It was spring, and a gentle breeze swept across Mount Tianyao, causing the grass and trees to sway and rustle in harmony. The fresh scent of blooming flowers filled the air, and the wind carried with it a quiet serenity.
The breeze brushed over the body of a 17-year-old boy, lying unconscious on the grass, his face pale, his breathing shallow. Suddenly, as the wind passed, his eyes flew open.
He blinked up at the sky, a vast expanse of blue stretching above, framed by towering green trees that seemed to touch the heavens.
Slowly, he sat up, his head throbbing with confusion. Looking around, he noticed a bag lying next to him, stuffed full of herbs, a few spilling out onto the grass. Surrounding him were tall trees and bushes, with grass beneath him as soft as a blanket.
"Huh? Where... where am I?" he muttered to himself, his voice hoarse. "Didn't I just die? Is this... heaven?"
His thoughts were abruptly cut off as a sharp, piercing headache hit him. A flood of fragmented, unfamiliar memories surged into his mind.
This boy—this body—was not just any ordinary person. It was Chen Long, or at least his soul, now residing inside the body of a 17-year-old herb gatherer.
It didn’t take long for Chen Long to realize what had happened. He was far too intelligent to miss the obvious.
"I’ve... been reincarnated into a different world!?" he muttered, disbelief in his voice. "Is this even possible? Well, it must be, since I’m standing here." He let out a deep sigh, his mind racing with thoughts of his past life—of betrayal, of his final moments.
His eyes darkened as the memories played over in his head. “You all betrayed me just because I was too strong, didn’t you? Thought my intelligence would make me too dangerous to keep alive. Hmph, fools…”
A sinister smile crept onto his face as his hands clenched into fists. “Fine. You thought I would dominate your country, right? Then let it be. I, Chen Long, once known as the Devious Dragon, have been given another chance. And this time, I will rule over this country… no, I’ll rule over this entire world!”
His voice, filled with cold determination and unshakable resolve, echoed through the forest. Nearby birds suddenly took flight, startled by the intensity of his words and the bloodlust radiating from him.
Chen Long sat up, his mind racing as he sifted through the memories of this new body.
“So, this body shares my name—Chen Long—and he’s 17 years old, about to turn 18. The era is reminiscent of ancient China, where martial arts are not just renowned but central to society. The martial artists here wield power that dwarfs what I knew. There’s something called Blood Qi, a concept somewhat similar to Qi from my previous life, but more potent. Apparently, those with high cultivation can kill from hundreds of meters away with just a flick of their hand.”
Chen Long’s eyes narrowed as he contemplated his situation. “To become that powerful, I would need substantial resources. As a poor herb gatherer, that would be just a dream for most. But not for me. I, Chen Long, will claw my way out of this pit and ascend to power.”
He took a deep breath, strategizing. “First, I need a plan. Alchemists here earn more than martial artists, so becoming one would significantly improve my financial situation. However, to enter an Alchemy school, I need fifty silver taels. I currently earn two to three taels a month, barely enough to support my family. This body has a mother and a younger sister, and the father—also a herb gatherer—died in a tiger attack on this mountain. *Sigh* It’s going to be a long road ahead. If only I had a bit of help…”
Just then, a soft chime echoed in Chen Long’s mind.
“Huh? Is that sound coming from my head?”
A blue, transparent window materialized in front of Chen Long, shimmering with an ethereal glow.
[Eternal Domination System is installing. Progress: 97%...98%...99%...]
Chen Long’s eyes widened as he watched the system’s progress bar inch closer to completion. The realization of having a powerful tool at his disposal filled him with a renewed sense of hope and determination.
[Eternal Domination System installation complete. The host may activate the system using the "status" keyword.]
“Status,” Chen Long said, testing the command.
A new window materialized in front of him, floating just above the grass.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
[Name: Chen Long
Lifespan: 17/68
Talent: 5.1
Rank: Mortal
Health: 10/100
Vitality: 10
Strength: 4
Endurance: 4
Mail (2)]
His eyes scanned the information quickly, absorbing the details. "So this is my status? Only ten health... that must be because the original owner of this body was near death when I reincarnated. The rest seems pretty self-explanatory, but what's this 'rank' and 'talent'? I'll figure that out later. Let's check this 'mail'—it says there are two."
He tapped the mail tab, and another window popped up.
[Mails:
1. Welcome Gift (new)
2. Choose Path (new)]
“System-generated mails?” Chen Long muttered under his breath. He tapped on the first mail.
[Welcome Gift:
The system welcomes the host. This is the Eternal Domination System. With the system's help, the host can rule over the universe and surpass godhood. As a welcome gift, the host has been granted a unique gift to aid in domination:
(Karmaic Progenitor Body)]
“Karmaic Progenitor Body? What kind of gift is that?” Chen Long wondered, curiosity mixing with excitement.
