Reincarnation and Divided Shén are intricate phenomena that share similarities with Soul Piercing but are fundamentally rooted in the nature and continuity of the Shén itself.
1. Reincarnation (转世, Zhuǎnshì)
Reincarnation involves the natural cycle of death and rebirth, where the Shén of a being is reborn into a new body. The process is often guided by karmic laws, cosmic forces, or even deliberate divine intervention.
Cycle of Life and Karmic Threads:
In traditional cultivation belief, all beings undergo a cycle of rebirth, influenced by their karma—actions, merits, and sins accumulated in previous lives. Reincarnation is seen as a chance for the Shén to resolve unfinished business, overcome past regrets, or continue the pursuit of Dao (道), the ultimate path to enlightenment or ascension.
Memories and Latent Talents:
Unlike Soul Piercing, where memories are actively transferred, reincarnated souls typically have sealed memories. These memories are either hidden deep within the subconscious or gradually unlocked through cultivation progress, profound realizations, or intense emotional triggers. While most individuals are unaware of their past lives, some may retain fragments of memories, talents, or affinities—skills that seem innately familiar despite never having been practiced in their current life.
Special Reincarnations:
Some high-level cultivators deliberately choose reincarnation as a means to circumvent bottlenecks in their cultivation. By purging themselves of past karma and starting anew, they hope to reach higher realms unattainable in their previous lifetime. These reincarnations are often orchestrated with divine treasures, rare techniques, or celestial guidance, ensuring they retain key memories or abilities crucial for their ascension.
2. Divided Shén (分神, Fēn Shén):
Divided Shén occurs when a cultivator's Shén is fragmented, either intentionally or accidentally. This situation can arise from severe trauma, deliberate cultivation techniques, or celestial punishment.
Intentional Division: Some cultivators intentionally split their Shén to place a part of themselves in another time, place, or even across different worlds. This can serve various purposes, such as escaping an inescapable fate, influencing distant events, or experiencing life through multiple perspectives simultaneously. This technique, though highly advanced, comes with great risks, as each fragment of the Shén carries only a portion of the cultivator's power and consciousness.
Fragmented Rebirths:
A Divided Shén may experience fragmented rebirths, where each fragment grows into a separate individual, leading seemingly independent lives. These separate beings are intrinsically linked, often feeling inexplicable connections, dreams, or shared emotions with their counterparts. If fate allows, these fragments might eventually merge, restoring the original Shén's full power and consciousness.
Involuntary Division and Celestial Punishment:
Sometimes, a Shén may be forcibly divided as a form of punishment or as the result of a catastrophic event. The Shén, weakened and scattered, faces great difficulty in regaining its full self. Such Shén are often left incomplete, forever yearning for their missing pieces. They might not be aware of their divided state, experiencing life as fragments of a once-greater whole. forever yearning for their missing pieces. They might not be aware of their divided state, experiencing life as fragments of a once-greater whole.
2. Comparison with Soul Piercing:
While Soul Piercing involves two distinct Shén merging due to resonance, Divided Shén deals with fragments of the same Shén reconnecting.
The main distinction is the origin: Soul Piercing is about two Shén coming together by chance or cosmic design, while Divided Shén is about the struggle of one soul to become whole again.
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I pluck this from my 1st handbook: The Xianxia Handbook: A Guide to Cultivation and Beyond, Volume 4 : Introduction & some, Chapter: Spirit/Soul/God (神, Shén) & Divine Sense, take away-etc.
For more full explanation about this, you can read that chapter.