Introduction to My Previous Life
My life before all this was painfully ordinary. I was just another cog in the corporate machine, spending endless hours behind a computer screen. My world was confined to the drab walls of my cubicle, and my days blurred together in a monotonous haze. Family? There is none to speak of. Friends? Just acquaintances, really. Dreams? Long since abandoned.
The end came suddenly. I was walking home from another grueling day at the office when a truck veered onto the sidewalk. I barely had time to register what was happening before everything went black. There was no tunnel of light, no angelic chorus—just the cold embrace of darkness.
But then something strange happened. I felt an inexplicable pull, as if an unseen force was yanking me away from that darkness.
Reincarnation and New World
When I opened my eyes again, I was lying on the ground, surrounded by dense foliage. The air was thick with humidity, and the sounds of unfamiliar wildlife filled my ears. I sat up slowly, my head spinning with confusion.
"Where am I?" I muttered, looking around. This place was like nothing I had ever seen before—towering trees with leaves that glowed faintly, strange flowers that hummed with energy, and the distant roar of a waterfall. The forest was a vivid tapestry of colors and sounds, unlike anything from my previous life. Giant ferns unfurled their fronds under the dappled sunlight, while luminescent fungi clung to the trunks of ancient trees. Birds with iridescent feathers flitted through the canopy, their songs mingling with the gentle rustling of leaves.
As I stood up, I realized something else had changed. My body felt different—lighter, stronger. And my clothes were no longer the drab office attire I was used to. Instead, I wore a simple robe made of coarse, yet comfortable, fabric. The fabric felt rough against my skin, yet it was oddly comforting in its simplicity.
"This has to be a dream," I thought, but everything felt too real. The vividness of it all was overwhelming. The forest seemed alive, each plant and creature contributing to a symphony of life that pulsed around me.
Discovery of Cultivation
I wandered through the forest until I stumbled upon a small village nestled between the trees. The village was a cluster of quaint, wooden houses with thatched roofs, surrounded by fields of crops and bordered by the forest. Smoke rose from chimneys, and the scent of cooking food wafted through the air. The villagers, dressed in simple yet functional clothing, went about their daily tasks with a sense of purpose and contentment. Children played in the dirt paths, their laughter mingling with the sounds of animals and the chatter of adults.
I approached an elderly man who sat on a wooden bench, carving a piece of wood with meticulous care. His hands were calloused, his face lined with years of hard work, but his eyes twinkled with youthful curiosity.
"Excuse me, sir," I said hesitantly. "Can you tell me where I am?"
The old man looked up, his eyes twinkling with curiosity. "Ah, a traveler from afar. You are in the village of Qiyun, in the Briar Kingdom."
I've never heard of such a place," I replied, bewildered.
The old man chuckled. "It is not surprising. We are pretty far out in the country. Hell I don't even think the King remembers this village exists; its been over 40 years since taxes were even collected"
After a short pause the old man spoke again with curiosity "so are you a cultivator or a traveling merchant?"
Stumped by his question, I wasn't sure how to reply and my dumb mouth ran on its own
"Whats a cultivator?
The old man stared at me like I was raised under a rock. With exasperated breath, he finally asked:
"Have you not heard of cultivation before?
With my face more red than I'd like to admit, I told him, "No, I didn't get out much as a child, and my family lived in a cottage in the middle of nowhere, so I didn't get to learn from others either. This is actually my first time meeting people other than my folks who have passed away."
God, I hope he accepts my response because its better than explaining what a Ford pickup truck is because I barely know how I got here in the first place.
After what felt like eternity of him staring at me, he finally spoke.
"Alright, then I will explain it to you then. I guess it's better late than never."
As he spoke, I listened intently, absorbing every word. Qi, he explained, was the life force that permeated all things. Through cultivation, one could harness this energy to achieve extraordinary feats. There were different levels of cultivation, each offering greater power and longevity.
After his explanation, he offered to let me stay the night as long as I helped with a few chores, which I readily agreed to.
That night, as I lay in bed, I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing. The hut was simple but cozy, with a straw mat for a bed and a small wooden table. To my astonishment, I felt a gentle pull, as if the qi in the air were being drawn toward me. It wasn't something I consciously did—it was like my body instinctively absorbed the qi, integrating it seamlessly into my being.
"What is this?" I wondered, feeling the influx of energy coursing through me. I sat up, concentrating on the sensation. The more I focused, the stronger the flow became, filling me with a sense of vitality and power.
Realizing that I was absorbing qi, my mind raced with possibilities. I had been given a second chance at life in a world where power was within my grasp. If I could learn more about cultivation, the possibilities would be endless. This was an opportunity to transcend my previous existence and achieve greatness beyond my wildest dreams. In this world, I'm not stuck in a dead-end job!
"Let's get some sleep and see if I'm strong enough to hunt the local wildlife to earn a little money. I'm sure rabbit pelts or wolf pelts should make a few dollars."
The next day, eager to test my newfound abilities and earn a bit of cash, I ventured deeper into the forest. As I explored, I encountered a beast—a wolf-like creature with glowing blue eyes and sharp fangs. Its fur was matted, and it moved with a predatory grace, stalking through the underbrush with deadly intent.
"Oh fu-"
The beast snarled and lunged at me. Intuitively, I jumped back and somehow landed on a branch in the tree.
"I guess my body is stronger here than I thought? BUT THAT IS INSANE"
As I looked down, the wolf was staring daggers up at me.
"If I can jump this high I wonder how hard my kick is? well I already died once lets give it a shot!"
I jumped down from the tree and tried to stomp the wolf and I came down. somehow my foot connected and I could feel the crunch of bone on my heel. When I landed, I stood ready to run away until I saw the wolf crushed on the forest floor.
I stood over the fallen beast, my heart pounding with exhilaration. I had never felt such strength. I don't even feel tired, as if my body is replenishing my energy with each passing moment. I think I'll go ahead and use the knife I borrowed from that old man and clean this up here.
As time passed, the sun set over the horizon, casting a warm glow over the village. I sat by a small fire, reflecting on my experiences. I had been given a second chance at life in a world filled with limitless potential.
"I will not waste this opportunity," I vowed, my eyes gleaming with determination. "I will become the strongest cultivator this world has ever seen."
With renewed purpose, I set my sights on the path ahead. I knew that the journey would be fraught with challenges and dangers, but I was ready to face them head-on. In this new world of cultivation, I was determined to carve out my own destiny, one step at a time.
The village of Qiyun had become my sanctuary. The people had welcomed me with open arms, sharing their knowledge and their lives after spending more time with everyone. I was determined to repay their kindness one day.
As I looked out over the village, I felt a deep sense of purpose. The path of cultivation lay before me, filled with unknown challenges and endless possibilities. With the strength of my new-found body and the support of the villagers, I was ready to embark on this journey and forge my own destiny.