Li Zhen stirred as a beam of sunlight pierced through a narrow crack in the thatched wall, casting a warm glow across his face. He blinked, slowly emerging from the depths of sleep, his mind gradually becoming aware of the unfamiliar surroundings.
As he shifted, the bed beneath him responded with creaks and groans, each movement causing the old wood to protest. The lumpy and worn mattress offered little comfort, a major inconvenience compared to the life Zhen had once known. He lay still for a moment longer, listening to the creaking bed, the sound almost rhythmic, like a song of the past echoing in the present.
He inhaled deeply, the scent of aged paper and dried herbs filling his nostrils, grounding him in the present.
With a soft sigh, Zhen swung his legs over the side of the bed. The old frame groaned in response, the sound almost a part of his morning routine now. He stretched, feeling the tightness in his muscles ease slightly, the remnants of sleep slowly fading away. The cool wooden floor against his bare feet sent a shiver up his spine, waking him further.
Rubbing his eyes, he stood and moved towards the window, drawn by the light. The dust motes danced in the sunbeam, tiny particles swirling and shifting like stars in a miniature galaxy. He reached out, the light warming his fingers, and for a brief moment, with a simple mental nudge from him, he felt the qi in the air responding and flowing in the room. It was far more sparse than the Cave, but it was still a new experience for him. Ten days had passed in this cultivation world, and it was his first sleep in a normal environment.
As he stood there, the reality of his situation gradually sank into his mind. He was no longer in the world he once knew, no longer the same Zhen. The memories of his past life felt like shadows, distant and intangible. Transmigration—he still marveled at the thought. The concept seemed so foreign, yet here he was, living it.
"This is my life now," he reminded himself, the words echoing in his mind. "A new world, a new identity." He could feel the weight of those words settling in, grounding him further in this reality. The previous Li Zhen's memories were now his, and he had become Li Zhen.
The hut was modest, constructed from weathered wood and thatched with straw, blending seamlessly with the surrounding forest. Sparse furnishings decorated the interior: a low wooden table, a simple cot with a straw mattress, and a few shelves lined with scrolls and trinkets.
After washing himself behind the house, Zhen stood quietly in front of a simple mirror in his sparse hut; his gaze fixed not on his reflection but on the air just before him. Dressed in the new outer sect robe —a young man of modest yet pleasing appearance with warm eyes and pale skin stared back at him. Though he was pleased with his appearance, it was the least of his concerns.
The fabric felt soft against his skin, a constant reminder of his promotion. As he adjusted the robe, his gaze wasn't drawn to his own reflection— but rather, his focus was intensely fixed on the space just before him where golden words floated gently in the air.
Sage’s Daily Scroll of Heavenly, Earthly, and Mortal Insights.
Target: None
The golden words burned in the air silently. He already had wasted one day without using his ability for fear of being discovered. Despite the allure of using it now, Zhen's mind was preoccupied with a pressing concern. He needed to confirm they were invisible to others, a secret that could keep him safe—or mark him for danger.
He watched, almost holding his breath, as the golden words shimmered. Looking back into the mirror, he found no trace of them reflected. A sigh of relief escaped his lips, easing the tension that had tightened his shoulders.
Stepping away from the mirror, Zhen pondered the potential disasters that could unfold should anyone ever glimpse these words. The mere thought sent a chill down his spine, an icy reminder of the precarious edge on which he now balanced.
While one might assume it was a given that others couldn't perceive the golden words, as it was his ability, Zhen was not one to leave things to chance. There were too many uncertainties about this whole thing, so it was a given that he would be extra careful.
His mind buzzed with the implications of his power being exposed. Such a revelation could lead to envy, fear, or worse, manipulation by those craving his abilities.
Only a tiny rumor of possession of a tressure had pressured the previous Li Zhen to rush his cultivation, resulting in his death. Now, Zhen harbored a new, powerful ability, one that could tempt cultivators to commit crimes and murder. The stakes were even higher; such a power, if discovered, could unleash chaos, turning his journey into a blood bath.
With these sobering thoughts, Zhen exhaled slowly, banishing the remnants of doubt clinging to his mind. Straightening his back, he looked into the mirror one last time and then turned to leave the small hut that used to belong to the previous Li Zhen.
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This confirmation gave him the confidence to proceed and move forward without the haunting fear of being watched or exposed. Still, he knew he had to test his abilities on some unsuspecting people first.
He gathered the few things he owned—just ten Qi Gathering Spirit Stones that made a soft jingling sound in his pocket. The previous Li Zhen had hidden them in a secret place in the wall for emergencies.
Only ten. Zhen sighed, feeling a bit defeated. Compared to his debt of over a thousand, this was barely one percent. But beggars couldn't be choosers, so he stopped his whining.
