Chop! Chop! Chop!
The sound of metal striking wood echoed through the dense Ironwood Forest, reverberating off the towering trunks until the noise seemed almost alive. Each strike sent vibrations up Li Shen's arms, shaking his bones in a rhythm that matched the relentless beat of his racing thoughts.
It had been a week since he arrived in this strange world, yet he still hadn't fully adapted. A week… and I'm already exhausted, thought Li Shen, wiping sweat from his forehead. The world spun differently here—every sound, every movement seemed heavier, slower, demanding more than he was used to. Not that he had much choice; the body he now inhabited was already battered, the original Li Shen having collapsed from overtraining, succumbing to fatigue that had hollowed out his strength.
Li Shen's mind flickered with the faint memory of his previous life on Modern Earth—a life of formulas, machines, and logic. A world where one could calculate the trajectory of a ball or the flow of electricity but could not, unfortunately, punch their way through a tree trunk. Now, in this body, in this world, he was learning that calculation alone was useless. Here, cultivators could split the sky, fly through clouds, and wield power that could crush mountains. And yet, he couldn't even fell an Ironwood tree without aching muscles screaming for mercy.
The Ironwood tree… even a casual glance at the trunk told him everything he needed to know. It was nearly as dense as the legendary ebony of Earth, perhaps even tougher—its fibers so tightly wound they could resist an axe blow like steel. Legends in this sect whispered that only the strongest cultivators could fell one in a single strike. And here he was, an Outer Disciple still in the early stages of the Body Tempering Realm, tasked with chopping enough Ironwood to meet the daily quota. Body Tempering, the stage that strengthened muscles, bones, and organs while purifying the body—nothing more, nothing less. A single week in, and his arms were already trembling as though he had run a marathon in full armor.
At first, this was exciting, Li Shen thought, trying to recall the initial thrill when he discovered the body he had reincarnated into. Finally, I get powers! Finally, my dreams of cultivation come true! But dreams were one thing; reality, especially a week-long grind of chopping Ironwood trees, was quite another. He cursed under his breath as a splinter caught his sleeve. Each strike was laborious, forcing him to focus, to synchronize his Qi with the rhythm of his body—a dance he was only beginning to comprehend.
Tomorrow… tomorrow, he could finally rest. Just the thought of it gave him a spark of hope. One day of peace to recover his strength, to let this borrowed body heal, and then… perhaps then, he could begin to explore the true depths of cultivation.
The sun hung low over the Ironwood Forest, casting long, golden shadows that danced across the trunks like flickering spirits. Sweat poured down Li Shen's face, dripping from his brow to his chest, soaking the sleeves of his plain outer disciple robes. His hands, blistered and aching, gripped the handles of the heavy wooden cart as he pushed it with all his remaining strength. The cart groaned under the weight of the freshly chopped Ironwood logs, each one denser than any wood he had ever encountered on Earth.
"Almost… there…" he muttered through gritted teeth, forcing his legs to take one step after another. Every muscle in his body screamed in protest, a chorus of pain that he had learned to ignore over the past week. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he spotted the gathering point in the distance—a wide clearing where the outer disciples deposited their daily quotas.
Just as he neared it, a familiar voice rang out.
"Hey, boy! You're early today!"
Li Shen looked up, wiping a smear of blood and sweat from his lip, and saw Elder Feng standing by the edge of the clearing. The elder's face was sun-kissed, his eyes twinkling with mischief and warmth. Known for his cheerfulness and daring personality, Elder Feng was popular among the outer disciples—not just for his prowess, but also for the small kindnesses he often bestowed. Bread when someone hadn't eaten enough, a nod of approval when a disciple did well, a word of encouragement when they faltered.
Li Shen let out a weak laugh, leaning against the cart. "Early? I think I'm barely moving at all, Elder Feng."
Elder Feng's laughter rang out, a sound as warm as the setting sun. "Barely moving, but you're still moving. That counts. Most of the others are still grumbling halfway through the forest. You've got grit, boy."
Li Shen forced a smile, though the ache in his arms and legs made it difficult. "Grit or stupidity? I think this body wasn't meant to handle Ironwood trees."
"Ah, don't be so modest," Elder Feng said, leaning casually against a tree. "You've got talent, even if it's buried under exhaustion. Besides, I like seeing you around. You work hard, you don't complain too much… and I may have a soft spot for someone who eats the last piece of bread without asking."
Li Shen chuckled, trying not to collapse. "You really shouldn't be encouraging me. I'll only make myself more tired."
Elder Feng clapped him on the shoulder. "Good tired, boy. That's the kind that builds the foundation. Just… don't overdo it. And remember, tomorrow is your rest day. Finally, huh?"
"Yes… finally," Li Shen whispered, relief washing over him like a cool stream. He pushed the cart to its designated spot, dropping the last log with a heavy thud. His hands trembled from exhaustion, and even standing upright felt like a monumental task.
Elder Feng chuckled again, walking away with a wave. "See you tomorrow, boy. Don't forget to eat. And try not to pass out in the courtyard."
Li Shen watched him leave, a small smile tugging at his lips despite the pain. He began the slow trek back to his room, each step heavy and deliberate. The path seemed longer than ever, the forest growing darker as the sun dipped below the horizon. By the time he reached his small chamber in the outer disciples' quarters, he barely had the strength to push the door open.
Collapsing onto the bed, Li Shen let out a long, shuddering breath. His limbs sank into the mattress, muscles quivering from fatigue, and he closed his eyes, welcoming the darkness and quiet that followed.
Somewhere deep within his consciousness, however, something stirred. A subtle hum resonated at the edge of his awareness, faint but insistent. It was cold, logical, and yet… familiar.
Synchronization detected…
Li Shen's soul, weary from the week of adapting to its new body, began to align with a dormant framework he did not yet understand. The sensation was strange, like icy water threading through his mind, filling empty spaces he hadn't realized existed. A fragment of knowledge, of logic, of design, whispered at the edge of thought.
And then, just as his breathing slowed and the world faded from view, a single line of light shimmered faintly across his closed eyelids.
System interface initialized…
Li Shen's body slumped deeper into the bed, utterly unconscious, leaving the Origin Blueprint System poised at the edge of awakening—a presence that would soon change everything.