Qing Li,Hei Long,and Wang Xio slowly turned toward the source of the voice.They simply stared into the moon-white radiance that had appeared beside the gate.The light was so pure that it was impossible to see the figure standing within it.Qing Li narrowed his eyes,his fingers still trembling from the spiritual strain."Who are you?"The moon-white light slowly withdrew from the gate, leaving behind faint trails of silver radiance.
And a figure gradually became visible within it.A man stood quietly before them.He wore simple white robes,and his long silver hair was tied loosely behind his head.He looked a little older than them,perhaps in his late forties,Faint lines appeared around his calm eyes,and a small scar could be seen near his left ear.His eyes were a soft gray.An old jade ring rested on his finger,and a small white thread was tied around his wrist.When he stepped forward,the black threads above the shrine slowly moved away from him.
He looked at the three of them for several moments before speaking."I am not your enemy."His voice was gentle,yet there was weight hidden beneath every word."Nor am I your friend."Qing Li frowned."Then why did you help us?"The stranger's gaze shifted toward the gate."Because this shrine has waited for you."Wang Xio's expression sharpened."You knew we would come?"The stranger gave smile."Not you specifically." He slowly turned toward the pillars surrounding the chamber."I have watched many generations walk through those doors."Hei Long stepped forward."And what happened to them?"
The stranger's expression became quiet. "Most never reached this chamber."Qing Li's eyes narrowed."And those who did?"The stranger looked toward him."Very few ever left."Qing Li exchanged a glance with Hei Long before looking back at the stranger. "Who are you?"This time,the man answered without hesitation."I am the Keeper of What Remains."Wang Xio's eyes narrowed."What remains of what?"
The Keeper slowly raised his hand toward the ancient walls."Of the truth."His fingertips brushed against the surface of an old stone pillar."This shrine has stood for centuries.It has witnessed promises that Heaven later denied.It has witnessed memories that were deliberately erased.It has watched countless people come here searching for answers."His eyes lowered."Every generation believed they would be the one to uncover the truth."
Hei Long quietly asked,"Were they?"The Keeper shook his head."No."Qing Li's expression tightened."Every generation failed?"The Keeper looked toward him. "Every generation."Qing Li stared at him for a long moment."Then why are we different?" The Keeper's gaze moved between the three of them."I do not yet know."A faint smile appeared on his lips."That is why I allowed you to enter."
Wang Xio stepped closer."You said you guarded this shrine for centuries.What exactly have you been protecting?"The Keeper's expression became solemn."Not protecting."He slowly withdrew his hand from the pillar."Remembering."The stone beneath his palm suddenly began glowing and soft moon-white radiance spread through the carvings,and the entire shrine filled with shimmering light.Qing Li stepped back."What is happening?"
The Keeper calmly answered,"You asked what remains."He looked toward the center of the chamber."Now you will see."The pillar released a wave of spiritual energy and enormous illusion unfolded across the shrine walls.The first image showed a young man with long black hair and calm,silver-gray eyes.His white robes were simple,but countless thin silver threads were naturally woven through the fabric,glowing softly like moonlight.His sleeves and collar were covered with faint thread-like patterns,and several delicate threads floated around his wrists and fingers as if they were naturally connected to him.Some threads passed through his hair,while others moved gently around his shoulders and disappeared into the air.A group of disciples gathered around him.He was teaching them how to guide threads through their palms. "Carefully,"the young man said within the illusion."A Thread is not merely a weapon.It carries a promise."
One young disciple struggled,and the thread slipped from his fingers.The young man laughed softly before correcting his hand. "Do not force it.Let it follow your heart."Qing Li stared in disbelief."That's..."Wang Xio quietly finished,"The First Weaver."The illusion changed and wounded cultivator lay under the same tree.The young First Weaver knelt beside him and placed two fingers against his chest.As he placed fingers silver Thread emerged from his palm and gently wrapped around the injured man's body.The wound slowly closed.
The disciples around him cheered.The First Weaver simply smiled."Power exists to preserve life."Another image appeared. Children ran through a peaceful village while silver threads connected their families together.A wedding ceremony followed.Two people stood beneath moon tree as silver threads gently wrapped around their wrists. The First Weaver watched from a distance with a peaceful expression.
