My first thought was that it was very dark. Nothing could be seen in the darkness. The only thing I could feel was the area around me. It was a tight, warm wet space squeezing me from all directions. Once more my memories are fuzzy.
My mind tried to think back on what I was last doing. I was on my way from the grocery store after picking up groceries. I lived only a few minutes away on foot, so I was on foot today. I was crossing the street, and then... and then there was a truck coming out at me.
Oh my God, I got hit by a truck. The thought was sombering in its implications. I should be in the hospital shouldn't I, and yet. This feeling doesn't feel like something that should be in a hospital.
Thinking about it, my mind can't help but be drawn to a possibility. It's impossible thought simply not possible. This is real life that does not happen in real life.
I must be in a hospital; that's the only thing that should make sense. I must be in some special treatment method or something. Yet, though I told myself I can't help, I wonder if it's true.
My Name was John Hammerlock. I am a 23-year-old college student. My family has two older sisters and one younger brother. My mother worked hard to put us all through college, and I worked my hardest to make her proud. I looked up to my two sisters and tried to be a good influence on my younger brother.
John continued to muse that his life was not smooth sailing. Yet it was his life with its highs and lows, and he wouldn't choose to have it any other way.
My entire life ahead of me. I was in the middle of college nearly done and the whole world was before me. There was so much I wanted to do travel to different places. Sample exotic food in the future, and then learn to cook it. Food had always been a passion of mine.
Suddenly, something changed around me. Pressure began to be exerted on me from the space. I was being pushed forward and was powerless to resist. At least I thought to myself, I would know the truth of my situation. Even if it was the worst and most impossible situation, I'd know.
At least that was what John thought, but it's taking a long time. The pressure is constant, but not pushing too hard. Honestly, now I'm just bored with the anticipation of what is to come. I can't do anything at the moment just remain here and think. I mean at first I was anxious about what was going to happen.
So John waited trying to keep his impatience in check. Trying to keep himself distracted while he waits. John thinks about what types of food he will eat when he is out of here.
Then hours after waiting for so long things finally move forward. The pressure that has remained constant for John for hours increases. As a result of this John begins to move. He is being pushed forward unsure of what he is going to face.
Then suddenly his head exits the warm location. As John's head emerges from the space he is blinded by sensation. He idly hears people talking around him, but he can't understand much of what they are saying. Though the words and accents sound most similar to Chinese?
This causes him a great deal of confusion at first. Then the sinking feeling he had gotten over quickly returns. He had dismissed it as an impossibility, something from fantasy. Yet now he faces the truth of his situation for what it is.
While he has been lost in his confusion the rest of him has emerged. His eyes aren't helping matters. He had thought it was merely the location that was to blame. Yet it seems that his sight is weakened to a degree. His eyes are blurry from the darkness of his previous residence. Like a man in a cave emerging after days or even weeks without light.
A towel is wrapped around his body by those around him. To wipe off the remaining wet matter he realizes. Then a soft silken blanket softer than any other, is wrapped around his form. A very small form he realizes, or perhaps he simply was in denial. A part of him remains in denial of his situation even now.
He is jolted as he is placed in the arms of another person. This person holds him tightly, but with gentleness. Her touch is filled with maternal affection and love. It is only natural that this would be the case after all she is his mother.
Finally John, or the soul who was once upon a time John looks up. He is held in the arms of a beautiful woman. She looks to be in her thirties. Yet her countenance is such that she could also pass as a mature twenty-something. Her hair is a vibrant brown kept short though to her ears. Her eyes are sharp with intelligence, but also with pride.
She is a rather tall woman with a toned physique. Though she is toned and muscled she is far from unfeminine. Indeed she is an absolutely beautiful woman in terms of appearance. Once more her aura naturally makes her stand out.
This woman looks upon John with a deep affection. Though her gaze is also tinged with exhaustion. As if she had just finished a long workout. Considering the circumstances John muses to himself that it is not inaccurate. For the affection in her eyes is that of a mother gazing upon her child. Her exhaustion is from the most draining act of birthing a child.
