Chapter 3: The First Encounter
Liu Xian walked deeper into the town, his thoughts still consumed by the strange voice of the system and the unsettling sensation of unfamiliar energy pulsing within him. The streets were narrow and winding, lined with wooden houses that looked as though they had stood the test of time. Despite the simplicity of the town, there was an undeniable aura of mystery hanging in the air, and it was unlike any place Liu Xian had ever seen before.
The system's voice still lingered in the back of his mind, offering vague but important details. "Host's cultivation progress: Level 1. Path initiated. First task: Understand the basics of energy flow and control."
He could feel the weight of the words, but they weren't urgent. It felt as if the system were simply guiding him, like a teacher giving a student a chance to explore before truly starting the lesson.
As he walked, Liu Xian couldn't help but notice the people around him. They were like any other small-town folk—dressed in simple robes and tunics, working at stalls or haggling over goods—but there was something about their gazes that made him feel out of place. It was as if they could sense something different about him. But whenever their eyes met his, they would quickly look away, resuming their tasks as if nothing had happened. Perhaps it was nothing more than paranoia.
The town was peaceful. Too peaceful, almost. The buildings were modest, the people content with their daily routines. However, Liu Xian couldn't shake the feeling that beneath this calm exterior, something more profound was happening. There was a strange sense of purpose in the air, an unseen force guiding the lives of the inhabitants.
Still, Liu Xian's path was uncertain. He wasn't sure what his next steps should be, nor did he know where he could begin cultivating as the system had suggested. His only option was to keep moving forward. There was a path waiting for him, and whether he understood it or not, he had to walk it.
After some time, Liu Xian came across an open square, the heart of the town. In the center was a large fountain, its waters flowing in a calm rhythm. Around the fountain, people gathered to chat or go about their business. Liu Xian's eyes wandered, and his gaze settled on a group of people sitting near the fountain's edge. There was something different about them. A sense of discipline and focus in the way they carried themselves. He could almost sense a strange energy around them, similar to what he had felt earlier within himself, but far more potent.
He felt a pull toward them, something he couldn't quite explain. As he walked closer, the group of individuals glanced up at him. There were five people in total—three men and two women. All were dressed in long robes, adorned with symbols that Liu Xian couldn't immediately identify. Their clothes were different from the simple garb of the townsfolk, and there was a calm confidence in their expressions that suggested they were no ordinary villagers.
One of the women, a tall figure with long black hair, met his gaze. Her eyes were sharp, and a faint smile played on her lips. She rose from her seat slowly, her presence immediately commanding attention.
"Newcomer," she said, her voice calm yet firm. "You're not from around here, are you?"
Liu Xian froze for a moment, unsure of how to respond. He had been so focused on his own confusion that he hadn't even noticed the group's watchful eyes on him. The woman's question was direct, yet there was no malice in her tone, just an odd curiosity.
"I'm… new," Liu Xian replied, his voice low. "I don't remember much, but I'm trying to find my way."
The woman nodded, seemingly satisfied with the answer, but her eyes narrowed as if she were weighing something in her mind.
"You're not the first to appear like this," she said softly. "There are others, too, from… places unknown. But most don't have the strength to survive here." Her voice was tinged with a touch of sadness, but there was no pity in her gaze. "You should be careful, newcomer. The world isn't as peaceful as it seems."
Liu Xian's heart skipped a beat. He didn't know why, but her words stirred something deep inside him. There was truth in them—truth he couldn't ignore.
"Who are you?" he asked, his curiosity piqued. "And what is this place?"
The woman smiled gently. "I am Jian Mei. As for this place… it's called the Crescent Valley, a small settlement in a world of endless possibilities. But you're more likely to encounter danger than peace here, newcomer."
Her words lingered in his mind as Jian Mei gestured for him to sit with the group. Liu Xian hesitated, but there was something about her calm demeanor that made him feel at ease. He lowered himself to the edge of the fountain, his eyes still on her.
"You mentioned others from… places unknown?" Liu Xian asked. "What do you mean by that?"
Jian Mei's gaze turned distant for a moment, and the others in the group grew silent. It was as if the mention of these "others" was a topic not often discussed.
"There are many worlds," Jian Mei said softly, almost to herself. "Worlds beyond our understanding, connected through strange forces. Sometimes, people from these worlds arrive here, though not all of them are meant to."
Liu Xian's mind raced. He could feel his connection to the system deepening, and the faint energy inside him stirred in response to the woman's words. Other worlds? He had always thought the stories of other dimensions and parallel universes were just fantasy, but here, in this strange land, it seemed all too real.
"You must be careful, Liu Xian," Jian Mei continued, using his name without hesitation. "There are forces at play that even I don't fully understand. But if you're strong enough, you might be able to carve your own path. Just be wary of those who come with hidden intentions."
Her warning echoed in his mind, but Liu Xian was determined. His path forward might be shrouded in uncertainty, but one thing was clear: he had a purpose to fulfill, and this was only the beginning.
"Thank you, Jian Mei," Liu Xian said, his voice steady. "I'll remember your words."
The group smiled in unison, each offering a silent nod of acknowledgment. Liu Xian could feel the weight of their gazes, each one filled with an unspoken understanding. It was clear they knew more about the world than he did, but perhaps, with time, he would come to understand it all as well.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm golden glow over the town, Liu Xian knew that his journey had only just begun. The world around him was vast, full of mysteries, and he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.