The world felt dark, silent, and empty. There was no sound, no light, only the emptiness that wrapped everything in an endless void. Xiao Shao felt his body light, as if he was floating aimlessly in a space he could not understand.
"What is this...?" he thought.
He remembered something—his past life. A life filled with suffering, limitations, and despair. He was born with a weak body, sickly since childhood. The doctors had given up on him long ago. His family, though they loved him, could do nothing but wait for the day when the disease would finally take him.
And finally, death came. However, instead of completely disappearing from the world, he now found himself in this place—a boundless space, between life and death.
"Am I dead?" he thought.
Suddenly, something pulled him. An invisible force sucked him out of the void, as if dragging him through the invisible layers of reality. He wanted to fight, but he couldn't. He wanted to scream, but his voice was lost in nothingness.
Then, everything changed.
---
Xiao Shao opened his eyes suddenly. The bright light dazzled his eyes, making him squint. His chest rose and fell, his lungs felt full of fresh air. He felt his body, something he used to think of as a burden now felt different—lighter, more powerful.
"Where am I?" he muttered.
He got up from the bed and looked around. A small room with plain white walls, a table in the corner with a pile of books, and a simple wardrobe beside it. From the window, he could see the outside world—tall buildings, passing cars, and the hustle and bustle of the city that was unfamiliar but felt real.
"I... moved to another world?" he thought.
His hand rose, touching his own face. It was not a face he recognized. He approached the mirror in the corner of the room and stared at his reflection. A young man with slightly messy black hair, sharp eyes, and a body that looked healthier than his former self.
"I'm alive again..." he whispered, in disbelief.
Gratitude and surprise mixed within him. He didn't know how or why this happened, but one thing was for sure—this was a new opportunity. A chance to live without limitations. A chance to become stronger.
---
A few days had passed since Xiao Shao had found himself in this world. He began to understand that this was a modern world not much different from the Earth he knew. He was a 20-year-old man living in a simple apartment, with no family or acquaintances.
However, something was bothering him. Although this world seemed normal, there was an emptiness inside him. He didn't feel the energy he often heard in cultivation stories. There was no qi, no techniques, no clues to achieving the power he dreamed of.
But Xiao Shao was not one to give up easily.
"If there is no qi in this world, then I must find it myself," he resolved.
He began to train in his own way—strengthening his body, regulating his breathing, honing his sense of self. He tried various methods, from meditation to intense physical training, though he didn't know if it would work.
His days were now spent searching for answers. He read books on the science of the human body, the science of breathing, and the philosophy of life. He observed the world around him, trying to understand how humans could reach their full potential without mystical energy.
However, the modern world had its own challenges.
---
One night, as he walked home from the library, Xiao Shao passed through a narrow alley. The night was quiet, with only the sound of his footsteps audible. However, his instincts told him that he was being watched.
Sure enough, three large men emerged from the shadows. One of them, with a scarred face, smiled sinisterly.
"Hey, kid. All alone at this time of night? You seem to have a bit of money, huh?" he said, approaching.
Xiao Shao did not respond. His eyes remained sharp, observing their movements. He had never fought before, but he knew that if he was weak, the world would not hesitate to destroy him.
The scarred man moved closer, trying to grab his collar. However, just as his hand was about to touch Xiao Shao, the young man's body instinctively moved.
Thud!
A swift punch hit the man in the stomach, sending him backwards with a shocked expression. His two comrades reacted immediately, but Xiao Shao was prepared. He dodged the first attack, then kicked his opponent's leg, knocking them off balance.
Although he had no special energy, his body began to respond to the training he had been doing all this time. He was no longer the same person he used to be—weak and helpless.
The attackers finally fled, leaving Xiao Shao standing there, his breath ragged
tour, his mind clear.
He looked at his hands, feeling the power he had just used.
"This is just the beginning..." he thought.
That night, Xiao Shao realized that power was not just about qi or ancient cultivation techniques. The modern world had its own way, and he would find it.
With a stronger determination, he swore to himself—no matter what, he would keep going. He would find his own path to the top.
And no one would be able to stop him.