Chapter 2: A Stranger in Jade Sky
The ground was hard and cold.
When Legend D. Clinton opened his eyes, all he could see was a blur of twisted trees and pale grass swaying under violet moons. His head pounded, and his body ached like he'd been slammed by a high-speed train. Several times.
> "Dimensional transfer successful," Narvek's calm voice echoed in his skull. "Minimal internal damage. Welcome to—Sector Unknown. Planet identity… not found in Terran records."
Clinton groaned, pushing himself to his feet. "Where the hell…?"
The sky above him swirled with two moons and strange glowing clouds. The air was heavier than Earth's, thick with spiritual pressure—though he didn't know that term yet. He just felt it in his bones. Everything here… vibrated with power.
He stumbled through a dense forest for what felt like hours. Strange birds with antlers cawed in the trees, and the ground occasionally trembled as distant roars echoed across the sky. It was like Earth, but wild—more alive than any place he'd ever known.
Eventually, he found a dirt path. Just as he stepped onto it, a shout rang out behind him.
"YAAH! Tí xun de shāo xiǎozi!"
Clinton spun around. A group of five armored teens were walking toward him. They looked about his age, but with swords strapped to their backs and long embroidered robes that fluttered like they belonged to some fantasy novel.
Their faces were scrunched in confusion and suspicion.
"Uh… hi?" Clinton tried, giving an awkward wave. "I think I'm lost?"
They flinched at his voice. One of them pointed a spear. "Zhè shì shénme yǔyán? Tā shì mógōng rén ma?!"
"I… don't know what you're saying, man!" Clinton stepped back. "Narvek, help!"
> "Unknown dialect detected. Analyzing phonetic patterns… scanning complete. Uploading 'Jade Sky Martial Tongue' into host brain. Stand by."
"What?! Wait—AARRGH!"
The pain slammed into his skull like a tsunami. Words. Structures. Emotions. History. Grammar. Thousands of linguistic files downloaded directly into his brain, searing through his neurons like fire. He screamed and dropped to his knees.
Then—sudden clarity.
He understood.
"…he's not one of us," one of the teens muttered. "Look at his robes. His aura is strange. Almost… empty."
"Maybe a rogue cultivator? Or a peasant who snuck out of the lower realms?"
"He's trespassing. We should bring him back to the Outer Hall and let Elder Hong decide."
Clinton stood up slowly, panting. "I don't want any trouble, alright? Just trying to find where I am…"
All five teens raised their weapons.
"You're in Jade Sky Province, stranger," the leader said. "And only disciples of a sect can walk these roads."
Clinton raised his hands. "Look, I don't have a sect, okay? I just got here, and—"
A flash of movement.
The leader struck without warning, swinging his wooden blade straight at Clinton's face. Clinton ducked by reflex—barely—and the sword split a tree behind him with a thunderous crack.
> "Reflex enhancement activated. Combat assist level: 4%."
Clinton's body moved again, weaving away from another blow. He dodged, rolled, and tripped over a rock. The second teen lunged in to finish him.
> "Counter initiated."
Clinton's hand lashed out, faster than he thought possible, and struck the boy square in the chest. A flash of invisible force burst from his palm. The teen flew backward like he'd been kicked by a horse, crashing through two bushes.
The others froze.
"…what was that technique?" one of them whispered.
"I—I didn't even see his hands move…"
Clinton was just as shocked. His arms were still glowing faintly with blue lines. "What did I just—Narvek, what was that?!"
> "Low-grade kinetic pulse. You lack a cultivation base, but your nervous system has been enhanced. Moderate use is safe. Excessive use may result in internal bleeding."
"Fantastic…"
The leader frowned. "You're no ordinary peasant." His gaze hardened. "That makes you even more dangerous."
He stepped forward again, slower this time, but Clinton could feel the tension rising. If they fought again, he might not get lucky twice.
A voice called out from the treetops. "Enough!"
A robed woman descended gracefully, landing between Clinton and the teens. She was in her early twenties, with sharp eyes and a sword glowing faintly with white qi on her back.
"Outer Sect patrolling should not involve bullying lost travelers," she snapped.
The teens bowed instantly. "Senior Sister Mei! Forgive us—"
She ignored them and turned to Clinton.
"You're clearly not from these lands," she said. "But you carry no killing intent. Come with me. You need guidance before you die here."
Clinton didn't argue.
As they walked toward a distant stone gate carved into a mountain, he glanced at her and asked, "Where exactly am I?"
"Jade Sky Province," she said. "You're lucky I found you first. This world does not forgive the weak."
He looked up at the mountain as they passed through the gates. The air inside shimmered with invisible force, like stepping through an invisible ocean.
Clinton knew this was just the beginning.
> "New quest initiated," Narvek whispered in his mind. "Objective: Become strong enough to survive."
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End of Chapter 2
Chapter 3: The Path of Qi — coming next!