Daoist

"I'm back"

Those words slipped out of my mouth as I stared at my reflection in the mirror. 

I looked at the familiar yet vague version of myself. I looked like a pretty normal 17-year older. I had short black hair, two black eyes, a short stature, and smooth skin.

I touched my face, then slapped it with a sudden smack. A red imprint of my hand laid on my face. 

"Could I possibly be trapped in an illusion? This shouldn't be possible."

Yeah. Being trapped in an illusion was the only thing that was possible. I didn't know how or why I got here, but I knew this world had to be fake. 

It wasn't possible for me to turn back time back to my 17-year old self..

Such a fortunate encounter wouldn't occur to someone like me. It had less than a 1 in an infinity chance of occurring considering how such a thing shouldn't be possible.

Instead, it was more plausible to be stuck in an illusion. That had about a 1 in a hundred thousand chance of happening. At least for me, since it was more likely to have occurred, it is what I've decided to accept as reality. 

I had been trapped in an illusion before. I was unable to escape from hundreds of years before the caster finally died. It felt so real yet so fake. I didn't even know I was trapped in the illusion until after I escaped. 

I chuckled. Even if it was an illusion, it wouldn't be so hard to live through it for some time, right? It might be nice to stay in this illusion for some time and enjoy it.

After all, I really didn't have enough reason to live anymore or to escape anyway. 

My laugh soon faded away. It had been ages since I last smiled or chuckled. It was a nice feeling. 

I sighed, then looked at myself in the mirror again. It did look like I was trapped in an illusion of my memories, probably about tens of thousands of years ago. 

I looked like a child. However, my mind felt like that of a weary old man who lived too long. 

I looked around my room. I lived in quite a luxurious place. 

I do somewhat remember living like a noble in my childhood. It truly has been a long time. 

I sensed someone's presence behind the door.

Knock! Knock!

"Master. Are you awake?" 

I couldn't recognize the voice. 

"Yes"

I decided to play this game, in whatever illusion I arrived in. 

The door opened.

A girl about my age opened the door. She was slightly pretty, with soft seductive lips, caramel-colored eyes, and straight brown hair. 

She had ample bosoms, slightly pretty and wore a maid-like outfit, revealing a lot of skin. 

Of course, she was nothing compared to the Immortals who'd make your heart flutter at first sight, but in mortal standards, she was slightly pretty. 

For some reason, it felt like something grabbed my heart. 

I placed my finger on my chin. I didn't recognize her. I probably did know her at this point of time. It's just that it's been too long since I saw her. 

What a pity. 

If I forgot about her, it likely meant that she was already dead.

However, something about her was indeed familiar. I couldn't tell what.

"I've brought you your cultivation resources. It's almost time for you to enter the White Cloud Sect" A tinge of sadness escaped her eyes as she stated that.

The White Cloud Sect did strike me as familiar. 

I believe there was a time that when I did join a small sect such as that.

I don't remember much though.

It seems as though the girl in front of me was sad that she couldn't join me at the White Cloud Sect.

I honestly didn't care much though.

Now that I recall, I did have a maidservant in the White Cloud Sect.

"Do you want to come along?" 

I didn't mean much by that. 

However, it would be nice to have someone to do my duties.

And it seemed that I forgot a lot throughout my tens of thousands of years of living.

She might bring back another memory.

"Really, Young Master!?" The maid servant's eyes lit up. She was ecstatic.

Since she was allowed to go, it likely meant that Young Master gained permission to allow a servant into the sect.

Of course, I didn't have the recollection of having to ask to bring a servant along.

She jumped up and hugged the Young Master.

Was I really this close to a maidservant?

This hug does recall me as familiar. 

It was nostalgic.

Since she hugged me, it meant that our had a relationship beyond a servant and master relationship.

I started gaining a sense of familiarity with the person in front of me.

However, a sense of loss also accompanied me as though I didn't wish to recall these emotions.

Why had I felt like so?

It was then the memories started rushing in.

I could only remember a few parts though.

I paused.

Now that I think about it, I do remember her. 

I stared at my maidservant who was smiling from ear to ear with a glance.

...She was my first love and also the first one to truly backstab me. 

Hahaha. I know what you're thinking.

No, she didn't drive a knife behind my back or leave me for someone else like in those fictional books.

She did something much worse…

She aged and died, leaving me alone in this cruel and alone world. 

I loved her. Although she was just a maid, I wanted to take care of her for the rest of my life. 

However, there was a huge difference between us. 

The difference between mortals and cultivators, the difference between those who had a limit on their lifespan and those who could extend their lifespan. 

As I went to my first Immortal Sect, I brought her along. 

However, as time passed, her age withered away, her skin wrinkled, and she was an old lady, while I looked as if I only had aged a couple years.

And then she died.