Noan woke up suddenly.
Not from a dream.
From a voice.
[Desire Detected.]
[Long-term Observation Complete.]
[Host Compatibility: Confirmed.]
His eyes opened instantly.
The voice wasn't outside.
It was inside his head.
[Cultivation Evolution System Initializing…]
[Binding Host: Noan]
A faint blue screen appeared in front of his eyes.
Floating in the darkness.
His heartbeat accelerated.
But there was no fear.
Only one thought.
It's real.
Status
The interface became clear.
Host: Noan
Age: 16
Physique: Mortal
Spirit Root: None
Talent: None
Cultivation: None
Overall Evaluation: Weak
Noan stared at the word Weak for a long time.
Then a faint smile appeared.
"Good."
If he started from the bottom—
Then every step upward would belong to him.
Warning
The screen flickered.
Red text appeared.
[Warning]
This system is not a simulation.
Growth requires pain.
Failure may result in permanent death.
Do you accept?
Noan answered immediately.
"Yes."
[Acceptance Confirmed]
First Mission
[Beginner Mission Generated]
Objective: Survive Body Reconstruction
Reward: Spirit Root Awakening
Failure: Death
Before he could react—
Pain exploded inside his body.
It started from his spine.
Then spread everywhere.
His bones felt like they were breaking and reforming. His muscles twisted. His veins burned like fire.
Noan fell from his bed.
His body shook violently.
Sweat covered the floor.
His teeth clenched so hard that blood filled his mouth.
But he didn't scream.
If his family woke up—
Everything would be exposed.
"If this… is cultivation…"
His fingers dug into the floor.
"…then don't stop."
The pain increased.
Bones cracked.
Organs shifted.
His body was being rewritten.
Then—
Darkness.
Awakening
Morning light entered the room.
Noan slowly opened his eyes.
His body felt light.
Clear.
Different.
When he breathed, the air felt heavy, as if something invisible was flowing into him.
He clenched his fist.
A faint vibration spread through his arm.
The blue screen appeared again.
[Mission Completed]
Spirit Root: Awakened
Grade: Unknown
Cultivation Realm: Body Tempering – First Layer
Noan sat silently for a long time.
Then he looked outside the window at the familiar city.
Cars. People. Noise.
The same world.
But now—
He was no longer the same.
A cold smile appeared on his face.
"Let's see…"
"…how far I can go."