Beneath our feet, streams of light twist and flow past.
The three of us stand on the edge of a vast river of light, its end beyond sight.
On both banks, expansive skies stretch out, adorned with majestic structures. Soothing music resonates, harmonious light glows, and the scenery is tranquil, eternal, untouched by time.
This is the Spirit Realm, the counterpart to the Soul Realm.
This place preserves only the noblest, most refined essences of heaven and earth.
They enjoy the finest conditions the cosmos can offer.
Tainted spirits, however, are cast down to the mortal world to be forged anew.
This realm is not for souls—it is for living entities alone.
We stand by the riverbank for a day and a night, observing everything.
The sun here is not the sun of reality, nor the soul of the sun—it is the sun's essence. The moon is the same, merely its refined essence.
I recall that when I arrived, it was the moon's cycle, and this place mirrors that cycle.
Thus, when the moon "dies," its soul returns to the Soul Realm, its body dissolves in the mortal world, and its essence comes back to the Spirit Realm, reigning at its highest point.
When the day ends, it falls into the river and returns to the mortal world. This is the cycle of this realm.
"We should return to the present," I say.
The two girls nod.
We revert to our soul states. Instantly, the Spirit Realm's repelling force and the Soul Realm's pull drag us back.
Standing by the River of Reincarnation, the three of us step into its waters. The cool, vibrant liquid surges with vitality, permeating every corner of our souls.
…
I open my eyes again as the sunset descends. The scenery remains as it was, etched in my memory.
Checking my body, I find it brimming with life once more.
Out of habit, I glance behind me. The space is empty—no one is there.
"They must have returned to their lives," I muse.
"Oh… I forgot to ask where they're from. No matter. If fate wills it, we'll meet again."
The moon rises higher. On the mountain peak, I recall everything that has happened.
I've merged the legacies of my two past lives into my soul. Now, my soul carries the experiences of three lives. Yet, some parts remain unintegrated—like the knowledge etched into my first life's consciousness or the Power map from my second life, which hasn't fully fused. It rests in my soul, folded, perhaps in a deep slumber as before.
Looking at the moon with the knowledge I possess, its nature is clear.
"It wouldn't be wrong to call it a living being," I think. At night, this moon burns its life force. By morning, it "dies." Its soul returns to the Soul Realm, its essence to the Spirit Realm.
At sunset, the moon descends to the River of Reincarnation, where it is granted new life. Its essence from the Spirit Realm is pulled back to the mortal world. This cycle repeats day after day.
What a complex process.
The water cycle is similar, tied to both realms. The Spirit Realm draws water's essence to itself, while the Soul Realm pulls its soul.
When water's essence loses purity, it falls to the Soul Realm as rain. When its soul absorbs essence, it rises again.
…
If I could harness the energies of the Spirit and Soul Realms, perhaps I could influence the laws governing the mortal world.
…
The moon sets.
Dawn arrives.
After much contemplation, I devise a promising idea: I will act as a conduit for energy to flow through. This way, I can direct the energy as I wish without risking assimilation, as I did when merging with the realms. The mechanism is like the River of Reincarnation—everything in that space is, to some extent, governed by it: souls, the ever-blooming flowers…
I relax, letting my body sense the interplay of energies between heaven and earth, between all things. But I only feel faint traces of energy, too weak to manipulate.
"This isn't right! What am I missing?"
Gazing at the rising sun, a bold idea emerges.
Recalling the traits of the sun's soul and essence, I align my soul with the sun's soul, my spirit with its essence, and my body with the sun above.
A surge of searing energy courses through me. It's blisteringly intense, as if nothing in the world could withstand its burn.
Instantly, my newly reformed body disintegrates into ash. The overwhelming heat roars, engulfing my soul.
Yet, deep within, a sense of fulfillment wells up. I know this is the sun's energy—and it cannot consume me.
A fragment of its will seeps into my mind: powerful, domineering, indestructible, blazing, radiant. The torrent of will threatens to overwhelm me, to make me a part of it. I feel its overbearing force.
But I know I won't be assimilated. Even if this cosmos shatters, my mind will endure through time.
I was right.
I only need to let myself flow with it.
As my soul and mind adapt to this new energy, my connection to the sun grows clearer, as if we are one.
I try to direct the fiery energy, but I realize I lack a body—a focal point. The energy cannot converge.
Instantly, a figure of immense heat takes shape.
I glance at a distant lake. With a single thought, the water evaporates entirely.
All with just a thought.
…
After several experiments, I grow accustomed to the sun's connection, even able to wield its power at varying intensities.
…
As sunset approaches, this body of heat weakens, like the sun descending. I need a new body.
…
If I can craft a body from the sun's energy, could I create one from other elements?
Clearing my mind, I let my soul connect with the radiant bands above and the space below.
A translucent, shadow-like body forms.
As night falls and the moon rises, I master the moon's energy.
A month later, I can manipulate the sky, earth, water, fire, wind, and lightning. I can even connect directly to the River of Reincarnation and the River of Spirit. The key is linking to both realms.
During this time, I must constantly switch between bodies—a tedious process. So, I conceive a solution: a body capable of withstanding all energies, as resilient as my soul and mind.
This body must be one with my soul, sustained by boundless vitality from the River of Reincarnation, endlessly regenerating from the River of Spirit. Its flesh, bones, and blood would be forged from the energies of all things.
Thus, a body capable of bearing all cosmic energies is born.
…
The sun rises again.
In my journey, years have passed, but in the mortal world, perhaps only a month. It's time to visit Luna.
