God... my head is killing me...
The warmth of the sun warms Enzo's face. He doesn't recall leaving his room's window open, which is odd.
His sight is hazy as he gradually opens his eyes. It's as if his vision is obscured by mist.
Wait... why am I lying on the ground? And why is there tall grass around me?
Although he attempts to sit up, he realizes how frail his body feels. As if he hasn't eaten in days.
He murmurs,
"Where the hell am I?"
However, he is startled by the sound of his own voice.
The voice has a younger tone than average. His hands are thinner, smoother, and resemble those of a teenager.
He scans the area and observes unfamiliar wooden homes, a huge bamboo forest, and distant mountains.
"What is this? Am I still dreaming?"
All of a sudden, someone shouts out to him from close by.
"Where are you, Wei Lin? Master Chen is searching for you!"
Wei Lin? Who is Wei Lin?
He is approached by a man in his early twenties who is wearing a white robe that resembles traditional Chinese attire. He often has an Asian appearance, but he doesn't resemble a Filipino.
"Wei Lin, why didn't you answer when I called? And why are you lying there on the ground?"
The man asks.
Enzo observes himself; he too is dressed in a white robe, and his hair is lengthy and knotted.
Holy shit... did I transmigrate?!
"I-I... what..."
Enzo can't speak properly because he's so shocked.
"Hey, Wei Lin! Are you okay? You look different. Are you ill?"
The man asks with concern in his voice.
Wei Lin... Wei Lin... that name sounds familiar...
Suddenly memories flood into Enzo's mind - memories from the novel he was reading before he lost consciousness.
"The Chronicles of the Heavenly Fist" - the protagonist was Wei Lin, a weak disciple of Hua Peak Sect!
"Damn! I became Wei Lin!"
he shouts in his mind.
"Zhang Feng, I-I'm okay,"
Enzo answers, using Wei Lin's memories that are suddenly surfacing in his mind.
Zhang Feng - Wei Lin's best friend at Hua Peak Sect. A good person, but a bit simple-minded.
"Are you sure? I've been looking for you for a while now. Master Chen got angry again because you didn't show up for morning training,"
Zhang Feng says.
Master Chen - the instructor of the Hua Peak Sect.
"Shit, I remember the story now,"
Enzo whispers to himself.
"What? I can't hear you,"
Zhang Feng says.
"Ah, nothing. Let's go see Master Chen,"
Enzo replies.
Enzo notices that this world is really detailed as they go to the training area. He can sense the wind, the aroma of the plants, and the chirping of birds, so this doesn't seem like a dream.
"I actually transmigrated; this is really real,"
He murmurs to himself.
He remembers the story of the book: Wei Lin is among the weakest members of the entire Hua Peak Sect because he is unable to absorb spiritual energy. However, he will learn a secret method that will be the cause of his ascent to power.
But the problem is, how will I survive here? I don't know how to do martial arts!
"Zhang Feng, wait,"
Enzo says as they walk toward the training ground.
"What is it, Wei Lin?"
Zhang Feng asks.
"I... I think I hit my head earlier. My memory is a bit fuzzy. Can you remind me about our daily routine?"
Enzo asks, trying to get information without seeming suspicious.
Zhang Feng looks at him with concern.
"Are you really okay, Wei Lin? You seem different today."
"I'm fine. Just... a bit confused,"
Enzo replies.
"Well, every morning we have basic training with Master Chen. Then we have cultivation practice in the afternoon, and weapons training in the evening. But you know you always have trouble with cultivation,"
Zhang Feng explains.
Right, in the novel, Wei Lin was the weakest because he couldn't cultivate properly. But I remember there was a hidden reason for this.
"Zhang Feng, do you know why I can't cultivate properly?"
Enzo asks.
"Well, Master Chen says it's because you have blocked meridians. But Medicine Elder Zhao thinks there might be another reason," Zhang Feng answers.
Medicine Elder Zhao - one of the kind characters in the novel. She was the one who helped Wei Lin discover his hidden potential.
