Li Xuan woke up early that morning. Sunlight streamed through the windows, illuminating the simple room he found himself in. Above him, the status panel floated, a constant reminder of his new reality. This time, he noticed a detail he had missed the day before: a button labeled "Cultivate."
Curiosity drove him to focus on it. When he did, a new window appeared:
[Auto Cultivation Mode]
Description: Activate auto-cultivation to continuously absorb spiritual energy from the environment.
Requirements: Be in an area with sufficient spiritual energy.
Li Xuan couldn't help but mentally smile. "This is too convenient! I can cultivate without doing anything?" He thought something like this only existed in games. Without hesitation, he clicked the button.
Immediately, a gentle warmth began to spread through his body, as if an invisible stream of energy was moving within him on its own. The panel instantly notified him:
[Auto Cultivation Mode Activated]
Spiritual Energy: +0.1 every 10 seconds
Li Xuan was stunned. He could clearly feel his body cultivating on its own, without any effort. It was like having a character in a game gaining experience in the background while he did something else.
"This… is revolutionary," he thought to himself. "If I can cultivate even while sleeping or doing other activities, I can surpass anyone in no time!"
However, something distracted him. He could sense that the spiritual energy around him was weaker than he had expected. The cultivation was progressing, but very slowly.
From the details on the status panel and fragments of conversations overheard from his parents, Li Xuan learned that the planet he was on was called Tianzhu a vast world ruled by cultivators. Tianzhu was divided into five major continents, each with unique characteristics:
Zhongyuan Continent: The cultural and spiritual heart of the world, with vast plains and seven powerful sects.
Beihan Continent: A land of ice and snow-covered mountains, inhabited by nomadic tribes and solitary temples.
Donghai Continent: An archipelago of floating islands, where cultivators mastered the energy of water.
Nanyun Continent: A dangerous jungle, rich with wild spirits and ancient mysteries.
Xihuang Continent: A desert land filled with hidden treasures and mysterious ruins.
Li Xuan lived in a small city called Qinghe, located on the outskirts of the Zhongyuan Continent. Qinghe was known for its spiritual herb markets and its proximity to the Sunset Mountain, a place where spiritual energy was more abundant than in other areas.
Shortly after, his mother, Su Lianhua, entered the room with a gentle smile. She had long black hair tied in a braid, and her eyes shone with warmth. She approached Li Xuan's small body and gently stroked his head with affection.
"Xuan'er, you truly are our little miracle," she said softly, looking at him with eyes full of love.
Li Xuan remained still, allowing his infant eyes to convey an apparent innocence. He couldn't speak, but inside, he analyzed everything. His mother radiated genuine warmth, and her touch was comforting. Then came his father, Li Tianhai, a tall and sturdy man with a smile that exuded strength and pride.
"Look how attentive he is," his father said. "Xuan'er watches us as if he understands everything! He's extraordinary."
Li Xuan tried not to react too much. He knew he couldn't reveal how aware he was. The best course of action was to maintain the appearance of a normal newborn.
Later, when his parents left the room, Li Xuan calmly sat in his crib, staring at the status panel. "If this is just one of the panel's functions, I wonder what else I'll unlock in the future," he thought.
Looking toward the Sunset Mountain, which he could glimpse from the window, a thought struck him. "I need to find a better place to cultivate. Maybe that mountain is my answer. But first, I need to grow strong enough to leave the city."
Even with these limitations, Li Xuan couldn't help but smile internally. "This world… this second chance… I'll make the most of it."