On the bed, Jixia sat cross-legged, his gaze fixed on the brilliant golden scroll that only he could 'see'.
As the first page slowly turned...
Lines, shimmering with a dazzling multicolored light like glass, began to form letters, causing Jixia's eyes to narrow:
"Oh...?"
"What kind of life do I want to choose?"
"Could it be that you can help me choose again!"
As someone who had awakened past memories and knew his past life, Jixia was not unfamiliar with such 'vessels'.
However...
His current predicament did not allow him to relax in such a 'word game'-like manner.
"So,"
The young man, clad in a single garment, frail in stature, nonetheless straightened his spine instinctively at this turn of events, and stared intently at the 'Golden Scroll Celestial Book' before him:
"What is your 'function', or rather..."
"What kind of 'change' can you bring to 'alter my current situation'?"
With slender hands covered in light calluses, Jixia raised his hand to touch the illusory [Reincarnation Celestial Book], whispering softly, ready to explore further.
And simultaneously, as if responding to his murmur,
The 'golden scroll' before him trembled slightly, suddenly radiating a magnificent light, and a solemn, majestic voice echoed slowly within his divine soul————
[The Reincarnation Celestial Book, divided into nine pages.]
[Each time a 'reincarnation' page is turned, it is equivalent to having an opportunity to alter 'destiny'.]
[Each written passage, or after all is settled, the 'Penman' can obtain a corresponding 'memory fragment'.]
[What kind of gift you can receive from these memory fragments...]
[Depends on what kind of legendary life the 'Penman' can inscribe.]
The voice seemed to imprint itself deeply into Jixia's heart, leaving an indelible mark.
For a moment, the young man in a single garment felt a tremor in his heart:
"Does this have a spirit?"
Jixia furrowed his brow, tried responding several times, but no longer received any feedback from this glowing 'Golden Scroll and Jade Book', much like a stone sinking into the sea.
After a moment of silence.
With a sense of curiosity, Jixia slowly unfolded the first page of the Celestial Book...
[Please choose your 'Identity', 'Destiny', 'Fate'!]
"Identity, Destiny, Fate?"
Hearing these seemingly ambiguous terms, Jixia's pupils shook.
This sounds rather extraordinary!
As if sensing his inner tremor.
The previously unresponsive Reincarnation Celestial Book provided feedback once more:
[In existence, from the supreme titans spanning across realms to the common people, none can escape from 'Identity', 'Destiny', and 'Fate'.]
[These three are interconnected, and together they form 'Destiny'.]
[The life you choose will develop within the framework of these three, interpreting a life that matches their unique colors.]
"This is interesting..." Jixia's eyes grew brighter, as his hand gripping the cold surface of the golden scroll unconsciously clenched into a fist.
If previously he only held a mild curiosity towards this opportunity,
Now, Jixia was eager to know whether this Reincarnation Golden Volume...
Could truly allow him to gain a foothold in this magnificent world!
As Jixia's thoughts surged, the first page of the golden scroll was fully opened, and at the same time,
On the page, thin as a cicada's wing, seemingly narrow but capable of containing thousands upon thousands of words, three identities began to appear in sequence————
[Common People], [Martial Arts School Successor], [Great Demon Descendants]!
"Is this asking me to choose myself..." Jixia's eyes flickered.
These three identities were evident, nothing more than Commoner, Martial Artist, and Demon.
Three distinctly different lives.
Three starkly separate paths.
But...
On the surface, the latter two should far surpass his current situation in any case.
At least, they counted as stepping into the 'cultivation' threshold.
Far better than losing an opportunity, not even able to become a 'constable', and most likely being framed and backstabbed!
To experience such a life...
Just the accumulated experience, or the so-called 'memory fragments', would provide an extraordinary chance!
Martial Gate Foundation Establishment Secret Technique?
Fists, swords, blades that can forge 'intent'?
Or perhaps...
Even more precious things?
Despite being young, Jixia, having weathered hardships in this desolate land, had a robust mindset; otherwise, he wouldn't have risked entering the mountains for a future.
Faced with such a 'golden mountain', even he couldn't help but breathe heavily.
Only, the identity has appeared, so what about the so-called 'Destiny' and 'Fate'?
Jixia felt a slight confusion in his heart.
The next moment, he got his answer.
[Once an identity is chosen, the 'Destiny' and 'Fate' brought by that identity can be drawn.]
[Before choosing, the 'Penman' can freely combine them, but please choose carefully.]
[Because...]
[This will determine and affect your entire life.]
[Both in 'reincarnation' and 'reality', this holds true.]
As if confirming his thoughts.
