"What happened?" A confused young man looked around, seeing an alien room that was entirely unfamiliar.
The walls were a strange shade of blue, and the furniture looked like it belonged in a different era or perhaps another world altogether.
His heart raced as he tried to piece together the events leading up to this moment.
He closed his eyes, trying to remember the previous night. All he could recall was studying extremely hard for his accounting finals. The numbers, formulas, and theories swirled in his mind like a whirlwind.
He had been so determined to ace the exam, pushing himself beyond his limits. And then—nothing. A blank space in his memory.
"Did I die from exhaustion?" he muttered to himself, the words barely audible. The notion seemed absurd, yet he couldn't shake the feeling that something extraordinary had happened.
He glanced around the room again, noting the peculiar objects and strange symbols that adorned the walls. This was definitely not his dorm room.
Before he could ponder further, a sudden rush of memories surged through his mind. They came like a tidal wave, crashing into his consciousness with an intensity that left him breathless.
These were not his memories. Images of distant lands, unfamiliar faces, and events he had never experienced filled his mind.
He saw battles, ancient rituals, and scenes of daily life that seemed both foreign and oddly familiar. He clutched his head, trying to make sense of the onslaught.
It felt as though his brain was being overloaded with information. Amidst the chaos, one memory stood out—a name.
It echoed in his mind, resonating with a strange familiarity. Who was this person? Why were their memories now a part of him?
He sat on the bed, overwhelmed and shocked by what he saw. His own memories and these foreign ones seemed to intertwine, creating a complex tapestry of experiences.
He struggled to discern where his identity ended and the other began. The line between reality and fantasy blurred.
He realized that whatever had happened to him was far from ordinary. This was no mere case of exhaustion or a bizarre dream. Something profound had occurred, and he needed to understand it.
Taking a deep breath, he resolved to uncover the truth behind the mysterious memories and the alien room.
The journey ahead was uncertain, but he knew he had to start somewhere. Perhaps the answers lay within the memories that were now part of him.
With newfound determination, he set out to discover the truth about his strange new reality.
Thud! The young man immediately stood up, his heart pounding with a mixture of confusion and apprehension.
The room around him was dimly lit, shadows dancing eerily as he reached for more candles to illuminate his surroundings.
As the flickering light revealed unfamiliar furniture and tapestries adorned with intricate designs, his gaze fell upon a face in the mirror that was not his own.
With bright blue eyes, a strikingly handsome visage, and an innate charm that even he found captivating, he couldn't help but marvel at his reflection. "Nolan Darkmoon," he murmured aloud, the name echoing strangely in his mind. "That's the name of this young, handsome man. And I guess that would be the name I would use from now on."
His thoughts raced as he tried to grasp the situation. Memories, both his own and those seemingly belonging to Nolan Darkmoon, flooded his mind.
It became apparent that he had somehow crossed into another person's existence—perhaps through some arcane twist of fate or a cosmic error.
"And it seems he, too, died in his sleep," he muttered to himself, his voice filled with a mix of disbelief and grim acceptance. "What a twist of fate."
He said and browsed on the memories that was not his own to begin with.
A chill ran down his spine as he realized the gravity of his predicament. He was now trapped in a xianxia world—a realm where martial prowess and spiritual cultivation determined one's survival.
In this world, death came swiftly and easily, especially for those who offended powerful cultivators or stumbled upon ancient, malevolent spirits.
"System cheat? It's time for you to appear," he declared aloud, his voice echoing in the stillness of the chamber. He had been an avid webnovel reader and so such plot was quite familiar for him. "Otherwise, I won't last long in this treacherous xianxia realm."
"DING!" The system replied with a chime, materializing promptly in front of him—a translucent interface shimmering with arcane symbols and pulsating energy.
"Welcome, Evan Matthews, to the world of xianxia," the system intoned in a melodious voice. "I am your guide and companion in this realm of cultivation and peril."
Nolan took a deep breath, steeling himself for the challenges ahead. With the system's aid, he knew he had a chance to navigate this unfamiliar world, uncover its secrets, and perhaps find a way back to his own reality.
"Tell me your functions," Nolan ordered, his voice firm and resolute.
"I bring only one gift, host!"
"DING!"
"Congratulations, host! You have been granted the cultivation base of a true immortal! May your days be happy and fulfilling," the system replied in a cheerful tone, its interface shimmering with arcane symbols.
"BOOM!" Suddenly, Nolan Darkmoon felt a surge of power enveloping him, as if time itself slowed to a halt.
In that fleeting moment, he glimpsed the existence of a man who had dedicated himself to cultivation for trillions upon trillions of years.
This man had traversed the boundless realms of the dao, ascending to heights where he could shape existence with a mere thought.
He was an emperor among emperors, wielding powers that transcended mortal comprehension. This man could even create an infinite universe for his own use to play and twist in his own making.
In that timeless instant, Nolan witnessed galaxies being born and civilizations flourishing under the benevolent gaze of this cosmic sage.
He saw worlds crumble at a gesture, and heard echoes of wisdom that resonated across the infinite expanse of the universe.
It was a revelation that transcended mere mortal understanding—a glimpse into the vast tapestry of existence woven by an immortal soul.
As the vision faded, Nolan found himself imbued with a profound sense of knowledge and mastery that he had never known before. The essence of that legendary cultivator now flowed within him, blending with his own spirit and consciousness.
His mind expanded, comprehending the intricacies of cosmic laws and the secrets of existence that had once been beyond his reach.
In just the span of one breath alone, Nolan assimilated the man's unparalleled skills and profound knowledge, honing his newfound abilities in the crucible of challenges that awaited him in the world of cultivation.
Nolan opened his eyes, the world around him seeming different, as if seen through a veil of newfound awareness. The gift bestowed upon him had changed him in ways he could scarcely comprehend.
He took a slow, deliberate breath, aware of the immense power now coursing through his veins. Fear tinged his thoughts—fear of inadvertently destroying this xianxia world with a single careless action, fear of the responsibility that now rested heavily upon his shoulders.
He swallowed, each gulp feeling like a testament to the weight of his newfound abilities. The room around him was silent, almost reverent, as if holding its breath in anticipation of what he might do next.
Nolan closed his eyes briefly, centering himself amidst the swirl of emotions and thoughts.
Moments passed before he spoke again, his voice steady despite the turmoil within. "Thank you, system," he said, the words carrying a blend of gratitude and solemnity.
"You're welcome, host," the system replied, its voice calm and reassuring, a constant presence in the tumultuous sea of Nolan's thoughts.
"Being a true immortal is so cool! Hahaha!" Before long, the room echoed with almost manic laughter, the sound reverberating in the privacy of its walls.