Chapter 1: "A New Life, Same Old Problems"
Zhang Wei had never been particularly fond of his life. It wasn't that he hated it—he simply didn't care enough to do anything about it. A mediocre job, a barely tolerable apartment, and an existence spent on the edge of apathy. Sure, he'd always dreamed of grandeur, of being a hero or a warrior of legend, but deep down, he knew those were just fantasies. Real life was more about surviving the grind than anything resembling adventure.
That was, until the day he died.
The accident was as absurd as it was quick—a cart full of fish barrels, a distracted vendor, and a sharp corner he didn't see coming. One moment, he was walking down the street, contemplating whether he should buy a cup of tea or just go home and sleep. The next, a tidal wave of smelly fish crushed his bones.
As darkness consumed him, he couldn't help but think: This is it?
But it wasn't.
The next thing he knew, he was staring at a swirling vortex of energy—a strange mixture of purple, gold, and red. He could hear voices whispering in the wind, murmuring words he couldn't understand. His head spun, his body felt like it was being torn apart, and then—snap—he was somewhere else entirely.
Zhang Wei sat up abruptly, gasping for air. The world around him was unfamiliar, yet somehow, it felt strangely... right. His surroundings were dense with ancient trees, towering cliffs, and the unmistakable scent of wild herbs. The ground beneath him was soft with moss, and the air shimmered with an almost tangible, crackling energy. His breath came in quick, shallow gasps.
Where the hell am I?
He looked down at himself. Gone was the baggy suit he'd worn in his previous life, replaced by a robe of deep crimson. His hands were different too—stronger, calloused, with veins pulsing with a strange power he didn't understand. He flexed his fingers, and a faint golden light traced the outline of his palm.
"Impossible," he whispered, staring at the glow. "What is this?"
A voice behind him interrupted his thoughts, smooth and deep: "I see the reincarnation has gone well."
Zhang Wei whipped around to face the speaker—an old man in flowing white robes, his hair long and white as snow. His eyes were an unsettling shade of silver, the kind that seemed to see through everything.
"Who are you?" Zhang Wei demanded, already feeling a sense of annoyance. He had no time for mysterious old men. He had more important questions, like where he was and why he was suddenly alive again.
The old man raised an eyebrow. "I am the Guardian of the Dao. And you, my friend, have been reincarnated."
"Reincarnated?" Zhang Wei scoffed. "Yeah, sure, I get it. But why? Why the hell am I here?"
The Guardian smiled faintly, a touch of amusement dancing in his eyes. "The world you knew is gone. In this realm, martial power reigns supreme. And you, Zhang Wei, are no longer the man you once were."
Zhang Wei's mind spun. Martial power? He felt the pulse of something ancient and dangerous within him, a force that called to him. And it was growing stronger with every passing second.
"Look, I don't care about your mystical crap," Zhang Wei grumbled. "Just tell me what I need to do to get back to my old life."
The Guardian's smile faded, his gaze turning serious. "You cannot return. This world is your new reality, and the cycle of reincarnation is your fate now. Every time you die, you will return, born into a new life. And each time, you will grow more powerful."
Zhang Wei blinked. "So, you're saying I'm stuck in a loop?"
The Guardian nodded. "Until you break the cycle, yes."
Zhang Wei stood up, brushing dirt from his robe. "Well, if I'm going to be stuck here, I'm not wasting any more time. What do I need to do to get stronger?"
The Guardian's silver eyes glimmered. "That is the spirit I hoped for. There are many paths to power, Zhang Wei. But be warned—this realm is filled with dangers, and there are forces far older and more powerful than you could ever imagine. But if you are determined enough, you will rise."
Zhang Wei cracked his knuckles, a smirk spreading across his face. "Dangers? I've been reincarnated, died, and now I'm in some fantasy world. I'll face whatever comes. So long as it doesn't involve fish."
The Guardian chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Very well, then. Your journey begins now. But remember—reincarnation is not always a gift. It can be a curse."
"I'll take my chances," Zhang Wei said, his eyes hardening with resolve. "Fuck it. I'm going to reincarnate all I want."
And with that, his new adventure began.