She cradles an infant to her bosom with her maternal love rocking him slightly. John can no longer even try to deny the truth. Even as it still seems like an act of fantasy from an anime or novel. The truck is a common trope in many a story. For it was that same trope that brought John to his death it seems.
John finally accepts the harsh truth that he has died. Not only has he died, but he has also been reborn. An Isekai experience of some sort. This final realization of confusion, fear, and despair quickly rushes to the surface. His now infant body quickly led to a single act. A very normal act for an emotional overload, and especially for a baby.
John begins to cry and wail as he grieves for his lost life. He lets out the emotions he has bottled up and denied along with the truth. He wails out loudly to all who would come to hear. Unconcerned with anything else, but fear and grief. Certainly, his wail rings out in the room with a great sound.
As John cries out in grief and confusion. those in the room are far from worried or truly distressed by it. Most of the people in the room are women. Women who have helped deliver a great many babies before. To them, this is far from abnormal or strange. They are in relief at the sound of the child's crying.
The child had been far too quiet for their liking. Most children will cry out instantly upon birth. To these women, it seemed unnatural for the child not to do so.
The mother of the child, of John's new self simply rocks him back and forth. She seems to be completely calm in appearance. Indeed she might be calmer than she has ever been in her life. She simply gazes upon her child with love and affection. The feeling of holding her child filled her with an undeniable bliss beyond all else.
The Woman whose name is Tang Nuan holds her first child with her beloved husband. Tang Nuan gently rocks the child back and forth as he cries his eyes out. She is determined to act as a mother this child deserves.
John continues to cry in the arms of his new mother. Said mother continues to rock the child in her arms. John slowly manages to regain control over his infant body. As his tears slowly taper off under the affection of his mother. It was at this time that the door to the room opened up to admit others.
At the forefront is a man who seems to be of a similar age to Tang Nuan. He is a tall man with a well-built stature. As if he were a walking mountain of fortitude. Despite that, his body was not bulging with muscle. Instead, his body was compact with tightly packed muscles.
His black spiked hair reached his shoulders. His skin was pale though not unhealthy. A domineering fearless grin on his face. His presence exudes confidence with a sense of effortless presence. He looked to be a man in his early thirties, yet held a sense of far greater maturity.
John caught sight of this man becoming baffled and shocked. Because he recognised this man even as he had never met him. Instead, he read about him and watched him. A character from a world of fiction from his previous life. Indeed he is certain of that fact.
Thanks to the appearance of this man John is now sure of where he is. The character originates from the Chinese series Soul Land. His name is Tang Chen. What is he doing here John can't help but wonder.
Tang Chen is a character who does not appear much in the show. He only truly appears near the very end of the series. Even so, his presence can not be separated from the series in many ways. Tang Chen's grandson is Tang Hao the father of the series protagonist, Tang San.
Tang Chen, is the head of the Clear Sky Clan. Holding the position of grand elder within the Sect, and formerly being the clan leader. He is also among the most powerful among all mortal cultivators. The exalted Limit Douluo rank is what most see as the final level of cultivation.
In the series, the Clear Sky Clan is in decline at the start. The reason is indisputably because of the absence of this man. He is without a doubt the strongest of the Clear Sky Clan. At least at the current time, no one has the strength to rival him.
In the future, his great-grandson Tang San would end up surpassing him. Yet even if things were at the start of the series that would take nearly two decades.
Tang Chen's appearance here shows that it is certainly not the start of the series. It is never explicitly stated when Tang Chen left the clan exactly. Only that he left to pursue greater heights beyond the 99th rank.
Suddenly John's distracted mind is brought back to the present. His mother has let go of him, no she has handed him to someone. He looks to see Tang Chen himself holding him in his arms. John tilts his head in confusion unsure of how he should react to this. Not only is Tang Chen a limit Douluo here, but he is holding him in his arms.
That's a Limit Douluo the peak of the world in terms of mortal cultivation. John quickly concludes that he must be a member of the Tang Clan. It is the only thing that makes sense in this situation. He, however, has no idea who his mother is in terms of the clan.
