Once the list for the Reincarnation Platform was announced, the selected ghosts were gathered. Their identities were verified one by one, and Soul-Guiding Tablets were channeled into their bodies.
Ah Jiao watched as an Underworld messenger struck a dark yellow tablet into her form. Her body jolted at the impact.
She had heard that for those chosen for this cycle, one year spent in reincarnation could offset one year of their sentence in the pits of punishment. It was an incredibly worthy trade—after all, how wonderful it was to be human!
By today, the area surrounding the Reincarnation Platform had been cleared of all bystanders.
Yun He stood upon the platform, his face flushed with excitement. For this trial, two hundred Underworld messengers had been selected to monitor the ghosts, and two magistrates had been appointed to oversee those messengers. He had overheard his parents discussing it at home; they were certain Shen Zhi would be chosen as a reward from the two Divine Sovereigns for his years of tireless service. What Yun He hadn't expected was that he would be chosen as well, despite his father’s futile objections.
Ghost Emperor Fei Kang looked at his foolish son, whose eyes were crinkled into slits from grinning so wide, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
The lifespans of the Ghost Race were vast, making it exceptionally difficult for them to produce offspring. In the past millennium, Yun He was the only child born to their race. Although Fei Kang had secured a magistrate’s position for him, he knew all too well that his son was of mixed heritage—half-ghost and half-human. Even after a thousand years of cultivation, Yun He had been unable to achieve a complete ghost form. This had always been a source of great anxiety for Fei Kang. The two Divine Sovereigns had examined the boy and confirmed his three hun and seven po souls were intact; theoretically, by following ancient techniques, he should have been able to shed his half-human nature and become a Ghost Deity. Who knew why he hadn't succeeded? Perhaps the boy simply didn't work hard enough, or perhaps there was some other cause.
Fei Kang rubbed the bridge of his nose. Lord Yama’s intention this time was to wait until the Reincarnation Platform stabilized and then send Yun He to the mortal realm, allowing him to experience the death of a human body as a catalyst. However, Fei Kang was truly worried; he didn't know if this platform could live up to his expectations.
***
Ah Jiao noticed that although the ghosts around her were glowing with anticipation, none dared to speak out of turn. She suppressed her own inner excitement, not daring to act rashly.
Shen Zhi placed a Soul-Soothening Bell beside the platform. After receiving a nod of approval from the two Divine Sovereigns, Lord Yan and Lord Yama, he stepped forward and struck the bell.
Wen Shu then stepped out and announced in a clear, resonant voice, "The completion of the Reincarnation Platform today is a joyous occasion for all of the Underworld. However, as the platform is newly formed, its effects and functions are not yet fully determined. Therefore, by the decree of the two Divine Sovereigns, two thousand ghosts have been specially selected for this trial. To ensure proper management, the Underworld has decided that each messenger will oversee ten ghosts, with Magistrates Shen Zhi and Yun He commanding the operation."
"We obey the command!" the Underworld messengers shouted, their voices filled with excitement.
"Next, I shall announce the assignments. Messengers, come forward to claim your tablets as your names are called. Min Ge, you shall watch over these ten..."
Ah Jiao listened intently from below the stage. The messenger responsible for her was named Yuan灯 (Yuan Deng). He was thin and small of stature, but Ah Jiao did not dare look down on him; after all, one could never judge the denizens of the Underworld by their appearances.
Once all the messengers had claimed their tablets, the reincarnation process began immediately.
Ah Jiao looked at the dense crowd of great deities standing on the platform—most of whom she did not recognize. She had expected them to give long speeches one by one, but the proceedings started the moment the roll call ended. Indeed, the way the Underworld conducted business was quite different from the mortal realm.
While Ah Jiao was still trying to catch a glimpse of the rare and powerful deities on the stage, the scenery before her blurred. In the blink of an eye, she found herself standing directly in front of Messenger Yuan Deng.
Looking at the circle of ten people around her, she realized these were the ten ghosts under Yuan Deng’s charge.
"What's your name?" a female ghost beside her whispered, nudging her way closer to greet Ah Jiao.
"I..."
"Who gave you permission to speak!" Yuan Deng barked.
Ah Jiao immediately fell silent.
As one messenger led ten ghosts up onto the Reincarnation Platform, Yuan Deng led his group to wait at the base of the stairs.
It seemed it would be their turn soon. Ah Jiao felt her heart—which she thought no longer existed—thumping wildly in her chest.
As they drew closer to the platform, she realized it was much larger than it appeared from a distance. Ah Jiao estimated the Reincarnation Mirror to be about ten zhang wide, enough for ten people to walk through side-by-side with ease.
As the first group neared the platform, they suddenly grew hesitant. Seeing this, their messenger gave them a direct shove. The ghosts vanished into the brilliant light of the Reincarnation Platform.
A moment later, the messenger’s expression paled. He rushed toward Shen Zhi and whispered, "My Lord, six of them were shattered by the Reincarnation Mirror! Their souls have dispersed!"
Shen Zhi waved a hand, signaling Yuan Deng—who was just leading his group up the steps—to stop. He turned to the two Divine Sovereigns and reported, "My Lords, six out of the ten ghosts have had their souls dispersed by the shock. I believe it is unwise to continue the trial today."
Lord Yama sighed. "It seems my senior brother and I still overestimated these ghosts. The divine power we infused into the Reincarnation Mirror is still too heavy for these mortal spirits."
Lord Yan nodded. "Very well. Recall the remaining four and examine them thoroughly. As for the others, take them back. We shall try again tomorrow."
Standing on the steps, Ah Jiao realized that something must have gone wrong with the first group.
Lord Shen had already told her that this was the first trial of the Reincarnation Platform and carried immense risk. One might have their soul dispersed for any number of reasons. If that happened, they would truly be gone forever.
Fortunately, Lord Shen had secretly given her a jade pendant. According to him, it was a protective talisman infused with his spiritual power, capable of ensuring her three hun and seven po souls would not be annihilated in a moment of crisis. She had heard that as long as the souls weren't completely destroyed, they could be gathered back together even if they were scattered across the heavens and earth.
Just as Ah Jiao was bolstering her courage, she heard Shen Zhi announce from the platform: "Only one group will be tested today. All other messengers, escort your charges to the Heaven-tier Cells of the Soul-Hooking Department! Bring them back tomorrow to continue with the next group!"
The breath Ah Jiao had been holding deflated with a soft *pfft*.
***
