Lightning Is the Only Way

Gravis wasn't sure how he should feel. He had just realized that the children he had fathered and loved for millions of years had actually never existed.

Yet, on the other hand, it only felt natural not to have strong emotional attachments to things that weren't real.

It was just like a long dream.

"How was it?" Mortis asked from the side.

Gravis looked at Mortis with a bitter smile. "Just like you would think. However, I really don't feel much attachment to the things I have experienced and the people I have met. It really feels like a dream."

Mortis took a deep breath.

He knew that Gravis' personality was very stable, and he knew that Gravis wouldn't feel any issues.

However, what about Mortis?

Would he react this calmly?

"Now, it's your turn," Orthar said to Mortis. "Are you ready?"

Mortis took another deep breath and nodded.

Orthar nodded and extended his hand towards Mortis.

And then, Mortis' eyes became vacant.

Gravis looked at Mortis with interest.

"I thought this was instantaneous," Gravis said.

"I can only make time move so fast," Orthar explained. "Samsara doesn't need to invent things. All the perceived realities are already there, and it only has to replay them. That's why Samsara is instantaneous."

"In comparison, I have to continually manage the perceived reality Mortis is currently experiencing. I can only make it move so fast without endangering the management of the actual Cosmos," Orthar explained.

"Huh, so even you can't do anything," Gravis added with a smirk.

"Of course not," Orthar said. "I'm not some omnipotent being. I'm a Cultivator, just like you and everyone else. The only difference is that you can create life via procreation, while I can create a Cosmos. It's not very different. It's only on a grander scale."

"Okay, so how long will Mortis take?" Gravis asked.

"About five years. That's how long it took you."

"Five years? That's pretty fast," Gravis answered.

Orthar didn't answer for several seconds.

"What did you feel during the end of your perceived reality?" Orthar suddenly asked.

"Tons of regret," Gravis answered immediately. "However, that's only natural. I want to cultivate anyway, and I knew from the beginning that I wouldn't truly be happy if things turned out this way."

"Sure, living a fulfilling life with all my friends and family is great, but it's simply too short. I want to cultivate, but when I have been in the perceived reality, it was like I've simply accepted that I wouldn't cultivate anymore."

"Now that I'm awake, it feels so stupid. Why wouldn't I just continue cultivating? That would've solved all my regrets," Gravis said. "In a sense, I feel like I've never had the chance to do what I wanted, which makes the entire dream feel surreal. It's like someone else has lived my life."

Orthar nodded. "That's a good response. Someone with strong convictions won't feel attached to the dream since it forces you into doing something you don't truly want to do. That's also why the dream has basically no effect on you."

"What about Mortis?" Gravis asked.

Orthar only looked at Mortis.

"Huh?" Mortis said in confusion as he opened his eyes.

currently sitting on

paying attention?" Azure asked with a frown. "You said you

quickly said as his

now his own

survival no longer hinged on

Opposer and Orthar had

with Stella, while

watch the sunset together with Azure to

never had to be apart

memories had returned to Mortis, he felt a

in the past had finally

needed to fear his future since he and

just staying by each other's side. None of the two of them spoke during all of this.

didn't have something to complain about. As soon as she could

simply enjoyed being in each other's

They didn't want to stay in Eternal Fire Sect since they wouldn't cultivate anymore. Staying in the Cultivation world would only invite danger, and

the entire world, and they

in weaker beings, but as soon as

young and weak animals and beasts worked.

Mortis started to think of them as cute and

children," Azure said at one

realized that all these thoughts about simple and weak beings had been a manifestation of his

"Yes, let's," Mortis answered.

children, but these new children would be completely

had had no emotional attachments to her children back then, but things were

they watched them from a distance. Since Azure was a beast and Mortis counted as half a beast, the

this time, Azure and Mortis looked

the last time, the kids

Azure and Mortis were used

to be there for

was a selfless feeling, and they didn't mind

that in the past, and she had

sure enough, while some of them had died, others

managed to become Star Gods apologized to Azure and Mortis for

time for the two of them

happened, Mortis felt a bit

as an

a long life ahead

one point, it will

with their family, and eventually, it

my total life have passed, and ten million

'I'm still young.'

passed,

death came closer, Mortis felt more

time left. I've already lived for

Death was coming closer.

last couple of years, Mortis and Azure only

want to let

to stay together

However, they couldn't.

experiencing a limited time of happiness, they would always look towards the end. School holidays and

towards the end, knowing

as time dragged on, they would keep in mind how long they

closer, the person

Mortis wasn't ready yet.