Li Feng had known nothing but struggle. Growing up an orphan in the bustling chaos of the modern world, he had worked tirelessly, chasing dreams that always slipped through his fingers. On the night he died, slumped at a factory desk after yet another grueling shift, his only regret was never having the chance to truly live.
If only I had another chance...
When he opened his eyes again, the world was quiet—unnervingly so.
He lay on a patch of cold earth beneath an expansive sky, stars blazing brighter than he'd ever seen. The air was fresh, carrying the scent of pine and dew. He sat up slowly, wincing at the stiffness in his body. Yet, as he examined his hands—calloused, but young—he realized something strange: this wasn't his body.
"What happened…?" His voice was hoarse. Memories of his old life flickered briefly before fading, replaced by the sight of dense forests stretching endlessly around him.
Then, a mechanical voice echoed in his mind.
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System Activation: Initializing…
Li Feng flinched. "What? Who's there?"
Welcome, User. This system aligns with your principle of dedication. External aids are restricted. Progress is achieved through sustained effort.
Li Feng's mind raced. A system? Cultivation? It sounded like something from the novels he'd read in fleeting moments of rest. Yet here it was—offering a path forward.
"Fine," he muttered, forcing himself to his feet. "If that's what it takes, I'll do it."
System Initialization Complete. Current Cultivation Stage: Qi Refinement (Sub-layer 1: Beginner).
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The Path of Effort
Life in this new world was unforgiving. The village he stumbled upon was small and impoverished, its people wary of strangers. With no family, wealth, or skills to rely on, Li Feng worked odd jobs for scraps of food, enduring suspicion and scorn. Yet he remained undeterred, dedicating every spare moment to cultivating Qi.
Progress was slow. Weeks turned to months as he struggled to sense the faint currents of energy within his body. Spring's blossoms gave way to summer's sweltering heat, and still, he toiled. By the time the first frost dusted the fields, a breakthrough came.
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System Update: Qi Refinement (Sub-layer 2: Adept).
Li Feng exhaled sharply, feeling the faint warmth of Qi flowing through his meridians. The villagers noticed the change—his movements became more fluid, his strength a touch beyond normal. But he kept his progress quiet, wary of drawing unwanted attention.
Time passed. By the end of his first year, he had reached Sub-layer 3: Advanced. His body grew stronger, his reflexes sharper, yet he knew he was still at the very beginning of a long journey.
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The Weight of Time
Years blurred together. The forest around the village became his training ground, its trees bearing witness to countless hours of meditation and practice. Seasons marked his progress: the biting winds of winter, the renewal of spring, the long, exhausting days of summer. Each milestone—each sub-layer—felt hard-earned, every step a testament to his determination.
By the fifth year, Li Feng had reached Sub-layer 5: Peak of the Qi Refinement stage. He could sense the boundary of the next realm, Foundation Establishment, but knew it was not yet time to advance. His foundation was strong, but rushing forward would only invite disaster.
The system offered no shortcuts, no magical solutions—only a relentless demand for effort. And Li Feng welcomed it.
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System Update: Current Cultivation Stage – Qi Refinement (Peak). Foundation Stability: 97%.
Li Feng smiled faintly. "Not yet," he murmured, gazing up at the sky. The stars above seemed closer than ever, their light a reminder of how far he had yet to go.
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Reflection
In the solitude of the forest, Li Feng often thought about his old life. There, time had been a curse—a relentless march toward exhaustion and despair. But here, it was different. Time was his ally, a measure of growth and progress.
The villagers still saw him as an enigma, a quiet figure who worked tirelessly and kept to himself. But Li Feng didn't mind. In this new world, he was no longer defined by the labels others had given him. He was simply a cultivator, walking a path of his own making.
As the first snowfall of his fifth year began to dust the ground, Li Feng closed his eyes and breathed deeply. The Qi within him hummed, steady and strong. He had time—plenty of it—and he would use every moment to climb higher.