Crossing the Cultivation Realm: Two Souls Coexist

When it came time to erect a monument for Senior Zheng Su, Hu Qing, Gu Yang, and Lin Feng were all stunned. They looked at each other, unsure of what to do.

Senior Zheng Su sacrificed himself, his body and soul vanished without a trace. So what should be placed in this coffin?

After pondering for a moment, Hu Qing moved and transformed into a streak of light, flying back to the military camp and heading straight to the simple tent where Zheng Su had lived before his death.

The interior furnishings remained unchanged, as if the owner had only temporarily left.

He carefully packed several Taoist robes that Zheng Su often wore, which were a bit faded from washing, as well as an old inkstone that he was used to using, and then looked around.

His gaze finally settled on the neatly made bed. He gently stroked the cool sheets, as if he could still feel a trace of his predecessor's presence.

Carrying these objects that held memories, he quickly returned to the cemetery.

After discussing it, the group decided to set up a cenotaph for Senior Zheng Su.

Hu Qing carefully placed the neatly folded Taoist robe and the inkstone into the black wooden coffin that belonged to Zheng Su.

Finally, he solemnly placed the bare whisk handle, which had followed Zheng Su to the very end and whose dust had completely fallen off, next to his clothes.

This whisk has accompanied my predecessor for countless years, witnessing his cultivation and perseverance. Let it accompany him on his final journey.

Gu Yang moved a new stone tablet that had been polished smooth and had no inscriptions on it from the side.

He had searched through the mountain of tombstones for a long time, but still couldn't find Zheng Su's name.

Only after inquiring with Lin Feng did he learn that the old man was extremely stubborn and inflexible, and had explicitly stated before his death that he did not want a tombstone erected, saying...

"When the body dies and the Dao perishes, why should one's name be recorded on a stubborn stone?"

After listening, Hu Qing was filled with emotion and sighed softly.

He took out the sharp knife, exchanged a glance with Gu Yang, and the two of them focused their minds on the blank stone tablet, carefully carving each stroke.

Stone dust flew everywhere, and a line of solemn handwriting gradually appeared: "Respectfully erected by Zheng Su, Eastern Inspector, and his disciples Hu Qing, Gu Yang, and Xiao Zi."

After doing all this, Gu Yang took out a clean towel and carefully wiped the stone powder and dust off his hands.

He looked up and saw that the once empty cemetery was now filled with a dense, orderly, and solemn forest of gray tombstones.

Lin Feng, speaking in a hoarse voice, explained that the East China Sea Navy camp had a full complement of 3,000 men, and this newly built cemetery in front of them contained the remains of 2,831 heroes.

After completing the work of erecting the monument, many soldiers did not leave immediately. They stood in front of their comrades' graves, some silently shedding tears, others sobbing softly.

Comrades who once trained, laughed, and fought side by side are now separated from us forever and rest here in eternal sleep.

Anyone who sees this scene will feel their heart breaking and be overwhelmed with sorrow.

"Is everything ready? Then let's prepare for the funeral."

The old tortoise's highly recognizable hoarse voice suddenly rang out behind Gu Yang and the others, as if it had emerged from the ground at some unknown time.

It strolled to the four graves at the front, its gaze sweeping over the four dark coffins. Its beady eyes widened slightly, revealing a hint of surprise:

"The Thousand-Year Soul-Nourishing Wood of the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Trees? That old tree stingy is incredibly stingy, how could it be willing to give you such a treasure?"

It stretched out its front paws and gently patted the coffin made of soul-nourishing wood, feeling the warm vitality contained within it.

He then turned to look at Gu Yang and Hu Qing, his tone somewhat grave:

“The Soul-Nourishing Wood does indeed have the effect of nourishing the soul and objects; your intentions are good.”

But they are, after all, dead, their souls and spirits gone.

If they remain nourished by this wood for too long, their lingering physical spirit will not dissipate. This will not only be of no benefit, but may even breed misfortune, disturbing their final peace, and even... risking them becoming mere walking corpses.

Upon hearing this, Gu Yang's forehead instantly broke out in a cold sweat. He had only considered making sure his seniors slept comfortably and hadn't thought of this aspect at all. He hurriedly asked:

"Then... senior, is there any way to remedy this?"

The old tortoise snorted coldly: "Hmph, now you're in a hurry? Why didn't you use your brain when you made your choice?"

Although it was sharp-tongued, it was quick to act. It raised one front paw and seemingly casually stomped lightly on the ground.

"Om..."

An invisible yet powerful earth-elemental spiritual energy fluctuation rapidly spread outwards from the center of his feet.

