TIANXU CONTINENT

A day has passed. It's been an hour since Bai Zhen woke up in the medicine hall. He appears deep in thought, the scent of blood and herbs around him. Many are screaming from grave injuries; some apprentices are brewing medicine, and an elder is performing alchemy. The hall is grand and has many beds.

*Apparently, I'm no longer on Earth, rather in a cultivation world, and this place is the Bai Mansion located in Azure Mist. I seem to have been transmigrated into this body. Interestingly, I look the same and have the same name as before. Apparently, the old man wasn't lying after all. After going through the memories of this body, I've learned that I am a member of the Bai Clan, which is the strongest clan in this city, though it has been declining for some time now. There are three other families in this city: the Han Clan, the Zhao Clan, and the Lin Clan. But since the original owner of this body was insignificant and somewhat stupid, there isn't anything else significant in his memories...….. Hahah, that old fool. Does he consider this punishment? I was bored on Earth anyway, so if anything, this is great.... Hmm, but let's not get carried away. First, I should assess my situation and then plan out my moves accordingly..... To start with, I should learn as much about this world as I can, and the best place for that would be a library. From there, I can get all the information I need.*

Suddenly, the door of the medicine hall bursts open.

"Bai Zhen, you bastard, you're finally awake!"

Bai Zhen looks up.

*Hmm… It's the same guy from before.*

Bai Zhen combs through the memories of the original owner.

*So, his name is Bai Liang, and apparently, the original owner of this body wasn't on the greatest terms with this guy. Hmm, this might be interesting.*

"Why have you come, Bai Liang?" Bai Zhen, still sitting on his bed, asks nonchalantly.

"Oh, so now you remember who I am, you fucking bastard! You made me carry you from the courtyard to the medicine hall, and on top of that, I had to mop the courtyard in your place too!"

Bai Zhen does not react, but he is calculating how to respond.

*So, he carried me all the way from the courtyard to the medicine hall. It seems he isn't so bad after all.*

The original Bai Zhen of this world wasn't much to speak of—ordinary in many manners. Thus, a change in demeanor wouldn't necessarily raise any alarms.

*Regardless, I shouldn't seek any trouble just yet, especially since I have nothing to gain from it.*

"Cousin, I am truly grateful for what you have done for me today, and I wholeheartedly apologize for the trouble I caused you. One day, I shall repay this kindness in full." Bai Zhen speaks with a polite and well-mannered tone, hoping to de-escalate.

"You…."

Bai Liang is taken aback by the politeness in Bai Zhen's voice and is unable to understand the sudden change in his tone and demeanor.

"It's… it's alright, man. It wasn't that big of a deal. Just make sure to make it up to me…" Bai Liang replies in confusion. Though he usually pretends to be tough and rude, his real self is softer—something Bai Zhen had vaguely guessed himself.

*It went better than I expected. Worst-case scenario, I would've had to call over the elder performing alchemy, but fortunately, my guess wasn't far-fetched.*

"Bai Liang, could you tell me where the library is?" Bai Zhen asks in a polite voice, sure that there must be one in the Bai Mansion.

"….. Library? It's near the western courtyard. Why do you ask?" Bai Liang, still confused, replies.

"It's nothing important. I just want to read some books." Bai Zhen replies casually.

"Alright, man, whatever. Just be back to work by tomorrow, or the Discipline Hall will give you a visit." Bai Liang strolls out of the medicine hall.

*The western courtyard, huh. Initially, when I was transmigrated, I was in the eastern courtyard. Unfortunately, the western courtyard isn't near the medicine hall. Anyway, I should get going as well.*

Bai Zhen makes his way out of the medicine hall. Just as he steps outside the door, he is welcomed with the grand hall of the mansion.

"It looks even more mesmerizing in actuality than it did in the memories." Bai Zhen was truly impressed by the grandness of the Bai Mansion. Having gone through the memories, he had gotten an idea of the sheer extent of the estate.

As he kept walking through the grand hall, he crossed one door after another. The hall was adorned with gold and expensive materials, decorated walls and ceiling—but upon closer look, he could observe the lack of maintenance. After walking for half an hour, he finally reached the library.

"Hmm, finally here."

Bai Zhen was surprised to see that the library did not have an elder overseeing it. Though it made sense—since the library only contained ordinary books, there was no need to protect it. Or, in other words, it was insignificant.

*This is perfect. Now I can take in all the knowledge I want without someone nosing in.*

Bai Zhen started to comb through books one after another.

"….."

"….."

"….."

It has been a few hours, and Bai Zhen has already gone through hundreds of books.

*Hmm, I've managed to learn a few things. Apparently, this world is known as the Tianxu Continent. The continent is ruled by three major sects: the Azure Immortal Pavilion, which controls the eastern third; the Violet Heaven Sect, which controls the western third; and finally, the Scarlet Sun Temple, which controls the central part and is separated from the other two by grand mountain ranges on both sides. The continent is divided into two by a grand mystical forest known as the Verdant Veil. The Azure Mist City has the Verdant Veil to the west and the Eastern Spiritual Sea to the east, and is one of the many small cities in the Yunhai Province. Yunhai Province itself is one of the eight provinces under the Azure Immortal Pavilion. The Yunhai Province, like the other provinces, has a structure of minor cities ruled by major cities and a capital city above them, and finally, a sub-sect—the Azure Ocean Pavilion, All sub-sects are led by Divinity Transformation cultivators. And that brings me to the final thing, which is CULTIVATION....*