As Gu Chuan completed the transformation of the Six Paths World, the entire Prehistoric World trembled violently. At this moment, the Serpent Path of the Underworld was filled with densely packed dead from all heavens and myriad worlds.
After the order of the heavens and myriad worlds was restored, these dead souls also arrived at the Underworld, passing through the Gate of the Underworld.
They were seen lining up in long queues, waiting one by one at the Hall of King Yama.
The Three-Eyed Demon Monkey, also known as the Judge of the Underworld, stared coldly at the dead. Its three eyes glowed with terrifying light, as if it could pierce through the truth and reality of countless souls.
"You are ordinary beings with little karma. You may be reincarnated. As for which world you'll enter, King Yama will make the decision."
"You there—your karma is too heavy. You cannot pass through the Samsara Channel. You shall enter the Hungry Ghost Path, where you will be tormented endlessly until your karma is reduced enough to allow passage through the Samsara Channel."
"And you—you are exceptional. It seems you have accumulated great merit and performed many good deeds. You may choose to retain your memories and enter the Asura Path, or have your memories erased and reincarnate into the Heavens."
Thus, the Three-Eyed Demon Monkey judged the dead.
Clatter~~
It was seen producing billions of clones—each strand of its hair spawning hundreds of millions. Countless Underworld Judges were scattered throughout the Underworld, constantly judging the karma of the dead and determining which world they should be sent to.
But this was only the first stage of screening, meant to distinguish between evil spirits of heavy karma, those of great merit, and those with little karma. The second stage of screening belonged to King Yama Vajra Demon Pig.
Based on the deeds and merits of the dead in their previous lives, King Yama Vajra Demon Pig would send them to one of the Six Paths.
Thus, countless souls entered the Six Paths of Reincarnation in an orderly manner under the judgment of the Underworld Judge and King Yama.
As time passed, some were sent into the Hungry Ghost Path, others to the Asura Path, but most crossed the Bridge of Helplessness into the Six Paths of Reincarnation.
That was where the Gloomy Cat resided.
"What… what is this place?" one of the dead asked, eyes wide. It was his first time witnessing such a scene. His mind was blank, not knowing what had just happened.
"This is the place of the Six Paths of Reincarnation, where all living beings undergo the endless cycle of rebirth," said the Gloomy Cat.
"Look, there's a rock—no, a mirror! My god, what is this? It seems to show the memory of my entire life!"
A soul screamed in shock.
Other dead souls quickly gathered around. As they stood before the stone, they saw it displaying all the events of their life—everything they had experienced, even things they had long forgotten.
Before them stood the Three Lives Stone.
"Don't stare too long. That's the Three Lives Stone. It reveals your memories from past and present lives," the Gloomy Cat explained.
In truth, the true power of the Three Lives Stone was not just to display memories, but to penetrate the deepest recesses of the soul. Even a Chaos Demon God could not hide their secrets before it. All memories were recorded and copied within the stone.
But for now, this was the first Samsara. All these dead had no past lives—only their current one.
As reincarnation repeated, the Three Lives Stone would accumulate more memories and reveal even the past and present lives with divine clarity.
What?!
The dead turned pale. Every being had memories buried deep in their heart—taboo memories they never wished revealed.
But now, standing before the Three Lives Stone, everything was exposed. What a terrifying Magic Treasure!
"Enough chatter. Drink this Yellow Springs Soup. You will forget all memories of this life and proceed to reincarnation," the Gloomy Cat said indifferently.
It held a bowl of soup in its paw. The soup looked dreadful—dark like tar, bubbling ominously. Yet despite its appearance, it gave off a faint, alluring fragrance, as if containing boundless mystery.
A paradoxical blend of horror and temptation.
"Forget all memories? No! I don't want to forget! What kind of nonsense is this Yellow Springs Soup?! I won't drink it!" the soul screamed in terror.
"That's not your choice," the Gloomy Cat narrowed its eyes.
Clatter~~
Suddenly, hooks and blades shot from below, entangling the dead souls. A sharp copper pipe pierced each of their throats, and bowls of Yellow Springs Soup floated toward them. One by one, the soup was forcibly poured into their mouths. No soul was spared.
"Th-this…!"
As they drank the Yellow Springs Soup, their bodies underwent a dramatic change. Their memories were wiped clean—formatted like a blank slate. Not just memories, but all their powers were erased.
Their forms then shrank and transformed into infant souls, no larger than a fist.
These baby-like souls radiated a holy white light—pure, ignorant, like a blank page.
"So this is what a newborn soul looks like?" the Gloomy Cat blinked curiously. It was the first time it had seen this process in action.
The Yellow Springs Soup had purified them completely, returning them to their original soul state. However, each soul remained unique, carrying with it different innate talents.
It was clear that once reborn, each would possess different potentials.
Clatter~~
With a wave of its paw, the Gloomy Cat sent the purified souls into the Samsara Light Sphere.
Within the light sphere, countless Samsara Channels appeared, connecting the Human Path, the Heavenly Path, and the Animal Path of the Prehistoric World.
These souls would be reborn into one of the paths, returning once again to the cycle of life and death.
"Interesting…"
From deep within the void, Gu Chuan watched.
Through this process of soul purification and rebirth, he sensed the profound powers of Time and Space, Life and Death, Samsara, and the Six Paths.
At that moment, endless truths of the Dao Laws surged into the sea of his consciousness, stirring great insight and comprehension within him.