Although only a few minutes had passed in the outside world, within the cycle of reincarnation, Xiao Yan had already lived through decades of a lifetime. Over the course of these years, he had experienced countless trials and narrow escapes. The events he went through could easily fill the pages of an entire novel.
He was rejected in marriage, became Yao Lao's disciple, ventured through the Magical Beast Mountain Range, entered the Tager Desert, took on the alias "Yan Xiao" and won the Imperial Capital's Grand Competition, fulfilled his three-year promise, entered Jia Nan Academy, killed Han Feng, broke the siege of the Three Sects, won the Pill Gathering, descended into the Heavenly Tomb, formed the Sky Mansion Alliance, seized the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, inherited the Ancient Emperor's legacy, and ultimately burned his Dou Di body to seal Hun Tiandi...
More than a decade after the battle between the Two Emperors, Xiao Yan now sat silently at the rear mountain of the Xiao Family, gazing out at the distant Magical Beast Mountain Range. Just like when he was young, he often hid here alone to silently digest the grievances he had suffered. Only now, he was the Dou Qi continent's sole Dou Di, a supreme existence far beyond his past self. Yet somehow, he still preferred the quiet solitude of this place for contemplation.
Every time he sat on the mountainside, there would always be a figure silently standing behind him, keeping him company until the sun dipped below the horizon. This strange, peaceful routine lasted for more than a year. Neither he nor the girl ever broke this silence.
"Xun'er..." This time, when Xun'er arrived at the rear mountain again, the young man sitting in the grass finally spoke, breaking the long-standing tranquility. His eyes, gazing at the distant horizon, carried a hint of confusion.
"Brother Xiao Yan, what's wrong?" Xun'er looked surprised. This was the first time in over a year that Xiao Yan had spoken.
Looking at the girl with her delicate, picturesque features, Xiao Yan slowly closed his eyes and said softly, "I think I might have to leave this place."
"Is it that world beyond the Dou Di realm?" Xun'er bit her lip slightly and asked. She vaguely remembered Xiao Yan mentioning that all the past Dou Dis of the continent had vanished into another world beyond Dou Di. So, hearing his words now, she instinctively assumed that was what he meant.
"No..." Xiao Yan shook his head and looked up at the sky. After a moment of hesitation, he said, "I think... I'm not someone from this world."
Xun'er didn't respond. She simply sat quietly beside him, listening patiently to everything he had to say.
"This world is fake, and so are you. Only I am real," Xiao Yan said calmly. "This place was constructed based on my memories. Perhaps I didn't have the strength to see through it before, but ever since I reached the Dou Di realm, that feeling has grown stronger and stronger."
"I see..." Xun'er whispered. Her expression was unexpectedly calm, as if she had anticipated this day would come. "If everything here is based on your memories, then there must have been a real me in your world too, right?"
Xiao Yan nodded gently. "Yes, there was."
"I thought so..." A wistful smile appeared on Xun'er's face. She leaned gently into Xiao Yan's embrace and said softly, "Brother Xiao Yan, if I was created from your memories of the real Xun'er, then she must love you very deeply—more than anyone else in the world."
Looking at the girl nestled in his arms, Xiao Yan felt a powerful urge to stay, to give it all up and remain here with this gentle, perfect version of Xun'er. But he quickly suppressed the thought. He knew all too well that everything here was ultimately a dream. If he truly stayed and lost himself in this illusion, he would be betraying everyone waiting for him on the other side.
"Brother Xiao Yan, you once said that to let go is to gain, that only by knowing how to release and grasp can one be truly free." Xun'er seemed to sense the hesitation in his heart. She rose gently from his embrace and stroked his cheek. Her voice, still as warm and tender as ever, echoed like a soft breeze. "Go. Don't keep your people waiting."
"Mm." Xiao Yan nodded. Everything he had experienced in these past decades flashed through his mind in an instant. He chuckled quietly. 'This life... wasn't so bad after all.' But he knew it was time to draw the final curtain on this world. And if so, then let this illusion end with a legend.
He took one last deep look at Xun'er, as though trying to etch her into the depths of his soul. Perhaps even he didn't notice that the figure he had once loved and resented, a certain shadow in his heart, had silently faded away—replaced now by this calm and graceful face.
Xiao Yan slowly rose, stepped forward, and soared into the sky. As he did, a pillar of radiant white light shot up from his body, piercing the clouds above. Across the continent, countless powerful experts looked toward the direction of Wu Tan City with expressions of awe, sensing a surge of unimaginable energy spreading across the land.
The white pillar of light was so bright it split the skies. Under the astonished gazes of all, it tore through the heavens and opened up a gleaming spatial passage, glowing with white light. To others, this might have seemed like a gateway to another world, but only Xiao Yan knew—it was the exit from this illusion. Once he stepped into it, this entire world would collapse.
Countless eyes turned toward the figure in the sky. As if sensing his intent, people all over the land dropped to their knees. Echoing voices rang through the heavens, filled with reverence and emotion.
"Farewell, Flame Emperor!"
Xiao Yan swept his gaze across the world below. Familiar faces appeared in the crowd. He took a deep breath and, without another glance, stepped into the spatial tunnel.
As he did, the entire illusionary realm collapsed into endless darkness. Within that void, Xiao Yan's once-blurred awareness returned to clarity. The memories of the Flame Emperor and the will of the Wrathful Demon Saint fused perfectly into one. In that moment, comprehension surged through his mind.
'So this... is reincarnation.'
…
Far away, on the Dou Qi continent, within the secluded chambers of the Gu Clan, Xun'er opened her eyes.
She stared quietly at her surroundings, her beautiful eyes flickering with confusion. Just moments ago, she had dreamed a very long dream. And yet, it had felt so very real.
She raised her head and looked into the far distance. Her gaze seemed to pierce through time and space, reaching toward a certain black-robed youth somewhere beyond her sight.
"Brother Xiao Yan..."
(End of Chapter)
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