The village of Willow Brook lay nestled between towering mountains and thick forests, untouched by the wonders and dangers of the cultivation world. Here, the people lived simple lives, bound to the cycles of nature. But for Li Wei, a young man of fifteen with an unquenchable thirst for adventure, such a life felt stifling.

Li Wei adjusted the basket on his shoulder, the weight of firewood pressing down on his slender frame. The air was crisp, the faint scent of pine filling his lungs as he trudged down the narrow dirt path leading back to his family's small cottage.

From afar, the villagers watched him with mild disdain. "That boy," he overheard one man mutter to his wife. "Always daydreaming about becoming a great cultivator. It's a fool's errand, especially for a farmer's son."

Their words stung, but he forced himself to walk on. He had grown accustomed to the mocking glances and whispers over the years. Despite the odds, Li Wei's heart burned with dreams that refused to die. He had read countless tales about legendary cultivators who harnessed spiritual energy to surpass human limits, achieving powers that rivaled even the heavens. Such heroes had inspired him since childhood, even if the path to cultivation was reserved only for the elite—those born with talent, connections, and resources.

But fate, as he was about to learn, had other plans for him.

As the last rays of the setting sun dipped below the mountains, Li Wei spotted an unusual glow coming from the dense thicket to his right. His curiosity piqued, he set down the firewood and quietly made his way toward the light, pushing aside branches as he ventured deeper into the forest.

The glow grew brighter, casting an ethereal light over the moss-covered rocks and fallen leaves. At the heart of the clearing, he saw it: an ancient stone tablet, half-buried in the earth, covered in strange symbols that seemed to pulse with an inner energy.

Li Wei's breath caught. He had never seen anything like it.

"What…what is this?" he whispered, reaching out to brush his fingers across the stone. The symbols began to hum, a low vibration that sent a shiver down his spine. He felt a strange warmth spread through his body, pooling in his chest and filling him with a sensation of both peace and exhilaration.

Suddenly, a surge of energy erupted from the tablet, wrapping around him like a cocoon. The world blurred, and for a moment, Li Wei's mind seemed to float, detached from his body. A voice—a deep, resonant whisper—echoed within his consciousness.

"System activation… Initializing the Path of the Ascending Dragon… Welcome, Host."

Li Wei's eyes widened. "Who…who's there?" he asked, his voice trembling.

"I am the Ascension System, a guide to aid you in your journey toward the heavens," the voice replied smoothly. "I shall assist you in cultivation, offer rewards for completed tasks, and unlock paths previously unattainable to mortals."

Li Wei blinked, his mind racing. This had to be a dream. There was no other explanation. Systems were the stuff of legends, reserved for heroes or those blessed by the heavens.

"Why…why me?" he murmured, almost afraid to ask.

"Destiny has chosen you, Li Wei. You may be weak now, but the potential within you is limitless. With me, you shall tread the path from mortality to divinity. But it will not be easy."

A menu screen appeared before his eyes, filled with information that made little sense to him yet. At the top, he noticed a small bar labeled "Cultivation Progress: Mortal Stage (0%)" and a list of tasks beneath it.

Task: Gather 10 Spirit Herbs

Reward: 50 cultivation points

Task: Meditate for one hour

Reward: 10 cultivation points

Li Wei's mind whirled with questions, but before he could ask more, the voice continued.

"Your journey begins now, Li Wei. Complete the tasks, grow stronger, and carve a path to the heavens. Know this: your strength will be limited only by your will and resolve. Are you ready?"

Li Wei clenched his fists, a surge of determination rising within him. He didn't understand why this system had chosen him, nor what this path would entail, but he knew one thing for certain: this was his chance. His only chance to break free from a life of insignificance and carve his name into history.

"I'm ready," he whispered, his voice filled with conviction.

The glow around the tablet faded, and the forest returned to its quiet, dim ambiance. Yet something fundamental had shifted within Li Wei. He no longer felt like a mere village boy. He was now a cultivator, and though he had only taken the first step, his journey had begun.

Without another word, he picked up his basket, the weight suddenly feeling lighter, and made his way home. He didn't notice the faint shimmer in his eyes or the way his spirit felt sharper, more attuned to the world around him. But one thing was clear: his life would never be the same.