Eternal Covenant
For the first century after the Source of Time and Space stabilized, Qidiao Yanfei and Tashi Phuntsok stood before the Mirror of Balance, watching countless universes shift like a galaxy within. For centuries, as guardians of the Source of Time and Space, they maintained the balance of the multiverse, yet deep within their hearts, they harbored an unfulfilled wish.
"Phuntsok," Qidiao Yanfei called softly, her hands intertwined with his. "Do you remember? In all the time and space, we never really had a wedding."
Tashi Phuntsok turned to look at her, a gentle smile in his eyes. "How could I forget? Under the moon in Chang'an, on the lotus platform in the future Buddhist kingdom, by the Yaochi Lake in the secret land of mountains and seas... Every time we made a vow, it was always interrupted by a sudden crisis."
Qi Diao Yanfei leaned on his shoulder, gazing at the time and space in the mirror where they had fought side by side. "Over the past hundred years, time and space have become more stable than ever before. Perhaps... it's time to complete our wedding that we've delayed for so long."
Tashi Phuntsok gently lifted her chin and placed a passionate kiss on her lips. "Then let's hold an unprecedented wedding. Invite all friends from time and space. Let's make eternal vows before the Mirror of Balance."
When the news came out, the entire multiverse was shocked.
The first response came from the future Buddhist kingdom. Xuanjian sent a message through the Tree of Wisdom: "We cannot repay the kindness of your creation a hundred years ago. Please allow us to create an 'Eternal Lotus Platform' for your wedding. It will bloom simultaneously across all time and space, symbolizing love transcending the boundaries of time and space."
Then, the Daughter of Chaos from the secret realm of mountains and seas presented the "Chaos Brocade": "Use this brocade as a wedding dress. It will change shape according to the wearer's wishes, embracing all forms, symbolizing the infinite possibilities of love."
Baima Zhuoga of the Redwood Zen Temple personally led her disciples to arrange a "sea of flowers of reincarnation" around the Mirror of Balance. These exotic flowers bloomed and withered at the same time, interpreting the philosophy that life and death are the same.
Su Li from the Three Realms Inn contributed his collection of "Fine Wines from All Realms". These fine wines are extracted from the essence of various time and space, and drinking them can make you savor the taste of endless time and space.
The seven instructors of Xingchen Academy jointly cast a spell to create "Star Fireworks". These fireworks will bloom simultaneously in all time and space on the wedding day, allowing all worlds to witness this grand event together.
Even Liana from the Space-Time Council brought a special gift - the "Time Recording Beads", which can permanently record this wedding across time and space.
During wedding preparations, Qidiao Yanfei and Tashi Phuntsok temporarily stepped down from their guardian duties and returned to the grasslands where they first met. A century had passed there, the gersang flowers still bloomed, and the prayer flags fluttered, as if waiting for the wanderer to return home.
They lived in the small house beneath the redwood tree, leading an ordinary yet warm life. Every morning, Tashi Phuntsok would gather dew-drenched wildflowers and weave them into a garland for Qidiao Yanfei. In the evening, Qidiao Yanfei would brew a pot of butter tea, and the two would sit on the doorstep, watching the sunset paint the grassland golden.
"Sometimes I wonder," Qi Diao Yanfei leaned on Tashi Pingcuo's shoulder, "if there hadn't been that avalanche, if there hadn't been time travel, and we had just lived an ordinary life, wouldn't that have been a kind of happiness?"
Tashi Phuntsok gently stroked her long hair: "Whether it's ordinary or legendary, as long as it's with you, it's the life I want most."
One night, they lay on the grass and looked at the stars. The stars in the night sky were particularly bright, as if they were also rejoicing for the upcoming wedding.
"Yanfei," Tashi Phuntsok suddenly turned to look at her, his eyes gleaming brighter than the stars, "For the past hundred years, I have been thinking about what kind of wedding vows I should give you. But every time I pick up a pen, I always feel that no words are enough to express my feelings."
Qi Diao Yanfei smiled and held his hand: "Then don't write it, say it. At our wedding, tell me the most sincere words in your heart."
He lowered his head and kissed her fingertips: "Okay, I promise you."
Three days before the wedding, guests from all over time and space began to arrive. The Sea of Nothingness surrounding the Mirror of Balance had never been so lively.
Du Fu from Chang'an City came on a crane, bringing a newly written poem as a gift; monks from the future Buddhist kingdom rode on lotus aircraft, chanting blessing scriptures; fairy beasts from the secret realms of mountains and seas dragged a gorgeous wedding car decorated with never-before-seen exotic flowers and plants; scholars from the Xingchen Academy built a temporary palace of knowledge to showcase wedding customs from different time and space.
The most touching thing was that Gyatso and Tsering from the Khampa family came with the blessings of the entire family. Gyatso was already a white-haired old man, and Tsering had become the patriarch of the family.
"The blood curse has been completely lifted," Gyatso excitedly shook their hands. "Thanks to the wisdom you left behind, we have found a way to coexist with the disease."
Tsering brought a special gift - a thick booklet that recorded the name of every newborn in the Kham family over the past century.
