The surge of energy coursed through my veins, carrying with it a sense of transformation. My senses sharpened, and the air around me seemed clearer than ever before. I felt stronger, as if the pendant had unlocked a hidden potential deep within.
Blinking, I took in my surroundings: endless forests, misty peaks in the distance, and the faint sound of rushing water nearby. This was definitely not the world I'd known.
"Where… am I?" I whispered, disbelief and curiosity warring within me.
A soft chime echoed, and a screen appeared in front of my eyes like a holographic display:
╔════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ SYSTEM RESPONSE ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Current Location: Azure Dragon World ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Description: A cultivation realm filled ║
║ with countless opportunities—and ║
║ dangers. ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════╝
Azure Dragon World… It felt like something straight out of a Xianxia novel. My heart raced. Xiao Feng, a simple high schooler, was now part of a world of cultivation.
"System," I asked, my voice steadier this time. "Show me my current status."
╔════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ STATUS PANEL ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Host: Xiao Feng ║
║ Cultivation Level: Body Refining Tier 1 ║
║ Talent: Normal ║
║ Skills: None ║
║ System Abilities: Devouring Ability ║
║ Inventory: ║
║ • Starter Qi Pills x10 ║
║ • Basic Combat Technique (Unlearned) ║
║ • System Guidebook ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════╝
Body Refining Tier 1. The absolute starting point. I clenched my fists, determined to climb higher—no matter what it took.
"System," I said, taking a deep breath. "Explain the cultivation levels to me."
╔════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ CULTIVATION LEVELS ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Level 1: Body Refining Realm ║
║ Level 2: Qi Gathering Realm ║
║ Level 3: Foundation Establishment Realm ║
║ Level 4: Core Formation Realm ║
║ Level 5: Nascent Soul Realm ║
║ ⚡ Tiers 7-9: Can tear space within ║
║ this world to appear anywhere. ║
║ Level 6: Immortal Ascension Realm ║
║ ⚡ Tiers 7-9: Can tear space to other ║
║ worlds and control time. ║
║ Level 7: Divine Emperor Realm ║
║ ⚡ Tiers 7-9: Can travel across space, ║
║ time, and dimensions. ║
║ Note: Each level contains 9 small tiers.║
╚════════════════════════════════════════╝
Seven levels… nine small tiers each. A colossal journey.
A faint ache settled in my chest as I thought of my sister. Was she okay? Did she know I was gone? Could I ever see her again?
"System," I asked, my voice trembling. "If I'm dead, what about my sister? Will she know? Will she be okay?"
╔════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ SYSTEM RESPONSE ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ The fate of your sister is uncertain. ║
║ She believes you are in a coma in your ║
║ original world. Time passes differently ║
║ here. ║
║ However, if you reach Level 7, you may ║
║ gain the power to reunite with her— ║
║ and even change her fate. ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════╝
A surge of determination filled my heart. Level 7… I'd have to defy the heavens themselves to get there.
I opened my inventory with a thought, watching the digital panel flicker to life:
╔════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ INVENTORY ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ • Starter Qi Pills x10 ║
║ • Basic Combat Technique (Unlearned) ║
║ • System Guidebook ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════╝
"System," I said, voice steady. "Consume one Starter Qi Pill."
╔════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ CONSUMING: STARTER QI PILL ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Qi Circulation Enhanced ║
║ Cultivation Progress: +10% ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════╝
A warm current spread through my body, filling me with strength I'd never known. My limbs felt lighter, my senses sharper. Even the smallest breeze carried the scent of grass and the crispness of the mountain air.
"System," I said, a small smile on my lips. "Open the System Guidebook."
A panel unfolded in front of me:
╔════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ SYSTEM GUIDEBOOK ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Welcome, Host. This world is filled ║
║ with opportunities—and dangers. To ║
║ rise in power, defeat enemies, gain ║
║ treasures, and master cultivation. ║
║ ║
║ Devouring Ability: Use with caution. ║
║ Absorb essence from defeated enemies, ║
║ talents, or treasures. ║
║ ║
║ Missions: ║
║ 1. Reach Level 7 Cultivation (9 Tiers). ║
║ 2. Protect your family. ║
║ 3. Transcend fate itself. ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════╝
I clenched my fists, heart pounding with a mixture of fear and excitement.
"Alright," I whispered. "This is my path now. For my sister—and for myself—I'll climb to the top. No matter what it takes."
---
🌌 End of Chapter 2