After he dressed himself, he walked into the deep cave. Unlike the outer layer of the cave, the inner layer only consisted of azure crystals on the surrounding walls, which glimmered like stars against the darkness. The air was cool and crisp, filled with an energy that seemed to pulse gently with the rhythm of his heartbeat.
"It was an artificial cave after all."
"It was a cave that was built by the higher-stage cultivator to cultivate in peace. After he finished his cultivation, he hid the cave with his formation spell. Only his disciples of his sect can use this, but after the protagonist found it by chance, he opened it with the spirit that resides with him. After that cultivator found his lair was hoarded, he troubled the protagonist time and time again throughout the middle of the novel, eventually dying at the hands of the protagonist."
'Sigh.'
After a long sigh, he walked straight towards the cave. He was acutely aware of the mechanisms within this cave that could solve the troubles.
"There was a mechanism to record everything in this cave; it was a hidden, deeper part. When I crush it, the problem will be solved."
As he walked, he finally reached the end, where there was a heavy metal door in front of him, its surface cold and unyielding to the touch. He clutched his fist tightly, feeling the energy of his qi swirling within him like a tempest, then pulled backward and slammed his fist against the door with all his might.
-crash
The metal door in front of him crumbled like brittle paper, collapsing down onto the stone floor with a resounding clang. Dust and small shards of crystal flew into the air, causing him to momentarily shield his eyes. As the dust settled, he looked at the crystal ball that was floating above a desk, its surface glowing with a soft luminescence.
As he gazed at the orb, he saw his own image playing back the moment he had consumed the qi from the fairy pond, a moment of pure bliss that felt like a lifetime ago. After watching for a few moments, he placed his palm on the side of the crystal orb, focusing his qi into it, applying steady pressure as he concentrated.
After pressing for a minute, the crystal orb began to crack, lines spiderwebbing across its surface before it finally crumbled into a cascade of shimmering shards. The shards disintegrated into a fine mist, swirling around him and escaping from the cave like a wisp of smoke.
"Now everything is done."
As he wiped the sweat off his forehead, feeling a sense of accomplishment wash over him, he turned to his right and noticed a small hole nestled beneath the roots of a nearby tree. After crouching down, he crawled through the hole, emerging to find himself surrounded by the dense foliage of the forest.
He looked back at the hole hidden beneath the tree trunk, a small smile tugging at his lips. "The Tree Bark Mole made a hole in the cave by accident a long time ago; that's how the protagonist escaped from this cave," he mused, a mix of amusement and admiration for the unexpected ingenuity of nature.
"Using a little bit of knowledge is always useful."
He brushed off the dirt that clung to him and slowly walked into the forest, the sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves enveloping him like a warm embrace.
After three days, he had faced overwhelming danger, nearly killed by the ferocious beasts that roamed this unforgiving forest. The Mountain Dark Bear, the Glazing Tiger, and the Laughing Monkey were among the maddened monsters that had tested his mettle. After days of relentless fighting, he had emerged victorious, gaining not only a wealth of experience but also a beast orb and a soul core. Each hard-fought battle had been worth it in the end—each victory etched into his very being.
He found himself now in the depths of the forest, where he stumbled upon a majestic waterfall cascading down from a rocky precipice, the water sparkling under the sun like diamonds. After stripping off his travel-worn clothes, he washed himself clean in the cool, refreshing waters, feeling the weight of the world slowly lift from his shoulders.
After that, he set to work, using fallen branches and large leaves to construct a basic campfire and a makeshift tent. It was enough to provide him some shelter and warmth for the night, a small sanctuary amidst the wild.
As the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, dark clouds gathered, swirling ominously above him. Snowflakes began to fall softly, settling onto the ground and creating a blanket of white that muffled the sounds of the forest.
He sat on a log before the campfire, watching the flames dance and flicker as snowflakes drifted down upon him. The warmth of the fire contrasted starkly with the chill in the air, but his mind was far away, lost in memories of his past. He thought back to the days when he was locked away in a dark room, surrounded by the drone of a television and the incessant clicking of a mobile phone. He rarely left his house, feeling more like a ghost than a living being.
After watching the campfire as he pondered, a single question surfaced in his mind.
"Am I really enjoying this life?"
As that question echoed in the depths of his thoughts, it spawned a whirlwind of other inquiries.
"Even though I know everything about this world, can I actually overcome the trials and tribulations that await me?"
The uncertainty of his safety gnawed at him. Despite possessing a wealth of knowledge about hidden items, events, and the dangers that lurked in the shadows, he couldn't shake the feeling that knowing was not enough. Could he truly harness this knowledge to ensure his survival in this jungle-like environment?
The past few days had been far more challenging than he had anticipated. As someone who had always believed that being a cultivator was simpler than living as an ordinary person in the mundane world, the reality had proven to be a rude awakening. Now, after battling fiercely for three days without adequate sleep, he felt utterly exhausted.
Even though he was in the spirit purification stage, he was not invincible. The toll on his body from using so much qi weighed heavily on him. A fear he had not felt in a long time began to creep back in, like a shadow lurking just beyond the light.
- Slap
He slapped himself across the face, the sting bringing him back to the present. He grasped his fist firmly, determination flooding through him. Despite being transmigrated into this new life, he didn't know the reason behind it, but one thing was certain—he would not give up like he had in his previous world.
There were so many things he had relinquished in his past life, so many opportunities he had allowed to slip through his fingers. But now he was resolved not to let history repeat itself. With a newfound sense of purpose, he extinguished the campfire and settled down to sleep, the peaceful sounds of the forest lulling him into a deeper slumber.
The sun rose high into the sky the next morning, its golden rays melting the remnants of snow and casting a warm glow over the landscape. He stood at the entrance of the forest, taking a deep breath as he looked out at the world beyond. In front of him stood a large gate made of cold iron, guarded by two imposing figures.
