Chapter 1: A Boy from the Fields
The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the small, worn-down village of Green Willow. Surrounded by vast fields of wheat, the village was home to a few hundred souls who eked out a modest living from the land. It was a place where dreams of glory were as distant as the stars, and ambition was a foreign concept. Most of the villagers were content to live and die within the confines of their small world. But not Liang Chen.
Liang Chen stood alone in the middle of a field, sweat trickling down his brow as he swung his sickle through the ripe wheat. His muscles ached, his hands were blistered, and his body was exhausted from days of continuous labor, but he didn't stop. He never stopped. For as long as he could remember, he had worked harder than anyone else in Green Willow, not out of necessity, but out of sheer determination.
Unlike the other boys his age, Liang had a fire burning inside him. It was a quiet, unassuming fire, one that didn't show itself in grand gestures or boasts. Instead, it manifested in his relentless work ethic, his refusal to rest, and his dreams of something far beyond the village. While the others laughed, played, and joked about their future as farmers or traders, Liang dreamed of immortality.
"Liang, don't you ever take a break?" a voice called out.
Liang straightened and looked toward the source of the voice. It was Old Man Huang, the village elder, hobbling toward him with the help of a crooked cane. His wrinkled face creased into a smile as he approached. He was one of the few people in the village who didn't think Liang was strange for his tireless work.
"Breaks are for when the work is done," Liang replied with a grin, wiping his brow with the back of his hand.
Old Man Huang chuckled, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "You're not like the others, boy. You've got a spirit in you, a drive I haven't seen in many years."
Liang's smile faded as he looked toward the horizon, where the sun was beginning to set. "I have to work hard, Elder Huang. There's something more out there for me, I know it. I don't want to live my whole life in this village, doing nothing but harvesting wheat."
The old man nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "Aye, but don't lose yourself in the work. There's more to life than just pushing yourself to the limit. Remember, even the strongest tree must bend in the wind, or it will break."
"I understand, Elder," Liang said, though deep down, he knew that rest would come only when he reached his goal, whatever that was. He wasn't sure yet, but he knew it wasn't here.
Old Man Huang gave him a pat on the shoulder and slowly hobbled away, leaving Liang alone in the field once more. He stood there for a moment, staring at the setting sun, his thoughts far from the village. As the last light faded from the sky, Liang sighed and turned to gather his tools, preparing to head back home.
---
Later that night, Liang sat in his small, dimly lit hut, eating a simple meal of rice and vegetables. The room was quiet, save for the soft crackling of the fire in the hearth. He was alone, as he often was, with no family to speak of. His parents had died when he was young, leaving him to fend for himself. The other villagers helped him as much as they could, but Liang had learned to rely on himself from an early age.
After finishing his meal, Liang stood and stretched. His body was sore, his muscles stiff from the day's labor, but he didn't let it bother him. Pain was just part of the journey, something to be overcome. He had heard stories of legendary cultivators who could endure far worse than simple exhaustion, and if he wanted to become one of them, he had to push past his limits.
He stepped outside into the cool night air, looking up at the clear sky. The stars twinkled above, distant and cold, yet somehow comforting. Liang always felt a sense of peace when he looked at the stars, as if they were watching over him, silently encouraging him to keep going.
"I will reach you one day," he whispered to the sky, his voice barely audible. "I will rise above this life and become something greater."
With that, he set off into the woods behind his hut. There was a small clearing a short distance away where he often trained in secret, practicing the basic martial arts techniques he had learned from old scrolls he had found in the village. The other villagers didn't understand why he bothered—they saw no point in training when they would never be warriors or cultivators. But Liang knew that the path to greatness required dedication, even if it seemed pointless to others.
As he reached the clearing, he immediately began his routine. His movements were slow and deliberate, each punch and kick controlled and precise. He focused on his breathing, keeping it steady as he moved from one form to the next. His muscles burned with exertion, but he pushed through the pain, knowing that this was the only way to grow stronger.
Hours passed, and the moon climbed higher in the sky. Liang's body was drenched in sweat, his limbs heavy with fatigue, but he refused to stop. He had set a goal for himself—to complete 1,000 strikes before he rested—and he wasn't going to quit before reaching it.
