Chapter 1546: All These Years, Youve Worked Hard.

Yi Feng smiled faintly, not directly answering the old man's question.

"Come with me. I've prepared a gift for you," Yi Feng said, then soared into the sky without waiting for a response.

The old man was puzzled but, after a moment of thought, followed him. Yi Feng's mention of a "gift" had piqued his curiosity, and he wanted to see what it was.

The two arrived in the vast expanse of space, standing side by side. They gazed at the barren planet they had just left, which now appeared dim and insignificant amidst the sea of stars.

With a wave of his hand, Yi Feng transformed the desolate planet. The black dust that once shrouded it was swept away, revealing a transparent, crystalline sphere. Inside the planet was a massive black demon dragon, its body so enormous that it could wrap around the planet several times. But now, the dragon lay lifeless.

The old man was stunned. His frail body trembled uncontrollably, and his chest heaved with emotion. "The demon dragon... it's dead?!" he gasped, his voice filled with shock and excitement. No words could fully express what he was feeling.

The old man had guarded this planet for countless years, his sole purpose being to suppress the demon dragon. To do so, he had left behind his family and friends, exiled and confined to this barren world, much like the dragon itself. For years, he had endured endless sandstorms and unbearable loneliness. His emotions had dulled, his memories had faded, and his life had slowly slipped away. Yet, he had never doubted his mission or wavered in his resolve.

Now, the demon dragon that had once been impossible to kill and could only be sealed away was dead. This meant he was free. No longer bound by the dragon, he no longer had to remain in this desolate place. He wondered how many of his old friends and family were still alive. Emotions long buried began to stir within him, like a withered tree coming back to life in spring.

His eyes shone with newfound vigor as he turned to Yi Feng. "May I ask, who are you, and why have you helped me?" The old man's tone was respectful and reverent, as he now regarded Yi Feng as his savior.

Yi Feng calmly gazed at the once-barren, now-transparent planet. With a flick of his sleeve, the planet disintegrated into nothingness, vanishing without a sound. "Back then, it was thanks to people like you," Yi Feng said with a sigh. "It was your selfless sacrifice, your willingness to give up endless years to fight against the alien race, that led to our ultimate victory."

The old man's eyes widened, and his heart, which had just begun to settle, was once again thrown into turmoil. Memories long buried resurfaced, flooding his mind. He studied Yi Feng's face, and a sense of familiarity grew stronger. The face before him slowly overlapped with one deep in his memories.

In that moment, everything came rushing back.

Tears streamed down the old man's face as he fell to his knees in the void, prostrating himself before Yi Feng. "Li Da pays his respects to the Master! This old servant failed to recognize you. Please, do not hold it against me!" he choked out.

Scenes from the past played out in his mind. He and his comrades had fought valiantly against the alien race. Together, they had sealed the demon dragon, and he had volunteered to remain behind to guard it. Countless years had passed, and the world around him had become monotonous and repetitive.

Ten thousand years! In the blink of an eye, ten thousand years had gone by. The earth-shattering battle felt like it had happened just yesterday. The faces of his comrades, young and full of life, were still vivid in his memory. But now, he was an old man, weathered and wrinkled.

Li Da sighed deeply, but he was also filled with excitement. He had heard Yi Feng say that they had achieved victory. Wasn't that their goal all along? Wasn't that what had kept him going, steadfast in his duty for ten thousand years?

"Through countless battles, we wore golden armor, vowing not to return until the enemy was defeated," Li Da thought. Ten thousand years of unwavering dedication had finally brought the Master to him. This meant that Yi Feng had not forgotten him, that his sacrifice had been recognized.

A flood of emotions—joy, sorrow, gratitude, longing—surged through Li Da, bringing tears to his eyes. His body trembled as he wept openly, releasing emotions that had been pent up for ten thousand years. It was as if a volcano, suppressed for millennia, had finally erupted, spewing forth all its pent-up energy. His confusion, hesitation, and helplessness were swept away.

Yi Feng, too, was deeply moved. His heart swelled with gratitude for the selfless dedication of these old warriors, with regret for their sacrifices, with admiration for Li Da's ten-thousand-year vigil, and with sorrow for the comrades who had fallen.

Calming his emotions, Yi Feng gently helped Li Da to his feet. "All these years, you've worked hard," he said softly.

Li Da wiped his tears with his tattered sleeves, trying to compose himself. "It was nothing, nothing at all. It was my duty to serve you, Master. This is what we were meant to do!"

Yi Feng straightened Li Da's robes and smiled. "Now that the alien demons have been vanquished and the stars are at peace, the vast universe is yours to explore. Find a good place to rest and enjoy life."

With a wave of his hand, Yi Feng dispelled all the ailments and exhaustion that had plagued Li Da. The old man's withered appearance vanished, and he was transformed into a robust middle-aged man. His pale, gaunt face became ruddy with health, and his body filled with strength and vitality. His gray hair turned black, and his frail frame became muscular and powerful.

Li Da, now a middle-aged man, was overjoyed. He could feel the surging energy within him, the vitality coursing through his veins. He thanked Yi Feng profusely.

But as he looked out into the endless expanse of space, a deep sense of uncertainty crept over him. After ten thousand years of guarding this place, he had grown accustomed to the monotony. The sudden freedom left him at a loss. He didn't know where to go or what to do.

"Master, I..." Li Da hesitated, unsure of how to proceed. He remembered swearing an oath to follow Yi Feng to the death, but he didn't dare ask to accompany him, fearing rejection.

Yi Feng smiled and handed him a red invitation. "The wedding is in a few days. Don't be late."

Li Da opened the invitation and saw the name written on it. His heart skipped a beat. "Master, is this a descendant of the Cang family?!" he asked excitedly.

Yi Feng nodded.

Li Da's heart swelled with emotion. "Back then, Elder Cang was a towering figure, a hero who saved my life. But fate was cruel, and he sacrificed himself to save his comrades. To think that his descendants still live... this is wonderful! It seems the bloodlines of us old warriors still endure."

Filled with renewed enthusiasm, Li Da declared, "Master, I will be there on time!"

Yi Feng smiled and nodded, feeling a warm glow in his heart as he saw Li Da's spirits lift. "Then go and prepare yourself. Make sure you're ready."

With that, Yi Feng turned and walked away, gradually disappearing into the void.

Li Da bowed deeply, paying his respects to Yi Feng's departing figure.