'It burns! Burns!'

The man convulsed, clawing at his throat, only to abruptly halt. Kneeling, one hand pressed against a wall and the other clutching his abdomen, he peered down at a small puddle of water. His own reflection seemed alien to him. 'This… isn't me, right?' The mature, hardened face with jet-black hair framing cerulean orbs stared back, marked by prominent eye bags and weariness etched into every line. It felt as if something were weighing him down, but he stood up, struggling when doing so. 

He began to inspect himself more. He looked at what he was wearing, 'a black robe?' He thought, '... like ancient China? Wait, this isn't my house. If it isn't mine, then where the hell am I? Damn it, don't tell me 'They' got my ass.'

He sighed, then felt like he sucked in too much air as his head nearly fell straight backwards. He stumbled, catching himself. He huffed, then was met with a piercing pain in his head. "ACK!" He cried out, falling to his knees again. He cradled himself, coughing up blood. 

Suddenly, he no longer felt like he was on the floor, writhing in pain. Now he felt as if he were in some godly dimension as memories began to fill his mind. He knew he wasn't witnessing an entire life, merely a few pieces to the whole puzzle.

While the memories consisted of a few years, it went by in an instant in the real world. He shuddered. "I'm so damn confused. Urgh!" He leaned over, blood spilling from his guts, "this can't really be me. A dream? Ah!" He winced, palming his eyeballs. A maniacal laughter began to fill the air, "kahaha!" His voice cracked.

The memories he just got brought him the grim reality of his position. However, that didn't change his confusion. He had no clue how or why he was in this predicament; real or fake. Even more so, his hand began to glow a dark purple as he held it over the stomach wound. It slowly, but surely, began to heal. His body had moved on its own, preserving the life of the host above all.

He fell on his ass, wiping the blood off his mouth. Then, a name rang out from his memories. "Kai Ren." He uttered the words. But the name that struck fear into those of this world was not his birth name, but rather his nickname, "Bloodthorne."

He looked upwards for a moment of peace, but couldn't help, but chuckle. By doing so, he coughed up even more blood. "So, am I being tossed away?! Huh!?" He slammed his fists into the ground. Then, he found himself in front of the puddle again, except he noticed something this time. It was a puddle of blood. His image waved in the blood. He cupped his hands, submerging his hands into it. After a moment, he brought forth his cupped hands into the air. The blood trickled downwards, each droplet punching him in the face.

He opened them, like a trapdoor, and the blood repelled back down into the puddle, lightly splashing onto the surroundings.

He groaned, standing up from the rocky ground. He glanced around the room he was in. It looked wooden from the inside, the walls painted with blood. The chairs and tables were all smashed as he painfully stepped over some debris.

'I don't know what's happening, but I might as well start with that… table.' He thought, noticing one that had not been destroyed. Approaching the lone intact table, a body tumbled from the shadows, landing with a heavy thud. While most would recoil in horror, Kai remained stoic, his past having desensitized him to such sights. Kneeling beside the corpse, he observed the gruesome wounds, recognizing the fallen as one of his allies. 'I do not know you, yet I feel like I do.'

He crouched down next to the body. The scent of death lingered in the air like a heavy, suffocating fog, thick with the decay of time's relentless passage. It was a sickly-sweet odor, mingling with the acrid tang of decay, assaulting the senses with its unyielding grip. 

And despite the fact he felt like he had nothing to say, his mouth opened, "a weak fool." He held his fist in a ball and covered his own mouth. He didn't say that. At least, he didn't mean to. His eyes trailed up and down the dead body, then decided to roll it over with his foot. The flesh was as soft as a marshmallow. The body, now flipped on its back, revealed an ugly story. It had slashes all across its body, its lips were split into two, and one eyeball gouged out, like a fish.

His face had been mutilated, but Kai could still make out who it was. 'One of Kai-... one of my allies.' He once again looked around the room, 'why can't I just remember what happened here. How am I supposed to win? Wait! Win what? Win what?!'

"URGH!" His mind felt a throbbing pain once more, but this time, he felt like someone was forcing him to do something. A command.

"Revenge."

He laughed, bitterly. This body was not his nor were the memories, yet he still felt a compelling emotion to exact vengeance. 

'Alright, I get it now. There's no point in acting in disbelief. I'm in a new world.' 

'I've taken this body. Or I was forced into it. I don't know, but what I do know is the previous body owner, the real Kai, he sure as hell went through some shit. To find out your best friend murdered your other friends. Quite funny, actually.' 

Accepting his situation now left one more thing to accept. 'Yeah, I'm no longer that same man from Earth. I'm Kai Ren, now.'

Through the given memories, Kai came to understand much of the history and current news of this world.

