"My time is short? Elder Zeng, what's happening?" Li Xuan looked at Zeng Shan with a somber expression.
Zeng Shan sighed with a complex look and said, "Come with me. The Dean wishes to see you."
Li Xuan nodded and followed Zeng Shan as they quickly headed towards the Dean's pavilion.
Soon, Li Xuan arrived at Yuan Hao's pavilion with Zeng Shan. Many people had already gathered outside. Li Xuan glanced at them; they were mostly instructors and directors of the academy.
Seeing Li Xuan and Zeng Shan arrive, everyone naturally made way.
"Go in," Zeng Shan said, nodding to Li Xuan at the entrance.
Li Xuan nodded and stepped inside.
"Dean," Li Xuan said, walking quickly to Yuan Hao's side after entering the room and seeing his sallow complexion.
Yuan Hao slowly opened his eyes and forced a smile at Li Xuan, "You're here."
"Dean, your body..." Li Xuan gently helped Yuan Hao sit up, his brow furrowed. In that instant, Li Xuan had sensed that Yuan Hao's life was nearing its end.
Yuan Hao smiled with great relief, "It's just the limits of life and death, no need to dwell on it. I had promised fifteen years, and now it seems I may not be able to fulfill it."
Li Xuan fell silent. Twelve years had passed, and three years remained until the fifteen-year mark. Yet, these twelve years had changed him profoundly. Moreover, if Yuan Hao hadn't taken him in back then, he might not have had these twelve years of peace.
"Dean, I know of the Guixu Land. I can go to Guixu Land and bring you back," Li Xuan said, his heart stirred.
Yuan Hao, however, shook his head slightly and replied, "We have inherited the system and order set by the Master of the Great Dao Brush. If you were to revive me, would that not make me betray my original intention? Besides, I am content with what I have achieved so far."
Li Xuan looked at Yuan Hao with a complex expression and ultimately did not insist. Everyone has their own choices, and he couldn't dictate another person's life based on his own thoughts.
"Alright, don't be sad. Without the order of life and death, wouldn't this universe be overcrowded? You must understand that this universe has its own laws, and the order established by the Master of the Great Dao Brush is, in fact, for balance."
Yuan Hao took a deep breath and continued, "The anti-heaven organization, in a way, is not wrong. They fight for themselves, to live longer. We cannot deny them this. Otherwise, the Master of the Great Dao Brush would have suppressed them long ago."
"They have overlooked one point: if everyone were immortal, it would become a burden to the universe. Even if the universe is infinitely vast, resources are finite. And as one's strength grows, so does their consumption of resources. This is also unfair to ordinary people."
"More importantly, it is also a harm to the universe itself. For the sake of all sentient beings and for the universe itself, the order set by the Master of the Great Dao Brush should bring more benefits than harm. Therefore, this is the root of our belief in the order established by the Master of the Great Dao Brush."
Li Xuan nodded slightly. Everyone has the right to choose their own life, and to live their own lives. In a way, the anti-heaven organization was not entirely wrong.
"I don't wish to know about future matters. Talking about them now is a bit rambling. I called you here because I wanted to help you one last time while I still have breath. In this way, my promise will be fulfilled."
After speaking, Yuan Hao's breathing became labored, clearly indicating that speaking too much had affected his body.
Li Xuan, seeing this, quickly injected his spiritual energy into Yuan Hao's body, stabilizing his breathing.
"Dean, in these twelve years at the academy, I have learned much. Even facing the anti-heaven organization now, I feel at peace. You should take care of yourself, Dean, and stop worrying about my matters," Li Xuan said.
Yuan Hao smiled faintly, "It's alright, let me fulfill my own promise. With this, I shall face my end without regret."
Yuan Hao then grasped Li Xuan's hand, and an invisible force enveloped Li Xuan.
"There are too many mysteries surrounding you. I hope what I do will help you see yourself more clearly."
Yuan Hao finished speaking, and a Dao Seal suddenly appeared in mid-air. In the next moment, a spiritual light flashed, enveloping Li Xuan before disappearing.
Li Xuan's consciousness felt heavy, and in the depths of his mind, a faint light flickered, and an image slowly unfolded.