Chapter 2: Awakening Potential
Lu Yuan sat at the wooden table, a warm bowl of chicken soup in his hands. The aroma was rich, the taste comforting. Across from him sat Xiao Yixian, her eyes soft as they exchanged words and laughter. For the first time since waking up in this strange world, he felt at ease.
The room was lit by a small lantern, casting a gentle glow over the wooden walls. Outside, the night deepened, and the stars began to shine.
They talked about simple things—about Green Mountain Town, the nearby forest, the herbs Xiao Yixian used, and Lu Yuan's own feigned story of memory loss. Though he avoided sharing too much, she didn't press.
Time passed quickly.
Eventually, Xiao Yixian rose to her feet. "It's getting late. You should rest, Brother Lu Yuan. Good night."
Lu Yuan nodded. "Thank you again... for everything."
She smiled sweetly and left, the door creaking gently behind her.
Alone in the room, Lu Yuan lay on the bed, moonlight spilling through the window and painting silver lines across the floor. He stared at the ceiling, thoughts swirling.
"Wrong world. Wrong system. What can I even do now..."
Then a sudden thought came to him. He sat up quickly and asked aloud, "System, is there a novice gift pack for me?"
For a few seconds, there was silence. Then—
Ding! Host has already received the novice gift pack. Rewards are stored in the inventory. Please check.
A panel opened in his mind. It showed his name and a few basic stats, nothing extraordinary. But in the upper right corner, a small icon flashed—Inventory. Beside it, the Notifications icon showed three unread alerts.
He clicked on it.
Ding! Congratulations, Host, for time traveling and activating the Swallowed Star Cultivation System. Novice Gift Pack granted.
Ding! 100 Store Points received.
Ding! Intermediate Warrior Level Cultivation received.
Ding! Spirit Master Talent received.
"Spirit Master... and Intermediate Warrior?!" His eyes lit up. "Maybe God hasn't abandoned me after all!"
He hurriedly opened the inventory. Two glowing orbs sat there, pulsing with energy. He touched the first one.
It dissolved instantly into light and merged with his body. Pain exploded through him, making him collapse to the floor.
His muscles spasmed, bones ached, and every cell seemed to be under pressure. He clenched his teeth, enduring it for several minutes. Then, as the pain subsided, he felt it—power.
A rush of strength filled his limbs. It wasn't just physical. It was something deeper. His genes were changing, evolving. The cosmic energy infused into his blood.
He stood slowly, only to wrinkle his nose. A foul stench filled the room. Sticky black substances covered his skin.
"Ugh... is this the body's impurities? From reaching Intermediate Warrior level?"
He quickly went to the wooden tub in the side room and washed. When he returned, he caught his reflection in a mirror hanging on the wall.
His body had transformed—muscular, proportionate, defined. Eight well-formed abs, strong shoulders, and a healthy, powerful glow. He barely recognized himself.
Smiling in satisfaction, he sat on the bed again and selected the second orb.
It too dissolved into his body—but this time the pain wasn't in his muscles. It was in his soul.
His mind felt like it was being torn apart and reconstructed. Each second dragged like an eternity. He could hardly breathe. Just before he could cry out, his consciousness faded.
---
Morning sunlight seeped through the windows.
Xiao Yixian quietly opened the door to Lu Yuan's room. She was carrying a tray with breakfast.
Her eyes widened when she saw him.
Lu Yuan lay half-naked on the bed, his upper body exposed. His muscular chest and abs shone slightly in the morning light. She couldn't help but stare.
Blushing fiercely, she reached out a trembling finger and touched one of his muscles, curiosity overcoming shyness.
Suddenly, Lu Yuan's eyes snapped open.
He instinctively grabbed her hand and pulled her forward—catching her in his arms.
"It's not good to touch someone without permission, you know," he said, voice calm but teasing.
Xiao Yixian's heart pounded as she looked up at him, her face now redder than a ripe strawberry.
She mumbled softly, "I... I'm sorry for touching you without permission..."
Lu Yuan smirked lightly. "You've already touched me when you changed my clothes, remember? You're already mine."
Her face burned even more. She quickly pulled away when he released her and stood up.
"I-I'll prepare breakfast for you, Brother Lu Yuan!" she said hastily, escaping the room like a fleeing rabbit.
Lu Yuan chuckled. "What a shy girl."
Then he paused. He felt something strange.
Even with his eyes closed, he could sense movements in a fifty-meter radius. He could feel the flight of mosquitoes, the footsteps of ants, the gentle wind brushing leaves.
"Is this... the power of a Spirit Master?"
He concentrated. His awareness of everything within that fifty-meter range was sharp. He didn't just sense—it was like he could control it if he focused enough.
He remembered the system's words: A Spirit Master with Intermediate Warrior level could rival War God-level fighters using strategy and control.
He clenched his fist, energy humming beneath his skin.
"I might be in the wrong world... but with this power, I can still stand tall in the Doupo Continent."
His journey had just begun—but now, he had a real chance.