1 Prologue (Edited)

A/N: hello dear readers, I was thinking about this idea for a while, and I already wrote a lot of chapters. I'll upload them after I finish editing them. My chapters will be relatively long about 2000-3500 words.

Hope you enjoy my work and have a good read.

--

Time is the most precious resource we all have, and it's the only thing we have in equal measure, regardless of our position, wealth, or identity. However, our lifespans are limited, and we don't know when our time will be up.

In Xianxia worlds, people can extend their lifespans through cultivation, gain immense strength, and understand laws, but in our reality, things are never that simple.

The question of whether a longer lifespan would make us happier is complex and subjective.

While some might argue that it would provide more time to pursue goals, enjoy relationships, and experience the joys of life, a longer lifespan could also come with its own set of challenges, such as health issues, loss of loved ones, and decline in cognitive function.

-- MC POV --

As for myself, I once dreamed of becoming a CEO of some high-tech company that could make a difference in society.

I did study mechanical engineering 'worst years of my life'. After that I obtained my degree in business and project management all to achieve this goal.

I did find a respectable job in a renowned company. However, after years of climbing the corporate ladder, I realized that I wasn't happy.

I made tough decisions that went against my personal values and beliefs, and I felt like I was always on, never able to truly relax or be present with my family.

'I felt like shit back then'

So, I stepped back from my role and reevaluated my priorities.

I started a new venture that somehow aligned with my values and allowed me to make a positive impact on the world.

Despite my focus on work at that accursed company, I also found enjoyment in hobbies like painting, reading web novels and manga, and watching anime, movies, and series.

However, I did not enjoy harem stories, which I found hypocritical and disrespectful to women and readers alike. And though I had not been interested in relationships when I was younger, I have recently found a girlfriend, and we are about to take our relationship to the next level.

She was a woman with the kindest heart and a gentle soul.

Her blonde hair cascaded down her back in soft waves, and her big, brown eyes held a warmth that could melt even the coldest heart.

Her figure was a perfect hourglass, 'in my head at least. Hey I had average face but great personality'. But despite her outward beauty, there was a sadness that lingered in her eyes.

She had always dreamed of starting a family, of having a home filled with love and laughter.

'And so did I'

But life had not been kind to her. She had suffered heartbreak and loss, and the road to her dreams seemed to be paved with obstacles.

'Me too. We were perfect for each other'

Still, she refused to give up. She knew that somewhere out there, her soulmate was waiting for her, and she was determined to find him. She poured her heart into her work and her hobbies, never giving up hope that someday her dreams would come true.

-- Girlfriend POV --

Life was never easy. There were days when the loneliness weighed heavily on me, when I longed for someone to hold me and tell me that everything would be okay.

But I kept going, kept pushing forward, because I knew that giving up was not an option.

And then one day, I met him.

My soulmate.

The man who would love me for who I was, flaws and all.

'Call it women intuition but as I looked into his eyes, I knew that all the pain and heartache had been worth it.'

I had found my happily ever after, and nothing could ever take that away from me.

'But I can't just talk to him, let's observe first'

As I walked through the park, pretending to admire the beauty of the trees and the flowers in bloom, to be lost in thought, a voice interrupted my reverie. 'Nice he acted first'

"Excuse me, miss, I couldn't help but notice your beauty. Would you allow me to paint your portrait?"

'He has a sweet mouth'

I turned to see a young man with a canvas and a set of paints. He was Average, with dark hair and intense eyes that seemed to hold a depth of emotion.

At first, I was hesitant. 'Maybe I shouldn't do this, I"m not ready'. But something about his sincerity and the twinkle in his eyes made me feel at ease.

I smiled and agreed to sit for him.

As he set up his canvas and began to paint, we struck up a conversation.

As we talked, I couldn't help but feel a connection to him.

There was something about the way he looked at me, the way he spoke with such passion, that drew me in.

When he finished the portrait, I was amazed at how he had captured my essence, my beauty, and my spirit.

I thanked him and began to walk away.

'Ask me now, what are waiting for? don't you see I am leaving?'

