Chapter 1036: Chapter 72: Reincarnation and Level 1 Newcomers

“In cities and villages of the mortal world, each has a ‘population limit’ dictated by its destiny,” the Judge patiently explained, tapping a few times on the stone plate. The detailed data of Luoyang Town instantly surfaced, “As long as the current actual population hasn’t reached the limit, there will be ‘slots’ available for souls to be reincarnated. See here—”

Luoyang Town (Third-level Town): Current Population 4791 / Limit 5000.

Available Reincarnation Slots: 209 people.

“Over two hundred slots, more than enough.” The Judge smiled.

Xiao Jie was suddenly speechless, well, he indeed overthought it. After all, this is a game-rule-driven world, reincarnation feels more like a “character initialization” and “data refresh” rather than a genuine life-birthing process. However, this spares many troubles; if they really had to grow from a baby, it would take decades.

“That’s for the best, let’s begin then.”

Receiving the order, the Judge’s withered fingers adeptly danced and pressed on the stone plate, like playing an ancient instrument. The map of the Nine States within the pool zoomed and located rapidly, finally presenting the detailed street layout of Luoyang Town clearly.

“All returning souls, please enter the Immortal Pool.” The Judge stepped aside, gesturing invitingly.

With excitement, anxiety, and anticipation, the souls assigned to Luoyang Town moved towards the ethereally glowing pool water, soon filling it completely.

The Judge seized the right moment, forcefully pressing the largest and most complex rune at the center of the stone plate!

In an instant, the tranquil pool water erupted violently, a strong whirlpool formed at the center, emitting a low humming. An irresistible gentle pull enveloped all souls within, swiftly dragging them into the deep pathway. After a series of bubbling water sounds, the water surface quickly returned to tranquility, and the dozen souls vanished without a trace.

Xiao Jie and other ghosts watched with strange expressions; how come this reincarnation process looks so familiar?

Meanwhile, in the mortal world, Luoyang Town—

In an ordinary civilian house, the air wavered slightly, a figure wearing coarse cloth slowly condensed and emerged.

I Don’t Eat Beef (Luoyang Town Commoner): Level 1. Life Value 110.

In the drill ground of the Defense Camp at Luoyang City, a halo flashed, a figure dressed in simple leather armor and holding a training wooden spear quietly appeared within the new recruits.

Ba Tian Kuanglong (Luoyang Town New Soldier): Level 1. Life Value 130.

In the market corner, behind the inn, next to the farm… similar scenes quietly played out all over Luoyang Town simultaneously. In the blink of an eye, all dozen souls reincarnated completely, refreshing in various corners of the town in adult forms, without exception, all becoming Level 1 NPC templates.

Through the water surface of the Rebirth Immortal Pool, Xiao Jie saw it all as clearly as watching a live image, clicking his tongue in amazement, “Once reincarnated, they fully integrate into this world’s reincarnation, no longer ‘returnees,’ but truly ‘local natives.’

As for leveling down to zero, he wasn’t worried. NPCs in this world can also fight monsters, train, and upgrade; he had already confirmed this through past interactions with NPCs. As long as Ba Tian Kuanglong and the others find a way to connect with Dragon Soaring, having the Dragon Soaring Guild as a backing ensures safety and development shouldn’t be a problem.

Next, it was the turn of Xiao Jie’s closest core companions: Han Luo, I Want to Seal the Sky, Ting Yu, Yuan Bai, as well as the original core team members like Jiu Jianxian, An Ran, Xia Yi the Unrivaled, Wentian Wuji, among others. With these deep bonds, experiences of life and death together, naturally required careful arrangements to choose the most stable and promising starting point.

Also making it convenient to take care of them in the future.

“Judge, I hope all these friends can be reincarnated to Ginkgo Village, is that possible?”

Ginkgo Village, as a newbie village, has low-level monsters for leveling and various NPCs teaching skills, making it the most suitable for newcomers’ growth.

“Let me check,” the Judge operated the stone plate again, bringing up Ginkgo Village’s data.

