# 1954
Chapter 1954: Rest
Two days later.
Island.
On the mist-shrouded island, a massive gate that had been essentially repaired stood tall and imposing. Ancient and mysterious auras seeped outward from its edges, while the bodies of small fish floated lifelessly on the water's surface.
Within a ten-li radius, a dead zone had already formed.
An Qingyu sat cross-legged on the ground. Beneath his large black cloak, more than half his body had turned gray. Those deep-set eyes slowly opened, as vast and fathomless as a starry sky, making him appear truly fearsome.
Compared to ten days ago, his aura had completely merged with the Gate of Truth above. He had crossed the barrier of Chief God level and reached the realm of Supreme God.
With the restoration of the Gate of Truth and the gradual awakening of the Key to the Gate, the concept of realm boundaries held no meaning for him anymore. From a life-form perspective, he had entirely broken free from this world's shackles... yet his soul remained imprisoned within this gray expanse.
"Good afternoon, my old friend." A voice drifted from the mist as the form of Chaos materialized.
He walked with his hands clasped behind his back, a bright smile spread across his dark face, as if in an exceptionally good mood.
An Qingyu glanced at him but said nothing.
"What? I only knocked you out once, and now you're giving me the silent treatment?" Chaos raised an eyebrow.
"How would I know if you're talking to me?"
"Don't be so cold. From a qi perspective, you and Him... are no different." Chaos shrugged helplessly. "Relax, today I'm not here to beat you up. I was just passing by to say hello after grabbing something from your place."
Grabbing something?
An Qingyu's eyes narrowed slightly. Those deep-set eyes seemed to pierce straight through Chaos's thoughts.
"Looks like today is the day, then."
"Yes, I've waited so long, and that day has finally come! Oh, how thrilling!! I can barely contain myself!!" Chaos burst into laughter as if thinking of something delightful.
"Promise me, my old friend. Even though you can't participate in today's wonderful celebration personally, you must watch it, okay? I guarantee the show today won't disappoint you!"
Chaos pointed at the phone in front of An Qingyu, but the latter simply stared at him in silence, saying nothing.
Chaos's laughter stopped abruptly.
As if remembering something, he patted An Qingyu on the shoulder.
"But I suppose... you wouldn't just sit by and watch, would you?"
This seemingly random remark caused An Qingyu's brow to furrow involuntarily. Just as he was about to speak, Chaos had already walked away, his form dissolving into the mist.
An Qingyu stared at the direction Chaos had departed, murmuring to himself:
"Time is running out..."
He gently raised his fingertips, tracing rapidly through empty air as if calculating something. After a long while, his gaze fell upon the nearest small stone by his side...
His eyes flickered with a faint light as he reached out, picking up the stone and holding it in his palm.
"The final step can only be you."
His fingertips rubbed across the stone's surface. The originally rough stone skin visibly smoothed and rounded, a hint of gray seeping from his palm and staining into the stone...
...
Great Xia Border.
The dim yellow sunset spread across the land. Before the fortress-like war fort, numerous figures bustled about like tireless machines.
However, compared to two days ago, the fortifications here were essentially complete. The barren earth divided into countless grid sections had returned to its original state, showing no signs of transformation. Helicopters in the sky gradually descended and returned, with only a few remaining to finish the final touches.
In Lin Qiye's hand, the Straight Blade completed its final stroke. Unable to endure the exhaustion deep within his soul any longer, he gently pinched the bridge of his nose,勉强打起精神勉强打起精神 managed to rouse himself enough to ask:
"Is it all done?"
"All done. A total of one thousand three hundred and thirty Forbidden Spells, all completed." A Night Watch member responsible for the count hurried forward, preparing to support him, but Lin Qiye waved him off.
As the final metal block was dragged away by the aircraft, Lin Qiye simply found a nearby rock and sat down. His face pale, he asked:
"How much time is left?"
"Seven hours and sixteen minutes."
"Hmm... please call Guan Zai for me."
"...Alright."
Lin Qiye sat alone, feeling his eyelids and head growing heavier by the moment. Even though the divine power in his body was recovering rapidly under the faith enhancement, the mental exhaustion was impossible to alleviate.
Forbidden Spells were the pinnacle existence within magic formations. Carving each one required enormous mental expenditure. After more than three consecutive days and nights of non-stop carving, Lin Qiye's body was already pushed to its limits. While maintaining complete focus during the carving, it was still manageable, but once he released all his burdens, exhaustion and drowsiness surged over him like a tide.
The Night Watch had barely taken a few steps when Lin Qiye's head drooped and he fell asleep while sitting.
A few minutes later, Guan Zai hurried over. Seeing Lin Qiye already asleep while sitting, he paused in surprise, then wore an expression of complex emotions.
After hesitating for a moment, he was about to step forward and wake Lin Qiye when the latter seemed to sense something, jerking awake with a start. A majestic divine might erupted outward, sending Guan Zai staggering backward several steps. Those bloodshot eyes blazed with vigilance.
Seeing who his visitor was, Lin Qiye stared blankly for a long while, then managed a wry smile and withdrew the divine pressure.
"Sorry, I fell asleep..."
Though it had been only a brief glance, Guan Zai's back was already soaked with sweat. The momentum Lin Qiye now radiated with every casual gesture was something no Human Apex could possibly contend with. He could only helplessly compose himself before continuing forward.
"Your tension is off the charts... From the Battle of Sunken Dragon Pass until now, you've barely rested." Guan Zai spoke seriously. "Now that the Forbidden Spells for all three passes are done, you should go get some proper sleep."
"How's the progress on the three passes?"
"Jialin Pass is basically complete, with only some final concealment work remaining. The Forbidden Spells transported to Shanhaiguan and Banruo Pass have all been buried and installed. The defensive lines of all three passes are now completely connected, forming an ultra-long front line stretching nearly eight hundred kilometers.
As for the remaining finishing work, it can all be completed within three hours. Time is more than enough."
Hearing Guan Zai's report, Lin Qiye finally relaxed somewhat. After a moment of contemplation, he nodded.
"Alright, I'll go rest for a while... If anything unexpected happens, contact me immediately."
After exhausting so much mental energy, Lin Qiye truly couldn't hold on any longer. The remaining seven hours were enough for him to get some sleep. Forcing himself to the battlefield in this state wouldn't do any good either.
Jialin Pass quickly arranged an aircraft for Lin Qiye, carrying him toward Shangjing.