Shen Mu sighed as he stretched lazily under the shade of an old peach tree, enjoying the gentle breeze rustling through the leaves.
It had been three days since he transmigrated into this world, and he had come to an important realization—he was just a mortal.
No golden fingers. No system. No secret divine heritage.
Just a simple man with a woodshop.
"Well, not everyone can be a chosen one," he muttered, brushing sawdust from his clothes. "At least I have my craft. Maybe I'll become famous for making furniture?"
Not exactly an earth-shattering ambition, but hey, a man had to work with what he had.
His stomach grumbled loudly.
"Blackie, it's lunchtime!"
From the backyard, a scruffy black dog burst into a full sprint, eyes gleaming with excitement. He skidded to a halt in front of Shen Mu, tail wagging furiously.
"You glutton," Shen Mu chuckled, tossing him a piece of roasted meat. Blackie caught it midair with a single chomp, chewing happily.
Shen Mu sighed. "At least you seem to be having a good time. Me? I'm stuck in a world where immortal beauties, divine cultivators, and legendary heroes exist, yet here I am, a common carpenter."
He imagined a breathtaking fairy in white robes descending from the clouds, looking at him with a mixture of curiosity and disdain. A mere mortal like you? Unworthy!
He shook his head. "Ah, what a tragic life. I guess I'll just continue making chairs."
Little did he know, his next chair was about to cause an uproar across the entire cultivation world.
---
At the same time, deep within a lush forest near the mountain's base, two young women made their way up a rugged trail.
One was a stunning young lady in a flowing white dress, her delicate face scrunched in frustration. Behind her trailed a nervous maid in green robes, glancing around anxiously.
The lady in white stomped her foot, pouting. "Stupid Father Emperor! How dare he try to marry me off to that slimy, toad-faced Duan Muli? I refuse! I, Princess Bai Ling, would rather disappear into the wilderness than marry that pig!"
"P-Princess, please be careful with your words! If anyone hears—" the maid stammered, looking around in terror.
Bai Ling huffed. "Let them hear! What's the worst they can do? Force me into marriage?" She crossed her arms stubbornly. "If I have to, I'll run away and hide in the mountains. The heavens will have to strike me down before I marry that wretched man."
The maid's face paled. "P-Princess! Please don't say things like that! The heavens might actually strike you down!"
Bai Ling waved a dismissive hand. "Nonsense! The heavens wouldn't dare! Besides, I can handle myself. My Qi is already condensed—I'll be breaking through soon!"
As she spoke, her eyes suddenly lit up.
Peeking through the trees up ahead was an elegant, antique-looking wooden house. It was surrounded by a small vegetable garden, a wooden fence, and a stone path leading to a simple yet exquisite courtyard.
The Princess gasped. "What a beautiful place!"
Her maid swallowed nervously. "Th-There's actually someone living in this wilderness?"
Bai Ling's sharp eyes sparkled with excitement. "This house… It doesn't feel ordinary at all. Look at the architecture! It blends seamlessly with nature. This… This must belong to a hidden expert!"
Her maid nearly choked. "P-Princess, please! What if it's just some normal woodworker? Not every house in the forest belongs to a supreme being!"
Bai Ling scoffed. "Nonsense. A normal woodworker wouldn't have such profound balance in their design. This place is extraordinary!"
With that, she straightened her dress and approached the front gate with a refined, elegant posture.
Her maid clutched her forehead. "Princess, please, let's not cause trouble—"
"Shhh! From now on, don't call me 'Princess.' Just call me 'Miss Bai.' If this truly is a hidden expert, we must be respectful!"
The maid groaned. This was definitely going to end badly.
---
Shen Mu wiped the sweat from his brow as he admired his latest creation—a simple wooden chair.
"Perfect," he said, nodding with satisfaction.
It was a sturdy, comfortable piece. Nothing fancy, just a well-crafted chair made from quality wood. But to Shen Mu, this was an art. He had spent hours ensuring every detail was just right.
He dusted it off and placed it outside to dry in the sun.
Unbeknownst to him, the moment the chair touched the ground, a faint golden light shimmered around it before vanishing. The surrounding air grew still, as if the world itself was taking a moment to acknowledge its presence.
At that exact moment, deep in the heavens, an ancient figure meditating in the void suddenly opened his eyes.
"An artifact has descended?!"
In a distant mountain range, an elder from the Sword Sect dropped his treasured blade. His expression twisted in shock.
"A divine treasure has appeared! Its aura is flawless! Where is it?!"
And in a grand palace high above the mortal realm, an Immortal Empress stirred from her slumber, her celestial senses tingling.
"A relic of great power… but its presence is… mortal?"
Back in Shen Mu's courtyard, he happily patted his newly crafted chair.
"Not bad! Maybe I'll sell it for a few silvers."
Meanwhile, Bai Ling and her maid had just reached the gate. The Princess took one step forward—
And stopped.
Her eyes widened as she saw the chair.
A gentle breeze swirled around it, leaves floating in an unnatural yet graceful dance. A strange sense of balance and harmony radiated from the wood, making the air itself feel purified.
Bai Ling's heart pounded.
She had seen imperial thrones crafted by the greatest artisans. She had seen treasures forged by immortal craftsmen. But this… this ordinary wooden chair…
It was the most perfect thing she had ever laid eyes on.
Her hands trembled.
"A… A divine artifact…?"
---
End of Chapter 1