Darkness.
That was the first thing Xiao Tian felt. A vast, suffocating emptiness, stretching endlessly. It was like floating in an abyss—weightless, yet somehow bound by something unseen. His thoughts flickered in and out, scattered like fragments of a broken mirror.
Then, pain.
A sharp, splitting headache surged through him, forcing a groan from his lips. His fingers instinctively clutched his temples as a torrent of unfamiliar memories crashed into his mind. It was overwhelming, disorienting—like drowning in someone else's life.
Slowly, clarity seeped in.
His eyelids fluttered open, revealing a dimly lit wooden ceiling. The faint scent of herbs mixed with old incense lingered in the air. He pushed himself upright, his movements sluggish, his body feeling… different.
'Where… am I?'
His gaze landed on a crude mirror propped against the wall. What stared back at him wasn't his own face. It was a young teenager—fifteen, maybe sixteen—messy black hair, sharp features, and deep eyes filled with confusion.
That wasn't him.
Panic clawed at his chest, but then the memories began piecing themselves together, fitting into place like a puzzle.
Xiao Tian… this body's name is Xiao Tian.
And this world—
His breath hitched. Dou Qi Continent.
The realization struck like a thunderbolt. He knew this place, knew its legends, its dangers. This was the world of Battle Through the Heavens.
Transmigration.
Somehow, impossibly, he had woken up in a novel he once read.
His hands curled into fists as he exhaled, steadying himself. Fear, excitement, uncertainty—they all mixed together, but one truth remained: this was his reality now.
And in this world, power was everything.
Before he could dwell on it further, a mechanical voice echoed in his mind.
[Heaven Devouring System Activated.]
Xiao Tian's eyes widened as a translucent screen materialized before him, its text crisp and clear.
[Congratulations, chosen wielder. You have unlocked the Alternative Realm—a personal domain surpassing a Dou Sheng's realm. Here, time, space, and all within are yours to control.]
His breath caught in his throat. A realm where he could manipulate time itself? That was beyond broken.
More text appeared.
[System Panels Unlocked:]
[Stats: Displays your cultivation progress and abilities.] [Devouration: Absorb energy, materials, and even techniques to enhance your power and gain rewards.]
Xiao Tian blinked, his heartbeat quickening.
Devouring everything to grow stronger?
A slow grin spread across his face.
Dropped into a world ruled by strength? Given a system with limitless potential?
Maybe… just maybe… this wasn't a curse. This was an opportunity.
One he would seize with everything he had.
---
Xiao Tian took a deep breath, the reality of his situation sinking in. He wasn't dreaming. He wasn't hallucinating. Everything in front of him was real.
He focused on the Alternative Realm mentioned by the system. In his mind, a vast space unfolded. Unlike the chaotic void from before, this realm was… pure. An endless sky stretched overhead, painted in hues of gold and silver. The ground beneath his feet was firm, though it felt as if it was created from energy itself rather than physical matter. It was unlike anything he had ever seen or imagined.
He clenched his fists, then released them. Just from being here, he could feel an overwhelming sense of control—like he could bend reality to his will. He took a step forward, and the space reacted. A ripple spread beneath him as if acknowledging his presence.
"This… is mine," he murmured in awe.
As he explored the realm, the system's voice chimed in again.
[As the wielder of the Heaven Devouring System, you can manipulate time, space, and elements within the Alternative Realm. You may also train here without external interference, and time dilation can be adjusted at will.]
Xiao Tian's mind raced. That meant if he trained here, years could pass without even a day passing in the outside world. It was the ultimate cultivation sanctuary.
[Would you like to activate the Devouration panel?]
Without hesitation, Xiao Tian willed it to open. A new translucent screen popped up before him.
[Devouration Panel]
[Current Energy: 0]
[Objects, techniques, and beings can be devoured to enhance the wielder's power. Each devoured entity provides unique rewards based on its essence and value.]
Xiao Tian rubbed his chin. "So I can consume anything to grow stronger?"
That was… absurdly powerful. It was like having an unlimited supply of resources as long as he could get his hands on something worth devouring.
He looked around. The realm was still empty, waiting to be shaped. With a thought, a single stone materialized in his hand. It was basic, but the moment he willed it, the Devouration panel responded.
[Devouring…]
The stone disintegrated into a stream of pure energy, flowing into Xiao Tian's body. Though small, he felt a tiny surge of strength.
[Energy Absorbed: +1]
His grin widened.
"This… is going to be fun."
With this system, he didn't have to follow the usual cultivation path. He didn't need alchemy pills, natural treasures, or rare inheritances—he could simply devour his way to the top.
But then, as he mulled it over, a thought crossed his mind.
What about the treasures and techniques in the outside world? He needed them, too.
The system's voice chimed again, as if reading his thoughts.
[The rewards from Devouration will vary based on the rarity of the object consumed. Rare treasures, techniques, and even Heavenly Flames will provide more than just energy. They will also offer unique rewards, such as enhancements to your cultivation base or the ability to absorb their essence.]
Xiao Tian's eyes glinted. Heavenly Flames? That was even better than he expected. If he devoured something like a Heavenly Flame, he would gain not only the system's reward but also the essence of the flame itself, enhancing his cultivation further.
However, the system's voice rang out with a new warning.
[Error: Treasures, flames, or techniques cannot be summoned directly into the Alternative Realm. Only objects or materials that exist within the realm's natural order may be created for use.]
Xiao Tian furrowed his brow. That meant he couldn't just create treasures or flames out of thin air. He would need to acquire them the old-fashioned way—by finding or earning them in the real world.
He wasn't bothered, though. He'd simply have to use the system's power wisely. He could create objects to use, but for the truly rare treasures—like Heavenly Flames—he'd need to find them in the outside world.
With a thought, he willed a basic fire crystal to form in his hand. The moment he touched it, he could feel its energy pulsating within.
"This will do for now," he said with a smirk.
Xiao Tian could already feel the world of Dou Qi Continent moving beneath him, waiting to be explored. And with the combination of the system and his cultivation, there was no limit to how high he could rise.
He had been given a second chance, and he wasn't going to waste it.
This time… the world will bend to my will.