Their crimson and black armor gleamed under the bright sunlight, and as he approached, a sense of unease washed over him.
"Wang Zi?" one of the guards exclaimed, their voices harmonizing in surprise, their eyes widening in disbelief as they took in his familiar form.
"Hello, Mr. Zhu," he replied casually, waving his hand as he walked toward them.
The guards exchanged incredulous glances, clearly taken aback by his sudden appearance.
"Wang Zi, where in the world did you disappear?" they asked, their disbelief evident in their expressions.
As he turned back to them with a confused gaze, he realized he had no clear answer. "It's a secret," he said softly, placing a finger on his lips as he grinned mischievously.
With that, he stepped through the gate and into the bustling city beyond, where colorful stalls and shops lined the streets, filled with people from all walks of life.
He looked around, captivated by the vibrant atmosphere, taking in the variety of attire and the lively conversations that surrounded him.
Calculating the energy radiating from the people, he noted, "Most of them are mortals, while some are cultivators, yet they are only at the body purification stage." His senses were heightened, allowing him to perceive their cultivation levels simply by sensing their qi.
As he continued to explore, his gaze landed on the central square, where a crowd had gathered, their voices rising in excitement. Curiosity piqued, and he pushed his way through the crowd, eager to discover what had captured everyone's attention.
"What is this?" he wondered aloud as he approached the front of the crowd.
There, standing confidently before the audience, was a woman clad in a pink robe adorned with silver linings. Her purple hair was elegantly tied in a bun, a chrysanthemum-shaped hairpin glinting in the sunlight. Her emerald eyes sparkled as she surveyed the crowd, adjusting herself before lifting a bamboo flute to her lips.
"So it was just a flutist," he thought, about to turn away in disappointment when the first notes of the flute filled the air, captivating him with their soft, melodic tones.
'Chu Hua?' The name echoed in his mind, a realization striking him like a bolt of lightning. He hadn't expected to encounter the main heroine of the novel in such an unexpected place.
As he watched her play, he noted the earnestness in her expression. Although her music was slightly amateurish, it resonated with a genuine passion that made it all the more enchanting. Just like him, she was a sixteen-year-old girl eager to explore her talents and pursue her dreams. After listening for a while, he glanced around at the crowd, which slowly began to dissipate, leaving him as one of the few remaining listeners.
"It was boring," he overheard one person mutter dismissively.
"Yeah, I thought she was professional, but to think she is a beginner, what a waste of time," another echoed as they walked away.
As he suddenly remembered something of great importance.
"Ancient scroll!!" Memories surged back to him, and he felt a rush of excitement.
It was the ancient scroll of spirit—a higher-rank skill scroll that held immense power. Skill scrolls were coveted treasures, classified into five categories: low-level, middle-level, high-level, top-tier, and legendary. The Scroll promised to impart a skill set directly into a person's mind, enabling them to understand and master new abilities.
In the original novel, the protagonist had refused the scroll, believing it to be a bribe from the father of the main heroine, who had sought to separate him from her. Instead, he had chosen to pursue a relationship with her, ultimately marrying her after a long arc of trials and tribulations. It was a storyline that both irritated and thrilled readers, especially when the protagonist revealed his hidden powers later on.
Now, however, the opportunity lay before him. If he could befriend Chu Hua, he could find a way to obtain that scroll.
"Even though there is no full information about that scroll, in the later parts, the protagonist found the scroll to be the key to treasure and regretted his decision, but in the end, he gained something equal, which made him and the readers forget about it. But to me, I want to know what that skill was and what that treasure entails."
Driven by curiosity and a burning desire for knowledge, he resolved to approach Chu Hua. He stood in front of her as she finished her piece, her eyes fluttering open to find a young man clapping enthusiastically, a warm smile adorning his face.
Seeing him, she smiled shyly, a hint of embarrassment coloring her cheeks as she bowed her head slightly in acknowledgment.
"Thank you," she said, her voice sweet and melodic.
He shook his head, the smile never leaving his face. "No, I should be the one to thank you for sharing your beautiful music with me. Even though there were a few mistakes, those can be cleared up with practice."
Her smile widened at his encouraging words, and she nodded earnestly. "Yeah, I will."
As she began to pack up her belongings, he seized the moment and asked, "When will you play again?"
He feigned casual interest, though inside he was brimming with anticipation.
She paused, glancing up at him with a glimmer of excitement in her emerald eyes. "I'm going to practice more and play again sometime later."
"Oh, then I will be there again," he replied, determination ringing in his voice.
As he turned to leave, he felt a sense of satisfaction wash over him. 'I don't have to rush; patience is key. Slow and steady is always more interesting.'
He stood at the entrance of the Moon Sword Sect, the name rolling off his tongue as he entered the grounds.
"Moon Sword Sect," he mumbled, the name filling him with familiarity as he stepped through the entrance.
"Brother!!" A familiar voice called out just as he was about to step inside.
He looked up, spotting a figure running towards him. It was a young girl with sugar brown hair that danced in the wind, her caramel-colored irises glistening with unshed tears as she threw herself into his arms.
He embraced her tightly, a wave of emotion crashing over him as a single tear rolled down his cheek.
'Why am I crying?' he thought, caught off guard by the unexpected wellspring of feelings.
He wasn't certain if it was the synchronization of his memories or his instincts taking over, but he felt an overwhelming sense of happiness at reuniting with his junior sister.
"W-Where did you disappear?" she asked, her voice muffled as she clung to him, her sobs trembling through their embrace.
"I was lost," he replied, his voice steady despite the turmoil within.
Her wide eyes reflected disbelief mixed with relief.