Then came another scene.Souls crossed a luminous river beneath a sky filled with stars. Silver Threads guided them gently toward the next world.Nothing about the scene was frightening.It was beautiful.Qing Li's expression slowly changed."He wasn't..."He struggled to finish the sentence."He wasn't doing anything wrong."Hei Long remained silent.His eyes followed the illusion as another scene appeared.
The First Weaver was surrounded by disciples,elders,and ordinary villagers. Children sat near him while he told stories, and several old cultivators laughed beside him.The man everyone had been taught to fear looked nothing like a monster.He looked like someone people trusted.Wang Xio's gaze hardened."So this is how it began."The Keeper quietly answered,"No."Wang Xio turned toward him."No?"The Keeper shook his head."This is how it should have remained."
Suddenly,the illusion changed and tiny black thread appeared among the countless silver ones.It was so small that it almost disappeared against the darkness of the scene.The villagers and disciples did not notice it.The First Weaver himself continued speaking as though nothing had changed. But the Keeper's eyes immediately focused upon it.Qing Li noticed his reaction."You saw it."The Keeper nodded slowly."I have been waiting for someone else to notice it."
Hei Long stepped closer to the illusion. "What is that black thread?"The Keeper's expression became grave."That black threads was first fracture."The black Thread moved silently between the silver ones.It did not attack.It simply connected itself to one silver thread.Then another and another.
Wang Xio's eyes narrowed."It is corrupting them."The Keeper did not answer.The black Thread suddenly disappeared and entire illusion shattered into countless fragments of moonlight.Qing Li stared at the empty air."What happened after that?"The Keeper lowered his hand."That..."He looked toward the three of them."...is the part Heaven removed from history."Young Qing Li,still standing within the overlapping memory, slowly whispered,"He was once a hero?"The Keeper nodded.His eyes remained fixed upon the place where the illusion had disappeared."Heroes..."He paused,"...can become monsters."
Qing Li continued staring at the place where the First Weaver had disappeared,his mind unable to accept how different the truth was from everything they had believed.Hei Long lowered his gaze."So the Threads..."He paused."They were never created to destroy people."Wang Xio's expression remained solemn."They were created to connect them."The Keeper quietly nodded."They were meant to preserve what should never be forgotten."Qing Li stared at Keeper."All this time..."he whispered."We were taught that the threads were created to destroy us." Wang Xio's gaze remained fixed on the fading illusion. "Perhaps that was the easiest story to make people believe."Hei Long turned toward the Keeper."And the truth?" The Keeper looked at the empty space before him."The truth was much more troublesome."
Qing Li frowned."Troublesome?"The Keeper replied,"The truth has a habit of making enemies of people who benefit from the lie."Wang Xio's eyes sharpened."Heaven." The Keeper didn't deny it.He simply looked toward the ceiling."Heaven feared what the First Weaver discovered more than they feared what he became."Hei Long's expression changed."Then Shou Heng..." The Keeper interrupted quietly."Was never the beginning."Qing Li's breath caught. "Then who was?"
The Keeper turned toward him,but before he could answer,a sound came from behind them.It was sound of child's laughter.Qing Li immediately turned around."Ling Yuan?"For moment,the moonlight gathered in the center of the shrine and formed the faint outline of the younger Ling Yuan.He was smiling as though nothing had happened. "Qing Li..."Qing Li froze."Ling Yuan?"He took a step forward,but the figure remained several steps away."Did you call me?"Ling Yuan's image shook slightly,like a reflection disturbed by water."No."He looked toward the Keeper."I think the shrine did."
The Keeper's expression changed. "Interesting."Wang Xio immediately looked at him."What is interesting?"The Keeper slowly approached the fading image."The shrine does not preserve people."He studied Ling Yuan's outline."It preserves unfinished things."Qing Li's heart tightened. "What does that mean?"The Keeper looked toward him."It means your friend left something behind."
