The Light of the Beginning
The sweetness of the newlyweds has not yet faded, but the crisis has quietly arrived.
It was a peaceful morning. Qi Diao Yanfei was combing Tashi Phuntsok's hair when suddenly the entire source of time and space vibrated violently. The Mirror of Balance emitted a piercing hum, countless cracks appeared on its surface, and the space-time scene within the mirror began to distort and shatter.
"What's going on?" Tashi Pingcuo stood up suddenly, and his guardian instinct allowed him to immediately sense the structure of space and time.
The comb in Qi Diao Yanfei's hand fell to the ground, and her face turned pale instantly: "All time and space... are collapsing at the same time!"
Before the Mirror of Balance, the once harmonious universe has been transformed into chaos. The palaces of Tang Dynasty Chang'an have been reduced to ruins amidst the technological explosion; the lotus-shaped buildings of the future Buddhist kingdom have been swallowed by the primeval jungle; the immortal mountains of the Shanhai Secret Realm have collapsed, and the chaotic energy has spread out of control; the halls of knowledge of the Xingchen Academy have been shrouded in the darkness of ignorance...
Even more terrifying is that this collapse is spreading at an exponential rate. Like falling dominoes, the destruction of one spacetime triggers the collapse of adjacent spacetimes, and the chain reaction quickly spreads throughout the multiverse.
Liana's emergency transmission arrived at the same time: "Guardian! An unknown energy source has been detected at the edge of the Sea of Nothingness! It is devouring the fabric of space and time!"
The two men immediately rushed to the edge of the Sea of Nothingness. The sight before them took their breath away. Absolute darkness was slowly and inexorably advancing, shattering and dissolving the fabric of space and time like fragile glass wherever it passed. It was not the darkness of the outer demons they were familiar with, but a more primal, more fundamental nothingness.
"This is... the primordial void!" Tashi Phuntsok was shocked to recognize this energy. "The legendary state before the birth of the universe!"
Qi Diao Yanfei attempted to stabilize the affected area with the Mirror of Balance, but the mirror's light was devoured upon contact with the darkness: "The power of balance has no effect on it! It is denying existence itself!"
At this moment, distress signals from across time and space flooded in like a tide. In the images Du Fu transmitted through his celestial magic, Chang'an City was being engulfed by darkness. The poet stood atop a crumbling wall, attempting to stabilize reality with his verses. Xuanjian issued a warning through the Tree of Wisdom, warning that the balance of the future Buddhist kingdom was crumbling. The voice of the Daughter of Chaos was filled with pain, and the chaotic nature of the secret realm of mountains and seas was being assimilated into nothingness...
"We must act immediately!" Qi Diao Yanfei prepared to rush into the nearest space and time.
"Wait!" Tashi Phuntsok pulled her back. "A collapse of this magnitude isn't accidental. Something is behind this."
At that moment, a familiar figure emerged from the primordial void—it was Liana! But she was completely different now. Her eyes were devoid of emotion, and she was surrounded by energy of the same essence as the primordial void.
"Liana?" Qi Diao Yanfei was incredulous. "What's going on?"
"I am not Liana." The being's voice was cold and hollow. "I am the incarnation of the Primordial Void. The 'Liana' you call me is merely one of my billions. The Spacetime Council itself is a tool I created to monitor the development of spacetime."
Tashi Phuntsok protected Qi Diao Yanfei behind him and asked, "What is your purpose?"
The embodiment of the primordial void spread its arms. "Return to the origin. This multiverse should never have existed. Life, emotion, knowledge... all of this is simply a mistake in the operation of the universe. I will correct this mistake and restore everything to its pre-birth tranquility."
Qi Diao Yanfei angrily retorted: "Life is not a mistake! Love is not a mistake! The meaning of existence lies in existence itself!"
The Avatar regarded her coldly. "You time travelers, especially the two of you, have accelerated the instability of spacetime. Every 'balance' you establish actually increases the entropy of the universe. Now, it's time for a final reckoning."
As she waved her hand, the speed of the void suddenly increased. The nearest space and time began to disappear at a speed visible to the naked eye.
"No!" Qi Diao Yanfei tried to use the power of the source of time and space, but found that his connection with various time and space was being cut off.
Tashi Phuntsok also discovered that his guardian ability was rapidly depleting: "It's depriving us of our strength!"
The embodiment of the primordial void chuckled hollowly. "Your power originates from time and space. When time and space itself are denied, you too will vanish. Accept your fate with peace of mind. This is the final destination of all existence."
Just as the two were about to be swallowed by the void, the Biography of Tsangyang Gyatso's Poems on Qi Diao Yanfei's chest suddenly glowed brightly. The book automatically opened, and those familiar verses of poetry floated out, transforming into a golden barrier of words, temporarily blocking the advance of the void.
