2019, Earth – The Day Everything Changed
Jin Xiao sat on the rooftop of his school, watching the sky churn like a boiling ocean. Something unnatural was happening—the air itself trembled with unseen power.
"The Awakening…" His voice was calm, but his mind raced.
For years, he had studied everything—science, history, military tactics, human psychology. But none of it could change one truth.
In a world without power, genius is just an invitation to be crushed.
A deep vibration echoed through the city. Suddenly— CRACK! —the sky split open like shattered glass.
Ancient pagodas, floating palaces, and dark fortresses descended from the rift. Sects and clans that once existed only in legends now hovered over Earth like gods overseeing their livestock.
Then, a voice—so vast it seemed to come from the heavens itself—boomed across the world:
> "Mortals of Earth, rejoice! The age of cultivation has returned! You, weak and powerless, shall be granted a chance to rise beyond your limits!"
Golden lights rained down, embedding themselves into the bodies of every human.
A soft ding rang in Jin Xiao's head. A translucent blue screen appeared before him.
---
[Cultivation System Detected]
[Do you wish to activate your cultivation potential?]
[Yes] / [No]
---
Jin Xiao didn't move. His eyes scanned the message, but his expression remained cold.
"A gift? No… nothing is ever free."
The entire city erupted in joy. People cheered, fell to their knees, and screamed in ecstasy.
"HAHA! I CAN CULTIVATE!" a man shouted, trembling as he pressed [Yes] without hesitation.
"This is a miracle! Humanity is saved!"
"Finally… finally, I won't be weak anymore…"
Jin Xiao narrowed his eyes. Idiots.
He remained still, his finger hovering just over [Yes] but never pressing it. Something was wrong.
"Why would ancient sects, who never gave a damn about Earth, suddenly hand out power? It doesn't add up. Power isn't charity—it's currency, it's control. They're buying something, but what?"
He refused to press it.
But as he stared at the sky, his heart turned cold.
He already knew.
They weren't giving power.
They were harvesting it.