As the reality of Feng Liang's impending departure settled in, everyone present fell to their knees, their hearts heavy with despair. Tears filled their eyes as they collectively begged him to stay, their voices filled with anguish and desperation.
"Master, please reconsider your decision!" they pleaded, their voices trembling as they clutched their hands together in supplication, hoping against hope that their words might sway him.
But Feng Liang, resolute in his purpose, shook his head slowly, declining their heartfelt requests.
"I seek to achieve more," he began, his voice calm but filled with unyielding resolve.
"And for that, I must give up this life and enter the cycle of life and death."
His words pierced their hearts like a thousand arrows, leaving them stricken with sorrow. Yet, deep down, they knew the truth... there was no stopping him. Feng Liang had already set his path, and no amount of pleading could alter his course. The only solace they could find was in their shared grief, the weight of which seemed almost unbearable.
Seeing the pain in their eyes, Feng Liang's expression softened.
"Now, now," he said gently, his voice a soothing balm to their wounded souls.
"Don't be like that... I'll return very soon."
His words, though bittersweet, provided a glimmer of hope, like a faint light shining through the darkness. It was a small comfort, but enough to lift their spirits, even if only a little.
"As I soon enter the cycle of life and death," Feng Liang continued, his tone becoming more serious,
"those who have long wished for my demise will surely act once again. Therefore, I ask you to protect this place for me."
He smiled faintly, a gesture that held both reassurance and a deeper, unspoken understanding of the burden he was placing upon them.
With a wave of his hand, the entire island... once standing proudly like an emperor over its domain... vanished into thin air, as though it had never existed at all. The lush forests, the sparkling ponds, and the towering peaks disappeared in an instant, leaving behind only empty space where the island had once been.
Feng Yuan and Ba Long, sensing the island's aura dissipate, exchanged worried glances. But before they could voice their concerns, Feng Liang spoke once more.
"I have placed a barrier around the island," he explained. "It can only be disengaged by my soul."
The gravity of his words weighed heavily on them. To have used his own soul... the soul of a Supreme Creator..! as a key to safeguard this island! The place clearly held secrets of immense importance, ones that would remain protected until his return.
The disciples nodded in solemn understanding, their resolve hardening with the knowledge of what had been entrusted to them. Feng Yuan knelt before Feng Liang, bowing deeply with cupped hands. "I, Feng Yuan, will put my life on the line to protect this place without any ulterior motive. I will wait for your return, Master."
Feng Liang smiled, pleased with his disciple's dedication. Raising his right hand, he called forth a bolt of lightning from the heavens. The lightning descended as if summoned by his will, striking his hand and transforming into a vibrant sword. The sword, though simple in appearance, radiated an aura so overwhelming that even Feng Yuan felt its intimidating presence.
Feng Liang then lowered his hand, extending the sword toward Feng Yuan. The air around them crackled with energy as the sword's power seemed to pulse with life.
Feng Yuan's eyes widened in disbelief. This was a sword that could intimidate him... a being known throughout the cosmos for his mastery of the blade. But why did it seem as though his master was offering it to him?
"Take it. It's a reward," Feng Liang said, his smile gentle and reassuring.
Feng Yuan's heart swelled with an indescribable joy, his eyes sparkling like those of a dog receiving the choicest cut of meat from its beloved owner. His happiness knew no bounds as he reached out to accept the sword.
But the moment Feng Yuan grasped the hilt, the sword's immense energy surged through him, nearly overwhelming his senses. The sword seemed to take control of his body, as if testing his worthiness. But as it began to exert its will over him, the sword suddenly sensed an ominous presence behind it... a gaze so powerful, so commanding, that it froze in fear.
Turning back, the sword saw the cerulean eyes of its creator, blazing with an intensity that could only be described as divine wrath.
The sword trembled in terror, its arrogance shattered by the fury of the one who had forged it. It hesitated for a brief moment, then submitted to Feng Yuan, recognizing him as its wielder.
Feng Liang's expression darkened as he observed the sword's initial defiance. "Try that again," he warned, his voice low and menacing, "and I'll make sure you experience such excruciating pain that you'll beg for death with every passing second."
The sword shuddered violently, then immediately went still, its defiance extinguished by fear. It relinquished its control over Feng Yuan, allowing him to breathe freely once more. As he regained his composure, Feng Yuan couldn't help but marvel at his master's power. Even a sword forged by the Eternal Sage himself cowered before him. Truly, Feng Liang was beyond comparison.
The others present, too, were shaken by the encounter. The sudden appearance of such a formidable weapon had sent waves of fear through them, but they were soon comforted by the knowledge that their master had handled it with ease.
"Now then," Feng Liang said, his tone calm once more, "I think it's time I begin the process."
"Wait! Master!" Ba Long hurried forward in his snake form, his voice filled with urgency.
"Master! Forgive my insolence, but please take me with you. I have no other desire in this world than to serve you as your trusted mount for all eternity."
Feng Liang looked at Ba Long, his gaze softening. "If I take you with me, you'll have to give up your current body, and your memories will be erased."
"I do not care about such things, Master," Ba Long replied without hesitation. "Power can be regained, and the only memory I wish to keep is that I am your eternal servant."
Feng Liang smiled warmly, a sense of affection in his eyes. *You have always been by my side, my most loyal disciple, Ba Long,* he thought.
Nodding, Feng Liang said, "Come here, and sit on my shoulders."
