The Road of Reincarnation

Within the Main Temple, silence reigned.

Time and Space waited anxiously for Nyla’s answer, her resolve steeled for the worst. Should anything befall her, at least Her Highness would learn from it.

Nyla remained quiet. She could not let Time and Space take such a risk. The Path of Reincarnation was an unprecedented creation, its hidden dangers yet unknown.

"Your Highness, let me go. One must try before knowing what awaits," Time and Space insisted, standing tall before Nyla.

Nyla shook her head gently. "You are right, we must try to know the danger, but it will not be you. I will go instead."

"Your Highness—" Time and Space tried to protest, but Nyla cut her off.

"Time and Space, after I leave, remain in Fengdu City. Do not worry, I will return as promised."

There was nothing more Time and Space could do but nod. Of course, Her Highness would go alone. She should have anticipated this outcome. For such perilous matters, how could Nyla allow anyone else to take her place?

It had always been this way. Whenever unforeseen danger arose, Nyla would venture forth herself before entrusting the matter to her followers. In every trial between life and death, they had never been given the chance to confront the shadow of mortality directly.

Time and Space considered herself fortunate. After countless attempts, she still could not step into the most dangerous places, for Nyla never gave her the opportunity, just as she refused now.

The City of Reincarnation was an endeavor never before attempted. Following Nyla’s orders, Time and Space had tried repeatedly and finally laid its foundations. The identities of the departed souls had been verified. Yet, the most crucial step—the Path of Reincarnation—remained out of reach, and she did not know what had gone wrong.

She longed to traverse the Path herself, to uncover its secrets, but Nyla forbade it. This was a road that led directly into the Netherworld, long and perilous.

The souls of the dead were always special. Though they had perished, their spirits still carried memories from their former lives. Under Nyla’s immense power, they were temporarily pacified, but what would they do once free again?

Nyla, however, saw a different layer of meaning. She had tasted the terrors of the Netherworld firsthand. For a soul to break free from its bonds and be truly reborn was not so simple. The Netherworld exerted a special pull, a force so strong that even the dead could not easily escape it.

The Lord of the Underworld demanded that all souls, whether destined for reincarnation or not, first be tested in the Netherworld. Only those who passed could proceed. If any soul failed and was lost, then all her previous work would be rendered meaningless.

Such an ordeal could only be faced by Nyla herself; she would not allow Time and Space to risk it.

Time and Space gazed at Nyla with a complicated expression, at this goddess revered above all by mortals. Perhaps mortals would never realize that the Earth Goddess who ruled over their realm lived a far less comfortable life than they imagined. Compared to the Empress of the Divine Realm, Nyla was more like one who dwelled always on the edge between life and death.

On her journey to Sunset Mountain, Nyla had gone alone, refusing all entreaties to let them accompany her, for it had been a journey from which there might be no return. And now, once again, Nyla bore the full weight of danger herself.

"Your Highness, do you think me so useless that you refuse to let me try?" Time and Space’s sense of helplessness deepened. At times, she wondered if her powers were simply too meager to ever lighten Nyla’s burden.

Nyla met her gaze, seeing both apology and disappointment—an expression she’d once glimpsed in Aurora’s eyes as well. This was the first time she had ever heard such dejection from Time and Space, who was usually so calm and wise.

"You think too much. I don’t refuse you because you lack ability, but for other reasons. You have never truly entered the Netherworld, nor dealt with the souls that dwell there. These spirits are not like those you’ve seen in the mortal realm—they are bound by obsessions, some even twisted into vengeful wraiths."

"But Your Highness, I can overcome these obstacles," Time and Space insisted, still feeling inadequate. If even a vengeful soul could not stop her, what did it matter?

"These are not your concerns," Nyla replied. "Once the City of Reincarnation is complete, the mortal world will enter a new age. You will have even greater responsibilities. Do not be caught up in the present. Your true duty is to maintain the stability of time and space, to ensure the human world does not fall into chaos. Your role is to keep everything balanced. Do not feel guilty. This is my responsibility. Only by dividing our tasks can we hope to complete the City of Reincarnation soon."

Time and Space understood. She only wished to share Nyla’s burdens, for Her Highness truly bore too much. Even if Nyla’s words were meant to ease her mind, the intent to protect her was unmistakable. Nyla feared for her safety and so chose to shoulder the danger alone.

