The woman took her time sensing the unique auras of the world. After a while, she opened her eyes and said: How wonderful, really a cause for hesitation.

Hesitation doesnt save it from being reduced to ashes. Li Qiye smiled.

Youre ruining the mood. She said angrily.

We both know what will happen. Li Qiye shrugged.

I am not the one responsible. She tilted her head and said.

Then who is responsible? My epoch is nearly at its prime, the inevitable is coming. Li Qiye said.

Yes. She pondered for a moment and admitted: The path that youre on will actually hasten it.

Thats not surprising. Li Qiye said: So it wont be you.

Everyone has their own karma and body, the same for me. She shook her head.

Then perhaps it is time for a change, a new body. Li Qiye said. [1]

True, that body has been gone for a long time. She said.

Its rather commendable. Entering and learning the world, growing to love it, enduring hardships without any regret. Li Qiye said.

Trying to persuade me? She uttered coldly.

Thats useless. You are not stronger than the other body, there is nothing you can do for me even if you stay here. He said.

Looking down on me? She glared at him: Perhaps the beating last time was insufficient, not taking me seriously anymore after barely surviving.

Of course not. He shrugged: You are perfection across the ages, transcending and ever transforming, neither male nor female nor anything else

Is that an insult? She seemed eager to beat Li Qiye down; her eyes flashed menacingly.

Im merely speaking the truth, you didnt look like this the last time we met. Plus, male or female, theres no difference at all to you since you are beyond such definition. He said.

Whatever. The woman scoffed: He is him and I am me, he has his own karma and so do I.

A single wish can change all of this. The karmic ties of the world do not bind you, you have a separate karmic system altogether just like him. Everything can be resolved. He said.

Your attempt at creating a rift between us is useless. The woman said: We have the same source so its idiotic that youre even trying.

Is that so? Under the previous circumstances, sure, but what about now? If I remember correctly, a different body does not think so. He said.

So what? Born from a hundred deaths but its all fleeting, just merely surviving in this world. She said.

Isnt that enough? Having fought countless emperors alone and sweeping through the continents. He said.

Thats just strutting around in an anthill, not worth mentioning. The past body could have destroyed numerous epochs with a single wave. She said with disdain.

Youre not wrong, its definitely not on the same scale. He paused for a bit and said: However, that ant certainly enjoyed their time and life. Only by actually experiencing life would one be able to learn of its joys.

Am I not a living being right now? She said.

You are alive, not a rock, but you have too much awareness of your own. Youre not settling in, choosing to observe the world instead of actually experiencing the joy of life. He said.

Dont forget about the suffering. She snorted.

As long as there are living beings, there will be joy and suffering. He nodded.

No need to persuade me. She shook her head: He is deeply infected by the mortal coil, not I. I do not have such karma and need not such karma.

Yes, your karma originated from a single thought and source. He said.

If I were you, I would think more about how to escape or your preference of how to die. She suggested.

Im afraid I havent thought of either. He smiled.

I suppose your confidence is still intact despite running with your tail between your legs back then. She snorted.

Lets not dwell on the past and plus, I consider it a victory since you couldnt kill me. He smiled.

Hmph, well get another opportunity soon enough. She sneered.

That day will come, but you probably wont remember what you have said today. He said flatly.

This world is ephemeral, nothing more than a passing cloud. Dissipating is inevitable, no need to leave traces. She said.

This is your karma and your meaning of existence? He asked.

Skip this nonsense. Everything is possible, my body can be his or that body, and the three can be united as one again.

I think its impossible to have three bodies now. He smiled.

Not right now but in the future, the near future. She pondered for a moment before responding seriously.

Li Qiyes expression changed as well. He nodded in agreement: Yes, that body will definitely appear.

And that is when your epoch shall be destroyed. She tapped his shoulder and said: See, Im nice enough to give you a heads up so you can prepare in advance lest be caught off guard.

How can I ever repay you? He joked.

Do you actually want to repay me? She asked.

No, only if you stay. How can I repay someone who wont be here? He waved his hand.

Hmph, always scheming. She sneered.

How am I scheming when it is entirely up to your desire? He disagreed.

Its not possible. My body is incomparable to his, you have an immovable dao heart, I have an immovable body. You have no control over it. She said.

Yes, I am powerless here indeed. He nodded.

Just accept reality, death will come knocking. She said.

Death, to me, is also joy, a sweet release. He earnestly said.

What if death avoids you? She stared straight at him.

He understood the implication and let a sigh before replying: Its inevitable, each has their own destiny.

1. I could use the word avatar here but its not quite that word. That would be an interpretation so once there is more context, I might start using avatar instead. Right now, its a simple word for body but Im sure the author is talking about avatars