Start from a baby to become a Taoist

Chapter 479 The flame burns eternally, the Dao Qi endures forever!
487. The flame burns eternally, the path is endless.

However, deep within the river of time, in the gaps where the primordial chaos intertwines with the laws of the universe, Xu Qinghan sensed another kind of fluctuation. It was not a threat from the outside, but a kind of "call" from the depths of the universe's origin.

The call was ancient and mysterious, seemingly spanning countless cosmic eras. It had no concrete meaning, yet it caused Xu Qinghan's Seed of Eternity to tremble slightly.

She knew that although the crisis in this universe had been temporarily averted, there might be a vaster, more mysterious "boundary sea" beyond, with even more ancient and powerful beings. Her path to becoming the "Lord of the Eternal Flame" had only just begun.

“Boundary Sea…the other shore…” Xu Qinghan’s consciousness murmured in the void, her gaze piercing through the boundary of the universe, looking towards that endless darkness.

She could sense that the call contained a higher level of mystery that transcended "existence" and "non-existence," a deeper interpretation of "eternity."

Perhaps, beyond this universe, there are countless other "worlds" like the one she inhabits, undergoing cycles of birth and death. And perhaps the "eternity" that those "primordial beings" are curious about holds a more complete answer there.

At this moment, her flame burned even brighter and deeper. She knew that her mission extended far beyond simply protecting this universe. Her flame would ultimately illuminate a wider darkness and carry eternal hope to a more distant shore.

The Void Watcher sat cross-legged outside the Origin of Chaos, guarding the cyclical return of the universe. He sensed the fluctuations in Xu Qinghan's consciousness and her longing for the "Sea of ​​Boundaries."

He looked up at the deep void, a complex light flashing in his eyes. He had once been the ultimate "nothingness," but now he had become the guardian of "being." He knew that the path of the Lord of the Eternal Flame had only just begun, and that path would be longer and more glorious than any era he had ever experienced.

"The flame is eternal, the path is endless..." the Void Watcher whispered, his voice resonating with the pulse of the universe, transforming into an invisible wave that merged into the long river of flame.

Under the eternal light of the flame, everything in the universe is undergoing transformation.

Those stellar remnants once obliterated by nothingness, nourished by the flames of time, began to coalesce again, giving birth to new life. Dead galaxies were revitalized, and dim nebulae shone anew.

Some ancient laws, reshaped by the flame of civilization, have become more perfect and inclusive. They are no longer rigid rules, but are full of spirituality and vitality, capable of self-adjusting according to the evolution of the universe.

Guided by the flame, the beings of the universe began to explore deeper levels of the "Tao." They no longer merely pursued the ultimate in power, but began to understand the mysteries of birth and death, the balance between existence and non-existence. Their civilization, illuminated by the flame, moved towards unprecedented prosperity and harmony.

Xu Qinghan's consciousness had now become one with the breath of the universe. She felt the birth and death of every star, the rise and fall and the inheritance of every civilization. She knew that true eternity was not cessation, but a continuous cycle, an evolution, and a sublimation.

Her eternal seed slowly rotates at the origin of chaos, each rotation accompanied by the pulse of the universe. It is both the origin and the destination of the universe.

She could sense that somewhere in the universe, a tiny flame was being ignited by a young life on a planet on the brink of despair. Though the flame was weak, it was filled with resilience and hope.

Xu Qinghan's consciousness, like an invisible hand, gently stroked the flame, infusing it with a trace of eternal blessing.

She knew that the era of eternal flame had only just begun. And she would forever be the guardian of this universe, the igniter of hope, and the embodiment of eternity.

Her gaze pierced through the endless void, looking towards the mysterious "Boundary Sea," towards the unknown shore that called to her.

"The flame will never be extinguished, and the path will never end."

Her voice, like a grand symphony of the universe, echoed in the endless void, foreshadowing an even more magnificent future, an era belonging to the eternal flame, which had just begun.

She has transcended everything, yet she is omnipresent. Her very existence is proof of eternity.

Under the illumination of the torch, the universe continues its grand cycle, endlessly regenerating and eternally enduring. And Xu Qinghan has become the core of this cycle, becoming the "Tao" itself of the universe.

