CH 123.1

Chapter 123.1 – A few years later

On October 28, 245, the “Lighthouse” appeared at the bottom of Abyss No.1.

It revealed the path of the past, as the abyss and the monsters followed the star tracks back home. In the following days, a meteor shower flowed against the current, and the Milky Way shone brightly.

People said that perhaps, in the very beginning, the wandering abyss was simply lost.

As they understood the whole story, they discovered that there were signs from the very beginning: the infected people had referred to Shi Yuan as the Lighthouse. Shi Yuan repeatedly dreamed of the expectant gaze of the monsters, and they understood from the Lu Tinghan’s words that the monsters were thinking of home. The first infected creature to appear was a white dolphin, searching for its way back home, always following the light of the Lighthouse… When everyone returned from Elton, trapped in the rain of the ancient battlefield, Shi Yuan leaned against the window and complained softly that he wanted to go back. As a result, a burst of bright yellow light pierced through the clouds, revealing the way back.

Fortunately, their little god witnessed many stories and the courage of countless people, and they had a home filled with love and warmth.

He wanted them to come home too.

But not all monsters embarked on this path.

The infected creatures were endless, and they couldn’t disappear overnight. Moreover, for some monsters, slaughter, reproduction, and conquest were their eternal goals. They lingered on this planet, never willing to retreat.

The “Deep Dive” plan continued. Led by Lu Tinghan, the four executors set up fixed transmission stations at the bottom of the abyss, collecting a large amount of data and transmitting it back to the surface.

The Alliance made every effort to simulate the infection signal of the abyss. Many professors had been studying the “Deep Dive” for several years, and their efforts were not in vain. Now, the Alliance inherited their will and conducted experiments based on this foundation.

On December 15, 245, the Alliance simulated the simplest and roughest signal. People boarded large transport ships and, with the help of camouflage and this signal, moved to the Imperial capital. A massive army escorted them, and when they looked back, the main city was empty, with only the flag of the xuejian flower fluttering in the wind.

On the journey, they saw groups of monsters running and flying across the wasteland, heading towards the Lighthouse. They also encountered large-scale monster attacks, as they remained fierce and greedy, revealing their claws amidst gunshots and explosions.

The road was dangerous and difficult.

Regardless of storms, thunder, sandstorms, or hail, only the Lighthouse behind them always shone, pointing to the universe.

On February 2, 246, a large transport ship crashed in the ancient battlefield, igniting the sky with raging flames.

On February 17, the group found the mole people that had been left behind, and they boarded the ship in anticipation of their journey to Elton.

On March 9, Delta Abyss became restless, and monsters came with thunderstorms. The Alliance fought bloodily for several days and emerged victorious.

On April 2, an extremely cold weather struck, forcing them to stay in place for seven days and enduring it.

…

On June 27, 246, after countless difficulties and dangers, they arrived in Elton. People cried tears of joy and embraced each other in celebration.

Hope burned in everyone’s hearts. People devoted themselves with great enthusiasm to building a new life, taking care of the greenhouse, repairing instruments, calibrating observation devices, and restarting energy towers… This abandoned underground city was filled with new vitality.

However, the crisis was not resolved, and the progress of the “Deep Dive” never stopped.

Thanks to the “Echo” channel, when the fixed transmission station at the bottom of the abyss was established, they could communicate with the few people in the abyss from Elton. Data continuously flowed in, and the lights in the research lab never went out. They took step by step towards tomorrow.

If the young god was the miracle of the monsters, then the “Deep Dive” was the miracle of humankind.

It listened to the “Echo” of Elton, found the home guarded by the people of the Empire, and completed the “Overlook” in the abyss. The silver-white ship, which condensed the efforts of countless people, ultimately soared in the universe. The “Deep Dive,” carrying decades of hope, finally fulfilled its mission.

In the following three years, Elton underwent rapid changes, with several rounds of large-scale wars erupting. The soldiers fought bravely, giving their all to defeat the enemy.

In July 249, Qi Hong and Zhou Qian passed away due to prolonged exposure to high pollution.

Lu Tinghan continued to patrol the bottom of the abyss, organizing data time and time again, until February 251, when it was confirmed by Shi Yuan that Lu Tinghan had died.

“…He’s gone,” the young man in the communication channel said softly. “I will stay here until all the abysses return home. He promised me he would come back to find me.”

On the other end of the channel, the communicator was already unable to speak due to tears.

