[Binding Successful]
"Hmugh… Huh? Binding? What the hell is happening?"
A young man muttered under his breath. His clothes were unmistakably from modern Earth, his long black hair fell to his shoulders, partly obscuring his face.
He brushed the strands of hair aside, revealing his hooded eyes and pure black irises, thin straight eyebrows, and a resting face that showed a blank expression that showed no emotion. A faint scar circled his neck — a silent reminder of something gruesome. His sharp jawline, thin lips, and subtle cheekbones refined his appearance, a striking contrast to his previous grotesque, and deformed appearance.
[Welcome, Host! I am what you would call a System! and Ive transferred you to a new world!]
Xue Shen froze as a glowing red panel materialized before him, letters forming one by one across its surface.
A strange feeling settled in his chest, then he realized something, and suddenly he lifted a hand to his face, then his nose, his ears, his left eye, touching everything as though confirming they were truly there.
"Huh? System? How did you do this? And how did I survive?" he asked, his hands frantically feeling his face as his eyes darted around the forest.
[Quite simple! I transported your soul from Earth to this world when you died!]
"Eh? You mean you transported me upon my death?" Xue Shen asked, squinting his eyes at the red panel in front of him.
[That's correct! I transported you upon your death on Earth!]
Xue Shen immediately froze, his body stiffening upon hearing the system say, "Death on Earth." The thing was… It had been approximately 12,000 years since he last died on Earth, which left him confused and deeply suspicious of the "System" in front of him.
So he asked yet again.
"So when I died on Earth is when you transported me?" Xue Shen asked, emphasizing died and on Earth.
[Correct! I understand you might be confused, but worry not! I am what your world would call a System, and I'm here to aid you in your journeys!]
The only thing Xue Shen could think of currently was, 'This isn't… my System…'
If it were, it would have mentioned transporting him at his death on Yunluo, not something that had happened 12,000 years ago on Earth. More than that—the System was speaking to him as if he were someone entirely new, someone it had never encountered before. The texts the system sent had an undertone of unfamiliarity, making Xue Shen chest tighten with a mixture of suspicion and unease.
But then a single thought lingered in his mind. 'Who actually reincarnated me?'
It seemed like the system didn't have the memories of his journey in Yunluo, and he didn't think it was actually the System itself who reincarnated him, but another person or thing entirely. Or perhaps...
Xue Shen froze, one thought popped into his mind that made the most sense to him. 'Existence? Is it Existence? Is it toying with me? Does it intend to mock me? Does it think I truly can't free everyone…?'
It had to be that, or something entirely different, because he knew for a fact that he had no knowledge of any technique capable of reviving someone without losing their memories or at least a part of their sanity. The only methods he knew brought people back as mere puppets, mindless and controlled beings. Yet here he was, remembering everything — fully sane and free.
Then Xue Shen realized something: if the system didn't know he was a reincarnation, he needed to act clueless to its explanations and functions, so as not to raise suspicion.
"What? So this is one of those MCs transported to a new world with a system situation's?"
[Indeed, Host!]
"Oh? What kind of system are you then?" Xue Shen asked, tilting his head, even though he already knew the system's functions.
[I am the Almighty Slaughtering System!]
"The… Slaughtering System?" He raised an eyebrow, showing a curious expression.
"That sounds… interesting. What exactly does that entail?"
[Simple. Kill anything, and you gain EXP and level up.]
"Eh?… I can kill anything and get stronger?"
[Correct.]
Xue Shen's expression showed clear suspicion, as though he was unable to fully trust the words appearing on the red panel floating before him.
Xue Shen deliberately showed a look of suspicion, since when he first came into this world 12,000 years ago, upon encountering the system he was also very suspicious of it at that time—at least according to the memories he had from that distant past.
[Trust me, Host! Everything I say is the truth!]
'It seems the system functions remain the same… as before.'
"So, since you said you transported me to a new world, can I ask… What kind of world is this?" Xue Shen asked, his eyes darting around at the endless stretch of forest.
He asked even though he already knew the answer.
[This is a cultivation world, Host — a realm where the path to immortality stretches across the very fabric of existence. Those who walk it can grow so powerful that a single thought can erase life itself. They can shape reality effortlessly, live beyond the bounds of time, and reign as absolute sovereigns over all creation.]
"What?" Xue Shen's face showed genuine shock—not just on the surface, but deep in his mind. The system's response was completely different from what it had said 12,000 years ago. He remembered the exact words from back then, and the system had never suggested that anyone could be that powerful.
'What? That's impossible… No cultivators in the Yunluo Realm could erase beings with simply just their minds!' Xue Shen thought.
'Why is this system exaggerating?' Xue Shen was already hailed as the strongest cultivator in the Yunluo Realm before his death, and not even he could wipe out a life with just a mere thought. He scoffed at the system, thinking it was just trying to exaggerate the powers of a cultivator to excite a "New host." 'Unless… this was a different realm?..'
