The first thing he noticed was the smell of damp earth and sweat, a stark contrast to the sterile air-conditioned spaces he was used to. Slowly, his eyes opened to the sight of a simple wooden ceiling above him, its beams weathered and cracked. He blinked, confused. Where was he?
He sat up with a groan, only to feel an unusual heaviness in his body. His arms were lean but corded with muscle, and his hands were rough and calloused, the hands of someone accustomed to hard labor. He glanced down at himself—his chest and arms were covered in scars, and his clothes were coarse and patched in several places.
"What… is this?" he muttered, his voice hoarse and unfamiliar. He stumbled to his feet, almost tripping over the wooden stool nearby, and caught his reflection in a cracked bronze mirror hanging on the wall.
The face staring back wasn't his. It was younger—around 18—with sharp, sun-tanned features and messy black hair. His heart raced as the realization hit him: This isn't my body. This isn't my life.
A sudden jolt of pain struck his head, and a flood of foreign memories overwhelmed him. Images of fields, endless plowing, and backbreaking labor under the sun filled his mind. This body belonged to a farmer named Wei Liang, a young man from a small village at the foot of a mountain range.
Wei Liang's life had been one of drudgery, struggling to survive in a world where cultivation was everything. He had no talent for it and had resigned himself to a life of obscurity—until now.
The rush of memories faded, leaving him breathless. "Okay," he said aloud, gripping the edge of the stool to steady himself. "I'm in some poor farmer's body. This has to be a dream. Right?"
As if to answer, a faint, mechanical hum echoed in his mind.
[System Initialization Complete. Welcome, Host.]
He froze. "System? What system?"
The voice continued, calm and detached.
[You have been chosen to enter the cultivation world. Utilize the Cultivation System to rise above your station, grow your power, and achieve greatness. Your current status is as follows:]
A translucent screen appeared before him, floating in mid-air.
---
Name: Wei Liang
Cultivation Realm: None
Spiritual Root: Low-Grade Earth Root
System Assistance: Active
---
Wei Liang—or whoever he was now—stared at the screen in disbelief. "Cultivation? Like those xianxia novels?" he whispered. "This has to be a prank or something."
The System ignored his skepticism.
[First Quest: Join a Sect. Objective: Seek out an opportunity to begin your cultivation journey.]
A sect. He vaguely remembered the concept from the farmer's memories—elite organizations where cultivators trained to harness Qi and ascend to unimaginable power. But for someone like Wei Liang, with a weak spiritual root and no resources, joining a sect was nothing more than a pipe dream.
Still, what choice did he have? His old life was gone, and this new world didn't seem inclined to let him rest. He took a deep breath, trying to suppress the rising panic. "Fine," he muttered. "Join a sect. How hard can it be?"
---
The village was small, consisting of a few dozen thatched huts clustered together in a valley surrounded by towering mountains. Wei Liang quickly realized that the farmer's body he now inhabited was well-known here. Villagers greeted him with curt nods as he passed, their expressions weary but kind.
From overheard conversations, he pieced together fragments of news. A powerful sect called the Jade Peak Sect was holding a recruitment drive in a nearby town. It was a rare opportunity for ordinary people to test their potential and, if accepted, begin their cultivation journey.
The catch? The town was three days' travel away, and even if he made it, the competition would be fierce. Only a handful of people would be chosen, and the rest would be turned away—or worse, humiliated for even trying.
But Wei Liang had no other options. He packed what little food and water he could find and set off that same day, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination.
---
The journey was grueling. The rough mountain paths tested the farmer's body to its limits, but he pressed on, driven by the System's occasional prompts.
[Physical Endurance Increased. Current Level: 1.]
[Quest Progress: 60% to Recruitment Site.]
By the time he reached the town, his body ached, and his clothes were coated in dust and sweat. The streets were bustling with people—travelers, merchants, and hopeful recruits like himself. Banners bearing the Jade Peak Sect's emblem—a soaring jade phoenix—hung from every corner.
Wei Liang followed the crowd to a large clearing at the edge of town, where a grand platform had been erected. On it stood several figures clad in flowing white robes embroidered with jade patterns. Their mere presence radiated authority and power, and the crowd hushed as one of them stepped forward.
"Welcome," the man said, his voice ringing out like a bell. "I am Elder Yan of the Jade Peak Sect. Today, we seek to test your potential. Those who pass will be given the chance to ascend beyond the mundane and step onto the path of immortality."
A murmur of excitement rippled through the crowd. Wei Liang's palms were slick with sweat.
The testing began. One by one, hopeful recruits stepped onto the platform, where a crystal orb glowed faintly in response to their touch. Most were dismissed after a brief glance from the elders, their spiritual roots deemed too weak.
When it was Wei Liang's turn, he hesitated. The farmer's memories told him his spiritual root was one of the lowest grades possible. But something in him refused to give up.
He stepped onto the platform, his heart hammering in his chest. Elder Yan regarded him with a raised eyebrow but said nothing. Wei Liang placed his hand on the crystal orb, bracing himself for rejection.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then, to his surprise, the orb emitted a faint green light—not bright enough to impress, but not entirely dim either.
Elder Yan stroked his beard thoughtfully. "A low-grade Earth Root," he said. "Barely passable. But…" He glanced at Wei Liang. "You have potential. With discipline and luck, you may yet achieve something."
Wei Liang bowed deeply, relief flooding through him.
"Welcome to the Jade Peak Sect," Elder Yan said.
As Wei Liang stepped down from the platform, the System chimed again.
[Quest Complete: Join a Sect. Reward: Beginner Cultivation Manual.]
A new screen appeared before him, displaying an image of a simple scroll.
[Manual Acquired: Basic Qi Condensation Technique.]
Wei Liang grinned despite himself. For the first time since waking in this strange new world, he felt a flicker of hope. He wasn't just a farmer anymore. He was a cultivator—barely, but it was a start.
His journey had only just begun.