Somewhere unknown…
The sky was covered with dark gray misty clouds, preventing anyone from grasping what may lie beyond it. Beneath this sky lay a vast seemingly endless world. The first thing one might notice in this world was not the various desolate landscapes scattered across it, nor was it the vast yellow river that snaked its way across the land like a serpent slithering on a rock. No, the first thing one would notice is the plethora of souls that covered the land.
The number of souls were uncountable and came in all sorts of colors and sizes. However, the majority were of a light gray almost white color in the shape of a blob with a head that tapered down into a wispy tail. The majority of the souls had no distinct features and had no way of telling them apart.
These souls seemed to have no will, they slowly, mindlessly floated forwards in a wide snaking line towards a few specific destinations in the world.
In one of these lines floated a particular soul. It was unknown how long this soul had been in here, and there was nothing noticeably different about it from the other souls around it. At least that was the case until a ripple spread across the soul. After this ripple, the soul began to take a slightly lighter color than the others around it.
‘Hmm… w-what who…’ The lighter colored soul trembled.
‘What happened… where am I?’ The soul thought to itself as it began to gain its bearings.
‘I cant see!’ The soul realized and began to panic.
The soul tried to move its arms and touch its face but nothing happened.
‘My arms, my arms! What's going on! M-my legs I cant feel them either!’ Terror began to wash over the soul.
After around 10 minutes of struggle the soul had calmed down and was contemplating.
‘Calm, calm, I must be calm. Lets try and open my eyes again. I need to know where I am!’ Settling down the soul gently willed itself to open its eyes. Still not able to see the soul started increasing its concentration and used every fiber of its being to open its eyes.
‘Open up you bitch!’ The soul shouted to itself as two eyes began to appear on it’s blank, head like, appendage.
Then with a bang its sight returned! The soul was immediately overwhelmed with its new sight. It took a moment to comprehend what it was seeing.
‘The fuck is this shit! Please tell me I’m just tripping out cause of a gas leak, or someone spiked my food with some shit! Is this some sort of underworld? Am I… hahaha... dead?!’ The soul just floated in place and laughed to itself.
‘But how is that possible, how could I be dead. The last thing I remember is going to bed like any other day. I had no health issues, no enemies, no nothing. Things were just starting to get good too. I was making more money, I was happier, I was ready to find a wife, and start a family! Yet I died at 30 and alone!’ The soul moped around for a while, recalling its life, before it continued to observe this new world he was in.
‘The underworld or whatever this place is, isn't as scary as I first thought.’ After he finished looking around he began to look at himself.
‘Hmm, I don't really see a difference between me and these other souls. I wonder how I can float? Maybe I could even fly around!’ The soul was beginning the find excitement and curiosity in this new form of his. Choosing suppress and forget the sadness, confusion, and anger towards his death.
‘Lets first try walking, or should I say floating forward.’ The soul began to try and move forward. Beginning a series of trials and errors.
‘Man this is weird. Its like my lower body was amputated and replaced with another limb that depended on my willpower to move. What a pain. This will take a while to get the hang of.’ The soul thought to itself as it glanced around and floated forward a meter to catch up to the soul in front of it. Then continued getting used to moving around in his new form.
‘Whew I think I’ve got the hang of this now.’ The soul thought as it was moving around in the wide line of souls.
‘But man, this line of souls is slow. I feel like I’ve been practicing for a day but I doubt the we have moved more than a few hundred meters. Lets see if anything happens if I try to cut ahead of these souls.’ The soul weaved his way in the crowded line and found a spot he could squeeze into.
‘Looks like these souls don't react or have any awareness, unlike like me. Does that mean I’m special?’ The soul thought smugly. It’s imagination starting to run wild.
‘It feels kind of weird being sandwiched between two souls. Maybe I can make some arms to push myself around and touch things.’ The soul began to try and make arms appear from its body. After a couple minutes of trying and feeling nothing the soul stopped.