Qing Li stepped forward."What?"The image of Ling Yuan suddenly looked toward him again.Qing Li's heart tightened."Wait..."He stepped forward."Ling Yuan..."Ling Yuan smiled."I know."Qing Li shook his head."You don't."His voice broke."There are so many things I still wanted to tell you."Ling Yuan answered softly,"Then keep them."Qing Li froze."Keep them?"Ling Yuan nodded."Until we meet again."
Qing Li stared at him through his tears.Ling Yuan's body began dissolving into countless points of silver light."Don't forget..."His voice became faint."...the road back.If we meet again..."He smiled."...smile first."Qing Li reached toward him."Ling Yuan!"Then the image shattered into countless silver sparks. Qing Li stood frozen with his hand half-raised."Ling Yuan..."The Keeper watched the sparks disappear."Now you understand why this place waited for you."Wang Xio frowned."You knew that would happen?"The Keeper shook his head."No."He looked toward the ceiling."And that is what concerns me."
A suddenly strange vibration passed through the shrine and silver sparks that had been floating peacefully began drifting upward instead of disappearing.Qing Li looked up."They're moving."Hei Long followed his gaze."Toward the sky."The Keeper's expression hardened. "Everyone...Step away from the center."
Wang Xio noticed the sudden change. "Why?" The Keeper answered,"Because something has noticed the memory."
The silver sparks suddenly stopped.The entire shrine became silent.Then every one of them shot upward at once.A violent wave of moonlight exploded through the roof,and for a brief moment,the heavens above Moonfall Village became filled with thousands of glowing stars.Qing Li stared upward in wonder."It's beautiful..."The Keeper's expression remained cold."No."He whispered."It is a signal."
The beautiful lights suddenly began turning dark at their edges.One silver spark became gray.Then another.Then hundreds.More followed.Qing Li's smile disappeared."What is happening?"The Keeper slowly stepped backward."They are being touched."Wang Xio drew spiritual power around his body."By what?"The Keeper looked toward the sky. "The things that have been waiting beyond the Threads."
The moonlight vanished and sky became black.Then one black thread appeared and trembled once.Another appeared beside it then another.Within moments,the entire sky was covered by countless dark threads. They twisted together like an endless living ocean,blocking every star and swallowing the moon completely.
Qing Li stared upward,his face pale."There are too many."Hei Long slowly clenched his fists."Those aren't ordinary threads."Wang Xio's eyes narrowed."No."He looked toward the Keeper."You knew this would happen." The Keeper shook his head."I knew they would eventually come."His gaze remained fixed upon the heavens."I did not know they would come tonight."Qing Li stepped forward."Then tell us what they want."
The Keeper looked at him."You."Qing Li froze."Me?"The Keeper's gaze moved toward Wang Xio,then Hei Long."All three of you."Wang Xio's expression hardened. "Why?"The Keeper answered, "Because you opened what Heaven spent centuries sealing."A deep vibration rolled across the village and countless black threads suddenly stopped moving.Qing Li looked around."Why did they stop?"The Keeper's eyes narrowed."Because they are listening. "Suddenly voice echoed across Moonlight Village."You've seen too much.
Hei Long turned around."Where did that come from?"Wang Xio's hand tightened. "Everywhere."Qing Li swallowed hard."Who are you?"For several seconds,there was only silence.Then the voice answered,"Does a forgotten name become easier to recognize simply because you ask for it?" Qing Li's brows furrowed."I don't understand."The voice gave a quiet,almost amused laugh."You were never meant to."
Wang Xio stepped forward."Then why speak to us at all?"The black threads above them shifted slightly,but none descended.The voice answered,"Because you have opened a door that should have remained closed. " Wang Xio's eyes narrowed."And you're afraid of what is behind it?"Another quiet laugh echoed through the village."Afraid?" The voice sounded almost entertained."No." He paused for second."I am curious."Hei Long looked toward the Keeper."Whoever this is..."He lowered his voice."...they don't sound surprised."
The Keeper's expression remained grim. "They have been waiting."Qing Li turned toward him."Waiting for us?"The Keeper nodded slowly."For someone to remember." The voice suddenly interrupted."Not someone."Everyone froze and voice continued,"One of you."Qing Li's breathing became uneven."Which one?"The black threads began turning toward him.Wang Xio immediately noticed."Qing Li..."
