Derek gingerly ran his fingers along the rough wood at the side of the bed, his touch betraying the turmoil within him. The two-hour period was almost finished, and he was about to absorb the memories of his new host body.
A couple of minutes later, the silence and darkness made his heart throb in unease. As a piercing sound reverberated in his head, sending shivers down his spine.
[Does the host wish to confirm?]
"Yes," Derek replied, his voice quivering with a mixture of fear and anticipation.
As if a dam had collapsed, a torrent of memories surged into his mind, overwhelming in their sheer magnitude. His brain strained to process and navigate through the deluge, but thanks to his remarkable photographic memory, the assimilation went smoothly.
His unique ability allowed him to assimilate and experience countless scenes. However, when he opened his eyes again, the brightness of the cave almost blinded him. The dawn of a new day began, and with it, his first step into this foreign and enigmatic world called Aetheria.
Meanwhile, Derek ventured forth from his humble abode and headed directly to the library. Today marked a significant milestone—a cause to celebrate. The position of a librarian in the sect was the cherished dream of countless servants. The simplicity of this post, compared to the torturous and risky labor, was like the disparity between night and day.
Today he become a librarian.
As he moved, his brisk strides led him to a place where he could see the entirety of the mountain peaks. Their majestic presence evoked reverence, while the pristine skies stretched out like an azure canvas above. The crisp sound of leaves crunching underfoot added a symphony to the serene surroundings, calming Derek's heart, which resonated like a tranquil ocean.
"What a sight," Derek mumbled in sheer delight and amazement, his gaze transfixed on the breathtaking view before him. Despite seeing this scene in his predecessor's memories, it couldn't be compared to the vibrant reality.
The air was so clean, it made him calm and collected, their was also an invisible energy in the air that invigorated him with every breath.
"As usual, appreciating even the smallest of things, right, Brother Cheng?" a lighthearted voice made its way into his ears.
"Senior brother, how have you been? I apologize for not noticing you earlier," Cheng bowed respectfully, his voice tinged with deference.
"Hahaha... no problem, no problem. It's my fault for sneaking up on you," Liu Feng laughed.
"Senior brother, what's the occasion? You seem to be in a very good mood this morning," Cheng inquired.
"Hah, as expected, nothing escapes your eyes," Feng responded as he gazed at him with a mix of admiration and sympathy.
"I successfully made a breakthrough yesterday. My cultivation surpassed the threshold, ascending to the peak of the foundation establishment."
"A magnificent feat indeed! Your unwavering will and profound understanding of cultivation display your talent and wisdom. Truly a rare sight to see. Congratulations, Brother Feng. I am genuinely happy for you," Derek said sincerely.
This brother of his always offered support, protecting his precedor and disregarding his misgivings despite his lowly status. Before an immortal, this showed immense favor and trust. he didnt know why though, he just assumed it was kindness.
A captivating smile materialized on Feng's face, radiating contentment and satisfaction .
"Haha... good words, Cheng Xiao. Now, since I'm stronger, I will definitely humiliate that despicable guy in the next tournament," his tone deepened and became sharp as he finished.
Derek couldn't help but feel a sense of helplessness. Beneath Feng's handsome and diligent facade lay a gentle and kind-hearted nature—a rarity in this cutthroat cultivation world. The circumstances had repeatedly shown that such a personality was vulnerable and easily taken advantage of.
"No need to bother yourself, senior. I'm perfectly healthy right now,so what's the need for complaint?" Derek said apologetically as he bowed.
Liu Feng gazed at him deeply and thought, " He almost killed you that time and he is still as as stubborn as ever."
"Anyway, where are you heading?" Feng asked as he faced the other peaks.
"To the library—it's my first day," Cheng answered.
In response, Liu Feng summoned a long and ancient sword as he muttered "Yan Xia" in a melancholic tone, gesturing for Cheng to come closer.
"Boom..." a loud sound pierced the surrounding area, and a long flying sword made its way through the clear sky, cleaving a long arc in its path. It began with a soft hiss, growing into a sharp whistle as the blade cleaved through the atmosphere.
