A ray of sunlight gently filtered through the narrow gap in the curtains, casting a warm golden hue across the room like threads of warmth sewn into the morning air. Dust motes danced lazily in the light, and the whole room glowed with a muted, honeyed hue.
On the bed, a girl lay on her side, her head half-buried in the soft pillows. Her long black hair fanned out over the pillow like the night sky. Her skin was pale, with a slight natural coldness, and her lips were soft and slightly parted. Long lashes trembled before fluttering open, revealing a dazzling pair of black pupils, part-closed from sleepiness.
She squirmed for a moment under the blanket, groaning softly, before finally pushing herself up with a lazy stretch.
She took her time wiping the drool on her pale cheeks and wide the tears from her eyelashes.
Hair tousled and one sleeve drooping off her shoulder, she dragged herself off the bed barefoot and shuffled into the small kitchen.
With the power of habit, the slightly sleepy girl peeled open the cover of a cup noodle, filled it with hot water from the dispenser, and set a small metal pot on the stove to boil.
After scattering a few dried tea leaves onto the pot, a light herbal scent soon filled the space.
She wandered into the bathroom while the water boiled. The light in there was a blueish white hue, bouncing off the white tile and ceramic walls.
While being half asleep, she tugged off her floral-patterned pajamas, revealing soft curves and short limbs, her figure both delicate and cute.
Her skin was like polished jade under the water droplets, shimmering.
She washed slowly, fingers combing through her silky, long hair, letting the cold water rinse away the drowsiness clinging to her.
Freshly dried and wrapped in a fluffy cotton towel, she returned to her room and slipped into a loose cream-colored top and soft drawstring shorts.
By the time she returned to the kitchen, the noodles were ready, and the tea had steeped to a perfect amber hue.
She settled into a small table chair by the window, steam curling up from her strawberry-colored teacup. Slurping the hot noodles, she took a long sip of tea and let out a satisfied sigh.
"I felt as if I had come back to my previous life."
"Actually speaking, what I had experienced 3 this far still felt like a dream."
"Of course, that's only possible if I hadn't been almost dead."
The memories from 3 weeks ago still felt surreal in Yuki's mind.
At that time, on the very same day she got that offer, she rode her wheelchair and rushed to Director Wen's office. Enthusiastically accepted the presented opportunity.
Director Wen just nodded at my decision. He gave her a few instructions and let her took a plane to the capital city.
"The Central Martial Preparation School…The place where there were 2 great opportunities."
"I need to get it." Yuki decided in her heart.
There were 3 months before this year's new student enrollment. Because of her age, she was going to be directly enrolled in the 3rd grade.
Yuki was very excited and worried at the same time. Excited for her new school life, but worried because she knew her current cultivation was actually far from sufficient.
Moreover, as a chosen one by the primordial system, only she could take on the challenger key as the representative of the planet.
"I need to hurry. I can't let the female lead obtain the opportunity before me."
Yuki finished her breakfast, wearing a pair of black sneakers, and walked outside the bustling city.
The morning sun peeked through the haze of the towering skyline as Zhuwei Metropolis streets came into view.
Yuki stepped into the current of the city's bustle, blending into the crowd. Towering buildings of glass and steel loomed overhead, adorned with animated motion graphics and high-tech holographic screens.
Advertisements, in holograms, are rotated in the middle of the road. Some were promoting spiritual plant-based cosmetics, others boasting the latest breakthroughs in AI-generated girlfriends.
One of the news stories piqued Yuki's interest.
[ DUNGEON RIFT SPOTTED NEAR EASTERN FRONTIER—FORCE BARRIERS ERECTED ]
It's been 2 weeks since the [ Snow Elves Dungeon ] was discovered by the authorities. To Yuki's surprise, they didn't cover anything up and exposed the existence of dungeons to the public.
"Unfortunately, the exploration group didn't encounter that undead monster…"
Unbothered, Yuki made her way to the transit terminal.
The 'Jade-Line Bullet Train' was already docked—its sleek silver frame pulsing with faint runes along the side, a mixture of spellcraft and superconducting tech. She scanned her ID chip at the gate, passed through the anti-curse barrier, and boarded silently.
The interior was minimalist, high-end. Seats adjusted themselves to the passenger's posture. Windows auto-dimmed when the light outside got too intense. Subtle calming runes pulsed in the corners of the car, designed to suppress the use of Qi within the passenger cabin.
Yuki settled on the seat by the window, resting her cheek on her hand as the train started to move. In a few minutes, the city disappeared behind her in flashing lights.
After less than 2 hours, the train slid into the suburb of Lianhe District. There were rolling fields of spiritual rice paddies, low-grade spirit lakes, and even a few special farms.
Yuki stepped off the platform, pulling herself out of the station.
The air here was relaxing, laced with the scent of grass and herbs.
She went into a small motel and booked a room after showing her cultivator ID and paid 230 UC with her phone.
In her room, she took off her sneakers and lay down on the bed.
"Finally, some quiet."
After some good night's rest, Yuki went out to do some exercises.
100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, and run for 10km.
By the time Yuki was done, it was 10 am.
[ Daily Quest : Strength Training (Complete)]
Strength + 1
[ Daily Quest : Agility Training (Complete)]
Agility + 1
Yuki stretched her limbs and moaned," The taste of improvement is so addicting."
It had been 2 weeks since she completed her first daily quest after her body recovered. It had been really hard at the start, but after a few days, she had gotten used to it.
Finished her breakfast, Yuki took a peek at her status window.
Status Window
Name : Yin Fei
Age : 12
Affiliate : Planet 281-AB
Cultivation : Foundation 1st Layer (11%)
Bonus Stats :
Strength + 30
Agility + 30
Endurance + 39
Ability : Copy"Heavy Mountain Sword Intent"
Yuki nodded at her improvement. With her current stats, her body alone was already slightly better than Olympic athletes in her previous life.
Moreover, because of Yuki's diligence in cultivation every night, her foundation 1st layer progress has already reached 11%.
After checking her progress, she took a bus to a nearby traditional marketplace, Green Water Market.
It was 11 am, but the market was still crowded with people. Clay pots sat in stacks beside woven baskets filled with herbs, crimson chilies, and tightly bundled scallions. Vendors called out to passersby, their voices loud and distinct.
Yuki stood at one of the shops. The building looked old and dilapidated. The paints on the wall faded by years of sun and rain, and in front of the store, there was a wooden sign barely legible.
Ning Jin Store.