"Hmm… by the way what is this world called?"
[The Sacred Sky Realm!]
'WHAT!' Xue Shen's face remained calm, but his mind raced, grappling with the new implications of this sudden revelation. 'Power to erase a life with a mere thought? No wonder… This truly isn't Yunluo!'
Xue Shen's mind continued racing. Other realms beyond Yunluo weren't an entirely far-fetched concept—after all, Yunluo itself contained many sub-realms, and realms outside of it did exist. Yet none of them came close to rivaling Yunluo in strength. Yunluo quite literally stood as the apex of all realms, reigning supreme. Xue Shen could not ignore the vast implications brought by these sudden revelations.
"So… System, how does one become immortal and gain power like that?"
[By absorbing and refining Qi with a spiritual root, one can ascend beyond mortal limits. You'll achieve power far beyond anything you could have imagined in your old world.]
'Eh? Qi? Not essence?' Xue Shen thought. ' That's strange… Even if this is a new realm, using a completely different energy system? In Yunluo, even the other realms cultivated the universal power of essence.'
His face remained calm, but his mind was far from it.
'Hm… Could this Qi perhaps be the same as Essence, just under a different name? Or are they entirely different…' Xue Shen thought. He had no way of finding out currently—at least, not until he could absorb this so-called Qi.
"Hm… So what's this spiritual root you were talking about?"
[A spiritual root is the inner organ that lets you absorb Qi. Some are innate — meaning you're born with them, usually tied to your bloodline. Others are bestowed, given by higher beings. An implanted root is one forcibly taken from another person and transplanted into yourself. Finally, there are self-formed roots, created through extreme body tempering and comprehension — forged through sheer effort.]
'Such a thing didn't exist in Yunluo…' There were talents, yes, but no such things as spiritual roots. You either could or couldn't. And this "talent" wasn't something one could attain, let alone steal, Xue Shen thought.
"Hm… then what about me? What's my spiritual root?"
[Spiritual Root: 1 | Status: Rootless]
'Eh?…'
"What's this 1 spiritual root? I don't feel anything?"
[#8!4!9!12#20(8!5#23(3@1!22!5®R#]
Suddenly the system blurred out words randomly
"What?"
[#8!4!9!12#20(8!5#3(18!5@1!20!15!18#]
"Why are you saying random numbers? what's my spiritual root?"
[#8!4!9!12#20(8!5#15®18!9!7!9!14#]
"What is my Spiritual Root??" Xue Shen said, talking slowly.
[#8!1!9!12#14!—]
Before he could read the text, suddenly the entire surroundings darkened. Xue Shen was no longer where he had been, he was now in a void-like realm, he looked to be floating yet he wasn't falling.
Ahead of him, a woman sat upon a floating rock, she looked ethereal, her appearance akin to a goddess. Her dark hair, cut in a hush-like style yet her hair flowed all the way down to her feet, her eyes were entirely black, no hint of any other color, just the color of the literal void. Her skin was pale as snow, and she wore white robes that stood in stark contrast to her shadowy features, making her seem divine and unsettling all at once.
She raised a finger to her lips and whispered softly, "Shhh." staring into Xue Shen's eyes.
"Hm… Who are you?" Xue Shen asked as he stepped closer to her.
But then suddenly in an instant, the void and the woman he had seen vanished and now Xue Shen was back where he had been before.
"System.. What is the one spiritual root inside of me?"
The system stayed quiet, not saying anything as if it couldn't hear.
"System"
[Yes host?]
"System, what is my one spiritual root"
Absolute silence..
"System, what is my Spiritual Root?"
[Spiritual Root: 1 | Status: Rootless]
"What's this '1' supposed to mean?"
Silence… It was as if something—or someone—had tampered with the system, brainwashing it into forgetting, and forbidding it from speaking of the root within him, or even acknowledging its existence.
Yet another question lingered in his mind. Who was that lady? His thoughts spiraled into madness. 'No… it couldn't be… is she Existence?'
His palms grew sweaty, and anger seethed inside him beneath his somewhat calm exterior. He had confronted Existence—the very source of all suffering—and all it had to say in return was mockery from his point of view, was a mocking gesture that demanded him to stay silent.
But he couldn't be entirely certain. She might be Existence… or she might not. The uncertainty gnawed at his mind, driving him slightly mad. He sifted through every other possible identities she could be, each more absurd than the last—until one thought emerged, the most plausible of them all:
'The Creator of the System?'
It seemed the deeper Xue Shen delved into his new surroundings, the more questions arose, and the denser the fog of confusion grew in his mind.
"Ha… So, System… If I want to absorb Qi, my only options are to get an implanted root, have one bestowed upon me, or forge one myself?" Xue Shen muttered, returning to his questions, leaving aside the mystery of who she was—at least for now.
[Not quite. As I said, there are many ways to absorb Qi. Spiritual Roots are only just one of the methods. Others include manuals and techniques, such as specialized breathing methods or deep meditation. Qi afterall exists in all things — in the blood and cores of beasts, the air, even the world itself.]
