The sharp scent of incense filled the air, tinged with the earthy aroma of wet soil. Arjun Kapoor blinked his eyes open, his mind swimming in confusion. Where was he? The last thing he remembered was walking home from a late shift at the hospital in New York, exhausted but content with a day's work well done.
But this—this was not New York.
He was lying on a cold stone floor, surrounded by wooden walls adorned with strange calligraphy and hanging scrolls depicting landscapes of misty mountains and flowing rivers. The soft light of paper lanterns cast a warm, flickering glow around the room.
Arjun sat up, wincing as a sharp pain shot through his head. He glanced down at himself—his clothes were different, too. The familiar scrubs had been replaced by simple robes, dyed in a pale green color. The fabric felt rough against his skin, a stark contrast to the smooth cotton he was used to.
"What the hell?" he muttered, his voice sounding foreign in the silence of the room. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to steady his racing thoughts.
Before he could make sense of his surroundings, the wooden door slid open with a quiet creak. A young man, no older than twenty, stepped inside. His face was calm, almost serene, with dark eyes that seemed to carry a depth of understanding far beyond his years.
"Brother Li, you're awake," the young man said, his voice tinged with sadness. "The elders were worried when your cultivation backfired, and your memory was affected."
Arjun's heart skipped a beat. Brother Li? Was this person talking to him? He struggled to piece together what was happening. Had he somehow transmigrated into another world? It was a concept he had only encountered in the web novels he occasionally read during breaks. But this—this felt too real.
"Where am I?" Arjun asked, his voice more composed than he felt.
The young man's expression shifted to one of concern. "Brother, do you not remember? You're in the Jade Cloud Sect. You've been here for years as the eldest son of the Sect Leader."
Jade Cloud Sect? Arjun's mind raced as he tried to process the information. If this was true, then—he wasn't in New York anymore. Somehow, he had been transported into the body of someone else, someone named Li, and not just anyone, but the eldest son of the Sect Leader. But why? And how?
"I... I must have hit my head," Arjun said, trying to buy himself some time. "My memories are a bit fuzzy."
The young man nodded sympathetically. "It's no surprise, considering the severity of your injury. The elders have decided to remove your status as Head Disciple. They've transferred you to the Grand Library to retire as the librarian."
Head Disciple? Retired? Arjun's thoughts spun. His predecessor's cultivation had backfired, resulting in memory loss. But more importantly, this was a cultivation world—a world full of danger and opportunities, where strength determined one's fate. And now he was no longer the Head Disciple but relegated to a librarian's role.
Yet, as he mulled over this new development, a spark of relief flickered within him. The mystery of his predecessor's death haunted him, but the thought of being transferred to the library filled him with a secret joy. He would no longer be in the limelight, no longer under constant scrutiny. This was an opportunity, a chance to lay low and figure things out.
The young man hesitated before speaking again. "I know this must be hard for you, Brother, but perhaps this time in the library will be good for you. You can rest and recover."
Arjun nodded slowly. "Yes, perhaps you're right. I'll focus on recovering."
The young man offered a weak smile. "I'll bring you some herbal tea, Brother. It should help clear your mind." He turned to leave, his footsteps echoing softly in the stillness of the room.
As the door closed behind the young man, Arjun's thoughts began to spiral again. How was he supposed to survive in this world? He knew next to nothing about cultivation, aside from what he had read in those web novels. But if he was going to be stationed in the library, maybe—just maybe—he could find a way to make it work to his advantage.
Before he could sink further into panic, a sudden, cool sensation washed over his mind. It was as if a gentle breeze had swept away the chaos, leaving behind clarity and calm. A soft, ethereal voice echoed in his thoughts.
[Comprehension System Activated.]
Arjun froze. A system? Like the ones from those overpowered protagonists' stories? Was it really happening?
[Welcome, host. Your comprehension talent will increase as you learn and create. The more you understand, the greater your potential.]
The voice was soothing, almost reassuring. Arjun's initial panic gave way to curiosity. A comprehension system? That was different from the usual systems he had read about. Most systems provided instant power-ups or cheat abilities, but this one seemed to be focused on learning.
"What exactly can you do?" Arjun asked cautiously, feeling slightly ridiculous for talking to a voice in his head.
[This system enhances your ability to comprehend techniques, knowledge, and concepts. Each time you learn something of significance, your comprehension talent will improve. Creating new techniques or understanding the essence of existing ones will yield even greater rewards.]
Arjun's mind buzzed with possibilities. If this was true, then he had a chance—a chance to not just survive but thrive in this world. The library might be filled with countless skills and techniques waiting to be learned. He could grind his way through them, increasing his comprehension talent while staying under the radar.
"Alright," he said, determination settling in his chest. "Let's take this one step at a time."
He rose to his feet, still a bit unsteady but with a newfound resolve. He wasn't the strongest, the fastest, or the most skilled, but he was smart. And if this system was what it claimed to be, then maybe—just maybe—he could carve out a path of his own in this world.
One step at a time.