‘Damn why is this so hard! How about I try just one arm, I’ll picture it as simple as possible. Just a noodle with a palm. Hopefully that works.’ The soul thought in frustration before trying form a single arm.
‘Haha I can feel it something happening. I think it’s working! But it seems this will take a while.’
A couple hours later a simple arm had appeared on the right side of the soul.
‘Finally that took forever!’
The soul started to move its new arm around, getting used to it. He later tapped on a few souls to try and get a response from them to no avail.
‘Looks like besides me, all the other souls around me are mindless. Well I think one arm is good enough for now. It’s too much of a pain to make another one.’ The soul thought as it was overcome with exhaustion.
‘I feel so tired now. What do I do to recover? I doubt I can eat… unless I can eat other souls?! No no no sounds way too dangerous. I think I’ve read to many fantasy books. Speaking of which, if this underworld looking place exists I wonder if there are other worlds/realms/universes out there where mana, qi, and other fantasy stuff exists.’ The soul wondered to itself with a sigh.
‘There's no use wondering about that stuff now. First I need to rest. Maybe I can just float a round in line and sleep.’ The soul wondered as it tried relaxing and the eyes on his blank face closed. The soul soon fell into a slumber as it drifted with the wide line of souls.
After an unknown amount of time passed, the eyes of a particular soul trembled and opened.
‘Ah I feel refreshed and better than ever!’ The soul thought to itself as it began to look around and see if anything had changed in its surroundings.
‘The surroundings look a bit unfamiliar, I wonder how long I was asleep to follow these fellas here?
What now?’ The soul was thinking as it made its way to the edge of the wide line of souls, using its new arm to push through the crowd.
‘Lets do a little exploring shall we! I want to see if I can find where all these souls are headed. I think I’ll go insane before I get there if I just stay in the line at this pace. I should stay close to the line just in case something happens. Who knows if there are any dangers around here.’ The soul started following the line of souls into the distance at a fast pace. Passing a soul every few seconds. Taking in the desolate scenery in the distance.
After a few hours of travel and sightseeing later a drastic change occurred.
A figure appeared out of nowhere in front of the strange soul. This massive humanoid figure was covered from head to toe in pitch black armor with blood red accents. It stood at around eight meters tall. Held in the figure’s hand was an even more massive spear. It had a blood red shaft with what could only be described as runes carved onto it, a pitch black bade adorned to the tip, as big as the figure’s head. The mysterious figure’s helmet resembled that of a fierce ox and only through the visor could one catch a glimpse of who or what lay beneath the set of armor.
A pair of cold, chilling, unfeeling eyes were all that one could grasp to allude to the identity of the figure. Those eyes were staring straight at the startled soul hovering in front of it.
‘What the hell is that! Run! Fast, fast, faster!’ Were the only thoughts that ran through the poor soul, as he was filled with terror in an instant.
The soul willed itself with all its might to flee towards the conglomeration of souls just over two meters to his side. However, the soul only managed to move a few centimeters before it felt itself being locked in place by a strange force unable to move and its mind turn hazy as the massive figure opened its free palm and the soul was quickly sucked onto it.
‘Noooooo. Why was I so stupid. Why did I take such a risk in this damn world! Is this the end for -’ The souls tragic musings were cut short as both it and the figure disappeared from their location and instantly reappeared somewhere vastly different. The massive figure had appeared in front of two giant 20 meter tall doors, the doors were a vibrant red with intricate carved patterns on it.
Two doors were placed in a spacious and wide hall, seemingly carved from marble. The doors appeared to be from a single massive tree as the grain of the wood could clearly be seen running through them both, adding some serenity and majesty.
Recovering from a strange sense of dizziness that had just overwhelmed itself. The soul quickly noticed the change in the area.
‘Not dead yet, that's good.’ The soul felt relieved but still frightened.
After staring at the grand door briefly the soul felt calm and peaceful while floating on the giants palm, still immobile, but longer feeling afraid.
