The heavens trembled. The celestial firmament shattered into a million fragments, each piece falling from the skies like meteors of fire. Blood stained the earth, and the once-proud Immortal King, Zhang Wei, lay crumpled in the ruins of what had once been his throne room.

'So, this is how it ends,' he thought, the taste of betrayal thick in his mouth as his vision blurred. His body, once the epitome of power, was now broken beyond repair. He had fought to the very last, but the betrayal of his closest allies had been too much to overcome.

The golden crown that had adorned his head—now bloodied and cracked—rolled across the floor, coming to a halt at the feet of the man he had once called his brother.

"Forgive me, my king," the man said coldly, his eyes filled with an emotion Zhang Wei could not place. Was it guilt? No. It was something darker. "But this is the only way. Your ambition is too great."

Zhang Wei's lips trembled as he struggled to speak. His once-glorious kingdom, the vast empire he had ruled with pride, was crumbling under the weight of his betrayal. But even now, in his final moments, he felt a flicker of defiance burning within him.

'You think you can end me so easily? You cannot destroy what is already eternal.'

His vision faded to black as the sword plunged deep into his chest, and his soul was torn from its vessel. The last thing he saw was the cruel smile of his former brother, who turned away, not even bothering to watch the final death of the man he had once admired.

The next moment, Zhang Wei awoke with a gasp.

His breath was shallow, his body weak, but he could feel the steady rhythm of life coursing through his veins once again.

'What… where am I?'

His surroundings were unfamiliar. He was lying on a thin, uncomfortable mat, the air filled with the musty scent of old wood. As he blinked his eyes open, he saw the faint glow of a flickering candle beside him. It took him a moment to realize that he was no longer in his grand throne room but instead in a small, humble room—far from the palace where he had once ruled.

'Am I… alive?'

His hands shook as he pushed himself into a sitting position. His body felt foreign, weak—like it belonged to someone else. But there was something else.

A faint hum of energy resonated deep within his core. It was subtle, at first, but as his consciousness focused on it, he realized it was a power unlike anything he had felt before. It was a strange sensation, different from the pure spiritual energy he had cultivated in his past life. This energy was more... personal.

'What is this?'

The moment he thought that, a system message appeared in his mind.

[System Activated: Heavenly Ascendant System]

'Heavenly Ascendant System? What is this?'

He closed his eyes, trying to understand. The words seemed foreign, yet familiar, like they had always been there, waiting to be awakened. He could feel a presence, a guiding force, urging him to focus. He followed the pull and suddenly, knowledge began to pour into his mind.

The system wasn't just a tool. It was a key—a key to his return. With this system, he could rebuild his cultivation, revive his power, and perhaps even reclaim the Immortal Sovereignty that had been stolen from him.

But first, he needed to understand how to use it.

[Welcome, Host. Your new life begins now. Please complete the first mission to unlock your path to ascension.]

The words appeared in front of his mind's eye, and Zhang Wei's heart thudded in his chest. 'First mission?' He had been given a second chance, but what would this mission entail?

A series of instructions followed, outlining the basics of the system and its functions. The first mission was simple: Cultivate the Qi within your body to restore your vitality and strength.

Zhang Wei didn't hesitate. The idea of regaining his power stirred something deep within him. 'If I can restore my cultivation, then I will ascend once again. I will have my revenge, and I will reclaim what was stolen from me.'

He focused on his internal energy, drawing upon the mysterious force that resonated within him. It was different from the spiritual energy he was used to, but it was no less potent. As he gathered the energy, he could feel the warmth of it spreading through his body, renewing his strength and clearing away the weakness that had plagued him.

The pain was intense, but Zhang Wei gritted his teeth, determined to succeed. Slowly, his body began to heal. His breathing steadied. The pain in his chest, where the sword had once struck, faded. And in its place, a new energy surged through him.

A familiar system message appeared.

[Mission Complete: Qi Cultivation Initiated. Vitality Restored. 1% Progress to First Realm of Cultivation Achieved.]

Zhang Wei breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn't much, but it was a start. His eyes glinted with determination as he looked around the small room.

'This will be the beginning of my rise. No one can stop me now.'

But as he stood up, a sudden realization hit him. This wasn't the same world he had once known. His clothes were tattered, the room plain, and the air smelled of something unfamiliar.

He could feel the presence of someone nearby—someone approaching his room.

With a deep breath, Zhang Wei prepared himself for what lay ahead. He wasn't in his kingdom, and this was no ordinary world. He had no idea who had brought him here, nor did he understand the full extent of his new powers. But one thing was certain: He would rise again, no matter the cost.

The door to his room creaked open, and in stepped a young woman, her expression one of curiosity mixed with caution. Her long, black hair flowed down her back, and her sharp eyes fixed on him.

"Who are you?" she asked softly, as if sensing something different about him.

Zhang Wei's lips curled into a confident smile. "I am Zhang Wei, the future Immortal King."