Chapter 1 — From Death to Beginning
Blue Planet.A quiet hospital room beneath a night sky.
I lay there on the bed… a man who once had everything.
Luxury room.
Soft white lights.
Machines humming.
I used to be handsome, young, bursting with life—but now?
No hair.
Dark circles.
A body that could barely move.
Twenty-five years old, once called a genius.
An inventor.
A researcher.
A man who shocked industries, changed fields, broke limits.
Money? I had it.
Fame? I had it.
Future? I was supposed to.
But fate didn't care.
Cancer.
The funny thing?
I even worked desperately to cure it.
And I succeeded.
…just a little too late.
The medicine appeared.
The treatment existed.
But I was already at the end.
If I'd found it earlier...
Just a little earlier…
I laughed softly.
Then sighed.
I turned my head toward the hospital window, staring at the night sky one last time.
"It was a fun life," I whispered to myself.
My breath slowed.
My heart weakened.
The world faded.
Darkness swallowed everything.
How long passed?
I didn't know.
But I remained conscious.
Floating in nothing.
'…Is this the afterlife?'
No answer.
Then something pulled me.
Dragged me somewhere unknown.
Cold.
Suddenly—
Thunder roared.
Wind howled.
Rain poured onto my body.
Wait.
Body?
I could feel.
I could sense.
A door creaked open.
Warm arms lifted me gently.
A hoarse yet tender old woman's voice spoke:
"Another abandoned baby… people are truly heartless. Leaving a child out in weather like this."
Baby?
Her embrace was warm.
Comfortable.
Safe.
I opened my eyes.
A slightly wrinkled face.
Kind eyes.
A tired smile.
"So calm… not even crying. And such deep eyes," she murmured softly."Like you already understand the world…"
She looked at the note inside the small basket.
"Your name is Su Xiaoyao."She smiled gently."May you truly live freely in this harsh world, little one."
I stayed silent.
Not like I could speak anyway.
But inside…
'So… I died.'
'And now I'm a baby.'
'Transmigration like in those novels, huh?'
…fine.
Let's see what this life wants.
Years Passed
A peaceful village.A simple orphanage.
A busy caretaker.
No luxury.
But warmth existed.
Children laughed.
Played.
Argued.
Cried.
I grew among them.
Walked earlier.
Ran earlier.
Learned faster.
Stayed calm.
Too calm.
Now I'm seven.
I sat under a tree, watching kids playing. Others my age were loud, wild, reckless. Meanwhile, I sat quietly… thinking.
Through travelers, merchants, and stray rumors…
I learned this world had cultivators.
Sects.
Beasts.
Sword flight.
Meaning:
Danger.
Power.
Opportunity.
'A cultivation world…'
Then naturally…
'So where's my cheat system?'
Silence.
'Goldfinger?''System?''Hello? Anyone?'
…
Nothing.
I sighed.
'So I really didn't get one…?'
Fine.
Then I'd do it the hard way.
Voices interrupted my thoughts.
Mocking.
Taunting.
Cruel laughter.
I turned.
Several kids surrounded a girl around five years old.
Dirty clothes.
Dust-covered face.
Eyes lowered.
A newcomer.
The caretaker appeared and scolded instantly:
"Enough! She's part of this orphanage now. Treat her well!"
The children shut up.
For about… thirty seconds.
Once the caretaker left—
"Beggar!""Stay away from us!"
Their courage returned.
Mine did too.
I stood and walked over.
"Enough."
They froze.
Their tone vanished.
Their faces paled.
Yeah.
They remembered.
I had educated them before.
"If I see anyone bullying her again…"I smiled faintly."Try me."
They scattered instantly.
Silence returned.
I turned to the girl.
Small.
Quiet.
Lowered head.
Probably scared.
I softened my tone.
"What's your name?"
She hesitated.
Then slowly raised her head.
Even beneath dirt… her eyes were bright.
Beautiful.
A pretty kid now…
A future beauty, undoubtedly.
Her voice was small and soft.
"...Liu Qingxue."
A good name.
"I'm Su Xiaoyao," I said gently."If anyone bullies you, tell me."
She nodded lightly.
"Mn…"
"Come on," I continued."There's a river in the forest. You should wash up. There are some clean clothes there too."
She followed quietly.
We walked through trees, wind blowing gently, sunlight peeking through leaves.
Once at the river, I turned around.
"You wash. I'll wait."
I leaned against a tree nearby, eyes closed, listening to running water… while keeping watch.
Because even if this world was dangerous…
I wasn't planning to live a mediocre life.
That girl…Liu Qingxue…
She really did feel special.
Her temperament, her eyes, that faint natural aura around her—if this world followed even half the logic of the webnovels I used to read…
Then she was probably a Daughter of Fortune.
A walking opportunity.
If she was, then staying close to her would benefit me.If she wasn't… well, I didn't lose anything anyway.
A win-win.
I allowed myself a faint smile.
"…let's see what kind of life this is going to be."
Wind rustled the trees.
Sunlight shimmered over the flowing river.
Somewhere in the depths of the forest…
Something had already begun to change.
And I had no idea—
that my peaceful days wouldn't last very long.