John continues to look at Tang Chen with confusion. Perhaps on an adult it would seem different, but John is now a baby. Thus his baffled and befuddled look is absolutely adorable on his chubby face. Tang Chen can't help, but laugh at his expression.
John meanwhile is trying to make sense of things. He concludes his mother must be an important member of the clan. Considering the story his best guess is that she is Tang Xiao and Tang Hao's mother. This would make them his brothers, and Tang San his nephew.
Only his conclusion is immediately thrown out the window. Tang Chen moves closer to John's mother kissing her briefly on the lips. This quickly causes John to realize that they are at least lovers, and likely husband and wife. Meaning that Tang Chen is his father a most shocking thing to realize. His father is one of the ten most powerful beings alive on land more than likely.
Already being a member of the Clear Sky Clan is something. Being the direct son of Tang Chen is a whole other thing. Tang Chen is responsible for bringing the Clear Sky Clan to its first height.
Despite the immense power of this man who can shatter mountains. John is held by him with a great deal of gentleness. The man moves from the bed with the child in his arms. Only now does the child see the others who had entered the room with Tang Chen.
Two of whom he recognised immediately from the Dongua of the Soul Land. Yet their presence here is shocking considering their identities. One is a blonde-haired man of noble bearing. The other is like Tang Chen a man incredibly well-muscled. Indeed the second man is even taller and broader than Tang Chen. Yet John's attention is caught by the first man more than the second.
Tang Chen is called the number one soul master of the Land. Then this man is the number one in the sky. He is also Tang Chen's long-time rival Qian Daoliu.
Qian Daoliu is also a tall man, but he does not seem to be sturdy. The word that describes him rather than sturdy is lean. His face is exceedingly handsome and aristocratic in its countenance. His skin was snow white If you said that this man was from a long noble lineage or even a royal family people would easily accept it.
Like Tang Chen, he appears to be only in his thirties, and 40 at the most. His Golden hair alofts from his head to his shoulders in neatly combed. His eyes are like gold shining with an inner light. Conversely to his appearance, he is dressed only in a rather plain gray robe. Yet said robe is most definitely incredibly expensive.
Though his clothes are simple it certainly does not detract from his appearance. Instead, they make his appearance seem less like a noble or royal. Making him seem instead to be a high-ranking holy man. Indeed the feeling and air he gives off is certainly like that of a priest.
Considering that he was the former pope of Spirit Hall and the current Supreme worshiper. The spirit ball is the strongest faction in the world currently. Which makes it even weirder that he is here especially considering who else is with him. John turns his attention to the broad well well-muscled man.
He is an old man at least compared to Tang Chen or Qian Daoliu. Looking to be a man in his late sixties or so. Despite that, he holds the vigor of a man far younger. Indeed as is often the case in fantasy worlds he is older than he seems.
This man is the second worshipper of the Spirit Hall. Known by his title Golden Crocodile Douluo a level 98 Super Douluo. He is an incredibly broad-shouldered man packed with power. His white hair falls to below his shoulders. His brown eyes are sharp with a strong conviction and might.
Despite his physically more imposing frame is more comprehensible than they. It feels as if Tang Chen and Qian Daoliu are more profound in a way. Yet that is less of something John could see, and more like an instinctual feeling. As if they are more profound in a way that Golden Crocodile is not.
It is a very elusive feeling to be sure. It's simply that the two of them feel like they blend in more. John begins to wonder where this ability to pick up on this feeling comes from. Maybe from his current state as a baby, he thinks. As a baby, he is more sensitive to the moods of those around him.
The only other possibility is his death and subsequent reincarnation. There are many stories of people gaining perspective from life and death experiences. Once more John experienced death and now lives again. So it is far more possible in his case. This is also a highly likely scenario as it is his nature as a baby. The third and final possibility is that it is both of them.
John returns from his thoughts and notices that he is easily distracted now. Though he supposed that was the case for most babies. Even when they aren't in such a weird situation. While he was thinking and observing the people around him. They were talking to each other while looking at him.
Not being able to understand them is incredibly frustrating. Who knows what they are saying right now? How much important information is he missing as a result of not being able to understand them?
