Chapter 21: The Empress's Limited-Time Experience Card**

"Reyana the Empress?!" Leo exclaimed in shock. At that moment, all his doubts clicked into place. The Empress who had fought desperately on the snowy mountain summit had indeed been reborn, just like her, back to five hundred years ago! But for some reason, while he had memories from his past life as soon as he was reborn, Reyana did not.

Now that her celestial spirit talent had awakened, her memories were finally returning! Leo instinctively felt tense, and his gaze towards the Empress Reyana turned cautious. The Unheavenly Transformation technique began to operate; if necessary, he would have to make a move to defend himself!

Just as he had thought earlier, in the eyes of Empress Reyana, he was an enemy. She definitely wouldn't see him as a hero here to save her, like the little Reyana had done.

Looking at the current situation, it was clear that the Empress Reyana's original memories had awakened. Those past times with the little Reyana would surely only become beautiful memories… For some reason, Leo felt a twinge of sadness in his heart.

"Empress Reyana, it was Yani who masterminded the siege of the Sacred Gate. I was deceived by her as well." Leo's expression resumed its coldness, and he spoke in a grave tone.

"Hmph, serves you right." Empress Reyana released her grip around Leo's neck and sat up proudly. At this moment, Leo felt no more reservations; he boldly scanned the Empress Reyana's figure with his eyes.

After all, this person was no longer that little girl; what was there to hide? As she sensed Leo's gaze, the Empress Reyana's expression darkened. Yet, rather than reprimanding him, she inquired about his plans.

"What are you planning to do from now on?"

"Me?" Leo was surprised that Empress Reyana would ask this. After a moment's astonishment, he coldly replied, "Cultivate and seek revenge."

"Besides, why should it concern you what I do? Since you have awakened, you should just leave."

"In my past life, I indeed opposed you, but you also took my life. In this life, if you have memories from that time, you should know that I did not harm you." Leo's expression was stern, his demeanor indifferent yet resolute, resembling a weathered old man despite his youthful face.

Hearing his words, Empress Reyana, who was atop him, seemed to be moved.

In an instant, memories from the past month flooded her mind, merging with her memories from her previous life. This was the first time her empress memories had awakened, which explained her earlier hostility toward Leo, a high-ranking figure in the alliance. But now, as her memories gradually merged, those emotions and feelings, the embraces and comfort he had offered her, were persistent and profound.

She gazed at Leo's slightly sulking face turned away, and suddenly felt her anger diminish.

"Hmph, just like that?"

"I even imparted to you a 'True Element of Heaven'! What will you say? Originally, I could have ascended to the pinnacle of the Golden Core level with this awakening, but now I've been injured, and can only reach the pinnacle of the Concentration level."

The aggression in Empress Reyana's words faded, replaced by a tone of sulking.

However, Leo didn't catch that; in his eyes, Empress Reyana was no longer the young Reyana. Her words remained icy and painful to his heart.

As if not expecting Empress Reyana to say such things, Leo opened his mouth, appearing somewhat upset.

"That was given to me by the young Reyana!" he glared at Empress Reyana.

But upon seeing her face—the one that resembled the young Reyana perfectly—he immediately felt deflated.

Yes, young Reyana and Empress Reyana. Was it meaningful to insist they were different? Reyana herself had said that there was a voice in her mind that had stopped her, and that must have been the consciousness of Empress Reyana within her.

With drooping eyes, his expression turned dejected.

"Well, I owe you my life. What else do you want? I will grant any request you make."

Empress Reyana observed Leo's reaction and felt surprised. His feelings didn't seem pretentious; he truly had emotions for the young Reyana… for the younger version of herself.

"Also, you can get off of me now." Leo suddenly said, stretching out his hand to grab her delicate, smooth leg and lifted her up.

Empress Reyana immediately toppled to the side, flopping onto the bed. Leo quickly jumped off the bed and stood upright.

"You can make any requests of me; even if it costs me my life, I'm willing to, but only after I kill Yani."

"Once I've completed my revenge, this life will belong to you."

"So, what do you think, Empress? Are you satisfied?" Leo's silhouette appeared somewhat lonely as he addressed her without looking back.

Seated on the bed, Empress Reyana's gaze toward Leo was incredibly complex, her bright, graceful phoenix eyes reflecting light. For some reason, seeing Leo like this made her heart ache a little.

But she still spoke in a stiff tone, "Fine, we'll do it your way. When the time comes, I'll personally collect your life."

"But before that…"

Leo stood at the foot of the bed, listening to the movements behind him.

More than ten seconds passed without Empress Reyana saying anything. Was this thinking time a bit too long?

"What is it going to be before that? Speak openly; I won't go back on my word."

"…" Silence persisted.

"?" Leo frowned. What was Empress Reyana doing? After striking him, she had made fierce remarks and now she was being all cryptic.

"Empress Reyana, you—" Leo turned around impatiently, just as he heard rustling from the bed.

In the next moment, a soft, fair figure, exuding warmth and a faint fragrance, lunged toward him!

"Brother!"

"Brother, Reyana misses you so much!"

Leo was momentarily stunned as he felt the fragrant and soft figure in his arms. He looked down to see the girl kneeling at the bedside, tightly hugging him, her petite head buried in his chest, her long black hair resembling obsidian.

"Why do you call me Empress Reyana? Are you angry at the little Reyana?"

Reyana looked up, her beautiful youthful face stained with tears, looking pitiful and delicate to the extreme.

"Brother!" Reyana puffed her small lips, tugging at Leo's clothes. When she saw that Leo wasn't responding, she genuinely looked a bit scared.

"Reyana could see you every day, but I couldn't speak. I wanted to come out sooner, but I just couldn't."

"I was wrong. I will never leave for so long again…"

Suddenly, Leo reacted and quickly embraced Reyana, pressing her into his chest as if she were a cherished treasure he had regained.

"Brother, why did I suddenly grow up so much?" Reyana asked while lying under another blanket beside Leo.

"It must be the special effect of the celestial spirit talent; it seems to have directly raised your physical age by six or seven years."

"From now on, Reyana, you'll be an adult of the same age as your brother. You can't act like a little girl anymore."

Reyana smiled innocently, "I'm only a little girl in front of my brother; when else do I act like a child?"

Leo chuckled, feeling amused by her cuteness.

Reyana had wandered for many years, enduring quite a bit of suffering; her mind was strong and mature. Plus, with her celestial spirit talent, there was no need to worry about her intellect. "That's good. In that case, in front of my brother, Reyana will forever act like a little brat, okay?"

"Sure~" Reyana answered sweetly, shifting closer to Leo. The two blankets became irrelevant as Reyana snuggled tightly against him.

"Reyana, don't get so close; after all, you are grown…"

"Didn't you just say I would always be your little brat?" Reyana teased, completely ignoring his warning as she squeezed in closer and dove under Leo's blanket, hugging his arm tightly.

"Let's sleep now, brother. Goodnight~" Reyana rested her head on Leo's shoulder, contentedly closing her eyes.

Leaving Leo alone in the dark, he silently recited the Heart-Calming Mantra for half an hour.