Chapter 87 A New Challenge

After the great battle ended, the Spiritual Domain and the Cultivation World were like tired birds that had endured the long winter and gradually grown their wings, finally returning to their nests and completely immersing themselves in the long-awaited peaceful atmosphere. The cities that had once been mercilessly devastated by the flames of war, and the once-dilapidated ruins, have now been renovated and look brand new. The craftsmen worked tirelessly day and night. The laying of every brick and stone, and the paving of every piece of rubble embodied their beautiful expectations for the future, and piled up a new tower of hope. New buildings rose majestically, reaching into the clouds. Under the illumination of the golden sun, they sparkled with a dazzling light of new life, as if telling the joy of rebirth.

The streets were bustling with traffic and people coming and going. The children were laughing and running, and their carefree laughter echoed in the air, adding a bit of liveliness to this peaceful life. The adults had satisfied smiles on their faces, with brisk steps. They greeted each other and shared the little bits of life. Laughter and chatter rose one after another, interweaving into a wonderful melody of life, lingering in the streets and alleys for a long time.

The bazaar was even more bustling, just like a pot of boiling water. The stalls were lined up one after another, as neatly arranged as fish scales. The shelves were filled with a wide variety of goods, making people dazzled. The exquisite silk fluttered gently under the caress of the breeze, exuding a soft and charming luster, like a flowing galaxy, making people think of gorgeous clothes. The fresh fruits and vegetables exuded an alluring aroma, with bright and glistening colors. The red tomatoes were like fire, the green cucumbers were like jade, and the purple grapes were like agates. Each one was plump and juicy, making people drool. There were also handicrafts of various shapes, each of which poured in the countless efforts and wisdom of the craftsmen. They were either exquisite woodcarvings, delicate embroideries, or simple pottery, all showing the superb skills and unique ingenuity of the craftsmen. The stall owners shouted enthusiastically at the top of their voices, and their loud voices seemed to have a magic power, attracting the passers-by. The customers bargained with the stall owners, back and forth, refusing to give in. The voices that rose and fell interwove into a harmonious melody full of the flavor of life, vividly showing the liveliness and warmth of the world of mortals.

The common people who had once been displaced and wandering around were now living and working in peace and contentment, working hard on this land that had endured so much suffering but was full of hope. In the fields, there were busy figures everywhere. They bent over, sowing the seeds of hope and sweating hard. Spring plowing and autumn harvest, as the seasons changed, every drop of sweat watered the seeds of hope, and every cultivation carried the yearning for a better life. There was happiness and contentment on their faces, which was a precious smile harvested after going through hardships, as if telling the world that the past war and suffering had long gone, and the current life was full of sunshine and hope. The homeland that had once been devastated by the war was gradually restoring its former prosperity, full of vitality everywhere, as if the previous war was just a distant and blurry nightmare, gently buried by the dust of time.

After Lin Yu returned to Qingyun Sect, he and Su Yao welcomed an extremely precious and intoxicating peaceful time. They strolled together on the mountain paths shrouded in clouds and mist, as if they had stepped into a fairyland on earth. Under their feet was the soft and moist soil, carrying the warmth and love of the earth mother. Every step was like stepping on a soft cloud, or like stepping into a gentle dream, making people intoxicated. By the roadside, colorful wildflowers were in full bloom. The red ones were like burning flames, warm and unrestrained; the pink ones were like the clouds in the sky, gentle and romantic; the white ones were like the first snow in winter, pure and flawless. The gentle breeze blew, bringing bursts of floral fragrance, which was the purest and most primitive fragrance of nature, fresh and elegant, refreshing the mind and making people feel relaxed and happy. It was as if all the troubles were gently swept away by this wisp of floral fragrance and disappeared without a trace. They admired the different beautiful scenery brought by the change of the four seasons together. In spring, flowers bloomed in full bloom all over the mountains and plains, like a splendid and colorful picture scroll slowly unfolding in front of them. Every flower was like a masterpiece carefully painted by nature, competing with each other in beauty and splendor; in summer, the lush trees shaded the sky, casting a cool green shade, blocking the sweltering sun for them. Under the shade of the trees, they felt the protection and gift of nature; in autumn, the golden leaves fell one after another, like dancing butterflies, drawing beautiful arcs in the air, as if telling the melancholy of parting and the attachment to the earth; in winter, the snow-covered mountains made the whole world dressed in silver, like a fairyland, quiet and beautiful. They played in the snow, leaving a series of cheerful footprints, which were the marks of their happy life.

