The voice echoed throughout the academy, piercing through the walls, the tall tower, and the clouds, spreading far into the distance.
At the same time, in every corner of the continent, countless people were doing the exact same thing—passing down the flame of conviction.
In a military camp within Tian Dou City, young soldiers sat in a circle, listening to a veteran general recount the tales of Zhao Feng from years past. The veteran general's voice was aged yet vigorous as he narrated how Zhao Feng grew from an ordinary soldier into the commander of the Heroic Spirits Army, how he always led by example on the battlefield, how he rallied morale in desperate straits, and how he held fast to his conviction through a millennium of solitude.
"Commander Zhao Feng once said something," the veteran general looked at the young soldiers, a glimmer of tears in his eyes. "He said that true protection isn't about how many enemies you slay, but how many people you save. What we must protect is not victory, nor glory, but the people who need our protection."
The young soldiers listened in silence before one raised his hand and asked, "General, then who is our enemy now?"
The veteran general fell silent for a moment before replying, "An enemy? Perhaps there is no specific enemy. What we must fight against is fear, despair, apathy, and selfishness. These are the true enemies. They are far more terrifying than any foe, for they destroy us from within."
The young soldiers nodded thoughtfully.
In a small village outside Tian Dou City, an elderly woman was teaching children to sing. It was an ancient song, the Ode to Heroic Spirits passed down after the great war a millennium ago. The elderly woman's voice was no longer crisp, perhaps even a little out of tune, but the children learned earnestly, singing along over and over again.
"The spirits of heroes, forever enduring; The heart of guardianship, through generations renewing..."
The children's tender voices echoed through the village, carrying far and wide. Hearing the song, the village elders simultaneously put down their work, listening quietly, their eyes filled with gratification.
In a small town on the borders of the Tian Dou Empire, a young Soul Master was tending to the wounded. Although the great war had ended, border skirmishes remained frequent, and wounded soldiers and civilians required medical attention. The young Soul Master's soul power wasn't particularly strong, but his medical skills were excellent. More importantly, he possessed boundless patience and compassion.
"Thank you, sir," a wounded soldier grasped the young Soul Master's hand, his eyes brimming with gratitude.
The young Soul Master smiled and patted the soldier's shoulder. "There's no need to thank me. If you must thank someone, thank Lord Qian Renxue, Commander Zhao Feng, and Lord Lin Mo. They were the ones who taught me what it means to protect."
The soldier was taken aback for a moment, then nodded heavily.
These scenes played out endlessly in every corner of the continent. Conviction, like a seed, took root and sprouted in everyone's heart, blooming into a myriad of different flowers. Some used it to motivate themselves, some used it to help others, some used it to educate the next generation, and some used it to bring warmth to the world.
The ways in which conviction was passed down varied, but the core remained ever constant—The heroic spirits are immortal; our guardianship will never cease.
...
Time flew by like a fleeting shadow, and in the blink of an eye, another three years passed.
The Heroic Spirits Academy had already produced three batches of students, nearly a thousand in total. These individuals were scattered across every corner of the continent. Some had become teachers, some doctors, some soldiers, some officials, while others became ordinary farmers, craftsmen, or merchants. They all used their own methods to carry on the conviction, guarding the people around them.
Su Chen stood atop the high tower of the Heroic Spirits Academy, overlooking the entirety of Tian Dou City. Over these three years, Tian Dou City had grown even more prosperous and peaceful. The streets bustled with people; children played in the plazas; elders chatted under the shade of trees; soldiers patrolled the city walls; and Soul Masters trained in the training grounds. Everything was moving in a positive direction.
But Su Chen knew that this peace was only temporary.
Although the Void Cult had been severely crippled after the destruction of the Seed of the Void, it had not been completely eradicated. Their remnant forces lurked in every corner of the continent, secretly amassing their strength, waiting for an opportunity to stage a comeback. Furthermore, even though the Seed of the Void had been destroyed, the true body of the Source of the Void had not been eliminated. The sacrifice of Qian Renxue, Zhao Feng, and Lin Mo had only destroyed a single will projection of the Source of the Void. The true body of the Source of the Void still existed in some unknown space, still searching for an opportunity to invade the Douluo Continent.
"Strategist," Ares' voice came from behind him. "The Tian Dou Empire's intelligence department has sent an urgent report."
Su Chen took the report, skimmed through it, and his brows immediately furrowed. The report stated that traces of the Void Cult had been discovered in the Extreme North—the northernmost tip of the continent. They had established a secret base there and were researching a type of evil soul tool, rumored to be capable of generating Void power by absorbing the souls of Soul Masters.
"The Extreme North..." Su Chen murmured to himself. "That is the most remote place on the continent, completely desolate. It's indeed a perfect place to hide."
"Strategist, what should we do?" Ares asked.
Su Chen fell silent for a moment before saying, "Assemble the elite students of the Heroic Spirits Academy. We are heading to the Extreme North."
"Now?"
"Now." Su Chen pocketed the report, a flash of resolve in his eyes. "The peace that Lord Qian Renxue, Commander Zhao Feng, and Lord Lin Mo traded their lives for cannot be destroyed by the Void Cult. We must inherit their will and continue to guard this land."
Ares nodded and turned to assemble the students.
Half an hour later, thirty elite students of the Heroic Spirits Academy stood in the plaza. The oldest among them was no more than twenty-five, while the youngest was only sixteen. They all wore the academy's uniform—white robes with a golden angel wing embroidered over the left chest. This was the emblem of the Heroic Spirits Academy, symbolizing guardianship and conviction.
Su Chen stood before them, his gaze sweeping across each of their faces. Among these young people, some were extraordinarily gifted, while others had average aptitudes, but they all shared one common trait—their eyes were resolute and clear, brimming with reverence for the heroic spirits and a thirst for guardianship.
"Everyone," Su Chen began, his voice not loud, but every word crisp and forceful. "Today, we are heading to the Extreme North. Remnant forces of the Void Cult are operating there. They are attempting to re-condense the power of the Void through wicked means. If they succeed, the sacrifices of Lord Qian Renxue, Commander Zhao Feng, and Lord Lin Mo will have been in vain."
Thirty pairs of eyes simultaneously flashed with light—harboring anger, determination, and excitement, but not a trace of fear.
"This operation does not necessarily mean we will engage in combat, nor does it mean we must wipe out the enemy," Su Chen continued. "Our mission is to investigate the situation, gather intelligence, and return to formulate a plan. But I must warn you: the members of the Void Cult are lunatics. They will do absolutely anything for the sake of the Void's power. Therefore, this mission carries a certain degree of danger."
"We aren't afraid!" a youthful voice rang out from the crowd. It was an eighteen-year-old youth named Chen Hao, the most outstanding student of the Heroic Spirits Academy's third batch. His Martial Soul was the Sword of Light, and his soul power had already reached the Soul King rank, making him a standout among his peers.
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