Just as he was about to finish his final strike, something strange happened. A sudden, overwhelming pressure filled the air, pressing down on him from all sides. It was as if the very atmosphere had grown heavy, making it difficult to breathe. Liang staggered, his vision swimming as he struggled to stay upright.
"What… what is this?" he gasped, dropping to one knee.
The pressure grew stronger, and for a moment, Liang thought he was going to be crushed under its weight. But just as quickly as it had appeared, the pressure vanished, leaving him gasping for air in the empty clearing.
Liang stood shakily, his heart pounding in his chest. He had never felt anything like that before. It wasn't the usual fatigue from training—it was something far more powerful, something… unnatural.
Before he could make sense of what had happened, a soft, almost melodic voice echoed in his mind.
"Host detected. System activation commencing."
Liang froze, his eyes widening in shock. "Who's there?!" he called out, spinning around to look for the source of the voice. But the clearing was empty, save for the trees swaying gently in the night breeze.
"Congratulations, Host. You have been selected to receive the Immortal Cultivation System. Please prepare for initialization."
The voice was calm and emotionless, completely at odds with the confusion and panic surging through Liang's mind. "Immortal… Cultivation System? What are you talking about? Who are you?"
"I am the System, a tool designed to aid you in your journey to immortality. You have been chosen as my host due to your exceptional dedication and potential."
Liang's heart raced as he tried to process what was happening. He had heard tales of powerful artifacts and ancient systems that could grant incredible power to those who were worthy, but he had never imagined that such a thing could happen to him. He was just a farm boy from a remote village—how could he have been chosen for something like this?
"Why me?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly.
"You possess an extraordinary work ethic and an unwavering desire for growth. These qualities have made you an ideal candidate for the System."
Liang swallowed hard, his mind racing. This was it—the opportunity he had been waiting for. A chance to rise above his humble origins and pursue the path of immortality. But even as excitement filled him, a small voice of doubt crept into his mind.
"What's the catch?" he asked, narrowing his eyes. "Nothing comes without a price."
"There is no catch, Host. My sole purpose is to assist you in your cultivation, providing you with guidance, resources, and techniques to accelerate your progress."
Liang remained silent, his gaze fixed on the ground. It sounded too good to be true. He had spent his entire life working for every scrap of progress, every ounce of strength. Could he really trust this mysterious voice offering him an easy path to power?
"I don't want shortcuts," he said finally, his voice firm. "If I'm going to become an immortal, I'll do it through my own hard work, not because some system gave me everything."
There was a brief pause before the System responded.
"Understood, Host. However, I must inform you that rejecting the System's assistance may hinder your progress significantly. The path to immortality is long and perilous. Without my guidance, you may face challenges that are insurmountable."
"I've been facing challenges my whole life," Liang replied. "And I've overcome every one of them through hard work. I don't need anyone to hold my hand."
Another pause, longer this time. Then the System's voice returned, though there was a strange tone to it, as if it was… uncertain.
"Very well, Host. You are free to choose your own path. The System will remain dormant unless you request its assistance."
Liang exhaled slowly, relief washing over him. He wasn't ready to place his fate in the hands of something—or someone—he didn't fully understand. As powerful as this "System" claimed to be, he wasn't willing to give up the one thing he had always relied on: his hard work.
For a moment, the clearing was silent again, with only the faint rustle of leaves in the wind. The strange pressure from earlier had vanished completely, and Liang could breathe easily once more. It was as if nothing had happened at all—except for the lingering presence of the System in the back of his mind, a quiet whisper waiting to be acknowledged.
Liang straightened himself and wiped the sweat from his brow. The temptation to embrace the System's help tugged at him. Immortality was his goal—his dream. And now, it was within reach. All he had to do was accept the System's assistance, and his path would become infinitely easier. But that thought didn't sit well with him. He had spent his entire life working toward greatness, and he didn't want that to change now.
Still, the experience had shaken him. How had this happened? Why had he been chosen? The questions swirled in his mind as he returned to the village, the weight of what had occurred hanging over him.