Soon after the soul calmed itself, the door began to open until there was a two meter gap between them, at which point it stopped. The strange force that had immobilized the soul began to move and gently moved the soul from the figure’s palm, through the door gap, and into the room behind. Once the soul arrived in the room the doors began to close and the force immobilizing it disappeared.
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‘What a pretty woman.’ Was the first thought the soul had upon entering the room. Catching sight of a woman standing in the room. She had a poise and elegant bearing with a hint of seduction. She looked Asian and wore a pure white cheongsam with patterned jade embroidery. No makeup adorned her face except for on her luscious red lips. They shined like fresh blood and drew ones gaze towards them.
The beautiful woman looked over at the soul that had just entered with a glance and her eyes flashed with light for an instant before returning her gaze to the only other soul in the room. This soul was similar to the other souls that were once in line with the one armed soul that had just entered. Except for two unique differences. This soul had distinct facial features, the appearance was of a regal middle aged man with a chiseled jaw, the soul also gave off the faintest golden glow.
The woman opened her lips to speak to the soul besides, while the newly entered soul continued to stare at the woman's lips.
“Due to the great merit and karma you have accumulated I will allow you to reincarnate into a peaceful world as you so desired in your last life.” The soul gave a slight nod as if in response to the woman.
With a wave of the woman’s hand the soul was moved away to the side, next to a small stand with a vase on top, in the middle of a few concentric circles made out of symbols that resembled those on the spear of the armored figure, except it was many more times complex and mysterious. In fact the one armed soul had to remove its gaze from it as he started to feel dizzy.
‘I feel like I’ve got a migraine, ugh. But this is awesome, reincarnation, different worlds! Could that be a legendary array formation on the ground!’ The soul thought excitedly.
‘I wonder how I can understand the woman though. I’ve definitely never heard that language before but I immediately understood what she said, how strange!’ The soul began to wonder about what kind of world he would get to reincarnate into while staring at what was happening to the other soul within the array.
The array gave off a faint white light as the space around the array, about 10 meters in width, began to fluctuate and a transparent dome arose around the formation. The woman then waved her fingers around as circular portals began to appear within the formation. The woman continued wavering her fingers as portals appeared and disappeared until only four remained.
Three of the portals gave of a gentle white light that led to a void wile the other one gave off a steady green light. Half of the lights were getting transparent as time passed and other half were becoming corporeal.
Looking at the portals for a second, the woman came to a decision and then proceeded to wave her fingers again causing the vase besides the soul to give off a light, a cloud appeared from the vase and settled atop the regal looking soul. The cloud began to let a light rain that fell onto the soul.
After only a few moments the cloud stopped and returned to the vase.
‘Could that be…’ The one armed soul noticed the changes to the soul in the array immediately.
The soul had lost its facial features and the faint golden glow it once had became almost unnoticeable.
‘Probably some sort of cleansing or memory wipe. I almost forgot about something like this. What's the point then.’ The soul thought forlornly as it continued to watch the show within the array.
After the cloud returned to the vase, the lady waved her had and the soul entered into the rightmost portal that gave off a green light, disappearing within. The lady then clapped her hands causing the portals to disappear and light of the formation to recede, everything returning to normal.
Turning toward the only soul remaining in the room, the woman smiled slightly and raised her hand causing the soul to quickly drift towards her, stopping two meters in front of her. The woman began to speak.
“How interesting, it has been a bit over a thousand years since the last soul I saw that had a completely natural mutation like yours. It appears you have only gained a simple strengthening and purification of your soul, which is about average.” The woman spoke to the soul who was now digesting this information.
“However, it seems that your soul has also gained the unique property to ignore outside influences. Which puts you at above average I suppose. Now what should I do with you?” The woman touched her finger to her lips thinking, while staring at the soul.
Hearing this the soul began to wave its one arm around and speak inwardly in an attempt to communicate with the woman.
