John floated high above Celestrina's skies, his galaxy-soul dimmed into something more restrained. For what he was about to do, radiance would not do.
"Hmmm… if I want to really see what cultivation life is like… I'll need a body."
His voice echoed faintly in the void. With a thought, essence coiled around him, condensing, reshaping. Bones formed, flesh followed, hair, skin, heartbeat, breath. In moments, he stood there as a tall black-haired youth in plain robes, a simple mortal vessel.
He flexed his hands, smiling faintly. "Not bad. Feels… human again. A little fragile, though."
His perception swept the lands. Celestrina's three great continents stretched beneath him—North, Central, and South—each thriving with cultivators, sects, and mortal kingdoms.
He tapped his chin. "North, Central, or South…?"
A mischievous grin tugged at his lips. "North, of course. That's how these cultivation stories always start."
He could have teleported. He could have folded space and arrived instantly. Instead, he chose to fly, drifting leisurely like a wandering immortal suppressing his aura.
The Northern Continent sprawled beneath him—vast mountains, rivers coiling like dragons, and great sects hidden behind clouds. But John wasn't seeking grandeur. He scanned, then smiled.
"The barren parts are always the most fun."
Sunflower Town
Nestled between parched hills, a modest rural town bustled with life. Mortals in straw hats carried baskets of grain, merchants haggled, children laughed in the streets. At the town gate, two guards in rusty armor collected fees.
John landed before them, his robe plain and his presence carefully disguised as that of an ordinary mortal. He reached into the void and casually conjured a few coins—this world's currency—and offered them.
The guards squinted at him, immediately noting the lack of spiritual pressure.
One leaned lazily on his spear. "Traveler, eh? You don't look like you've got a sect backing you. No protection, no strength. That means trouble if something goes wrong."
The other smirked. "Yeah… so fee's double. Call it… 'safety insurance.'"
John blinked, then chuckled. "Ah, so that's how it works."
To their shock, he simply handed over the extra coins, smiling like a man tipping a street musician.
"Here you go. Make sure you keep the town safe, alright?"
The guards stiffened. They'd half-expected anger, maybe even begging. But this stranger just… paid, and with amusement at that.
As he stepped past them, John's eyes glittered.
So this is what it feels like! The atmosphere, the petty scams, the tiny power struggles. Ahhh, I'm really living in a cultivation world now.
High above, Celestrina's spirit nearly fainted.
"He… the galaxy-being… the untouchable existence… just let himself be extorted by town guards?! If they only knew who they were robbing, they'd implode on the spot!"
The Market
The main street bustled with life, and John walked it with wide eyes like a tourist. Merchants pounced on him the moment they saw his open smile.
"Traveler, traveler! Finest silks from the Central Continent!" one shouted, holding up a bright crimson roll. "Light as air, warmer than fur! Only five silvers!"
Another cut in, shoving a basket under John's nose. "Don't listen to him! Rare herbs here! Brew into tea and you'll feel ten years younger!"
A third hawker raised candied plums on skewers. "Plums! Sweet enough to make you forget your debts! Try one, you won't regret it!"
John laughed, delighted. "I'll take all three."
The vendors blinked, then hurried to wrap his purchases.
He bit into a candied plum, eyes closing in exaggerated bliss. "Mmm… sweet enough to rot my teeth, but worth every bite."
Another merchant rushed forward, thrusting out a cracked jade pendant. "Young master! Look at this treasure—passed down from an immortal! Just holding it brings fortune!"
John took it without hesitation, paying double. Not because he believed it—but because the lie itself was so earnestly delivered.
'Yes, yes, this is it! The bustle, the chaos, the little scams. I've been to stars, devoured laws, touched eternity—but this… this is living.'
Above, Celestrina was pale.
"Is… is he enjoying being cheated?!"
A Fight Breaks Out
Then—he stopped.
Two men stood in the street, qi flaring dangerously. One bore the robes of the Starveil Sword Sect, proud and arrogant. The other was a ragged wanderer, equally fierce. Both were at the Body Refining stage, both glaring murder at each other.
The air grew heavy.
Stall owners scrambled to pack up. Mortals ran for cover, slamming shutters shut. Within seconds, the lively street became a hushed battlefield.
And there, leaning casually against a fruit stand, was John—munching an apple.
"Oh hoh… front row seats," he grinned. "Perfect."
The clash began. Sword arcs tore the air, fists crashed like hammers. It was crude, unpolished—desperation fueling every strike. But John's eyes shone like a child watching fireworks.
"Beautiful…!" he whispered.
Eventually, the guards rushed in and broke apart the duel. Both fighters were dragged away, still cursing. The street slowly exhaled as normalcy crept back.
John tossed the apple core aside, utterly pleased.
The Inn
Evening came, and John entered a modest inn. The scent of stew drifted warmly from the kitchen. At the front desk stood a composed young woman—Lin Ruyin. Behind her, two youths worked—her children, a teenage boy and a younger girl.
The boy—Lin Feng—was animatedly recounting the earlier fight.
"Did you see it, Xue? The sword cultivator's qi technique was incredible! If only I could—"
John's step faltered. His gaze sharpened.
Fate threads.
Every living being carried them—lines of destiny, tangled and knotted in countless ways. Mortals usually bore twenty or so knots across their lives. Cultivators were far more complex, thousands of tangled strands forming the web of their future.
But Lin Feng…
His fate was clean. Utterly untangled. Straight as flowing water.
John's eyes narrowed. That… is unnatural.
And yet, he smiled faintly, intrigued.
Well now. That's not something you see every day.
He approached the desk.
"Room for one, please."
Lin Ruyin nodded briskly, professional yet curious at this oddly relaxed young man. Lin Feng leaned closer to his sister, still bubbling with excitement.
"The wandering cultivator totally had the upper hand until the guards came!" he whispered.
John listened, amused, his gaze lingering on the boy a moment longer.
So, this boy is special… but in a way even cultivators wouldn't understand.
He accepted his room key, smiling to himself.
The game was about to get interesting.