The Underworld was always quiet and barren, but there was a certain beauty to the Spiritual Dynasty. It was dark, mainly lit by the bioluminescent plants and the stars in the eternally dark sky. No one in the spiritual realm had seen the sun, but then again, there was no one but Emperor Liang Mingdi, his ghostly servants, the souls that inhabited there, and—you.

Mingdi had another long examination day, where he continued to nurture thousands of souls. They came in the form of light blue luminescent sprites, already so full of life by their fifth day back in the Spiritual Dynasty. Full of emotion, personality, possibilities—Mingdi found it fascinating.

But it was still tiring, guiding these souls through their death, creation, reincarnation, and birth. Especially because Mingdi was the only one blessed with these nurturing abilities by his parents in the Heavenly Realm. So, when Mingdi returned to his quiet abode, it almost felt like his skin might peel off from exhaustion. He could hear the rain outside as he walked through the dimly lit palace, the lamps flickering.

Finally, Mingdi could return to you—the soul that clung to him and refused to be sent to the mortal realm. He didn't see the harm in nurturing you here in his abode, keeping you in the spiritual realm. It wasn't like you had the desire to leave in the first place. You were pure, perfect, human. "I see you have made yourself comfortable," Mingdi commented as he sat down on the mat beside the bed where you slept. He always made sure to check up on you, mainly to ease his own mind for a bit.

The air was chilly, and you took shelter underneath the white sheets. His hand ran through your hair, comforting but lifeless and cold. Mingdi never smiled. He just stared at you with that same solemn expression, not any emotion behind his eyes. "I hope you are well," he said in the same hushed and gentle voice, so comforting and yet haunting.