As they reach the training ground, Enzo sees a large open space full of young disciples practicing. Some are sparring, some are meditating, and some are practicing sword techniques.
In the center stands Master Chen - an old man with a long white beard, wearing a dark blue robe. His expression is always serious and intimidating.
"Wei Lin!"
Master Chen shouts when he sees him.
All the disciples stop what they're doing and look at Enzo. Some are smiling as if waiting for a show, and some look sorry for him.
"Master Chen,"
Enzo bows, just like Wei Lin does in the novel.
"You're late again! How many times have I told you that discipline is the most important thing in cultivation?"
Master Chen lectures.
Okay, this is the scene from the novel. Master Chen should punish Wei Lin by making him run 100 laps around the training ground.
"As punishment, you will run 100 laps around the training ground. No breakfast until you finish,"
Master Chen orders.
Bingo! Exactly like in the novel.
But Enzo has a problem - Wei Lin's body is weak. In the novel, Wei Lin fainted on lap number 30.
"Yes, Master Chen,"
Enzo replies, and starts running.
Damn, this is really hard!
After just 10 laps, he's already out of breath. The other disciples are watching him, some are laughing.
"Hey Wei Lin! You're so slow!"
Shouts a disciple he recognizes as Liu Wei - one of Wei Lin's bullies in the novel.
"You can't do it, Wei Lin! You're still weak!"
Adds Li Feng, another bully.
These assholes, if only you knew I'm from a world with air conditioning and delivery, you wouldn't mess with me.
However, he has no other option. He keeps running despite the sensation that his heart is about to burst.
On lap 25, Enzo hears a familiar voice
"Wei Lin, you can do it!"
It's Zhang Feng, sitting on the sideline and cheering for him.
At least there's one person here who supports me.
However, Enzo is physically unable to go on past lap 35. He collapses to the ground, almost unconscious.
Before he passes out, he hears Master Chen say, "Pathetic."
Enzo is in the sect's infirmary when he comes to. He identifies Medicine Elder Zhao, one of the novel's endearing characters, as the old woman who is looking out for him.
"Ah, you're awake, Wei Lin,"
Elder Zhao says.
"You fainted on the training ground. You need rest."
"Elder Zhao, what happened to me?"
Enzo asks.
"You're lacking nutrition and overexerted yourself. Have you been this weak for a long time?"
Elder Zhao asks.
In the novel, Elder Zhao said that Wei Lin has problems with his spiritual meridians, that's why he can't absorb energy from the environment.
"I don't know, Elder Zhao," Enzo answers.
"Hmm, let me check your meridians,"
Elder Zhao says, and places her hand on Enzo's chest.
All of a sudden, Enzo feels a burst of positive energy coursing through his veins. However, something is different: it seems as though another energy is reacting to Elder Zhao's energy.
"Strange..."
Elder Zhao whispers.
"You do have blocked meridians, but it seems there's another energy that's dormant inside you."
This is it! This is the scene that started Wei Lin's power-up in the novel!
"What do you mean, Elder?" Enzo asks.
"I don't know. But maybe you just need proper guidance. I know an ancient meditation technique that might help,"
Elder Zhao says.
Elder Zhao writes on a piece of paper and gives it to Enzo.
"This is the 'Inner Peace Breathing Method.' Try it every night before you sleep. But don't tell anyone else, especially Master Chen."
In the novel, this technique became the key to Wei Lin's development. But he didn't know it was connected to an ancient heaven-level cultivation technique.
"Thank you, Elder Zhao," Enzo replies.
This is perfect. I know exactly what this technique can do, and I know how to use it better than the original Wei Lin ever could.
Enzo experiences a combination of excitement and worry as he gets ready to go back to his room. Although he is aware of the plot's upcoming events, he also realizes that his presence here may have unforeseen consequences.
Time to see if my knowledge of cultivation in novels can really make me strong in this world.
That evening, Enzo sits on his bed in the dormitory, staring at the piece of paper Elder Zhao gave him. Zhang Feng is already asleep, snoring softly, while Wang Hu lies quietly on his bed, though Enzo suspects he might still be awake.
