The spatial vortex spun rapidly, and Alex's body felt as if it had been thrown into a blender, his mind reeling with dizziness.
After a long while, when Alex finally came to his senses, he found himself standing in a deserted small courtyard.
The buildings in this courtyard were built in an ancient style, and a rockery stood prominently in the center.
"Have I arrived in another Ancient World ?" Alex muttered, noticing that the architecture.
"Reeds are lush, white dew turns to frost, the so-called beloved is on the other side of the water…"
At that moment, the soft, clear sound of someone reading echoed across the courtyard. A young man, hands clasped behind his back and holding a scroll, walked slowly toward him. He wore a crescent-white robe and exuded an elegant, gentle aura.
"Hm? Sir, who are you? Are you a thief?" The young man paused slightly as he saw Alex. After scanning him from head to toe, he asked.
His gentle tone carried no hostility, making it difficult for anyone to feel resentment—even if the stranger before him were a thief. There was a warmth and clarity in his voice that put Alex slightly off guard.
Given the ancient setting, Alex's modern attire naturally looked out of place. Moreover, for a stranger who had suddenly appeared in his home, being mistaken for a thief was entirely understandable.
"Excuse me, sir, where is this place? I am not a thief. I just… happened to be here," Alex replied politely, bowing slightly.
"Here? This is my home. So you're not a thief… I misunderstood you," the young man said, realizing his error and apologizing immediately.
"Uh… you believed that so easily?" Alex blinked, stunned.
He had shown up at this man's home for no reason, admitted he was not a thief, and the young man had actually believed him?
Could it really be that easy to trust someone? Or was there something off about his brain?
"Why not? Human nature is good. Even thieves steal out of necessity. If there is need, I am willing to donate generously…" the man replied gently and politely, as if he were answering a simple question.
Alex stared at him in disbelief. "What if I say that I am really a thief and urgently need ten taels of silver?"
People like this—kind-hearted, trusting, almost naive—were practically extinct in the apocalypse. After traveling through several planes, Alex had never encountered anyone quite like him.
"In that case, sir, take this for emergency use. When you have more money later, you can return it to me…" The man didn't hesitate at all. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a ten-tael silver note, and handed it to Alex.
Alex stared blankly at the man's clear, honest eyes. For some reason, his heart trembled slightly.
In Alex's view, there were only two kinds of people who could do such a thing: the genuinely kind, open-hearted, and trusting—or the utterly insane.
But the man's gentle demeanor suggested no mental disorder. So, could he truly be this kind?
Perhaps it was because Alex had endured the three years of darkness during the apocalypse that he didn't consider himself a particularly kind person—but he still felt admiration for such selfless kindness.
This man was just like an ordinary person. Fear of death is natural, yet few would willingly risk themselves to help a stranger.
However, when someone truly witnessed another sacrificing for the sake of others, admiration inevitably followed.
"Young master? Is ten taels not enough?" the gentle man asked, noticing Alex's hesitation in accepting the silver note.
"Well… are you like this with everyone?" Alex asked, gazing intently at him.
Could there really be people in the world so kind? So generous, it might even seem foolish to ordinary folk.
"Everyone has their struggles in life. If I can use my abilities to help others and bring them happiness, then I'll be happy too. Why not?" the man replied matter-of-factly, a faint smile gracing his face.
Helping others is the root of true happiness.
Listening to his words, Alex realized there was a phrase that perfectly described him: those who find joy in helping others are the true embodiment of kindness.
To Alex, the man seemed to radiate a nearly holy aura.
"Hello, let me formally introduce myself. I'm Alex. Well, I'm a cultivator, I suppose." Alex, filled with admiration for this man, whose inner and outer qualities radiated kindness and elegance, immediately introduced himself.
"Hello, Young Master Alex. I'm Liu Jinyuan…" As Alex finished speaking, the gentle man, a warm and inviting smile on his face, also spoke.
"Liu Jinyuan? That name seems familiar. I seem to have heard it somewhere before." Hearing Liu Jinyuan's introduction, Alex was slightly startled, muttering to himself.
Whether it was the X-Men, The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, One Piece, Storm Riders, or Marvel Comics, these were all based on the worlds of television, film, and anime, with real-world models.
This sixth time traveling across dimensions, Alex believed, must be another world similar to a television series.
The name Liu Jinyuan struck Alex as familiar, and he pondered it in his mind.
Alex knew that this should be an important character in the world of film and television. If he could remember his identity, he should be able to know which dimension he was in.
Alex had a pensive look on his face. Liu Jinyuan beside him was understanding and naturally had no intention of interrupting his thoughts. He just waited quietly.
"Great joy, sir, great joy..."
However, at this moment, a sudden burst of joyful shouts rang out.
Immediately, a servant who looked like a book boy ran towards them with joy.
"Sir, great joy, you have won the first place in the imperial examination."
"Top Scholar!?" Alex's heart skipped a beat when he heard the shout from the servant-like messenger.
Receiving the top spot on the imperial examination was a remarkable achievement, and naturally, it also indirectly proved that Liu Jinyuan wasn't a mentally ill person, but rather a truly kind-hearted person.
Although Liu Jinyuan was known for his gentle demeanor, a flicker of joy crossed his face upon hearing he had been crowned the top scholar. He then happily ran towards the front hall.
However, after only a few steps, he stopped, turned to look at Alex, and said, "Young Master Alex, today is Jinyuan's big day. If you don't mind, how about accompanying me to see it?"
"Very well," Alex nodded, smiling.
Alex had never witnessed the lively spectacle of the newly crowned top scholar, and since he happened to encounter him, he naturally came to see it.
Besides, Alex wanted to get to know Liu Jinyuan more thoroughly, to confirm his identity and understand the precise dimension he currently resided in.