Ginkgo Village (First-level Village): Current Population 100 / Limit 100 people.

Population full!

“This…” Xiao Jie felt a bit troubled.

However, the Judge chuckled confidently, “No need to worry, Immortal, such a trivial matter is easily resolved by me. Just wonder, in this Ginkgo Village, are there any villagers you have poor relations with or wish them to ‘vacate’ their spots, preferably insignificant ones.

Or are there any you have good relations with and wish to avoid any ‘accidents’ happening to them?”

Xiao Jie immediately understood the intent, albeit feeling that this method was against the natural order, but for friends, he couldn’t care less. After all, they’re just NPCs.

He quickly excluded the ones he knew, like the village chief Master Huang, the Militia Captain Tie Qianli, the blacksmith Zhou Tong, and only checked off those villagers with no memory at all.

“Understood, Immortal’s intention is clear,” the Judge knowingly nodded, “It’s simple. Just select these targets and send ‘Impermanence Walker’ to perform Soul Hooking and Life Seeking. After all, who dares keep alive those whom King Yan decrees to die by three a.m.? Given today’s chaos in the world, the imbalance of yin and yang, a few unjust deaths mean little to the overall picture.”

He spoke lightly and then turned, addressing the shadowy corner of the hall with a deep and commanding Netherworld voice, “Impermanence Walkers, heed the command!”

In the shadow, two cold yin winds spun out, condensing into two tall, thin, and vigilant life-redeeming figures, bowing to receive their orders,

“Go to the mortal Ginkgo Village with the list as shown by the Immortal, extract the souls without error!”

The two shadows bowed again and then dispersed like smoke, passing through the hall to carry out the order. The whole process was silent, marked by an intimidatingly cool and detached demeanor.

In just a moment, the population data of Ginkgo Village displayed on the stone plate began to fluctuate downward, soon changing from 100/100 to 89/100, clearing exactly 11 slots.

“Immortal, the slots have been vacated. Moreover…” the Judge added with a meaningful hint, “If the Immortal desires, I can also ensure that the village chief, Master Huang, reaches his natural end. In such a case, a ‘village chief’s son’ slot can be created. Reincarnating there would allow one to seamlessly take over as village chief upon coming of age, greatly benefiting your friends’ future development, wouldn’t it?”

Xiao Jie was stunned, thinking to himself, “Wow, this operation… is this even possible?” He suddenly had a deeper understanding of the ‘flexibility’ of this reincarnation mechanism. It seemed that in this world, succession through reincarnation did not require a strict biological breeding process, more like a law-level ‘position replacement’ or ‘identity overlay.’

He looked at the complex stone plate interface, suddenly noticing that the reincarnation options were not singular, but there were several smaller rune areas next to it, most of which were dim and unlit. Only one, marked with the ancient ‘human’ character, was lit.

“Judge, what are these…”

“Allow me to inform you, Immortal,” the Judge respectfully replied, “these are the choices for the ‘Six Paths of Reincarnation.’ The one currently lit signifies the ‘human path,’ which is where your friends will be reborn into.”

He pointed to other options that were either dim or faintly glowing and the most complex and mysterious rune structure: “This is the ‘Heavenly Dao,’ which cannot be selected at present. It is said that in ancient times, those of great virtue and profound blessings could be reborn through this path into the Heavenly Realm, becoming low-level gods.”

He then gestured to the other options that were dark or faintly glowing:

“This is the ‘Asura Dao,’ those reincarnated here will become Asura Battle Ghosts, born into deep wrath, belligerent and battle-loving, often trapped in endless destruction until overpowered.”

“This is the ‘Beast Dao,’ transforming into birds, beasts, and forest creatures upon reincarnation.”

“This is the ‘Hungry Ghost Dao,’ where one would become a Walking Corpse or Wandering Ghost, wandering in the wilds, enduring hunger and thirst without respite.”

“And this last one is the ‘Hell Dao,’ also non-functional, cannot be selected. It is said to serve as punishment for extremely sinful souls, subjecting them to eternal infernal suffering.”

“””