Chapter 1: A Hellish Start, Meeting an Immortal
A fine drizzle fell, adding a hazy, misty charm to the withered, yellow earth.
"It's born, it's born! A big, chubby boy!"
Amidst the drifting mist and clouds, a voice filled with joy rang out, soon tinged with regret.
A pity this child was born into such a cruel, unforgiving world.
"Waaah, waaah!"
An infant weighing less than five pounds was smoothly delivered from Jiang Ya's womb. The moment it met the light, the baby's eyes narrowed into slits.
"Quick, clamp the umbilical cord, wipe it clean, and wrap it up."
"Wrap what? Why waste the effort?"
The voices speaking sounded as if they hadn't eaten for days.
"Father, r-really… really trade him?" A man's timid voice rose, filled with unwillingness and a hint of despair.
"Trade him. It's your father who failed you." An old, trembling voice sounded, as if making a desperate decision. "In times like these, this child can't be kept alive."
The old man was trying to convince his son, or perhaps himself.
A chill passed with the drizzle, causing the baby's exposed skin to tighten.
Talent Activated: [Life Like Weeds]
Life as fleeting as weeds, yet as tenacious as wild grass!
Achieved: [Congenital Malnutrition], Spirit +0.1, Internal Organs +0.1, Body +0.1.
As if aware of its impending fate, the baby stopped crying.
"What the hell? Being able to understand this world's language is something to be happy about, but what kind of hellish start is this?!"
The baby widened its eyes, trying to see everything clearly.
But how could a newborn possibly see what was before it?
Feeling the vibrations of its body, the baby knew it was being taken away from the place of its initial arrival.
Then, the baby heard wailing—cries louder than its own.
"As agreed, once traded, no regrets." A rough, hoarse voice reached the baby's ears. Then, the baby felt itself lifted into the air, a strange odor assaulting its delicate nostrils.
"…Fine." The baby's grandfather's voice was also dry as he responded, then lifted something and left.
The baby could vaguely see through its eyes—a limp object.
"A newborn baby, tender…" The rough voice squeezed out a sentence. Then, the baby felt a strong grip squeeze its body.
"Waaah! Waaah!"
The baby cried loudly, struggling, wanting to escape its current situation.
But it was futile.
Achieved: [Environment of Despair], Spirit +0.1.
Instantly, the baby's consciousness became clearer.
But the clearer its consciousness, the more powerless it felt against its circumstances.
What could a congenitally malnourished infant do?!
It could only cry loudly, only wail, attempting to awaken whatever shred of compassion might once have existed in the heart of the person before it.
Wasn't I supposed to be reborn into a wealthy, noble family? So I'm really going to become someone's piece of fat, huh?
I worked my ass off moving bricks in hell, and you, King Yama of Reincarnation, give me this kind of hellish start?
Just a quick trip to the human world and then back to work for you, is that it?!
The baby cried and cursed loudly.
But in this place, who hadn't cursed King Yama, cursed the gods and buddhas?
"Everyone, cease~~"
An ethereal tone sounded, a tone that seemed to possess the power to cleanse the heart.
At least, that's what the baby felt.
It could feel the force acting upon its body vanish.
"An immortal?"
"It is an immortal!"
"Immortal, save us!"
Then, the baby heard a chorus of similar cries, seemingly calling out to an immortal.
"I hope it's a righteous person. Otherwise, I might have to work for King Yama of Reincarnation for another ten thousand years."
The baby fought to stay conscious.
To die unclear about what happened—it wouldn't rest in peace even in death!
Achieved: [Hope for Survival], Spirit +0.1.
The baby's mind grew even clearer.
"This humble Daoist is no immortal, merely a practitioner who knows a few minor techniques." The baby, lying weak on the ground, heard a clear, cold voice.
This feeling… it really was like the immortals it had seen in hell.
Like that wine-loving Pure Yang Sword Immortal, Lü Dongbin.
Though Lü Dongbin's voice sounded more free and easy than this one.
"Immortal, save us! Just a bite of food, just one bite is enough!"
"I can have my son serve you like an ox or a horse, attend you for a lifetime!"
But those kneeling on the ground wouldn't listen, only begging incessantly.
Before hunger, what did such things matter?
"I have a few pancakes here. How about I exchange them with you?" That ethereal, cold voice was as elusive as the mist and clouds.
As those kneeling subconsciously agreed, they found the child before them gone, replaced by several pancakes exuding the fragrance of scallions.
Scallion pancakes!
Real food!
"Senior Brother, this kind of thing… you can't possibly manage it all." Watching the elegant young man reappear before him, an old man who had been waiting in place spoke up.
"Do what one can, leave the rest to fate, no?" The elegant young man smiled slightly, sending the two children floating beside him over to the old man.
He himself held the other feeble infant.
"This child is congenitally deficient. I'm afraid no one but Senior Brother can save him." The old man took the two children, then looked at the infant in the young man's arms.
"Didn't Junior Brother say he couldn't be saved?" Hearing the old man's words, the elegant young man's thin lips couldn't help but curve upward.
"Haha, still have to listen to Senior Brother. Besides, saving a life creates more merit than building a seven-story pagoda."
The old man shook his head with a smile, then began to tend to the two children he held.
The elegant young man also started to treat the infant in his arms.
Wisp after wisp of faint, pale white qi drifted out, gently enveloping the baby.
Like returning to the mother's womb.
Achieved: [Fetal Breathing], Spirit +0.1, Internal Organs +0.1, Body +0.1.
[Condition]: Barely Hanging On 1/1000
[Physical Attributes]: Spirit 0.4/10, Internal Organs 0.2/10, Body 0.2/10
[Unique Talent]: Life Like Weeds
Achieved [Fetal Breathing]: Obtained growth talent [Refining Qi]. For every 1,000 complete cycles of Fetal Breathing practiced, Spirit limit +1, Internal Organs limit +1, Body limit +1. Refining Qi ability improves.
As the pale white qi entered its body, the baby felt a warm current appear within.
Like a spring breeze and fine rain, imperceptibly strengthening the infant's frail body.
A good person!
Feeling the changes within its body, the baby gazed at the white-haired man before it with clear, bright eyes.
(End of Chapter)