[Hello!]
'Uh, hello?'
I tilted my head at the bluish-gold rectangular screen hovering inches from my face, faint ripples of light pulsing across its edges like liquid metal. Beyond the strange semi-translucent board was a marble-white ceiling etched with faint gold lines which was nothing like my apartment's — the one where I should have been. The bed I was on also felt much higher quality than the one I was used to. Getting up, I focused on both my new surroundings and the weird screen.
[You've been pulled over to the Western Azure Sky Plane!]
[Because of your unique situation, you've been given me: the Investment System!]
My lips twitched as I listened to the feminine voice speaking in my mind. This all sounded a little too ridiculous for me, but I had heard of such things being popular in the webnovel space for quite some time. I didn't really get a chance to enjoy those stories all that much, because I was just exhausted from reading.
'What kind of investments do you recognize?'
I didn't really need to ask the thing what its mechanics were, as it was clearly in the name, but I definitely needed to know what it recognized. I would hate to waste my time and effort only to get nothing. In an unfamiliar place, time and effort were vital to making sure I could at least survive!
[Investments into disciples or lovers.]
[Investments into disciples give a chance between 2x to 50x.]
[Investments into lovers give a chance between 5x to 100x.]
[Please note that the "Lovers" title can only be given to genuine connections and not anything fake or loose.]
'Guess that figures.'
I had a few experiences with women and trial dates with several others. I knew my taste quite well, and I didn't want to deal with any drama either. It was for the best that the system didn't make the "Lovers" title easy to obtain.
The disciples part was interesting because I didn't even know how this world operated. Was it a world of magic? A world of cultivation? A mix of both?
Getting up off the bed, I went to the full-body mirror beside my bed, right next to the window where sunlight streamed into the room. The first thing to surprise me about my reflection was the cascade of long, vibrant purple hair spilling past my neck, each strand shimmering faintly as it caught the sunlight. The second thing was my golden eyes that shone with the light hitting them.
My height and weight felt about the same, along with the way my body moved. It felt like I had just changed my appearance in-game but kept my build, if I had to compare it. Creamy white toned skin that looked many times smoother. The structure of my face seemed to have improved, making my charm skyrocket even more. All in all, I felt grateful that I wasn't ugly or too unpleasant-looking.
[Dear host, if you would please say or think "Status." While doing so, I will continue on with a few other explanations.]
'Alright. Status?'
[Eiren Solis]
- Age: 21 -
- Mana Realm: Peak Ethereal Awakening -
- Body Realm: Peak Muscle Forging -
- Disciples: N/A -
- Loves: N/A -
[...]
[Please note that the system screen will change after you meet a few conditions. Now, it is important to inform you that you've received a newbie gift bag. Would you like to use it?]
'Sure.'
I moved to the black leather couch in the center of my massive room. Sinking into the black leather couch, the material cool against my skin and faintly smelling of polish and lavender. I laid down with my face looking up towards the ceiling but really only looking at the blueish-gold screen.
[You've received special skill: Inventory (EX)!]
[You've received special inheritance: Five Elemental King's Inheritance.]
[You've received bonus knowledge: Intermediate Knowledge on Western Azure Sky Plane.]
'Inventory is nice! The inheritance is probably amazing. But the knowledge is the best thing on this list!'
Knowledge was the one thing I needed most, and now I was getting it without having to potentially risk anything! If I went to adventure out, I would've probably made a fool of myself or, even worse, gotten hurt or killed!
[Inheritance is in inventory.]
[Imparting Knowledge...]
"Ugh..." I clutched my head at the flood of information assaulting my brain. Numerous images, multiple languages, and the grand history of this plane entered at light speed. With each passing second, it felt like I had always known this information even though I obviously hadn't.
After a few minutes, I let go of my head with slightly uneven breaths.
"Phew~, what an intense world," I mumbled to no one but myself.
This world was similar to a cultivation-esque world from the stories back on Earth, except it was just given a western twist. The name of the plane kind of made sense now that I knew this information. There were two different systems of cultivation: Soul Refinement (Mana Realm) and Body Refinement (Body Realm).
Each of these two systems had nine stages which one needed to go through before they could ascend to a higher plane. The nine stages respectively were:
Soul Refinement from weakest to strongest: Ethereal Awakening, Vein Opening, Core Condensation, Spirit Link, Flow Harmonization, Essence Refinement, Aether Expansion, Spirit Dominion, and Ascendant Soul.
Body Refinement from weakest to strongest: Bone Tempering, Blood Refinement, Muscle Forging, Marrow Awakening, Heart Ignition, Iron Will Manifestation, Titan Ascension, Mythic Rebirth, and Immortal Vessel.
The best part of this world was that the main language was English — and yes, the same English back on Earth. The second best part was that the currency was a single unified one of Spirit Dollars, with the denominations being $1, $5, $10, $50, and $100. All of this was on a digital network, so you didn't even have to carry money! This world was technologically advanced as well!
Mana and science blended seamlessly, granting new opportunities and growth aspects to the people living in it. But no matter how far science got or how much it tried to breach the gaps in magic, it could only improve people a minor stage at most, so cultivation was still seen in a vital light. For mortals, it didn't matter as long as their lives were comfortable, but for those with ambition, cultivation was a must!
'Now...'
I got up from the couch to put on some clothes. It was time to go explore this new world for myself!