At the Soul Realm,
Right now, I have no way to generate merit in this place. But… if I have the same properties as the space below, could I pass through?
Recalling the knowledge I've learned… When two types of liquid with different densities (two different solvents), with different molecular bonding, are mixed and left to settle, they create a separating boundary like this.
Wait… Molecules? Atoms? Suddenly, a new world opens up.
Could this world also be made of molecules? Right, everything is made of molecules and atoms. If so, do the four fundamental forces exist here too?
Hold on, is this soul state also made of atoms?
It's possible!
If my soul and this space share the same properties, then the space below has different properties, immiscible with the one above.
Or something like that.
Those glowing souls might be denser or share the same properties as the space below, so they can pass through easily.
If my guess is correct, those souls lining up and pushing each other would be pulled back to the surface like air bubbles without the force from behind.
(…)
This is too confusing…
No more thinking—let's test it with a practical experiment first.
First, I catch a stray soul. Touching it, it feels icy cold, slippery.
Next, I find a glowing soul and touch it. It feels warm, peaceful, radiating through me.
Then I touch the barrier, and it repels me strongly.
I sit in meditation, recalling unhappy, painful memories. I silently curse. I touch the barrier again. Now it's hard as stone.
Then I think of happy, positive things, things that warm the heart. I tell myself I'm a good person, full of righteousness. As expected, the barrier softens significantly. I gently push, and my hand passes through, though with some difficulty.
So my guess was right. The liquid beyond is for those with glowing auras, those who are virtuous. Without a virtuous heart, you can't pass.
Next, I sit in meditation, chanting silently that all is peaceful, that helping others brings joy.
As predicted, though I don't glow, I can pass halfway through. Just as I'm about to cross to the other side, a hand suddenly grabs me from behind and pulls me back.
I look back—two souls are staring at me. One has a hostile, sharp, ferocious demeanor; it's the one that pulled me back.
Beside it stands a radiant, glowing soul.
It's those two souls. They haven't left yet.
The Power map glows, and I swing my hand to break free from the cold grip of the malevolent soul. I glare at it. It's scared but still steps forward, one hand pointing at the barrier, the other at me. Then it turns and growls something.
It's obvious—it wants me to help it pass through. But we're just strangers crossing paths; why should I help it?
I turn to leave, but my heart feels uneasy, guilty somehow. I think to myself, "If I don't help it, doesn't that mean my heart isn't virtuous?"
So I tell it that to pass this barrier, it needs a virtuous heart. Whether it understands or not, I turn and walk away.
Halfway through, guilt creeps in again.
I recall the first time I saw that soul. It was lost, wandering aimlessly. It must have been abandoned, not accepted by any group. If I don't help it, it might never escape this place. Since we've met, it's fate. Help someone to the end.
I turn back. The soul still has its hostile, sharp demeanor. It definitely hasn't comprehended anything yet.
Beside it, the glowing soul stands, still dazed, looking at me.
What's with these two souls?
I approach the angry soul, take its hand, and say slowly,
"Be virtuous, have a kind heart, love others."
It remains the same, still angry and resentful toward everything.
Then I teach it to meditate. Strangely, the glowing soul mimics me, meditating too.
The three of us sit in meditation, chanting cheerful songs together. I tell them stories that purify the soul.
Finally, as the moon nears the end of its path, signaling the sun's approach, time is running out.
The angry soul has calmed down significantly. Now it's just slightly grumpy. The glowing soul shines even brighter.
With my help and the radiant soul's assistance, the angry soul barely manages to pass through the barrier.
Once through, the angry soul is no longer angry. Its expression becomes neutral, neither happy nor sad, dazed. The glowing soul shines even more brilliantly.
I stop looking at them.
Beyond the barrier, everything is much darker, but a comfortable, warm feeling emanates from deep within my soul. This place seems very suitable for souls to reside.
I plan to bid them farewell and leave. But with dawn approaching, they might dissolve. Fine, help to the end… one more time.
The Power map glows, and a bubble envelops the three of us. As the sun shines, this space is no different—souls scatter, fleeing in chaos. The three of us in the bubble drift deeper.
Another glowing barrier blocks us.
The sun sets, the moon rises, and everything is reborn. Along the way, I notice these two souls seem to have some consciousness. Their features are still vague, but their forms are clearer. Perhaps the deeper we go, the more their minds recover?
I release them and say,
"Our fleeting fate ends here."
They refuse to leave. I shoo them away. They run a distance, then stand there, watching me.
I ignore them.
Looking around, the free souls here all glow brightly. There are also endless lines of non-glowing souls, like chains connecting the two barriers.
I want to catch a few to experiment, but any malicious intent causes this space to repel me. Without the Power map protecting me, I'd have been flung back to the first layer long ago.
If I can't catch them, touching them will do. But unlike the upper layer, the souls here resist being touched. They fight back, and fighting gets you expelled.
Out of options, I can only experiment with the barrier alone.
…
I try with the barrier, but there's no progress.
Behind me, those two souls are still there.
I wave them over, asking them to try touching the barrier.
The glowing soul reaches through effortlessly, without resistance.
…
After various experiments, I conclude: This barrier only allows those with a calm, serene heart to pass.
You must let go of all worries to move forward.
Let go of everything? Then why am I here?
I have to trick it.
"My heart is empty, free of all thoughts."
I gently reach in…
Now, only the formerly angry soul remains—no, it's not angry anymore since entering the second layer. Now its expression is dazed.
Should I leave it behind?
…
But how do I make it let go of its past to find serenity?
"What happened to you before?"
It stays silent…
"Don't remember? Do you want to follow me?"
It nods…
"…If you want to follow me, you must be my subordinate. You have to obey my orders. Are you willing?"
It hesitates, struggling for a moment.
Finally, it reluctantly nods.
Seeing it act so high and mighty, anger rises in me. I slap its head.
"You're still putting on airs? You're my subordinate now. You listen to what I say, no arguing, got it?"
It nods, then shakes its head…
After a beating, some ideological education, and sweet-talking, it finally submits.
"Forget all your past now. From now on, only listen to me, understand? My words are the most important—nothing else matters."
"Obey me, and I'll reward you, protect you. Disobey, and you're on your own."
Seeing its obedient nod,
"Good. Forget the past. Start anew by my side, understand?"
"Now move forward."
As it reaches the barrier, one hand passes through, but it stops and looks back at me.
I don't understand, nor do I want to. I kick it, sending it flying through.
The third layer is scorching, flames burning everywhere, yet countless souls stand in lines, linking the two layers.
…
The three of us journey forward together.
We pass through all nine barriers.
The fourth layer is freezing. Those without compassion cannot pass.
The fifth layer is thunderstorms. Liars cannot pass.
The sixth layer is a desert. Those without willpower cannot pass.
The seventh layer is a jungle. Those without determination cannot pass.
The eighth layer is molten lava. Those with sins cannot pass.
The ninth layer, where the eternal river resides.
The deeper we go, the more detailed and clear the souls become. The two souls following me from the start turn out to be female souls with vague faces and empty eyes.
The glowing soul is named Sylvia Rose, and the other is Aspen Lily.
Throughout the journey, their presence made it possible for me to pass through all the barriers.