The two immortals on the high platform shook their heads.
"Such a waste of talent. Arrogance is good, but one must know their limits. Angering the heavens is the same as committing suicide; it is already a miracle he was spared."
The one in front spoke, waving his hand. The air before him distorted with effortless authority, swirling as if painted by a brush. A thin spatial tear formed, just enough to make the platform slowly move toward it.
"Let this be a sign that the lower realms are unworthy." The one behind spoke, not even giving Tian Yunxiu a glance. "The Heavenly Sword Sect no longer accepts this fouled-mouth junior into the sect, even if he were to recover. Which is… unlikely."
One would think: simply like that, they left? Yet those standing at the peak did not require reason, disappearing into the tear.
The air filled with laughter so sharp it cut at the hearts of the Tian Clan cultivators.
"A genius. The proud treasure of the great Tian Clan… is a cripple. Hahaha!"
A middle-aged man stood among the crowd, qi circulating with practiced ease around him; one could tell he was an established expert at a glance. The crowd around him parted, revealing his azure robes.
"My Chen Clan sends condolences to Patriarch Tian Zhanhe. My heart aches, watching the genius turn into the trash of the Tian Clan."
He bowed, but even outsiders could see the mockery behind the gesture; the smile on his face betrayed his intent instantly.
Tian Zhanhe's face reddened in fury. It was his clan's grounds, yet he was not given face?
Another aura suddenly surged, filling the plaza with qi. Dust rose as if pushed by a broom in all directions, and a gentle wind made the clothes of the people flutter. "Our Bai Clan also sends condolences. What a loss for the glorious Tian Clan."
A woman's voice echoed out, making everyone part, revealing a middle-aged woman in yellow robes. A scar ran down her eye, and her smile looked feral, as though it ached each time she looked at the Tian Clan's patriarch.
More rival clans were in the area, but their guts were not as large. Even with Tian Yunxiu gone, the clan still had many talents remaining. And most importantly, Tian Zhanhe was one of the ten foremost cultivators in the entire Boundless Origin Continent.
"My son is not well. Leave!"
A powerful aura exploded from the center, qi dancing in the air and sending dust and debris flying. The two who had mocked the clan stepped back by just one step, their mockery biting them back. Tian Longming stood up, holding the youngster in his arms. His expression looked calm, yet the energy radiating from him told a different story.
"Hasn't the Grand Elder entered the ninth circle of Void Transformation? He is only a step away from reaching the same realm as the patriarch. Offending him now is the same as making an enemy of the Tian Clan."
Whispers filled the plaza. Nobody noticed that the qi around Tian Yunxiu was rapidly being sucked in.
Whose voice is that? What exactly happened to me? My whole body is burning. I need to call an ambulance.
"[User, do you remember who you are?]"
A robotic voice echoed in his mind. It made him wonder for a moment.
I am Tian Yunxiu. Who are you? Where are you? Why can't I open my eyes? I can't move my body. Help me.
"[You may relax, user. You are in a new world.]"
A new world… is this a prank? Am I on Metube?
A pained laughter burst through his exhausted mind.
"[This is reality. You have been transmigrated into a person with the same name and age as you after your death. Yet the world is not the same. Here, law does not shape the world; the fist does. Let me show you.]"
The darkness filling his eyes shifted, as if a window were being cleaned. A vision played out of a tall man, who looked at most in his thirties, standing with a young man in his arms.
This is… if I didn't feel the pain, I would imagine I'm dreaming.
Tian Longming stood proudly, his steps making the ground shake. Whether they were fellow clansmen or rival clans, all parted the way in respect and fear. His face revealed no emotion, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.
Tian Yunxiu felt awe wash over him. Now he understood what the robotic voice meant when it said that power was higher than law here.
He looks similar to me... this youth. He focused on the charred youngster. Are you telling me this is me now?
For some reason, he felt sad.
I will never see my family again… will I?
"[Sadly, not.]"
The voice did not try to console him, as if it had no human emotions at all.
How am I supposed to survive in this world? I know nothing about it… and why can't I wake up yet?
"[Proceeding with memory installation…]"
A splitting pain washed over Tian Yunxiu's head. It felt as if someone had cracked him open and was trying to fuse the pieces back together, and in reality, it was exactly that. Memories that did not belong to him flooded his mind.
For a moment, he wondered which one he was supposed to be. Yet it did not take long for him to understand that he was still the same youngster from Earth.
He was so prideful and full of arrogance… is that why he died? Challenging the heavens itself… I admire his resolve. I shall be more careful with this body. If I can recover, I will make his dream come true.
Tian Yunxiu would have exhaled heavily if he could control his body, but for now he accepted the fate of darkness soon replacing the vision.
When will I be able to walk again? And this… what was it called… Void Emperor's Body Technique? Why does it sound so grand? How will it help a damaged body recover?
From the memories he stitched together the cultivation system of this world. It started from Qi Gathering, where practitioners began to sense the spiritual qi in the air and absorb it. There were a total of seven great realms he was aware of, each containing nine smaller circles that had to be reached in order to proceed to the next realm.
He imagined them as nine main quests that had to be cleared in order to challenge the boss. He had been a gamer in his past life, spending days playing video games.
"[Void Emperor's Body Technique has already been activated and is slowly healing your body. But sadly, all of your qi and cultivation base have been devoured to fuel its awakening. You will have to start from zero. But do not be sad. Your power in the same realm will be ten times stronger than other practitioners, yet it will also require ten times as much spiritual qi.]"
Tian Yunxiu thought for a moment in silence. Do I get any cheat powers? Gathering ten times more spiritual qi will make me stuck in the same realm forever… I might not even reach the next one before my lifespan comes to an end.
"[Great observation, user. Indeed, the technique provides you with a feature you may use freely. You may absorb spiritual energy five times faster than your old body allowed. Spiritual medicine consumed will not leave impurities in your organs; it will be absorbed directly into your dantian, the place where your qi is gathered. Right now, it looks like a void. But once the seven days pass and your body recovers, it will form into a fully-formed vessel and allow you to cultivate again.]"
You say again, but this is my first time. Yet the memories of the previous soul give me great insight. At least until the Nascent Soul stage, I shouldn't have many difficulties.
Tian Yunxiu stayed silent for a long moment. Time slowly passed. When he finally opened his eyes, he was met with a strange room that looked like something out of an ancient drama scene.
My journey begins, huh…