They went fishing together by the clear stream. The water surface sparkled, and the sun shone on the water, like sprinkling countless pieces of broken gold, shining with a dazzling light. The fish swam merrily in the water, and occasionally jumped out of the water, splashing small waves, as if showing their vitality and freedom to them. The afternoon sun shone on their bodies, making them feel warm and comfortable. Time seemed to stand still at this moment, and all the troubles were thrown out of their minds. They were immersed in this peaceful and beautiful time, enjoying the gift of nature and each other's company. On the night when the moonlight was like water, they sat face to face in the courtyard and had a long talk, sharing their innermost thoughts, either the innocent and funny things in their childhood, recalling the ignorance and innocence of the past. Those beautiful memories were like shining stars, shining in their hearts; or the longing for the future, envisioning the long years they would spend together. Those emotions hidden deep in their hearts were poured out without reservation at this moment. Their eyes were full of expectation for the future and love for each other. In those days, laughter and joy always surrounded them, as if there were no more troubles in the world. They were immersed in this ordinary and happy life, enjoying each other's company, thinking that such a time would last forever and become an eternal beauty in their lives.

However, such a peaceful life was like a fragile glass, which could be broken into pieces at any time under the gentle touch of fate. As someone who shoulders the heavy responsibility of protecting the world, even in a comfortable life, Lin Yu always had the hidden danger of the Chaotic Abyss on his mind. He knew very well that the Chaotic Abyss was like the Sword of Damocles hanging above the world. The shadow of darkness always shrouded this peaceful land, like an invisible big hand that could mercilessly destroy all the beauty at any time and bring about a catastrophic disaster. As he delved deeper into the study of the Chaotic Abyss, he traveled to every ancient relic in the Spiritual Domain and the Cultivation World. Those ancient stones and mysterious runes seemed to be telling stories sealed by the years. He consulted countless ancient books sealed in the depths of time. The yellowed pages recorded the forgotten history and mysterious power. Every word was like a key, trying to open the door to the secrets of the Chaotic Abyss. He also visited many wise men who lived in seclusion in the mountains and forests and secret realms. Although they were far away from the hustle and bustle of the world, they understood the mysteries of heaven and earth. Conversations with them gave Lin Yu a deeper understanding of the Chaotic Abyss. Combined with his unique perception of the chaotic power, a serious fact was mercilessly presented before him. Although the invasion of the evil forces was successfully repelled last time, allowing the world to get rid of the crisis temporarily, the problem of the loosening of the seal, like a time bomb, was still deeply buried in the darkness and had not been fundamentally solved.

In the endless darkness of the Chaotic Abyss, the evil forces were like ferocious beasts hidden in the shadows. Their very existence was a desecration and challenge to the world order. They constantly spied on the outside world, with greed and the light of destruction shining in their eyes, as if waiting for an opportune moment to drag the world into the endless abyss of darkness. They had never stopped their crazy attacks on the seal, emitting terrifying roars that made people's hair stand on end. The sound seemed to penetrate the soul, making people shudder, like a curse from hell, making people feel endless fear. They continuously accumulated strength, and every energy fluctuation carried a strong malice, as if it were a provocation to the world, clamoring in the darkness to turn all the beauty into nothingness. In the darkness, strange lights flashed from time to time, which was the surging of their evil power, like the eyes of demons, making people tremble with fear, as if there were pairs of eyes watching you in the darkness, leaving you with nowhere to escape. Through consulting various ancient books and his perception of the chaotic power, Lin Yu keenly perceive that the next attack of the evil forces was likely to be more violent and difficult to resist than the last one. They might all come out in full force, with endless resentment and the desire for destruction. Wherever they went, there would surely be countless casualties, cities would once again be reduced to ruins, and the common people would fall into endless pain and despair, bringing unprecedented disasters to the Spiritual Domain and the Cultivation World. Having experienced the cruelty of war, Lin Yu knew very well what kind of tragic scene that would be. He had seen with his own eyes the destruction of his homeland, the separation of his relatives, and the loss of lives. Those pictures haunted his mind like a nightmare, and every scene was like a sharp knife, piercing his heart. He would never allow such a tragedy to happen again. He would use his power to protect this beautiful world and the people he loved.