Qing Li looked up.The countless threads were now facing directly toward him."Why are they looking at me?"The voice answered softly,"Because you were the first to open your eyes."Qing Li clenched his fists."I don't know what you're talking about."The voice became quieter."You do."Qing Li shook his head."No."The voice replied,"You remembered the boy under the moon tree." Qing Li's eyes widened."Ling Yuan..."
The voice continued,"You remembered his smile.You remembered his voice.You remembered the promise he made to you." Qing Li's lips trembled."Stop."The voice fell silent for a moment."Why?"Qing Li looked toward the darkness with anger replacing his grief."Because you don't have the right to speak about him."The voice answered calmly,"Perhaps." He paused."But you have already spoken his name."
Wang Xio stepped between Qing Li and the darkness."Enough."The voice immediately shifted toward him."And you,Wang Xio..." Wang Xio's expression hardened."What about me?"The voice replied,"You opened the letter."Wang Xio's fingers tightened."Ling Yuan left it for us."The voice gave another quiet laugh."Yes."Wang Xio frowned."Then why are you angry that we read it?"The voice answered,"I am not angry."Its tone became colder."I am disappointed."Hei Long's eyes narrowed."Disappointed?"
The voice continued,"Because Ling Yuan knew better."Wang Xio's eyes sharpened. "What did he know?"The voice remained silent.Qing Li stepped forward."Tell us."The black Threads began trembling again."Tell us what Ling Yuan knew."The voice finally answered,"He knew that the what was the beginning."Wang Xio's expression changed. "Who was?"The voice did not answer directly.Instead,it asked,"Do you truly want to know?"Hei Long quietly replied,"We've come this far."The voice laughed softly."That is exactly what everyone says before they regret it."Hei Long's eyes narrowed."You sound very confident."
The voice answered, "Experience."Qing Li stared into the darkness."If you know so much..."His voice became steadier."...then why hide?"The voice replied,"Because some truths are safer when they remain nameless."Qing Li clenched his fists."Then give us a name."The Keeper suddenly looked at him with alarm."Qing Li..."But the voice answered before he could continue. "You are impatient."Qing Li looked upward. "And you're afraid."The threads suddenly trembled violently.The Keeper's expression changed."Don't provoke it."
Wang Xio glanced toward him."Why?"The Keeper whispered,"Because you don't know what is listening."The voice immediately answered,"He is correct."Qing Li stared into the darkness,his fingers tightening at his sides."Then tell me what is listening."The Keepershook his head."You don't want that answer."Qing Li looked at him."You keep saying that."His voice trembled slightly. "Every time I ask something,you tell me I don't want to know."The Keeper's expression softened. "Because there are some answers that cannot be forgotten once they enter your heart."
Qing Li's eyes reddened."I've already forgotten too much."The words came out quieter than he intended."I forgot Ling Yuan once."He swallowed hard."I forgot his voice. I forgot the way he smiled.I forgot the promises we made."His breathing became uneven."And now that I finally remember him,you want me to be afraid of remembering more?"The Keeper remained silent.Qing Li wiped tears under one eye,but another tear immediately slipped down his cheek."No."He shook his head."I'm done being afraid of memories."
Wang Xio looked toward him,his expression becoming unusually gentle."Qing Li..."Qing Li turned toward him."What if the truth hurts?"Wang Xio answered quietly,"Then we'll endure it together."Hei Long nodded. "You won't face it alone."Qing Li stared at both of them for a moment.His lips trembled as he tried to smile."You two really know how to make someone cry."Hei Long gave a faint smile."You were already crying."Qing Li laughed through his tears."That's not helping."Wang Xio quietly said,"Good."
Qing Li looked at him in confusion.Wang Xio's expression softened."If you can still cry,you haven't become numb."Qing Li lowered his eyes,and his tears finally fell freely."I just..."His voice broke."I don't want to forget anyone again."Hei Long stepped closer and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Then remember us too."Qing Li looked up."I will."The voice suddenly echoed again from somewhere beyond the darkness. "Such touching promises."The three looked upward.The voice sounded closer now."You speak as though memories belong to you."