"This is..." The incarnation of the primordial void revealed a surprised expression for the first time. "Primordial wisdom? Impossible! This kind of power should have dissipated at the birth of the universe!"
Taking this opportunity, Tashi Phuntsok pulled Qi Diao Yanfei up and said, "We have to find a way to fight it!"
They retreated to the core of the origin of time and space, but found that this too was on the verge of collapse. The cracks in the Mirror of Balance grew, the Eternal Lotus began to wither, and even the gifts they had received on their wedding day were losing their luster.
"All the power is disappearing..." Qi Diao Yanfei looked at it all in despair, "What should we do?"
Tashi Phuntsok pondered for a moment, then his eyes suddenly lit up. "Remember the records about the origin of the universe in the Xingchen Academy? The original void wants to destroy everything because it believes that existence is a mistake. But if we can prove the value of existence..."
"To prove the value of existence?" Qi Diao Yanfei seemed to understand something.
At this moment, several weak but firm connections suddenly resonated in their consciousness. They were the planes they had helped, even on the brink of collapse, still maintaining a connection with them.
Du Fu's voice was the first to be heard: "My two guardians, Chang'an may no longer exist, but the poem lives on. I have woven the true meaning of 'Dreaming of Li Bai' into the fabric of time and space. As long as there is one person who remembers this poem, the spirit of Chang'an will never fade!"
Xuanjian then said, "The balance of the Buddhist kingdom may be broken in the future, but the wisdom we have gained has been passed on to every soul. Even if the body disappears, the wisdom will live on!"
The Daughter of Chaos spoke with a gentleness never before uttered: "Chaos and order are one, as are existence and nothingness. Do not resist nothingness, but understand it and embrace it."
Baima Zhuoga, Su Li, the instructors of Xingchen Academy... one voice after another resounded in their consciousness, each conveying the same message: the value of existence lies not in eternity, but in the meaning of every moment.
Hope rekindled in Qi Diao Yan Fei's eyes: "I understand! We don't need to fight against the original void, what we need to do is show it the meaning of existence!"
Tashi Phuntsok nodded: "Use everything we have experienced, use all the wisdom of time and space, to prove to it the value of existence!"
Hand in hand, they cast their full consciousness into the Mirror of Balance. Though cracked, it remained the nexus connecting all of time and space.
Through the Mirror of Balance, they began to reveal the magnificent picture of existence to the primordial void:
They show the poetic life of Chang'an City and how poets created immortal poems amidst suffering;
They demonstrated the harmonious balance of the future Buddhist kingdom, how technology and Buddhism would be perfectly integrated;
They show the chaotic beauty of the secret realms of mountains and seas, and how order and chaos dance together;
They showed the ocean of knowledge in Xingchen Academy and how ignorance gave rise to the desire for knowledge;
They showcased the Redwood Zen Monastery’s wisdom on life and death, and how death gives meaning to life;
They showed the intersection of time and space in the Three Realms Inn, and how different civilizations coexist peacefully...
Most importantly, they demonstrate love—a mother's care for her child, the loyalty between friends, the affection between lovers, the compassion for strangers... All these forms of connection are the most beautiful proof of existence.
The primordial void's advance slowed noticeably. Subtle fluctuations began to appear within the absolute darkness, as if it were thinking and feeling.
"These... these are just appearances." The Avatar's voice was no longer so certain. "From the perspective of eternity, all of this will eventually disappear. It is meaningless."
"It is precisely because of the end that the process is so precious!" Qi Diao Yanfei responded through the Mirror of Balance, "If everything were eternal, then every moment would lose its uniqueness. It is precisely because of finiteness that existence is so beautiful!"
Tashi Phuntsok continued, "You are not a corrector of errors, you are a part of the whole. Without darkness, light loses its meaning; without nothingness, existence loses its value. We need you, just as you need us."
The cracks in the Mirror of Balance began to mend themselves, revealing the interdependence of primordial nothingness and existence. It turned out that primordial nothingness was not the enemy of existence, but its necessary complement. Just like the inhalation and exhalation of breath, the birth and death of life, they are two sides of the same coin.
The embodiment of the primordial void began to change. Liana's form gradually dissipated, replaced by a state that was neither existence nor nothingness. It no longer advanced, but began to resonate with the surrounding space-time fabric.
"I...I was wrong." For the first time, emotion appeared in the being's voice. "I am not here to destroy existence, I am here to perfect it."
As everyone watched in astonishment, the primordial nothingness began to transform. Instead of disappearing, it became a transparent medium, as clear as crystal and as light as air. This medium permeated every aspect of time and space, not destroying but strengthening it—imbuing the finite with meaning and the transient with value.
The collapsed space and time begin to rebuild. Chang'an City rises from the ruins, no longer clinging to eternity, but cherishing every moment. Balance is reestablished in the future Buddhist kingdom, but change is accepted as the norm in the universe. Chaos and order in the secret realms of mountains and seas reach a new harmony, understanding the unity of opposites...
