Chapter 337: Rewards.
Hao Ren heard the notification in his mind, and he let out a sigh. When his consciousness awakened, he found himself surrounded by darkness, he calmly asked, "System, what is this fuckery?"
*Ding: Host it is no fuckery, you are being sent back to the original storyline. You are here to understand the reasoning behind the task that happened just now.*
Hao Ren raised his brows, and the system said, *Host, the life you lived at the moment was your tenth life in a parallel world, where you met Han Lingshi for the first time. However, unlike this time when you could cultivate. In the past you could not cultivate and you watched her suffer disasters one after the other.
In that life when she was discarded by Bai Yulong and left to die on the streets, you were the one who saved her. However, you failed to win her heart. The distrust she had towards the rest of the humans made it impossible to trust anyone. This was why this task was important and given to you."
Hao Ren sighed and asked, "I understand that people are connected but why now? What was the use of this task? Had this task been given to me before I met her, I would have understood what you are saying."
*Ding: You think this was about you? Wrong, this was about Han Lingshi. The longing in her heart to have some time with you, where you can be the childhood sweetheart that she craved for. This task was important for her so that the demon in her heart and karma ties could be strengthened.*
Hao Ren fell silent, he understood what was going on here, and then he asked, "So, does that mean everyone else that I met in the dream is connected to me and Lingshi in some manner?"
*Ding: Correct.*
Hao Ren then asked, "Did you send Lingshi here as well? What about the time flow in the real timeline?"
*Ding: Han Lingshi came to this place only once, for her this life was an intricate dream. However, for you it has been two years. The system used an autopilot system to help you make appearances when needed, and you have been in seclusion to reach the peak of your realm, and when you wake up you would have reached the peak of Star Annihilation realm. The southern continent is now under the complete rule of Crescent Moon Empire, you are now Emperor Wandering Dragon.*
Hao Ren took a deep breath and asked, "Well that is a bit too much, but okay, saves me a lot of trouble."
*Ding: Your consciousness will travel back in 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...*
...
Hao Ren opened his eyes and found himself sitting in the void. Looking around he found himself inside an empty room. The young man moved his body and his bones issued cracking sounds. He channeled his spiritual energy and found that he was indeed in the star annihilation realm. Inside his dantian, a cluster of star-like objects was floating around. He realized that if he tried to break through this cluster will be rearranged into the shape of a galaxy, but he was in no hurry.
He took a step forward and the fine layer of dust on his body was brushed off. He opened the door slowly. He could sense the presence of a couple of people outside the door. The two guards were soul transformation realm experts, they saw Hao Ren coming out of the room and bowed in greetings.
Hao Ren did not know them and nodded before saying, "You are free to leave."
As he said this, his spiritual sense flooded the entire palace, he located Han Lingshi in her study room, with the other people beside her, talking about something. A smile appeared on his face, and as he lifted his left foot, he vanished from his spot instantly.
...
He appeared outside the imperial study, Han Lingshi was sitting inside talking to Hao Mei and the other members of her team about some issues in the government. Hao Ren wanted to dash in but he knocked on the door, and Han Lingshi said, "Come in."
Hao Ren pushed open the door, and walked in. He found the people looking at him in surprise. He recognized some people but some were new to him. He looked around and with a faint smile on his face he said, "Hi?"
Hao Mei chuckled and said, "Hi, did you decide to give up living like an old ancestor and come out of that vault because you sensed Lingshi reaching the planet shattering realm?"
Hao Ren shook his head and replied, "I cam in because I finished comprehending all that I could and because I had enough of staying away from my wife."
Han LIngshi smiled faintly and her eyes revealed a faint shyness. She stood up and walked over to him from behind the table as she said, "Happy anniversary."
Hao Ren smiled and realized that it was his anniversary, and said, "I was about to wish you first, Happy anniversary, love."
He reached out to hold her hand and Han Lingshi smiled at him. Hao Mei sighed and said, "Ok people, we should give this couple sometime. I am sure they have urgent business to take care of."
Han Lingshi whined, "Big sis.."
While the rest of the people chuckled lightly before they left the room. Hao Ren shook his head and when everyone was gone, he closed the door with a wave of his hand and erected a sound isolation barrier. He pulled Han Lingshi in his embrace and held her tightly.
Han Lingshi did not knew why he was being so clingy but she smiled and happily reciprocated his gesture. She said, "You know, last night, I fell asleep after a whole year and I had this crazy dream where we both were school students."
Hao Ren smiled and pecked her cheek as he said, "Tell me more about it."
He did not let her go, but on the contrary, he sat down on a chair and Han Lingshi lay in his lap with her head pressed against his chest as she heard his heartbeat. She began narrating the dream to him from her point of view and Hao Ren liked everything.
However, she raised her head to look at him and said, "You are not allowed to harm yourself for my sake. If anything happened to you, I will destroy myself as well."
Hao Ren chuckled and said, "I will make sure not to suffer."
He cupped her face and the two shared a kiss filled with true love for each other.