Pain. A dull, pulsating throb in his head, as though something had cracked open his skull and hastily put it back together. His vision was blurry, but the air felt different, cleaner, more alive. With a sharp breath, he opened his eyes.
He was lying on the ground, surrounded by towering trees with thick trunks twisted by vines. The sky above was a soft shade of blue, with sunlight filtering through the dense canopy of leaves. A distant river shimmered in the sunlight, and the faint chirping of birds created an odd sense of peace. But one thing was clear: this was not Earth.
His heart raced as confusion overtook him. The last thing he remembered was reading a cultivation novel, the kind filled with heroes who grow stronger by absorbing Qi and battling formidable foes. He had fallen asleep on his couch, tired after a long study session. Then… nothing. Darkness.
Now, he was here, in a world that seemed to be from one of those very stories.
Before he could gather his thoughts, a voice echoed in his mind, almost like a whisper at first.
[Ding! Binding to Host… 1%… 50%… 100%! The Supreme Dao System has successfully integrated.]
His body tensed at the words. A system? He instinctively looked around, but no one was in sight. His hands shot up to his head, and the familiar sensation of a screen flashing before his eyes appeared.
A translucent, glowing interface hovered in front of him. It was unlike anything he had ever seen before, yet it felt oddly familiar.
[Welcome, Host. The Supreme Dao System has been successfully bound to you.]
"System? What is this?" His voice was shaky, but the words were real. Too real. The implications were overwhelming, but there was no time to question it. The screen before him flickered again.
[The mission has been set: Enter the Qi Level and begin cultivating. Your journey begins now.]
"Qi?" he muttered to himself. He had read about it countless times in novels—Qi, the fundamental energy of the world, something cultivators used to increase their power, extend their lifespan, and ultimately transcend mortality.
The screen before him began to display more information.
[Mission 1: Achieve the Qi Level. To begin your cultivation journey, you must absorb Qi from the environment and establish your first foundation.]
The words seemed to resonate deep within him, and his body responded instinctively. He could feel a strange pull, an unseen energy flowing all around him. The wind, the earth, the trees—they all seemed to pulse with an invisible force, waiting to be absorbed.
Without thinking, he placed his hand on the earth beneath him, and immediately, he felt a rush of energy surge through his body. It was like drinking water after days of thirst, only this water was power—pure, unrefined, but tangible.
[Energy absorbed: 5 Qi Points.]
[Energy absorption is required: 10 Qi Points.]
His heart raced. Was this it? Was this the path to becoming strong? To ascend in this strange new world?
[The Supreme Dao System offers you five core functions to assist you in your cultivation journey:]
1. Skills: You can learn various cultivation and combat techniques as you progress. These skills range from basic energy control to advanced combat arts. Each new skill requires energy points and time to master.
2. Abilities: With your cultivation, you can develop unique abilities that are beyond the scope of ordinary humans. These may include elemental control, rapid regeneration, or even the ability to read the flow of Qi around you. As you advance, your abilities will grow stronger.
3. Items: You will be able to gather tools, resources, and items using the points you accumulate. Through the Gacha System, you can unlock a variety of items ranging from C-rank to SS-rank. Some items will assist in cultivation, while others may provide defensive or offensive capabilities.
4. Simulation: The system allows you to simulate different outcomes of your decisions. By using Fame Points, you can view possible future events based on your choices before you make them. This is a powerful tool, but it requires you to gain fame and recognition in this world.
5. Fame Points: As you grow stronger and become more known, you will accumulate Fame Points. These can be used to activate simulations, acquire special items, or enhance your skills and abilities. Fame is not easily earned—it comes from achieving great feats, completing difficult tasks, and becoming recognized by others.
The flood of information was almost too much to process. It felt like the system was offering him a limitless well of possibilities, each more overwhelming than the last.
"Skills, abilities, items… simulations…" he whispered to himself, trying to make sense of it all. His mind spun, but something deep within him urged him to focus. There was a mission here. A task to complete.
The sound of wind rustling through the trees brought him back to reality. He could feel the energy of the world swirling around him, waiting to be taken in. It was time to begin.
[Mission 1 Update: To progress, absorb 10 Qi Points from the environment.]
With newfound determination, he closed his eyes and extended his senses. His hands trembled as they hovered just above the ground, feeling the pulse of Qi beneath his fingertips. Slowly, he allowed the energy to flow into him, to fill the emptiness inside. It was like absorbing the breath of the world itself, a force more primal than anything he had ever known.
[Energy Absorbed: 10 Qi Points. Mission Complete.]
A rush of warmth spread through his chest, and for a moment, he felt as though he were connected to everything around him—the trees, the river, the sky above. His body thrummed with newfound power.
[Mission 1 Complete: You have entered the Qi Level.]
The screen in front of him flashed with a new message.
[You have unlocked the following functions:]
• Skills: Basic Qi Control – Master the basics of energy manipulation.
• Abilities: Qi Perception – Sense the flow of Qi in your surroundings.
• Items: Gacha Roll available – Use Qi Points to gain useful items.
• Simulation: Locked (Requires Fame Points).
For a brief moment, everything went still. He had crossed the threshold—he was now part of this world, bound to the strange system that had chosen him.
The world stretched out before him, filled with potential. It was a vast, ancient land where cultivation was the key to everything. Power, knowledge, and immortality awaited. But the road ahead would be treacherous, and the challenges would only grow.
He took a deep breath.
"This is just the beginning."
And so, his journey into the unknown world of cultivation began, where every decision, every battle, and every choice would shape his fate