"Tomorrow is the day of the sword ceremony at the Heavenly Sword Sect. I will officially start my cultivation then. I need to quickly cultivate and seize every opportunity from my previous life. Only then can I truly make the most of my rebirth. Otherwise, it would be a tremendous waste."

The most precious thing Wang Tian has at this moment is the overwhelming amount of experience he has gained over his lifetime and his memories of the future. The knowledge he has gathered throughout his life is immeasurable—too vast to quantify.

He has always been like a curious child, thirsting for knowledge. He never stopped learning; even in his last moments, he was fascinated by the feelings and mysteries related to death. He had absorbed the maximum knowledge the Vast Sky Continent could offer. Now, only secrets from previous eras and hidden history could pique his interest.

His past memories include all the major events and incidents that will occur in the future. He recalls secret realms, alchemy recipes, inheritances, and treasures that must be explored at the current time. With these memories, he can grasp every opportunity that eluded him in his previous life and advance his cultivation realm.

"Grasping future opportunities without a proper foundation is like entering a hungry tiger's den unprepared. Currently, I haven’t even opened my spiritual sea and Dantian. But that’s not a problem. Tomorrow is the day the Heavenly Sword Sect recruits disciples from all over the Autumn Domain. There, I can open my Dantian and begin my cultivation journey."

The Heavenly Sword Sect is one of the top ten sects in the Autumn Domain. Only talented geniuses and monsters can enter this sect. The first ancestor of the Heavenly Sword Sect, Sky Sword Lu Jing, was a Life and Death Realm expert. He established the sect ten thousand years ago, and during his time, he single-handedly suppressed all his enemies, earning a reputation as thunder roaring in the sky. But after his death, his hidden enemies directed their hatred towards the sect. After a long period of oppression, the Heavenly Sword Sect began to decline.

If a certain genius hadn’t emerged in the near future, no one would have been able to stop the sect’s decline. Without his intervention, the sect’s foundation would have been exhausted, leading to their removal from the top ten sects, or worse, their complete absorption by others.

As for Wang Tian, he was a minor character during his time as a disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect. Born as the youngest child in a farmer family, he had always been fascinated by the heroic tales of cultivators. His only wish was to become a cultivator himself. For his dream, he became a disciple of a local sect where he delved into the study of cultivation. After four years of rigorous training, he reached the Foundation Building stage.

While this was considered impressive within that region, it was insignificant compared to the standards of the Autumn Domain. He was determined to grow stronger quickly and this aspiration was realized when he turned fifteen, and the top ten sects of the Autumn Domain announced they would accept disciples from all over the Vast Sky Continent.

This was unprecedented; the sects had only accepted talented disciples from their subsidiary sects. Only when a monster emerged in their respective regions would they be directly recruited by these sects. These sects limited their disciples because they believed that only the most suitable individuals should receive their resources. A higher-grade talent could single-handedly bring prosperity to a nation or, conversely, destroy one. This world favors the mightiest, valuing quality over quantity.

Millions of people die daily due to conflicts over resources. Wars and skirmishes occur across the planet. Resources are the highest priority for every cultivator. Without them, they remain weak and are subject to exploitation and slavery. This is why the weak become weaker and the strong become stronger.

Initially, Wang Tian was naïve, unaware of the world's cruelty. He was simply excited to become strong and a hero admired by thousands.

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"Wang Tian, oh Wang Tian, in your youth, how naïve you were. You believed the world was filled with radiant light, yet you failed to see the shadows lurking within human hearts. The innocence you held was fragile, easily shattered by the harsh truths of the world."

Wang Tian sighed deeply as he gazed at the festive atmosphere outside the window. Even at night, people roamed and chatted loudly. The lights seemed too blinding to his eyes. After reflecting on his past life and plans for the future, Wang Tian went to bed. That night, he slept soundly, like a baby. It had been too long since he had enjoyed such peaceful rest.

After becoming a 2nd step cultivator, one no longer needed to sleep to restore their spirit; cultivation alone could replenish their spirit power. Little did Wang Tian know, this would be his last peaceful night of sleep.

....

The next day, Wang Tian woke up determined to get an early start on his journey. He knew that time was of the essence if he wanted to achieve his goals. Without wasting a moment, he hurried to take a quick bath, letting the cool water sharpen his focus. Afterward, he sat down to eat a simple but nourishing breakfast, mindful of the day ahead.

