Chapter 116 Together, Let's Open the Heavenly Mirror

The two walked out of the small building side by side.

The morning sunlight, carrying the unique freshness of the island, falls warmly on your skin.

But Zhou Jue and Cheng Gan's attention was completely off the weather.

Their gazes were firmly drawn to the magnificent buildings around them.

Only fourteen days.

That illusory image that once existed only on paper has now transformed into a real, imposing steel fortress, standing silently in the base.

It is larger and more majestic than it appears on the drawings.

"Let's go." Cheng Gan's voice was soft, breaking the moment of distraction.

Zhou Jue nodded.

Beneath the formidable pass, guards were stationed every three steps and sentries every five, forming the highest level of security.

A solemn atmosphere filled the air.

Chen Jianguo was already waiting inside the cordon. Today, he had changed into a clean and neat military uniform, and the medals on his chest were polished to a shine.

Seeing the two approaching, the smile he couldn't suppress reappeared on his face.

"They're here!"

He strode forward, his voice low, but his excitement was palpable.

He led the two men through the cordon and toward the main gate of the fortified pass.

There, Sun Jiuchou, who had become noticeably thinner in just fourteen days, looked up and touched the miracle he had personally supervised with a gaze that was a mixture of fervor and awe.

Almost simultaneously, several others also arrived at the scene.

"Thank you for your hard work, everyone."

His voice was gentle yet powerful.

"It's not hard at all!"

Chen Jianguo answered eagerly, his voice trembling slightly.

"We wouldn't hesitate to risk our lives to build this precious place, let alone work for fourteen days straight without sleep!"

Upon hearing this, everyone smiled knowingly, their anticipation reaching its peak.

Chen Jianguo turned to Zhou Jue, his gaze intense, and asked, "Xiao Jue, according to the blueprints, this is where the core materials will be placed. Can we begin now?"

"Can."

Zhou Jue nodded, his expression solemn.

On a whim, she stretched out her hands.

With a flash of light, two items appeared out of thin air in her palm.

In the left hand is a palm-sized, irregularly shaped crystal fragment, its entire body a deep gray-black, yet its surface shimmers with starlight, as if it contains a whole fragmented starry sky.

These are fragments of the [Heart of the Boundary Rock].

On the right is a rhombus-shaped crystal the size of a pigeon egg, completely translucent. It is so pure that it has no impurities and emits a soft halo, making people feel a sense of peace just by looking at it.

This is the [Void Crystal].

The moment these two "divine objects" appeared, everyone present felt an indescribable change.

Zhou Jue raised his head, his expression solemn.

Activating the "Heavenly Mirror Pass" requires two steps.

"First, embed these two core materials into the grooves reserved in the city gate and the main building, respectively."

"The second, and most crucial, step."

Zhou Jue slowed down his speech, making each word crystal clear.

"At the moment of embedding, the embedder must visualize the entire nation in their mind and infuse it with the purest and grandest national will!"

"Only in this way can the 'Judgment' authority of the 'Heavenly Observation Pass' be bound to the will of the nation, based on the nation, to distinguish between loyalty and treachery, and to differentiate between friend and foe!"

After these words were spoken, everyone fell silent.

National will?

Who can represent the will of the nation?

Everyone present was an exceptional individual, and they instantly grasped the profound meaning behind those four words.

The installer is not merely an executor.

If one's heart is devoid of mountains and rivers, and does not embrace the sun and moon, and if one's understanding and feelings toward this country are even slightly flawed, then the magnificence of this formidable pass may be greatly diminished, or even rendered ineffective!

Without a word, everyone's gaze slowly and tacitly converged on the same person.

Zhou Jue stepped forward, his gaze clear and firm, and solemnly handed over the two core materials with both hands.

"Only you can complete this task."

He did not immediately accept the two "divine stones," but remained silent for a moment, his deep eyes seemingly filled with countless thoughts.

He thought of the trials and tribulations this country has endured over the past century, the sacrifices of countless predecessors, and the expectations of 1.4 billion people today.

After a long while, he slowly shook his head.

"No."

This single word, though seemingly light and airy, made everyone's heart skip a beat.

Chen Jianguo was so anxious that the veins on his forehead bulged.

He remained calm and composed, giving Zhou Jue a gentle and solemn smile.

"Xiao Jue, you're right, but not entirely."

"I can represent this country as it is now."

His gaze fell on Zhou Jue's face, his voice filled with expectation and strength.

"And you represent the future of this country."

"This formidable pass must protect not only our present, but also our future. Therefore..."

He stretched out his hands and took the two cores from Zhou Jue's palms respectively.

Then, in front of everyone, he placed the [Void Crystal], which contained the characteristics of "insight" and "examination," back into Zhou Jue's hand.

He entrusted the future of this country to us.

He kept the [Heart of the Boundary Rock], which represented "solidity" and "isolation," in his own hands.

What he is protecting is the present of this country.

"Let's come together."

These five words, spoken with resounding force, struck a chord deep within everyone's heart.

Zhou Jue's heart clenched suddenly, and a surge of scalding heat instantly coursed through his body.

She looked at the shimmering light of the [Void Crystal] in her hand, then at his eyes filled with trust and expectation, and with all her might, she managed to keep her voice from trembling.

"yes!"

"Good!" Chen Jianguo was the first to shout, his eyes red with emotion.

Even Qi Si's usually sharp and serious face showed an uncontrollable emotion.

This was not a simple installation ceremony.

This is a legacy.

This is the highest level of recognition and entrustment from this country!

No further words were said.

One person, holding the [Heart of Boundary Rock], walked towards the groove in the center of the huge city gate.

Holding the [Void Crystal], a person climbed the stairs leading to the top of the main building step by step under the watchful eyes of the crowd.

The two arrived at the designated location at the same time.

They looked at each other from a distance, and then slowly nodded at the same time.

At that moment, time seemed to slow down.

In his heart, the magnificent landscape of 9.6 million square kilometers is reflected: the surging Yangtze and Yellow Rivers, the towering Five Sacred Mountains and Kunlun Mountains, and the 1.4 billion hardworking, kind, and resilient people...

What Zhou Jue contemplates is the long river of five thousand years of civilization, the vast universe of the future of human civilization, the backbone of this nation that has never bent despite hardships, and the pure heart that she is willing to protect with her life!

Then, the two of them reached out their hands at the same time.

He carefully pressed the core material in his hand into the groove!

“Clatter.”

Two soft sounds, perfectly synchronized.

In that very instant!

Buzz—

A deep rumble suddenly resounded from inside the "Heavenly Mirror Pass"!

The entire majestic pass, like a sleeping giant beast, has now opened its eyes!