It had been almost five years since I found myself in this world—in this body.
I still couldn't quite grasp the full extent of the situation, but one thing was certain: this was the world of Against the Gods.
The Profound Sky Continent, Blue Wind Empire, these names I'd heard in conversations of those around me.
And it was confirmed beyond a doubt when I discovered that our family had lived in Blue Wind Imperial City.
Being a child again was frustratingly tedious.
So while I enjoyed the safety and warmth of my mother, Lin Mei, I had thrown myself into learning with the fervor of someone who knew exactly how precious this second chance was.
My father, the respected medicine merchant Lin Wei, had taken notice of his fifth son from his third concubine.
They called me a genius. I wasn't—I just had the memories of a twenty-eight-year-old Doctor from Earth who'd been working on revolutionary drug delivery systems.
Nothing glamorous, but I'd hoped it would secure patents and a comfortable future.
Now I was in a world where cultivation determined everything, where power meant survival, and where death lurked around every corner.
I had devoured every text I could about cultivation, but the descriptions were all flowery prose and mythical exaggerations. I needed facts, not legends.
That's why I had pestered my tutor endlessly for information about cultivators.
It's why I had used my reward from father—earned through exceptional progress in my studies—to request an audience with one of the cultivators under his employ.
Which is how I found myself kneeling outside a wooden door, waiting. Ten minutes passed in silence. A test of patience, no doubt.
"Enter," came a gravelly voice from within.
I slid the door open and stepped inside. An elderly man with gray-streaked hair and deep-set eyes sat cross-legged on a meditation mat.
His robes bore the insignia of father's merchant guild, but the aura around him spoke of something far greater than mere commerce.
I entered, closed the door, and couped my hands as I did a formal bow,
"Greetings, honored cultivator. I am Lin Tian, the fifth son of Lin Wei. I humbly request to speak with you about cultivation."
"Raise your head, child."
I did so, maintaining the formal sitting position I'd been taught. He studied me for a long moment before speaking again.
"Your father asked me to indulge his 'genius' son. Very well. Ask your questions."
"Thank you, honored cultivator. I've read many texts on cultivation, but they're all embellished tales. I wish to understand the true stages of cultivation and how one progresses through them."
His eyebrows rose slightly. "Bold. You seek instruction in the profound way?"
"Yes, honored cultivator."
"Then I shall test your wisdom first. Tell me, child—why would someone like me, a cultivator at the Sky Profound Realm, work for a mortal merchant?"
I considered carefully.
The answer wasn't simple. From the novel, I know that the Emperor Realm was the pinnacle of power in the Blue Wind Empire.
And Sky Profound Realm was just below that.
Why would someone with such power lower themselves to mundane employment? I only had one guess.
"You've reached a bottleneck you cannot surpass," I ventured. "You seek comfort and security in your remaining years rather than the constant struggle of advancement."
His eyes widened fractionally. "Perceptive. Indeed, this old Fang has been stuck at the seventh stage of Sky Profound for over a century. I will advance no further in this lifetime. Now a child comes to disturb my peace." He sighed. "But you show promise. Very well, I shall instruct you in the basics."
"Thank you, Master Fang."
"Listen carefully. There are nine major realms of profound cultivation: Elementary Profound, Nascent Profound, True Profound, Spirit Profound, Earth Profound, Sky Profound, Emperor Profound, Tyrant Profound, and Sovereign Profound."
My heart raced. Nine stages, just like I remembered from the novel. But hearing it confirmed in this reality made it infinitely more real.
"Each realm has ten levels within it," he continued. "But your concern should be reaching Elementary Profound first. Many never even achieve that."
"How does one begin cultivation, Master Fang?"
"First, the body must be strong enough to withstand profound energy. Then, one must be able to sense and absorb the profound energy that permeates our world." He raised his hand, and suddenly I felt a pressure in the air.
"It exists as tiny motes of light, nearly invisible to the untrained eye."
I squinted, and—there! Faint specks of light danced in the air, barely perceptible. I'd noticed them before but dismissed them as tricks of the light.
"These motes must be drawn into the body and absorbed through one's profound veins. But here's where fate truly decides a cultivator's future." His expression grew grave. "Profound veins determine everything. There are fifty-four profound entrances in total, but most people are born with only nine or fewer."
"Fifty-four?" I breathed.
"The highest recorded on our continent is forty-two, possessed by the master of the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region. With more profound entrances, one can absorb energy faster, break through easier, and reach heights others can only dream of."
"Can profound veins be improved?"
He shook his head. "What you're born with is what you have. Some treasures claim to improve them, but they're myths at best, deadly poison at worst. Focus on what you can control—gathering profound energy."
"How long does it take to reach Elementary Profound?"
"That depends on talent, resources, and profound veins. With decent veins and dedication, a few months after the veins fully mature. With poor veins..." He trailed off meaningfully.
"Master Fang, what determines success beyond just profound veins?"
"Comprehension, willpower, resources, and luck. But most importantly, the will to continue when everyone else would quit."
"I've seen geniuses with an exceptional number of profound entrances fail because they lacked perseverance, and those with mediocre talent succeed through sheer determination."
I absorbed every word like a sponge. This was exactly what I needed—practical knowledge, not fairy tales.
"One more question, Master Fang. What should I do now to prepare?"
"Strengthen your body. Train your focus. Learn to sense profound energy without absorbing it. When you can consistently see the motes, don't absorb them, at least not before you turn twelve. Rush, and you'll damage your profound veins before you even begin."
"Thank you for your wisdom, Master Fang. May I seek your guidance again?"
"Perhaps. If you show genuine progress. Now leave me to my cultivation."
I bowed once again and left, my mind racing with possibilities. As I walked back through the compound, I noticed them everywhere now—tiny motes of light floating lazily through the air.
I reached out instinctively but stopped myself. Master Fang's warning echoed in my mind. Patience. First, strengthen the body, then attempt absorption.
A servant intercepted me. "Young Master Tian, your father requests your presence."
I nodded and followed, still processing everything I'd learned. Profound veins, nine realms, fifty-four entrances—the game had completely changed.
In my previous life, I'd been content with a comfortable existence. Here, in the world of Against the Gods, comfortable meant powerless, and powerless meant dead.
I would need every advantage I could get. My knowledge of the future—if this timeline even followed the novel—would only take me so far. Real strength came from cultivation, and cultivation required not just talent but unshakeable determination.
As I approached my father's study, I clenched my fists. I had died once. I wouldn't waste this second chance. Whether it took three years or thirty, I would step onto the path of cultivation.
The door to father's study loomed before me. Whatever he wanted to discuss, I would use it to further my goals.
Every resource, every connection, every scrap of knowledge—I would gather them all.
I have the knowledge of a few resources and opportunities that exist in this world that were meant for the protagonist.
But before making any plans around them, I needed to figure out the timeline I was in.
If I were older than the protagonist, then I would take away all those opportunities he had.
Because in this world, only the strong survive. And I had every intention of becoming strong enough to seize my own destiny.
...
.....
Want to read ahead of the public release? Support me on Patreon at "https://www.patreon.com/FreakyHaru" and get access to:
5 and 10 chapters of all my fanfictions.
Ongoing Projects:
ATG: Not a Cannon Fodder
Marvel: Shadow Monarch
Upcoming Projects:
DC/MARVEL: The Kryptonian Emperor(Delayed)
Your support helps me keep writing and brings you more content faster!
Thank You