A New Life

"Interesting."

After placing both the books down, Xen started pacing in his room. There was some basic information there.

"The place I am right now is known as Northern Lands. And the sword sect is one of the biggest sects here."

"As for that place called Solaris..."

After glancing through the book again, Xen shook his head in disappointment.

"There is no mention of that place. I'm afraid that is some run-down village."

"And as for cultivation."

Thinking about the contents of the book, there was a pondering expression on his face. In this world, one can only cultivate after the age of sixteen. This is the age when one's body is in its last stage of development. According to the book, cultivation is divided into two realms. Body refining and Aura refining.

Except for this information, the rest of the information in the book was simply filler.

"This book doesn't even tell you how to get started or what is the process. Shit."

Looking at the book in a foul mood, Xen threw it on the top of the table and sat on the bed.

"I still can't believe that I have crossed."

For Xen, everything felt like a dream. It has been less than 16 hours, and he has gone through so much.

"Everyone who crosses has something with them. What about me? Where is my...."

Xen's voice was cut off suddenly. Right now, in front of him was a small glowing icon.

"Gulp."

This icon was too familiar for him.

"Isn't this the damn game that I used to play?"

With great excitement, Xen lifted his hand and tried to touch the icon in front of him. As soon as his hands touched the icon, there was a flash of light.

"Ugh."

Startled by the sudden brilliance, Xen closed his eyes. After waiting for a few seconds, he lifted his eyelids slowly. After realizing that the flash of light was gone, Xen opened his eyes completely and was greeted by a transparent screen in front of him.

[Name: Xen]

[Cultivation: Mortal]

{Begin Story: YES/NO}

Looking at the three rows in front of him, Xen was silent for a long time. After taking a deep breath, he moved his hand towards {Begin Story} and clicked yes.

As soon as his hand touched the option 'Yes' his eyes went black before a row of text was displayed in front of him.

"To embark on the path of cultivation, one must overcome various obstacles."

Looking at the game intro, the first thought that came to Xen's mind was that he crossed again. But after looking at the second line, he threw that idea out of his mind.

"Defeat the Fighter puppet to embark on your journey."

Soon bright light filled his entire vision. After Xen opened his eyes again, he found himself standing on a wide field. Before he could see anything else, a figure suddenly appeared in front of him.

"Holy shit"

Looking at the wooden puppet that dropped from the sky, Xen shouted on top of his lungs. Looking at the bright clear sky, Xen was stunned for a long time. Too many magical things have happened to him in the past 16 hours.

"Creak."

The puppet in front of him started moving slowly. After a brief delay, the puppet looked at Xen with its hollow sockets and started running towards him. Although his movements were clunky, for Xen who never fought, they were the epitome of destruction.

"Shit."

The first reaction Xen had was to run away from it. The speed of the puppet was slow, but it was enough to keep up with him. After running for five minutes, Xen was already panting. This body of his never did any hard exercise, much less train in anything. It was a matter of fact that he would run out of breath so quickly.

Looking at the puppet that was still chasing him without any change in its movement, Xen was sweating hard.

"Screw it."

After taking a deep breath, Xen gritted his teeth and rushed towards the puppet.

"Aaaaaaahhh."

After a loud shout, Xen punched with all his might. At the same time his fist connected to the puppet's head, the puppet's punch also came in contact with his chest.

"Crack..."

"Crack..."

Two loud cracks sounded at the same time. At first, Xen was thrilled about how he smashed the puppet's head, but before he could rejoice, a tremendous pain from his hand and chest overtook him.

"Uugh."

Lying on the ground there was blood flowing out of his mouth.

"AAAAAHHHHH."

Indescribable pain overtook him. Due to the pain, tears came out of his eyes, blurring his sight. He couldn't even breathe. After writhing in pain for around two minutes, his eyes went black.

"Oh my fucking God."

As soon as Xen's sight returned, he found himself back in his room. Looking at the two books on the table, Xen breathed heavily before looking around nervously.

After collecting his breath and making sure there was no danger, Xen started to think about the situation he went through.

"That fucking puppet."

Thinking about how it just stood there after punching him, Xen was full of anger. After it broke his ribs and damaged his heart, it just stood there silently looking at Xen.

"I am gonna tear it apart."

Gritting his teeth, Xen thought about the situation. He couldn't even damage the puppet much less kill it.

Gulping down a glass of water, Xen looked at the screen in front of him.

[Name: Xen]

[Cultivation: Mortal]

{Reconstructing Body: Five hours left}

"Shit. It wasn't so difficult in the game. And why is it five hours instead of five minutes?"

Xen remembered that the puppet was the tutorial mob. One only needs to press the left button till it dies. And as for the body reconstruction, after one dies, it takes five minutes.

