The world was awakening.
Fang Ze stood by the window as reports flooded Huaxia's internal networks—anomalies across continents, ley lines reactivating, ancient ruins emitting unknown radiation. To others, chaos. To him, memory.
This is how it began.
In his past life, the resurgence of spiritual energy had shattered the old order. Cultivation returned, and with it, realms once thought mythical—
Qi Gathering, Foundation Building, Golden Core, Nascent Soul… and beyond them, realms the modern world had yet to name.
He was rebuilding carefully, standing firmly at the Qi Gathering Realm, refining each breath using the Heaven-encompassing Dao Scripture, a supreme cultivation method that stabilized his foundation far beyond ordinary cultivators.
A simplified variation had already been passed quietly—
to Su Qingxue, nurturing perception and spirit clarity,
to Shuyi and Shuran, strengthening physique and meridians.
Enough to survive the early chaos.
His mind drifted.
Li Meng—born in Jiangnan, descendant of a fallen military lineage. In the Golden Era, his dormant bloodline would awaken explosively, earning him the title Crimson prince. Loyal, but dangerous if mishandled.
Nangong Yu—from Lingnan, heir to a half-hidden merchant clan tied to ancient sects. Cold, ambitious. In another timeline, he would become both ally and rival.
Yan Haoran—weapon-crafting prodigy of Shuzhou. Temperamental, prideful. Died early last life—this time, Fang Ze wondered how long he would last.
Mo Chen—a nameless wanderer from the northwest deserts. No clan. No backing. Yet he would walk farther than most.
Tang Wanru…
Fang Ze's breath paused for half a second.
A peerless talent born overseas, carrying a soul resonance unnaturally pure. Her rise would destabilize multiple sects—and draw the attention of monsters.
Then—
Another name surfaced.
Zhou Tianming.
A third-rate villain. Small ambition, cruel methods. He would cling to powerful factions, bark loudly, and die screaming. Fang Ze dismissed him instantly.
But the next name—
Xue Shitian.
His spiritual energy fluctuated.
Only slightly.
Eyes deep. Calm. Cold.
The first true villainous prodigy of the Golden Era. A man who would slaughter sect elders and challenge Nascent Soul cultivators while still forming his Golden Core.
So you're awakening again…
Beyond Fang Ze's window, Huaxia's machinery turned.
The Dragon Division mobilized.
The Tiger Division sealed cities.
The Hidden Court contacted ancient families—
Liu, Qin, Zhao, Murong, Yan.
Hidden sects stirred: Heavenly Dao Pavilion, White Bone Valley, Mount Tai Ancient Sect, Azure Lotus Temple.
The chessboard was complete.
And Fang Ze—reborn, prepared, and silent—
was already deciding who would live long enough to matter.