But as I turned to leave, he called out to me.

'Yes!'

"Wait, please! I know this may sound crazy, but would you like to have dinner with me sometime? I feel like there's so much more I want to learn about you."

I looked into his eyes and saw the sincerity and kindness that shone within them. I smiled and nodded, feeling a sense of excitement and hope for the future.

"Sure, why not!"

And so, we began to see each other, exploring life together and finding joy in each other's company. As We fell in love, I knew that I had found someone who shared my dream of starting a family and creating a life filled with love and beauty.

-- MC POV --

It has been 2 years since then 'best years of my life'. I started a small business as a small-time mechanic by investing some of the money I had saved from my time working at that blood sucking company. With my expertise in the domain and my sense of business things were going great.

Besides painting, my days were filled with exploring new worlds through the pages of books and web novels, but little did I know, a new world is slowly growing inside me.

I had always been a healthy individual. I never smoked, never drank, and always made sure to eat a balanced diet prepared by me or my mother at home.

But as time went on, I began to experience discomfort in my stomach. At first, I brushed it off as indigestion, but the pain persisted, and I found myself losing weight rapidly.

Concerned, I decided to visit a doctor. After a series of tests, I was waiting inside the doctor's cabinet. The decorations were expensive and of high quality.

'Rich bastards!!'

However, despite its luxurious appearance, there was an undeniable feeling of sadness and cruelty that permeated the space.

'I have a bad feeling about the test results' I mused trying to stay positive.

The leather chairs in the waiting area were uncomfortably cold and impersonal, while the examination table was intimidatingly sterile.

The fluorescent lights overhead cast a harsh glare over everything, revealing every imperfection and flaw.

'This is taking too much time'

The room seemed almost clinical in its precision, as if every detail had been meticulously planned and executed to perfection.

'What is the point of make it appealing to the eye. No one want to visit and admire the decoration, it's not a touristic spot where you want to take photos and memorize the moment as if it was the most precious' I continued waiting while beginning to get nervous and agitated.

There was no snese of warmth or humanity in the room, only the cold, unfeeling precision of modern medicine.

'Finally you are here'

The doctor herself seemed to embody this sense of detachment; her face impassive as she delivered the devastating news to me. Despite the opulence of the room, there was an unmistakable sense of sadness and despair that lingered in the air, like a weight pressing down on everyone who entered.

"Good morning, Mr. Tarik. I have your test results back, and I'm afraid they show some concerning signs." She said with a practiced tone that didn't evoke any emotion of sympathy, only indifference.

"Concerning signs? What do you mean?" I said knowing where this conversation is going on.

"I'm sorry to say that you have stomach cancer. We'll need to do some more tests to determine the stage and extent of the cancer." She apologized but with the same tone and face expression.

"Stomach cancer? How did this happen? What are my options?" I asked calmly, 'why am I so calm? Maybe I am too shocked that I numbed my feelings'.

"Cancer can develop in anyone, and we'll need to do more tests to determine the cause. As for your options, we'll discuss them in detail once we know more about your cancer. But for now, we need to focus on the next steps, including additional tests and treatment planning." She stated as if she was explaining a course of medicine to her students.

"What are my chances of surviving this?" I wanted to know how much time do I have.

"It's hard to say at this point, but we'll work together to develop a treatment plan that gives you the best chance of beating this cancer. We'll also provide support for you and your family throughout the treatment process." She stated simply.

"Okay, thank you for letting me know. What do I do next?"

"I'll refer you to an oncologist who will be your main doctor during your cancer treatment. They will help guide you through this process and provide more information about what to expect."

The news came as a shock to me, and I couldn't believe that such a thing was happening to me at my young age.

'Well not young, I'm almost thirty'

After that the oncologist informed me that my case is severe and laid out a treatment plan that would involve surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.

I was overwhelmed and frightened by the prospect of undergoing such invasive treatments. I wasn't sure I was ready to face the pain and uncertainty that lay ahead.

Over the next few days, I went through the process of adaptation. I researched my condition and learned about the different treatment options available to me.

