"Chronicles of Transcendent Rebirth." The title alone resonated with an aura of profound wisdom and ancient knowledge, marking it as a comprehensive guide on the intricate process of reincarnation. With a mixture of anticipation and reverence, Aurelius gently opened the book, only to find its pages filled with text in an unfamiliar script.
The language was unlike any he had encountered before, its characters twisting and turning in a way that seemed to defy the very principles of written communication. It was the language of the underworld, a complex and ancient tongue beyond his comprehension.
Aurelius felt a pang of frustration, but before it could take root, he remembered the token given to him by the library's guardian. The guardian, wise and perceptive, had anticipated this very challenge. As Aurelius held the token in his hand, it began to glow with an ethereal light, casting a soft, otherworldly glow over the pages of the book.
To his astonishment, the once indecipherable script began to shift and transform. The complex characters morphed into familiar letters, rearranging themselves into coherent English words right before his eyes. Aurelius watched in awe as the text settled into a language he could understand.
With renewed determination, Aurelius delved into the guide, absorbing its detailed accounts of the reincarnation process.
Reincarnation, at its essence, is the transition into a new life. When a soul departs the mortal realm and is taken to the underworld, it embarks on a transformative journey. Initially, the soul must pass through the first floor, a place where it sheds its resentment and negative energy, purging itself of the burdens it carried in life.
Once cleansed, the soul ascends to face judgment by the lords of the underworld. From the second floor to the eighth, the soul confronts the consequences of the sins committed during its lifetime. This process is rigorous and exacting, designed to ensure that every misdeed is accounted for and atoned.
After enduring this series of judgments and paying for their sins, the soul is presented with a pivotal choice: to remain in the underworld as a resident or to seek reincarnation. This decision is monumental, shaping the soul's destiny for the foreseeable future.
For those who choose reincarnation, the journey continues to the Reincarnation Hall. Here, the soul is meticulously evaluated on several criteria, including race, lifespan, gender, and other characteristics that will define its new existence. This thorough assessment ensures that the reincarnation aligns with the soul's karmic balance and the lessons it must learn.
Once the soul's future form is determined, it is given a specific timeframe to wait before it can reincarnate. This period allows for the cosmic energies to realign and prepare for the soul's return to the mortal world. Importantly, after the judgment in the Reincarnation Hall, the choice to reincarnate becomes irrevocable. The soul can no longer opt to remain a resident of the underworld, committing fully to its new journey ahead.
After delving into the profound knowledge of "Chronicles of Transcendent Rebirth," Aurelius felt a deeper understanding of the reincarnation process. Hungry for more information, he reached for another book that caught his eye, titled "Things to Note While Selecting Your Destiny."
The cover of this second book was striking, designed to evoke curiosity and contemplation. Bound in a rich, dark leather, it featured intricate gold leaf designs that traced the outline of a vast cosmic tree. The tree's roots spread deeply into the ground, symbolizing the soul's connection to past lives, while its branches reached skyward, representing the potential paths of future destinies. Scattered among the branches were small, luminescent orbs, each one glowing softly as if containing the essence of countless possibilities.
Aurelius carefully opened the book, feeling the weight of its significance. Inside, the pages were filled with elegant, flowing script, each word meticulously crafted to guide souls in making informed choices about their next life.
The book, titled "Things to Note While Selecting Your Destiny," provided a wealth of crucial information for anyone about to embark on the journey of reincarnation. As Aurelius began to read, he was immediately struck by the practical and detailed advice it offered.
The text explained that selecting one's destiny required merit points, emphasizing the importance of using each point wisely. "Every merit point is precious," the book warned, urging careful consideration of all available options.
Before any selections could be made, the book stated, 1,000 merit points would be withheld to secure a basic resident status. This withheld amount would be returned after the destiny was selected. Depending on the time required before reincarnation, some of these points might be deducted, with the remainder returned to the soul.
For those born in the mortal realm, there were two primary options: to reincarnate into either the mortal realm or the spiritual realm. Choosing the mortal realm required no additional merit points. However, selecting the spiritual realm came at a steep cost of 2,000 merit points.
