Even though my eyes were heavy, with some difficulty I still managed to force them open.
What greeted me was an unfamiliar sky. I was sure I was in some farmer's field. But the wheat crop around me was clearly much longer than your usual plants.
"Die! You demon cat!"
"Meooowwwww"
Just as I managed to support my exhausted body with my bare hands, I heard a woman and a cat's voice.
This meow was much louder than a voice a cat could make.
From the voices, I could feel the fighting was getting more and more intense.
"Where the heck am I?"
I wanted to ask someone various questions popping into my head, but only that cat beast and woman were near me.
From the gruesome voices, I felt scared inwardly. Even though curiosity was at an all-time high, I still managed to hold back.
I waited patiently for some minutes before the fighting sound subsided.
"Ok, let's get close now, both parties must be tired after the long battle."
With staggering footsteps, I finally moved in the direction from where the voice was coming.
"Wow, this woman has such a pretty face."
-I was mesmerized by the beauty lying down. Her hands were half-covering her wound.
As my gaze moved towards the left, I saw a big cat no..
Perhaps, it's a tiger? I was not sure.
That big beast also had its chest pierced with a sword but it was still breathing heavily lying opposite the woman.
Both the woman and beast seem to be locked in a battle of attrition.
Hearing my footsteps, both of them looked towards me.
Their eyes were complicated~
Had it been their heyday, they won't bother to spare me a glance.
But right now, both of them knew this mere human was capable of changing the outcome of the battle.
"Hel-Help me, boy, this demon cat has killed lots of innocents. It must die today."
-The woman's eyes flickered for a second.
At the same time, the beast growled~
"Grrrrrrr!"
-Even though I did not know its language, I was pretty sure it was asking me not to believe that woman.
I looked to-and-fro between them.
"What benefit can you give me?"
-I asked.
Before the woman could speak, the wild beast gave a majestic growl.
As I looked towards it, it spat out a shiny red Pearl from its tongue.
"It's the legendary bead of life."
"B-but wasn't it supposed to be something that was lost in the ancient past", the woman blurted out.
The dazzled exclamation was written all over her face.
The big cat appeared to be smiling after spitting out that bead. It was as if it was already sure that the mere human will choose its side.
Seeing the delighted face of the wild beast, the woman gritted her teeth.
"Even though I don't have anything of similar value. I promise I can make an exception and admit you to my cultivation sect."
She paused for a second before sizing me up.
"You do know… that mere humans like you can never get a chance to join some prestigious sects. The resources needed for mortals to step in the cultivation path are too much….so only naturally talented people below the age of 10 are admitted to those big sects."
'Cultivation sects? Mortals?'
-There were question marks all over my face.
'Don't tell me that I transmigrated to a cultivation world like I read in some novels during my spare time.'
'Damn, if it's really the case… the situation is fucked up.'
'How will I survive now?'
'In the stories, the cultivation world was a very dangerous world unless you have some overpowered cheat code.'
'I don't even seem to have a backing!'
-various conflicting thoughts flashed through my mind as I did my best to not show any sign of anxiety on my calm face.
'Whatever the case, it's better to first find someplace to live before I can decide my further course of action.'
-Ignoring the two who were eagerly waiting for me to make a choice, I had a good time contemplating over.
"Have you decided it, human?"
"Grrrrrrhhhh"
-Both the parties spoke impatiently.
....
I walked towards the gorgeous woman.
Bending slightly I took the extra pair of swords hanging on her waist.
Jejeehhhh~
The wild beast was elated seeing my actions.
"I guess that's how it will end", she closed her eyes as she started chanting some mysterious words…
It was only a few seconds but I dexterously stabbed the sword straight into the wild beast's heart. Its chest was already ripped open from the earlier fight. There was no way it could avoid this fatal attack at such a close range.
The beast knowing that it's death was already certain, crushed the bead it had spitted out earlier before perishing.
Seeing such a scene, a little regret flashed through my eyes.
'I hope what this women gives is good!'
"?"
-the woman steadily opened her trembling eyes, stopping with her chant half-completed.
"Yeah, I killed that beast."
"Don't you dare go back on your promise?"
"Really?"
-There was a sly smile on her face.
"If a mortal joins a cultivation sect at your age, he is bound to face discrimination. I can give you some money and you can live happily in some countryside."
"Nah, don't go back on your words. I will stay at your sect. Plus, you even promised to allot some resources to me. Who knows if I am a late bloomer?"
-I replied.
'There's no way I am staying in this dangerous world alone, hehe', there was a sneer on my face.
"Okay, give me some minutes."
-The woman took out some healing pills and as soon as she put them in her mouth, her wounds were recovering at an outstanding pace.
"In-between, my name is Shenshah, what should I call this beauty?"
-I tried to brush up some favour by flattering her.
"Just call me Sect Master", she replied nonchalantly.
Suddenly I felt my feet being lifted from the ground.
"Fuck, am I flying?"
"Don't behave like a villager just stay still."
After flying for about half an hour, a big villa, sort of like ancient Buddhist monastery, came into my vision.
The sect was located on top of a hill, the fog from the adjoining river, which engulfed most of the buildings, was a sight to behold.
We stopped at a corner of a peak which was almost invisible.
"This is my sect -The immortal Paradise. As promised, you will live in that cave."
From an invisible spatial pocket, she took out a carry bag and threw it towards me.
"This bag contains the sect's general-disciple token along with some spirit stones. It's enough to cultivate for 4 years, this is the biggest generosity I can provide."
"If you still fail to step in the immortal way, you can only blame your bad luck."
-Just as she finished speaking, she disappeared into thin air. For her, who from the start had looked down on various commoners, the time given to this boy was already worth more than the promise.
If things had come down to a final showdown, she would have burned her life essence. Also, there were still weapons in her inventory that were still unused.
Meeting Shenshah was just pure luck that she didn't care much about.
Even without his help she was sure of her victory~
I looked at her back sarcastically.
"You look down so much on me, one day I shall have the final laugh."
"After all, luck is also a skill!"
-Holding the storage bag that she gave me tightly, I went inside the empty cave which would be my future home.
It was time to check what good stuff I leached from her.
There was a basic manual explaining sect rules, along with a rubbish introduction to cultivation telling about various classes.
But what caught my eye was the pamphlet- "A beginner's guide."
"Haha!…. Baby that's what I am looking for."
Knowledge is power~
The more I read, the more serious my face was.
"It's gonna be tough", I murmured to myself.