"Edward! Edward! Wake up!", a voice called. It was heavy and distant, yet so full of warmth.

"Wake up!", the voice called once again.

Edward opened his eyes. All he could see was endless darkness. Yet, in this endless dark space, he could see a gloomy old man sitting far away.

He slowly moved towards the old man. He discovered himself not walking, instead, he was floating and swimming in this dark space.

"It seems my voice has finally reached you.", said the old man.

"Who are you? How do you know my name? Where am I? And Where is Robert? What happened to him?", Edward asked. He was totally confused by the situation.

"Calm down. Robert is fine. You are inside the Lake of Life."

"Lake of Life?", Edward was confused.

"It is the true name of the Lake of Tears. This lake isn't any ordinary lake. It is a very high grade spirit artifact."

"Spirit Artifact?", Edward wondered.

"Artifacts higher than Grade 9 are known as spirit artifacts. This lake is a very very high grade spirit artifact. I am the artifact spirit of this spirit artifact, also known as the lake spirit.", said the old man.

"What is such a high grade spirit artifact doing in a backwater country like this?", Edward asked.

"This artifact dates back many many years before the existence of this country. In fact, it dates back to the era of the First Paragon. Back then, human cultivators hadn't left the Nine Paragon Worlds to roam and conquer the vast universe, and cultivation was centered in the Nine Paragon World. As a result, many powerful cultivators existed. The First Paragon was also one of them. This lake is the place where the First Paragon comprehended the Dao Essence of Life.", said the lake spirit.

"Essence of Life?",Edward asked.

"Yes. Once, the lake of tear was an ordinary lake. Everything changed when the First Paragon came here and cried for three whole years. His tears changed the very nature of the lake, and when he comprehended the Essence of Life here, the lake turned into a spirit artifact, giving birth to me, the lake spirit.", the lake spirit replied.

The story hit Edward's heart like lightning. It felt like he was about to remember something, but he couldn't.

"Why would someone like the First Paragon come and cry here for three whole years?", he finally asked.

"The First Paragon, although known as one of the Nine Paragons, one of the Nine Strongest Beings to ever exist, he wasn't strong from the very beginning. In this world, no one is born strong. Everyone has to go through great turmoil before they can gain true strength. It was the same for the First Paragon. While he was young, he lost his family in a brutal war. Barely surviving the war as an orphan, he grew up with death at the back of his neck all the time. Finally, his life changed when he met a girl he fell in love with. Yet, fate was cruel, and his lover was killed by his enemies in front of his eyes in this exact place. He was also at death's door as his enemies left him here in a near-death situation, but with his resolve, and great understanding of martial cultivation, he finally comprehended the Dao of Life and healed himself back. Slowly cultivating the Dao of Life to the apex, he created his own cultivation system, which is currently known and practiced throughout the entire universe. After reaching the peak, he became the very first person to be titled as a 'Paragon', and came to be known as 'The Paragon of Life'.", the lake spirit explained.

"The Paragon of Life?", Edward asked.

"Yes. Each Paragon had their own unique Dao and had unique powers. So they have their own unique titles. The First Paragon had comprehended the Dao of life and could control Life Energy. So, he was titled 'Life Paragon', or 'The Paragon of Life'. Same way, the Ninth Paragon comprehended the Dao of All elements, so he could control all elements. that's why he was titled 'Myriad Element Paragon'. Similarly, all the other Paragons have their titles too."

"So that's how it is. Can you tell me one more thing?", Edward suddenly asked.

"What is it?"

"Why do I feel pain and sadness in my heart after coming to this lake? I feel like I am somehow connected to the place, and I try to remember something but I can't. But that is not possible, as this is definitely the first time I came to this place.", Edward said.

"Are you telling the truth?", asked the lake spirit.

"Why would I lie about something like this?", Edward asked back.

"Ok then, take this seed and place it in the palm of your hand. I want to check if there is a connection.", saying that, the lake spirit threw a small seed towards Edward.

"What connection? What is this seed?", Edward asked while he placed the seed in his palm. As soon as he did that, the seed dug through his palm and vanished into his hand. He could vaguely feel it was somewhere within his body.

"Hmm. I see. Maybe in this life, it is indeed your first time coming here. But who knows about another life?", the lake spirit spoke.

"Another life? What do you mean?", Edward suddenly felt his heartbeat rise.

"The cycle of reincarnation is very mysterious. Many things can happen. As for the answer, you will have to find it out yourself. Just remember what I am going to tell you. This seed is called Seed of Origin Life. When the seed turns into a sapling, you will be nearing the truth. When the bud appears, you will be ready for the truth, and when the flower blooms, you will know the truth. That is when you will get your answer. With this, I have served my purpose.", said the lake spirit as it slowly faded away into the darkness.

"Wait, don't go! Give me an answer!.", Edward shouted. But there was nothing except darkness.

*******

When Edward woke up, he discovered himself lying at the lakeshore. Few meters away from him, Robert was lying unconscious. Edward slowly stood up and shook Robert.

"Robert! Wake up.", he called.

"Edward? What happened? I thought I died.", Robert finally regained consciousness.

"No, you didn't die. I saved you.", Edward said.

"Thanks. What about the mission?", Robert asked.

"The mission is complete. I don't think the vortex will appear any more. Cultivators can return here in the future."

"Why do you think so?"

"Just a hunch."

"Just a hunch?", Robert did not know what to say.

"Don't mind the small details. Just be sure that my hunch is right.", Edward said.

Robert knew Edward was hiding something. but if Edward didn't want to talk about it now, he didn't want to ask either.

Edward and Robert slowly moved away from the Lake of Tears. For some reason, this time, none of them was running or even walking fast, as if they've forgotten how they've traveled till now.

On the way, Edward was totally silent. He did not say anything. He was thinking about the mysterious disappearances in the lake. Judging by the time, it started around the same time Edward saved Snow from those demons, at the same time he first accidentally unleashed his aura.

"It seemed that the lake was looking for a certain someone. After that certain person was found, the Seed of Origin Life was delivered, and the lake spirit disappeared once again.", Edward murmured. Only he knew that this certain someone was none other than him. By why him?

That's the answer he must find.