When the transformation was complete, a brand new being appeared in the core of the origin of time and space. It had the appearance of Liana, the essence of the original void, and the wisdom of all time and space.
"I am the Primordial Light," it declared, "the unity of Being and Nothingness. From now on, I will protect the integrity of time and space, ensuring that Being and Nothingness coexist in eternal harmony."
Qi Diao Yanfei and Tashi Phuntsok looked at this new being in awe: "Then, the Space-Time Parliament..."
The Origin of Light smiled. "The Council will continue to exist, but it will no longer monitor, but serve. I will personally guide the Council and help all time and space understand the true meaning of existence."
The crisis was resolved, but Qi Diao Yanfei and Tashi Pingcuo knew that some things had changed forever.
With the help of the Primordial Light, they began to rebuild the damaged space-time. This process is different from creation, as it is not about creating something from nothing, but about helping each space-time to rediscover its own meaning while accepting its limitations.
When they once again stand before the Mirror of Balance, what's reflected is no longer a quest for eternity, but a cherishing of every moment in the universe. The poets of Chang'an no longer seek immortal poetry, but instead revel in the joy of creation; the inhabitants of the future Buddhist kingdom no longer seek eternal balance, but instead appreciate harmony in change; the creatures of the secret realms of mountains and seas no longer seek absolute control, but instead experience creation amidst chaos...
"This is true balance," Qi Diao Yanfei sighed, "accept the limitations and cherish the present."
Tashi Phuntsok held her hand and said, "It's just like our love. We don't need to pursue eternity, as long as we devote ourselves wholeheartedly to every moment."
The Origin Light came to them and said: "Thank you for helping me understand the meaning of existence. Now, you can choose: continue to be the guardians of time and space, or... return to ordinary life."
Qi Diao Yanfei and Zhaxi Pingcuo looked at each other and saw the same answer in each other's hearts.
“We want to go home,” they said, “back to that original grassland, to live a limited but fulfilling life as ordinary people.”
The Origin of Light nodded in understanding. "A wise choice. Only those who have experienced eternity can truly understand the preciousness of finiteness."
Before leaving, the Origin of Light gave them one last gift - a pair of ordinary wedding rings, but containing special powers.
"These rings will not grant you eternal life or great power," explained the Primordial Light, "but they will ensure that no matter how many times you reincarnate, you will find each other and stay in love."
Qi Diao Yanfei and Zhaxi Pingcuo put on the rings and felt an ordinary warmth flowing in their hearts.
They toured the various dimensions of time one last time, bidding farewell to their old friends. Du Fu recited a farewell poem for them in the rebuilt city of Chang'an; Xuanjian blessed them beneath the newly born Tree of Wisdom; the Daughter of Chaos performed a farewell dance for them in the secret realm of mountains and seas; and Baima Zhuoga lit an eternal lamp for them at the Redwood Monastery...
Finally, they stood in front of the Mirror of Balance, ready to return to the original time and space.
"Will you miss this place?" Tashi Pingcuo asked softly.
Qi Diao Yanfei smiled: "We will take all the memories with us. And..." She stroked the ring on her hand, "We know that we can come back anytime if needed."
Hand in hand, they stepped into the time and space passage back home. This time, there was no dazzling light, no fluctuations in time and space, just like ordinary people walking through an ordinary door.
As their figures disappeared into the passage, the Origin Light gently touched the Mirror of Balance, revealing their life after returning to the grasslands:
Qi Diao Yanfei has become a sky burial master again, but no longer alone, with a deeper understanding of life and death; Tashi Phuntsok has become a doctor on the grasslands, using the wisdom he has learned from different time and space to help his people. They live in a small house under the redwood trees, leading an ordinary but fulfilling life.
Every evening, they would sit on the doorstep and watch the sunset. Sometimes, Qi Diao Yanfei would quietly recite the poems of Tsangyang Gyatso; sometimes, Tashi Phuntsok would tell them about the strange world he had seen in his dreams.
They no longer possess eternal life, nor do they possess powerful powers, but every ordinary day is full of meaning.
The Origin Light observed all of this and whispered to itself, "The meaning of existence lies not in eternity, but in cherishing. The value of finite things lies in that they teach us to love the present moment."
Next to the Mirror of Balance, the biography of Tsangyang Gyatso's poems automatically opened to the last page, revealing new verses:
"I don't seek eternity nor envy immortality, I just want to be with you day and night.
Time is limited, but love is infinite. This heart and this feeling will never change."
The Guardians of Time and Space have returned to ordinary life, but their love and wisdom have changed the multiverse forever.
And the primordial light, the unity of existence and nothingness, will continue to protect all time and space, ensuring that every finite existence can find its own meaning.
Because true balance is not eternal stability, but seeing the infinite in the finite and the eternity in the moment.
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