What?
Remember it... What happened back there?
Both Brother Zhe and Sister Mei went after the stranger that asked me for directions. He asked about the Soulless Garden.
After that...?
We just traveled normally on foot. We weren't worried about anything.
But we were wrong...?
Ah, we heard loud roars from all direction back then. Nobody knew why that happened but we kept our guard up high. And also, nobody knew why nothing happened after that.
We cautiously continued our way.
.....
I looked at the sky. I felt it was getting hot back there. But it felt wrong, because the heat wasn't coming from the sunlight because the heat was coming from their backs. It was noon, and there is no way the sun should be on their backs.
It's getting hot, but for a moment, I felt a chill.
Something is wrong. But nobody was noticing it. They were just looking at the front, both Brother Zhe and Sister Mei had come back.
I was amazed at first. Their speed is extraordinary... but the moment passed too fast for them.
Aw... something is painful.
Their expressions, it changed. From tired to desperate. At the same time, it became hotter.
At that time, I knew it. No, I was sure of it. Something is wrong!
That strange tingling sensation, how do I explain it? I just knew it!
Brother Zhe became faster, and I didn't notice it, but only he was left. He was trying to shout but it's too late for anybody to react.
Why does nobody feel something is wrong? Only Brother Zhe knew it and me? But if I realized it then why can't them? Why?
I know the reason behind Brother Zhe's desperate and anxious expression. If only he knew the danger then nobody would support him. If nobody supports him, he will not be able to save us!
But... it's okay!
I'm already at Earthly Realm!
I don't know about the pain but his hand already glowing. I just need to give him support him and all of us will be saved!
Wait...
How do I even give "support" ?!
Huh?!
Wait!
I'm talented! I can do this! Just a moment!
But, I forgot that there is no time for a moment...
Ouch... is this the reason for the pain?
No
The energy I felt inside me suddenly jumped out of me even though I haven't fully reached out my hand to Brother Zhe!
This is it! We're saved!
Then... huh?
Why is Sister Mei there? Where's Brother Zhe? She didn't have the expression of desperation, but rather... sadness?
Huh.. I remember now hahah, it was a skill between-....!!!!!!
"...Forced Blink....", Lei Mu opened her heavy lifeless eyes as she whispered indifferently.
Uncomfortable, that was what she first felt. The bumpy ground because of the cracks and crevices created from the earthquake made her back ached.
The energy flowing and circulation through her soul and spirit, and from her dantian was slow and steady. It was still emulating enlightening meditation. But that changed when she felt the slight pain inside her chest. As if there was something that wants to get out of her heart specifically.
Lei Mu feebly stood up, void of energy.
She looked around wondering how she got there while she tightly clutched her chest. On her face was a frown she didn't notice.
The road should not be far from here, Leu Mu hazily thought. Trees surrounded her. Some of these trees were uprooted from the ground but the others stand firmly. Every tree here is old and strong. Even after that massive earthquake, it still has its natural greenery.
Nope, nevermind.
Lei Mu lightly shook her head as she jumped over a large fault of the earth with hardship.
"Ah..", she held the pain. She just noticed that her whole body was in pain, the pain in her chest and her back was just greater.
It was hard to keep her consciousness, but she stayed awake.
It was comfortable to close her eyes and just fall asleep, but she kept it open.
Standing still made her feel tired, but she didn't sit down.
It was heavy to lift her feet and make a single step, but she walked until she got there.
Then suddenly, the aching all over her body vanished completely but right after, the greater pain from her chest enveloped her.
"Ahhh!!!", she cried agonizingly as she felt the heat from the molten ground.
Sweat and tear covered her faces while making an ugly expression. It was harrowing and tormenting.
This is that one feeling a person goes through under extreme sadness. The feeling of losing everything...
"Lei Mu, from now on you are going to rely on me, okay!"
...
Memories flashed in Lei Mu's head...
"Your father? You already have a second one here! And if your father does come back someday, then you have two fathers! Hahaha, wait, that sounded wrong..."
...
Along with her tears, her energy fluctuated and pulsated around her, resonating through the area...
"Listen to this, Lei Mu! You need to be the Strongest to meet your father. Not strongest but the Strongest. You understand? And I am here to tell you how, hehe."
.....
Under the blue halcyon sky, one was in complete agony and one was going a transformation.
Moment by moment passes as if her tears wouldn't dry off and will endlessly trickle down her pale cheeks. And her strength was increasing too as these moments pass.
Beyond enlightenment was what she was experiencing.
The first time she felt great pressure. The first time she felt great fear as she witnessed a battle between unreachables. Lastly, the first time she felt great sadness and loneliness.... despair.
Click* she took another step and at the same time, Crack!* Lei Mu look with her tired eyes, she just realized that she wasn't clutching her chest. What was it she was clutching all this time?
Slowly, she opened it to see a broken finger. Just a finger. She didn't know what finger it was. Was it the index finger? The little finger? But she was sure that it was from her Uncle Xiu.
Memories flashed her head again. However, this time, it was not that far but recent.
Sister Mei quickly entered the trees after she switched places with Brother Zhe. After that, a powerful heat blasted them.
But with the looks of it, Uncle Xiu didn't survive.
'Huh? Why did Sister Mei do that? I thought she was a nice person!?'
Lei Mu's internal energy pulsated along the fluctuations surrounding her as it manifested itself as a translucent color; a beautiful crimson yellow. As if a gentle flame was hovering around her.
'No, it was my fault. Sister Mei did that because she knew that nobody could support Brother Zhe. She did that to save him. They didn't know that I could support.'
'If only I know how to support from the start then Sister Mei didn't have to do it! They must be sad somewhere too. I shouldn't be only thinking about myself!'
Before getting swallowed by her own guilt, one last line flashed her mind;
"If you blame yourself then do it to correct yourself and not brood over it!"
Lei Mu's face darkened as she took notice of the fight between the colossal monster and the Powerhouses.
She stood quietly and followed the road again, but this time, towards the Sacrifice.