Firstly, there were three main geographical locations. In the heart of the continent, the Central Empire, which is controlled by the rich. The noble families and bureaucrats run it, despite there being a king. Then there's the Western Isles, home to many nomadic tribes and clans. The Central Empire has attempted taking over the Western Isles, but has been stopped every time. The last important place were the Eastern Kingdoms. Just like the Western Isles, they had many kingdoms of which one Kai is currently in. 

The Ling Kingdom. 

It's the smallest of the Eastern Kingdoms, yet it stands on par with the others every single year at the Annual Martial Art Competition, which is held for the younger generations of all those on the continent.

But that didn't really matter. After all, the body of Kai Ren was twenty one years old. In the world of cultivation, his age would be considered baby-like. However, this world was not his. Being from Earth, he knew twenty one years old, despite still being considered young, was also considered matured. For the most part, that is.

Kai stood up. "You stole my soul and I stole your body. A part of me knows that in order for me to keep living I have to enact revenge. However, that'd be a lame reason. So, how about this: I'll only go through with this, because I couldn't do it from my homeworld."

He knew that even though on Earth he was… well, not uncommon, he was definitely not as 'well-known' as the owner of this body was. But the body of this man, Bloodthorne, was considered one of the strongest in the entire continent.

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In this world, there were five cultivation levels. The lowest was Foundation Establishment, followed by Core Formation, then Soul Refinement and Nascent Divinity, with the last and final one being Immortal Ascension. 

Within each level, there are stages. They all follow the early, mid, and then late. However, Foundation and Ascension were not the same. Foundation started with initial and intermediate, ended by advanced.

And Bloodthorne was Late Soul Refinement.

He grinned, searching the body of the dead. He brought out some pill bottles, stuffed them in his pockets. Searching another pocket, he found some Qi Stones, the currency of this world, stuffed into a small bag. He threw that in his pocket as well.

Then, he walked out of what he found out to be a shack. His robe was tattered and stained with crimson, so he knew his first task should be to get a new one. 

Funnily enough, Bloodthorne had been attempting his revenge since childhood with a mask to conceal his face. Like it was second nature, Kai looked down at his neck, a plain old, regular necklace there. But he grabbed the necklace, and by simply thinking of it, the mask came into reality.

The mask was a haunting visage wrought from blackened steel, its surface adorned with sinuous etchings that writhe like serpents in the moonlight. Angular and foreboding, it boasted crimson gems for eyes, their fiery gaze seeming to pierce through the veil of darkness. Jagged spikes and twisted protrusions adorned its lower half, reminiscent of a predator's snarl frozen in time. As it settles upon the wearer's face, shadows dance across its surface, veiling their identity in mystery and menace. Wisps of ethereal black smoke curl around the edges, as if whispering secrets of retribution and revenge.

"Cute." He chuckled, summoning it back to where it came. "So nobody knows that Kai Ren is a merciless murderer, then, huh?" I said out loud, but was hit with a sudden reality, "no… the people who killed him know. Should I find out their identities first or just do what this body wants?" He walked away from the shack, the moonlight casted over him. He scratched his neck, begrudgingly saying, "ah, no matter. I just need a pair of clothes and a place to sleep." He yawned, but suddenly stopped. He looked down at his waist, nothing there. "Shit, Kai also had a sword. If it's not here, then that means whoever killed him, took it."

'And if 'my' memory serves me right, I'm in Qiyan city. A port town on the east coast of the Leng Kingdom. How am I supposed to start? I'm in the dark, here.'

He massaged his chin. "Well, there should be plenty of people here."

The sight away from the shack was unreal.

The harbor sparkled like a sea of stars, the moon's silvery light casting long shadows across the rippling waters. Lanterns bobbed gently on the decks of moored ships, their warm glow illuminating the faces of weary sailors and curious onlookers alike.

As Kai stepped onto the cobblestone streets, he found himself enveloped in a world of shadows and whispers. The sounds of the day had faded into the background, replaced by the soft murmur of distant conversations and the occasional echo of footsteps on worn stone. Above him, the stars twinkled like distant beacons, casting their ethereal light upon the city below.

In the market district, the stalls lay deserted, their colorful canopies billowing gently in the night breeze. Lanterns hung from awnings and doorways, their flickering flames casting dancing shadows upon the empty streets. The air was heavy with the scent of incense and spices, mingling with the salty tang of the sea to create an intoxicating aroma that lingered in the cool night air.

Despite the late hour, Qiyan City was far from silent. From the taverns and alehouses that lined the waterfront, the strains of music and laughter drifted through the air, accompanied by the clink of glasses and the hearty cheer of revelers. In the distance, the sound of drums and flutes echoed faintly, signaling a late-night celebration in some far-off corner of the city.

