"Where am I?"
"The end."
"The end?"
"The end of destiny."
"Then why am I here? Did you kidnap me?"
"Because this is the path you chose."
"I don't remember choosing this."
"Every breath you take is a choice."
The light before him faded, seeming to foreshadow something.
"The end? I'm not dead, am I? I'm just about to finish high school. How could this be the end?"
"Why have you fallen silent? Are you a god, or some kind of demon…?"
…
Suddenly, Darkness swallowed him. When he opened his eyes, he was surrounded by blinding light, a stark contrast to the darkness before. Lin Yi woke up in a dimly lit room, the air heavy with the damp, musty smell. He lay on a dilapidated wooden bed, the bed frame creaking beneath him. His head felt heavy and muzzy, as if he'd just emerged from a long dream.
"Where am I?" Lin Yi struggled to sit up and looked around. The room was small, its walls covered in moss, and the corners cluttered with miscellaneous items. The only window was thick with dust, allowing only a faint sliver of light to seep through.
He touched his forehead and found it warm. His memory was shrouded in fog; he only recalled being an ordinary Earthling who had just been freed from the demands of schoolwork, yet now he was in this strange place.
Lin Yi slowly got out of bed. The ground beneath his feet was cold and damp, making him shiver. He walked to the window and gently pushed it open. A burst of fresh air greeted him. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, creating patches of light on the ground. In the distance, a towering peak rose into the clouds—the location of Qingyun Sect.
Lin Yi's gaze fell on his chest, where a small black device had appeared, embedded in his heart, perfectly integrated with his skin as if it had grown there naturally. He gently touched the device, a sense of awe welling up inside him.
"What is this?" Lin Yi whispered to himself, his heart filled with confusion. He tried to communicate with the device, but there was no response. It lay silently on his chest, like an ordinary ornament. Yet, Lin Yi could feel its real presence; it seemed to be waiting for some opportunity, waiting to be activated.
Lin Yi took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. His heart was filled with confusion and unease. He had never experienced such a thing and had never left his familiar environment. At school, he was always overwhelmed by academic pressures, rushing between textbooks and homework. Now, in this completely unfamiliar world, he didn't know what to do or how to face what lay ahead.
He decided to leave the room first and seek answers. He walked out of the room and followed a winding path toward the peak. Along the way, he encountered many people like him heading to Qingyun Sect—some excited, some nervous, and others bewildered. Lin Yi paid them no mind, walking in silence, his heart filled with caution. He knew he knew nothing about this world and had to stay vigilant to avoid danger.
After a long walk, Lin Yi finally arrived at a small town. The town was bustling with activity. Stalls lined the streets, selling a variety of items—from food to weapons, from herbs to books, everything one could imagine. The crowd was lively, each person busy with their own affairs.
Lin Yi stood in the middle of the street, looking at it all, his heart filled with curiosity and confusion. He had never seen such a scene or experienced such a life. He didn't know where to start or what to do.
"Young man, is this your first time here?" a voice sounded behind Lin Yi. He turned around and saw an old man with wrinkles etched into his face, a gentle smile on his lips.
Lin Yi nodded, his heart filled with awe.
"This is Qingyun Town. It's not far from Qingyun Sect," the old man said with a smile. "You're here for the sect's trial, aren't you?"
Lin Yi just nodded, remaining silent.
"Qingyun Sect is one of the most powerful cultivation sects in this land," the old man said again. "If you pass the trial, you'll become their disciple and embark on the path of cultivation."
"Cultivation?" Lin Yi repeated softly, his heart filled with confusion.
"Cultivation means practicing immortal techniques, pursuing immortality and ascension to become an immortal," the old man explained with a smile. "In this world, cultivation is the most important thing. Once you step on the path of immortality, you can gain everything you desire—wealth, fame, status, and more."
Lin Yi nodded, his heart brimming with curiosity. He had never imagined he would tread such a path.
"Young man, you seem a bit lost," the old man said with a smile. "Why not rest in town for a while and get familiar with the surroundings? Let me take you to a place to stay. I know this area well."
Lin Yi nodded, gratitude welling up inside him, though he didn't let it show.