Ba Long was momentarily taken aback, unsure if he had heard correctly. Who would ever dream of doing such a thing? But he quickly pushed aside his doubts, not wanting to make his master repeat himself. He followed the command, slithering up to Feng Liang's shoulder and settling there, awaiting further instructions.
With a wave of his hand, Feng Liang summoned a giant scroll and quill into the air. The aura they emitted was ancient, carrying the weight of countless generations.
Before he could begin writing, Feng Yuan knelt once more before his master. Feng Liang, curious, asked, "What is it?"
Feng Yuan, cupping his fists, spoke with reverence, "Master, please forgive me for my previous actions. Do you still remember the promise you made to me in the Divine Immortal Palace?"
Feng Liang nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Yes. Tell me, what do you want?"
Reaching within himself, Feng Yuan pulled out a token and presented it to Feng Liang. "Please take this token with you, Master."
"The Supreme Token?" Feng Liang asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, Master. We, your disciples, have always known of the Supreme Token. You taught us that only you could possess it, no matter the circumstances. The token can summon any of your disciples or even overturn the heavens themselves. Please, take this token with you."
Feng Liang was genuinely surprised that his disciples were aware of such a powerful artifact. 'I never knew my disciples were this astute',
He thought, his heart swelling with pride. He extended his hand, embedding the token into his soul, and then declared with a voice that echoed through the cosmos:
"I, Feng Liang, renowned throughout the cosmos as the Supreme Creator and the Eternal Sage, call upon the Heavens, the Cosmos, Nature, the Seven Heavenly Wills, the Seven Deadly Sins, and even the Qi itself to bear witness to my fate!"
As his words resonated through the air, the energies scattered across the cosmos began to converge, gathering within the cave. The sheer power of the energies was overwhelming, making it difficult for even the most powerful beings present to remain conscious. As the energies coalesced, they cupped their fists and bowed deeply to Feng Liang. "We greet the Supreme Creator," they intoned in unison.
Feng Liang acknowledged their greeting with a nod and raised his hand. The scroll and quill moved on their own, guided by the energies now flowing through them, as they recorded this moment in history.
"I, Feng Liang, announce to the myriad worlds that for millions of eons, I have lived and ruled over the cosmos as its omniscient ruler. Yet, even with all the power I have amassed, it has not been enough to satisfy me. I have consumed hundreds of thousands of elixirs, cultivated for millions of years, strengthened my soul over eons, refined countless god-like treasures, and accumulated merits from the heavens... all in the hopes of advancing my cultivation. But nothing has changed. Therefore, I have come to realize that the problem lies within my body. Thus, I declare that I will give up this life and enter the cycle of life and death in hopes of obtaining a better constitution in my next life."
As the final words were inscribed upon the scroll, the atmosphere in the cave shifted. The air grew heavy with sorrow, and the light seemed to dim as the reality of Feng Liang's decision settled in.
His disciples, who had been silently witnessing this momentous event, felt a deep sadness wash over them, knowing that their master, the Supreme Creator, would soon be gone from their lives.
The quill, having finished its task, gently floated back into the air, its glow fading as it completed the final stroke on the ancient parchment. The scroll, now imbued with the cosmic energies, rolled itself up and vanished into the ether, its message recorded for all eternity.
Feng Liang then turned to Ba Long, who still rested upon his shoulder. With a tender touch, he placed his hand on Ba Long's forehead, embedding a portion of his own blood essence within the loyal dragon. "With this, no matter how far apart we may be, we shall meet again."
Ba Long's eyes shimmered with gratitude and devotion, knowing that his bond with his master would transcend even the cycle of life and death.
As the golden light began to envelop Feng Liang's and Ba Long's bodies, signaling the beginning of their transformation, Feng Liang looked around at the faces of his disciples, each one etched with sorrow and reverence.
"Take care of yourselves," he said softly, his voice filled with warmth and affection. "I shall return soon."
With those final words, Feng Liang and Ba Long's forms dissolved into pure golden light, their bodies slowly vanishing into nothingness. The cave grew silent, the only sound the faint echo of Feng Liang's words lingering in the air.
That day, whether it was his disciples who were far away and sensed their master's energy fading, those who witnessed it firsthand, or even the cosmic energies and the heavens themselves, all wept at the loss of their master.
For even the heavens, which had long been ruled by Feng Liang's mighty hand, could not hold back their tears at the departure of the one who had shaped the cosmos with his will. The skies darkened, and a gentle rain began to fall... a rare and sacred event, signifying the sorrow of the very fabric of existence at the loss of its creator.
Yet, amid the sorrow, there was a sense of hope. For the disciples knew that Feng Liang would one day return, stronger and more powerful than before. They would protect his legacy, safeguard his sacred island, and ensure that when the time came, he would find a world ready to welcome him back.
The energies that had gathered in the cave, now dispersed, left behind a lingering warmth, a reminder of the presence that had just departed. The cave, once filled with vibrant light and activity, now stood silent and still, a sacred space waiting for the day when its master would return.
As the disciples slowly made their way out of the cave, each one carrying the heavy burden of their master's departure, they made a silent vow... to honor Feng Liang's legacy and to be ready for the day he would rise again.
And so, the Eternal Sage, the Supreme Creator, began his journey into the cycle of life and death, leaving behind a world that would forever be marked by his presence, awaiting the day of his return.