1 What if?

What if there is a Xianxia universe where might does NOT make right? What if instead of dueling and fights to the death there are other ways to increase one's cultivation? What if self-sacrificing concern for the other (especially weaker others) is how cultivators become stronger? Better? Let's see, shall we?

Thomas was not born in such a universe. In fact his home plane is pretty much like any other universe, where life is, as someone said, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short. He was born, he grew up, he lived, he beget, he grew old, and he died much like any of his neighbors. He wasn't especially good-looking, strong, knowledgeable, wise, holy, loving or rich. But for some reason he ended up in Purgatory. Not Heaven. Maybe he didn't loved God with all his heart, soul and strength. Maybe he didn't love his neighbor as himself. "Ah well." Thomas thought. At least I'm not in hell. "Though the weather here is certainly hot. Really hot. And I seem to be REALLY longing for something."

Thomas prepared, like his compatriots in Purgatory, to be there for the long haul. After all, that's all they can do there, where 10,000 years can seem like a day and a day seem like 10k years. He didn't know what he needed to be purged of (he didn't know much, but this he knew: Purgatory is for purging souls so that they can enter Heaven). He was willing to wait and see though. He would miss his family and friends. But at least he would see them one day, at least those who get to go to Heaven. He might even see his great-great- grandchildren. To the nth degree. That would be nice.

So there he was: waiting. And waiting. And waiting. But it seemed God had a different plan for him. One moment Thomas was in his not-so-comfortable corner. The next moment he was simply not. Then something like a burning bush appeared to him. At least it seemed like his idea of how one would look like. A voice sounded in Thomas' mind, "My son. You have been chosen for a special project of Mine. You're not the first, or the most appropriate, or anything like that. It's just that I chose you for My own reasons and purposes. I choose you and some others to go be purified in a certain kind of universe. A universe much like the one you grew up in but with stuff you would regard as fantasy. Magic, for instance. No reincarnation though. I don't do reincarnation. You would not be the only kind of people there. There will be natives. They, like you, have some idea of who I am. Of My laws and precepts. Though I have not sent My Son to die there but they know of what He did. After all My Son died for all My creation. You will find out more when you get there.

Also, like your home plane, I will be with you. You can talk to Me. Ask Me to help. And if it fits My plans for you, I will miraculously assist. Not all the magic where you're going is from Me but don't worry. None of the supernatural power there is from Satan or all the evil spirits that prowl through your home plane. Not for lack of trying on their part though. Their influence is diminished there. You and the natives have free will, just no original sin. After all, you're not reincarnated, and your life there is part of your Purgatory experience. Also you will find that things there are familiar, both the natural ones and the fantastical ones. You will see. Ready?"

Thomas, knowing he lacked both the wits to know what more to ask about and the ability to disagree with his assignment, assented. And everything went black.