Liang Chen's consciousness slipped into a void, an endless expanse of nothingness where time and space dissolved into meaningless concepts. Then, as abruptly as the emptiness consumed him, it was replaced by vivid sensation. He opened his eyes to find himself standing in a dense, vibrant forest. The air was heavy with vitality, thick with a presence that seemed to hum in harmony with his heartbeat. Sunlight filtered through the canopy above, casting patterns of light and shadow on the forest floor.
All around him, others were waking as well. Hundreds—perhaps thousands—of men, women, and children stared in wide-eyed confusion. Their faces reflected the same shock he felt, a mirror of disbelief and uncertainty.
"What is this place?" a voice broke the silence, trembling with fear.
Liang Chen didn't answer. His mind raced as he took in the unfamiliar surroundings. This wasn't Earth—at least, not the Earth he knew. There was something unmistakably different about this world, something alive in a way that defied logic. He could feel it faintly in his bones, an undercurrent of power flowing through the very air.
Before he could make sense of it, the sky darkened without warning. Shadows swallowed the forest, and the very air seemed to vibrate with a deep, oppressive hum. A voice—ancient, cold, and absolute—resounded from the heavens.
"From this moment, you shall live a life as cultivators. Begin at the Qi Refining stage and progress as far as your talent and effort allow. Success brings glory. Failure brings death. The dream ends when your life ends."
The weight of the voice pressed on Liang Chen's soul. It wasn't a request or an offer—it was a decree. The air grew still, as if holding its breath. Then, with a flash of light, his mind was filled with information. Techniques, meridians, spiritual energy… it was as though a thousand tomes of ancient wisdom had been poured into his consciousness at once. The pain was brief but sharp, leaving him clutching his head as the last fragments of knowledge settled into place.
"Remember, upon your death, you will awaken in your original world. The dream will linger as a memory, a reminder of what could have been. Begin."
The oppressive presence vanished, leaving a stunned silence in its wake. Liang Chen opened his eyes and saw the same shock on the faces around him. Some dropped to their knees, trembling; others whispered furiously to one another, their voices rising in fear and panic. Then chaos broke loose.
Screams echoed through the forest as people scattered, running in every direction. A few individuals sat down immediately, crossing their legs as they tried to meditate. Others, more practical or desperate, began searching for anything that might give them an edge.
Liang Chen stood still, his heart pounding. He could feel it now—the energy in the air, faint but tangible. Spiritual energy. If this was cultivation, then it was real, and he needed to act quickly.
Suppressing his racing thoughts, he scanned his surroundings and moved toward a large tree with sprawling roots. Its base created a small, sheltered space where he could sit undisturbed. He crossed his legs and closed his eyes, focusing on the new knowledge that had been burned into his mind.
Spiritual energy was unruly, chaotic, and hard to grasp. Drawing it into his body was like trying to shape a raging river with his bare hands. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he struggled to control the flow, his breathing slow but strained. Hours passed, his entire focus locked on the task, until he felt the first trace of energy settle in his dantian. It was faint, but it marked his entry into the First Stage of Qi Refining.
The sensation sent a wave of relief through him. He opened his eyes, his vision sharper, his senses more attuned to the world around him. The forest was no longer just a forest—it was a realm of opportunity, danger, and survival.
His focus shifted when he heard shouting nearby. He carefully peered through the trees to see a small group of people fighting over a shimmering blue herb growing by a rock. The combat was brutal—wild swings of improvised weapons and desperate lunges. Blood splattered the ground, and one man fell lifeless to the forest floor.
This wasn't just a trial. It was survival of the fittest. Resources were scarce, and in this world, strength was the only law.
Liang Chen moved deeper into the forest, avoiding conflict. Over the next few days, he scavenged for herbs, water, and food, carefully observing the behavior of other cultivators from a distance. Most were reckless, driven by desperation and greed, but a few displayed caution and intelligence. He noted their patterns, quietly learning from their successes and failures.
By the end of the first week, Liang Chen had reached the Third Stage of Qi Refining. Each breakthrough came with challenges—blocked meridians, searing pain, and moments where his control wavered—but he endured. His progress was slow and deliberate, a testament to his discipline and patience.
The forest was no longer a haven. Battles erupted frequently as cultivators fought over territory and resources. Alliances formed and crumbled, betrayal became a weapon, and the weak were swiftly eliminated. Liang Chen stayed in the shadows, avoiding unnecessary risks.
By the end of the month, he reached Foundation Establishment. The process was grueling, his body wracked with pain as his dantian solidified into a foundation of spiritual energy. But the reward was undeniable. His strength had grown exponentially, his perception of the world sharper than ever.
Years seemed to pass within the dream. Liang Chen's focus never wavered. He climbed the realms steadily: Core Formation, Golden Core, Nascent Soul. Each breakthrough was harder than the last, requiring him to face tribulations that tested his resolve and strength.
By the time he reached the Soul Transformation Realm, his name was whispered among cultivators. His rapid progress and unmatched skill made him a figure of awe and fear. Rivals emerged, but none could match his power.
At the Body Integration Realm, he began to comprehend the spiritual laws of the dream world, his understanding of the Dao deepening with each step. By Void Refinement, he could reshape the environment itself, bending reality to his will.
Finally, he reached the Immortal Emperor Realm. His body radiated divine essence, his mastery of the Dao transcending mortal comprehension. But the dream world wasn't finished with him yet. It presented him with one final challenge: to create a small immortal world within his body.
The task demanded absolute harmony of mind, body, and soul. Liang Chen poured everything into the attempt, his spiritual energy surging as he constructed the nascent world. For a moment, it seemed he had succeeded.
Then, cracks appeared.
The collapse was swift and catastrophic. The backlash tore through his body, his mind, and his soul, an agony that defied description. He screamed as the immortal world shattered, dragging him into darkness.
Liang Chen awoke with a gasp, his body drenched in sweat. His chest heaved as he clutched his head, the vivid memory of his failure burned into his mind. Yue Ling nuzzled against his leg, her golden eyes filled with a quiet understanding.
"I failed," he whispered, his voice trembling. "I failed the tribulation."
The memory of the pain lingered, a sharp reminder of his weakness. But alongside the pain burned a fire of determination.
"I won't fail again," he vowed, his voice firm.
Yue Ling curled up beside him, her presence a silent reassurance. Liang Chen leaned back, his gaze distant but resolute. This was his second chance, and he would not waste it.