Ren suddenly woke up in a world he didn't recognize. His breathing was heavy and uneven, his eyes darting in every direction. He stood at the edge of a lonely cliff, high above the clouds — a mountain completely isolated from the world below.
"You're finally awake, I see."
A voice came from behind him. Ren turned sharply, muscles tense, his instincts on full alert. He was ready to fight for his life if he had to.
You see, Ren had been a miserable man in his previous life — an ordinary human with grand dreams trapped inside a weak, sickly body.
But now, before him floated something strange — a semi-transparent screen, glowing faintly in the cold mountain air. It looked like the kind of interface you'd see in a video game, one that offered quests and stats. Yet this one was different. It felt alive — aware, thinking, even… emotional.
"Where am I?" Ren asked calmly, his gaze scanning every shadow, every corner of his strange surroundings.
"Well," the screen replied, its voice carrying a curious tone, "let's just say you're not in your own world."
Ren frowned. "I figured as much," he said, his tone edged with irritation.
"You are in a world," the screen continued, "where immortality is not a myth — but a path you can walk."
"A path? What do you mean by that?" Ren asked, curiosity lacing his voice.
"Indeed," the screen replied. "A path. You see, Ren, the world you now stand in is built upon something called Qi."
"And what… exactly is Qi?" Ren asked, brow furrowed.
"Qi is your life force, your energy, your health, even your emotions," the screen stated, its tone calm and monotone.
Ren's gaze sharpened, hurt flickering in his expression. "Who are you, anyway? And why are you here with me? Wasn't I supposed to be dead?"
The screen pulsed faintly, light rippling across its surface. "I am the Breath of Heaven and the Heart of Earth. Without me, you would not have lived to see this new life, this new day. I am everything and nothing at once, created by the heavens and the earth to guide you, to test you."
Ren froze, his eyes tense. Silence hung between them for a moment before he spoke, voice trembling slightly. "I see… So, what should I do now? I don't know anything about this world."
The screen's glow deepened, its voice cold and unwavering. "Become stronger. Crush those who stand against you. Survive. Strive. Resist. Persevere."
Ren didn't speak for a long moment, his gaze fixed on the glowing screen. Then, slowly, a smile spread across his face — sharp, almost sinister.
"Alright," he said, letting out a low chuckle, "let's see how this world works."
Suddenly, a brilliant light engulfed him. It wasn't ordinary — it pulsed like divine essence, strong and alive, searing into his very being.
When he opened his eyes again, he was no longer on the cliff. The wind rustled through dense trees, and the scent of earth and grass filled his nostrils. He was in the wilderness — raw, untamed, and alive.