Chapter 686: Bestowal · Rebirth (Part II)

The final transformation activated.

The golden light flow that had surged into the twelve bodies changed in nature.

It was no longer merely scouring and reshaping.

Instead, like the most exquisite artisan, it began the final "inscription" and "solidification."

The structure of the life source was subtly adjusted.

The underlying mechanism of cellular aging was given a kind of "delay" and "resistance."

A deeper temporal anchor was quietly established.

The white radiance in the secret chamber gradually withdrew inward.

And finally vanished completely into the twelve bodies.

The light faded away.

Revealing twelve distinct faces, all brimming with vigorous vitality and sharp spirit.

Yue Fei.

The gloom and weathered look between his brows vanished completely.

His features returned to the firm contours of a man in his thirties, his gaze clear and sharp, yet settled with the wisdom gained from life‑and‑death trials and the vicissitudes of the ages.

His stature stood tall like a pine, his qi and blood restrained within, his every movement bearing a steady strength that made the heavy seem light.

Lin Chong.

The long‑tight lines on his face softened somewhat.

His eyes shone bright; the former repression and endurance were replaced by an expansive sharpness.

He lightly moved his shoulders; his joints were flexible and silent, his whole body attaining the martial artist's dream of "inner‑outer harmony."

Guan Sheng, Huyan Zhuo.

Both were already stalwart; now they appeared even more dragon‑spirited and tiger‑fierce.

Their skin was tight, their eyes like lightning; standing there they exuded a pressure as deep as an abyss and as lofty as a mountain.

Yue Yun, Zhang Xian.

The youthful faces gained a few more touches of heroic vigor and steadiness.

Their eyes still held the vigor of young commanders, but added a measure of insight and composure.

And the Five Ministers.

Their appearances had remained in the prime of life.

At this moment, their changes lay more in "spirit" and "substance."

Zhang Cheng's bearing grew ever more solemn and deep, his gaze profound, as if he could discern the hearts of men and the affairs of state.

Zhao Lao Nian's eyes shone brighter with curiosity and inquiry, his spirit vigorous.

Shi Dun's aura was solid and unmoving like a mountain.

Qian Gui's complexion was ruddy, his mind agile.

Wang Ru's demeanor was tranquil, her eyes clear and bright.

The common point among them all was

vitality.

A rich, almost overflowing, vibrant life force.

That showed in their eyes, skin, and even the rhythm of their breath.

As if the passage of time had been greatly slowed upon them.

Chen Wen gazed at the twelve who had been reborn before him.

On the stone platform, his face turned slightly pale—sign of his spirit and power highly concentrated and expended.

Yet his posture remained upright.

His dark robes moved without wind, and a faint residual energy lingered around him.

"How do you feel?"

He asked, his voice a little low but clear and strong.

Yue Fei stepped forward, clasped his fists, and said in a loud, steady voice: "Your Majesty, my old wounds are gone, my qi and blood are abundant, surpassing before. It feels as if… I have set down a thousand‑jin burden, and the road ahead has opened wide."

Lin Chong drew a deep breath, performed a solemn salute: "I, the subordinate, feel only lightness and health, boundless energy. All former sluggishness is now unblocked. This favor… outweighs Mount Tai."

The others also spoke up in turn.

Guan Sheng's voice rang like a great bell: "I'm bursting with strength! I can't wait to go onto the battlefield and slay the enemy!"

Huyan Zhuo laughed loudly: "I feel I could fight another fifty years!"

Yue Yun and Zhang Xian, though excited, kept their words respectful: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for granting us rebirth!"

The Five Ministers' responses were more restrained.

Zhang Cheng bowed deeply: "Your Majesty's generous gift, we ministers are grateful. This body and this life are now pledged to the court."

Zhao Lao Nian rubbed his hands, eyes bright: "Marvelous, utterly marvelous! This feeling… my body feels light, my mind seems more agile too?"

Shi Dun simply gave a heavy fist salute; everything was said without words.

Qian Gui smiled: "Though the treasury is drained, gaining twelve newly reborn pillars is worth ten thousand gold."

Wang Ru performed a salute: "I only wish to devote this reborn body to Your Majesty, to the aspiration of Northward, and give my modest effort again."

Chen Wen gave a slight nod.

"Old wounds healed, vitality reshaped, lifespan extended. This is the effect of 'Consolidating the Foundation.'"

His gaze swept over the crowd, his tone turning solemn.

"Yet, granting you rebirth is not for you to indulge in ease and comfort."

To the north, netherworld wolves gnash their teeth; to the west, the Iron Crow lurks; beyond the light curtain, variables have arisen.