‘Please madam let me reincarnate with my memories into a fantasy world, p-preferably some sort of cultivation world. This h-humble one would be forever grateful if you could grant this request.’ The soul shouted inwardly hoping the woman could understand himself. The soul continued to nervously make pleading gestures with its arm.
Seeing this the woman smiled and waved her hand in the manner of shooing away a stray dog, before replying. “Considering that you don’t have much positive karma you don't qualify for any special treatment, but at you have no negative karma which is good, plus the fact that you are a mutated soul gives me some leeway in deciding, oh and most importantly of all… I’m in a good mood. So I don’t mind letting you to reincarnate into a world of cultivation!”
The soul became giddy with excitement upon hearing the lady's words. If the soul was able to it, would probably kowtow to the woman at this point.
‘Thank you! Thank you! You’re the best! Oh beautiful goddess!’ The soul exclaimed.
“Well don't get too excited. You are far, far, far from qualified from being able to keep or awaken your memories.” Replied the lady to cool down the soul’s excitement.
‘Eh!’
“Though considering your soul's unique property it may not be impossible for you to retain a memory or two after being cleansed.” The lady said to the stunned soul.
‘B-but…’
“That’s enough of that.” Said the woman waving her hand causing the soul to float over next to the stand in the center of the array formation. The formation then activated with a burst of light.
“Don’t worry too much I'll try to give you a bit of providence.” Said the woman as she started waving her fingers around and numerous portals of different colors began to appear and disappear. Shortly, five portals appeared in front of the soul.
Three of the portals gave of a white light, while one gave off a while light with a tinge of green, and the other gave off a strong green light. The woman looked at the portal that gave off the strong green light for a moment.
“How would you feel about being reborn as a beast?” The woman proposed a question to the soul.
Startled the soul quickly shook its head. ‘No no please keep me as at least resembling a human!’
“Oh well next best it is then.” Glancing at the white portal with a tinge of green, the lady started to wave her fingers but was interrupted.
“BANG! BANG!” Came a noise from the large doors causing lady to frown and stop.
She wove her hand causing the giant doors to fly open to reveal what was on the other side.
Standing there were two figures one looked like it was the same armored figure that previously brought in the one armed soul. Except now it appeared to be disintegrating and falling apart rapidly as it just stood there. In front of the armored figure was another soul.
This soul was vastly different from the one armed or other souls. This soul looked exactly like a human girl. One wouldn't of been able to tell it was a soul apart from the ethereal strong golden glow she was giving off, along with an exquisite jade necklace that could be seen within the girl giving of a strong light. It was this light and golden glow the girl radiated that was fighting against a pitch black and ominous mist that was crawling over the girl hiding part of her features.
Seeing this, a frown appeared of the lady’s face, as she just stood there concentrating on observing the girl and black mist with her eyes giving off a glow. As she was observing the girl, the girl was stumbling forward into the room like a puppet.
After observing for a few more breaths of time the lady teleported in front of the girl, her hand glowing with a blue light as she reached out to grab the girl’s shoulder that was currently free from the black mist.
As she reached out, the black mist seemed to have its own will as it, quick as lightning, reached for the lady's hand. The lady, frightened, retract her hand but the mist was to fast and ignored the glow her hand was giving off and lightly touched her fingers before she was able to retreat.
Retreating the lady looked at her hand then as if realizing something, she became horrified. A sword suddenly appear in her hand as she chopped off her other hand without hesitation.
Strangely no blood appeared.
The sword then disappeared and was replaced with a jade bottle that contained a few small round pills. She promptly popped one of the pills into her mouth as she teleport further from the girl, who was still stumbling into the room.
The one armed soul in the formation noticed what happened and just stood there dumbfounded and confused. The soul looked at the beautiful lady who had stopped retreating, who closed her eyes for a second and regulated her breathing. Quickly opening her eyes a jade slip appeared in her hand that was brought to her forehead.
At this moment a rumble spread throughout the world and space shook followed by a voice that reached every being within.