"We will always remember your kindness," Tsering said, "and every child in the Kham family will hear your story."
On the night before her wedding, Qi Diao Yan Fei came alone to the Mirror of Balance. Reflecting countless visions of time and space, she saw herself in each: the lonely mourner, the wise soul-ferryman, the brave time traveler...
"What are you looking at?" Tashi Phuntsok's voice came from behind.
She didn't look back, still staring at the reflection in the mirror: "Looking at the path we've walked. Sometimes I feel as if I've lived this life thousands of times."
Tashi Phuntsok hugged her from behind, his chin resting lightly on the top of her head: "And every time, I found you."
The image in the mirror began to change, showing the scene of their first meeting: the young Tashi Phuntsok, as the reincarnated soul boy, was chanting scriptures on a high throne; and the young Qidiao Yanfei was squeezed in the crowd, looking up at him.
"At that moment," Qi Diao Yanfei whispered, "I knew that this person would change my life."
Tashi Phuntsok smiled and said, "And I saw you at first sight among thousands of people. You were like the brightest star in the night sky, and I couldn't take my eyes off you."
They smiled at each other and kissed passionately before the Mirror of Balance. The mirror reflected them in countless times and spaces, each one telling the same story of love.
On the wedding day, the Sea of Nothingness turned into a sea of joy. Guests from all time and space gathered together, wearing all kinds of dresses, speaking different languages, but all carrying the same blessing.
Before the Mirror of Balance, the Eternal Lotus Platform crafted by Xuanjian blossomed as expected. It was a vast lotus-shaped platform, its petals composed of pure energy, emitting a soft glow. Even more miraculous, the phantom of this lotus platform could be seen throughout all of time and space, as if the entire multiverse were setting the stage for this wedding.
When the bell of the Space-Time Parliament rang, the wedding officially began.
Qi Diao Yanfei wore a wedding gown conjured from chaotic brocade. It was a long dress that fused the characteristics of clothing from all time and space. The hem flowed like a galaxy, and the veil was as light as clouds. She held a bouquet of samsara flowers, and every step she took cast a brilliant halo of light.
Tashi Phuntsok wore the guardian dress given by the future Buddhist kingdom. The veins of time and space were embroidered on the silver-white robe, and he wore a blessing ribbon woven by the Redwood Zen Temple on his shoulders, which was embroidered with "Eternal Love" in the words of all worlds.
They walked hand in hand onto the eternal lotus platform and stood face to face under the witness of all time and space.
Liana, officiating the wedding, announced to the world: "Today, we gather not only to celebrate the two guardians, but also to bear witness to the power of love. When time and space were about to collapse, it was their love that restored balance; when all things faced destruction, it was their love that created new life. Now, please make an eternal vow to each other."
Tashi Phuntsok spoke first, his voice echoing through the Mirror of Balance throughout all time and space:
"Yan Fei, my love. I remember when we first met, you were so cold and aloof, like a lotus on a snowy mountain. I was in awe of you, yet I couldn't help myself. Later, when I learned of your identity as a sky burial master, many people advised me to stay away, but I only saw your compassion and courage in the face of life and death."
He paused for a moment, tears welling in his eyes. "In that avalanche, I thought I would lose you forever. In the cold darkness, it was your warm figure that guided me forward. Later, I traveled through time and space, endured hardships, and every crisis made me more certain - no matter how many times I reincarnate, no matter where I am, I will find you and fall in love with you."
There were soft sobs among the guests, and many were moved by this sincere confession.
Tashi Phuntsok continued, "As a reincarnated soul boy, I should have severed all worldly ties, but I chose you. As a guardian of time and space, I could have transcended everything, but I still chose you. It's not because of responsibility, not because of fate, but simply because—I have let go of the world, but I have never let go of you."
He knelt on one knee, and a ring condensed from starlight appeared in his hand. "In the name of the Guardian of the Source of Time and Space, I make an eternal covenant: No matter how time and space flow, no matter how the universe changes, my heart will always be with you. In this life, the next, and eternity - I will never let you down, and I will never let you down."
Qi Diao Yanfei's tears fell silently. She helped Tashi Phuntsok up, wiped the tears from his eyes, and then began her own vow:
"Phuntsok, my beloved. Many people say that I waited for you for eight years. But they don't know that during those lonely years, it was your love that kept me going. The Biography of Tsangyang Gyatso's Poems in my hand is not just a book, but a bond between you and me."
Her voice was gentle but firm. "Remember when I was the herald of death, everyone feared me, but you were the only one who saw the loneliness in my eyes. Remember when I was a soul ferryman, everyone depended on me, but you were the only one who cared if I was tired. Remember when I was a time traveler, everyone expected me to solve problems, but you were the only one who worried if I was hurt."
She held his hands, her eyes gleaming with the wisdom and affection accumulated over a century. "In this life, I have transported countless souls and witnessed countless partings and reunions. But only meeting you makes me believe in the eternity of love. In that life, I traveled through mountains, rivers, and pagodas, not to cultivate my afterlife, but simply to meet you along the way. In this life, I finally understand that there is no need to travel through mountains and rivers, because love itself is the ultimate destination."
