Shi Yao, once Wang Hao in the previous world, settled himself onto the bed in a lotus position. His legs crossed neatly, hands resting atop his knees, he closed his eyes and guided his focus inward.
A quiet stillness enveloped him.
With a subtle breath, he began circulating energy through his body. In his mind's eye, he could see it—faint wisps of qi coursing through his blood vessels, flowing steadily toward the core of his being. But just as it neared his meridians…
It vanished.
Shi Yao's eyes snapped open. His forehead dripped with sweat, his chest heaving. He clutched at it, his face contorting with strain.
["Damn, that was close. Is this the effect of having severed meridians? The moment the energy nears them, it just… disappears. This won't be easy."]
He sat still for a moment, regaining his breath.
Then, with a soft creak, the door pushed open. Fresh air poured into the room, followed by the warm touch of sunlight that bathed the floor in golden light. A young man, no older than sixteen, stepped inside. His eyes were deep-set and oddly dulled, his hair a striking yellow. He wore black and blue robes, and in his hands, he carried a small tray.
["Young Master, I've brought your breakfast. You must be hungry—after all, you've been in a coma for two months, ever since Young Master Zi Hao from the Zi Family beat you unconscious."]
He placed the tray gently on the nearby table.
Shi Yao studied him quietly, wondering who the youth was. A servant, perhaps? His stomach rumbled in response to the sight of food, pulling his thoughts away.
He nodded slowly. ["Leave the food and go."]
But the youth smiled, his tone still soft and oddly cheerful.
["Make sure to take care of yourself, Young Master. Looks like you forgot me after being hit in the head. Call me Li Wuji, alright? Don't forget to eat. I'll come check on you later."]
With that, Li Wuji turned and walked out, humming faintly as the door closed behind him.
Shi Yao turned to the tray, eyeing the food with suspicion—until the first bite touched his tongue. His eyes widened instantly. The taste was rich, warm, nourishing. His body, so frail and weak, seemed to welcome every bite as if it were a miracle.
After eating, he dressed in golden and black robes. He fastened a wrist guard and belt around his waist, added a hair ornament, and secured shoulder guards across his weakened frame. With a wooden cane in hand to support his unsteady steps, he called for Li Wuji.
Moments later, the youth appeared, arms crossed, a bored look on his face.
["Come,"] Shi Yao said. ["I need fresh air. Let's go for a walk."]
Li Wuji groaned under his breath but followed nonetheless, trailing behind like an unwilling child.
["I still don't get why I have to follow you for 'sightseeing,' Young Master. You're the one who likes walking around looking at mud huts."]
Shi Yao ignored him.
They passed through the village. Shi Yao's sharp eyes scanned the scenery—mud-built homes, simple tools, narrow dirt paths. The people they passed wore coarse fabrics and bore the weathered faces of rural laborers.
["This world… it's underdeveloped,"] he thought to himself. ["Truly different from Earth… or even from the cultivation novels I've read."]
Soon, their walk took them to the edge of a forest. The trees here stretched high, their branches filtering the sunlight into scattered golden rays. The forest floor was soft, dappled with light and shadow. Birds chirped in the distance, and the air carried the scent of moss and wildflowers.
Shi Yao paused to admire the view, his lips curling into a faint smile.
For a moment, despite the strangeness of his new life, the pain of his broken body, and the uncertainty of what lay ahead—this quiet beauty was enough.