The sea breeze swept across the lush fields of the small island, carrying with it the earthy scent of freshly turned soil. Lu Fan squinted as he gazed over the vibrant green of the spiritual field before him, where countless sprouts shimmered with faint glimmers of energy, nourished by the island's ambient qi. As the wind tousled his hair, he took a deep breath, filling his lungs with the salty air that had become familiar over the past few days.
Only a week had passed since he found himself in this body—a body that wasn't his own. Lu Fan remembered his life before, back in his original world, a place free of qi, cultivators, or mystical beasts. Now, here he was, a young man from the prestigious Lu family, living on a small, tranquil island filled with nothing but lush fields and loyal clansmen. A remote existence by his family's standards, yet a peaceful one.
The original Lu Fan had struggled, clawing his way through the early stages of cultivation with only the weakest, five-elemental spiritual roots. He'd cultivated diligently, trying to prove himself worthy of his family's legacy, but each breakthrough had been harder than the last. When he failed to move from the third stage of Qi Cultivation to the fourth, he had exhausted himself to death, his ambitions swallowed by his own limitations.
Yet, here he was again—no longer that Lu Fan, but somehow still in his body.
"This time," Lu Fan mused to himself with a smirk, "I'll do things differently."
For as much as his new family revered cultivation, Lu Fan knew his limitations. With his five-elemental low-grade spiritual roots, he'd never be more than a weak cultivator, barely scraping by in a world filled with prodigies and powerhouses. To toil like the previous Lu Fan, only to reach the end of the path with nothing more than a mediocre rank, was not how he intended to spend this second chance.
No, he was going to enjoy his life here. He was the only cultivator on the island, and to these people, that alone made him a celebrity. With a population of around four thousand loyal Lu family members, the island was close-knit and simple. Every day, they greeted him with reverence, treating him as if he were a high-ranking elder from the main family. For them, he was the peak of power and respect on the island, and for him, it was freedom.
"Lu Fan, good morning!" A voice called out, pulling him from his thoughts.
He turned to see Old Li, a wizened farmer who had spent his life tending the spiritual fields. Like everyone else on the island, he was mortal, and yet the reverence in his eyes reminded Lu Fan of the weight that came with his role here.
"Good morning, Old Li," Lu Fan replied, nodding politely.
Old Li gave a pleased smile. "The fields are looking especially lively today, thanks to your blessings. Truly, we are fortunate to have someone as talented as yourself watching over us."
Lu Fan chuckled, feeling a strange mixture of amusement and embarrassment. Talent? He was barely cultivating these days. All he had done was maintain the basic spiritual formations around the field, a task he could perform in his sleep.
"Ah, you're too kind, Old Li. It's the land and your hard work that make these fields flourish," he replied, patting the old man's shoulder.
Old Li beamed, his eyes creasing with pride. "I've lived here my entire life, and I've never seen the fields as prosperous as they are now. The young ones are saying it's a sign. A sign that this year's harvest will be the best we've had in decades!"
Lu Fan simply nodded, letting Old Li go on. It was true that the fields were doing well, but that was more due to the island's natural qi and soil than anything he'd done. Still, he didn't mind taking credit if it meant the villagers felt proud.
"Master Lu Fan!" A small group of children ran up to him, their faces filled with awe. They looked at him like he was some great hero, a figure out of the stories.
"Show us some magic!" one of them begged.
Lu Fan chuckled, and with a flick of his wrist, summoned a small flame in his palm, letting it dance in the air. The children gasped in amazement, their eyes wide as they watched the fire flicker.
It was a simple trick, something any beginner could do, yet to these children, it was wondrous. Lu Fan let them watch for a moment before letting the flame disappear with a snap of his fingers.
"Alright, enough playing around," he said, shooing them off with a grin. "Back to your chores!"
The children ran off, their laughter echoing across the fields.
As he watched them go, Lu Fan felt a sense of contentment settle over him. Back on the mainland, the Lu family's cultivators fought for power, titles, and the approval of the elders. They sacrificed years of their lives in endless seclusion, all for the chance to reach the next realm and claim glory.
But here, Lu Fan had found peace. He was respected and revered, free from the pressures of competition. There were no scheming elders or ambitious rivals here, just villagers who were content with their lives and grateful for his presence.
"I could get used to this," he murmured to himself.