In order to completely solve this problem, protect the hard-won peace, safeguard Su Yao whom he loved deeply, as well as all the people he cherished in the world and the whole world, after countless days and nights of careful consideration, Lin Yu resolutely decided to embark on a journey again. He knew very well that this would be a journey full of unknowns and dangers. Countless difficulties and obstacles might await him ahead. Every step might lead him into a deadly trap. Those evil creatures hidden in the darkness might pounce on him with their teeth and claws at any time, launching a deadly attack; the unpredictable environment might plunge him into a desperate situation at any time, facing the test of life and death; he might even face the threat of death. In the face of the terrifying power of the Chaotic Abyss, life might be as fragile as a candle in the wind, and could be extinguished at any time. But there was no hesitation or flinching in his eyes, only firmness and determination, which was a resolve to spare no effort for protection, a responsibility to bear, and a promise of love. There was a fearless courage in his eyes, as if telling the world that no matter how many difficulties and obstacles there were ahead, he would move forward bravely and never give up.

On the day of departure, the warm sun flood the courtyard of Qingyun Sect without reservation, covering the entire courtyard with a layer of golden light, as if seeing him off, or giving him strength. But Lin Yu's heart was full of reluctance. He looked at Su Yao, his eyes full of affection and guilt. Su Yao held his hand tightly, as if he would disappear if she let go. That hand transmitted each other's warmth and carried endless concern. Tears welled up in her eyes, and her lips trembled slightly, but she held back the tears. She understood Lin Yu's decision and knew the responsibility he carried, but the reluctance in her heart welled up like a surging tide, making it almost impossible for her to breathe. How she wished that time could stop at this moment and he could stay by her side forever, but she also knew that he had a more important mission to complete. Lin Yu gently raised his hand and tenderly wiped away the tears that were about to fall from the corner of Su Yao's eyes. The movement was as gentle as if he was touching a rare treasure, and his voice was slightly choked as he said, "Yao'er, wait for me to come back. This time, I will definitely completely solve the hidden danger of the Chaotic Abyss, and then we can be together forever." Su Yao held back her tears and nodded firmly, saying, "I'll wait for you. You must come back safely." Those brief words were full of endless concern and worry, and every word seemed to be spoken with her life, making people feel her deep love and endless worry for Lin Yu.

After that, Lin Yu bid farewell to his relatives and friends one by one. They gathered around Lin Yu, their faces full of concern and reluctance. Everyone repeatedly told Lin Yu to be careful and cautious, not to be brave when facing danger, and to come back as soon as possible. Some elders earnestly imparted some experience and skills to him, hoping to give him a hand. Their words were full of love and expectation for the younger generation; some friends patted him on the shoulder and gave him the most sincere encouragement. There was trust and support in their eyes; some younger generations had eyes full of admiration and expectation, looking forward to his triumphant return. They regarded Lin Yu as a hero in their hearts and believed that he could surely overcome all difficulties. Lin Yu agreed one by one. Looking at these familiar and kind faces, his heart was full of emotion. These people were the warmth and strength in his life, and also the source of motivation for him to protect the world. With the concern and blessings of everyone, he turned around and stepped out of the gate of Qingyun Sect. His figure was stretched very long in the sun, getting farther and farther away, and gradually disappearing from everyone's sight. But his firm belief and fearless courage were deeply imprinted in everyone's heart, becoming the light of hope in everyone's heart, inspiring people to face all the challenges in the future bravely, and making people believe that as long as Lin Yu was there, there was hope for the world and peace was guaranteed. No matter how rough the road ahead was, no matter how many difficulties and obstacles there would be in the future, they would firmly believe that Lin Yu could surely overcome all and protect this beautiful world.