleep for a few hundred more years.

Yun Xiguang looked at Chi Qiong with reluctance.

After leaving this place, Chi Qiong would not be able to maintain his human form anymore.

Chi Qiong did not want to lose his power again, but he detested the situation where he needed to rely on Youying’s power to unleash his full strength. He reached out and poked Yun Xiguang’s forehead, saying, “Let’s go. Once this Exalted One retrieves a few more phoenix feathers, I can restore my true form. I do not covet others’ power.”

“Alright,” Yun Xiguang agreed.

He lifted Hai Ruobo, held Chi Qiong’s hand, and leaped into the spatial channel connected to the trolley.

After a dizzying whirl, Yun Xiguang appeared in Luo Ju’s villa courtyard.

He held a hand that was no longer human, but a small spirit bird, looking like a ball sitting in his palm, chirping at him.

“Yes, we’re back,” Yun Xiguang said somewhat wistfully.