Chapter 3: Doubt and Danger
Trusting a strange, disembodied voice that had materialized out of nowhere was hardly something he was prepared to do.
"Why should I just take orders from a voice in my head?" he muttered under his breath, glancing around, half-expecting to find some hidden observer watching him. "For all I know, this pill could kill me instead of helping me."
The system responded almost instantly, its tone as calm and measured as ever. "Your caution is understandable. It is wise to be vigilant in the cultivation world and not trust others easily. Many powerful cultivators face betrayal and manipulation."
Li Feng raised an eyebrow at the system's response. "So is there anyone else in this world who has a system like me?"
"Based on all my data, you are the only one with a system in this cultivation world."
He frowned. "Then why should I trust you? You tell me I died, woke up here as a kid, and now there's some voice telling me to take a random pill. It doesn't make any sense!"
"I understand your hesitations. Still, the pill is meant to help you. Without it, you cannot form meridians, meaning you will stay at the mercy of anyone who has achieved even basic cultivation."
The system's words made him uneasy. "So, I really can't cultivate without it?"
"Correct. At your current level, even a common beast at Mortal Realm Level 1 could kill you easily," the system said. "For context, cultivators around your age are typically at least Mortal Realm Level 5 and these are those with no real talent manage that level through persistence alone. True geniuses often reach Body Refinement Realm at this age or even further."
Li Feng gave a low, skeptical chuckle. "So you're telling me if I meet anyone with ill intentions, I'm as good as dead?"
The system simply replied, "In your current state, yes."
He scoffed. This whole situation was absurd. He'd survived plenty of struggles in his old life, so he could surely handle himself here. Ignoring the system's warnings, He ran his hands over the rough material of his robe, marveling at the unfamiliar attire. His fingers traced the length of his long, jet-black hair that cascaded down his back, feeling the weight of it for the first time.
Taking a deep breath, he scanned the forest. A faint rustling sound caught his attention, and he froze, his heartbeat quickening. His eyes darted toward the source—a small bunny, nibbling on some grass a few feet away.
A relieved sigh escaped his lips. It was just a harmless creature. Deciding to chase it away, he took a step closer. The bunny's ears perked up, and it turned to face him, letting out a low, guttural sound that caught him off guard.
"Well, hello there," he said, more to himself than the creature, and looked around until he found a small stick on the ground. He picked it up, feeling somewhat silly but determined to assert his presence. He threw the stick at the bunny, watching as it hit the small creature squarely on the head.
But instead of scurrying off, the bunny's eyes narrowed, and it let out a louder sound, this time one filled with anger.
Suddenly, the system's voice cut in. "That bunny is an Earth Bunny, a beast at Mortal Realm Level 1. It is not wise to approach it in your current condition."
Li Feng rolled his eyes, dismissing the warning. "It's just a bunny. How dangerous could it be?"
His confidence lasted only a second longer before the bunny charged at him, baring sharp teeth. Li Feng's eyes widened as the creature's speed exceeded anything he'd expected. Panic set in as he stumbled backward, raising his arms in a feeble attempt to defend himself.
The Earth Bunny launched itself at him, scratching and biting with surprising force. Pain radiated through his arm where it bit down, and he let out a shout, stumbling as he tried to shake it off.
"Get off me!" he yelled, desperation mounting as he swatted at the creature. He twisted, struggling to free himself, but the bunny held on, its small yet surprisingly powerful form attacking him with relentless fury.
In his scramble, he tripped over a rock and hit the ground hard, feeling the impact shoot up his spine. His arms and chest ached as he tried to push himself up, but the bunny showed no mercy, continuing its assault. Blood trickled from a scratch on his cheek as he frantically tried to shield his face.
Just when he thought it might be over for himself, a deafening roar echoed through the forest, shaking the ground beneath him. Li Feng froze, feeling an intense chill run through his body. The bunny hesitated as well, its fur standing on end. Then, with a final hiss, it bolted into the bushes, leaving Li Feng lying on the forest floor, battered and bruised.
The system's voice returned, sounding more urgent than before. "The roar you just heard belongs to a beast at the Qi Condensation Realm."
His chest rose and fell heavily as he lay there, groaning. "Great… Am I going to die again?"
"Yes, at this rate, that is a likely outcome."
He gave a bitter laugh, staring up at the canopy of trees above. His entire body throbbed from the Earth Bunny's attack, and his vision swam from exhaustion and pain.
"If you take the Meridian Forming Pill now," the system added, "you would survive. The pill will heal your injuries and allow you to cultivate, giving you a fighting chance. However, your injuries may affect the pill's effectiveness, it may cause you more pain than usual as you are presently injured."
Li Feng, still lying on the forest floor, winced as he reached down to his pouch. He retrieved the small glass bottle, staring at the pill inside with a mixture of frustration and reluctance.
He was bruised, bloodied, and exhausted, but something still held him back from using it. The thought of submitting to a voice in his head, no matter how persuasive, didn't sit well with him but seems he didn't have a choice.