Chapter 690: The Price of Victory, Restoring Order

The evil aura permeating the air receded like a tide, replaced by fresh air.

The underground palace no longer shook violently, the massive stones stopped falling, and everything tended toward calm.

The scorching magma surging from the depths of the earth also gradually cooled and solidified, no longer posing a threat to the surroundings.

The dead volcano returned to its original state—a silent mountain peak.

But the joy of victory was quickly diluted by the heavy reality.

The four Sect Leaders sacrificed their lives to reseal the Demon God; their figures had already vanished from this world forever.

Xuantianzi, Jian Wuchen, Wuyuanzi, and Abbot Fahui, these pillars of the cultivation world, had left just like that.

Besides the four Sect Leaders, dozens of cultivators also sacrificed themselves in the battle.

Some died from the Demon God's attacks, some from the Demonic Cultivators' siege, and some from Xue Wutian's evil arts.

Every departed life represented a broken family and a loss for a sect.

The surviving cultivators stood in the devastated underground palace, their moods extremely complex.

They had achieved victory and prevented the Demon God from destroying the world.

But the price paid was so heavy that it made it impossible to feel happy.

The ruins were filled with traces of the battle: bloodstains, rubble, and broken weapons.

These were silently recounting the tragic battle that had just taken place.

Lin Xuan stood at the center of the Seal, the white-gold light on his body having completely receded.

But everyone could feel the fundamental change that had occurred within him.

The current Lin Xuan was no longer that young man filled with baleful energy and hatred.

His gaze had become profound and compassionate, as if he could see through all the suffering and hope in the world.

His standing posture was also more steady, and every gesture radiated a reassuring temperament.

This was how a guardian who had truly inherited the will of the Creator God should look.

Nezha and Zhang Wuji rushed to Lin Xuan's side at the first moment, their faces filled with concern.

Although Lin Xuan did not appear injured, that level of bloodline awakening would inevitably place a huge burden on his body.

"Lin Xuan, how are you?" Nezha asked urgently.

"The changes in you just now were too great; is there anything uncomfortable?"

Zhang Wuji also said worriedly, "Do you need to take a Pill? I have a few sacred healing medicines here."

Lin Xuan looked at the concerned expressions of his two best friends, and waves of warmth surged in his heart.

No matter what he became, these two people always stood by his side, never changing.

"I am fine, better than at any time before." Lin Xuan nodded with a smile.

His smile was gentler than before, without the previous sharpness and baleful energy.

"The complete awakening of the Creator bloodline allowed me to find the true source of power."

"It is not anger and hatred, but protection and compassion."

As he spoke, Lin Xuan's gaze turned to the place where the four Sect Leaders had dissipated, and a trace of sorrow flashed in his eyes.

"It is just that this price is too heavy."

"The four seniors originally had long lifespans and could have continued to guide their respective sects."

"Now they have sacrificed themselves to save the world; I will never forget this kindness."

Nezha and Zhang Wuji also fell silent.

Although they were not familiar with those four Sect Leaders, they were moved by their great righteousness.

Being able to choose sacrifice without hesitation at a critical moment, this spirit was worthy of everyone's admiration.

Just then, the remaining righteous cultivators gathered around.

Their attitudes had undergone a heaven-shaking change compared to before.

The former hostility and hatred had completely vanished, replaced by awe and gratitude.

An Elder of the Heavenly Sword Sect said with a trembling voice, "Benefactor Lin, we were wrong."

"We had too many misunderstandings and prejudices against you before; please forgive us."

This Elder was named Jian Wushuang, a junior fellow apprentice of Jian Wuchen, and was usually upright in character.

He had previously held an extremely hostile attitude toward Lin Xuan, wishing he could kill him personally to avenge his fellow apprentices.

But after witnessing everything just now, he completely changed his mind.

Lin Xuan not only saved everyone but also used the power of compassion to reseal the Demon God.

How could such a person be a demonic being? He was clearly a true member of the righteous path.

Other cultivators also stepped forward one after another to bow and apologize.

"Benefactor Lin, we apologize to you!"

"It was we who were blind and wrongly blamed you!"

"You are a hero of the cultivation world, yet we treated you as an enemy; we are truly guilty of death!"

Among these cultivators were disciples of the Five Elements Sect, monks from the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple, and cultivators from other small sects.

They had all participated in the siege against Lin Xuan before, and now they all felt deep shame for it.

Facing everyone's apologies, Lin Xuan showed no arrogance or smugness.

He waved his hand and said peacefully, "Let the past be the past."

"We all fought for the same goal, and that is enough."

"Besides, the situation at the time was complex, and it is understandable that you had such a reaction."

"If it were me, seeing someone kill my fellow apprentices, I might have made the same choice."

Lin Xuan's tolerance left everyone present feeling shocked.

If it were anyone else who had suffered such misunderstanding and pursuit, it would be impossible to forgive the enemy so easily.

But Lin Xuan not only forgave them, but also stood in their shoes to understand their actions.

Such breadth of mind and demeanor is truly something only a genuine saint can possess.

Jian Wushuang's eyes filled with tears, and he bowed deeply: "Benefactor Lin's breadth of mind makes us feel ashamed."

"From this day forward, the Heaven Sword Sect is willing to follow your lead!"

Other cultivators also expressed their stance one after another, willing to follow Lin Xuan.

But Lin Xuan waved his hand again to refuse: "I do not need anyone to follow me."

"Everyone has their own path to walk, and I am no exception."

He looked around at the crowd and continued: "Although the Demon God has been re-sealed, the cultivation world has suffered a great blow because of this."

"The sacrifice of the four Sect Leaders and the deaths of dozens of cultivators—these losses will take a long time to recover from."

"More importantly, we need to re-establish order so that the innocent common people can live and work in peace."

Lin Xuan's words caused everyone to fall into deep thought.

Indeed, although the threat of the Demon God had been lifted, the cultivation world still faced many problems.

With the Sect Leaders of the major sects having passed away one after another, who would maintain the stability of the cultivation world?

Although the Blood Demon Sect had been destroyed, there were still other evil forces that might take advantage of the situation to cause chaos.

And how should the ordinary common people who suffered during the turmoil be comforted?

These were all problems that urgently needed to be solved.

"Benefactor Lin is right," Jian Wushuang nodded and said.

"We cannot just immerse ourselves in the joy of victory; we must also consider the subsequent reconstruction work."

An Elder of the Five Elements Sect also said: "Now that the sect is without a leader, all kinds of affairs need to be rearranged."

The crowd began to earnestly discuss the various matters following the war.