The eyes of the two young people met. Wen Ran felt awkward in the situation, but despite his discomfort, he couldn't easily escape the clutches of the young lady. She held him tightly, pressing his head against her lap. Her face was streaked with tears, each drop hitting Wen Ran like a subtle ache in his heart. Yet, he knew these emotions were not his own. He fought hard to keep the lingering feelings of the body's previous owner from clouding his judgment or mistaking her for a lover.
"I'm okay now…" Wen Ran said softly, though the dull throbbing at the back of his head betrayed his calm tone. As the girl pulled her arms away to wipe her tears, Wen Ran seized the opportunity and leaped up with the speed of a startled rabbit. He stood, brushing dirt from his robes as though nothing had happened. "See? I'm totally fine." He extended a hand to Fang Jinyao, offering to help her up.
Her golden eyes, still wet with tears, sparkled as they gazed at him. Her heart raced wildly, and after a moment, she nodded and placed her hand in his. Wen Ran pulled her up gently, her face flushed as she steadied herself.
Soon after, they climbed up through the trapdoor, and Wen Ran was met with the sight of a room so immaculate that not a single speck of dust could be found. Every detail was meticulously arranged, from the neatly folded curtains to the perfectly aligned furniture. The trapdoor itself was expertly crafted, hidden so seamlessly that an untrained eye would never notice it. It was clear this escape route was designed for emergencies—a safe haven for someone of importance.
Fang Jinyao's eyes were still slightly red, her heart heavy with the fear she'd felt when she thought she might lose him. She sat down on her grand, king-sized bed, the silk sheets shimmering faintly in the room's soft light. Her gaze shifted to Wen Ran, now tinged with a hint of anger.
"You need to take better care of yourself!" she snapped, her voice trembling with frustration. "If you die, I-I…" Her words faltered, leaving the rest unsaid.
Wen Ran raised an eyebrow, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face. I wasn't even the one at fault, yet she's angry at me? What the hell…
Without a word, he moved to a quiet corner of the room and sat down cross-legged, closing his eyes as though to meditate. His indifferent response made Fang Jinyao gasp softly, confusion flickering across her face.
Why is he acting this way? she thought, her heart sinking. Even if he lost his memories, he's so different from the Wen Ran I know. The Wen Ran I know would have already hugged me and comforted me… How could he change this much?
Her watery eyes lingered on him, a mixture of hurt and uncertainty swirling in her heart as silence settled in the room.
Wen Ran, however, enjoyed the silence. His battered body rested in the corner, seated cross-legged, while Fang Jinyao, overcome by the stress she had endured, fell asleep clutching her pillow. Her soft breathing filled the room, a gentle rhythm that seemed to match the calm Wen Ran sought within himself.
I need to quickly reach the next stage… he thought, his sharp eyes narrowing as he focused inward. Fourteen days seems short, but with my past experience, I should be able to pull it off.
Suddenly, a familiar shine filled his vision, breaking his focus. The system screen appeared before his eyes, and his expression darkened immediately.
Not again…
[New Quest Received: Meditate for ten hours straight]
[Reward: Basic Cultivation Manual]
Wen Ran's lips twitched, annoyance flickering briefly across his face. But as he read the reward, his mood shifted.
A cultivation manual... unnecessary for me, but still beneficial. Even a basic manual might hold some insight into this world's methods. His gaze steadied, and a faint smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth. I'll take it.
He closed his eyes, his breathing slowing as he began to meditate. Drawing in the faint spiritual energy around him, he guided it through his meridians with practiced precision. Though this body was fragile and far less capable than the one he had honed over thousands of years, the technique itself was familiar—universal. No matter the world, this foundational method of absorbing spiritual energy was constant, the cornerstone of cultivation.
His body shook slightly as the power of the third circle of Spirit Gathering surged through him. Energy coursed through his meridians, revitalizing him in waves. Wen Ran reached into his tattered pocket and pulled out the copper bracelet. As he slipped it onto his wrist, he immediately felt the threshold of the fourth circle drawing closer.
This cultivation speed rivals the geniuses of my old world. Even with this trash body, I can still progress quickly. But once I reach the ninth circle, I'll need to consolidate my cultivation. Rushing too fast might lead to a shaky foundation. He clenched his fists, his sharp eyes glinting with resolve. The faster I ascend, the better my chances. I'll have the time and strength to plan how to raze this place to the ground.
His gaze darkened as his thoughts turned pragmatic. But how? This palace is enormous. To accomplish that, I'd need a powerful fire technique—or allies. A mocking laugh escaped his lips as he looked down at his tattered clothes. Recruiting help… with what resources? I'm just a lowly slave.
He shook his head, a self-deprecating smile tugging at his lips. Still, fortune had smiled upon him, however foolishly, in the form of Fang Jinyao. Her position within the Fang Clan made her a rare gem in his predicament, a pawn who might unwittingly help him forge his path in this new world.
After ten hours of meditation, Wen Ran opened his eyes. Fang Jinyao was gone, likely off attending to family matters. Perfect, he thought, the faintest smirk forming on his lips.
With a sudden surge of energy, an aura exploded around him, signaling his breakthrough. He had reached the fourth circle of Spirit Gathering.
[Congratulations]
[You have successfully completed your quest]
As the message faded, his palms began to glow. A moment later, an old, dirty cultivation manual materialized in his hands.
Wen Ran's eyebrow twitched violently as he stared at the item. "This has to be a joke, right?" His voice carried a mix of disbelief and irritation.
For a moment, he felt as though the system were mocking him.
But the moment Wen Ran opened the old manual, his eyes widened in shock. The tattered pages shimmered faintly, radiating a strange aura that contradicted its dilapidated appearance.
"This…" His voice trembled slightly, disbelief etched into his features. "How is that possible?"