Under the canopy of forest leaves, a teenager rested, leaning against a massive stone. His black hair cascaded down to his back, and the green clothes he wore looked traditional, adorned with unique patterns distinct from the common designs. He paid no attention to the rustling of bushes swayed by the wind around him.
This was because the young man was not asleep but unconscious. His mind was overwhelmed by a series of surreal events that seemed to happen all at once. One of those moments was a bizarre incident when he suffered from poisoning, enduring excruciating pain until he met a tragic end in his own apartment.
At that moment, his emerald-colored eyes snapped open, and he jolted awake. His breathing was labored, struggling to find a rhythm, as sweat streamed down his forehead. "What was that?" he murmured.
A second later, he noticed something was different. "Where the hell am I?"
He glanced around in every direction, confused by what had happened to him. "A forest? Is this still a dream?" he questioned, examining his hands and feeling his senses, which felt vividly real.
"No, how could this happen?" he muttered, frozen in place as he tried to piece together his memories. "That incident... did I die from it?"
"But I'm alive now," he murmured again, pausing for a moment to search for any logical connection. "Does that mean..."
Before he could finish his thought, a strange voice echoed in his ears.
[Welcome to the world of Manthana, Fei Lian!]
Startled, he turned his head but found no one nearby. "Who's there?"
[You seem disoriented. Allow us to explain everything briefly.]
His brows furrowed as he processed the situation. This felt eerily similar to the web novels he had read before. It wasn’t a person speaking to him, but rather a system residing in his mind. A system that, if he wasn’t mistaken, would provide immense advantages to help him lead a better life.
[Your dream is not a dream. It happened before, and you have transmigrated to this world as a teenager named Fei Lian.]
Just as he had suspected, out of all the things he imagined might happen after death, it had finally come true. "Fei Lian? So that's my new name. But, wait a second, why can't I remember my previous name?"
[It doesn't matter. You now live here, and this will be your final life.]
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"What do you mean?" Fei Lian asked, his tone skeptical.
[You were meant to become an immortal. And to achieve such a feat, we will assist you with various quests and Perk Skills.]
"Hold on... an immortal? Why would I want to become something like that?" he protested, finding no appeal in becoming a celestial being.
[You will, once you understand your role and why you were brought here. You are destined to become the future Divine Brewer!]
Hearing that, Fei Lian was even more bewildered. "Huh? What kind of divine is that?"
[You see, in the world of Manthana, magical ingredients are dwindling due to the war between brothers. Lands have been ravaged, and herbal plants infused with Prana have become rare commodities.]
Fei Lian chose to stay silent, observing his surroundings while occasionally glancing at the azure sky. Though he had countless questions in mind, he decided to focus on gathering information about himself and the world he now inhabited.
[Because of this, cultivation has become challenging, if not impossible, without these mixtures. Therefore, all the kingdoms of Manthana have deployed their best alchemists to brainstorm solutions or embark on expeditions into uncharted territories.]
[They believe that untouched lands still harbor an abundance of herbal plants rich in Prana. However, the most superior and beneficial of all is the Divine Leaf Tea, which will be your ultimate goal to find.]
"Divine Brewer makes sense now," he commented. "I didn't expect my main mission to be revealed this early."
[Additionally, you will gain Perk Skills every time you level up at multiples of 10. Would you like to check your current data and information?]
Fei Lian unconsciously nodded, and instantly, a translucent blue screen appeared before him. He squinted slightly, reading the details carefully.
[Profile
Name: Fei Lian
Title: None
Level: 1
Age: 16
Profession: Alchemist
Cultivation: Not Classified
Perk Skill: None
Background:
Fei Lian was born into a family renowned for their alchemical talent. His parents died in a tragic fire at their home, but Fei Lian and his younger sister, Mei Lian, were rescued by their grandfather. Now, they live with him, helping to reopen the family’s medicinal shop.]
"Ah, so I'm an orphan," he sighed. "Even in this second life, I don't get the chance to know what it's like to have parents."
"At least I have a sister," Fei Lian continued, a faint smile crossing his face. "Well, being transmigrated as an alchemist isn’t so bad either. So, what should I do next?"
[Head home. We’ll show you the quickest route.]
Fei Lian turned, noticing a rattan basket filled with various herbs beside him. "What are these things?"
[Basic ingredients you have gathered for a basic mixture. You’ll get used to all of this in time.]
He stood up, hoisted his belongings onto his back, and began walking through the forest. Fei Lian was not accustomed to the rugged terrain—steep inclines, uneven paths, and scattered rocks. He slipped multiple times on the damp ground, leaving his robe smeared with dirt. Luckily, he managed to keep the contents of his basket intact.
"Did this guy really climb a freaking mountain?" he muttered, struggling to stay upright.
[We’re still at the foot of Andaman Mountain. Your home is in Amira Village, which isn’t far from here.]
Not long after, as Fei Lian emerged from the dense trees, he was greeted by the sight of an enchanting village. Vast rice fields stretched across the land, and crystal-clear rivers meandered gracefully through the area. He stood in awe, marveling at the breathtaking beauty of nature.
The villagers were busy with their daily activities: the clang of iron at the blacksmith's forge, a carpenter carving various designs, and the bustling noise of the market filled the air. Fei Lian was surrounded by an entirely new world—the architecture, decorations, and culture were all unlike anything he had seen in his previous life.
"What are you doing in the middle of the road?" A melodic voice accompanied by a gentle tap on his shoulder startled Fei Lian. He turned to see a woman standing behind him.
Her brown hair flowed as the wind carried it, and her hazel eyes locked onto his. "You should stop daydreaming like that, you know?" she chided lightly, her friendly demeanor evident in her tone.
Fei Lian stood frozen, observing the intriguing woman as she walked away, leaving him alone once more. "Who is she?" he murmured under his breath.
[Hui Wen. Your childhood friend. She is also exceptionally talented and has been hired as one of the alchemists at the Cenderawasih Martial Art School.]
"No wonder she’s in such a hurry," Fei Lian mused. "But I have no experience in this field. Where do I even begin?"
[Some quests will help you start!
Quest:
Make Fever Potion: x5
Make Stamina Endurance Potion: x5
Rewards:
EXP: 1000
Coins: 500
Knowledge: Mixture Recipe]
"Now that's what I'm talking about!" Fei Lian exclaimed, his spirit ignited with excitement.