Chapter 1: The Descent and the Awakening
Before I begin my novel, there's something I'd like to share with you. English is not my first language—it's actually my third. I write my chapters in my mother tongue (Hindi) and then use AI to translate them into English. Because of this, there are times when grammatical mistakes may appear, or when I write something with a certain meaning, but the AI interprets it differently.
Secondly, I want to tell you that I am a factory worker with a 12-hour shift. I wake up at 5:00 AM every day and leave home by 5:30 AM after bathing and getting ready. My shift starts at 7:00 AM and ends at 7:00 PM. It takes me about an hour and a half to reach home, and then I need some time to eat dinner and freshen up. By the time I'm free, it's usually around 10:00 PM. That leaves me with only an hour or so each night to work on my novel.
Because of these constraints, my chapters may not always be as engaging as they could be. So, I sincerely request your support—just for a few chapters. The day I start earning \$200 per month from this novel, I will quit my job and dedicate myself completely to writing.
If reading this has made you think my novel might be boring, I want to assure you that this is not the case. It's true that the beginning of my story may progress at a slower pace, but once I leave my job, I will not only improve the pacing but also give this novel my full attention.
Right now, I am focusing entirely on just one chapter at a time. But once I receive a contract for this novel, I will commit to publishing at least two chapters every day. From that point on, I promise you won't have any complaints about my novel.
Thank you so much for your understanding and support.
Far from the blue planet called Earth, in the depths of the boundless cosmos, existed a world brimming with ancient magic — a place where men could shatter mountains with a single punch and part the seas with a swing of their blade.
In one corner of this mystical world lay a dense, sprawling jungle — teeming with life. The sky above was clear, and a soft breeze whispered through the trees. Herbivorous beasts grazed peacefully, while predators prowled in search of prey. Nature moved with rhythmic harmony, and for a moment, all was calm.
But calm is a fragile thing.
Suddenly, the skies darkened. Ominous black clouds gathered above the jungle, swirling like a celestial vortex. Thunder cracked across the heavens, and jagged lightning danced wildly between the clouds. The wind picked up with frightening speed, ripping through the trees, uprooting ancient trunks as if they were mere twigs. Smaller beasts were hurled into the air like leaves in a storm. The powerful ones sensed danger and quickly retreated into their dens, trembling not just from the cold wind — but from a fear they couldn't explain.
And then... it happened.
A ripple tore through space, and a glowing **portal** appeared mid-air, spinning rapidly until a figure fell from it — unconscious and limp. The portal shimmered for a few seconds, then vanished.
The instant the boy hit the ground, the apocalyptic weather came to an abrupt halt. The sky cleared. The winds stilled. Birds cautiously began to chirp again, as if awakening from a nightmare. It was as if the chaos had never happened.
The beasts of the jungle, witnessing the sudden shift, grew puzzled. What had caused the fury of the skies to erupt... and vanish just as suddenly? Some wondered if a rare treasure had descended — the kind that only appeared once every few millennia. But none dared venture near the spot where the portal had opened. Instinct told them that **something far beyond treasure** had arrived.
The boy who fell was named **Aryan Singh Chauhan**. He wore clothes unlike anything found in this world — clothes of a modern civilization. But at this moment, he lay unconscious, motionless... and yet, his soul stirred.
---
### **The Garden Between Worlds**
In the depths of his mind, Aryan found himself in an ethereal garden — lush with divine flowers, glowing trees, and a sky filled with swirling colors. It was otherworldly. Before him stood a small hut, worn with age, yet oddly inviting.
Drawn by curiosity, Aryan approached the hut and knocked on its door. Once, twice, thrice. Moments later, the door creaked open — all by itself.
Suspicious but calm, Aryan stepped inside, only to find… nothing. No one.
Just as he turned to leave, the door slammed shut behind him.
Startled, Aryan rushed to it and tried to open it with all his strength — but it wouldn't budge. Panic threatened to rise in his chest, but before it could take hold, a **brilliant orb of light** appeared at the center of the room.
From within the light came a voice — young, calm, and divine.
> "Is this all the patience you have?"
Aryan froze. He couldn't see the speaker but could feel the weight of their presence.
"Who's there?!" he demanded, trying to sound brave. "Come out if you dare!"
The voice chuckled softly.
> "You are not yet worthy to see me. But if you wish to meet me, become strong."
There was a pause. Then the voice continued, more serious now.
> "I brought you here — to this world. And before you wish to return to your former one, understand this... You do not belong to the world you came from. That was merely a place of preparation. Now, your true journey begins."
Aryan blinked, confused.
"You brought me here...? Why?"
> "Because you've completed the training required for this path. Though only fifteen, your mind and spirit are beyond your age. You are ready. And as a gift for your readiness, I bestow upon you the **Heavenly Library**."
