A girl woke up surrounded by white flowers. She looked tired but felt surprisingly fresh as she gently touched her head. Confused, she wondered, "Where did my wound go? And where am I?"
Then a voice spoke, and a woman appeared. "Hey, you're making a lot of noise."
The girl glared. "Don't come near me, or I'll kill you."
Suddenly, the woman vanished like a shadow and rushed at her. The girl tried to attack, but the woman stopped her easily with one hand.
"That's impressive," the woman said. "I thought you would be stronger."
She lifted the girl with one hand and threw her far away. Then she came closer and flicked her finger sharply on the girl's forehead, making her fall.
When the girl got up, she was confused. "What just happened? Did I get hit? I'm not hurt, and my clothes are clean, but I'm scared. What kind of power was that?"
The woman smiled. "You still don't get it?"
"Get what?" the girl asked.
"You're dead," the woman said.
The girl's anger flared. "So all of that was true?"
She looked up and asked, "Who are you? What's happening here?"
The woman said, "I'm the guardian of the path of reincarnation. A ranker. You're in the ranker dimension now."
The girl thought for a moment. Maybe it really happened yesterday.
She said calmly, "So it was all true."
Under bright white moonlight, a woman stepped onto a large stage. She spoke clearly.
"I am Sofi, the founder of this nation. Today I welcome you to this ceremony, marking the end of the war between immortals and mortals."
Far above, two banners flew in the sky. On flying swords, a young woman and an old man traveled quickly.
"Dad, hurry up. You're moving too slow. At this pace, we'll be late for the ceremony."
The man smiled. "I'm old. It's time you find a good man."
The girl laughed. "We're cultivators, Dad. You should focus on raising your level, not on my marriage."
He sighed. "I've been cultivating for years, but my body isn't what it used to be. I worry you'll be alone, just like me."
"Just like Miss Sofi," she said softly.
"Maybe," he said. "But she never had anyone, and there's a reason."
"Is that true? What reason?" the girl asked.
He smiled. "Your master always said she was different. To understand why, we'd have to go back in time."
"I don't like stories," she said.
"If you won't listen, I will. Your master isn't alone."
The girl looked down. "Fine, tell your story."
He smiled. "About 10,000 years ago, Fairy Sofi and her friends ended centuries of slavery between immortals and mortals."
A great warrior fought hard to seal Zo Fang, the serpent. Sofi loved Li Huan deeply. When he died, she wanted to give up too. But he made her promise to live happily. That's why she is still here.
"But Dad," the girl said, "whenever I see the master, she looks happy."
He laughed. "She hides it well. There's you and Nikolash, her companion."
They reached the ceremony.
"What's wrong, Qing? Why are you looking down?"
She sighed. "You know."
He patted her head. "It's hard for Sofi to leave. It's not your fault."
A man with white hair and a black jacket arrived. Sofi greeted him.
"You scared me."
She then announced to the crowd.
"I, Sofi, founder of this nation, am leaving. Nikolash, my student, will be the new lord."
The crowd cheered, "Long live the Lord!"
Nikolash said, "I promise to take care of you, like my master did, especially against Zo Fang."
Suddenly, an explosion shook the stage. A figure in black robes appeared and pulled back his hood.
"Long time no see, Sofi."
The crowd gasped.
"Is that Zo Fang? What's he doing here?"
Sofi asked, "Zo Fang? You haven't changed."
He laughed. "Looks like you remember me."
Nikolash smiled. "You must have kept busy."
"Dad, don't worry," Nikolash said quietly.
Zo Fang snapped, "Don't interrupt when I speak."
Nikolash apologized and bowed.
Zo Fang turned to Sofi. "It's time to settle things."
Qing whispered, "What's going on? Zo Fang is back. We have to be ready."
Sofi narrowed her eyes. "I have unfinished business with you too. Thanks for coming, Zo Fang. Now I know the serpent was hiding in my own house."