John continues to watch them as they talk. Tang Chen continues to hold him in his arms as he talks to them. Maybe he is talking about how adorable he is. Then Tang Chen hands him to Golden Crocodile. An interesting choice to be sure.
John is sure that Tang Chen has a much closer relationship with Qian Daoliu. Crocodile holds him in his arms with a warm smile on his face. A smile full of familial affection that is similar to his father and mother. That causes John to notice that Crocodile's eyes are the same as his mother's. Once more they show some similar characteristics.
John concluded that they must be related. Father and Daughter, or more likely Granddaughter and Grandfather. The similarities between them are not the only reason he came to this conclusion. It is the only answer that makes sense as to their presence here. Other wise why would they be let into the private area of a sect?
As John comes to this conclusion he begins to grow drowsy. It can't be John has only been born a few minutes ago. The fact that he didn't go to sleep already is a result of his reaction to the situation. So John begins to let slumber take his body. He is powerless to resist the call of dreams. While the baby amongst them drifts off to sleep the adults continue to talk.
"The Child was delivered safely it would seem." Golden Crocodile said with calmness.
"Of course he was." Tang Chen said, and continued with a laugh. "He is my son after all he is strong. So is your granddaughter for that matter."
"You know as well as I that birth can have any number of complications. Even for a spirit master, this is the case. Those complications are indeed far less common. Yet they can be far more dangerous." The Second Worship of the spirit hall said his words were tinged with shed worry. His words were not entirely unfounded.
"Peace second brother, both the child and mother are fine as you can see." Qian Daoliu said to the second worshiper in a calming voice. Referring to him as a second brother despite being younger than him by several decades.
"I know first brother, but I was still worried." Golden Crocodile said. "You know that my worries are far from unfounded."
"They perhaps aren't, but we had already prepared for those." Tang Chen chimes in with a resolute tone to his voice. "Now enough of this doom and gloom elder. My Son has been born strong and healthy now. That is cause for celebration." Tang Chen says with a good amount of joy in his voice.
Qian Daoliu laughs at Tang Chen's words "Yes I suppose that a celebration is in order."
Tang Chen smiles his confident smile "Yes it is a good event should be enjoyed to the fullest. The birth of my second son is certainly something to be excited about."
"Husband." Tang Nuan's calm steady words resound through the room. "You, Grandfather, and Uncle Daoliu can enjoy your drinking. No doubt it will lead to another battle between you and my uncle. I however am far too tired to attend such an event." Her voice is incredibly calm belieing her underlying fatigue.
Tang Chen laughs with a slight sheepishness to it. "Of course forgive me, my love," he says as he approaches her sitting on the bed, and takes her hand in his larger ones.
Tang Nuan says "I suppose I will forgive you." she says with a snobbish air if her forgiveness is a great privilege. Before her air breaks apart and she laughs slightly.
"Hahahhahah." Tang Chen also laughs at the little inside joke between them.
Qian Daoliu and Crocodile simply stand back while the two of them feed them dog food.
"Should we give the room to the two of you?" Qian Daoliu says with a slight tinge to his voice. Despite it maintains a matter-of-fact tone.
Normally Tang Nuan might react in embarrassment at worst. Otherwise, she would simply change the subject. Instead, she yawns from fatigue and says. "No I'm tired, and so is the child. Speaking of we can't keep addressing him as the child. Husband grants the child a name."
Tang Chen nods agreeing to her words. Then he proceeds to begin to think of a good name. "How about Yuan. Tang Yuan that will be this child's name."
Tang Nuan nodded her head "Tang Yuan sounds okay then."
This marked the birth of the child Tang Yuan. The second child of Tang Chen and the first child of the granddaughter of Golden Crocodile. The second young master of the Clear Sky clan. His birth was more than fifty years before the birth of his great-nephew Tang San.
Little did anyone know what this child what do when he grew up. How far would he go within the span of his life?
Of the changes he would bring in his wake. The path he would burn in his life. Yet he might also die before his time of celebration. Either way, this is the story of Tang Yuan. A man who died and was reborn in the world of the soul land.