Under a moonlit sky, crows flew south. In the desolate wilderness, several torches darted through the darkness, accompanied by furious shouts.
"Where did she run off to? That little bitch could fetch a top price!"
"The madam of Chunhong Brothel has given strict orders," someone yelled.
The clamor echoed across the barren hills as dozens of men, armed with nets and sacks, spread out to encircle the area, tightening their search.
"Agh, my head...! Is this damn AR helmet even safe? Feels like it's boiling my brain... huh?"
A faint groan broke the night's silence. Su Min clutched her throbbing skull as she slowly sat up. She'd spent a month's salary on this premium gaming helmet and had meticulously crafted her character for over half an hour. But the moment she clicked Confirm, she'd been yanked into this world.
"So this is Path to Immortality, the 'fully immersive, living-breathing' cultivation game they hyped up. It's too real. Even the dirt..."
She scooped up a handful of soil with her delicate fingers, watching it trickle through her grasp. There was no pixelated disintegration, only gritty reality.
Perfect. Unnervingly perfect.
"What's happening to—"
"FOUND HER! Over here! Don't let her escape!"
"No blades! Use the nets! If this little bitch gets hurt, she won't fetch a good price!"
Before she could react, rough hemp nets slammed down, trapping her.
"Ugh!"
Su Min didn't resist. Kneeling, she pressed her palms to her temples as cold sweat beaded on her forehead. Fragmented memories flooded her mind like a slideshow.
Su Min, formerly of the Su Clan in Yu City. Her family had been embroiled in the Yong Prince's rebellion. Parents, kin—all executed. Only her father's dying plea had spared her life. But for a fourteen-year-old noble girl stripped of her family's protection, "mercy" meant a far crueler fate. After burying her loved ones, she'd naturally become a slave. And for brothels, a fallen noblewoman was prime merchandise.
"That 'emperor' never intended mercy. He wanted the last Su to grovel in the mud."
As the memories settled, Su Min cursed under her breath, then froze.
"Shit. I should've rolled a male character. Years of gaming, and I still default to female avatars..."
"Tsk tsk. Such language from a lady! What a beauty. Too bad virgins fetch the highest prices."
Jeering laughter rang out. The hulking figures closing in triggered another flashback: Niu Ma, a local enforcer for Chunhong Brothel.
Her body trembled instinctively. Chunhong wasn't some back-alley operation; even the magistrate turned a blind eye to their dealings. Her past self had fled that very night, only to slip down a ravine in the dark.
Now, Su Min eyed the encroaching men and the pig cage behind them. Her stomach churned. Brothels had methods. They caged disobedient girls and dunked them into rivers until they gasped at death's edge. If that failed, worse awaited—pain that left no marks but shattered wills.
"Breathe. If this is truly my character, there's hope."
She steadied herself. Path to Immortality granted players starter assets:
[Name: Su Min]
[Cultivation: None]
[Talent: Immortality (infinite lifespan, no aging)]
[Divine Ability: Heavenly Dao Insight (comprehends techniques from the cosmos over time)]
[Cultivation Art: None]
[Skill: Basic Sword Control, Three Forms]
[Life-bound Spirit Treasure: Flying Sword Embryo (Yellow-Grade, Low-Quality)]
~Edited and rewritten by Rikhi, Reiya_Alberich, ReiNyam~
The game randomized talents, and characters aged naturally. Die without heirs, and it was game over.
Since she'd chosen a female avatar, she had gone with the "Immortal Turtle" strategy: avoid conflict and outlive enemies through sheer longevity. Because of that, she'd never thought about getting married or having children. It was a routine choice—start slow, survive long. If it didn't work, she could always find a quiet place, hang around, and skip through time infinitely.
This was the so-called longevity and survival style, perfect for a slow-paced life. But right now, it was useless.
Great for lazy players. Completely useless in her current situation.
"I'm at absolute zero. No cultivation, no qi reserves."
As the men advanced, Niu Ma leered.
"What's wrong, little flower? Scared stiff?"
He didn't dare to actually harm Su Min, since she was the future top card. Chunhong Brothel had its own way of checking a girl's body, but that didn't stop him from taking advantage of the situation. Smirking, he stretched out his hands and walked over step by step, pretending to pounce.
"NOW!"
Golden light flickered in Su Min's pupils.
Modern instincts kicked in. When outnumbered, maul one until the rest fear you. Even if it meant trading blood for blood.
A slender sword materialized in her grip.