He tapped the title, and suddenly all the windows vanished. His body began to glow faintly, and a strange, powerful force surged within him. He gasped, his body trembling as his meridians, bones, and muscles shifted and realigned. It felt as though every fiber of his being was tearing apart and reforging itself.
The pain was excruciating, so intense that his mouth opened to scream, but not a sound came out—his blocked meridians left him mute, forcing him to endure the agony in silence.
Minutes felt like hours, but eventually, the pain began to fade. His body returned to normal, though now it felt vastly different—stronger, more alive. He stood up, his limbs buzzing with energy. He clenched his fists, feeling the raw power coursing through him.
"Something really change in my body, I feel more powerful and energized. Status."
[Name: Chen Long
Lifespan: 17/78
Talent: 6.1
Constitution: Karmaic Progenitor Body
Rank: Mortal
Health: 150/150
Vitality: 15
Strength: 9
Endurance: 9
Mail (1)]
“There’s a new 'Constitution' tab... and just this 'Karmaic Progenitor Body' alone boosted my stats so much. What kind of body is this?” Chen Long muttered, astonished by the drastic improvements.
He tapped on the new 'Constitution' title, eager to learn more about this mysterious body. A new window appeared, filling with detailed information about the Karmaic Progenitor Body.
Chen Long's eyes widened as he read the description of the Karmaic Progenitor Body. His heart pounded in his chest as the magnitude of its power sank in.
[The Karmaic Progenitor Body is a physique feared across the realms, an existence so terrifying that even the gods tremble before its boundless might. The possessor is no mere mortal—they are the Progenitor of karma itself, a being who stands beyond the grasp of fate, liberated from all karmic bonds and shackles that ensnare the universe.
With mastery over the fundamental threads of karma, the wielder bends the invisible Karmaic Strings, unseen by all except those who have comprehended the profound mysteries of karma. Each string represents the fate of every being, from the lowest creature to the mightiest emperor. With a mere pull, destinies unravel, lives are rewritten, and empires crumble to dust.
No action is beyond the holder’s influence—every consequence, no matter how insignificant, becomes a tool to unleash devastation or reshape reality itself. The faintest ripple under their control becomes a cataclysmic wave, sweeping across the realms, leaving nothing untouched by their dominion.
To possess the Karmaic Progenitor Body is to wield the terrifying power of destiny itself—an existence that commands not just fear, but absolute reverence.
Abilities:
Unsealed:
- Increases lifespan
- Increases attributes
- Ability to see Karmaic Strings
- +50 for every arts
Sealed (locked abilities)]
“What... What the hell is this description?” Chen Long muttered, his voice shaking in awe. "This body… the unsealed abilities alone are already incredible. Just what kind of power does this body really hold? And I’ve only scratched the surface... I can’t even begin to imagine what kind of strength the sealed abilities hide."
He furrowed his brows, reading the line again. "But what's this '+50 for every arts'? I'll figure that out later." He shook his head, still overwhelmed by the gravity of his newfound power.
Calming his excitement, Chen Long tapped on the other mail to see what it contained.
[Choose Path:
To help you on your journey of cultivation, please choose a path between: Celestial, Beast, or Demonic. Each path has its own unique abilities.
Celestial: Favored by the heavens, the cultivator does not need to face heavenly tribulations and will never had any bottleneck.
Beast: Breaking the fate of heaven to create a beast core, allowing cultivation through it. You can consume raw herbs to enhance cultivation and have a higher speed of cultivation.
Demonic: Defying the order of heaven, using others as stepping stones to destroy the heavens. Absorb others’ cultivation to strengthen yourself.]
Chen Long's thoughts swirled as he weighed his options. “Damn… every path has its perks. But the Celestial path… it sounds safe, yet it offers the least benefit, and I don’t even know what heavenly tribulations are yet! That leaves me with the Beast and Demonic paths…”
He hesitated for a moment, considering the Beast path. "It sounds less destructive, more about self-cultivation," he thought. But then, a cold smile spread across his lips.
"The Demonic path, huh?" Chen Long whispered to himself. "Killing to become stronger... Absorbing others’ cultivation... Well, I don’t care if I have to kill. I’ve been betrayed once before. I will not hesitate this time."
His eyes narrowed as he made his decision. “I’ll choose the Demonic path.”
[Host has chosen the Demonic path. Creating manuals according to host's situation and location…]
Chen Long felt a chill run down his spine as the system confirmed his choice. The wind around him suddenly grew colder, and the rustling of the trees seemed more ominous than before. A dark, unseen power began to stir deep within him, aligning with the path he had chosen.
He clenched his fists, feeling the potential that lay ahead. "I will climb out of this pit. And when I do... nothing will stop me."