Aurelius and the others gathered around the screen, waiting for the final decision regarding his temporary residency in the underworld.
After a tense moment, the screen began to load, and then it displayed a message:
"Congratulations, Aurelius. You will be reincarnated in 1.5 million years."
The announcement stunned everyone. The usual maximum waiting period for reincarnation was 1,000 years, which was why they had withheld 1,000 merit points for residency. Reincarnation wasn't just a transition from death to new life; it also involved the control of space-time dao. This meant that even if a soul was sent now, it could travel through space and time to reincarnate.
The minister of reincarnation and the workers were visibly shocked by the lengthy timeframe. After regaining composure, the minister ordered an immediate check for any system interference or malfunctions.
Once they confirmed that there were no issues with the system, the minister reported the unprecedented situation to the higher authorities, seeking guidance on how to proceed.
Aurelius was then escorted to another room to wait for a decision from the higher-ups.
Sitting alone, Aurelius pondered the implications. "1.5 million years... That's an incredibly long wait. I don't have nearly enough funds to pay for residency for that duration."
"What should I do now? Even if they exempt me from the fees, I still need to plan for the future," he thought, his mind swirling with concern.
The minister entered the room, looking at Aurelius with a mixture of sympathy and resolve. "Aurelius, according to orders from His Majesty, there is no malfunction in the reincarnation mechanism. Since your residency time exceeds our usual expectations, you must pay for your stay before you can reincarnate."
"The King of Hell has decreed that you will receive basic residency plus as a resident. Please follow the guard, who will escort you to the imperial residential hall to receive your ID and documents."
Aurelius nodded and responded, "Please convey my gratitude to His Majesty for all the assistance."
With that, he followed the guard to arrange his residency, contemplating the long journey that lay ahead.
After traveling for a while, the carriage halted near the imperial residential hall. The guard gestured for Aurelius to follow, and they made their way towards the gate, where two guards stood watch. The accompanying guard approached them and presented the necessary documents to grant entry.
Aurelius and the guard proceeded directly to the minister's office within the hall. Upon reaching the office door, the guard motioned for Aurelius to enter alone, remaining outside as he did so.
Inside, Aurelius was greeted by an expansive room that exuded both grandeur and meticulous design. The walls were draped in rich tapestries, depicting scenes of ancient battles and celestial landscapes, their vibrant colors unlike any he had ever encountered. The floor was covered in an intricate mosaic, each tile contributing to a larger, mesmerizing pattern that seemed to shift subtly as he walked.
Elegant furniture was strategically placed throughout the room. A luxurious velvet settee with gold-trimmed cushions occupied one corner, inviting visitors to sit and reflect. A mahogany bookshelf, filled with ancient tomes and scrolls, stood against one wall, its contents hinting at vast knowledge and secrets of the underworld.
In the center of the room, near a large, arched window that overlooked a serene courtyard, was an imposing oak desk. The desk was polished to a mirror-like shine and was strewn with meticulously organized documents and quills of various sizes. Behind it sat a demon of dignified bearing, his eyes glowing faintly with an inner light. His horns were polished, and his attire—a richly embroidered robe—spoke of high status and authority.
Opposite the demon were two chairs, carved from dark wood and upholstered in deep blue fabric. They were positioned to face the desk, clearly intended for visitors who required serious discussion. Sunlight filtered through the window, casting an ethereal glow over the entire scene, and highlighting the meticulous craftsmanship of the room's decor.
As Aurelius entered, the minister looked up and rose from his seat. "You must be Aurelius," he said. "I've heard about your case. Please, take a seat. You can call me Mr. Lee."
"Greetings, Mr. Lee. How have you been?" Aurelius replied.
"Fine, thank you. I've received your documents and am aware of the issue with your residency timing," Mr. Lee responded. "According to the orders, you will be granted the status of Basic Resident Plus. You've already paid for 1,000 years, so you'll need to pay at least one merit point per year until your reincarnation."
"I understand and will proceed with it," Aurelius replied.
Mr. Lee nodded. Aurelius then asked, "Mr. Lee, could you explain the divisions of status?"
"Of course," Mr. Lee said. "The underworld is vast, with many status divisions. The first level is Basic Resident, followed by Basic Resident Plus, Basic Resident VIP, and Basic Resident Supreme. Once you reach Basic Resident Supreme, your status changes to Knight."
"The Knight status is divided into three levels: Junior Knight, Senior Knight, and Valor Knight. Upon reaching Valor Knight, you can choose between the Royal Path and the Warrior Path. You have a long time to consider your options."
"Thank you for the clarification," Aurelius said.
Mr. Lee continued, "I've reviewed your documents, and everything is in order. Here are your ID and documents indicating your legal residency in the underworld."
Aurelius received the ID, a square card with his photo and details on it.
"Now that you have your ID," Mr. Lee added, "you will be sent to Chile Town for your residency. As a Basic Resident Plus, you will receive a small house with furniture. Every city and town has a resident hall where you can pay for your residency."
"I understand. Thank you," Aurelius nodded.
"Alright, Aurelius, I wish you a great journey. I'll ask the guard who brought you here to escort you to the teleportation gate for transfer to Chile Town," Mr. Lee said.
Aurelius thanked Mr. Lee for all his help, stood up, and left the room, finding the guards waiting outside.
After meeting with the guard, he informed Aurelius, "I have already received the order. I will now escort you to the teleportation gate."
Aurelius nodded, and both he and the guard boarded a carriage that would take them to the teleportation gate. As the carriage moved, Aurelius turned to the guard and asked, "Sir, do you know any ways to earn merit points?"
The guard glanced at him and responded, "There are many ways to earn merit points, such as through business, entertainment, working as a laborer, alchemy, formation mastery, beast taming, blacksmithing, and others. However, the most efficient way for newcomers is through the mission hall."
He continued, "Every city and town has a mission hall with various tasks posted. Completing these tasks will earn you the specified merit points. It is one of the fastest ways to get promoted, but many avoid it due to the danger and high fatality rates."
Aurelius considered the advice, thinking, "The mission hall... I'll need to check it out before deciding my path."
After a while, the carriage reached the imposing structure of the teleportation gate. The guard guided Aurelius to the entrance, where he handed over the documents that granted Aurelius a one-time pass to Chile Town. The gate guards scrutinized the papers, their expressions stern but efficient. After a moment, they nodded and stepped aside, granting him access.
Aurelius stepped through the ornate archway into the teleportation chamber. The air inside was thick with a palpable, humming energy. Intricate runes adorned the walls and floor, glowing softly with an otherworldly light. As he positioned himself at the center of the teleportation circle, he could feel the power thrumming beneath his feet, resonating with an ancient, mysterious force.
Suddenly, the runes flared to life, casting the chamber in a brilliant, shimmering glow. The air crackled with static, and Aurelius felt a rush of energy surge through him. It was as if every molecule in his body was being lifted and rearranged. There was a sensation of weightlessness, of being stretched and compressed simultaneously.
In a heartbeat, the world around him blurred and twisted. The chamber, the guards, the teleportation gate—all dissolved into a kaleidoscope of colors and lights. It was a disorienting, exhilarating experience, like being swept through a cosmic whirlpool.
Then, just as abruptly, it was over. The kaleidoscope of lights faded, and Aurelius found himself standing in a new location. The air was different, fresher, and the sounds of a bustling town reached his ears. He had arrived in Chile Town, his new temporary home in the underworld.