Below the three identities, a line of dazzling golden text appeared and quickly faded away...
In response, Jixia pursed his lips, conservatively choosing 'Martial Arts School Successor', to try it out for now.
As the divine thought stirred.
A misty jade pen inscribed with 'Cloud Palace' gradually took form in the void, falling into his hand.
Immediately, the young man in simple clothes began sketching on the first page, adding a touch of ink.
The ink arose, without needing the 'Penman' to craft, lines of text continuously leaped forth.
[Identity: Martial Arts School Successor]
[Available Destiny: Wielding Sabers and Spears, Roaring Like Thunder, Martial Arts Family]
[Available Fortunes: Dragon Vitality, Centenarian Longevity, Sickness Entanglement]
"So that's how it is..."
"Destiny, is the 'talent' brought by identity, can also be understood as 'skills', where one differs from ordinary people."
"And fortune, relates to life and death, poor fortune might lead to being born with a disability, or even early death."
"Indeed, the three are indispensable..."
With a slight attempt, Jixia suddenly grasped an insight.
Then, he also tested the destiny and fortune derived from 'Common People', similar to 'Martial Arts School Successor', possessing remarkable aspects, though...
Jixia tightened his grip on the illusory jade pen,
Staring at the final trajectory derived from 'identity', he remained silent for a long time, seemingly weighing something.
[Identity: Great Demon Descendants]
[Available Destiny: Divine Fist, Boiling Flood Dragon Blood, Demon Dominator]
[Available Fortunes: Early Demise, Ill-fated, Youth Demise at Sixteen]
Demons.
In this world.
Not all dwell like 'spirits' in the wild.
According to the book compiled by the 'Demon Hunting Department', these terrifying existences, aside from half conquering lands and reigning over mountain ranges and lakes...
A considerable number mingle among people, living in the state mansions and cities of the world.
At a glance, these 'entities' seem no different from ordinary people, and may even be famous martial arts giants or magic experts.
But after decades of tumultuous storms, brutal cases stirred by demons across regions are now commonplace.
Take Black Mountain City.
If a Great Demon Fiend appeared, probably those influential figures in the inner city couldn't resist!
However...
In contrast, they are synonyms of strength.
The King among Demons must be subdued by formidable martial artists or true masters of magic!
Risk and reward have always been counterbalancing.
"It's just a reincarnation, not reality."
"If not now, when?"
Boiling Flood Dragon Blood, Demon Dominator, these are almost akin to 'divine techniques'!
But if chosen, how much feedback from this world can be obtained afterwards?
Even if it truly could be brought into reality.
But the divine techniques and skills of demons, for someone as insignificant as himself...
It's a curse, not a blessing!
A wrong move, if noticed by someone intent, might put oneself in danger.
I will not stand beneath a dangerous wall.
Besides,
[Destiny: Divine Fist!]
[Allows the 'Penman' to have superb comprehension of boxing, even to grasp the essence of the art, and touch 'true skill, Martial Arts Celestial Form'!]
This may not be inferior!
'True skill, Martial Arts Celestial Form', Jixia, living for over a decade, almost never heard of it!
But the 'realm' has been slightly heard of, reputed to be even more precious, hard to comprehend than stepping into the first stage of 'Martial Gate Foundation Establishment' for martial artists.
This must be realized through boxing, swordsmanship, saber techniques, without several decades of effort, it's a fool's dream!
Some with dull aptitude exhaust a lifetime, barely grasping the threshold.
That's the true 'livelihood' one seeks to possess!
If truly comprehended.
Not to mention constables or squad leaders...
Those higher-up figures might glance a few more times, weigh a bit more?
So...
"It's you!"
"As for fortune..."
Sweeping past the words like early demise, youth demise at sixteen, Jixia shook his head with a bitter smile:
"Do I have any other choice?"
Ill-fated just means possible upheaval, a high chance of dying.
But early demise, youth demise at sixteen...
It's unavoidable even from childhood and adolescence!
[Identity, Destiny, Fortune have been chosen...]
[The Penman has selected Great Demon Descendants, Divine Fist, Ill-fated!]
Flashing text in the quiet long night glimmers like a flickering firefly, enchanting the soul.
Simultaneously, it leads Jixia's divine soul unconsciously to... thoroughly immerse, as if placing oneself in another realm.
In the instant he closed his eyes,
The Reincarnation Golden Volume began to reveal line by line of text...
[Begin, the first reincarnation!]
Alongside, on top of the golden volume's text,
A slender figure, clad in a black robe, with a chilling aura in his brows, yet accompanied by a peculiar 'Martial Dao Will', a half-demon youth.
Eyes tightly shut, slowly taking shape...