The faint hum of an ancient melody resonated in the void.
"Am I… dead?" The question floated in his mind as his consciousness emerged from the darkness.
Before he could process further, a searing pain coursed through his body. Memories—alien yet disturbingly familiar—flooded his mind. Names, faces, and bitter moments of humiliation blended into his own thoughts like they had always been there.
He opened his eyes to find himself lying on cold stone. His thin frame was covered in blood, bruises littering his arms and legs. Around him stood three young men, their expressions twisted with disdain.
"Trash like you doesn't belong in the Ethereal Heart Sect," one sneered, stepping forward to kick him again.
"Enough," another said, chuckling. "He'll die soon anyway. Let's leave him here to rot."
As their footsteps receded, the pain in his chest finally allowed him to breathe.
He was in a new body, a frail one. The memories told him he was Shen Yue, the most talentless disciple in the sect, a frequent victim of bullying.
And yet, a fire sparked in his heart. "This is my second chance. I won't waste it."
Suddenly, a mechanical voice echoed in his mind.
"System initializing… Welcome to the Heavenly Calibration System."
Shen Yue froze. The voice was neither male nor female, neither cold nor warm. It felt omnipresent, like it was carved into the fabric of his soul.
"Analysis of host complete. Compatibility: 87%. System initiating binding protocol…"
"System?!" Shen Yue's voice cracked, a mixture of confusion and disbelief. He had read enough web novels in his previous life to recognize what was happening. This was a cheat system, the kind protagonists were gifted in cultivation stories. But why him? And what did it mean by 'Calibration System'?
As if responding to his thoughts, the voice continued.
"Welcome to the Heavenly Calibration System. This system thrives on balance and harmony. Your path to strength lies in restraint, patience, and careful cultivation. For every act of unnecessary violence or reckless indulgence, your progress will stagnate. For every act of wisdom, foresight, and self-restraint, your spirit roots will evolve, unlocking untapped potential."
Shen Yue blinked. "So… I don't get stronger by fighting and showing off like every other cultivator?"
"Correct. The stronger your discipline, the stronger your foundation. Reckless paths lead to ruin. The true path of cultivation is tempered by control."
Shen Yue staggered to his feet, wincing at the sharp pain radiating from his ribs. The body he had inherited was battered and starved, clearly neglected for years.
He reached into the tattered robes he wore, finding a single jade pendant—the only item this body possessed. It was unremarkable, likely something sentimental from the original owner's past. Beyond that, he had nothing. No resources, no connections, and no talent.
Walking back toward the outer disciples' quarters, Shen Yue noticed how even the simplest movements felt like an ordeal. Each step required effort, and his weak body barely held itself upright.
By the time he arrived at the small, run-down shack he called home, the sun had already set. The other disciples didn't even glance his way, their laughter echoing in the background as they boasted about their day's cultivation progress.
Shen Yue pushed the door open and collapsed onto the hard wooden floor.
Just as he was about to drift into unconsciousness, the voice of the system returned.
"Congratulations. You have endured humiliation and restrained the urge for revenge. The path to balance begins. Initiating reward…"
A warm sensation spread through his chest, radiating outward to his limbs. His body began to heal, the bruises fading, and his breathing stabilizing.
"Am I… recovering?" Shen Yue whispered.
"Reward granted: Minor Root Refinement. Host's spiritual roots have evolved slightly, increasing cultivation aptitude by 2%. Physical resilience enhanced."
Shen Yue clenched his fists and felt a noticeable difference. His fingers no longer trembled, and the persistent ache in his body had diminished. It wasn't much, but it was enough to kindle a spark of hope.
"Thank you," he muttered to the system.
"This system exists only to guide. Your destiny is yours to forge."
The Next Morning
The sun rose over the Ethereal Heart Sect, its golden rays illuminating the sprawling mountains and ancient architecture. Shen Yue sat cross-legged in his shack, experimenting with his newfound clarity.
Although his cultivation base was at the very bottom—barely at the Qi Condensation Stage 1—he now felt a faint connection to the surrounding spiritual energy. It was weak but tangible, a thread he could grasp.
He closed his eyes and focused on his breathing, allowing the spiritual energy to flow into his dantian. The process was slow and clumsy, but progress was progress.
Shen Yue's meditation was interrupted by a loud knock at his door. Before he could answer, the door swung open, and a figure stepped inside.
It was Li Chang, one of the outer disciples who had ambushed him the day before.
"So, trash, you're still alive," Li Chang sneered, his arms crossed. "I thought we taught you your place, but I guess you need a reminder."
Shen Yue stayed silent, suppressing the urge to retort. The system's words echoed in his mind: Restraint leads to strength.
Li Chang took a step closer, his grin widening. "You're lucky I don't feel like dirtying my hands today. But don't think this is over."
He turned and left, slamming the door behind him.
As Shen Yue exhaled slowly, a faint notification appeared in his mind.
"Test complete. Host has resisted provocation without reacting. Reward granted: Basic Energy Circulation Technique."
Shen Yue's eyes widened as new knowledge flooded his mind. It was a foundational cultivation technique, one that would allow him to circulate spiritual energy with greater efficiency. While it wasn't rare, it was a crucial first step for any cultivator.
For the first time, Shen Yue smiled. He wasn't the same helpless disciple he had been yesterday. With the system's guidance, he could carve out a path to survival—and maybe even greatness.
But as he looked out the window at the towering mountains and the countless disciples training in the courtyards below, he knew the road would be long and treacherous.
"I'll stay low-key," he murmured to himself. "But one day, I'll stand at the peak of this world."
Little did he know, the gears of fate were already turning. In the distant Frost Celestial Sect, a certain cold genius cultivator was about to encounter something—or someone—that would change her life forever.