Wang Xio's expression hardened."They do."The voice answered,"Do they?"Qing Li stared into the darkness."What do you mean?"The voice became quieter."You remember Ling Yuan because someone allowed you to remember him."Qing Li's face went pale."No...You remember the shrine because someone opened the seal.You remember the First Weaver because someone wanted you to find his name."
Qing Li shook his head."You're lying."A soft laugh echoed through the village."Perhaps Or perhaps you have never asked yourself who placed those memories inside you." Qing Li's tears stopped.He stared upward in disbelief."Placed...inside me?"The Keeper stepped forward."Enough."The voice replied,"Still protecting them?"The Keeper's expression hardened."I made a promise." The voice laughed softly."You made many promises."
The Keeper's eyes flickered with pain."And I broke one."Qing Li looked toward him."What promise?"The Keeper didn't answer."Tell me."Qing Li's voice became desperate. "What promise did you break?"The Keeper s lowered his eyes."I promised Ling Yuan that I would never let Heaven find you."Qing Li froze.Wang Xio's expression changed."You knew Ling Yuan before?"The Keeper looked toward him."I knew him before he became the person you remember."
Hei Long stepped forward."Then why didn't you tell us?"The Keeper's eyes filled with regret."Because every time his name was spoken,the threads moved closer."Qing Li's voice trembled."And now?"The Keeper looked toward the millions of threads above them."Now they have already heard it."The entire sky suddenly trembled.The voice returned from somewhere far beyond the village."You see?This is why some truths are safer when they remain nameless."
Qing Li wiped his tears,but his eyes remained fixed on the darkness above."Who are they?"he asked again and What do they want from us?"The Keeper's gaze followed the countless threads moving across the heavens,They can see fear on his face. "They don't want something from you."He stepped backward toward the three."They want something you remembered."Wang Xio's eyes narrowed."The First Weaver."The Keeper looked at him."More than that."Hei Long's expression became serious."Then what did Qing Li remember?"
The Keeper glanced toward Qing Li.Qing Li felt a chill travel through his chest."Ling Yuan?"The Keeper's silence answered him. Qing Li's hand tightened into a fist."Because I remembered him?"The Keeper nodded. "The moment the shrine restored that memory, threads knew where it had gone." Wang Xio looked toward the sky."So they followed the memory."The Keeper's eyes hardened."No.They followed you."A low vibration rolled through the village and wooden houses trembled.
The moonflowers along the streets bent toward the ground even though there was no wind.Qing Li looked toward the entrance. "They're coming."The Keeper immediately stepped in front of the three.His white robes moved as moon-white spiritual energy gathered around him,but even his power seemed small compared with the darkness outside."Stay behind me."
Wang Xio stepped forward instead."We can fight."The Keeper turned sharply."No."Wang Xio frowned."You just said they followed us." The Keeper's voice became unusually harsh."And that is exactly why you cannot fight them here."Hei Long looked toward the ancient gate."Why?"The Keeper stared at the three of them."Because this shrine is the last thing preventing them from entering the passage."Qing Li's expression changed. "The passage..."The Keeper nodded."The connection between the past and the present."
A violent crack suddenly echoed from above and ceiling split with a thin line of darkness. Qing Li looked up."What was that?"The Keeper's face became pale."They found the door."Another crack appeared then another. The entire shrine shook and beautiful moonflowers outside began losing their silver glow.Wang Xio raised his hand,his spiritual power gathering around his fingers. "Then we don't have much time."
The Keeper looked at him for a long moment before quietly saying,"No.We don't."The next instant,every black thread above the village moved at once.The sky seemed to collapse.The Keeper immediately stepped in front of the three."Run."Qing Li stared at him."What?"The Keeper turned toward the ancient gate."Do not look back."Wang Xio's expression hardened."What about you?"
The Keeper gave him a faint smile."I've waited centuries for this moment."His eyes turned toward the endless darkness."I can wait a little longer."A deafening roar suddenly tore through the shrine and doors exploded inward,and an endless ocean of black threads poured into Moonlight Village. They moved like living serpents,twisting over rooftops,through streets,and across the shrine walls.The beautiful glowing petals were caught within them.