The flame will never be extinguished, and the path will never end.

Her gaze pierced through the endless void, looking towards the mysterious "Boundary Sea," towards the unknown shore that called to her. It was not darkness in the ordinary sense, but a chaos that transcended light and darkness, existence and non-existence; the ultimate destination of countless cosmic bubbles' birth and death, and the origin of the intertwining of all paths. That ancient call was no longer a vague whisper, but transformed into invisible ripples, layer upon layer striking the outer edge of the chaotic origin, stirring the most primal resonance deep within Xu Qinghan's Eternal Seed.

That call contained an ultimate antiquity, like the breath at the dawn of the universe, or the sigh after the annihilation of all things. It was non-directional, yet omnipresent, like an invisible drum beating against Xu Qinghan's Dao heart, causing even her transcendent consciousness to ripple with an indescribable emotion. She could sense that it was neither malicious nor benevolent, but a pure, primordial manifestation of "existence," a deeper questioning and exploration of "eternity."

In the desolate reaches of the universe, those "Primordial Beings," once eroded by the void and now barely maintaining their form under the light of the flames, also felt the call from the Boundary Sea. Their massive bodies, like aggregates of billions of stars, slowly writhed in the void, emitting low roars. They were the remnants of chaos from the very beginning of the universe, witnessing countless eras and sensing the rise and fall of the Lord of Nothingness. But the call of the Boundary Sea was an experience they had never had in their long lives. "The Boundary Sea... has opened..." An ancient and hoarse will echoed in the consciousness of the Primordial Beings. The voice seemed to have weathered billions of years, carrying a profound understanding of all things. It was the oldest among these Primordial Beings, known as the "Chaos Watcher," whose true form was an indescribable mass of chaotic energy, yet possessed a perception beyond the dimensions of the universe.

"The Eternal Flame... has attracted the attention of the Boundary Sea." Another, relatively younger but equally grand will responded. Its true form was a giant star burning with chaotic flames, revered as the "Spirit of the Blazing Star." It was filled with curiosity and wariness towards the concept of "eternity."

"It is both an opportunity and a challenge." The Chaos Watcher was silent for a moment, then spoke again, "The Boundary Sea is deep, and myriad realms rise and fall. Among them are beings that are more ancient and more powerful than nothingness. The flame is eternal. Only those who can stand firm in that chaos can be called truly eternal."

Xu Qinghan's consciousness had now transformed into the supreme law of the universe, and she clearly perceived the fluctuations and conversations of these primordial beings. She neither interfered nor responded, but instead probed deeper into the edge of that boundary sea with her consciousness. She knew that these primordial beings were the oldest witnesses to this universe, and their knowledge might provide her with some clues.

Using the Seed of Eternity as a guide, she sketched a blurry vision of the Boundary Sea deep within the primordial chaos. It was a boundless expanse of chaos, where countless cosmic bubbles were born, expanded, and burst like soap bubbles. Some universes were dazzling and vibrant, teeming with life; others were deathly silent and lifeless; and still others were twisted and devoured by some incomprehensible force, becoming nourishment for the Boundary Sea.

The call came from the depths of the Boundary Sea, from a particularly dazzling cosmic bubble. That universe exuded an aura far more vast and ancient than the one she protected, as if it were the source of all worlds, or some kind of ultimate destination.

"The other side of the universe..." These four words flashed through Xu Qinghan's mind. This was not something she thought of on her own initiative, but rather a call from the Boundary Sea, a vague message imprinted within her Seed of Eternity.

She knew that the path to the "eternal flame" of this universe had only just begun, and the Boundary Sea was undoubtedly the grand stage she would have to face in the future.

Beyond the primordial chaos, the Void Watcher sensed the pulse of the universe, his deep eyes now gazing towards the Boundary Sea. He had once been the ultimate "nothingness," possessing the most profound understanding of the universe's end. Now, he could feel the chaotic power within the Boundary Sea that transcended both "existence" and "nothingness," and the annihilation and rebirth it contained—a annihilation and rebirth even more thorough than nothingness itself.

