Volume II: Chapter 2
Rebirth
The Seeker's soul soared through the universe, crossing the vastness of infinity.
Amid the starless void spun three great galaxies, locked in an ancient, spiraling dance — not yet merged, not yet one.
His soul drifted toward the smallest of them —
to the world where light and fate would once more entwine.
This…
was the Celestial Continent.
The soul slowed, as if hearing a call.
It descended into a planet bathed in the glow of two moons, which on this day were closer than ever before.
Their light reflected upon the towers of the Empire of Radiant Moons.
Atop the imperial palace stood three figures.
Their auras pulsed with power — like incarnations of the elements themselves.
One among them was Emperor Long Chentian, dressed in flowing white robes like mist, with crimson hair and eyes that glowed like blood-red moons.
His expression was calm, but behind that calm stirred something vast —
like a volcano… moments before eruption.
Beside him stood a man in black armor, dark as the Night itself,
and another — with white hair and a starwoven cloak that shimmered with constellations.
That was Xin Xinzhen, the emperor's brother-in-law, Grand Commander of the orbital fleet, and one of the few ever entrusted by the higher powers of humankind.
Today…
his child was being born.
His wife, Princess Long Yuehua, was delivering the future heir.
But within all three men… emotions ran deeper than words could ever convey.
The emperor, watching the twin moons, said quietly:
> "I am happy for you…
I don't know if I can ever atone for my sins in this lifetime.
I sacrificed much for this empire.
Have things between you and her… improved?"
Xin Xinzhen replied, measured and composed:
> "I hope she can forgive you.
Time is the best medicine.
Between her and me… there is trust, at least."
The emperor merely nodded.
And then — from deep within the palace — came the cry of a newborn.
The man in black armor, Feng Moxiang, the emperor's mentor, smiled faintly:
> "You've done all you could.
The people live in peace.
And for that, you walked through fire."
He knew the emperor better than anyone.
For Long Chentian was more than a ruler.
He had once cast aside his crown and lived among commoners, hiding his identity.
He ate what the beggars ate, slept beneath the same sky as the homeless —
all to understand the true suffering of his people.
When he returned… he was no longer the same.
His return marked the beginning of a new era — the Era of Purification.
He purged the empire of corruption, betrayal, and rot —
even the highest elites were not spared.
His reign became a symbol of change… and sacrifice.
The people labored, sleepless and unrested, not knowing peace.
But he believed:
only through the darkness… could the true light be born.
And now, years later…
the empire once on the brink of collapse had become a shining wonder among the stars.
Where once there was poverty — now, prosperity.
Where once was darkness — now, light.
The name Long Chentian became legend —
a Celestial who walked the path of suffering for his people.
But within his heart…
he still bore the weight of every decision.
Soon, a maid emerged from the princess's chambers and bowed:
> "A son is born."
Xin Xinzhen entered swiftly.
Long Yuehua lay pale and weary, but still beautiful.
A sorrowful grace lingered on her face…
yet in her arms, she cradled a sleeping child.
Xin Xinzhen approached.
He wanted to speak —
but stayed silent.
Long Yuehua looked at him with eyes full of pain and strength, and softly whispered:
> "His name… is Xin Linchen."
Outside the palace, a pillar of blinding white light shot into the heavens.
Invisible to ordinary eyes — but every Celestial sensed it… and trembled.
Far beyond the galaxy, at the roots of the Infinite Tree, whose base vanished into the void,
sat a solitary figure.
He was vast — as eternity itself.
Only his back was visible.
But the aura he radiated could unravel galaxies…
and remake them with but a word.
He opened his eyes.
He turned toward the light.
And, with a faint smile, whispered:
> "It has begun…"