Gu Jun pedaled steadily through the quiet countryside, the morning sun slanting low, painting golden streaks across the narrow road. The breeze was crisp, tugging gently at his collar, carrying the earthy scent of wet grass mixed with a faint trace of jasmine. His old bicycle clattered softly over the uneven pavement, the rhythm comforting in its simplicity—until a sudden movement made his heart lurch.
An old woman stepped out from the roadside brush.
Startled, Gu Jun slammed the brakes.The tires screeched. The bike skidded, stopping just short of her.
She didn't even blink.
Instead, she gave him a knowing look—eyes sharp and familiar—and let out a raspy chuckle. "What's the rush, brat?"
He let out a breath and blinked. The tension faded from his shoulders. He knew her. One of the village elders. Strange woman. Always turning up where you least expected.
"Temple Hill," he replied, voice soft.
She gave a slow nod, her gaze drifting somewhere far beyond him. "Then go. Don't keep the dead waiting."
Gu Jun gave a polite bow. "Take care, Granny."
She didn't answer, just stood there, watching as he pedaled off again.
The road narrowed, climbing gradually. When he reached the foot of Temple Hill, he hopped off and leaned his bike against the gnarled roots of an old tree. He paused for a second, adjusted the straps on his backpack, and started the climb.
Birdsong trailed off as he rose higher. The air grew still—too still.
At the summit, the temple appeared like something out of a dream: ancient, broken, half-devoured by vines and time. Cracked stone pillars leaned into the wind. Moss had claimed the floor. And yet… there was something alive in the silence. Like the temple was remembering.
Behind the ruins, behind thorn and bramble, was a clearing few knew existed.
A grave.
Gu Jun parted the overgrowth with practiced hands. He stepped into the clearing and approached the weathered stone tablet. Faded. Cracked. Its surface was worn down by years of rain and neglect.
To most, the writing would look like nonsense. Symbols no historian could trace.
But to Gu Jun, it was a name.
The characters still shimmered faintly.The Supreme Immortal Script.
He had carved it himself.
"Here lies a warrior.A hero of the world.Protector of the human race.Supreme Emperor of the Wild Universe."
Six years had passed since that day.He was only twelve then. Too young to understand everything, but old enough to feel the weight of it all.
Now he was eighteen. Old enough to carry it.
He crouched down and brushed away the leaves, clearing dirt from the grave with quiet care.
"Old man…" he said under his breath. "I'm leaving today. Headed for Tianhai. University starts next week."
He stood again, looking down at the stone, the wind brushing past him like a whisper.
"It's been six years since you disappeared. Two since Father died. And Mom…" He didn't finish the sentence. "You already know."
He rubbed the back of his neck, sighing. "You really left me nothing but questions. And a burden I never asked for."
A beat of silence.
"I still don't know how I feel about you," he said. "Sometimes I want to hate you. Other times I think… maybe I understand. You gave me a mountain before I could even stand up straight."
He laughed, softly, bitterly.
"But I remember the truth. I know what happened. You didn't run from the war. You gave everything to seal the Wild Universe. You held the line."
His hands clenched into fists.
"They call you a coward now. A deserter. Even your own daughter probably believes it."
He looked up at the sky for a moment. Then back down.
"But I'll fix that."
A faint glimmer passed through his eyes, subtle but unmistakable. Something old. Something waiting.
"I'll finish what you started. I'll break the Solar Seal. Bring back the Great Cultivation Era. Lead the warriors of this world—and end the Death Race once and for all."
He stepped forward and pressed his palm against the stone.
"I'll make them remember who you were. Not a traitor. A shield. A blade. The man who kept the darkness from swallowing us whole."
Then, slowly, he dropped to one knee and bowed until his forehead touched the earth.
"This is my oath."
And in the stillness that followed, the wind curled softly through the trees.
If anyone had been there to listen, they might've sworn they heard the temple whisper back.