Liu Cheng, a 17-year-old boy leading a normal and uneventful life, was on his way home when he realized he was being stalked by two unknown men. Panic surged through him, and he broke into a run. But they were faster.
He struggled desperately to free himself from their grip, fear tightening his chest. One of the men, irritated by his resistance, shoved him forcefully. Liu Cheng stumbled backward, colliding with a wall before collapsing at their feet, blood pooling beneath him.
The two men froze, eyes wide with shock. This wasn't supposed to happen.
"What should we do?" one of them stammered.
"I... I think we should dump the body and leave," the other replied.
Without hesitation, they fled into the night.
* * *
Liu Cheng awoke in a room bathed in white light.
'Where am I?' he thought.
Suddenly, a figure in a radiant white garment stepped forward. The light surrounding him was so intense that Liu Cheng had to squint.
"G-God?" Liu Cheng muttered in disbelief.
"Rest, my child," the figure spoke, his voice deep yet gentle. "For living righteously, I grant you another chance. In your next life, I will bestow upon you a sword, a watch, and a system to aid you in times of need. Use them wisely, and protect your sister. We shall meet again."
With that, the figure vanished, and Liu Cheng slipped once more into unconsciousness.
Pain.
That was the first thing Liu Cheng felt when he regained consciousness. His entire body ached. He blinked, trying to focus, glancing around the unfamiliar environment.
To his left, a girl was crying.
Ding!
[She is Liu Yu, your sister.]
Liu Cheng stiffened. 'Who... who said that?' he wondered.
Ding!
[I am your Basic System.]
"The Basic System? God did mention something about giving me one..."
Ding!
[That is correct, Host.]
"System... where am I?"
Ding!
[The Host is currently in the Jura Kingdom.]
Liu Cheng turned toward the crying girl.
"Liu Yu... what happened?"
Liu Yu's POV
Tears streamed down my face.
If I were stronger, I could have protected him... I could have saved him...
My only brother—gone because I was too weak. I clenched my fists. I need to become stronger.
"Liu Yu, what happened?"
I froze, staring at him in disbelief.
"H-h-he's alive? Wait... is he really alive?"
I wiped my eyes, pinched myself—just to make sure I wasn't dreaming. The pain was real. He was real.
A sob escaped me, and I threw my arms around him.
"Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!" Liu Cheng shouted.
"Oh! Sorry!" I quickly pulled back, feeling embarrassed. He was really alive.
"What happened?" he asked again.
"...Zhang Taixo hired thugs to kill you. At least, I thought they did."
Liu Cheng's POV
'System, who is Zhang Taixo?'
Ding!
[Zhang Taixo is the grandson of the City Lord.]
'Why did he target me?'
Ding!
[He desires your sister as a concubine. You refused, so he sent thugs to eliminate you.]
Liu Cheng frowned. 'If he wanted her, why hasn't he taken her yet?'
Ding!
[That information is unknown to the System.]
He looked at Liu Yu.
"Why didn't Zhang Taixo take you?"
"I told him I wanted to bury you first. He said he'd be waiting for me at the mortuary and left."
Liu Cheng clenched his fists. So he's expecting her there...
"Okay. Can you excuse me for a moment? I need to think."
Liu Yu nodded and left the room.
Liu Cheng took a deep breath. If he's waiting for her at the mortuary, I should give him a surprise welcome.
Ding!
[Does the Host wish to heal injuries? Y/N]
"Ah!! Don't scare me like that! ...Wait, I can heal my injuries?"
Ding!
[Affirmative.]
"Then heal away."
A warm sensation coursed through his body. Strength surged back into his limbs. Testing his movement, he stood up, flexing his arms. He felt... stronger.
"System, do I have a starter pack?"
Ding!
[Affirmative. The Host has both Sage and Cultivation System starter packs.]
"Two, huh? Open them."
Ding!
[Opening...]
[Rewards Obtained: 1000 buns, a Sword, a Watch, and ten Healing Beans.]
[Skills Acquired: Water Manipulation, Physical Resistance.]
[System Upgrade: Great Sage unlocked.]
Liu Cheng smiled. "Alright, System. What's the fastest way to start cultivating?"
Ding!
[Affirmative. Does the Host wish to install the Guide to Cultivation? Y/N]
"Yes!"
Ding!
[Installing...]
Suddenly, a surge of knowledge flooded his mind.
Then—
Ding!
[System Confirmation: The Host possesses two Dantians.]
"What?! Two?"
If this system was like a game, then wouldn't two dantians be an advantage? More power, more potential.
Ding!
[Affirmative. Does the Host wish to proceed? Y/N]
"Yes!"
The rush of information intensified.
Liu Cheng soon learned that his first dantian followed traditional cultivation: Fighter 1-dan to 9-dan.
But his second dantian followed a far more advanced path:
Bronze Realm, Ruby Realm, Silver Realm, Gold Realm, Diamond Realm, Platinum Realm, Legendary Realm, Universal Realm, Heavenly Realm
Two dantians... twice the potential.
Determined, Liu Cheng sat in a lotus position, focusing on cultivation.
Hours passed.
His first dantian reached Fighter 1-Dan pinnacle.
His second dantian reached the peak of the Bronze Realm.
Progress was slow, but it was better than nothing.