Study room.

Standing in wait by the time Heavenly arrived at the place was an old senior donning a sleek black scholarly robe.

Becoming aware of his liege’s entry, the person turns around and arched his fist in compliance: “Monarch, I have just received news about an ancient ruin surfacing in the northern reaches of the domain. I believe this ancient ruin is related to the woman you are looking for.”

A bit startled by the grand news, Heavenly gradually closes his eyes to reminiscence the past in where he sealed off all the domains. The war ended through his efforts, but the price was his demise and death.

How did that day go again? Oh right, it was after I died by sacrificing my body. Up in the sky, standing at the very top of the clouds and overwatching the world, there she was, that dazzling and stunning woman…. We were all items of humor and amusement for her.

“Was it worth it?” She asked him after their eyes met.

“Even if I were given another chance, I would still use my own body for the peace of this world.” Not knowing what came over him, Heavenly answered without thought like he wants to interact with this spirit.

Worst of all, as the female soul slowly stepped down from the clouds towards himself, the man clearly felt an unprecedented pressure despite them both being harmless and without means to harm each other.

Such a pressure, he’s never experienced it before….

“You’re such an interesting person. My soul has been floating around the world for years, and I’ve never seen anyone as interesting as you. I’m glad my time watching your play isn’t wasted.”

“So you’ve been dead for years? Why haven’t you reincarnated yet? I know you’re capable of entering the cycle again with your ability.”

“Reincarnation?” The woman sneered, those eyes holding the very idea in contempt: “I would lose all my powers if I am reborn, meaning I would have to start from scratch again. I rather be alone in this world than to be reborn as a fledgling.”

He got all quiet for a brief minute: “But this way you will not experience the joy and sorrow of the world, what meaning is there in such a life if you can’t have any of that? Are you not lonely floating here without any company? Even if your next life is an ordinary person, there is at least warmth for you to hold, a far better outcome than your current situation…. Moreover, since you are so powerful in this life, you think your next would be ordinary?”

This time it was the woman herself to get all quiet. Suddenly, she bursts out laughing with her enchanting smile that could bedazzle the darkest shadows of this world.

“You are right, I am starting to feel the fatigue of wandering around in this spirit form… Heavenly, I’m glad to have met you, it’s been a very long time since I met someone as interesting as you. If I do ever reincarnate, maybe we would even become family in the next life, hahaha!”

Just as he was slightly taken aback by that last comment, the woman in red had already come before himself with that arcing smile of flamboyant nature.

“I have left something special for you in your domain. If you could somehow regain your powers in your next life, consider it my gift as thanks….”

……

The past flickered in Heavenly’s mind like that of a projector. It’s fast and intense, causing the man to go through a roller coaster of a ride in his emotions. In the end, his bitterness and anger turned into a long sigh, which life, a long sigh of regrets and what ifs mixed in with the important and momentary happiness.