As Aurelius read about the 2,000 merit point cost, he was taken aback. "What is the spiritual realm?" he wondered aloud, puzzled by the concept. His curiosity piqued, he began searching for another book to clarify this mysterious option.
As Aurelius searched the shelves for a book that could explain the meaning of the spiritual realm, he moved through the vast library with purpose. The glow of the guardian's token illuminated the spines of countless volumes, each promising untold wisdom. Finally, in a secluded corner, his eyes fell upon a book with a title that caught his attention: "Intricacies of the Spiritual Realm."
The book itself was a work of art, bound in a rich, dark blue leather that shimmered with an almost otherworldly luminescence. The cover was embossed with intricate gold patterns that seemed to shift and change as the light hit them, forming delicate celestial designs and arcane symbols. In the center, the title was written in an elegant script that exuded a sense of mystery and depth.
With a sense of anticipation, Aurelius carefully opened the book. The pages were made of a fine, almost translucent material, each one filled with text and illustrations that seemed to come alive as he read.
As Aurelius delved into the "Intricacies of the Spiritual Realm," he was shocked beyond words. The true nature of the universe, known as the Heavenly Chaos Universe, unfolded before him, revealing a grand tapestry far more complex and wondrous than he had ever imagined. He learned that after a cataclysmic war in the distant past, the universe was divided into three distinct realms: the Spiritual Realm, the Celestial Realm, and the Primordial Realm.
In the Spiritual Realm, inhabitants could cultivate and transcend their mortal limits, attaining powers that allowed them to reshape heaven and earth. These beings enjoyed lifespans that bordered on immortality, their existence marked by continuous growth and enlightenment. The realm was not limited to humans alone; it teemed with a myriad of species, including elves, dragons, phoenixes, celestials, and many other mythical beings. Each species brought its own unique strengths and wisdom to this vibrant, dynamic world.
Aurelius was awestruck by the descriptions of the Spiritual Realm's vast landscapes, where cities floated among the clouds, ancient forests whispered secrets of old, and mountains reached beyond the skies. The realm's societies were built upon principles of harmony, cultivation, and the pursuit of higher knowledge. Here, beings of incredible power and wisdom guided the less enlightened on their paths to transcendence.
As he calmed the initial shock, a wave of excitement washed over him. The universe was far grander and more intricate than he had ever conceived. The possibilities seemed endless, each more thrilling than the last. The Spiritual Realm offered a chance not only to live but to thrive in a world where his potential could be fully realized.
Eager to understand how this newfound knowledge would affect his future choices, Aurelius returned to the book "Things to Note While Selecting Your Destiny." The excitement of discovering the vastness of the universe fueled his curiosity, driving him to learn more about the choices he would soon make.
After understanding the essence of the spiritual realm, Aurelius couldn't contain his excitement. "The spiritual realm sounds thrilling," he thought. "Even though it costs a lot, it would be better to go to a bigger and wider world than stay in the mortal plane."
With his decision firm, he continued reading the book, which then delved into the various races inhabiting the spiritual realm. Aurelius learned that he had the right to choose the race into which he could be reborn, each with a corresponding cost in merit points.
He looked through the myriad of races listed in the book, noting the merit points required for each:
- Royal Elves - 4000
- Warrior Elves - 2500
- Commoner Elves - 1000
....
- Ancient Dragon - 4000
- Gold Dragon - 3000
- Red, White, Blue, Green Dragons - 2500
...
- Ancient Phoenix - 4000
- God Phoenix - 3000
- Nether Phoenix - 2500
...
- Nine-Tailed Fox - 4000
....
- Celestial - 4000
....
- Divine - 4000
.....
....
- Human - 500
As he scanned the list, his eyes widened when he saw that humans cost only 500 merit points. His jaw dropped. "So, humans aren't even worth as much as commoner elves," he thought, feeling a mix of surprise and dismay.
He sighed, contemplating the imposing but costly races. "I could just choose the human race and then select a good talent so that I won't be left behind. This way, I can conserve my merit points for other crucial choices," he reasoned.