Once he finished, he wasted no time and got dressed quickly, his mind sharp and focused. Today marked the beginning of his journey, one that would be drastically different from his previous life. He would no longer be the naive, starry-eyed youth who entered the sect without understanding the weight of the world.

He stepped outside and was greeted by the cool morning air. The street was quiet, which was different from the heavy buzz in the night, with only a few early risers going about their tasks. Wang Tian took a deep breath, savoring the tranquility. This small, peaceful life had its charm, but he was destined for something far greater.

He ventured into the dense forest near the inn, moving with purpose and precision. Drawing upon his extensive knowledge, Wang Tian sought out sleep-inducing flowers hidden among the foliage.

“Lavender petals, stems of the snake plant, gardenia blooms, jasmine, pothos leaves, and peace lilies,” he murmured to himself as he carefully gathered each plant. “Individually, these plants do little. But when mixed in just the right proportions, their true effect shows.”

Satisfied with his collection, Wang Tian found a large, flat rock to serve as his makeshift workspace. He laid out the ingredients methodically, then picked up a smaller stone. With practiced hands, he began to crush the plants, striking them just enough to release their potent liquids while leaving behind a dried residue. He then rolled the dried remains into a tight bundle, crafting it into a makeshift cigar-like roll.

With the preparation complete, Wang Tian tucked the herbal roll securely in his pouch. His next destination was the nearby shrine, a place where his plan would begin to take shape. Rumor has it that the shrine was dedicated to the local deity, a guardian spirit that watched over the surrounding region.

....

Jing Yu's POV:

'I can feel the cool morning air on my face as I make my way through the forest. The path to the shrine is so familiar to me that I don’t even need to count the steps anymore, but I do it anyway, just to be sure. I brush my fingers against the rough bark of the trees as I pass, each touch guiding me closer to the place where I feel most at peace.

When I reach the shrine, I kneel down, feeling the earth beneath my knees and the smooth, cool stone of the shrine itself. This is where I come every day—the one place where I can speak my heart without fear. I clasp my hands together, bowing my head, as I begin to whisper my prayers. I ask for simple things—warmth, food, and maybe, just maybe, the chance to see the world the way everyone else does. I don’t know what it looks like, but I can imagine it based on the stories my mother used to tell me.

I finish my prayers and sit quietly, letting the silence of the forest wrap around me. It’s so peaceful here, away from the noise and bustle of the street. But then I hear something—a soft sound, almost like a whisper, but it’s footsteps. Someone is coming. I can hear the crunch of leaves under their feet and the way they’re trying to move quietly but can’t quite manage it.

I don’t feel scared; I'm just curious. Who could be here at this time? I turn my head slightly, trying to focus on the sounds around me. Then, I catch a scent in the air—something sweet and fresh, like flowers and earth after a rain. It’s so strong and yet so calming, like the incense my mother used to burn.

I stay still as the person gets closer. They don’t say anything, but I can feel them nearby. The smell gets stronger, filling my senses, and I breathe it in deeply. It’s so comforting, like a warm blanket on a cold night. My body starts to relax, and I feel my eyes getting heavier than they’ve ever been.

I hear a soft crackling sound, like something burning, and then the scent intensifies. I can’t help but breathe it in again, and this time, it feels like the air itself is wrapping around me, lulling me to sleep. I want to stay awake and hold on to this feeling, but I’m so tired. My thoughts are slipping away, and all I can do is give in.

My head droops, and I feel a hand on my shoulder, steady and reassuring, and myself being gently lowered to the ground. The earth is soft beneath me, and I’m not afraid. I feel safe, like I’m being watched over.

The darkness that’s always been with me doesn’t feel so lonely anymore. It’s warm, comforting, like I’m floating in a sea of peace. My breathing slows, each breath pulling me deeper into sleep. The world fades away, and for the first time in a long time, I feel truly at rest.

As I drift off, I imagine what the world might look like if I could see it—the sky, the trees, the faces of people I’ve only ever heard. It’s beautiful in my mind, and in this moment, that’s enough.

I let go, letting the darkness take me, not with fear, but with a sense of peace. The shrine, my sanctuary, has given me this gift, and I accept it with gratitude, sinking into the deepest, most restful sleep I’ve ever known.'