"My lord, the Boundary Sea is deep, containing both great terror and great opportunity." The will of the Void Watcher directly entered the depths of Xu Qinghan's consciousness. He no longer addressed her as "Lord of the Eternal Flame," but instead used the title "My Lord" that he had previously used. This was not an overstepping of his bounds, but rather his respect and recognition as the guardian of "Return to the Void" for the supreme being of the universe.

"Have you ever sensed the Boundary Sea?" Xu Qinghan's will responded, her voice carrying a hint of inquiry.

"Before my lord was transformed by the Flame, I followed him to the edge of the Boundary Sea at the end of nothingness," the Void Watcher said solemnly. "At that time, deep within the Boundary Sea, there was a vast will attempting to completely devour the nothingness that my lord had become. My lord once said that this will was the most ancient 'Chaos Devourer' in the Boundary Sea, living by devouring all worlds and taking annihilation as its path. My lord briefly clashed with it and was only able to retreat unscathed."

Xu Qinghan's consciousness trembled slightly. The Chaos Devourer? Taking annihilation as the way? How similar this was to the Void Lord's former philosophy, yet it was even purer and more extreme.

“Now, that call does not come from the Chaos Devourer,” the Void Watcher continued. “That aura is full of vitality, yet it carries an indescribable sorrow and decay. It is like a universe about to end, making its final cry for help.”

A cry for help? Xu Qinghan's consciousness instantly caught that word. She had once been a mortal, possessing the most direct perception of the suffering of living beings. Even now, having transcended everything and become the will of the universe, that initial compassion and protective heart had never been extinguished.

“Sorrow and decay…” She savored the words of the Watcher of Nothingness, and the throbbing of the Seed of Eternity grew even stronger. She could feel that the call contained an ultimate power of “being,” yet it was suppressed by a power of “nothingness,” as if a giant with vigorous vitality was being bound by invisible shackles and heading towards depletion.

She cast her consciousness into every corner of the universe, feeling the pulse of the ancient river of fire. Nourished by this fire, the universe is moving towards unprecedented prosperity and harmony. New galaxies are born, new civilizations rise, and ancient laws are revitalized. The Void Watchers also diligently guard the Path of "Return to Nothingness," ensuring that all things, at the end, return to the origin of chaos in their purest form, awaiting the next cycle of reincarnation.

Under her protection, this universe has entered a relatively stable "eternal" cycle. But the call of the Boundary Sea is like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, stirring up a greater sense of mission deep within her heart.

"My lord, what will you choose?" The will of the Void Watcher came again. He knew that the Lord of the Eternal Flame would never ignore such a call.

Xu Qinghan did not respond immediately. She sank her consciousness into the deepest part of the primordial chaos, completely merging with the Seed of Eternity. She began to deduce the mysteries of the Boundary Sea and the essence of that call in a way that transcended time and space.

Countless images of the birth and death of universes flashed through her consciousness, and the interweaving and collision of countless laws reappeared before her eyes. She saw the ultimate prosperity of "existence" and the ultimate annihilation of "non-existence." She saw life struggling in despair and civilization rising from the ashes of destruction.

Ultimately, she focused her gaze on the "other universe" that was making the call.

It was a universe of unimaginable vastness, containing laws and energies that even surpassed the universe she protected. It was once a dazzling pearl in the Boundary Sea, nurturing countless powerful beings and civilizations. However, at this moment, it was being eroded by a force known as the "Tide of Annihilation."

The tide of annihilation is neither nothingness nor an increase in entropy, but a pure force of "returning to zero." It neither obliterates nor devours, but simply returns all existence, whether tangible or intangible, living or non-living, to "zero," transforming it into the most primordial chaos, and then disappearing into the sea of ​​boundaries without leaving a trace.

That call came from an ancient being in the other universe called "Myriad Paths Heavenly Palace." The Myriad Paths Heavenly Palace is the convergence point of all the laws of the other universe, the manifestation of its primordial will. Under the erosion of the tide of annihilation, it is gradually withering away, but it is still sending out a final cry for help, trying to find a glimmer of life, a glimmer of hope for "eternity."

(End of this chapter)