After some thinking I talked to my family and close friends about my diagnosis, seeking their advice and support. They deserved to know about this.

But despite their encouragement, I remained hesitant to undergo treatment.

In the end, I refused treatment altogether.

I didn't want to spend my remaining days in a hospital bed, hooked up to machines, and undergoing painful procedures.

I would rather spend my time doing the things I loved, like reading and spending time with my loved ones.

I didn't inform my girlfriend, 'I couldn't bring myself to tell her' and just started drifting away slowly until one day I decided to man up and talk to her because she deserved a closure. She suffered enough.

...

I was silently sitting on the couch inside my cozy house in the outskirt of the city.

My girlfriend sat in front of me with a frowning expression on her beautiful face.

"What's going on with you? You've been acting strange lately and didn't pick up my calls."

I remained silent, I couldn't answer her even though I simulated this conversation millions of times inside of my head. 'Damn it! This is so hard; it was harder than my confrontation with my parents' I thought while gathering my courage to speak.

"Is everything okay? You're scaring me." After seeing me raining silent she asked again.

"I went to the doctor, and they found something." Finally, I decided to be direct and say it simply.

"What do you mean? What did they find?"

'A baby!' I wanted to joke badly, but I knew I would look like an asshole.

"Cancer. I didn't want to tell you because I didn't want to burden you with my problems. You have suffered a lot and I can't bring myself to hurt you more, you deserve to be happy and I was hoping to make you forget me" I said and I felt I was talking non sense. 'I sound like an asshole now that I am saying it aloud.'

"You can't just shut me out like this. I'm here for you, no matter what. We can fight this together." Her eyes begin tearing up and came to me hugging me tightly.

We stayed like that for few minutes. "I love you so much. I didn't want to lose you. I didn't want to be selfish and make you suffer after I die. I don't have much to live." I broke into tears too and I let m

"That's so stupid, I'll never let go of you. You won't lose me. We'll get through this together. And even if the worst happens, I'll cherish every moment we have together. Let's live our lives to the fullest, no matter what." She said with the gentlest voice she could master planting kisses on my face.

"Okay. Let's do it. Let's travel the world and make every moment count." After a moment I said, I always wanted to see the world and discover new cultures and traditions.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

I knew that I was taking a risk for refusing treatment 'maybe there was a chance?' but I felt that it was worth it.

The remaining years of my life were wonderful, except for seeing the pity and pain of my family and friends, but I always faced them with a smile and serene expression.

I was ready and accepted my fate.

'Death huh'

I was betting all my hope on my next life if there is any, I have faith that I will reincarnate and have another chance, a better chance hopefully.

I always believed in the power of belief. It is a psychological concept that refers to the influence our beliefs have on our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Beliefs are the convictions or acceptance that something is true or real, and they shape our perception of the world around us. Our beliefs can have a profound impact on our lives, and they can either limit us or empower us.

Research has shown that the power of belief can influence a person's health, success, and overall well-being. For example, studies have found that patients who believe they will recover from an illness are more likely to have a positive outcome than those who do not have such beliefs. Which in my case was too late to win over my cancer. Similarly, people who have a strong belief in their abilities are more likely to achieve their goals than those who lack confidence in themselves. Which I hope I still have a chance to live another life.

Beliefs can also shape our emotions and behaviors. For instance, someone who believes that they are a failure may feel anxious, depressed, and unmotivated, whereas someone who believes in their ability to succeed may feel confident, happy, and driven.

The power of belief is not just limited to personal beliefs; it can also extend to cultural or societal beliefs. These beliefs can shape our attitudes towards certain groups or issues and influence our behaviors towards them.

Overall, the power of belief is a fundamental concept that can greatly impact our lives. By cultivating positive and empowering beliefs, we can achieve our goals and lead a fulfilling life.

Sadly, my condition continued to worsen, and eventually, I passed away. It was a difficult time for my wife, family and friends, who wished I had chosen a different path, maybe I could be treated, but I had made my decision, and I stood by it until the end.

