Reincarnation

Earth.

Shen Yuan was a normal 20-year-old college student juggling lectures, assignments, and part-time jobs to support his small family. His life was a quiet blend of dreams and responsibilities, studying by day, working by night, and hoping for a brighter future.

He lived with his mother, Zhen Yi, a dedicated teacher who carried the weight of the family on her shoulders after her husband abandoned them when Yuan was just six. Despite the hardships, Zhen Yi never once complained. Her resilience and warmth kept their tiny home filled with hope.

Yuan's little sister, Shen Yuechan, five years his junior, adored him completely. Reserved and soft-spoken, she often relied on him for guidance and support. To her, he was more than a brother—he was a pillar of strength and kindness in a world that often felt too cold. And to Yuan, she was someone he swore to protect no matter what.

Over the years, their bond grew stronger, woven together by quiet dinners, shared laughter, and simple joys. Their world might have been modest, but it was filled with love.

After years of hard work, Yuan had saved a small amount of money—enough to ease their burdens a little.

One chilly night, after finishing a long shift at his part-time job, Yuan walked home, gazing up at the starry sky.

Sigh.

"When will my good days begin?" he muttered. "At least I finally transferred my savings to Mom's account. She'll find the note and know everything."

He smiled faintly, imagining her reading the message. "Better that than wasting it all on web novels and collector's editions again."

Chuckling to himself, he failed to notice the faint shimmer in the air above him.

Then—

"Agh—"

A sudden pain struck the back of his head.

And darkness fell.

***

Somewhere Else...

In a tranquil little world far from Earth, a baby lay quietly in a woven basket, wrapped in soft blankets. His tiny hands were curled near his face, and he slept peacefully.

A veiled woman stumbled upon the scene. Her steps paused the moment she saw him, her heart tugged by an inexplicable warmth. She knelt beside the basket and gently lifted the child into her arms.

As the baby shifted in his sleep, he reached out instinctively, and the woman felt something stir deep within her, as if fate had whispered her name into destiny.

With tears misting in her eyes, she embraced the child closer.

"...I'll protect you."

***

Five Days Later, in a Grand Estate…

Inside an elegant room filled with sunlight and warmth, a soft rustling of silken robes filled the air. On a large bed covered in velvet sheets, a breathtaking woman sat comfortably, cradling a baby boy in her arms.

She had long, snow-white hair that tumbled around her shoulders like a waterfall, and her pale skin seemed to glow in the morning light. Her blue eyes sparkled with joy as she gazed at the child in her lap, smiling tenderly.

Her two attendants, Huo Rong and Bing Rong, stood nearby, their faces full of curiosity and affection.

"Sister Yuxin," Bing Rong asked sweetly, "have you chosen a name for him yet?"

The woman—Shen Yuxin—nodded softly, her smile never fading.

"Yes. His presence feels deep and mysterious… like a still lake hiding infinite depths. I've decided to call him Shen Yuan."

She looked down at the baby, whose eyes fluttered open, revealing dark, inquisitive pupils.

"Shen for profound, and Yuan for origin," she murmured. "Let this name carry him through every beginning, no matter where fate takes him."

The two attendants beamed with happiness at her words.

"Shen Yuan," Huo Rong echoed, "what a wonderful name!"

The baby blinked at the sound, his tiny fingers reaching toward Yuxin's face, causing her to giggle and press a soft kiss to his forehead.

Yuan's thoughts were still hazy, but flickers of memory began returning. He remembered his mother. His sister. The city. His dreams.

'So… I really did reincarnate?' he thought, astonished. 'But I didn't even… die? It all happened so fast.'

He thought about his mother finding the money, the note, and the sacrifices he made. His chest swelled with emotion.

Waaah! Waaah!

Hearing his cries, Shen Yuxin gently swayed him in her arms.

"There, there," she cooed softly. "You're safe now, little one."

His tiny fingers curled into her robes, his cries slowly subsiding as the warmth of her voice surrounded him.

"Don't worry," she whispered, "I will give you everything."

Yuan looked up into her eyes, so filled with love that it made him tear up again.

'Maybe… maybe this life will be different,' he thought. 'Maybe… I won't be alone this time.'

***

Five Years Later.

In a corner of the vast mansion, nestled inside a quiet room filled with shelves upon shelves of books, a small boy sat cross-legged with a mountain of scrolls around him.

His jet-black hair shimmered under the lamplight, and his eyes moved quickly over the pages as he read with deep focus.

Studying had become his daily ritual. From a young age, he'd discovered his love for learning and his insatiable curiosity for this strange new world.

"I've only scratched the surface," he muttered, flipping through a scroll on ancient clans. "So far, this continent is rich with cultures, martial sects, and powerful lineages."

He paused, glancing at a scroll diagram depicting energy channels in the human body.

"Most mortals awaken their ability to absorb qi between the ages of five and seven. From there, they cultivate their body, energy, and spirit."

He nodded to himself, deep in thought.

"If I want to live freely here, I need to start practicing as soon as possible."

Before he could return to his studies, a familiar, cheerful voice echoed through the hallway.

"Yuan'er~ are you reading again? It's time for your daily snack!"

He smiled softly.

His mother never missed a chance to pamper him. Her gentle love hadn't changed over the years, it had only grown stronger.

"I'll be right there!" he called, quickly stacking the books.