The siblings surveyed the shimmering, flowing streams of data around them—a stark contrast to the vibrant human world etched in his memory. He couldn't help but ask, "This isn't the human world. Then where is this?"
The God of Order, walking ahead, answered calmly, "This is Heaven—the administrative center of finance."
"How is this place different from the human world?" the siblings pressed.
The God of Order paused, turned, and patiently explained, "The fundamental difference lies in the nature of 'existence.' In Heaven and Hell, even when mortals separate their souls from their bodies, the bodies themselves do not die. They can even purchase or commission new bodies—a stark contrast to the human world."
His tone shifted to pragmatism: "Moreover, well, essentially everything requires payment. Your current bodies,
infused with divine power, are exceedingly precious—but their 'denomination' is too high. They're unsuitable for everyday use."
He flicked his fingers, and two crystalline bracelets appeared in the siblings' palms, their surfaces rippling with faint, shifting numbers. "This pocket money will last you a month. Go wherever you wish." His tone suddenly turned stern. "But remember—never go to the mortal realm or the underworld. You're still unfamiliar with your current bodies. Understand?"
The siblings nodded in unison.
The God of Order said he had work to attend to and departed.
As they stepped out of the majestic Hall of Wealth, an unprecedented lightness instantly enveloped their bodies, as if they could float away at any moment.
"So this is what a divine body feels like!" exclaimed the brother in wonder.
Before he could finish, the sister rose effortlessly through sheer willpower. "Can everyone in Heaven fly? How convenient!" she cheered joyfully.
The siblings, exhilarated by their newfound ability, soared joyfully through the celestial skies. Yet they soon noticed something amiss—countless people below were gazing up at them, some fervently praying with tears in their eyes. Despite flying for a long time, they saw no one else capable of soaring in physical form like them.
A thought flashed through both their minds simultaneously.
"Oh no, brother, are we the only ones who can fly like this?"
"Does everyone know we're deities now? ... Landing now would be so awkward—it'd be like admitting it outright!"
They exchanged a glance, instantly reaching a silent understanding: since they were already the center of attention, a panicked landing would only look ridiculous. Better to stay calm and keep soaring! After all, as deities—who would dare question them?
So they forced composure, continuing their flight beneath countless burning gazes, maintaining an air of elegant nonchalance. As they traversed various realms, they noticed that while the celestial realm enjoyed more fundamental freedoms than the mortal world, its inhabitants lacked joy, and its grand structures appeared aged and weathered.
"Is this all the celestial realm has to offer?" the sister murmured softly. Though vastly superior to the mortal world in many ways, an indescribable sense of oppression permeated it. "What must the underworld be like?"
With these complex thoughts, the siblings explored for a while longer. Feeling they had gained some understanding, they eventually turned back.
Upon their return, Pangu greeted them with a radiant smile: "Welcome home!"
"We've only just left! How could we be back so soon?" the sister asked in astonishment.
Pangu laughed heartily: "Silly child, I spent a full half-year in the mortal realm! It remains as beautiful as ever."
The disparity in time's flow left the siblings speechless. Pangu pressed eagerly, "Did you enjoy yourselves?"
The elder brother offered no reply, instead voicing the question weighing on his mind: "In the celestial realm... isn't flight possible for everyone?"
Pangu froze, then slapped his forehead in sudden realization. "My bad habit! I forgot to explain. Souls can naturally leave the body to soar freely, but only divine bodies can fly while carrying the physical form. This was so commonplace to me, I never mentioned it."
This seemingly obvious explanation instantly clarified the earlier awkward yet spectacular scene. Gathering their courage, the siblings boldly described the celestial realm they had witnessed—weary citizens, decaying structures, and pervasive class divisions.
Pangu listened, his brow furrowing slightly. "Those are merely isolated incidents, rare exceptions. You must have misinterpreted what you saw." His tone was unwavering.
Seeing his disbelief, the siblings poured out the hardships and struggles they endured as mortals in the "human world," the unvarnished truth.
Hearing this, the lazy smile on Pangu's face abruptly froze, replaced by shock and dismay, as if he had received news that shook the very foundations of the world.
The siblings gazed at their father, their tone sincere and resolute:
"Father, this is the reality we have seen with our own eyes."