The old man led Lin Yi to a small inn and arranged a room for him. Lin Yi sat on the bed, looking at the lively scene outside the window, his heart filled with confusion and unease. He felt his clothes and realized he had no money. "I didn't pay just now. The old man must have covered the cost," he thought with a start.
He quickly stepped out of the room and caught up with the old man. He decided to ask the old man for some work to pay for his accommodation and to observe this new world.
Lin Yi hurried out of the room and caught up with the old man. The old man's figure was slightly hunched in the crowd, but his steps were steady. Lin Yi felt a bit hesitant but still mustered his courage and shouted, "Sir, wait for me!"
The old man stopped, turned around, and looked at Lin Yi, the gentle smile still on his face. "Young man, what can I do for you?"
Lin Yi walked up to the old man, lowered his head slightly, and spoke in a low voice, "Sir, I… I don't have money to pay for the room. You just paid for me, and I can't just leave like this."
The old man smiled, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes. "Young man, you're an honest child. But you don't need to worry. It was my pleasure to pay for you. You're new here and don't know the area. I couldn't let you sleep on the streets."
Lin Yi felt warmth in his heart but still felt uneasy. "Sir, I can't eat or stay for free. I want to find some work to at least earn back the cost of the room."
The old man nodded, a look of satisfaction in his eyes. "Good, you're ambitious. There are many places in town where you can find work. Follow me, and I'll take you to a place."
Lin Yi followed the old man through the bustling streets, his heart filled with complex emotions. He knew nothing about this world but had to adapt as quickly as possible. He didn't know if he could find suitable work or if he could stand on his own in this unfamiliar place.
They arrived in front of a herb shop. The old man stopped and said to Lin Yi, "The owner of this herb shop is a good person. He often needs help moving herbs. You can give it a try."
Lin Yi nodded, feeling a bit nervous. He walked into the herb shop, where the air was thick with the scent of various herbs, making him feel a bit dizzy. A middle-aged man was organizing herbs behind the counter. He looked up as Lin Yi entered, a flicker of vigilance in his eyes.
"Are you here to apply for a job?" the middle-aged man asked in a cold voice.
"Yes," Lin Yi nodded, his voice trembling slightly. "I heard you need someone to help move herbs, and I'd like to give it a try."
The middle-aged man sized up Lin Yi, a look of disdain flashing in his eyes. "You look so thin and weak. Can you even lift the herbs?"
Lin Yi's heart tightened, but he didn't back down. "I can give it a try."
The middle-aged man nodded. "Alright, give it a try. If you can handle it, I'll hire you."
Lin Yi nodded, filled with anticipation. He followed the middle-aged man to the warehouse, where piles of herbs were stacked. The man pointed to a pile and said, "Move these herbs to that shelf over there."
Lin Yi nodded, walked up to the pile, bent down, and firmly grasped a bag of herbs. With a heave, he lifted it. The bag was heavy, and his arms ached, but he gritted his teeth and carried it to the shelf.
The middle-aged man watched Lin Yi's movements, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes. "Not bad. You've got some strength."
Lin Yi wiped the sweat from his forehead and smiled. "Thank you."
The man nodded. "Alright, you're hired. Eight hours a day, ten silver coins a month."
Joy filled Lin Yi's heart. Though ten silver coins weren't much, they were enough to cover his accommodation. He nodded and said, "Thank you, boss. I'll work hard."
The middle-aged man smiled slightly. "Go ahead and finish moving that pile of herbs."
Lin Yi nodded and continued moving the herbs. His movements became more skilled, and though his body was tired, his heart swelled with a sense of achievement. He knew this was the first step in his new world.
After work, Lin Yi returned to the inn, his body exhausted but his heart brimming with anticipation. He sat on the bed, gazing at the lively scene outside the window, his heart filled with confusion and unease.
"This world is nothing like what I imagined," Lin Yi whispered to himself, curiosity filling his heart.
He touched the black device on his chest, a sense of awe rising within him. He knew the existence of this device might be the turning point in his destiny.
"I'll find my own path in this world," Lin Yi said softly, a flicker of determination in his eyes.