Guarding the River of Time

Chapter 460 - 450: The Lamps Left Behind for the Ten Thousand Realms at Their End

These words are harsh, and very realistic.

As the highest authority in the Reincarnation Realm, she embodies reincarnation, and if she had any weaknesses, it would be a disaster for the entire Ten Thousand Realms’ reincarnation rules.

If the reincarnation rules were to become chaotic, then the entire Ten Thousand Realms would be disrupted.

Therefore, even if Lady Houtu has a weakness, she would eliminate it immediately, leaving no vulnerabilities.

In truth, if you truly ask what Lady Houtu’s weakness is.....

She herself does not know, because she has been embodying reincarnation for so many years that there are no longer any old acquaintances around her. Many of her old friends have perished, and some she does not know whether they are still alive.

For example, Shen Cha and Shen Yu, these people can only be considered as passersby in the course of Lady Houtu’s life. They will not become her vulnerabilities, nor could she allow them to become her vulnerabilities.

A generation after generation of Netherworld Kings and Ghost Emperors have followed her, and one after another they have died.

Just like Shen Cha, she will someday reach the end of her life, will be reincarnated, and reborn anew.

Only Lady Houtu will remain eternally immortal.

But, it is not immortality in an absolute sense; when the Ten Thousand Realms come to an end and reincarnation collapses, she will collapse along with it.

It can only be said that, compared to the creatures of the Ten Thousand Realms, she is relatively "eternally immortal."

...

She left a "lamp" for Nannan by the Reincarnation Boundary Stele near the Reincarnation Bridge, also helping Su Mu, erasing his vulnerabilities as much as possible, and protecting Nannan’s safety to the greatest extent.

Leaving a "lamp" for Nannan is, in fact, leaving a "lamp" for the Ten Thousand Realms which is heading toward its end.

Regarding the role of this "lamp," Lady Houtu will not let Su Mu know for the time being, fearing it might influence the direction of cause and effect. Even a tiny influence could lead to a significantly different outcome.

Because Su Mu must not have any weaknesses; if he has even a slight one, it could be something unpredictable and terrifying.

...

"You really are a.... person without desires or demands," Su Mu said slowly.

For a while, he truly didn’t know what words to use to describe Lady Houtu, and could only use "without desires or demands."

Hearing this, Lady Houtu was slightly taken aback, smiled, and said nothing more.

She entered the game to help Su Mu play this great game of chess, not knowing what she truly wanted, perhaps to liberate herself and hand over reincarnation to someone who could truly wield it.

...

"Lady, I feel you.... are somewhat lonely."

Nannan looked at Lady Houtu, hesitated for a long time, and then carefully said.

Her view differed from Su Mu’s, as her delicate thoughts led her to feel that Lady Houtu always carried an unresolved feeling of loneliness.

Hearing this, Lady Houtu was stunned. She slightly bent down, smoothed a strand of hair in front of Nannan’s eyes, and with a smile, asked, "Why do you think so?"

"Because.... because"

"Nannan doesn’t know either."

Nannan clenched her little hands. In truth, she didn’t know why, she just felt that this beautiful and noble Lady Houtu seemed very lonely.

...

Hearing this, Lady Houtu smiled, turned around looking at the Nether River, and quietly said, "I will be in seclusion for some time, during this period.... you must be careful, remember what I told you before...."

"Then, I wish Lady luck in her seclusion," Su Mu said with clasped hands.

...

"If there’s nothing else, we won’t disturb Lady’s seclusion any longer, we shall take our leave first."

"Go....."

With those words, Su Mu took Nannan’s hand and leaped onto the black boat.

As the black boat sailed away, they gradually left the Stone Bridge behind.....

Just as the Stone Bridge was about to vanish from view, Nannan turned back, gazing at the faint silhouette on the bridge, and for some reason, her heart tightened suddenly.

...

"Father, are we going home now?" Nannan clasped Su Mu’s large hand and asked.

"Yes, we are going home." Su Mu looked ahead, his gaze intense, and without realizing it, he tightened his grip on Nannan’s hand.

He could feel that time was running out, and the pace of refining had to be accelerated, to turn passivity into activity.

.....

On the Reincarnation Stone Bridge, Lady Houtu looked at Su Mu’s disappearing figure and sighed softly.

Regarding Nannan’s future, she could not see at all, not knowing whether her existence was correct or a mistake.....

After Su Mu left.

A while later, a small boat slowly approached the Stone Bridge.

After docking, a graceful figure stepped onto the Stone Bridge, bowed slightly to Lady Houtu, and respectfully said, "Lady, you called for me?"

The visitor was none other than Shen Yu.

"I will be in seclusion for some time....." Lady Houtu’s ethereal voice reached Shen Yu’s mind.

Hearing this, Shen Yu was stunned, showing a puzzled expression.

Because from the day she started following Lady, she had never seen Lady go into seclusion, or even heard about it from earlier times.

What matter has brought Lady to this decision?

But.... what indeed could make Lady go into seclusion...

Could it be because of Su Mu?

Because most of the disturbances in the Ten Thousand Realms were caused by Su Mu, ever since he came to the Reincarnation Realm, everything seemed to change, even Lady.

"Lady, how long will you be in seclusion this time?" Shen Yu asked cautiously, not daring to inquire too much about the reasons.

Lady is the cornerstone of the Reincarnation Realm, and if she goes into seclusion, the Reincarnation Realm will completely lose its anchor.

"I don’t know..." Lady Houtu said slowly, looking at the quiet Nether River.

"During my seclusion, should anything arise, everything must be led by Su Mu, his orders are my orders...." Lady Houtu turned to Shen Yu, speaking earnestly.

Upon hearing this, Shen Yu was stunned, realizing that Lady had completely entrusted Su Mu with the dominion of the entire Reincarnation Realm?!

"Understood, I will follow Lady’s arrangements." Shen Yu, without much hesitation, immediately gave a firm response.

....

"If Su Mu wishes to use the Nether River, you must also give him dominion over it," Lady Houtu continued.

"Understood." Shen Yu nodded.

"Remember.... Su Mu is someone worthy of trust and following, do not hesitate, do not doubt, do not be lost..."

Lady Houtu’s words kept echoing in Shen Yu’s mind.

....

"One more thing...." Lady Houtu suddenly remembered something and said slowly.

This matter seemed like Shen Yu was the only one in the entire Reincarnation Realm who could do it, and the only one who could do it to perfection...

"Have you met Nannan?"

Hearing this, Shen Yu was taken aback and answered, "I have."

....

"I would like to ask you a favor," Lady Houtu said earnestly.

Hearing this, Shen Yu’s beautiful eyes widened, as it was the first time she heard Lady use the word "favor."

"Lady, please tell me, as long as I can do it, I will go to any lengths."

Shen Yu said seriously.

.....

ps: During the New Year, I am truly too busy, sorry, normal updates will resume tomorrow