"Your Highness, please be careful," was all she could say in the end, accepting Nyla’s decision.

Nyla nodded. She would once more set foot in the Netherworld, that land shrouded in the aura of death. Unlike her first journey, this time she would travel straight from Fengdu City—a route even more perilous.

Together, Nyla and Time and Space left the Main Temple and made their way to the entrance of the Path of Reincarnation. To their surprise, the Lord of the Underworld and the God of Sleep were already waiting there.

Until now, only Sleep and Time and Space had overseen the practical matters, while Li Tian had remained uninvolved, waiting only for the final results. Yet today, he was present at the entrance.

Not only were Nyla and Time and Space surprised, but even the God of Sleep was taken aback. The Lord of the Underworld, usually indifferent even to his own realm’s affairs, had shown unusual concern for the City of Reincarnation. Sleep was curious, but did not ask; his master’s reasons were not for him to question.

"Your Majesty, have you been waiting long?" The name Li Tian was only used when they forgot their proper roles.

Li Tian glanced at Nyla, answering with silence.

Sleep watched the Lord of the Underworld, sensing something was off. Was he angry? His emotions had not shifted in years, but now, as soon as Nyla arrived, a wave of anger seemed to emanate from him. Had something unpleasant occurred between them?

Sleep pondered the possibilities, but could find no answer. Since returning to Fengdu City, the Lord and the Earth Goddess had not met directly; all matters had been handled by Sleep and Time and Space. Could something have happened while they traveled together? Yet there had been no sign of it before. If there had been some prior displeasure, why wait until now to reveal it? The situation was truly strange.

Not only Sleep, but even Time and Space sensed the oppressive atmosphere, though she could not understand its cause.

Nyla, too, noticed Li Tian’s coldness and wondered what had happened. Since returning to Fengdu City, this was their first meeting; all other matters had been managed by Sleep and Time and Space. Only today, as she prepared to journey the Path of Reincarnation, did they meet. Why was he angry? Suddenly, a thought struck her—could it be because of how she addressed him?

The idea unsettled her. She hoped it was not the reason. Outwardly, she noticed nothing amiss and spoke calmly, "Your Majesty, the Path of Reincarnation is ready. I am going to test it myself and must trouble you again by entering the Netherworld. I hope you will forgive me."

Li Tian remained silent.

The God of Sleep watched the Lord of the Underworld anxiously. He had already reported every detail about the Path of Reincarnation, and his master had agreed to let him go in person. Had he changed his mind?

Sleep had always thought he and Time and Space would go together, never expecting the Earth Goddess herself would make the journey. She truly did not trust Time and Space to go alone.

Li Tian stayed silent. He had agreed to Sleep’s request, but had not expected Nyla herself to venture forth. Did she not realize that, for a god of the mortal realm, this path into the Netherworld was far more dangerous? For Sleep, such a journey was a new experiment, but not truly perilous. For a goddess, it was another matter entirely. And he deeply disliked Nyla’s formal address—"Your Majesty"—as if it set an unbridgeable distance between them.

"Your Majesty," Sleep reminded gently, noting that Nyla was ready and everything prepared.

Li Tian’s cold glance sent a chill through Sleep. Why was his master looking at him so? Sleep could not fathom it.

Nyla felt the chill in Li Tian’s demeanor growing heavier, his anger seemingly directed at her. She could not understand it at all.

All eyes turned to the enigmatic Lord of the Underworld, awaiting his final decision. If he agreed, Nyla’s journey would begin; if not, who knew what complications would arise?

At last, Li Tian made his decision—he would accompany her.

"Sleep, you will stay here. As for the Path of Reincarnation, I will accompany the Earth Goddess myself."

Sleep was stunned by this rare initiative, but soon realized the truth behind it.

"Yes, Your Majesty," he replied, though questions remained, accepting his master’s command.

Nyla found it even stranger that when Li Tian uttered "Earth Goddess," he nearly spat the words, as if they were something bitter to swallow. What grudge could he possibly bear against this title? Truly, Li Tian was acting most unusually today.

Yet, whatever the reason, his willingness signified his approval of the Path of Reincarnation. She need no longer worry about him changing his mind.