Immediately afterwards, a thin layer of crystal-like substance, shimmering with a crystalline luster, appeared out of thin air and precisely enveloped the black wooden coffins in the four burial pits, forming a transparent crystalline shell.

The old tortoise then explained, "I used this layer of 'Spirit Sealing Rock Crystal' to temporarily suppress the active nourishing effect of the Soul Nourishing Wood."

However, it also ensures that its gentle spiritual energy slowly nourishes the body, preventing decay. As for what happens next…

It paused, its small, beady eyes sweeping over Hu Qing and Gu Yang with an indescribable, strange expression.

"...It all depends on whether you have the opportunity and ability to find the truly heaven-defying and life-saving methods in the future."

"Resurrection?!" Upon hearing these two words, Hu Qing and Gu Yang's hearts skipped a beat, and their eyes instantly flashed with disbelief and intense desire.

Does the world truly possess the supernatural ability to bring the dead back to life?

Just as they were about to press for more information, the old tortoise gave them no further chances.

It pulled out three large, heavy wooden boxes from somewhere—perhaps from the seemingly stuffed tortoise shell—and placed them on the ground with a thud.

The box was open, and inside it was full of cut-up, bright yellow paper money.

"Boy," the old tortoise turned to Lin Feng, his voice regaining its previous solemnity, "have all your men come here. The funeral is officially beginning!"

Without a word, all the logistics personnel and soldiers still in the cemetery quickly and orderly formed neat square formations under Lin Feng's silent command.

Hu Qing and Gu Yang immediately suppressed their excitement and questions and stood solemnly.

Xiao Zi seemed to sense the solemn atmosphere as well, and stood quietly beside Gu Yang's legs, no longer playing around.

The entire cemetery fell silent instantly, with only the faint rustling of the wind through the new tombstone and the suppressed breathing of the crowd.

A heavy, tragic, and sacred atmosphere enveloped everyone.

The old tortoise completely suppressed its usual cynicism and sharp tongue. It stood upright, raised its head, and faced the new forest of tombstones.

With solemn and dignified expressions, he began to chant the eulogy in a loud, ancient and desolate tone:

"The heavens are glorious, the sun and moon shine bright. Today, heroes stand guard, swords in hand, drinking blood on the battlefield."

Golden spears reflect courage and loyalty, iron armor forges a devoted soul; drawing water from the Milky Way to cleanse the world of its filth, raising the flames of war to illuminate the mountains and rivers…

Now his soul returns to the stars, his spirit to the vast void, yet his achievements are inscribed on the bronze vessels, his virtue shines upon heaven and earth!

Its sound was like a grand bell, carrying a strange penetrating power, echoing in the air above the cemetery.

Every word seemed to strike a chord in everyone's hearts, evoking endless sorrow and respect.

After reciting this eulogy praising the deceased, the old tortoise stretched out its claws and gestured towards the void.

The three boxes of paper money seemed to be stirred by an invisible hand, and they all flew up with a whoosh, transforming into a flock of golden butterflies fluttering in the sky under the drive of its pure spiritual power.

They instantly rose into the air, densely packed, almost obscuring the vast autumn sky above!

Immediately afterwards, the old tortoise's chanting rang out again, even more distant and ethereal than before, as if communicating with something in the unseen realm:

"May the road to heaven be opened to guide the spirits of heroes; may the Big Dipper boat be commanded to carry them back to their homeland."

So that the loyal and brave may not be condemned to oblivion;

May the spirit of integrity and righteousness ascend to heaven early on Qingming Festival.

He bestowed fine wine to cleanse the bitterness of war, and granted a jade tablet to record the merits of the entire nation.

On the path of reincarnation, may you encounter a peaceful and happy family; on the journey of rebirth, may you be bathed in the benevolent spring breeze!

Just as its last syllable fell—

"boom!"

As if an invisible fire had been ignited, the tens of thousands of paper money fluttering in the sky burst into flames at the same moment!

There was no smoke, only pure and intense golden flames!

In an instant, the entire sky above the cemetery seemed to transform into a golden sea of ​​fire, the blazing flames illuminating every sorrowful yet devout face below.

The silent tombstones reflected in the sky and earth were dyed a tragic golden-red color!

The intense heat caused the air to distort slightly, and the ashes from the burning paper did not fall.

Instead, they carry the prayers and sorrows of the living, transforming into wisps of smoke that swirl and stubbornly ascend upwards.

Higher and higher, fainter and fainter, until it finally disappeared completely from the horizon where everyone looked up, as if it truly led to that unknowable other shore...

The funeral is over, and the spirits of the fallen have departed. What remains is the endless longing of the living and this land beneath our feet that must continue to be protected.