Yu Tian's vision swam in and out of focus. The world around him was a blur of unfamiliar sights and sounds—immense structures reaching up into an azure sky, vibrant energy fields crackling with power, and strange creatures darting across the horizon. It all felt overwhelming, like the very air itself was brimming with untapped potential.
His new body was different from the one he had known, more alive, more attuned to the energy of the world. The ground beneath his feet was solid, yet there was an unshakable weight in his chest, a feeling of being out of place in this foreign realm. Yet, somehow, he felt a strange connection to it all—a pull, as if this world had a part to play in his destiny.
He could sense it now—the faintest pulse of energy flowing through his veins. This wasn't normal. The energy wasn't his own, nor was it the typical life force he had once known. It was something greater, something more primal.
"Is this... my cultivation?" Yu Tian whispered, his voice trembling slightly as he reached out to touch the energy surrounding him. It wasn't like anything he had ever encountered.
Just then, a voice echoed in his mind.
"Welcome to the Azure Sky Realm, Yu Tian. You have been chosen to walk the path of cultivation."
Yu Tian's heart skipped a beat. The voice wasn't his own—no, this voice was... otherworldly. It was calm, yet authoritative. It seemed to know everything about him, his thoughts, his every move.
"I am the Celestial Ascension System. You are now bound to me, and I to you. Together, we shall explore the limitless possibilities this world has to offer. Your journey begins with your first steps on the path of cultivation."
The voice paused, allowing the weight of its words to sink in. Yu Tian blinked rapidly, trying to make sense of what was happening. This was beyond anything he could have imagined. A system? A guide? Was this a dream, or had his soul truly been reborn in another world?
He steadied his breath and focused on the voice.
"What do you mean by 'cultivation'?" Yu Tian asked, his voice a mixture of confusion and curiosity.
The system's response was almost immediate.
"Cultivation is the path to power in this world. It is the process of refining your body, mind, and soul through the consumption of energy, the mastering of techniques, and the understanding of the fundamental laws that govern existence."
Yu Tian's mind raced as he tried to grasp the concept. Power. Strength. Mastering the laws of the world. It sounded like something straight out of the stories he used to read—tales of mighty heroes and legends that transcended the mortal realm.
"But... how do I begin?" he asked, his tone hesitant.
"You are not yet ready for the full extent of cultivation, but do not worry. I will guide you. Your journey begins with a single step: the Foundation Establishment. Your body must first be tempered, your mind must be honed, and only then will you be able to harness the energy that permeates the Azure Sky Realm."
Yu Tian stood still, taking in the system's words. His eyes scanned the distant horizon, where towering spires reached toward the heavens, and he could see flashes of lightning and pulses of energy arcing across the sky. There was so much to learn, so much to understand. But he had no time to waste. He had to move, to grow stronger, and to uncover the truth behind Earth's resurrection.
"You are not alone in this journey," the system continued. "You will face many challenges and encounters with both allies and enemies. Your choices will shape your future."
Yu Tian took a deep breath, squaring his shoulders. He was no stranger to hardships, to the pain of betrayal, and to the trials of life. If anything, this rebirth was his chance to rewrite his destiny, to take back what was taken from him, and to uncover the secrets of his past.
"Let's begin," he whispered to himself.
With a sudden surge of energy, Yu Tian felt his body instinctively move, as though it knew what to do. The familiar yet foreign sensation of power coursed through him, swirling within his body like a roaring storm. The first step in cultivation was clear—he needed to learn to harness this power, to refine it and make it his own.
He focused his mind and directed the energy within him, trying to feel the flow of it, to control it. At first, it was erratic, as if the energy itself was rebelling against him. But slowly, he began to understand its rhythm. It was not something to control with force, but to merge with, to become one with.
"Good," the system's voice praised him. "You are already attuned to the energy. Now, let us begin your training. You must first learn the basics of the Nine Foundation Realms. Each realm corresponds to the tempering of a specific aspect of your being: the body, the soul, and the mind."
Yu Tian closed his eyes, taking a moment to focus. His body felt lighter, as though the energy within him was beginning to settle into a pattern. He could feel the strength in his muscles, the clarity of his thoughts, and the warmth in his chest. It was a humbling sensation.
"The first stage of cultivation is the Body Tempering Realm," the system continued. "This is where you will begin your journey, refining your body and laying the foundation for your future strength."
Yu Tian nodded, knowing this was only the beginning. The path ahead would be long and arduous, but he was determined. For Earth's legacy, for his revenge, and for the future that lay before him, he would master this path. No matter what it took.
---
As he set out, Yu Tian's eyes gleamed with resolve. The Azure Sky Realm was vast and unknown, filled with dangers and opportunities alike. But with the Celestial Ascension System at his side, he was no longer a mere ordinary man. He was now a cultivator, with the potential to rise above this realm, above all realms.
And this was just the first step.