Leopold stood at the center of his library, the soft hum of the system interface resonating in the stillness. The Afterlife Template floated before him, its glowing design a masterpiece of interwoven energy and purpose. Every layer, from the Judgment Halls to the Cycle of Reincarnation, pulsed faintly, waiting for activation.
Faye floated nearby, her crimson eyes flickering between the template and Leopold. Her teasing smile was absent, replaced by a quiet respect for the gravity of the moment.
"Well, Master Leo," she said softly, adjusting her glasses.
"The stage is set. Are you ready to bring this to life?"
Leopold took a deep breath, his gaze steady.
"It's not just about bringing it to life. This is a cornerstone of the world—a system that will shape how every being views life and death. It needs to be perfect."
Faye tilted her head, her tone laced with warmth. "Nothing is ever perfect. But this? This is extraordinary."
Leopold allowed himself a small smile. "Then let's see if the world agrees."
With a decisive motion, Leopold swiped his hand across the interface. The library's light dimmed as the Afterlife Template pulsed with energy, its design expanding outward into the ether. Golden streams of qi spiraled upward, converging into a brilliant nexus that pulsed like a heartbeat.
The energy cascaded through the library, illuminating the shelves and books with an otherworldly glow. Outside, the projection of the world flickered to life, displaying a ripple of golden light spreading across the continents.
"Watch," Leopold said, his voice low but commanding.
The ripple reached the uninhabited continent first, where the serpent coiled at its sanctuary. The massive beast stirred, its golden eyes flickering with awareness as the qi in the air shifted. Further away, spirit beasts paused mid-hunt, their instincts momentarily overwhelmed by the presence of something new—something beyond their understanding.
On the Qiari continent, the tribes carried on their lives, unaware of the profound change taking shape. Yet the air around them seemed lighter, charged with a subtle, unfamiliar energy. Deep beneath the surface, in places unseen, faint pathways began to form—gateways to the afterlife realms.
Leopold zoomed in on a remote forest, where a Qiari hunter lay still, his body surrounded by grieving tribemates. The man's soul, a faint silhouette of shimmering light, hovered above his lifeless form. For a moment, it hesitated, as though confused. Then, slowly, it was drawn upward, pulled by an invisible force.
The soul's journey ended at the newly formed Judgment Halls, where it floated before the glowing lotus. The guardians of judgment materialized, their featureless forms serene and imposing. The lotus pulsed, projecting a kaleidoscope of colors that represented the hunter's life—his virtues, his vices, his balance.
Leopold leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as he observed. "It's working," he murmured.
Faye, perched on the edge of his desk, smiled softly. "It's beautiful. The balance, the clarity... you've outdone yourself."
The hunter's soul, deemed virtuous, was guided upward to the Celestial Realms. A serene landscape unfolded, filled with golden light and tranquil energy. The soul's form grew faint as it merged with the environment, entering a state of rest.
Leopold leaned back, his gaze shifting from the projection to Faye.
"The afterlife exists now, but its presence will ripple through the living world. They'll feel it—even if they don't understand it at first."
Faye nodded, her crimson eyes thoughtful.
"They'll adapt. Philosophy, religion, art—it'll all grow from this. They'll wonder, theorize, and argue. Some will strive to earn a place in the Celestial Realms, while others will fear the Infernal Realms. You've introduced hope and accountability in equal measure."
Leopold's smirk returned. "And conflict."
Faye adjusted her glasses, her teasing tone returning. "Of course. You wouldn't be you without stirring the pot a little."
Leopold walked toward a nearby alcove, where a plush armchair faced a glowing window that overlooked the world. He sat down, his gaze distant but contemplative.
"Life and death are no longer separate," he said.
"They're part of the same journey. Every action, every choice—it all has meaning now."
Faye floated beside him, her voice soft.
"And yet, there's still room for mystery. You've given them a framework, but the details? That's for them to discover."
Leopold nodded, his smirk fading into a faint smile. "That's the point. This isn't about control—it's about potential. Let them wonder. Let them grow."