She took out the biography of Tsangyang Gyatso's poems, which had accompanied her for countless years, and the pages automatically opened, revealing new verses:
“If you don’t turn the mountain, you won’t turn the water. If you don’t cultivate, you won’t seek Buddhahood in your next life.
Only after meeting you did I know where my heart belongs."
Closing the book, she smiled and said, "In the name of the guardian of the source of time and space, I make an eternal covenant: no matter how life and death revolve, no matter how time and space change, my soul will always be with you. Past, present, and future - I will not let down the Tathagata, and I will not let you down."
When the two rings exchanged, the entire multiverse shook. Starlight fireworks bloomed across all time and space simultaneously, the light of the Eternal Lotus reached its peak, and the Mirror of Balance reflected a scene of celebration across all realms.
Guests offered their blessings. Du Fu recited a newly composed wedding poem; monks from the future Buddhist kingdom chanted sutras; celestial beasts from the secret lands of mountains and seas danced gracefully; and scholars from the Xingchen Academy released a shower of knowledge...
Under the gaze of the crowd, Tashi Phuntsok gently lifted her lacquered veil and placed a kiss on her lips that lasted forever. That kiss transcended time and space, condensed a century of deep affection, and symbolized their vow of eternal separation.
The wedding feast lasted for three full days. Guests tasted fine wines from all over the world, enjoyed performances from all time and space, and shared stories of love.
The most memorable event was the "Dance of All Worlds" on the second day. Under the magic of the Daughter of Chaos, the Sea of Nothingness transformed into a vast dance floor, where guests from different time and space performed their own traditional dances. Qi Diao Yanfei and Tashi Phuntsok danced through all time and space, from the court dances of the Tang Dynasty to the energy dances of the future Buddhist kingdom, from the immortal dances of the secret mountain and sea realms to the dances of knowledge from the Xingchen Academy.
"Remember when we were in Chang'an?" Tashi Phuntsok asked softly as they danced the Tang dance. "Back then, we danced together secretly under the moon, afraid to be discovered."
Qi Diao Yanfei chuckled: "And now, we can dance to our heart's content under the gaze of the world."
On the third day, as the wedding drew to a close, Qidiao Yanfei and Tashi Phuntsok stood before the Mirror of Balance and thanked all the guests.
"Thank you all for coming," Qi Diao Yanfei said, "This wedding belongs not only to us, but also to everyone who believes in love."
Tashi Phuntsok continued, "In the process of protecting time and space, we have come to realize that love is the most powerful force. It can connect all things, balance all beings, and create miracles."
As the wedding concluded, they activated the Time Recording Pearl to capture this historic moment. The pearl's light enveloped the entire Sea of Nothingness, forever preserving the guests' smiles, blessings, and joy.
As the guests left one after another, the Sea of Nothingness returned to tranquility, and Qidiao Yanfei and Tashi Pingcuo stood hand in hand in front of the Mirror of Balance.
The mirror reflected their cuddling figures and the endless time and space behind them.
"Finally," Qi Diao Yanfei sighed softly, "We have completed this wedding that has been delayed for a hundred years."
Tashi Phuntsok put his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on the top of her head. “But this is just the beginning. As guardians of the source of time and space, we still have eternity to spend together.”
She turned to face him, her eyes gleaming with happiness. "So, my Lord Guardian, what shall we do next?"
He smiled and kissed her forehead: "How about a honeymoon first? I heard that in the 'Rainbow Nebula' in the seventh dimension, there is a kind of star that can sing..."
Qi Diao Yanfei laughed out loud: "That sounds wonderful. But before that..." She pointed to the grassland in the mirror where they first met, "I want to go back there and take a look."
So, the newlywed Guardian couple began their honeymoon trip, and their first stop was the grassland covered with geraniums.
A hundred years later, the grasslands remain, the redwood trees remain, and their cabin remains, as if time has specially preserved this original home for the lovers.
At night, they lay on the grass and looked at the starry sky. The stars were especially bright tonight, as if they were also rejoicing for their union.
"Phuntsok," Qidiao Yanfei asked softly, "Do you think love can truly last forever?"
He looked at her sideways, his fingers gently tracing her face. "Remember what you learned at Xingchen Academy? Love is not matter, it is not energy, but a form of connection. As long as there is connection in the universe, love will last forever."
She smiled and closed her eyes: "Then I am willing to be connected with you forever."
Under the moonlight, the two figures gradually merged, just like their souls that had already merged.
In the mirror of balance, this heartwarming scene was recorded forever. Beside the mirror, the biography of Tsangyang Gyatso's poems automatically opened, revealing new verses:
"I don't cultivate for the afterlife nor envy immortality, I just wish to share the beauty of the moon with you.
Eternal time and space are witnesses to this love that will last forever."
The guardians of the source of time and space finally completed their eternal wedding under the witness of all the worlds they protected.
And their love will exist eternally like the source of time and space itself, forever balancing the cycle of birth and death in the multiverse.
Because true love is the ultimate balance, the destination of all things, and the eternal promise.
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