"WHERE IS MY DAUGHTER!!! MENG SHI! BRING ME MY DAUGHTER!" The imposing and furious voice echoed throughout the world.
"JI RUXI ARE YOU INSANE! DO YOU REALIZE WHAT YOU ARE DOING!" Came another voice in response, just as imposing.
Hearing these voices the lady hurriedly put away the jade slip in her hand and stared at the glowing golden girl in surprise. The beautiful lady then disappeared from the room completely. Leaving only the one armed soul dumbfounded in the array and the golden girl stumbling in the room in his direction.
‘What in the world is going on?’ Asked the soul to himself staring at the girl stumbling towards him.
‘Could she be the daughter that voice roared about….’ The souls thoughts were churning.
‘Maybe I can charm this girl, get some super connections, and score an even better reincarnation!’ Thought the soul to itself, not really believing in its own reasoning.
‘Might as well give it a shot.’ The soul then raised its hand in greeting.
‘Hey beautiful, how are you?’ Said the soul trying to transmit its thought to the girl.
The girl showed no reaction to the soul’s antics. The soul continued trying to communicate with the stumbling girl, while rumbling could still be felt throughout the world.
The soul ceased its attempts of communication when the girl she came before the array formation and the black mist rapidly corroded a hole in the transparent dome. Slowly making its way into the array and towards the soul in the middle.
‘Oh… this doesn't seem good.’ Seeing the situation the soul turned back around to look at the portals.
‘Wait this is my chance! I can just enter the portal now without that cloud raining on me and I might get to keep my memories.’ The soul became excited.
‘Well, if I keep my memories, reincarnating as a beast might not be so bad.’ Thought the soul staring at the portal giving off the green light. However, after a moment of thought the soul shook its head and turned to the portal with only a little green light being given off.
‘I would still rather be a human even if my providence or whatever is a bit less.’
‘It's all or nothing now! Lets do this!’ The soul began to hype itself for its imminent departure, but another change happened within the array.
‘What now!’ Cried the soul.
The girl had now made it completely in the formation and was stumbling forward, when the array came to life again and portals began to appear everywhere within the array, coming and going rapidly, not slowing down. All sorts of different colored portals appeared and disappeared.
‘All these colors! I guess green was trash. There’s a gold one! That one must be awesome! Oh the red looks good too!’ Amazed by what he was seeing the soul was distracted momentarily before quickly turning back and glancing at the girl coming closer.
‘This girl is my lucky charm! What a jackpot!’ The soul felt overwhelmed by everything that happened in such a short period of time.
Gathering himself the soul resolved itself to go through one of the portals that were flashing by, before the girl got any closer.
‘I need to avoid those black portals at all costs.’ Even a moron could tell that the portals giving off a black light offered no good future.
‘Ignore the white ones. Anything else is game, but those gold and red portals are my only real choice. It’s do or die!’ The soul began to utilize all its concentration to prepare and launch itself towards a portal in an instant. Ignoring the girl getting closer to him, only observing the portals flashing by.
‘Gold!’
Seeing a glimpse of gold flash into existence near him he sprung forward at his fastest speed heading right for it. However when the one armed soul was less than a meter from the portal, the portal began to disappear and was replaced with a portal emitting a black light.
‘AHHHH!’ Screaming to himself in terror the soul knew he wouldn't be able to stop his momentum. Willing himself to the side with all the strength he could muster, he launched himself toward the next portal over. This portal was emitting a purple light, it had appeared just after the gold portal had come about.
‘Please reach!’ The soul stretched its arm out to reach the purple portal as quickly as it could. His translucent palm luckily managed to reach and touch the portal before any more changes occurred. The soul then felt a force pull and suck itself through the portal.
‘Yes! Haha purple should be pretty good right?!’ This was the last thought the soul had as it was sucked into the void of the portal giving of a purple light.
Upon entering the portal the soul felt lethargic and entered a deep slumber.