Angelica's barefoot stepped out onto the water's surface. With Jeana and Ann on each side of her. They did not sink into the river of reincarnation but were standing on top of it. She then took another step and another, walking along as if she was on a solid surface.
The female souls on the riverbank were all staring wide-eyed at the scene in front of them. "This..." One of the women watched on in shock and confusion. She had seen many people get sucked into the river of reincarnation. Even now, not far from them, people were being sucked into it. But now, here in front of her was a young woman with a child and another woman walking hand in hand across the river as if it was nothing.
It was then when a thought came to mind: 'What if this area right now could be walked across!?' With this thought in mind, she hurried to the shore and went to step on to the water, thinking she could catch up to the other three and throw them off course and make it to the shore on her own but unfortunately for her, as soon as her foot touched the liquid surface of the river of reincarnation she was sucked in without even being given a chance to scream.
The scene filled the eyes of all the other female souls, some of whom also had the same idea, but thankfully they did not act upon it! Now they knew that the other girl had used some kind of trick! This left many dejected trial seekers as they had a feeling the young woman who was able to walk on top of the river of reincarnation was someone who would end up passing all the trials.
As for Angelica, who was in the middle of causing a scene, she had two gazes locked on her that were full of questions. "If you stare so much, you will put holes into my body."
"But Empress..." Jeana really wanted to know how they were standing on top of the river of reincarnation without being sucked in!
"Empress…?" Ann tilted her head to the side, feeling very confused.
Angelica looked down at Ann and smiled. She paused her steps and said: "Ann since you never got a chance to live a full life, I talked to the river of reincarnation and asked it to allow you a few things. First is you will be reborn as a girl in a loving rich family so you will never suffer hardships. Second, I asked him to make sure your abilities in your next life will be powerful so you will always be able to fight back if someone tries to harm you. But how strong you actually get will be completely up to you. Third and lastly… I asked him to allow you to remember the words I am about to say, so listen closely... Real power is not in how many people you can kill, nor is it in how many people you can save. Real power is what you use to protect those who are most dear to you. Be ruthless to your enemies and kind to your friends and family."
After saying the words, she hugged Ann before pushing her away. She watched as Ann's eyes went wide as her soul turned into golden balls of light and were swept away by the river. Unlike how souls are eaten by the river of reincarnation where they are just sucked in. When one is to be reincarnated their soul is turned into balls of golden light and will flow along the river until the right body is found for them. "Remember your promise to me, or I will split your body up until you are nothing but a stream. "
Jeana, who heard Angelica's words, could have sworn she heard a whine coming from the river. But she was not sure due to the cresting waves splashing all around her. It was then she realized that the area they were in for a few meters out in a radius, it was very calm and still, unlike the rushing waves outside their little circle. "Empress?"
"I wanted Ann to live a full life with a loving family. One where she would be able to grow up without any hardships. As long as my words stick with her, she should be able to grow up in the correct way, just like how me and my sisters did. Jeana, this river is not a river at all but a monster that has the power of reincarnation. It eats souls as its food source but also still reincarnates the lucky few. One would not know this, but this river was once a stream, and after millions and millions of years, it had finally turned into what it is now, a raging river that holds the hopes of a new life. Only those who are willing to risk the high chance of being eaten would actually step foot inside the river. So I simply asked the river nicely to take care of Ann for me." Angelica answered Jeana's question with a smile as she pulled her along with her making her way towards the opposite side of the river bank.
"And then how are we walking on top of it?" Jeana asked.
"Because I am creating a small surface for us to stand on using my soul. You see, the river is unable to eat my soul. Because if it tried, I would destroy it." Angelica said casually. Earlier, when she stuck her finger into the river, she softly spoke a few words causing the suction on her soul to instantly stop. She gave the river a stern warning before asking it to reincarnate Ann. She could have put on a bigger show by having the river part to allow her to pass but she did not wish to deal with people following her which was why she was using her own soul as a platform for them to walk on.