As the days passed, Hanna found herself reflecting deeply on the warning from the heavens and the conversation with Jin. The revelation that only cultivators from Earth could enter the vicinity of the Room of Fortunes and Misfortunes gnawed at her mind. Why was this region so forbidden, and what was the significance of Earth’s cultivators in this otherworldly realm?
Sitting in the quiet of the cave, Hanna’s thoughts drifted back to Earth. She remembered the vast repository of novels and knowledge she had devoured, the stories of epic battles, profound wisdom, and the endless pursuit of power. The memories were a bittersweet reminder of a world she had left behind, but they also held clues to the mysteries she now faced.
Her curiosity grew, and against her better judgment, she decided to use her Heavenly Presence to read Jin’s book of life and death. She knew it was an invasion of his privacy, but the need for answers outweighed her reservations. Taking a deep breath, Hanna focused her mind and extended her consciousness to Jin’s life thread.
As she delved into the fabric of his existence, Hanna felt the familiar rush of information. Jin’s life unfolded before her like a vast tapestry, each thread representing a moment, a choice, a memory. She saw his childhood, marked by the cold indifference of his father and the tragic loss of his mother. She witnessed his struggles and triumphs, his journey to become a lead disciple in his sect, and his determination to prove his worth despite the shadows of his past.
And then she saw something that made her heart skip a beat. Hidden within the threads of Jin’s life was a connection to Earth, a faint yet unmistakable link that tied him to her world. It was as if their destinies were intertwined, bound by a shared origin that transcended the boundaries of time and space.
As she pondered this revelation, a quote from her readings on Earth surfaced in her mind:
“Look again at that dot. That’s Earth. That’s here. That’s home. That’s us. On it, everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every superstar, every supreme leader, every saint and sinner in the history of human history lived there—on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam. The Earth is the beginning and the end of all deities, and you, Hanna, were the one in your previous life who created the Room of Fortunes and Misfortunes. For whatever reason, only you know, but you still can’t remember.”
The weight of the quote settled over her like a heavy mantle. The Earth, a tiny speck in the vast cosmos, was both the cradle and the crucible of countless lives and destinies. And she, Hanna, had played a pivotal role in shaping the fortunes and misfortunes of countless beings.
But why? What had driven her to create such a powerful artifact, and why could she not remember her reasons?
The questions swirled in her mind, creating a maelstrom of confusion and doubt. The connection between Earth and this forbidden region, the role of cultivators from her home world, and her own enigmatic past—all of it felt like pieces of a puzzle she was struggling to assemble.
Hanna’s thoughts were interrupted by Jin’s voice, gentle and concerned. “Hanna, is everything alright? You seem troubled.”
She looked up, meeting his gaze. The guilt of reading his life thread weighed on her, but she knew she had to be honest. “Jin, there’s something I need to tell you. I… I used my Heavenly Presence to read your book of life and death.”
Jin’s eyes widened in surprise, but he nodded for her to continue.
“I did it because I needed answers,” Hanna said, her voice trembling slightly. “And I found something unexpected. There’s a connection between us, a link that ties us both to Earth. It’s faint, but it’s there.”
Jin’s expression softened with understanding. “I see. I always felt that there was something special about you, Hanna. But what does this connection mean?”
Hanna took a deep breath, her mind racing with the implications. “I’m not entirely sure. But I believe it has something to do with why only Earth cultivators can enter the vicinity of the Room of Fortunes and Misfortunes. And I learned something else… In my previous life, I was the one who created the Room. But I can’t remember why.”
Jin’s eyes widened in amazement. “You created the Room of Fortunes and Misfortunes? That’s incredible, Hanna. But why would you forget something so important?”
“I don’t know,” Hanna admitted, frustration creeping into her voice. “But I have to find out. I need to understand my past and the reasons behind my actions. Only then can I truly grasp the purpose of my powers and the role I am meant to play.”
Jin reached out and took her hand, his touch warm and reassuring. “We’ll figure it out together, Hanna. Whatever the answers are, we’ll find them. You don’t have to face this alone.”
Hanna smiled, grateful for his support. “Thank you, Jin. Your faith means a lot to me.”
As they sat in the cave, their minds brimming with questions and possibilities, Hanna felt a renewed sense of determination. The path ahead was shrouded in mystery, but she was not alone. With Jin by her side and the guidance of the heavens, she was ready to uncover the truth and fulfill her destiny.