As the golden glow of the afterlife settled into the world's fabric, Leopold leaned back, his expression calm but satisfied. The library hummed softly, a testament to the monumental creation he had just unleashed.
"This is only the beginning," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Faye adjusted her glasses, her crimson eyes sparkling. "It always is."
The library's light dimmed slightly as the system returned to its quiet rhythm, the Afterlife Template now an integral part of the world. And for the first time in a long while, Leopold allowed himself to simply sit, watching the world turn as the seeds of his creation began to take root.
Leopold reclined in his chair, his eyes fixed on the glowing map of his world projected before him. The Qiari tribes were bustling with activity, their cultivation-focused societies evolving steadily. The Nykara, with their feline grace and clever ingenuity, had already begun shaping their own intricate culture. Even the spirit beasts, scattered across the uninhabited lands, were growing into unique and dynamic forces.
And yet, Leopold felt a pang of restlessness.
"It's all so… predictable," he muttered, drumming his fingers on the armrest. The library's golden light flickered faintly as though echoing his mood.
Faye, perched on the corner of his desk with her legs swinging, tilted her head.
"Predictable? Master Leo, you've created a world with warring Qiari tribes, scheming Nykara, and a serpent rewriting the rules of cultivation. How is that not enough chaos for you?"
Leopold glanced at her, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
"Chaos is entertaining, but it's starting to feel… contained. The Qiari are too entrenched in their elemental philosophies, and the Nykara are too isolated. They're evolving, yes, but it's linear."
Faye adjusted her glasses, her crimson eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Ah, so you want a wildcard. Something to shake things up."
Leopold leaned forward, his fingers steepled as he studied the map.
"Not just a wildcard. A foundation. Something adaptable, ambitious—capable of thriving in any environment."
The projection shifted as Leopold swiped his hand, zooming in on one of the uninhabited continents. Vast and untamed, it was a tapestry of dense forests, sprawling plains, and jagged mountains. Rivers glinted like silver veins, and qi-rich zones pulsed faintly, untouched by sentient hands.
"This," Leopold said, gesturing at the continent, "is wasted potential. It's rich, diverse, and entirely unclaimed. The perfect starting point for a new race."
Faye leaned closer, her lips curling into a teasing smile.
"Let me guess. You're thinking about humans."
Leopold arched a brow. "You don't sound surprised."
"Oh, please," Faye said, waving a hand.
"You've been circling the idea for ages. Humans are the quintessential creators' pet. Versatile, curious, endlessly adaptable. You can't resist them."
Leopold chuckled softly. "Maybe so. But they're more than that. Humans bring unpredictability—not because they're chaotic, but because they're driven. Ambition, creativity, survival instinct—they embody all of it."
Leopold swiped the air again, summoning a blank template for a new race. The interface shimmered, ready for his input.
"Humans," he said, his tone firm.
"Not defined by a single element or philosophy. Instead, their strength lies in their adaptability—their ability to learn, grow, and innovate."
Faye clapped her hands together, her teasing smile softening into genuine curiosity.
"Well, Master Leo, I have to admit—I'm intrigued. What's the plan? Will they start as primitive tribes, or are you giving them a head start with some advanced culture?"
Leopold leaned back, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.
"Primitive. Let them figure it out on their own. I want to see how they evolve, how they interact with their environment and each other."
Faye grinned. "And how they handle the spirit beasts you so generously scattered across their land."
Leopold's smirk deepened. "Exactly."
The library hummed softly as Leopold saved the blank template, readying it for the detailed design phase. The glowing map returned to its idle state, the uninhabited continent gleaming faintly in the corner.
Faye adjusted her glasses, her crimson eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Humans, huh? I can already see them stirring up trouble. Are you sure you're ready for the headache they'll bring?"
Leopold chuckled, his tone laced with anticipation. "Trouble is exactly what this world needs."
The library's golden light brightened slightly as Leopold leaned back, his gaze fixed on the projection. The first spark of a new race had been lit, and the possibilities were endless.