---
The next morning, the village was bathed in golden light as the sun crept over the horizon. Liang rose early, as he always did, his body stiff but ready for another day of labor. He moved through his small hut, preparing a meager breakfast before heading out to the fields. But even as he went about his usual routine, he couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed.
The System had made its presence known last night, but true to its word, it remained silent now. There was no voice in his head, no pressure urging him to take shortcuts. It was almost as if the whole thing had been a dream. Yet, deep inside, Liang knew it wasn't. It had been real, and the System was there, watching, waiting.
Out in the fields, the villagers were already hard at work, harvesting wheat and tending to the crops. Liang joined them without hesitation, his hands moving quickly and efficiently as he reaped the grain. The familiar rhythm of the work helped him focus, pushing aside the thoughts that had plagued him since last night.
"Liang!" a voice called out, breaking his concentration.
He looked up to see Elder Huang approaching, his crooked cane tapping the ground with each step. The old man's face was lit with curiosity, and there was a twinkle in his eye that Liang recognized all too well.
"You look troubled, boy," Huang said, stopping a few paces away. "Something weighing on your mind?"
Liang hesitated, unsure of how much he should reveal. He didn't want to sound crazy, but he also couldn't lie to the old man who had been one of his few friends in the village.
"Something… strange happened last night," Liang admitted, glancing around to make sure no one was listening. "I felt this… pressure, and then I heard a voice. It said it was a 'System' that could help me with cultivation."
Elder Huang raised his eyebrows, his expression shifting to one of deep thought. He was silent for a moment, stroking his chin as he considered Liang's words.
"A System, you say?" the old man murmured. "I've heard of such things in ancient tales. They're rare, powerful entities, capable of turning ordinary people into legends. But they're not without their own motives, lad. Be wary."
Liang nodded, relieved that Huang didn't dismiss his experience as a figment of his imagination. "It offered to help me, to make my cultivation easier. But I… I refused."
A slow smile spread across Huang's face, his eyes filled with approval. "Good lad. There's honor in hard work, in earning your place through sweat and effort. Systems like that may grant power, but they can also take away what makes you truly strong—your will."
"I just couldn't trust it," Liang said, shaking his head. "I've worked too hard to let something else control my path."
Huang chuckled, patting him on the shoulder. "A wise decision. But remember, boy, just because you don't rely on the System doesn't mean it won't try to tempt you again. You'll have to stay strong."
Liang gave a determined nod. "I will."
---
The next few days passed uneventfully. Liang threw himself into his work as always, harvesting the fields by day and training by night. He pushed his body to its limits, determined to grow stronger without relying on the System. Yet, no matter how hard he worked, there was a gnawing feeling in the back of his mind—a reminder that the System was there, silently observing him, waiting for the right moment to reappear.
Finally, one evening, after a particularly grueling training session, the System's voice returned.
"Host, your progress has been noted. However, you are expending far more energy than necessary. The path you are walking is inefficient."
Liang, drenched in sweat and muscles screaming from the strain of his exercises, grit his teeth. He had known this was coming. "I don't care if it's inefficient," he muttered, sitting down on the grass to catch his breath. "I'm doing things my way."
"By choosing to reject my assistance, you are limiting your potential. I can offer techniques, knowledge, and resources far beyond your current comprehension."
Liang closed his eyes, focusing on his breathing. He wasn't interested in shortcuts, but the System's constant presence was beginning to wear on him. "I don't need you to hand me power. If I can't earn it myself, it's not worth having."
"The path to immortality is fraught with danger. Without proper guidance, you risk failure at every turn. Your current rate of progression is far too slow for someone of your ambition."
The words stung more than Liang wanted to admit. He knew he was moving slowly compared to the tales of legendary cultivators who soared through the early stages of their training. But that didn't mean he was going to give in.
"I'd rather take ten years to get there on my own than rely on something I don't understand," Liang shot back, standing up and brushing the dirt off his clothes. "Hard work has gotten me this far, and I trust it more than anything."
There was another pause, the silence stretching out as if the System was contemplating his words.
"Very well, Host. But know this—your potential far exceeds what you are currently achieving. I will remain here, ready to assist you should you ever require my guidance."
