Chapter 1: Awakening on the Secluded Mountain
Liang Chen, a regular person a few minutes ago, woke up staring at what seemed to be the roof of a cave. Pushing himself upright, he took in the rugged landscape. There was no sign of civilization—no roads, buildings, or even a hint of the usual background hum he'd expect from an earthly setting. Instead, he was enveloped in an unfamiliar quiet, broken only by the sounds of nature. Walking out of the cave, there were no buildings, no roads, no power lines, no hum of cars going by, no sounds of an airplane flying overhead. It was simply pure nature. His mind runs around trying to gather all the information around him.
He stops looking outside, and goes back inside the cave, his brain working overload. Calming down he notices something exists… it's not there he can't see it but he knows it's there quietly watching him. The gaze stays on him for a while before it is replaced by a loading bar. He can't figure out why or even how it's there he just simply knows. It seemed impossible, but it was undeniably there: a progress bar.
[98%..... 99%... 100%]
[Ding]
The mechanical noise comes to his mind like a video game completed its loading. Before he could question it further a clear soothing voice comes gently as if it's always been there naturally.
["Hello host, welcome to your new world"]
Liang Chen's heart is racing not understanding his mind feels like it has been hammered at for years almost in mental shock struggling to comprehend what is going on.
["Don't worry, I'm here."]The system calmly tells Liang ["I am the dream reincarnation system. I will be helping you become powerful to let you reach the peak of this world and much more. Lucky you!"]
["Hurry up and open the gift package. It's in the inventory you just have to think inventory with your mind"]
A translucent screen appeared before him, floating lazily in midair. It displayed a simple grid, and in one of the cells sat a small, wrapped package, glowing faintly. Liang Chen, hesitates for a moment before reaching out and going through the panel
As if mocking him["You can't touch the panel it's not physical after all I don't want you waving around like some idiot in battle trying to grab an item or speak to me out loud like a mentally insane person."]
After clicking the novice gift box mentally the voice chimed in again, sounding as if it were suppressing a yawn.
["Congrats, host. You got a decent haul. Let me list them out for you. Try not to faint with excitement."]
[1 simulation per month (can be upgraded)]
[1 peak mortal grade weapon (can be chosen—pick wisely—and it's upgradeable).]
[1 peak mortal grade robe (because I don't want you dying too soon, and yes, it's upgradeable. Cannot be broken by peak Foundation or even half-step Core Formation realms)]
[Unique talent (system's weak ______ user)]
Liang Chen's eyes narrowed at the last line. Before he could fully process it, the text shifted, erasing the word and replacing it with "user." He frowned, his gaze hardening as he stared at the shimmering screen.
"What was that? What did it say before?" his voice filled with suspicion. He felt the system's presence retreat slightly, almost sheepishly, before its lazy tone returned.
["Oh, nothing important. Just a little typo. Move along. Let's not waste time dwelling on trivial details."]
"Yeah, sure. Trivial," he muttered. But before he could press further, the system continued, as if trying to redirect his attention.
["Let me make this easy for you, host. Here's a breakdown of the realms in this world. You're going to need to memorize these if you want to get anywhere."]
[The realms are: Qi Gathering Realm, Foundation Establishment Realm, Core Formation Realm, Golden Core Realm, Nascent Soul Realm, Soul Transformation Realm, Body Integration Realm, Void Refinement Realm, Ascension Realm]
["Items also have grades. Let me break it down so you don't embarrass yourself later."]
[Mortal-Grade- Suitable for: Foundation Establishment and below.]
[Earth-Grade- Suitable for: Core Formation to Golden Core cultivators.]
[Heaven-Grade- Suitable for: Nascent Soul to Soul Transformation cultivators.]
[Saint-Grade- Suitable for: Body Integration to Void Refinement Cultivators.]
[Divine-Grade- Suitable for: Ascension Realm cultivators.]
["The simulator comes with one simulation per month. You can receive a talent and start a new life. As it is your first simulation you will receive a minimum of a purple talent. I guess I should explain the colors. It goes from weakest to strongest white, green, blue, purple, gold, and red. There are more talents than at the peak there is unique no one else has it and even after you die no one else will."]
["Would you like to start your first simulation?"]
[Yes? / No?]
Clicking yes he sits down with his back against the back wall of the cave closing his eyes, a formation blocking the cave entrance proved by the system.
["Good luck," the system said, its voice tinged with an almost mischievous glee. "Let's see how you handle your first life."]
Darkness enveloped him, and a strange, dreamlike sensation swept over his consciousness. The journey had begun.