📖 Chapter 2 – The Awakening of the System
Li Ke sighed. This wasn't the first time he had been frustrated with the heavens. After all, he wasn't from this world.
And usually, when someone transmigrates, there's some sort of "gift," right?
That's when a golden screen appeared before his eyes:
[Creation System Initialized]
Apologies for arriving late to the host, but I hope it's not too late.
The system was supposed to activate later. However, due to current circumstances, it has been initialized in emergency mode.
At this time, the host can choose only one of the subcategories:
1️⃣ Alchemy System
2️⃣ Quest System
3️⃣ Kingdom Building System
Which does the host choose?
Li Ke let out a long sigh. Finally, his opportunity had arrived… but it came with a difficult decision.
He wasn't a king or a prince. The third option was out of the question.
The second seemed far too risky — he didn't even have the strength for basic missions yet.
That left alchemy.
In this world, alchemists were figures of immense prestige, revered by clans, sects, and even empires.
— I choose option one… the alchemy system.
Congratulations to the host for awakening the Alchemy Creation System.
Before entering hibernation mode, I will briefly explain its function:
The alchemy here involves advanced transmutation, unlike the methods practiced in this world.
The host will gain access to the Alchemy Hall, which contains:
A transmutation table
A sacred pill cauldron
An infinite cultivation garden
🌱 The soil allows any herb to grow there.
🕒 And more: one day in the outside world equals one year inside the cultivation garden.
To access the alchemy space, simply think or say:
— Alchemy, log in.
Goodbye.
Li Ke stood stunned.
It was too absurd.
Just having access to a place like that… already made him a walking treasure.
Without wasting time, he entered his room, closed the door, and firmly thought:
— Alchemy, log in.
Instantly, he was transported to a majestic chamber.
A hall that looked like it belonged to an ancient celestial empire.
The walls were made of pure white ivory, with columns of gleaming gold encrusted with emeralds.
The ceiling was split into two halves: one of translucent crystal that revealed the cosmos outside — with a beautiful nebula pulsing in bluish hues — and the other made of black obsidian, studded with rubies, lapis lazuli, and diamonds, mimicking the night sky.
At the center of the hall rested an immense golden cauldron, decorated with ancient runes carved in jade and mystical stones.
A bit further ahead stood a grand marble table, accompanied by a robust chair made of aromatic, polished wood that exuded a noble and gentle fragrance.
At the back, an open doorway revealed what looked like a private paradise.
Li Ke walked over, mesmerized.
The outside was a lush, endless green field.
The sky was a tapestry of stars, with a sun shining in the east and a full moon in the west.
In the middle, a crystal-clear river flowed across the land, over which stood a simple yet elegant wooden bridge.
The air was pure and fragrant, as if the entire place breathed life.
Li Ke stood there, completely flooded by a sense of peace and wonder.
After a few minutes, he came back to his senses and murmured:
— What an incredible place… So this is where I'll grow things. Truly… amazing.
He thought about how to leave.
If "log in" brought him here, then...
— Alchemy, log out.
And with that, he was back in his room.
Without delay, he rummaged through his belongings.
He gathered all the money he had saved over his life — odd jobs, favors, allowances — and managed to scrape together a meager 100 gold coins.
Sigh.
It was a lot for a commoner, but in the world of cultivation... it was like a grain of sand in a desert.
Still, he wouldn't give up.
The Liang Clan was a clan of apothecaries, and Li Ke had solid knowledge of cultivated herbs.
From a young age, he helped the elders — often unpaid — and learned more than any other youth in his generation.
Among the elders, he was the greatest pride of the new generation.
But among the youth, he was a laughingstock.
After all, he had no talent for cultivation.
Some youngsters, influenced by his older brother — who abandoned the clan and only used its resources — often mocked him.
But today… things were going to change.
Li Ke opened his old scroll of notes and searched for the name of the plant that would begin it all:
Crimson Dew.
A plant of great potential and easy cultivation, but with limitations:
It only grew well in areas rich in Yin and exposed to moonlight.
Without that, it would only grow to the 2-year stage, and such young plants, even with good potential, had limited effects.
That night was the longest night of Li Ke's life since arriving in this world.
He couldn't sleep properly.
The excitement in his heart… was simply too much to contain.
The next morning, at seven o'clock, he woke up, stretched, and remembered what had happened the night before.
He ran to check if everything was real:
— Alchemy, log in.
And again, he saw the great hall… and that sweet aroma.
He stepped outside, smiling.
Now he had the means to change that shameful situation, his lack of talent…
And also help his clan — especially the elders who always treated him well.
After getting dressed, Li Ke left his room and went to the clan's internal market.
He soon found a fair.
Most elders ran internal stalls, selling to young members at affordable prices, so they could resell them outside the clan.
When he saw him, Liang Wu stopped attending to a customer and said:
— Ke'er, what brings you here? Came to visit your grandparents?
Liang Wu was the owner of the largest stall on the clan's commercial street.
A middle-aged man with vast experience and a sunny personality.
Li Ke smiled and replied:
— Grandpa Wu, this time I came for a special reason.
Liang Wu smiled and asked:
— What is it, little Ke'er? Already found a fiancée? Is it little Mei?
Li Ke grew a bit embarrassed. Liang Wu noticed and lowered his voice, continuing teasingly:
— Or have you begun your bold journey toward fulfilling your dream… of a harem?
Li Ke wanted to bury his head in the dirt.
Why did he tell the elders, while helping with the gardens, that his dream was to have a harem?
Whenever they could, they teased him about it.
Some even said:
— Once you have one, you might reconsider getting another.
That particular comment… earned someone a month of cooking their own meals.
But it was, without a doubt, a beautiful thing to see — that in such a chaotic world, a small clan still preserved so much affection.
Li Ke couldn't help it. After all, he was always annoyed by transmigrators surrounded by women who sometimes didn't even date one.
He held a real grudge against a certain pirate... who, besides never having a relationship, died without seeing the end of his anime.
Blushing, Li Ke said:
— Neither. I'm going to start working as an apothecary.
Liang Wu widened his eyes, laughed out loud, and shouted:
— Old Zan! Old Shen!
Two other middle-aged men arrived, saw Li Ke, and smiled brightly.
In truth, the men of that clan looked middle-aged… but were just well preserved. The youngest among them was 65.
Apothecaries are known for their vitality.
After all, they spend their lives dealing with special plants.
Old Shen called out:
— Honey, Ke'er came to visit us!
Soon, a middle-aged woman approached too — the one who made her husband cook for a month.
Mei Xue came forward and hugged Li Ke.
Liang Wu waited for them to separate before saying:
— My old friends… let's give the gifts we've been saving for Li Ke?
Li Ke widened his eyes.
Gifts? What gifts?
Old Zan froze for a moment, then grew excited:
— Little Ke'er, are you really going to follow our profession?
Li Ke, slightly embarrassed, answered:
— Yes, Grandpa Zan.
The four exchanged smiles.
Then they all left, leaving only Old Shen, who stayed behind with a silly smile for Li Ke — who then asked:
— Why are you giving me a gift, Grandpa Shen?
Shen answered with a smile:
— Because you're our beloved grandson.
And so, the two continued to wait.