For the coming decades, even a century, opposing that enemy who tampers with history and manipulates fate is where your newfound purpose lies.

Any objections?

The twelve's expressions tightened.

Immediately, there was no hesitation.

Led by Yue Fei, everyone dropped to one knee, clasped their fists, and spoke in unison:

I pledge this body to safeguard the orthodoxy of Huaxia!

I pledge this life to fulfill the Northward Aspiration!

I pledge a hundred years of time to stand with Your Majesty against the ancient foe, with no regret even unto a hundred deaths!

Their voices echoed within the secret chamber.

Resolute.

Decisive.

Full of power.

Chen Wen raised his hand.

Rise.

The ritual is complete; return to your posts and quickly adapt to your new forms.

Within three days, do not engage in combat; instead, calm your minds, comprehend, and solidify your realm.

Go.

Everyone bowed again, then rose one after another.

In their steps, they were light and steady, as if they were entirely different people from when they arrived.

The stone gate slowly opened.

Outside the gate, Zhang Cheng and Zhao Lao Nian, seeing the people emerge, could not help but flash shock and relief in their eyes.

Although they had been mentally prepared, seeing these twelve core officials renewed and full of vigor still stirred their hearts.

The group silently nodded to Zhang Cheng and Zhao Lao Nian, then, under guidance, departed silently.

They needed time to digest this immense change.

They also needed time to transmute this newfound strength into a stronger foundation for protecting the dynasty.

Inside the secret chamber.

Only Chen Wen remained.

He slowly stepped down from the stone platform.

His steps were slightly unsteady, but he quickly steadied himself.

On the system panel, his level remained steady at Lv. 7.

But his experience bar was nearly empty.

And the consumption of the nation's fortune…

He slightly closed his eyes to sense.

The vast sea of the Chen dynasty's nation fortune had noticeably dropped in level.

But its foundation remained unharmed.

The flow of qi fortune remained smooth, and even after undergoing this high-intensity, high-authority mobilization and 'tempering,' it subtly became more solid and pure.

Worth it.

He opened his eyes and murmured softly.

By sacrificing a moment's nation fortune, he exchanged it for a hundred years of prosperity for the twelve core cornerstones, and for greater resources to oppose the Iron Crow Army.

This trade was worthwhile.

He walked to the edge of the secret chamber and placed his hand on the still-warm markings.

The lingering energy was gradually calming, returning to the earth's veins.

Just then.

His brow suddenly furrowed.

Through the deep link between the system and the nation's fortune, he faintly felt.

At the rift in the light curtain.

The repelled nether-energy dark current had not fully dissipated.

Instead, it transformed into a more concealed, more insidious 'mark,' like a bone-eating worm, silently attaching to the regulatory structure at the edge of the rift.

At the same time.

Another vast, savage, plunder-filled nether-energy was gathering at a certain point farther north of the light curtain—in the former Jurchen lands of Liaodong's Jianzhou—converging and expanding at an unprecedented speed!

Iron Crow Army.

Indeed, they had shifted their focus to 'cultivating' a new agent.

Moreover, the speed was faster than he had anticipated.

Chen Wen's eyes grew slightly cold.

They've sped up…

That's fine.

He withdrew his hand, turned, and walked toward the stone gate.

His steps had regained their steadiness.

The golden vortex above Xijing had dissipated at some point.

The night sky cleared, cold stars speckled.

It seemed the earlier heavenly‑earthly portent was merely an illusory dream.

But inside Xijing city, countless people, officials, and soldiers who had recovered from their palpitations all retained an indelible mark in their hearts.

They did not know exactly what had happened.

But they instinctively sensed it.

Some things about this dynasty were no longer the same.

A deeper, more tenacious power seemed to be awakening and gathering beneath this land.

Huai Xi camp.

Zhu Yue slowly sat back beside the fire.

The violent disturbance in the east had already subsided.

But that shocking vision left a deep imprint in his mind.

Golden protection and creation.

Deep blue destruction and erosion.

And that wound that had grown larger…

And the foul, unsettling stain left near the wound.

He picked up a fresh piece of bark.

The charcoal stick moved in the firelight.

He recorded everything he had sensed tonight.

And finally, he wrote heavily:

"The enemy has revealed itself."

"Its power is deep blue, foul, twisted, seeking to control fate."

"In the east there is a golden radiance, a brilliant righteous path, endless and unceasing, seemingly to oppose that power."

"What should I do?"

The pen tip paused.

He gazed toward the dark depths of the east.

In his eyes, the light of inquiry and resolve flickered alternately.

(Chapter 686 ends)