Chapter 29

The moment he pushed open the new door, a warm breeze, wrapped in the fragrance of grass and trees, rushed in, a stark contrast to the stagnant air within the tower. Yun Shuo subconsciously squinted, and after his vision adjusted, he realized that he was facing an open meadow. In the distance, there were layers of wheat fields. A few small red-tiled houses were hidden in the poplar forest, and light blue smoke was wafting from the chimneys.

"Is this... the world before we came here?" Yun Shuo squatted down, and the grass leaves touched by his fingertips were actually moist, more vivid than any illusion in the tower.

Yu Heng looked at the figures bent over working in the wheat fields in the distance and shook his head slightly. "Look at those farm tools. They don't look like the styles we're familiar with. Perhaps they're the new time and space connected by the tower's transformation?"

As they spoke, brisk footsteps suddenly sounded behind them. Two young men carrying cloth bags caught up, their faces filled with joyful curiosity. "Hello! That golden light suddenly flashed over there just now. Did you come out of there?" One of the short-haired boys raised a bronze badge with a miniature version of the tower. "We heard there's a 'Bridge of Time' that allows people to find things they want to make amends for, so we came here specifically to try it out."

Yun Shuo and Yu Heng exchanged a glance, each seeing relief in the other's eyes. It turned out the tower had truly become a "bridge," no longer a testing ground to trap people, but a place of hope.

"Before you go in, remember to keep your original heart." Yu Heng reminded with a smile. The short-haired boy nodded repeatedly and ran excitedly towards the door they came from with his companions - the door was now emitting a soft light, and there was no longer a sense of unknown oppression.

The two walked along the ridge of the field. When they reached the hut, a white-haired old man came out with a clay pot to pour water. When he saw them, he waved warmly: "Are you new here? Come over and have some cold tea. It's so hot today."

Taking the pottery pot, the refreshing tea slid down his throat, and most of his fatigue dissipated. Yun Shuo couldn't help but ask, "Master, do you know that glowing tower?"

The old man stroked his beard and smiled. "I know, it's been around for years. I heard that some people who came out of there reconciled with their quarreled family members, and some found their long-lost children. Even those who have been in there say that it's not about passing a level, but about talking to your heart."

Yuheng looked at Yunshuo with a smile in his eyes: "It seems that what we did really helped people."

As the sun set, they sat on the edge of a field, watching the sunset paint the sky orange. Yun Shuo touched his chest, where the subtle warmth from the injection into his core still lingered. Though the memories of his efforts were missing, they left a solid sense of accomplishment.

"Where are we going next?" Yun Shuo asked.

Yu Heng stood up and pointed to the distant rolling green hills. "I heard there's a city on the other side of the mountain. Maybe we can find a way back. Even if we can't, it's nice to see some different scenery."

The evening breeze lifted the corners of their clothes. The tower gate in the distance was still illuminated. From time to time, figures entered and exited, looking at each other with anticipation or relief. Yun Shuo smiled, stood up, and walked side by side with Yu Heng towards the direction of Qingshan.

The road ahead remains uncertain, but this time, without the pressure of trials or the heaviness of decisions, they carry the courage to change everything, step by step towards a new era that belongs to them.

The two walked along the ridge of the field toward the green mountain. Before nightfall, they found a sheltered crevice at the foot of the mountain. Yun Shuo gathered some dry branches and started a fire. The flames crackled as they licked the wood, warming their faces.

"Come to think of it," Yun Shuo suddenly touched the back of his head, "I seem to have forgotten why I climbed the tower in the first place." He frowned as he recalled the experience, only remembering the details of the trials within the tower, but his initial obsession was blurred. "What about you?"

Yu Heng looked at the flickering flames and was silent for a moment: "I was originally looking for my missing sister." His fingertips gently stroked the cuffs of his sleeves - there was once hidden half of the jade pendant given by his sister, which was the only token when he climbed the tower. "Now... maybe it doesn't matter." Compared to finding the past, the peace in front of him is more real.

