In the depths of the dark ravine, where sunlight dared not venture, an eerie silence reigned. On the damp ground, amidst stones and thorny bushes, lay the lifeless body of a young man. His clothes were tattered, and deep wounds marked his body, the blood now dried. Death had claimed him. But then, defying the laws of nature, something happened.
A faint stir began within the lifeless body. A soft red glow appeared near his chest, gradually transforming into a golden aura. This was no ordinary light; it was an ancient, primal source of life and power, awakened from centuries of slormancy. The red and golden energy spread around the boy's body like a protective shield, an aura. The sight was both mesmerizing and terrifying. The energy behaved like a living entity, bringing about miracles wherever it touched. The deep gouge on his forehead, revealing bone, healed instantly. Torn skin reconnected, new tissues formed, and soon only flawless skin remained, as if no injury had ever been.
His hands, feet, and chest, scarred with countless cuts and deep wounds, healed with the same magical speed. Internal injuries, broken bones—all were revived by the immense energy. As his body healed, the magical aura intensified. The boy's body, now fully restored, began to rise from the ground. Invisible hands supported him, and he stood upright, floating in mid-air. His black hair danced in the energy's force. His eyelids twitched, and he opened his eyes.
At first, his eyes held boundless emptiness, gradually replaced by consciousness. He took a deep breath, like a drowning man surfacing for air. His chest rose and fell rapidly. The first sensation he felt was bewilderment. He raised his hands, studying them curiously. These hands felt unfamiliar. His gaze drifted to his body. This wasn't the jeans and T-shirt he usually wore; instead, he wore ancient, coarse, loose-fitting robes stained with dried blood.
"Where... where am I?" His voice echoed off the ravine walls, his tone deeper, unfamiliar.
This place was unfamiliar. The cold, damp air, the silence—it all felt so real. His gaze fell upon another body lying nearby. The boy approached cautiously, a strange fear gripping his heart.
"Oh God! Who... who is this?"
As he turned the body, a familiar face emerged, but he couldn't place it. The face was frozen in a mix of greed and terror. Death had taken him swiftly. The head was cased in dried blood, leaving no hope for survival.
"Whose body is this? And what am I doing here with it?" The questions triggered an explosion in his mind. Unbearable pain, like a thousand needles piercing his temples, made him cry out. He fell to his knees, hands clutching his head, writhing in agony.
As the pain subsided, memories flooded his consciousness—memories not his own, but now part of his mind. He saw the life of Ye Fang, an ordinary cultivator in this world, trying to make a living. And the other body belonged to Zhao Han, Ye Fang's close friend and fellow villager. They had ventured into this dangerous forest seeking rare herbs to sell, but greed had led to betrayal.
The memories clarified. Ye Fang and Zhao Han were inseparable friends until the Dark Purple Spirit Grass sparked a deadly betrayal. In the ravine, they fought over the herb, and both fell to their deaths. Ye Fang's spirit had left his body, but an unknown force had transferred the protagonist's soul into Ye Fang's vacant form.
The pain subsided, and understanding dawned. "So... I died, and now I'm in... in a cultivation world?" he muttered, still grappling with the truth. The stories he read were now his reality.
His gaze fell upon the Dark Purple Spirit Grass, still glowing faintly. The herb, which had cost two friends their lives, lay carelessly discarded. Bitterness filled his heart. Friendship, trust—all crumbled before that glowing leaf. The world's cruelty hit him like a tidal wave.
Suddenly, the air vibrated, and a translucent blue screen appeared, like a video game interface. Ye Fang stumbled back in shock.
"What... what is this? What's happening now?"
A small, glowing humanoid figure appeared beside the screen. It hovered, locking eyes with him. A mechanical yet melodious voice spoke:
"[Ding! System has found a suitable host.]"
"[Host identification...]"
"[Name: Ye Fang]"
"[Age: 16]"
"[Cultivation: Zero (Beginner)]"
"[Special Body: God-Demon Physique—Awakened]"
"[System binding process initiated. Please wait...]"
Ye Fang stared at the screen and the tiny figure, his mind reeling. 'System'? 'Host'? 'Cultivation Zero'? He knew these terms, but experiencing them was surreal.
"Who... who are you?" he stammered, pointing at the figure. "And did I hear right? Am I really in a cultivation world where people fly, perform magic, and strive for immortality?"
The small figure flipped in the air and smiled. "Yes, Host! You've understood correctly. I'm your God-Demon Cultivation System. You're on the Tianxia continent, a world of cultivators. You were lucky to possess the God-Demon Physique, which revived you and attracted me."
"[Ding! System binding successful.]"
Ye Fang struggled to control his racing heart. He looked at the tiny, glowing figure—Little System—and asked hesitantly, "Little System, if all this is true... how do I get out of this ravine? The walls are sheer and terrifying."
The figure twirled in the air, its voice filled with excitement. "Host, you're underestimating your power. Though your cultivation is 'zero,' your God-Demon Physique is awakened. This is no ordinary body. Right now, without training, your physical strength surpasses a fifth-level Body Tempering cultivator."
Ye Fang's eyes widened. "Fifth-level strength? But I haven't done anything!"
"That's the beauty of this physique, Host!" System chimed in. "Your bones are like steel, and your muscles are as agile as electricity. Just grab that rock and try climbing; you'll see."
Ye Fang took a deep breath and approached the ravine wall. As he gripped a stone, he felt his fingers sink into it like mud. With a swift pull, he lifted himself, amazed by his lightness and strength. Climbing became effortless.
As he ascended, fragments of Ye Fang's memories resurfaced. He realized he was alone in this world, an orphan with no family. Zhao Han was his only friend, but greed had destroyed their bond.
"A real Ye Fang had terrible luck," he thought. "The one he trusted most betrayed him."
Reaching the edge, he breathed in the fresh air and glanced back into the abyss, where his past life and friendship had ended.
"Little System," he said, brushing off dust, "now, where do I go? Tell me the way to the village where this body lived."
A map appeared on the System's screen. "Host, Green Mist Village is five miles north. But remember, you're not the old Ye Fang. You have the rare herb and an undefeatable body. Protect yourself."
Ye Fang clenched his fists. His eyes held no arrogance, just newfound confidence. "Betrayal comes once, Little System, not twice. Let's see what Tianxia has in store for me."
He oriented himself by the sun and set off toward the village, ready to face whatever lay ahead.