"Ugh, my head is killing me."
The young man groaned as his temples throbbed with unbearable pain, his vision blurred and unsteady.
"Where am I?"
His voice echoed faintly inside the chamber.
"This place is not my home. And my clothes look unfamiliar?"
He lowered his gaze and found himself lying on a bed, draped in a simple white robe. His figure was delicate yet sharp, his features undeniably handsome, yet his current state was filled with confusion and doubt. Slowly, he turned his head, his eyes tracing the lines of the carved beams above, the lacquered furniture around him, the faint scent of sandalwood lingering in the air.
The young man felt that the design of this room was strangely familiar.
"Wait… this looks like an ancient design! What am I doing here? This room is incredibly luxurious."
The ornate pillars glimmered faintly with embedded jade, curtains of silk swayed gently in the breeze flowing through half-open windows, and polished floors reflected the light of glowing crystals set in the ceiling. The room was refined, as though belonging to the inner quarters of a noble clan.
Before he could dwell on the thought any longer, another sharp pain struck his skull.
"Ugh… last time, I was playing the Martial Peak Game. And then… my heart started to hurt so much. Maybe I had a heart attack at that time. I remember calling my friend, telling him about it. That means… I should be in a hospital, not inside an ancient room."
Just as panic stirred in his chest, a strange phenomenon unfolded. A faint hum resonated in his ears, and suddenly a crimson panel materialized before his eyes.
He stared in disbelief as glowing words carved themselves onto the red surface.
[Welcome To Martial Peak World]
[I am your guideline system]
[Your transmission to Martial Peak world is successful.]
[Your first mission is to adapt yourself with this world. I am going to give you all the memories of this person.]
Before he could react, his mind was assaulted by a torrent of foreign images. An intense, burning pain surged through his head, forcing him to clutch it tightly.
"Hah… Hah…"
His breath grew ragged as the storm of memories subsided. Then realization dawned upon him.
"I transmigrated into Ye Fan's body. Obviously, like another transmigrated chosen-one story… he was shameless, a bastard, a lazy bum. He stayed most of his time in brothels. Last time, his spiritual energy was drained by a demonic cultivator, leaving him in a near-death state. And now… I am in his body."
His voice trembled between fear and excitement.
"System, are you going to help me like in the novels where the main character gets a system, becomes the chosen one, and has countless wives and concubines?"
The system's reply was calm and mechanical.
[Yes, Host. That is why I am here. But I need seven days to infuse myself with your body. After that, you can use me. Should I start infusing?]
Ye Fan chuckled faintly, trying to mask his unease.
"Why not?"
A chime resounded like the strike of a bell.
[Ding. Host, my infusion has started. You only need to wait seven days.]
The crimson panel flickered and disappeared. Ye Fan exhaled, his heart racing with a strange mixture of relief and tension. He pulled himself from the bed, his feet landing lightly on the polished wooden floor.
"Martial Peak Game World… interesting."
A bittersweet smile curled on his lips.
"I was only a seventeen-year-old guy on Earth. I didn't have many friends. I mostly stayed in my room, playing games. Now… transmigrating into this world, it looks… cool."
He placed his hand on the door, pushing it open gently. Yet before he could step out, the door slid back from the other side. A girl, almost blossoming into youth, stood in front of him. She froze, her wide eyes locking onto his.
In that instant, memories within him stirred.
"Ye Xiao! Younger sister of Ye Fan! What is she doing in front of my room? Oh no… did she hear all my conversation with the system? If she did, she would know I am not her brother. I would be exposed. She might even kill me—because she is already in the Initial Stage of cultivation, while the original Ye Fan never even tried to cultivate, spending his days chasing women."
Ye Xiao stepped forward gracefully, a porcelain bowl of steaming soup resting on a tray in her hands. Her pale lavender silk robe shimmered faintly, embroidered with silver lotus blossoms. A jade-green sash tied at her waist swayed like flowing clouds as she moved. Her long hair was bound by a matching ribbon, the strands fluttering like ink flowing in water. Around her chest, a white jade plum-blossom pendant glowed faintly, carrying protective qi. She looked like a fairy descending into the mortal world, pure and innocent, yet already carrying a gentle air of cultivation.