For now, he had one week before his tasks began. He could use this time to cultivate in the nominal area and learn the martial arts technique Elder Zhao had informed him about.
With everything of value tucked away, Zhen stepped out of the hut, the door creaking shut behind him. The world outside vastly differed from the humble interior he had just left. The Nominal Sect area sprawled before him—a lush expanse of green plants and trees dotted with thatched huts scattered at decent distances from each other. Yet, for all its visual appeal, the air was thin, barely carrying the qi that cultivators sought.
The terrain was covered in greenery, with tall grasses swaying gently in the breeze and clusters of wildflowers adding splashes of color. The trees were ancient, their thick trunks twisted and gnarled, branches reaching out like the arms of forgotten giants. Moss and lichen clung to the bark, giving the forest an emerald hue.
Despite the abundance of plant life, the qi density was so low it was almost nonexistent. In his old world, Zhen would have seen this place as a paradise. But here, where qi was essential, this beautiful place held little value. To a true cultivator, it was like a barren wasteland.
He could easily imagine this place as a neglected corner of the sect reserved for its nominal disciples. The air carried a sense of desolation, reinforcing the area's status as a place for those who were barely considered part of the sect.
The path he took was a narrow, well-worn dirt track that wound its way through the huts, worn down by the footsteps of countless others who had walked it before him. The ground beneath was uneven, with roots and rocks jutting out. As he walked, the leaves rustled softly in the morning breeze, and the scent of fresh foliage filled the air. The lush surroundings created a stark contrast to the barren qi environment.
Occasionally, he passed other disciples who bowed their heads in his direction. For a moment, confusion flickered across his mind—why the sudden respect? The previous Li Zhen had never received such treatment. Then he realized it was due to the clothes he now wore, marking him with a higher status than before.
Thinking like this, Zhen walked toward the Martial Arts Pavillion leisurely, enjoying being in a different world with a higher status. Approaching the nominal area gate, his ears caught the rise of voices—a commotion that drew his curiosity.
A small crowd was in front of him, which Zhen slowly approached.
"He Shan, why didn't you pay us your protection fee? Are you trying to disrespect Senior Brother Xiao Hong, huh?" A tall figure shouted at the top of his lungs, accusing a young man.
Zhen remembered the guy—the local serpent. His name was Wang Bo, a man with a personal history of animosity with the previous Li Zhen. Wang Bo worked for Xiao Hong, an inner sect disciple who had made it his mission to target him. As memories of their past encounters flooded his mind, Zhen's hands clenched into fists.
But then Zhen took a deep breath and controlled himself. Even though the memories were vivid and raw, he knew seeking revenge wouldn't help him now. His fingers slowly unclenched and he let the tension drain from his body. However, one thing was sure—he would never allow himself to suffer like that again.
"Being the lackey of Xiao Hong must be fun for you? I’m not paying your protection fee," He Shan said defiantly.
Wang Bo's face twisted with anger. "Looks like you need a reminder of your last beating," With that, he lunged forward, his foot connecting with the young man's stomach with a sickening thud.
The crowd collectively recoiled, taking a step back as the violence erupted. A few faces twisted in shock and fear, while most of the onlookers leaned in, eyes gleaming with morbid curiosity. Hushed whispers and gasps rippled through the gathered people, a mixture of excitement and dread.
He Shan doubled over, clutching his midsection, pain etched across his face. Yet, there was a fire in his eyes. He struggled to his feet, his breaths coming in ragged gasps, "You might be stronger now, but don’t underestimate the young. I’ll come for you someday," he spat, each word dripping with defiance.
Looking at the youth who seemed to exude an aura of determination to go against the world, Zhen paused momentarily. This youth also had left a strong impression on the previous Li Zhen.
From his memories, Zhen recalled He Shan, who was one year younger than him and had caused quite a stir during the spiritual root assessment ceremony.
His talents were quite good, at least above average, but his rapid rise in strength was exceptional. There also had been talk of an Inner Elder taking an interest in the boy, possibly choosing him as an Inner Disciple. But all that crumbled when his cultivation was abruptly destroyed during a sect mission outside.
He Shan had reached the ninth realm before the previous Li Zhen, but Li Zhen was also the fastest cultivator for his generation of nominal disciples.
Even though it was not a match for genius, it was almost a miracle for him to have made such progress with his mid grade spiritual root, which was one of the reasons for the rumor of him having a treasure floating around.
It’s always the promising ones that attract the most enemies, Zhen reflected. When you're at the top, everyone wants to knock you down. And when you fall, they’re all too eager to kick you while you’re down.
He Shan had made his share of enemies, and people who were jealous of his potential.