"Forget it."

After going through so much, Xen was already tired. Closing his eyes, he fell asleep.

...

"Fifth master. Fifth master."

A loud shout woke Xen up from his sleep. At first, his head was filled with confusion, but after staying in the bed for some minutes, his eyes were filled with clarity.

"Right. I crossed over."

Standing up from his bed, Xen made his way towards the door.

"Fifth master. Fifth master."

"What is it?"

Looking at the man in front of him, Xen asked in an annoyed tone. No one would be happy after being rudely awakened by such a shrill voice.

The man who looked to be in his thirties swallowed before bowing to Xen.

"Fifth master we need to go to Solaris. The carts are ready."

"Oh right. There is that thing too."

After nodding, Xen looked at the man and asked in a flat voice.

"How long is the distance from here to Solaris?"

"It's around twelve hours fifth master."

"Twelve Hours huh... Just give me some time. I will be ready soon."

After dismissing the servant, Xen took a bath and had some breakfast. The previous body owner didn't have any precious belongings on him. There weren't many things that were necessary for Xen to take on the journey. After taking some clothes, Xen took a last glance at the room before walking towards the carriage.

Looking at the black horse in front of the cavern, Xen's eyes almost popped out.

In front of the cart were two majestic black horses. Xen swore he had never seen horses so big and majestic in his previous life. For his journey, there was only this single carriage. In front of the carriage was the man he previously met in front of his room.

"Shall we depart?"

Xen asked in a flat tone. His eyes were still stuck on the horses.

"Master instructed to wait for a moment."

The man replied to Xen while arranging some clothes and water bags beside him.

"Hmm."

Xen's eyes furrowed for a moment before relaxing. Deep in his heart, he knew this was the final goodbye. Without saying another word, Xen stood there silently.

After ten minutes, a figure slowly made its way towards the carriage.

"Huh. Head butler?"

Looking at the old man in front of him he was stunned for a moment. Looking back at the carriage driver with a questioning gaze, Xen snorted in his heart.

"Interesting. He doesn't even have time to see his kid one last time."

From this act of sending butler to him, Xen concluded many things in his heart.

"Fifth master."

A hoarse voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Grandpa."

After giving a bow to him, Xen looked at him and asked in a weak tone.

"Father didn't come?"

"Sigh."

The old butler looked at the young boy in front of him with regret in his eyes. Everyone in the house knows that the fifth master wants to earn the respect of his father, but alas! He never succeeded. And now that he had lost his qualification to even cultivate, there was no hope for him in the future. He could only do miscellaneous work in the future.

Looking at the innocent gaze in front of him, the old butler sighed and started speaking again.

"Master has some important work. I am here in his place."

He reached out to the servant near him and motioned him to bring something to Xen.

"Fifth master."

The servant presented a sword to Xen with both hands.

"This?"

After a brief surprise, Xen picked up the sword and slowly pull it out of its sheath. Looking at its sharp edge that was shining brightly, Xen almost dropped it to the ground. In his both lifetime, this was the first time he ever held a sword.

"Gulp."

After swallowing hard, Xen looked at the butler.

"This is for your self-protection. I hope you never get a chance to use it."

"Th... Thanks."

Xen almost stuttered.

"Is there anything else I can help you with?"

The old butler looked at him flatly. He was asking Xen to depart now. Looking at the old butler who was so 'helpful', Xen thought for a moment before nodding his head.

"Grandpa, can you tell me more about the cultivation and the differences in them?"

The old butler was silent for a long time. Looking at the old man staying still, Xen cursed in his heart.

"Shit. Old fogey. What's there to hide? Just tell me the names and I will be on my way. It's not like I am asking for your wife."

Though he was cursing loudly in his heart, there was an innocent smile plastered on his face.

"Sigh."

The old man sighed and closed his eyes. Just when Xen was about to turn around to his carriage, he opened his eyes and started talking in a deep voice.

"I hope you won't chase after something illusory fifth master. Even if you chase the moon all night long, you will never be able to reach it."

"Huh?"

Before Xen could understand a single word, he found a book in his hands.

"Holy shit."

Xen almost jumped out cursing. He didn't even notice how the book appeared in his hands. Looking at the thin book that hardly had 4 pages, Xen was surprised.

Xen was about to ask more questions before he realized that the old butler was gone.

"When did he?"

Xen was still trying to wrap his head around the things he had just seen.

"Fifth master. We should go."

A loud shout from the driver brought him back to his senses.

"Umm. Yeah."

Replying in a low tone, Xen jumped inside the carriage and slowly departed from there. The scene of his lone carriage drifting alone into the woods made a bleak sight to behold.