But that wasn't really a concern for Kai. He noticed a chair outside one of the buildings. Then, he began his watch, waiting for prey, so he could strike. He knew most people wouldn't be able to see his blood-stained robe, but that wouldn't be long. It might've been hard to see it, but it was easy to smell it.

"I'm gonna go take a piss real quick, guys!" Said one of a few men sitting around a table. They were playing a board game of sorts. Kai was intrigued by what they could be playing, but silently watched as the man walked into an alleyway.

Kai stood up, brushing off his pants, entering the darkness from behind. It was a few moments of silence, and the men's laughter filled the background.

Then, Kai emerged from the shadows. His knuckles looked even more bare than before. 

'Worth it. I'm not sure why a bum like him has such nice clothing, but I don't mind. It's mine now, after all.'

Kai's wooden shoes rubbed against the rocky street with every step, hearing the men shouting from behind him. Not at him, but simply shouting. They walked to that same alley, then ran out, screaming at the top of their lungs. Kai found it funny and as he turned just one corner, he found another building that was labeled, "Jade Inn."

'It's in English. I guess this body's memories were indeed right. They've got diverse ethnicities here too. The Eastern Kingdoms are English speaking, huh?'

He sighed, walked up the stairs, and entered the building. It was bustling with people as many indulged in some sort of food Kai had never seen. He did, however, notice that a lot of them were drinking tea. For some reason, his lips slightly curved upwards.

Something to remind him of home.

He walked to the main desk, where a lady operated by herself. He wasn't sure why, but she stammered when she first spoke, "h-hello! How may I help you?!" Her cheeks were flushed.

His confusion didn't last long, though. He simply smirked. "I'm looking for a place to stay." He said bluntly.

"U-uh, well, we have many, many open rooms right now, sir."

"!" Kai leaned forward, shocked. The woman's face turned red as thoughts filled Kai's mind, 'sir? Isn't that too modern?' His smile continued growing. 'Fascinating!'

Then, he snapped out and looked back at the woman, "I'll take a room."

"Of course… sir. How many nights will you be staying?"

"Hmm," he held up his three fingers, "three nights."

"That'll be ten qi stones." She replied.

Kai dug into his pocket and opened the small bag of stones. There were three different types of color. Red, orange, and purple. He picked up one orange stone, sliding it on the counter, "this is worth fifty, right?" She nodded her head. Filled with curiosity, Kai twisted his head, "do you guys accept tips?" He asked.

"I'm sorry… tips? What's that, sir."

"Oh, thank God." Kai was exhilarated from the response, but the woman held a look of confusion. "Just keep it." He said.

The woman looked like she was going to refuse, but felt the sudden gaze of a certain boss from behind. She nervously chuckled, grabbed a key, and handed it to Kai, saying, "you're on the second floor, room twenty three."

Kai took the key from her hand. He raised it high, wanting to say thanks, but like earlier, his body refused his will. Now, instead of saying anything, he simply nodded and turned around.

The stairs creaked with each step and he finally found himself inside his room. 

As Kai Ren stepped into the inn, the scent of burning incense and faint traces of medicinal herbs greeted his senses, mingling with the warmth of flickering lanterns that cast dancing shadows across the wooden beams above. The room was dimly lit, with thick curtains drawn tightly shut to keep prying eyes at bay, giving the space an air of secrecy and sanctuary. 

The furnishings were simple yet sturdy, reflecting the practical nature of those who frequented such establishments in the murim. A low wooden table sat in the center of the room, surrounded by plush cushions where patrons could recline and relax after a long day's journey. On the table, a small porcelain tea set gleamed softly in the dim light, inviting guests to partake in the soothing ritual of tea-drinking.

Against one wall, a traditional paper screen adorned with delicate brushstrokes depicted scenes of nature – towering mountains, cascading waterfalls, and elegant cranes in flight – imbuing the room with a sense of tranquility and harmony. Nearby, a simple wooden shelf displayed an array of scrolls and tomes, their worn covers hinting at the knowledge and wisdom contained within.

At the far end of the room, a sliding door led to a small alcove where a comfortable futon was laid out on tatami mats, offering a place for weary travelers to rest their heads and find respite from the rigors of the road. A soft cotton blanket was folded neatly at the foot of the futon, providing warmth and comfort on chilly nights.

Exhausted, he sat on the bed. 

He brought forth both hands. He was shaking, uncontrollably. 

"I guess… I guess I'm a little concerned."

He laid back, sighing. He accepted his situation, but that didn't mean he understood it. How could he?

He wrapped himself up, his hands still shaking. He was reminded of his last memory before finding himself as Kai Ren. Would he wake up and cease from the world, returning to Earth, or would he remain on the planet of Tenkū.

Nevertheless, he closed his eyes, succumbing himself to slumber.