Suddenly, the sky darkens with clouds, an oppressive, majestic force locking onto me. Lightning crackles within the clouds.
This is the Tribulation of Lightning. When something surpasses the permitted limits, triggering a qualitative leap, the heavens unleash this tribulation to balance the new change.
Looking at the brewing storm, I'm no stranger to it. I've faced it many times and long since assimilated its power. Now, it strikes merely as a formality to enter the cosmos.
Having passed the tribulation smoothly, I return to the Lei estate.
The place is unchanged, much as it was.
Hearing of my return, Luna rushes to me.
She looks at me.
I don't shy away. I slowly pull her into my arms, whispering in her ear:
"Little foolish moon, I'm back."
She buries her head in my chest, sobbing softly. We hold each other for a long time until she falls asleep, unaware.
I stay still, feeling the woman in my arms. She must have been so worried, so exhausted.
As dusk falls in a quiet courtyard, I speak:
"I've recalled all our memories from our past life. Would you like to hear them?"
Luna's face flushes.
"What are you talking about?"
I smile, gently stroking her soft, flower-scented hair.
"Those memories are so vivid, I can't forget them through countless reincarnations. Every time I see you, they resurface. Do you want to know about them?"
Her face reddens further, and she presses herself tightly against my chest, whispering:
"Yes."
…
I tell her stories until late at night, until the sun rises again.
At dawn, Luna rests in my arms.
She looks at me, and I know what she wants to say.
"I've merged the memories of my past and present lives. We've shared so many peaceful moments, in both lives."
"But…" (I must say it.)
I set her down.
"This body and soul now house three distinct personalities, fused as one. Three personalities from three different lives, each unique. The me now may not be the one you once loved."
"The you you loved is gone."
Luna looks at me seriously.
"What are you saying? You're still you. In my eyes, whether you're foolish, lovesick, refined, or wise—you're always the one I can give my heart to."
She climbs back into my lap, wrapping her arms around my neck, pressing herself close. She whispers in my ear:
"I just like it when you're refined and wise."
…
I push her away, sternly scolding:
"You say that without seeing my other sides?"
"Then show me!"
In an instant, my calm, refined, warm demeanor fades. A powerful, unrestrained, boundless aura surges forth.
With authority, I give her a firm pat on her backside.
Her eyes widen, she holds her breath, her body trembling. Seeing her meek like a kitten, I say:
"There's still time to regret."
Luna swallows hard, her voice resolute.
"You're a bit… intense, but I'm not afraid."
I grin wickedly.
"Intense? Are you afraid I'm too much for you?"
Her face flushes to her ears, her expression indignant.
"What else? I'm so delicate—don't you have any pity? I prefer gentle and refined."
I retract my aura, returning to my usual self.
"So, you're secretly naughty, huh?"
Luna, sitting on my lap, hands on her hips, cheeks puffed in mock anger, exudes defiance.
"I see this side of you now. This foolish, lecherous personality, full of wild thoughts. I can see it in your eyes—nothing but dirty ideas!"
"As if you think I kidnap and ravish you every night!"
"You… I…"
…
"I like you like this—refined, gentle, warm."
She hugs me tightly, refusing to let go.
"If I blend all three sides together, would you hate me?"
"I don't know. We'd have to try."
…
After a night of playful experiments, I know she doesn't mind one bit.
A passionate night passes.
We rise together, doing what couples do—cooking in the kitchen, eating breakfast together.
When she leaves to handle estate affairs, I sit in the courtyard, gazing into the distance.
… A spatial ripple…
I appear at the ruins of the Lưu clan village.
Nearly a decade has passed, yet a barrier still isolates this place from the outside world.
Occasionally, low, muffled sounds echo from within.
Standing in the void, looking down, I sigh. The place remains, but the people are gone.
… With a thought…
Time reverses, and in an instant, I'm back to the night before the calamity.
From above, I see my familiar loved ones sleeping peacefully.
… I sigh…
In the cycle of all things, if fate allows, I will free them from this prison.
As the past me and Sister Liora head out into the night, I see my adoptive parents awaken. They step outside, watching us from afar before leaving.
A weight lifts from my heart, and I feel lighter. It's truly them.
…
They act decisively. With a single gesture, they gather all the household items.
They linger, gazing at the house, then turn and leave.
…
I stay, watching the two young figures on the mountain, gazing at the sunrise.
No matter how many times I see it, it's still so sad. I will save her.
…
Space trembles. I stand before Victor and Clara. Seeing them in coarse cloth, tears streaming down their faces, I kneel and bow deeply.
"Thank you both for everything you've done for me."
They stare at me, bewildered.
Victor, wary, says:
"Noah, is that you? But your bloodline…"
I realize my mistake. This body, crafted by me, lacks the royal bloodline.
"It's a long story. Let me explain slowly."
… After I recount everything briefly…
Clara, solemn, says:
"Noah, you mean this body was created by you, and your bloodline is gone?"
I sense something off… They seem deeply disappointed.
"Essentially, yes. But if needed, I can recreate my old body. It just couldn't withstand my current power, so I made this one."
Victor, serious, says:
"Then show us how you'd recreate your old body."
…
It seems they won't let this go.
This body was painstakingly crafted and nurtured to perfection.
But what's there to lose? I can just make another.
"Fine, I'll do it."
Closing my eyes, I let my soul sink into the Soul Realm. Without a soul to sustain it, my body quickly dissolves into dust.
Soon, from the ashes, threads of flesh and blood form in the void…
I slowly open my eyes, looking at the two before me. This body feels stiff, fragile, as if a breeze could blow it away.
"Father, Mother, check if I'm lying."
…