Two years later, with enough data, the Alliance successfully simulated the infection signal of Abyss No.1.

The signal covered the underground city, causing most infected creatures to retreat.

The Alliance continuously improved the signal, revitalizing the cities. Countless hardships could not hinder their steps. It was another tumultuous and dramatic legend, filled with joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness, where numerous characters shone brilliantly. Lu Tinghan was right, there would always be brave souls, always new heroes. His journey ended here, not at the finish line, for someone would always see the dawn for him.

In February 259, Abyss No.2 turned into starlight, becoming the first abyss to vanish. Every few years thereafter, another abyss found its way back home.

Everything was turning for the better.

—So, this is the end of the story.

Shi Yuan was the savior of the monsters, and Lu Tinghan was the martyr of humanity.

In January 271, the Alliance reclaimed the small city next to Elton and established a secure defense line.

In December 274, Delta Abyss returned to the universe. The century-long rain stopped, and the sky cleared, stretching endlessly, captivating with its azure hue.

In October 289, Abyss No.1 returned to the universe. The lighthouse remained, illuminating the starry sky, guiding lost souls back home.

In March 291, many monsters left, but the remaining ones were still numerous and rampant. Under the simulated signal of the abyss, Elton safely weathered the recurring darkness. Curfews were completely lifted, and people regained the long nights.

In October 293, after more than fifty years, the first stage play was performed in Elton. The troupe consisted of only four or five people, enacting a splendid script and earning rounds of applause.

In March 295, two more small cities returned to the embrace of humanity. They thrived and had golden wheat fields.

In December 295, giant windmills spun on the ground, and electricity reached every corner of the city. Transport robots strolled the streets, and every household lit up with bright lights. Even the smallest carousel in the corner of the street started spinning.

There were still many monsters unwilling to leave. They continued to mutate and reproduce, but without the abyss as their source, the soldiers carried courage and determination, making them formidable opponents.

Perhaps one day, they would return to the universe.

Perhaps one day, they would understand the abyss.

The universe is vast, and civilizations are as numerous as grains of sand in the sea. They will eventually encounter more advanced beings beyond imagination and head towards their homelands.

In the year 302 of the Alliance, the last abyss disappeared.

After a few days, the lighthouse quietly went out as well.

From then on, prosperity blossomed, and the world entered spring.

People speculated where Shi Yuan had gone, wondering if he had returned home with the abyss.

“I don’t think so,” Wang Yu said.

With gray hair, she had long obtained the title of academician and become a respected medical researcher.

Leaning by her desk, she toyed with an old-fashioned coin and continued, “Shi Yuan won’t leave. He said so himself that the General would come back to find him.”

Her student was still curious to the point of death. He had never seen Lu Tinghan and Shi Yuan, but like everyone else here, he had heard the legends of those two countless times.

Wang Yu held up the coin, shining it in her hand. “The first time I met Shi Yuan, I told him that this represented the impossibility of his connection with the General, both sides meaning it could never happen. So, guess what? The coin stood up.”

“The coin can stand up?!” the student scratched his head.

“Yeah, I can’t believe it either. This thing is too magical. I’ve been carrying the coin with me all this time,” Wang Yu said. “Maybe it really represents the connection between those two people. I just casually tossed it—”

The coin spun and flew up with a soft “ta” sound.

It stood on the table top.

Wang Yu: “…?!”

Student: “…?!!”

Both of them almost popped their eyes out.

The student murmured, “Teacher, I believe now…”

Wang Yu swore once again, “I must treasure this coin.”

Lin Yeran, who devoted his life to data research, was also asked similar questions.

He said, “Ha! Shi Yuan can’t possibly return to the universe… What? You’re asking me where he is? How would I know? I analyze data, not study metaphysics!”

He twirled the pen between his fingers.

Lin Yeran continued, “Shi Yuan is a rare excellent employee. He’s never late or leaves early and receives full bonuses… However, sometimes he does strange things, like locking me in the office!” The notebook on the desk was filled with notes and records. He twirled the pen a few more times. “So who knows what Shi Yuan is capable of? Maybe he’s somewhere fast asleep.”

The questioner asked again, “Do you think he is with the General…?”

“I told you I’m not into metaphysics,” Lin Yeran interrupted impatiently.

But he paused and said, “However, I hope so. Miracles have already happened, and another one wouldn’t hurt, right? The General is not someone who goes back on his word.”