In the end, I found comfort in the fact that I had lived my life on my own terms, doing what I loved with my loved ones until the very end.

…

'I finally died huh'

"So, this is it? What is this feeling of weightlessness? Of emptiness? Am I feeling lost? Confused? Scared? How am I even capable of such an act? Am I not dead?" I mused before taking in my surroundings.

I, 'in my soul form I assume?', was standing in the center of a room, the first thing that stroked me is its whiteness. Every inch of the room was painted white - the walls, the ceiling, and the floor.

There were no windows in the room, but it is so vast that I feel as if I was standing in the center of the universe.

'Weird it is a limitless place, but it still is a room, how is that even possible?' I mused while still studying the 'room'.

The 'room' was silent, yet it had an eerie feeling to it. 'I cannot explain it, but I feel like I was standing in the middle of a mystery' I thought while still looking at the surroundings.

The Arabic like writings on the walls only add to this feeling. 'These inscriptions are so intricate and very detailed that they almost look like galaxies and worlds. Why can I not read them, even though I know how read and speak Arabic, but I can sense that they contain secrets that are beyond my comprehension.' I was surprised by profoundness of the 'room'.

The 'room' was empty, except for a single chair in the middle.

The chair was also white, and it looked like it had been there for eons. I was feeling a weird attraction to it, and I badly wanted to sit on it. As I approached the chair, I realized that it was facing a wall.

'Wait what? where did this wall came from? It's really weird, just a moment ago, there wasn't a wall there. I cannot see what is on the other side of the wall, but I feel like it is hiding something important.' I thought suspiciously.

As I sat in the chair after some time of thinking. I didn't feel any danger and my instinct were saying that I shall get what I want if I sat in it.

I felt a sense of weightlessness, more than what I felt in my soul form. It was as if I were floating in space. I closed my eyes and tried to concentrate, but my mind was filled with thoughts of the unknown. I tried to decipher the inscriptions on the walls, but they remain a mystery.

The room seemed to be alive, and I felt like I was a part of it. I didn't know what it all means, but I felt like there is a purpose to my presence here. I opened my eyes, and the feeling of mystery remains. I tried to stand up from the chair, but I couldn't.

'I see, so this is a place where people who believe in reincarnation come after their death, as long as they have no resentment and lead a good life. Somehow, I was qualified to enter this 'room'. After sitting in the chair, you will be transported to a new world. You can't choose where to go, the chair will do that for you, sending you to your most desired place to be. And, of course, it will provide you with a gift depending on how you led your previous life.' I mused as I somehow understood the purpose of this 'room'.

Suddenly the white room around me began to transform. The walls became translucent, revealing a vast expanse of space beyond. The Arabic like inscriptions on the walls glowed with an ethereal light, and a humming sound can be heard increasing in volume.

Then, the chair began to move, its motion so smooth and effortless that I felt even more weightless. I watched in wonder as stars and galaxies streaked past me, their colors and patterns mesmerizing. It was as if I was flying through space, leaving my initial position behind.

I was feeling a mix of excitement and fear as I prepared to embark on my journey to what I believe is another world for my second life. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath as the chair hummed to life, and with it I felt something change inside of me, something was added to me. Strangely I didn't feel repulsed by it, in contrary I felt as if it was a gift from the great universe itself. 'is this my gift' I asked internally.

As the humming grew louder and more intense, we traveled deeper into the cosmos, the colors and patterns intensified, and I could feel the power of the universe.

'I feel so small, so weak'

I sensed that we were moving beyond the limits of human comprehension, to a place where only pure energy and consciousness existed.

Then, the chair slowed, and I saw before me part of a planet unlike any I had ever seen before 'Yet why is it giving me this feeling of familiarity?' Its colors were vivid and surreal, and it seemed to pulse with a life force that was both beautiful and terrifying.

The chair came to a stop in front of a portal, and I knew that I had arrived at my destination. I stepped through the portal, and as I did, I felt a sense of exhilaration and freedom that I had never experienced before.

I had traveled to another world, and the power of the experience had forever changed me.

'A new beginning huh'