Chapter 1: Awakening In A New Realm (1)
Lingzhou Continent, Yu Family Estate
The first thing Aerich felt was the weight of the world pressing down on him, both literally and metaphorically. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and unfamiliar flora—a stark contrast to the sterile confines of his university library back on Earth.
As he blinked against the harsh light filtering through a canopy of leaves, memories of his previous life flooded back: lectures, papers, and late nights spent poring over ancient texts. But those memories felt distant now, like echoes of a dream fading into the morning light.
"Did I transmigrate?"
Aerich's heart sank as the realization settled in. He was in a different body; this Aerich was the son of the Yu family head. The Yu family was one of the four wealthiest families in Yinhe Hollow, a small village in the remote corner of the continent Lingzhou.
How did he know?
Firstly, he had received the memories and experiences of the body his soul now inhabited. Secondly, he had read this novel before he transmigrated to this world, Yuandao. It was a recently published novel gaining popularity among young people. Feeling bored with the endless face-slapping plotlines of typical protagonists, he decided to try something new: a "Villain Protagonist" story. It was thrilling to watch the villain gradually weaken the original protagonist, finally defeating him with the help of a system.
But novels and reality are different, which is why Aerich wasn't entirely sure if this was really the place he thought it was. His brain told him there was a 90 percent chance it was, while his heart said it was just a hyper-realistic dream.
But he wished that, for the first time, his brain would be wrong and his heart right.
Many might have dreamed of this day, but in the end, dreams and reality were different.
He also had fantasies but not about these types of novels; instead, he wanted to go to the world of those popular comics.
Aerich pushed himself up from the bed and sat upright.
"System."
"Status."
Aerich called out into the air. There was no response. Finally, when he was losing hope, he heard a ding sound.
"Looks like the heavens haven't abandoned me."
[System synchronization 25%]
[System synchronization 100%]
[Welcome, Host.]
"System, can you introduce yourself?"
[Of course, Host. You do not need to ask; you just need to order the system.]
"No, I'll just talk like this," he said aloud, though he was cautious in his heart.
Well, I'm not really in a position to go against a being who can bring me to another world.
Aerich was a smart person, and just because he was given a system, he didn't become complacent. Instead, he became more humble because if someone could give you something without asking your permission, they could also take it back whenever they wanted.
And he also knew the saying from Earth that "When something is free, you are the product."
[Host, this is a binding system. You can bind to people whom the system deems worthy, and whenever a person who can be bound appears, a pop-up notification will sound.]
[The host needs to be within 10 feet of the target, then you can bind to that person and obtain their cultivation, spiritual root, rare physique, rare bloodline, or skills.]
"System, is this world really the world from the novel I read, and am I really the protagonist of this world?"
[Yes, Host. This is the world of novels, and you were the protagonist.]
"…"
"System, why did you put an 's' in 'novel'? Well, I understand the past tense in 'protagonist.' The new protagonist is the villain, right?"
[Host, this place is a vast realm called the 'Mortal Realm,' and there is an 'Immortal Realm' above it. This is why there are almost uncountable protagonists and antagonists in both realms.]
[And what the system meant by "you were the protagonist" is that the moment you received the system, your "Son of Destiny" status was abolished and given to someone else.]
"Does that mean my life is no longer in danger and I can cultivate peacefully in the family?"
[ERROR.]
[Sorry, Host. Questions about fate cannot be answered unless you reach a sufficient level.]
"Which means we're back to square one."
Sigh.
"Well, at least the villains and extras won't feel the urge to slap me every time we meet or if we come face to face."
Aerich was uncertain about his future.
One good thing for him was that he was no longer the "Son of Destiny," but at least the normal "Son of Destiny" had a chance of survival in this cultivation world. In this place, where even geniuses and prodigies could fall, what chance did he have now that he had lost his only status?
His thoughts raced like a Formula 1 car.
He stood up and walked toward the mirror. Although he had read about the protagonist's appearance, reading and seeing are different.
Aerich stood out, but only just—his looks fell slightly above average, an appearance easily lost in a crowd of more striking faces. His features were fine yet unremarkable: a slender nose, a jaw that held only a hint of strength, and a brow that rested just a little lower than what one might call "heroic." His eyes, however, set him apart in subtle ways. They were a muted brown, warm and unassuming, yet sharp enough to convey a quiet intelligence when he observed the world around him. A faint crease lined the corner of his mouth, suggesting he smiled easily, though he did so infrequently.
His hair, dark and straight, framed his face without drawing attention, and he kept it just long enough to brush his shoulders—a style that gave him a sense of refinement without any intention of impressing. Though his physique was lean, it carried a wiry strength earned from regular training—necessary for anyone who wished to hold their own in the unpredictable world he lived in.
In all, Aerich bore the look of a scholar who had learned the basics of survival. An ordinary young man who could blend in and disappear when needed, yet one who might surprise you if you happened to catch a certain gleam in his eye.