Liang frowned. He didn't like the idea of the System hovering over him like some invisible guardian, but at least it wasn't forcing itself on him. As long as it stayed out of his way, he could continue on his path, doing things the way he always had—through sheer determination and effort.
---
Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Liang's training continued, and though he made progress, it was slow and painstaking. His body grew stronger, his reflexes sharper, and his understanding of martial techniques deepened, but the road was long, and the progress was never enough to satisfy him.
The System, meanwhile, remained dormant. It didn't interfere or offer unsolicited advice, though Liang could feel its presence, like a quiet whisper in the back of his mind. It was always there, waiting for the moment he might falter and call out for help. But that moment never came.
Liang's resolve was unshakable. He refused to bend, refused to take the easy way out. Every punch, every kick, every grueling exercise was a step forward on the path he had chosen—a path that demanded nothing less than his all.
Yet, the more he trained, the more he realized just how vast the world of cultivation truly was. He had barely scratched the surface of what was possible, and even with his relentless work ethic, the higher realms seemed impossibly far away. Every minor breakthrough felt like a victory, but also a reminder of how much further he had to go.
One day, while training in the woods, Liang felt something change. It was subtle at first—a slight shift in the air, a tingling sensation on his skin. He stopped mid-strike, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the surroundings.
"What's this…?" he muttered, stepping cautiously forward.
Suddenly, the air in front of him shimmered, and a faint, glowing figure appeared. It was translucent, barely visible, but its presence was undeniable. Liang's heart raced as he stared at the apparition. He had never seen anything like it before.
"Who are you?" he demanded, taking a defensive stance.
The figure didn't answer. Instead, it began to move, drifting slowly through the trees. Liang hesitated for a moment before following it, his instincts telling him that this was something important.
The figure led him deeper into the forest, winding through the trees with an eerie grace. After what felt like an eternity, they reached a small clearing, where the ground was covered in strange, glowing symbols. The air here was thick with energy, and Liang could feel it pulsing through him, making his skin tingle.
"What is this place?" he whispered, his eyes wide with wonder.
The figure stopped in the center of the clearing, hovering above the ground. Then, without warning, it vanished, leaving Liang standing alone in the strange, glowing circle.
Before he could react, the ground beneath him trembled, and a surge of power shot up through his feet, coursing through his body. It was unlike anything he had ever felt before—intense, overwhelming, and completely beyond his control.
Liang gasped as the energy surged through him, threatening to tear him apart. His muscles tensed, his body rigid, as if the power was trying to reshape him from the inside out. Every nerve felt like it was on fire. He wanted to scream but couldn't.
The System's voice returned, but this time it was different—calm yet urgent.
"Host, you are experiencing the activation of a dormant cultivation array. This is a rare opportunity, but your body is not prepared for this level of energy influx. I strongly recommend accepting my assistance now to regulate the flow and avoid permanent damage."
Liang gritted his teeth, fighting the overwhelming urge to call out for help. His mind was a whirlwind of pain and pride. He wanted to resist, to prove that he could handle this on his own. But as the energy intensified, a creeping sense of helplessness began to settle in.
His vision blurred, and the world around him started to fade. Was this really it? Was his journey going to end here, not in the fields or by his own decision, but by forces beyond his control?
The pain was unbearable now, his body on the brink of collapse. Just as the darkness closed in, he heard his own voice, barely a whisper.
"Fine. Help me."
In an instant, the pressure lifted. The energy inside him became controlled, flowing smoothly through his meridians. The pain subsided, replaced by a sensation of power—steady, focused, and manageable.
"Assistance granted, Host. The energy has been stabilized. You may now fully absorb it."
Liang's heart raced as the energy settled, filling him with a strength he had never known before. He had failed to resist the System's help, but in doing so, he had unlocked something far greater. As he stood there, breathing heavily, he realized that his journey had only just begun.
"System assistance terminated. You may proceed at your discretion, Host."
The clearing grew silent, the glowing symbols fading from the ground as the energy receded. Liang stood alone once more, his body thrumming with power. His fists clenched, and a determined grin spread across his face.
"I will still do this my way," he muttered, but there was a new edge in his voice. "But maybe… I'll let you help once in a while."