Three hours later, Ji Yao Li was resting comfortably on a chair made from the wood of the Tree of Existence, which he had acquired after he and other guardians had pruned its branches, an event that occurs every trillions of years. He also made other items from it, such as weapons and furniture. As he had reached an age beyond human comprehension, he was able to take several branches from its boughs, which were larger than entire realms of imagination, to craft things he needed. He had been doing this throughout his years of service as a guardian of the sacred Tree of Existence.
In the garden of his private palace wing, Ji Yao Li leaned back in a chair, his eyes, which resembled the Yin and Yang symbol, closed. Ji Yao Li possessed the sacred Yin and Yang body, which the sacred Tree of Existence had bestowed upon him when he was still in his cocoon. Because of this, he had a giant birthmark on his back shaped like the Yin and Yang symbol, with the form of the sacred Tree of Existence engraved upon it. He then opened his eyes, directing them towards the horizon with a sharp gaze, like sword blades, towards the sky, which was clear and cloudless. This allowed the warmth from the sun's rays, which were heating the atmosphere, to spread. He muttered in a low voice filled with confusion and surprise:
"It seems something is wrong, but what is it?...Why do I feel a sense of familiarity gripping me from within?"
"It seems they will truly betray me; they want to overthrow me. That's what my intuition tells me. Should I believe it or not.... I really don't know what to do."
A familiar voice echoed in Ji Yao Li's mind. This time, the voice was more understandable than the previous ones.
"He who does not know himself is not worthy of coveting absolute power. Remember that, Tom Fragglسن. Remember who you are."
Ji Yao Li's expression turned to shock as he heard the words of this voice, whose origin he did not know. He then directed his gaze towards the horizon with a distorted look.
"I don't know what's happening to me, but I'll find out soon."
He got up again and headed towards the palace with steady steps.
As soon as he arrived, he called out to the chief servant of the palace. His tone was calm, but it was clearly audible to everyone present in the palace.
"Master Yao Li Yong Su, come here immediately."
His tone was firm, allowing no discussion or excuses.
After a few minutes, a man with a strong physique and a face filled with dignity and experience as a chief servant appeared. He wore the attire of a chief servant with an ancient Chinese style.
His steps were steady, his back straight like a spear, giving his appearance an aura of majesty and strength. He stood before Ji Yao Li and bowed slightly, a bow of respect, then spoke in a tone filled with respect and submission to Ji Yao Li.
"What do you want from me, Master Ji Yao Li? Is there anything you want me to do?"
Ji Yao Li looked at Yao Li Yong Su with a blank gaze for a few seconds, then replied, breaking the silence. Ji Yao Li's tone was calm as he looked towards the palace gate with a vacant stare.
"Summon Stratos, the founder's wing, and tell him that Ji Yao Li, the guardian and master of the guardians of the sacred Tree of Existence, wants you to come to a meeting that will take place in two days. Is my message clear, Chief Servant Yao Li Yong Su?"
Yao Li Yong Su's expression shifted to a mixture of surprise and confusion, but he spoke in a calm tone filled with respect and submission to Ji Yao Li. "As you wish, Master Ji Yao Li. I will inform Master Stratos of your request to attend the emergency meeting you will hold. Also, Master Zehua Ming Hua wants to meet you in the greenhouse in the north wing garden."
Ji Yao Li listened to Yao Li Yong Su's words, then let out a soft sigh and headed towards the north wing garden of the palace.
"Alright, tell my wife, Zehua Ming Hua, that I'm coming."
A faint smile appeared on Yao Li Yong Su's face after Ji Yao Li spoke. He then headed towards Zehua Ming Hua's wing with light steps, carrying a hint of happiness.
The relationship between Ji Yao Li and his wife, Zehua Ming Hua, was a close one, built on mutual love from both sides. Although Ji Yao Li could have married several women, as rulers like him used to marry ten or more women to have diverse and strong offspring, and so that the first wife would not suffer the burden of the position as the ruler's wife in the realm of imagination or higher, or even as a guardian or ruler of the sacred Tree of Existence, he still kept Zehua Ming Hua as his only wife for countless years and millennia.
After a few minutes,
Ji Yao Li had arrived at the north wing garden, also known as the Sacred Garden, as it was built from the branches of the Tree of Existence itself after pruning its branches, which occurred every trillions of years. Therefore, it was considered one of the most beautiful gardens in existence as he headed towards the greenhouse.
The greenhouse was made from the finest, extremely rare precious stones, gold, jade, and wood from the sacred Tree of Existence. He found a woman of exquisite beauty, with a body like a perfect work of art. She had dazzling golden hair like threads of gold, two light blue eyes like priceless sapphires, soft milky white skin like silk, and light red lips like cherries. She wore a noble imperial-style dress that was a mixture of light purple and embroidered ruddy colors. Her hair was tied in a bun, held by two chopsticks made from the wood of the sacred Tree of Existence.
A deep sigh escaped Ji Yao Li's lips without him realizing it as he looked at her, then headed towards the greenhouse where Zehua Ming Hua was waiting for him impatiently.
Zehua Ming Hua looked at Ji Yao Li, who was heading towards her greenhouse, with overwhelming happiness. She had prepared herself well and worn her best and most beautiful dress. She wanted to look her best when she met Ji Yao Li.
As soon as Ji Yao Li entered the greenhouse, her happiness reached its peak. She spoke in a calm tone, like a sweet and beautiful musical melody.
"How are you, my dear? Who would have thought you would be free after all these years of diligent work protecting the Tree of Existence?"
Ji Yao Li's expression turned to deep sadness as he listened to the words of Zehua Ming Hua, the person he loved most. Her words carried a subtle hint of blame and reproach. A faint smile appeared on his face as he looked at her, then he touched her face, which was incredibly soft, as if made of fine silk.
Zehua Ming Hua's face turned bright red due to embarrassment from the surprise Ji Yao Li had caused. He then moved towards a hanging couch or something similar, and sat on it with Zehua Ming Hua. He let out a soft sigh while hugging her, resting her head on his right chest. Zehua Ming Hua remained silent, saying nothing. Her expression was a mixture of shyness and suppressed happiness.
"Zehua Ming Hua, I love you so much. You are the sun that illuminates this miserable life and gives it color and taste."
His tone was calm and beautiful, unlike his usual sharp and commanding tone. His love for Zehua Ming Hua prevented him from speaking in his usual tone.
Zehua Ming Hua turned her gaze to his face with a slight smile. She changed her position to face Ji Yao Li directly, resting both her hands on his chest. She spoke in a beautiful tone that made Ji Yao Li's face turn red with shyness due to its beauty.
"I love you too, and I always will, even if millions or infinite time passes. You will always be my only love."
He cupped her face, which was milky white and covered by a dark black beard, and kissed her on the mouth. Ji Yao Li's expression shifted to slight surprise, then he went along with the situation.
Zehua Ming Hua rested her head on Ji Yao Li's chest, and he hugged her. Their love story was like those in fairy tales, free from any betrayal; pure, unadulterated love.
Zehua Ming Hua stood up, resting her hand on Ji Yao Li's chest, and spoke in a calm tone that greatly astonished Ji Yao Li.
"Wake up, Tom Fragglسن. Remember who you are. Wake up, my dear, for I miss you dearly. Please come back to me again."
Shock and disbelief were evident on Ji Yao Li's face as he listened to Zehua Ming Hua's words. He realized she still had her head on his chest and was sleeping on him. What had happened to him was like some kind of illusion. However, this caused something within him to awaken, and he saw the light of day.