"Brother, why are you getting up from bed? Your energy was almost exhausted; you should be resting. An elder worked so hard to save your life."
Her voice was soft, filled with sisterly concern.
Ye Fan's heart trembled, unsure whether she had heard him.
She tilted her head slightly and added, "Brother, what were you talking about with yourself? I heard some noise while I was coming to your room."
Ye Fan forced a casual tone. "Did you hear anything?"
Ye Xiao blinked, puzzled. "How could I hear? I was only coming here. I heard your voice, but not clearly. That's why I am asking—what were you talking to yourself about?"
Ye Fan let out a breath of relief. He then feigned a bitter tone.
"I was cursing that demonic cultivator because of whom I fell into this state. It's good that you didn't hear clearly."
"But brother," Ye Xiao said with an innocent frown, "you usually say those kinds of words openly in front of me. Why are you being cautious this time?"
Ye Fan's heart skipped, but he quickly changed the subject. "Forget about that. You came with soup. You should feed me."
"Why? You look much better now. You can eat by yourself."
Ye Fan clutched his hands, pretending weakness. His body trembled theatrically as he slumped to the side.
"Ugh… my hands are trembling. My own sister doesn't care for me. I might as well die."
Ye Xiao sighed, exasperated. "Okay, okay… stop acting. Seeing you like this, no one would ever fall for your tricks. You're a terrible actor."
Yet, despite her words, she moved closer and began feeding him with the soup.
Each spoonful entered his mouth warm and soothing, carrying faint medicinal fragrance. Ye Fan's eyes softened as he thought to himself:
"The original Ye Fan was shameful, but he always tried to make his little sister laugh. He always joked around with her. In that regard, I respect him. That's why—even though the Yi Clan has so many servants, even though Ye Fan had many personal maids—his sister personally came to feed him soup. Ye Fan, I promise you… I will protect your sister as my own."
---
Some time later, he dressed himself. His figure now shone with nobility, clad in a flowing sapphire silk robe embroidered with golden dragons and silver-lined sleeves. A violet cloak with jade-green lotus trims draped from his shoulders, fastened by a dragon-shaped clasp inlaid with a glowing spirit stone. Around his waist was a broad black belt adorned with a jade pendant and a fan of phoenix feathers. Polished black boots glimmered faintly with silver thread. His long dark hair cascaded freely, half-tied by a golden crane coronet and secured with a jade hairpin. Altogether, he appeared like a noble heir born to command.
He stepped out of his room, the halls echoing softly with his footsteps, and made his way toward the main hall. Earlier, Ye Xiao had told him that their father had summoned him once he was well.
---
Main Hall of the Yi Family
When Ye Fan entered the hall, the atmosphere shifted. He first bowed respectfully toward his father and the elders seated within.
The elders exchanged glances, their eyes filled with quiet shock.
One elder who had personally worked to save him thought, Has Ye Fan's attitude changed after learning that an elder saved his life? In the past, he never even looked at us. He showed no respect at all.
Indeed, many elders were thinking the same.
At last, Yi Fan's father—the clan leader—narrowed his eyes at his son. His voice carried a mocking tone.
"Has the sun risen from the south today, or perhaps from the north? Or… has someone possessed your body? Maybe an evil spirit is manipulating you? How has your attitude changed so suddenly? I can hardly believe it."
The elders laughed at his words, thinking it was jest, yet unaware of the hidden truth.
Ye Fan, however, bowed his head and spoke with measured tone.
"How could I show disrespect to the one who saved my life?"
His father paused, then leaned back in his seat. "Well, it is good. Let us speak of the decision we elders made. You will be sent to the Sky Word Pavilion… to raise your cultivation."
---