Lin Feng's body finally stopped convulsing, though a dull ache remained in his limbs. His vision cleared as the glowing interface of the Ascendant Codex System floated before his eyes. It was unlike anything he'd ever seen—sleek, modern, and strangely familiar, almost like the HUDs Alex had coded for video games back on Earth.
The interface shimmered as the mechanical voice spoke again.
[Welcome, Host.]
The Ascendant Codex System is a unique cultivation assistant designed to guide you to the peak of power in the world of Myriad Heavens. You have been chosen to wield its capabilities.
Lin Feng sat up, ignoring the wide-eyed villagers staring at him from a distance. His attention was fully absorbed by the interface.
"Chosen?" he muttered, a mix of disbelief and curiosity in his voice. "Why me? I don't even have cultivation talent."
The system's voice responded promptly. Talent is irrelevant. The system will help you bridge the gap between mortal limitations and ascendant power.
Lin Feng's gaze sharpened as he studied the glowing menus before him. Each section pulsed faintly, inviting him to explore. Hesitantly, he selected the first option: Status.
A detailed screen appeared:
[Status]
Name: Lin Feng (Alex Warren)
Cultivation Level: None
Physical Strength: Weak
Spiritual Energy: Dormant
System Points: 0
Potential: Awakened
"Awakened potential?" Lin Feng muttered, furrowing his brow.
Explanation: the fruit you consumed contained dormant spiritual energy, which has activated the system. Your body has now become compatible with cultivation, but your journey has just begun.
Excitement flared in Lin Feng's chest. The memories of his life as Alex, paired with the hopelessness of Lin Feng's original circumstances, filled him with determination. This could change everything.
He shifted to the next menu: Missions.
A new screen popped up, listing a handful of tasks:
[Missions]
[Daily Task] Gather firewood: Reward – 5 System Points
[Novice Task] Meditate for 1 hour: Reward – Basic Cultivation Manual
[Special Task] Survive for 24 hours after consuming the Spirit Awakening Fruit: Reward – 50 System Points, Skill: Spirit Sense
Lin Feng blinked. "Survive for 24 hours? Is the fruit dangerous?"
Correct. The Spirit Awakening Fruit forces a body to adapt to spiritual energy. Without guidance or cultivation, it can lead to death. The system will stabilize your body if you complete the task.
Cold sweat trickled down Lin Feng's back. He hadn't realized just how close to death he was. His hand unconsciously pressed against his chest as he stared at the timer counting down in the corner of the interface:
Time Remaining: 23:47
"Okay, no pressure," he muttered sarcastically.
He turned his attention to the Inventory tab. A single item appeared inside:
Item: [Beginner's Gift Box]
Description: A starter package for new system users. Contains essential items for early survival.
Without hesitation, he selected it. A small golden box materialized in front of him, glowing faintly. The villagers gasped as they watched it appear out of thin air.
Lin Feng ignored their reactions, opening the box. Inside were three items:
Basic Cultivation Manual: A guide for initiating spiritual energy circulation.
Spirit Recovery Pill (x3): Restores stamina and eases the effects of spiritual energy shock.
Beginner's Dagger: A basic weapon for self-defense.
Lin Feng grabbed the manual and flipped it open. The pages shimmered with faint golden text, detailing a simple breathing technique to awaken and circulate spiritual energy.
"This… this might actually work," he murmured, a sense of purpose settling over him.
Facing the Crowd
The murmurs of the villagers finally broke through his focus. Some looked awestruck, while others whispered among themselves.
"Did he just summon a treasure from thin air?" one man said.
"That fruit must have been divine," another muttered.
"Or cursed," someone added darkly.
Lin Feng stood, clutching the manual and glaring at the crowd. He could see the mix of fear, curiosity, and envy in their eyes. For the first time in this life, he didn't feel small or helpless. The system had given him a chance, and he wasn't going to waste it.
"I'm fine," Lin Feng said firmly. "You don't need to worry about me."
The villagers hesitated, then slowly began to disperse, though a few lingered, watching him warily.
As Lin Feng returned to the hut, he felt a sense of urgency. Time was ticking, and he needed to stabilize the changes in his body before it was too late.
Sitting cross-legged on the wooden cot, he opened the manual and began to follow the instructions. Closing his eyes, he focused on his breathing, inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly.
The world around him faded as he concentrated, feeling for the faintest flicker of energy within his body. At first, there was nothing—only darkness and stillness. But after what felt like an eternity, a tiny spark ignited in the depths of his chest.
His heart raced as he focused on the spark, guiding it through the pathways described in the manual. It was like learning to code for the first time—painstakingly slow, but each step brought a new sense of clarity.
Hours passed, and by the time he opened his eyes, the world felt different. The aches in his body had subsided, and his senses were sharper, clearer.
The system's voice chimed in.
[Mission Complete: Survive for 24 hours after consuming the Spirit Awakening Fruit.]
Reward Claimed: 50 System Points, Skill: Spirit Sense.
A new prompt appeared:
Skill Learned: Spirit Sense
Description: Allows the user to detect spiritual energy in their surroundings.
Lin Feng smiled faintly. For the first time, he felt like he belonged in this world—a world where strength determined everything. He might have been ordinary before, but with the system by his side, he could become extraordinary.
"This is just the beginning," he whispered, his resolve hardening. Lin Feng may have been nobody, but Alex Warren never settled for mediocrity.
And so, Lin Feng's journey to rise in the world of Myriad Heavens began.