The sky over the Lower World stretched endlessly, tinged with red as dawn broke. Mountains pierced the clouds, rivers shimmered with spiritual energy, and the air carried the scent of herbs and ancient stones. This was a world of cultivators, where even the weakest held power far beyond ordinary humans. Survival demanded strength, cunning, and patience.
Sushant opened his eyes, memories of his previous life flooding back. A modern world of machines and crowds, a life ended abruptly, now replaced by this body and this world. His heart pounded, every sense sharper, every detail around him alive with energy.
So this is reincarnation… he thought. A second chance. A world of cultivation. I must survive… I must grow… step by step.
He glanced at the small village around him, nestled on the outskirts of a minor sect. His new parents were kind but weak, and the villagers were ordinary humans at the mercy of cultivators. The Lower World was cruel. Only the strong thrived, and the weak were crushed.
A subtle stirring ran through his chest. Spiritual energy pulsed faintly, unfamiliar yet natural. His body awakened to the first stage of cultivation: Origin Vein – Sprout.
A sense of life flowed into him. He could feel the energy of the plants, the tremor of the earth beneath his feet, and even the distant pulse of animals in the forest. Awareness sharpened, every motion and sound clearer than before. The world felt alive.
Hours passed as Sushant meditated, focusing on the flow of energy in his body. Pain surged through his limbs, but he endured. Slowly, he reached the next sub-stage: Bud. His body grew stronger, reflexes faster, senses keener. Movement that once required effort became natural, and basic survival instincts transformed into instinctive responses. He could dodge attacks, react quickly, and deliver precise strikes if necessary.
From the shadows, a minor sect elder observed quietly. The boy is unusual, he murmured. Only at Origin Vein, yet his instincts… his perception… beyond his age. He may become formidable one day.
Opportunity arrived sooner than expected. Rogue disciples from a neighboring sect stormed the village, demanding tribute. Panic spread. Sushant's pulse quickened—not from fear, but calculation. At Sprout/Bud sub-stage, he could not match their raw strength, but he could survive. He dodged attacks with precision, moved with careful timing, and exploited openings whenever they appeared. Even small, controlled strikes staggered some of the intruders.
By the time the rogues retreated, baffled, Sushant did not celebrate. Origin Vein was only the beginning—a stage of survival, awareness, and instinctive combat. The next sub-stage, Bloom, promised more offensive strength, and eventually, the path would lead through Meridian Vein, Spirit Vein, and beyond.
Night fell, stars glittering coldly above. Standing atop the cliff, Sushant felt a thrill—the first taste of power. He could sense life flows more clearly, hear subtle movements, and react faster than ordinary humans. Patience, endurance, and observation would be the foundation of his growth.
Survive, observe, grow… he reminded himself. Step by step, sub-stage by sub-stage, I will rise.
The Lower World had been harsh, but tonight, a boy reborn had taken his first true step as a cultivator. His journey had begun, and nothing would ever be the same.