Mira's consciousness was sucked into the void as she headed towards her new body. Her new parents had only started trying to conceive a few weeks ago, unaware that their child was at least ten times their age.
"Ah, fuck! Another painful reincarnation. Now I have to endure another nine months in this pitch-black place, with nothing else to do but think. Well, I guess it's not so bad. I can check on my new body, make sure my spiritual scythe came with me through my soul, and review the martial arts and cultivation manuals that I remember. Even though I can't practice them, I can still review them."
Mira proceeded to check her condition and was ecstatic to find that her spiritual weapon had stayed with her. Spiritual weapons were much more valuable than regular ones. They might not be exceedingly powerful in the beginning, but they had the potential to grow stronger with the user. They also resided in a cultivator's soul. While they grew alongside the cultivator's strength, it was only to a certain degree. The weapon would experience explosive growth when a cultivator reached the nascent soul realm. Luckily, Mira had stumbled upon the inheritance of an old cultivator who left behind the scythe and a cultivation manual.
The scythe was called the Abyssal Sea Scythe. It stood at 2 meters tall with a 70-centimeter curved blade at the end. The pole end of the scythe boasted an extremely sharp spike at the bottom. It was predominantly black, with crystal blue veins running throughout.
"I'm glad this scythe made it through. Even though its strength has dropped to the mortal grade, it still has the potential to grow. It can be considered the absolute best mortal-grade weapon. Its highest potential is reaching earth-grade before I reach the nascent soul stage, but that's fine. I also have the cultivation manual that came with the scythe: the Hell Scythe Essence cultivation manual. It uses a spiritual scythe as a base, but other than that, it's a fairly standard manual. The only special thing about it is that it enhances the scythe's durability, sharpness, and strengthens my soul sea, where the scythe rests, through cultivation. Although the benefits may not be significant at first, they will accumulate over time."
"The real benefits will come when I reach the nascent soul stage, though. I'll just have to practice hard and wait for that stage."
There are five different grades for weapons, as far as Mira knows: Human, Mortal, Earth, Heaven, and Mystical. Human-grade weapons are basic weapons made of common materials that even a child can wield.
Mortal-grade weapons and above are meant for cultivators, allowing them to infuse qi into the weapon or channel qi through it to use their martial arts.
Earth and Heaven weapons can still be used at lower cultivation realms, but they are exponentially heavier and require denser qi flow. Immortal weapons are legendary, rumored to be capable of slicing through the earth and moon.
The same grading system applies to cultivation manuals. Human-grade manuals can guide practitioners to the qi condensation stage. Mortal-grade manuals cover the foundation stage.
Earth-grade manuals can help cultivators reach the nascent soul stage, although, without further utilization, they may become stuck at the end of the nascent soul stage, unable to progress.
Heaven manuals can lead practitioners to the Soul Transformation Realm.
Mystical-Grade Manuals could allow cultivators to reach the Mortal Shedding Realm.
"I already have my cultivation manual, so no need to try and obtain another one. I guess I can use these nine months to ensure I remember every single detail. I have my main weapon and some decent martial arts skills, but they might be useless until I discover my elemental affinity. My biggest challenge will be getting through the Body Tempering stage. I've only successfully reached Qi Condensation once, and it was by far the most challenging. Well, I'll face that hurdle when I can begin training."
"I suppose I'll review what's in my mind and wait until I'm born. The rest can be figured out along the way."
With that, Mira proceeded to review the manuals in her head and wait for the remaining nine months until her birth.
***
Eight months later
"How are you feeling, Jannette? Do you need me to get you anything or perhaps prepare a bath?" said a husky-voiced man.
"No thanks, Zach, I'm fine. I'm just a little worried because the baby hasn't kicked much during these eight months. However, the nurse assured me that she's fine," replied a woman with an especially sweet voice.
These two individuals were Mira's new parents. They were young, around 30 years old, and had no interest in the brutal world of cultivation. Their only desire was to live each day happily and fulfill their mortal lives. Currently, they were awaiting the birth of their child. Jannette appeared ready to give birth at any moment. Zach had been busy gathering herbs and water for her while preparing healthy meals.
They resided in a small village called Green Grass Village, located on the outskirts of a forest near a mountain range. The forest, known as Dark Moon Forest, earned its name due to its perpetual darkness, although it exhibited a silver hue at night when the moon emerged. The nearby mountain range was called Skytop Mountain Range and was a dangerous area inhabited by numerous magical beasts.
Green Grass Village was a modest settlement with approximately 100 residents. Its inhabitants led ordinary lives, with most of them currently engaged in Strength Training or Body Forging in the Body Tempering Stage. The village's most powerful individual had reached the Marrow Tempering Stage but could progress no further due to limited resources and old age. He was nearly 150 years old, which marked the average human lifespan for those who hadn't completed Marrow Tempering.
"Ah, Zach, I think the baby is coming! Hurry and prepare!" Jannette exclaimed, her voice filled with urgency.
"I'm coming, dear! I'll bring Elder Yu with us for assistance. She's helped deliver numerous babies in the village," Zach replied.
"Okay, hurry!"
Jannette eagerly anticipated the arrival of her baby. She had dreamed of this day since she was a little girl. In the village, collecting herbs and being a mother were the primary responsibilities of women, while men hunted, built houses, and provided defense for the community.
A short while later, Zach and Elder Yu stood by Jannette's side as she cradled her newborn baby girl.
Jannette sat there, her face tired yet filled with joy as she gazed at her baby girl.
"Zach, what should we name her?"
"Well, we had decided on Mira if it were a girl, and I think we should stick with that name. It's a beautiful choice."
"Okay, it's settled then. Her name will be Mira! Do you like that name, Mira?" Jannette asked, even though Mira was just a newborn and couldn't respond, inwardly, Mira felt surprised.
'For some reason, my name remains the same regardless of the life, body, or world I'm in.'
She glanced around and noticed Elder Yu, a woman with gray hair, wrinkles, and sharp features, observing her without crying. Mira seemed to be in good health.
"The baby doesn't seem to be crying. You should give her a gentle smack just to make sure she's okay," Elder Yu suggested.
Jannette hesitated but followed the advice, gently smacking Mira's bottom.
Mira started crying, as it was a natural reflex for babies, even though she was accustomed to pain. Additionally, crying was necessary to avoid any suspicion that something might be wrong.
'Damn! This happens every time. Well, hopefully, this will be my final reincarnation. My mind still needs time to adjust to the body.'
Indeed, Mira had discovered that despite inhabiting her 11th body, the body's reflexes still influenced her mind due to the imbalances.
"Well, it seems she's in good health. Congratulations on giving birth to such a beautiful child," Elder Yu remarked before preparing to leave their home.
"Wow, Zach, look at our daughter! Her wine-red eyes and shiny silver hair make her look like a goddess, even as a newborn. I can only imagine how stunning she'll become as she grows older. I can already envision boys flocking to her! Hehe," Jannette exclaimed.
"Hmph! I won't be letting any boys near my precious daughter unless they're stronger than me!" Zach responded, annoyed at the thought of potential suitors.
"Hehe, well, there's no need to worry about that now. Let's just do our best."
Jannette gazed at Zach lovingly, and he returned the sentiment.