[There is also Lifeforce, which is not the same as Qi but closely related. It resides within all races and beasts; anything living with intelligence contains Lifeforce. Any of these can be used for cultivation, but be wary drawing human Lifeforce is considered demonic by this world's standards. Those who do are either shunned — or worse, killed.]
Xue Shen's expression darkened—this time, he couldn't hide it. His face displayed his genuine anger. His fists clenched, and his voice sounded to be seething with anger.
"Who are they to decide what's demonic or pure?! Existence corrupts everything — every being, every thought. There is no true purity, no inherent evil. Those are just illusions humans cling to! Yet they act as if they can judge, as if they're free from corruption. It's meaningless!"
The system remained silent. The sudden quietness made the scene awkward, as if it were waiting for him to realize that some questions didn't need answers.
"Ahem… if this is another world, how would I be able to understand people? How can I communicate?"
[Worry not, Host! The system has already granted you understanding of this world's basic languages.]
"Oh? Hmm.. but I don't feel any different."
[You will understand when you try talking to the inhabitants of this world.]
"Alright then, I should—"
Rustle—Rustle…
He was about to continue when a soft rustle in the bushes caught his attention. A small rabbit hopped into his view, oblivious to the man watching it.
Without a second thought, he lunged forward and grabbed it.
The rabbit squirmed, but his grip was tight. Xue Shen snatched a nearby rock and slammed it down on the rabbit's head.
Squish… Squish…
The wet, sickening sounds barely registered in his mind. Blood spattered everywhere, some landing on his face — warm and sticky. His expression stayed blank as he struck it again and again, stopping only once the creature showed no signs of life.
The rabbit's blood coated his hands, and some of it dripped onto the grass. The faint metallic tang filled the air, but it wasn't overpowering.
For a moment, there was only silence.
A strange satisfaction crept up Xue Shen's spine, not from the joy of killing, but from liberating a life from Existence's clutches. Then he quickly turned his thoughts back to the System.
"Ahem… anyway, you said Qi exists in all life forms, right? So how do I absorb this rabbit's Qi? If I can take it from beasts, plants, or even humans, how do I actually do it?"
[Worry not, Host. I possess a function that drains the lifeforce of living beings and converts it into power. With it, you won't need a technique or manual.]
"Oh? Alright then. Start doing it," Xue Shen said, smiling faintly.
[Ding! +2 EXP]
[Ding! Level Up!]
'2 EXP? That's such a tiny amount…' Xue Shen muttered, used to gaining hundreds of millions before. The sudden drop in exp gain, left him a bit disappointed.
[Congratulations, Host! Your first kill has been registered. You have leveled up! Please allocate your stat points to grow stronger.]
"EXP… So EXP is Lifeforce?"
[Correct! EXP is Lifeforce, reformatted into a system you'd understand from your old world.]
"I see… If that's so, how do I check my stats? Is it the same as those games?"
[Indeed, Host! Just say or think 'Stats,' and they will appear.]
"Stats…?"
Another red holographic panel flickered before him.
[Name: Xue Shen]
[Level: 1 | EXP: 1 / 10]
[Gender: Male]
[Age: 22 | Lifespan: 70]
[Race: Human]
[Cultivation: Mortal]
[Bloodline: None]
[Physique: None]
[Spiritual Roots: 1 | Status: Rootless]
[Talents: None]
[Unspent Stat Points: 2]
[Constitution: 0.4 +^]
[Strength: 0.7 +^]
[Dexterity: 0.8 +^]
[Intelligence: 1 +^]
[Endurance: 0.8 +^]
[Perception: 0.9 +^]
[Charisma: 2 +^]
[Luck: 0]
[Skills: None]
[Techniques: None]
The absolute trash stats almost made him lose his composure, but he still pretended to remain calm. 'It's… so.. bad…' Xue Shen thought.
"Hmm? Why can't I put points into Luck?" he asked, tilting his head.
[Luck cannot be raised with stat points, Host. It can only be increased through special items, blessings, or rare opportunities.]
"I see… Hmm, then I'll put 2 points into Endurance."
[Endurance: 0.8 → 2.8]
Xue Shen's body felt lighter, his breathing steadier, as if he could run for hours without tiring. His eyes scanned the forest, shadows stretching long in the dim light. He tightened his fists.
Looking around made him truly realize he wasn't where he had originally been transported.
"Alright… Should get out of here. I need to find more life forms.. More EXP.."
'More importantly librating.. Lost souls'
Hours passed as Xue Shen wandered the forest aimlessly, the rabbit's dead carcass still clutched tightly in his hand, until at last, he caught sight of a dirt road ahead.
"Finally… Huahh… I'm out of that damned forest… This road should lead to somewhere… Hopefully…"
Xue Shen emerged from the forest, some leaves and twigs clinging onto his clothes.