Suddenly, the world around Aryan shifted.
He now stood before a **colossal ancient door** — at least ten meters wide and thirty meters tall. Its surface was carved with glowing Sanskrit mantras and celestial patterns. A sacred aura flowed from it like mist from a mountain.
> "Open the door, Aryan," the voice instructed.
Though hesitant, Aryan placed his hands on the massive handles and pulled with all his might. With effort, the door creaked open just enough for him to slip inside — and what he saw left him speechless.
Towering **bookshelves stretched endlessly** in all directions. Every shelf was packed with glowing books, scrolls, and tomes — each pulsing with knowledge and power.
Aryan whispered, "What is this place?"
> "This," said the voice, "is the **Heavenly Library** — an eternal archive that now lives within your soul. Every book you touch in the real world will appear here. You can access them anytime. Not only that, when you read enough books on one topic, the library will allow you to **combine their knowledge and create your own unique techniques**."
> "You will also gain insight into the weaknesses of others — and eventually, their very essence. This library will grow as you grow. But beware: if your soul is ever destroyed... so too will be the library."
Aryan nodded slowly, absorbing every word.
The voice continued.
> "Before you is a collection of cultivation techniques — divided into three core paths:
>
> 1. **Qi Gathering** – harnessing energy from the world around you.
> 2. **Body Cultivation** – transforming your physical form into a vessel of strength.
> 3. **Soul Cultivation** – awakening your spirit and mind."
> "You must cultivate all three together. Your journey begins in the **Mortal Realm**, which consists of nine stages, and each stage has 4 sub stages. For now, only the first four stages of Qi Gathering are available. But the Soul path will unlock in tandem with your Qi progress and. Inside the heavenly library, the techniques of soul cultivation have been given up to the mortal level, however after that you will have to search for the techniques of soul cultivation yourself. As for the Body path... it is accessible only until the Mortal Realm."
> "Now, go. Read. Learn. Combine. Create."
---
### **The First Step into Cultivation**
Aryan took a deep breath and began exploring the shelves. He selected book after book, scanning hundreds of techniques — some focused on breathing, others on sensing energy, many on refining internal organs or opening **spiritual meridians**.
Initially, he planned to read just a few.
But soon… he was lost in the knowledge.
After reading over **one thousand different techniques**, the voice returned.
> "You're ready. Say the word — *Combine*."
Without hesitation, Aryan spoke: "Combine."
All thousand books vanished, replaced by a single glowing tome — thick and ancient, radiating power.
> "This is your own technique, born from knowledge, shaped by intuition, refined by your soul. Continue doing this through all four stages of Mortal Realm Qi Gathering. When the time comes, your Soul and Body paths will unlock deeper secrets."
> "And remember, Aryan — this library is now a part of your soul. As long as you live… it lives. If you die, it dies with you."
The light faded. The voice was gone.
Aryan awoke.
---
### **Back in the Jungle**
Gasping for breath, Aryan opened his eyes. He was lying beneath a tree in the same jungle. Distant growls echoed around him. He didn't know where he was or whether the beasts nearby were friendly.
But he remembered one thing clearly — **Cultivation** was real. And it had just begun.
He began to walk through the wilderness and soon spotted a small mountain in the distance. With hope in his heart, he ran toward it, praying for shelter.
And perhaps the heavens heard him — for inside the mountain, he discovered a quiet, empty cave.
He sat down inside, crossed his legs, and closed his eyes. At once, he entered the **Heavenly Library**, now forever linked to his soul.
From the shelf, he summoned the very first book — the Qi Gathering technique for **Stage One of the Mortal Realm**.
He opened it.
> \*"The body is a temple. And every temple houses a god.
> But to awaken the god, the temple must first be purified.
> The world around you is not just made of matter.
> It is made of perfectly arranged flows of energy —
> Spiritual Energy — present in water, earth, air, light, even darkness.
>
> But to an ordinary person, it is meaningless.
> Because their body is a locked gate.
> Until that gate opens, no energy can enter.
> No understanding can awaken."\*
> \*"Your first step is to cleanse the body.
> Purify the blood.
> Still the heart.
> Focus the mind.
> Only then will the body begin to absorb energy.
>
> This is the beginning —
> **The First Stage of the Mortal Realm.**
> Every great warrior begins here.
> And remember:
> Until the body is pure,
> the soul shall not awaken."\*
As he read, Aryan felt his body tremble.
Invisible threads of energy grazed his skin. With each breath, the noise of the jungle faded. Inside, a stirring began — faint at first, but growing.
His blood began to burn, as if the impurities were being incinerated. His muscles twitched. His bones felt as if they were being reshaped — not painfully, but with power.
And then… the light within him flickered.
He had taken the first step.
Aryan Singh Chauhan — once just a boy — had entered the world of cultivation.
And his journey… had truly begun.