James had traveled through time.
He sat cross-legged in a quiet study, calmly stretching out his palms to inspect his new body. His fingers were slender and pale, their texture as smooth and cool as jade. When he clenched them into fists, he could almost hear his bones crackling.
This body isn't ordinary, James thought to himself.
James. That was the name of this body—his name now.
In his previous life, he had been a citizen of Xia.
There was no need to delve into that past—nor dare to. It was said that those who tried to trace their true origins in the long river of time would attract the attention of the invincible ancient god known only as the River Crab.
"From today onward, I am James," he whispered solemnly.
James glanced around.
The room he was in was unmistakably a traditional Japanese-style study, refined and serene in its design. Tatami mats covered the floor, and the air was filled with an elegant stillness. There was barely any furniture, save for a single katana resting upright against the wall.
A room just for meditation… This must belong to a wealthy family. Ordinary people wouldn't dedicate a space for something like this. James narrowed his eyes. But first, I need to sort out my memories.
Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced his skull—as if someone had slammed a hammer into his head.
"What the hell?!" Even someone as composed as James couldn't help crying out. His body collapsed forward, and everything faded into darkness.
—
By the time James came to, the sun was already setting. His eyelids fluttered open with difficulty. He staggered to his feet, shaking his head to clear the dizziness. His mind was flooded with new memories—memories of this body, and of the strange new world it inhabited.
This world contained hundreds of nations.
The one James resided in was known as Kamisakura, named after the sacred sakura tree revered by its people.
Kamisakura had four major prefectures, each divided into counties and cities. James currently lived in Tenshui County, located in Sekigahara Prefecture, one of the nation's four core regions.
But that wasn't the most shocking part.
The size of this world was staggering. Even Kamisakura—a top-tier nation among hundreds—was roughly the size of the Eurasian continent in his previous life. Its population was vast, and among them existed extraordinary individuals.
"Supernatural powers… I see now," James murmured.
He could feel power surging within him—real, tangible energy coursing through his body.
This was no illusion.
Extraordinary beings in this world could reshape landscapes and shatter the heavens. They were the elite forces that ruled this reality. To maintain balance, the governments of the various nations had formed a Global Confederation, a united council to govern the world collectively.
"It's strange," James said quietly. "So many culturally unified countries, all in a Japanese style, and yet no unification into a single empire. Instead, they coexist in delicate harmony."
He walked over to the katana resting on the wall, unsheathing it with care. The blade emerged with a faint metallic whisper, revealing its pristine snow-white surface. James ran his fingers along the edge, feeling a nostalgic familiarity.
He began to move—stab, slash, sweep, and thrust.
His muscles responded automatically. Even without thinking, his body remembered the motions. At the same time, James was organizing the inherited memories of his predecessor.
This body had once belonged to a student attending First Private Junior High School in Tenshui County—the best school in the region. He had enrolled as an A-rank talent, brimming with potential, and had been placed in the prestigious A-class, filled with elite students preparing to take on the Tokyo Prefectural High School entrance exam.
But misfortune had followed him.
His parents had died young, leaving behind only a younger sister. Unlike children from wealthy or gifted lineages, he had no access to specialized sword schools or extraordinary cultivation resources. Day after day, he could only practice the basics, with quiet determination.
Even so, he had managed to reach third place in the school rankings—but never beyond that.
It's not that he didn't want to improve… He simply lacked the resources. Despite being extremely talented, he was constantly frustrated.
He was labeled an arrogant genius for only using basic sword techniques in battles—never once resorting to flashy or advanced skills. Many believed he was hiding his true strength.
James chuckled softly. Turns out, he wasn't hiding anything. He was just exhausted.
But now, the situation had changed.
James could feel the new strength within him.
Sweat began to trickle down his face as he practiced, yet before the droplets hit the ground, the sharp wind stirred by his blade sliced them apart, dispersing them into fine mist.
Afterward, James sheathed the sword and made his way to the bathroom. His entire body was drenched in sweat.
While bathing, he suddenly had a thought. "Open panel."
A translucent screen appeared before his eyes:
---
Name: James
Strength: Not Ranked (Human-Level)
Spiritual Power: 15/40
Basic Skills:
– Huxia Grandmaster (Hidden)
– Japanese Grandmaster (150/7500)
– Basic Swordsmanship – Mastery (4500/10000)
Extraordinary Abilities: None
Number of Crossings: 1
Initial Template Points: 20 (Unallocated)
---
That was the reason James wasn't worried.
His cheat.
Every true transmigrator needed one—and his was no exception.
The system wasn't complex, but it was powerful. It had two primary functions: the Panel and Crossing. Each time he crossed into a new body, he could enhance its talents or assign points to new abilities—essentially "resetting" and customizing his host.
In fact, the Crossing feature was even more valuable than the Panel itself.
This is what I'll rely on to rise to the top… but I can't act rashly yet.
After finishing his bath, James stood in front of the mirror.
He looked much the same as in his previous life—fair skin, strong eyebrows, and bright eyes. The only notable difference was his long, jet-black hair, which he tied casually. It gave him an elegant, scholarly air.
Otherworld counterparts, huh? The convergence of fates. I've read enough cultivation novels to know where this is going.
He smirked. "For someone this handsome, I could even trade charm for resources if I had to. Solutions always exist if your mindset stays sharp."
Returning to the study, James sat down cross-legged and began to plan.
Right now, my top priority is strengthening myself. The school exams are approaching. This is my last chance to rank high enough to qualify for the Kanto Regional Competition.
That competition would lead to the National Unified Entrance Exam, where he would go head-to-head with the nation's most talented students for a spot at Tokyo Prefectural High School.
He closed his eyes and started meditating, but was interrupted by a soft voice.
"Brother?"
A small head peeked through the door. Her hair was silky black, her features delicate, and her large, sky-blue eyes shimmered like polished amber.
It was Kamiya Mochizuki, James' younger sister.
Though he hated to admit it, he'd always been a bit of a sister-con, both in his past life and this one.
To give his sister a better future, the body's original owner had worked tirelessly to get into Tianshui Private Junior High, even pulling strings to get Mochizuki admitted as well.
However, due to his intense training schedule, he rarely spent time with her, and struggled to communicate openly.
"Brother, here's your dinner." Her soft voice broke the silence as she stepped in and placed the tray carefully before him.
"You've been working so hard lately. Please don't worry about what others say," she added with a pout.
James nodded, recalling how his predecessor had always surrendered just before breaking into second place in school rankings. As a result, some believed he was arrogant or intentionally looking down on others, and rumors spread throughout the school.
"It's okay," he said with a gentle smile. "Thank you, Mochizuki."
He reached out and ruffled her hair. She closed her eyes and leaned into his touch, smiling brightly.
As she left the room, James felt a fire ignite within him.
It's already May. The entrance exams are next month. I must become strong enough—not just to pass, but to protect her… and everything else I care about.
His eyes locked on the glowing panel floating before him.
"Let's see what you can really do… Cross!"
Øóffer going on for diamond tier
pàtreøn (Gk31)