The sound carried an intense and focused energy, as if the air itself recoiled from the swift intrusion.
Cheng's hair and robe swayed and fluttered, faced with air resistance and the extreme speed of the sword. He couldn't even appreciate the view underneath him, despite the invisible shield the sword provided; he was still affected.
He was too weak . Despite being a peak connate realm expert, his strength was impressive only in the mortal world. Faced with cultivators, his strength amounted to nothing. The gap was too big. Even the lowest rank immortal could flatten a whole house with no effort. Adding that to their extremely long lifespan, killing them became an incredibly difficult task.
On the other hand, martial artists could only live slightly longer than the average human. There wasn't a big difference between the two kinds, only one thing could decide their fate—their spiritual root and its nature. The spiritual root's quality and affinity with the various celestial energies remained the only deciding factor to measure a person's talent.
" I havent yet actually tried using this body, but with the memories, i feel so familiar with it, strange i feel like i experienced his whole life, even his traits and habits seem to affect me"
Woken up from his deep thought by the descent of the sword, Cheng Xiao adjusted his robe as he landed.
"Thank you, senior brother, for bringing me here" Cheng said as he bowed.
"It's fine. I was on the way to the mission hall anyway," Liu Feng responded as he swiftly disappeared. 'He seems to be in a rush,' Cheng thought as he looked at the black dot in the sky. In the end, he shrugged his shoulders and headed to the library.
Moments later, upon getting closer, Cheng was shocked by what was in front of him.
"Is this really the library? This looks like a palace?" He scratched his head as he moved closer, trying to get a clearer picture of the building before him.
A couple of hundred feet away, Cheng's body stood rooted on the ground. In front of him, an imposing structure stood tall and erect. It was a masterpiece of architectural grandeur, commanding attention from all who beheld it. Towering spires reached toward the sky, their intricate carvings and ornate embellishments serving as a testament to the library's storied past. But what stood out the most were two words on the entrance that said "Heaven's Library."
Cheng's eyes were filled with awe as he headed toward the building. As the doors swung open, he was greeted by a breathtaking sight. The interior unfolded like a vast labyrinth, a maze of meticulously arranged shelves that seemed to stretch into infinity. The ceiling soared to great heights, adorned with murals and other gorgeous decoration.
Calm and collected, Cheng moved to the reception. An old man sat there, his eyes focused and brows furrowed at a book. Cheng's presence garnered no attention from him, and feeling ignored, he bowed as he said, "Greetings, senior. This lowly one is the new recruit for the post of the assistant that was available"
The old man remained silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on the book in front of him. Finally, he spoke in a low and gravelly voice, "Quill corridor... first floor." He briefly glanced up from his book and returned to his reading.
Cheng immediately picked up his token and left. He wasn't in the least offended by the seemingly frail and old man's attitude; after all, he was the guardian of the first floor.
After a few minutes of wandering, Cheng found himself lost in the corridors of the library. He marveled at the sheer vastness of the collection, feeling a sense of awe and excitement bubbling within him.
As he turned a corner, he stumbled upon a young woman dressed in a flowing robe, her eyes filled with curiosity and intelligence. She seemed equally surprised to see Cheng.
"Oh, greetings brother" she saluted him with a warm smile. "Are you new here?"
"Yes, I am," Cheng replied, returning the smile. "I'm Cheng Xiao, the new assistant."
"Ah, welcome to Heaven's Library, Cheng Xiao," she said, as she bowed. "I'm Li Mei, a fellow assistant. It's always nice to have new faces around here." her face showed innocence. Making him want to protect this cute girl.
Sensing her goodwill Cheng bowed in response. "Thank you, Li Mei. I'm excited to be a part of this place."
Mei looked at him shyly clearly flustered by his appearance and elegant demeanor as she said.
"You seem to be lost, what is your assigned area.?
"The Quill corridor"
Her eyes flashed with doubt for a moment before nodding and gesturing for him to follow her.