"In this lifetime, I have bid farewell to countless friends and enemies, but this time leaves me truly speechless."

Standing before Gu Sheng's bed, Xiong Pi gazed at his old friend, and in those hollow eye sockets, an unspeakable light shone through.

At this moment, Gu Sheng had long lost his former brilliance; the once crystalline bones now appeared a weathered pale white.

Visible cracks crawled across every part of the skeleton, even on the Skeletons' most crucial "Central Bone," which was riddled with fissures.

That was the soul of the Skeletons, their true "brain."

"I never expected that I would leave in such a way at the end."

With a helpless smile, Gu Sheng's voice sounded so frail at that moment.

"I originally thought I could hold on for a few more years, at least until inviting the Serpent Race to join the alliance."

Xiong Pi glared fiercely at Gu Sheng, never having felt so infuriated by his friend's persistence.

"At a time like this, you still worry about such things?"

"Burning through your long lifespan in just these few hundred years, your manner of death will surely leave a significant mark in our race's history."

Now the Skeletons were beginning to form an initial role of "Historian" to specifically record the events of the present, past, and future.

"I only hope Shi Chong can accurately record my death..."

Sighing involuntarily, Gu Sheng knew better than anyone the immense changes his death would bring to the current Skeletons.

"Unfortunately, I fear not many will believe I truly died from exhaustion."

"I can even imagine how many conspiracy theories will arise after I die..."

As he said this, Gu Sheng's gaze passed over Xiong Pi to look at the equally saddened prophets behind him.

"Then I can only trouble you all."

"Please don't let my death stop the pace of 'Great Unity,' or I will not die in peace."

"Great Unity" was a theory crafted by Gu Sheng tailored to the specific situation of the Hundred Races of Mountains and Seas, aiming to achieve "permanent peace."

Gu Sheng believed that as long as united under the great faith of the Creator,

even groups of different appearances, abilities, and even souls would come to genuinely identify with their status as "God's People."

Under this premise, conflicts and disputes between races would not escalate to an irretrievable extent.

Eventually, the Hundred Races of Mountains and Seas would completely abandon the current racial classifications and adopt a more unified name—the Mountain and Sea People.

By then, the unity of the races would not only be based on faith but also on the culture and ideas born from living together.

This is the "permanent peace" Gu Sheng believed in and yearned for, the ultimate goal of "Great Unity."

"Rest assured, Great Unity is not just your ideal, but our pursuit too."

At this moment, Xiong Pi had no mind for banter and instead vowed resolutely.

"As long as I live, no one can stop the pace of Great Unity!"

..............................

A few hours later, before Gu Sheng's bed.

"So, did you call me back just to see off the leader?"

Staring at the immobile white skeleton, A Ke suppressed his inner sorrow and continued in his usual icy tone.

"Of course not; that's just one of the purposes."

In contrast to his rough demeanor in front of A Li and Gu Sheng, Xiong Pi now appeared so dignified and solemn.

"After the leader's death, there will inevitably be some chaos among the Skeletons and even the Hundred Races."

"So you, as the current strongest force of the Skeletons, have the responsibility and necessity to return to White Bone City."

Before A Ke could continue asking, Xiong Pi added,

"Moreover, though the leader never said it, I believe he wasn't willing to have his bones buried in White Bone City."

"He wanted to return to his guide, return to the Immortal who awakened him..."

"This has always been the leader's—no… this has always been Gu Sheng's heartfelt wish, and I want you to help realize it."

These words made A Ke, who was originally somewhat sorrowful, immediately lift his head and look at Xiong Pi in astonishment.

"You want to send off the leader's remains? Do the prophets know?"

In fact, the moment he blurted out this question, A Ke knew the answer.

Because if the prophets were aware of Xiong Pi's plan, they wouldn't have gone to great lengths to construct a massive underground tomb at the center of White Bone City.

That place, closest to the Creator Altar in the entire White Bone City, spoke volumes of its significance.

"So, that's why I sought you out privately."

"Not only would the prophets disagree, but even A Li surely wouldn't approve of my actions."

With an indifferent gaze at A Ke, at that moment, Xiong Pi seemed so unfamiliar.

"In the entire Skeleton race, only you have the capability and possibility to help me fulfill Gu Sheng's wish."

"Help me, help Gu Sheng realize this final wish!"

Gazing firmly at Xiong Pi, A Ke couldn't discern if he harbored ulterior motives or genuinely wanted to fulfill the leader's wish.

The only certainty was that he seemed to have no reason to refuse.

After all, A Ke knew Gu Sheng truly missed the Immortal who awakened him, and even all Zhiku members understood Gu Sheng's sentiments.

But apart from A Ke and Xiong Pi, others chose to overlook Gu Sheng's thoughts selectively.

"Protect A Ya for me."

After a brief silence, A Ke shifted his gaze to the remains on the bed.

"If anything happens to A Ya, no matter what you're plotting, I won't let you off."

"You know, I possess that capability."

The calm tone hinted at undeniable danger.

A Ke knew this choice would inevitably provoke anger from the Skeletons and even the entire alliance.

But the gratitude for being recognized cannot go unrepaid, and the care received cannot be ignored.

It was Gu Sheng who helped A Ke and this group of Second Generation Skeletons integrate into the Skeleton community…

It was Gu Sheng who helped A Ke and this group of Second Generation Skeletons find their footing anew…

Those Second Generation Skeletons who stood proudly on the ramparts of White Bone City, ever vigilant against external threats, were Gu Sheng's staunchest supporters.

"Rest assured, it's what I should do."

Slowly walking to the bedside, Xiong Pi took one last deep look at Gu Sheng's remains, and a hint of an inscrutable color appeared in those hollow eye sockets.

"Gu Sheng is the king of the Skeletons, the Virtuous King who proposed the theory of Great Unity; his wishes must be respected!"

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