The dormitory is simple - three wooden beds, a small table, and a window that looks out toward the sect's main courtyard. Oil lamps provide dim lighting, casting dancing shadows on the walls.
This is really happening. I'm actually in a cultivation world now.
Enzo examines the paper more closely. The handwriting is elegant, written with what appears to be a brush pen. The instructions seem straightforward, but he knows from reading countless novels that cultivation techniques can be deceptively simple on the surface.
"Inner Peace Breathing Method" - in the original story, this was just the beginning. Wei Lin discovered that this basic technique was actually connected to something much more powerful.
He thinks back to the novel's plot. The original Wei Lin was weak because his spiritual meridians were blocked, preventing him from absorbing spiritual energy from the environment. But this breathing method was supposed to gradually open those pathways.
The question is, will it work the same way for me? I have Enzo's memories and knowledge, but Wei Lin's body.
A soft sound from outside catches his attention - probably a night patrol guard making his rounds. The sect takes security seriously, especially with junior disciples who might try to sneak out or cause trouble.
Enzo looks around the room again. Zhang Feng is definitely asleep now, and Wang Hu hasn't moved for several minutes. It should be safe to try the technique.
But maybe I should wait until I'm absolutely sure they're asleep.
He lies down and closes his eyes, pretending to sleep while listening carefully. After about an hour, he's confident both his roommates are truly asleep.
Quietly, Enzo sits up and moves to sit cross-legged on his bed. He unfolds the paper and reads the instructions one more time by the dim moonlight coming through the window.
Okay, let's see if this works. Step one: sit in lotus position.
He arranges his legs in the traditional meditation pose, though it feels awkward with Wei Lin's unfamiliar body proportions.
Step two: close eyes and focus on the dantian.
Enzo closes his eyes and tries to concentrate on the area below his navel. In cultivation stories, the dantian is like the core where spiritual energy is stored and processed.
Step three: breathe in slowly while visualizing energy entering the body.
He takes a deep, slow breath, trying to imagine energy flowing into him from the surrounding environment. At first, nothing happens - just the normal sensation of air filling his lungs.
Maybe I'm doing it wrong? Or maybe it takes time to...
Suddenly, Enzo feels a tiny spark of warmth in his chest. It's so faint he almost thinks he's imagining it, but as he continues the breathing pattern, the sensation grows slightly stronger.
Holy shit, something is actually happening!
He continues for several more minutes, following the technique exactly as written. The warm feeling gradually moves down toward his dantian area, like a small ember slowly traveling through his body.
This is incredible. In the novel, it took Wei Lin three days of practice before he felt anything at all.
But just as he's starting to get excited, the sensation fades away. No matter how much he concentrates, he can't bring it back.
Damn. Maybe I pushed too hard too fast.
Enzo carefully lies back down, his heart still racing from the experience. Even though it was brief, he's certain that what he felt was real - some kind of energy responding to the breathing technique.
This proves it. I really am in a cultivation world, and this body can actually use spiritual energy. Tomorrow I'll try again, and maybe I can make it last longer.
As he drifts off to sleep, Enzo's mind is filled with possibilities. If he can master this basic technique, it's just the first step on a path that could lead to incredible power. And unlike the original Wei Lin, he has the advantage of knowing exactly where this path is supposed to lead.
I won't waste this second chance. Whatever it takes, I'm going to become strong enough to survive in this world.
Just before he nods off, he sees moonlight pouring through the window, lighting up the paper in his hand with the breathing method. His growing adventure will actually start tomorrow.
Outside, unseen to the slumbering followers, shadowy forms are seen moving around the woods around Hua Peak Sect.
Earlier that day, the elders had an emergency meeting, which was no accident because hard times are on the way, and soon even the youngest members of the community will be affected. be involved in occurrences beyond their current comprehension.
But tonight, Enzo is at peace, dreaming of limitless potential and brilliant sunshine.