On one of the mountain peaks stretching across the border between the Great Han Dynasty and the Evil Land of Grey Clouds, stood a modest yet slightly large building.
The structure appeared tranquil amidst the dense forest trees, as if hidden from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. The house had three bedrooms, a kitchen, a bathroom, a living room, and a spacious backyard with a small pond filled with fish.
In one of the rooms, a five-year-old boy slowly woke up from his sleep. His small body lay on a simple wooden bed. As his eyes opened, he suddenly clutched his head.
"Where am I? Ahh!" he cried out as memories from his previous life and his current life began to merge.
Shen Xiang's mind was in turmoil. He saw flashes of his past life: an ordinary man obsessed with cultivation novels, meeting an untimely death. Now, he had awakened in the body of a child with the same name but devoid of any memories of this body's past.
"Shen Xiang… Shen Xiang… So, that's my name now. Other than this name, this body seems to lack any memories."
Feeling a sharp pain in his head while trying to recall more, Shen Xiang decided to let it go for now.
"All right, let's see where I am," he muttered as he got up from the bed.
When he opened the door to his room, he was stunned by the sight outside. A dense forest stretched as far as the eye could see. Towering trees with fresh green leaves glistened as sunlight filtered through the canopy. The air felt incredibly fresh, rejuvenating his body with just a single breath.
Not far from the house, he spotted a lake with water as clear as glass. Fish swam freely in it, clearly visible even from where he stood. In the distance, the sounds of birds and rustling leaves added to the serenity of the place.
Shen Xiang spent his first few days exploring his surroundings. He quickly realized that this place wasn't just beautiful but also abundant in natural resources. Besides the fish in the lake, he found various wild fruits and edible plants. The forest became both a refuge and a challenge for him.
His days passed quickly. He worked on improving the house, gathering food, and began training his body. Every morning, he performed push-ups, sit-ups, squats, and ran around the forest.
"If I want to survive and grow strong, I need to start training myself," he thought.
Time Skip: Two Years Later.
Two years had passed since Shen Xiang was reincarnated. He was now seven years old, but his body was far more developed than children his age.
He stood tall, with well-trained muscles that weren't overly large but perfectly toned. His once-childish face had become more handsome over time, with eyes that radiated determination and intelligence.
His routine remained unchanged. Every day, he woke up early to train:
"996… 997… 998… 999… 1000," he counted, panting heavily after completing his thousandth push-up. Afterward, he ran up and down the hill ten times before returning home to eat.
However, his food supplies were running low.
"I need to go hunting. My stock is almost gone," he muttered, preparing simple hunting gear.
On his way back from hunting, Shen Xiang heard the sound of a child crying. His curiosity led him toward the source of the sound. After pushing through some bushes, he saw a small child, around three years old, curled up under a tree. The child's knees were bleeding, and he was crying incessantly.
"Little one, what are you doing here?" Shen Xiang asked gently, approaching the child. However, the sound of his voice only made the child cry even louder.
"Hic… Hic… Hic…" The child's sobs made Shen Xiang feel pity. Carefully, he pulled out a clean cloth from his bag and bandaged the child's wounds. The crying gradually subsided as the pain faded.
Seeing Shen Xiang smile, the child suddenly jumped into his arms and began crying again. This time, the crying was softer, as though he was releasing all his fear and loneliness.
"All right, it seems I've got a new companion," Shen Xiang said as he gently stroked the child's head, letting him fall asleep in his arms.
As nightfall approached, he carried the child home. The modest house in the forest now became a haven for two souls who needed each other.
The Tianlang Dynasty Region.
Elsewhere, in a dark cave within the Tianlang Dynasty region, an old man sat meditating. His body was frail, and visible wounds covered him. He was recovering after a fierce battle.
Suddenly, he opened his eyes, sensing something strange.
"What's missing?" he muttered, trying to probe deeper. After searching to no avail, he closed his eyes again and resumed his recovery.
Meanwhile, Shen Xiang now had a new responsibility. He had to care for the small child who had suddenly entered his life.
Though at first, it felt like a burden, Shen Xiang soon found joy in their companionship. Deep in his heart, he knew that this was just the beginning of a long journey filled with mysteries and challenges.