I sit at a table, fiddling with a collection of glass vials and containers filled with various strange items, while sinking deep into thought about what is happening.
I was feeling extremely confused because of the situation I am currently in.
Originally, I thought it would be like the typical transmigration stories: I move to another world in a new body, begin my legend in that world, and build a massive harem of beautiful girls.
And yet, here I am with the same body and the same name, and the villagers know me as if I have lived here for years, as though I was born here and spent my entire life in this place.
"Could it be that I was actually reincarnated as a child and lived my life here before losing my memories? No, that's illogical. Or perhaps I transferred into a version of myself that exists in a parallel world? No, that also seems illogical."
No matter how much I turn these thoughts over in my head, I can't find an explanation for my current state.
"Let's stop thinking about it for now. I'll discover the truth with time anyway."
The reason for my confidence in uncovering the truth of my transfer over time was simple.
This world contained supernatural power—or at least, that was what I concluded from the glass vials in my hands, which contained various strange and supernatural items.
Such as flowers that were extremely hot, as if made of fire, or tree branches that were cold as if formed from ice, and even leaves capable of producing light, whose mere touch cleared the mind.
All of these strange items made my confidence in the possibility that I had transferred to a world containing supernatural power grow stronger.
Moreover, I felt an instinctive aversion to the idea of transferring to a world that did not contain any supernatural power.
It would just be living in a world similar to Earth but a thousand years behind. That would be a nightmare, not a dream.
"The question now is: how do I find a way to obtain supernatural power?"
I head toward the door while thinking of ways to ask the villagers without seeming like a weirdo.
"It seems it's time to explore the island."
My previous outing had only been to confirm the situation. I confirmed that everyone here knew me, and they even said that I was born here. I also discovered that we are on an island, before returning to my home to explore it more thoroughly.
But this time, I intend to wander around the entire island. Perhaps I'll find something, and at the same time I'll look for someone to teach me how to read and write so that I can make use of the dozens of books I own.
As I am about to open the door, I feel a strange surge strike my body.
"Haaaaaah!"
My eyes widen in shock as I feel my mind become clearer, and my body feel incredibly light and refreshed, as if I had just woken up from a comfortable sleep.
"Strange. Did the lid of one of those strange plants open, or what?"
I feel puzzled and prepare to head back toward the table to check what happened, but halfway there I feel a powerful shockwave strike my back and fling me like a cloth doll, smashing me into the wall.
Kraaaak
"Ack… what is happening?"
Before I can even comprehend what just occurred, I feel something restraining my body and lifting me into the air, while an exhilarated voice spreads through my home, which has turned into rubble.
"I finally found you!"
I see the house that is supposed to be mine reduced to ruins, with its front section destroyed, and a strange old man with a goatee beard and broken glasses, wearing a robe of orange-red color reminiscent of a sunset, flying in the air while pointing his hand at me.
He looks at me with overwhelming ecstasy in his eyes.
"Finally, after five years, this damned place has produced someone who can be used. The Elder will be very pleased."
I feel the invisible thing pressing on my body with even greater force, pulling me closer to the old man.
"Sir, please wai—"
Before I can even speak, I feel something invisible being stuffed into my mouth to gag me, and the old man speaks in an annoyed tone.
"Shut up until we reach the Elder so he can decide what to do with you."
I struggle to free myself from the invisible restraints binding me, but my struggle is meaningless. Instead, the flying man drags me behind him through the air, flying toward some destination, leaving behind my destroyed home and the shocked villagers.
---
After several minutes of flying, we reach the western edge of the island.
There stands a vast building in a Chinese architectural style, reminiscent of the sect buildings that appear in cultivation and murim works.
The old man lands in the spacious courtyard of the building, humming cheerfully as he drags me along toward the main hall.
I struggle with all my strength, trying to break free from my invisible restraints, yet once again my efforts prove meaningless, as I watch helplessly while the old man enters the main hall.
There, sitting in the center of the hall, is a benevolent-looking middle-aged man with a neatly trimmed beard, wearing a robe the same sunset color as the old man, seated in a lotus position.
Upon seeing the middle-aged man, the old man stops humming happily and begins speaking in a sharp yet respectful manner, bowing toward him.
"Elder, during my annual patrol to check for the birth of a qualified human in the village, I finally found someone suitable."
A joyful expression appears on the man's face as he gestures toward me, and I feel an immense pulling force from his hand, as if I were a piece of metal and his hand a magnet. At the same time, I feel myself freed from the old man's invisible restraints.
"Wait, Elder, please listen—"
Before I can finish my words, I feel a strange energy emanate from the man's hand and permeate my body.
"Agh!"
But contrary to what I expected, I don't feel pain. Instead, I feel energized and light, as if I had taken stimulants, while the gaze in the middle-aged man's eyes becomes even brighter.
He says, laughing heartily,
"Hahaha! The heavens truly smile upon our sect. Who would have expected to find someone with mid-grade talent here? Yi Kuang, you are truly a harbinger of joy for the sect, to be able to bring back such good talent."
The old man named Yi Kuang responds to the middle-aged man's praise with a modest smile.
"You flatter me too much, Sect Master. It was merely a coincidental stroke of luck."
The happy smile never leaves the Sect Master's face as he laughs joyfully, ignoring me as I hang suspended from his hand, utterly bewildered by this strange scene.
The Sect Master pulls a small spherical object out of thin air, emitting light like the glow of dawn, and tosses it toward Yi Kuang.
"It doesn't matter whether it was luck or not. What kind of sect master would I be if I didn't reward the only sect elder for bringing back such outstanding talent?"
Yi Kuang catches the small sphere with a happy smile and bows respectfully toward the Sect Master.
"The grace and generosity of the Sect Master know no bounds."
The Sect Master's smile widens upon seeing Yi Kuang's conduct.
"Alright, alright, there's nothing left to say now. You may return to your secluded cultivation. I noticed you were preparing to break through the mid stage of Qi Condensation some time ago. The Dusk Pill should increase the chances of your breakthrough succeeding."
Yi Kuang bows to the Sect Master once more before turning to leave.
"Um, sir, forgive me if I'm being rude, but I don't understand what's happening, and why you're calling me outstanding talent?"
I try to speak as respectfully as possible so as not to anger the human monster before me, who can move me like a helpless wooden doll.
The happy smile never leaves the Sect Master's face as he gestures for me to sit.
"Go ahead and sit. I'll explain everything you need to know."