The hospital ward was silent after the Lin family left. The only sound was the steady beep… beep… of the monitoring equipment.
Feng Yu leaned back against the pillows, his lips curving faintly. "So this is it… my second chance."
He closed his eyes, recalling the goddess's words before reincarnation. A body with wealth, status, and a System. At first, he thought she was joking. But now—
[Ding!]
A crisp, mechanical chime echoed directly in his mind. He froze. His eyes snapped open.
A translucent screen appeared before him, faintly glowing with white light.
[System Activation Complete]
[Welcome, Host: Feng Yu]
[Current Identity: Lin Yun – Sole Heir of the Lin Family]
[Initialization… Complete]
Feng Yu stared blankly for a moment, then burst into a laugh. "So it's real! Not a dream, not an illusion—the System actually exists!"
Lines of text appeared in neat rows:
[System Main Interface Unlocked]
Name: Lin Yun (Soul: Feng Yu)
Age: 18
Cultivation: None
Martial Talent: Mediocre (2/10)
Constitution: Average
Bloodline: Dormant Potential Detected
Wealth: 1,000,000 Gold (Family Assets)
Reputation: Infamous Spoiled Young Master (−500)
Feng Yu's jaw twitched. "Mediocre talent? Average constitution? And negative five-hundred reputation?! What the hell did this guy do before I came here?"
The System's cold voice echoed in his head:
[Correction: Reputation accurately reflects the original Lin Yun's behavior. Constant harassment of noble daughters, gambling, arrogance, and poor conduct have resulted in an extremely low social standing.]
"...Figures," Feng Yu muttered. "I really did inherit the brat's trash past."
But as his gaze slid back down the screen, one line made his heart pound.
[Bloodline: Dormant Potential Detected]
"Dormant potential…" he whispered, eyes gleaming. "So this body isn't trash at all. It just hasn't been awakened."
In his old world, he had lived and died an ordinary man. No talent, no wealth, no chances. But here? Even a hint of a special bloodline could change everything.
---
The screen flickered again.
[Ding!]
[Newbie Mission Issued]
Mission: Step onto the Path of Cultivation
Objective: Successfully sense Qi within 7 days.
Reward: Beginner's Martial Arts Manual + 100 System Points
Penalty: Qi Sensing Aptitude will be permanently reduced.
Feng Yu's eyes widened. "Seven days…? Sense Qi? That's the starting line of cultivation, right?"
[Affirmative.]
[Qi Sensing is the first step of martial cultivation in this world. Failure to complete within the allotted time will result in permanent stunted growth.]
His throat went dry. Permanent? That meant if he failed here, his entire journey would collapse before it even began.
But at the same time, excitement surged in his chest. "A quest system… rewards… penalties… this really is like something straight out of a web novel!"
His lips curled into a grin.
"I won't waste this. The old Lin Yun squandered his life, but I'll turn it into something legendary."
---
As if to aid his determination, warmth spread through his body. It wasn't painful—instead, it felt like a gentle current moving along his veins, guiding his breathing.
[Assistance Protocol Activated]
[Basic Qi Induction Method Transmitted]
In his mind, knowledge unfolded like a scroll: the rhythm of inhaling and exhaling, the focus of intent, the sensation of energy in the air around him. For the first time, Feng Yu could feel it—subtle, like a breeze brushing against his skin, faint but undeniably present.
His heart raced. "So this is Qi… it's real."
He sat straighter, suppressing the urge to jump out of bed in excitement. He wanted to start training immediately, to grab hold of this chance before it slipped away.
But reality quickly sobered him. This was a hospital room, not a secluded cultivation cave. He couldn't risk attracting attention yet.
"Patience," he murmured under his breath. "First, I play the role of Lin Yun. Second, I quietly train. When the time comes, I'll show them all what I've become."
The thought of standing above the very people who once looked down on Lin Yun made his blood boil with anticipation.
---
Click.
The sound of the door creaking open snapped him out of his thoughts.
The System screen vanished instantly, as though it had never been there.
Feng Yu turned his head—and froze.
Mei Yulan stood at the doorway, her slim figure framed by the hallway light. Her face was calm, but her eyes were sharp, assessing him like a hawk.
"You really do look different, Lin Yun," she said softly.
Her words weren't loud, but they cut straight into him.
Feng Yu forced a weak smile. "Different…? Maybe almost dying changed something in me."
Mei Yulan didn't answer immediately. She stepped closer, her cold gaze never leaving his face. There was no hostility in her expression, but there was no warmth either—only suspicion.
The old Lin Yun would have stammered, flattered just to be in her presence. But the man before her sat calmly, his eyes steady, his tone composed.
"Amnesia, huh?" she muttered, almost to herself.
Feng Yu stiffened. "What?"
"Nothing." She turned away, her long hair swaying behind her like a curtain. At the door, she paused, her voice low. "If you really are different… then prove it. Otherwise, I won't forgive you for the past."
The door closed behind her, leaving Feng Yu in silence.
For a long moment, he sat still, heart pounding.
"Amnesia, huh…" He let out a breath, his lips curling. "Not a bad excuse. If she suspects, I'll let her think it's just memory loss."
He clenched his fists. His eyes gleamed with determination.
"The truth doesn't matter. What matters is that this time, I'll rise. No regrets. No wasted chances. With this System… this world will be mine."
The faint hum of Qi in the air seemed to whisper back, as though acknowledging his vow.