Bold

Bai Yunfei returned to the mirror where he could choose his starting province. He and Yu Yan had decided to start in the Cloud Province.

But there was something he wanted to try, even if it seemed foolish. His thinking was different from other players.

He had explored many inheritances, mysterious realms, and lost ancient cultivators' tombs.

'If I want to get stronger, there's always a risk involved,' thought Bai Yunfei.

He moved next to the broken wall and looked down. It was impossible to see what was below. The white rooms were very high up in the sky.

The idea was insane, but Bai Yunfei wanted to try it out. He closed his eyes, remembering that Yu Yan said it was impossible to lose his character inside the game!

'I don't even have a cultivation level to lose, so let's just risk it all!'

Bai Yunfei jumped.

That was a feat few dared attempt. The wisdom of it was uncertain, but Bai Yunfei clung to the hope of a positive outcome even as he plummeted.

Defense against the fall was impossible. Death seemed inevitable. Briefly, he questioned his choice.

Minutes passed before the ground came into focus. Bai Yunfei beheld a breathtaking vista of emerald plains dotted with wildflowers. A meandering stream added to its allure.

Nature reigned supreme, and amidst the floral tapestry, he spotted a figure. The rapid descent made discerning details impossible.

"What's that?"

A stunning woman, seated in the flower fields, noticed the approaching form. Surprise and confusion washed over her.

'How is a player here? Did someone bypass the starting area and leap into the celestial realm?' she pondered.

This woman was a formidable cultivator in this world, one of the architects behind the game Path to Ascension. She and the other GMs were within the game, overseeing its launch.

She never thought anyone would appear in the Celestial Realm. It was supposed to be GM-only territory at this stage of the game.

Yet, there was no denying the sight before her. A person plummeted from the sky, heading straight towards her.

She couldn't let the cultivator die. Curiosity also compelled her to act. With a graceful motion of her hand, she slowed Bai Yunfei's descent, allowing him to land softly as a feather.

He looked up at the beautiful blonde woman in turquoise robes, momentarily captivated by her presence.

"Who are you?" she asked.

Bai Yunfei, still shaken from the fall, collected himself. "Bai Yunfei. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"I'd prefer to remain anonymous for now. Tell me, how did you end up here?"

There were things Bai Yunfei couldn't reveal. So, he offered a simple, "Perhaps it was luck? I think the wall in that room needed some repairs."

It was an obvious lie, and she knew it. But without a recording feature in the game — except during public tournaments for broadcasting — she had no way to verify his story.

Bai Yunfei observed her with a mix of awe and wonder. Her beauty was striking, but it was her power and the world's uncanny resemblance to his own that truly captivated him.

It felt real, a world brimming with Qi, a world where cultivation was possible. He briefly questioned whether this was truly a game or something else entirely.

"I see," she said, pausing thoughtfully. "Well, if you've arrived here, then it must be fate. We can't ignore destiny's hand." Another pause, then, "What reward do you desire?"

Bai Yunfei's mind raced. A reward? From a celestial being, in a world that seemed tantalizingly real? He couldn't help but think big.

"A celestial-level cultivation technique," he blurted out, the audacity of his request surprising even himself.

The woman's lips curved into a gentle smile. "Ambitious," she remarked, "but I'm afraid such a treasure is beyond my power to bestow." Her expression turned thoughtful. "However, I do have something that might interest you."

She reached into the folds of her robe and produced a worn, leather-bound manual. Its pages were yellowed with age, the calligraphy upon them faded but still elegant.

"This contains an ancient body cultivation technique," she explained. "It's not celestial-level, but it's potent in its own right. If mastered, it can forge your body into an unyielding weapon."

Bai Yunfei's heart pounded. Body cultivation techniques were rare and notoriously difficult to master. But the potential rewards were immense. He nodded, accepting the manual with reverence. "Thank you," he said sincerely. "This is more than I could have hoped for."

The woman's smile widened. "Now," she said, "it's time for you to choose your starting province. Once you've made your decision, I'll send you on your way."

Bai Yunfei didn't hesitate. "The Cloud Province," he declared. It was the province he and Yu Yan had agreed upon, and he was eager to begin his journey.

The woman nodded. "Very well. May your path be filled with strength and wisdom."

A gentle breeze swept through the Celestial Realm, carrying with it a soft, ethereal glow. Bai Yunfei felt a sense of weightlessness, as if he were being lifted into the air. He looked back at the woman, but she was already fading from view, her form dissolving into shimmering motes of light.

And then, he was gone.

The Celestial Realm returned to its tranquil state, the only evidence of Bai Yunfei's presence being the faint echo of the wind. The woman stood alone, gazing out at the endless expanse of clouds. A wistful smile played upon her lips.

"Fate is a curious thing," she murmured to herself. "I wonder what adventures await him in the Cloud Province."

She turned and walked away, her footsteps leaving no trace upon the celestial ground. The manual Bai Yunfei had received, the ancient body cultivation technique, was a precious gift. It was a testament to the woman's belief in his potential, a symbol of the unexpected connection they had forged in this fleeting encounter.

Bai Yunfei, meanwhile, was hurtling through the vastness of the game world, his destination the Cloud Province. He clutched the manual tightly, his heart filled with a mix of excitement and trepidation. He had no idea what challenges lay ahead, but he was ready to face them head-on.

The game had just begun, and Bai Yunfei was determined to make his mark. With the ancient body cultivation technique at his disposal, he was confident that he could achieve great things. The world of cultivation awaited, and he was eager to embrace its mysteries.