At dawn the next day, the two men began climbing the mountain path. Halfway up the mountain, they heard a quarrel ahead. Following the sound, they saw three people carrying backpacks arguing around a stone tablet. The tablet was engraved with pale golden pagoda patterns, and beneath it was a line of small inscription: "Those with worries in their hearts must understand the gains and losses before crossing the bridge."

"I told you, this must be the shortcut to the tower!" A man in a coarse cloth shirt shouted the loudest. "I want to go in and find my stolen cattle and sheep!"

The scholar in a long gown beside him shook his head. "The stone tablet reminds us to be aware of gains and losses. If we rush in, we might get trapped. I just want to retrieve my lost imperial examination paper. There's no need to take risks."

The remaining girl's eyes were red: "I want to see my deceased mother, even if it's just for one moment."

Yun Shuo and Yu Heng exchanged a glance and stepped forward. Yu Heng pointed at the stone tablet. "This is the outer guide of the tower. The tower is now the 'Bridge of Time,' reflecting the inner obsession, but not for 'demanding.'" He recalled his decision in the Judgment Dome. "Once you enter, don't be obsessed with 'what you want.' First, see clearly what you truly want."

The man nodded, half understanding, but the girl remained hesitant. Yun Shuo added with a smile, "We've experienced this before in the tower. The more anxious you are about achieving your goal, the more likely you are to get stuck. Keep a calm mindset. Even if you don't achieve your goal, you'll still be able to see the path you should take."

The three thanked them and, after some discussion, decided to go in together. Watching them walk towards the light gate that slowly appeared behind the stone tablet, Yun Shuo said softly, "It seems like I've helped someone again."

By the time we reached the top, it was noon. The city on the other side of the mountain loomed large, its blue-gray walls stretching for miles. The gates were bustling with activity. But as we approached, we discovered notices plastered all over the walls. These featured images of towers and a single, striking message: "Unusual lights and shadows have been appearing recently from the 'Bridge of Time,' and reappearing events have occurred frequently in the city. Please avoid approaching suspicious light masses."

As they entered the city gate, they saw a crowd gathered at the street corner. Squeezing in, they saw a pale blue light floating in the open space, reflecting a woman cooking at the stove and a child playing nearby. It was the girl who had argued at the foot of the mountain last night, standing outside the light, wiping away tears.

"This is how my mother and I looked like when we were little." The girl choked up, "I thought I was seeing the real mother, but it turned out to be just a shadow of the past."

The ball of light gradually faded away, but the girl suddenly smiled: "That's good, it's enough to be able to see it again. I should live a good life and not let my mother worry over there." As she spoke, she nodded to Yun Shuo and Yu Heng, turned around and walked away briskly.

"It seems that the changes to the tower will also bring some minor troubles." Yun Shuo touched his chin. "If these lights and shadows are floating around, they might disturb people's minds."

Just as he finished speaking, a sudden commotion erupted in the distance. From the city's central square, a dazzling golden light shot up into the sky, the faint outline of a tower shimmering in the light. The two hurried over and saw from afar the tower spirit's figure flickering in the golden light, its expression agonizing.

"What's going on?" Yu Heng asked loudly.

The tower spirit seemed relieved when it saw them. "The new rules are still unstable. One of the challengers was overly obsessed with his obsession within the tower, causing chaos in the core, and even causing light and shadow to overflow from the outside!"

The golden light grew brighter, and the figures in the square began to stir. Yun Shuo and Yu Heng exchanged a glance, then simultaneously began to walk toward the golden light. "Looks like we need to go back to the tower again," Yu Heng said.

"Well, after all, we built this 'bridge,' so we have to keep it safe." Yun Shuo smiled. The two of them stepped side by side into the golden light, their voices echoing as the people exclaimed in their wake. Before them lay the familiar yet brand-new light and shadows of the tower. This time, they were no longer adventurers or tower keepers, but rather guardians of the hope they had created.