Li Wang's fingers flew across the keyboard, the glow of his triple-monitor setup casting harsh shadows on his cluttered apartment. Empty energy drink cans littered the desk like fallen soldiers, and the hum of his overclocked PC was the only sound breaking the midnight silence. He was deep in the guts of Eternal Realms Online, a sprawling MMORPG that had hooked millions with its promise of infinite progression. But Li Wang wasn't playing fair. He never did.
As a freelance hacker-for-hire, he'd made a name in underground forums for cracking game securities, selling exploits to bored whales who wanted god-mode without the grind. Tonight's job was personal, though—a glitch in the game's core engine that let him rewrite player stats mid-raid. "Just one more tweak," he muttered, smirking as lines of code scrolled by. His custom script was probing the server's metaphysical layer, the one devs swore didn't exist, treating the game world like a living database.
A warning popped up: [System Integrity Compromised. Disconnecting.] Li Wang laughed it off and hit enter. The screen flickered, then exploded into a vortex of static. Pain lanced through his skull, like his brain was being rewritten. The room spun, monitors shattering in his vision, and then... nothing.
When awareness returned, it wasn't to the familiar buzz of fans or the ache of a all-nighter. Instead, Li Wang felt damp earth against his cheek, the scent of pine and mist filling his nostrils. Birds chirped overhead, and a faint breeze rustled leaves. He groaned, pushing himself up on elbows that felt strangely weak. No keyboard, no screens—just a forest glade bathed in soft, ethereal light.
"What the hell?" He blinked, rubbing his eyes. His hands looked the same, pale and callused from years of typing marathons, but his clothes were gone, replaced by rough-spun robes that itched against his skin. Panic bubbled up as he patted himself down. Wallet? Phone? Nothing. "This isn't funny. If this is some VR prank, I'm suing."
A translucent panel shimmered into view before his eyes, hovering like an augmented reality overlay. [Welcome, User: Li Wang. Integration Complete. Access Granted to World Editor Suite.]
Li Wang froze, his heart pounding. It couldn't be. The interface was sleek, minimalist—search bars, value editors, function analyzers—all ripped straight from his hacking toolkit. But this felt too real. No lag, no pixelation. He waved a hand through it experimentally, and it rippled like water. "Okay, universe. If you're screwing with me, this is next-level."
[Query: Confirm transmigration status?]
"Yeah, confirm. Where am I? And what is this?" He jabbed a finger at the panel.
[Location: Outer Periphery, Whispering Wilds, Xuan Tian Realm. Status: Transmigrated Entity. World Editor Suite: Administrative access to metaphysical variables and functions. Caution: Unauthorized edits may invoke Dao Backlash.]
Xuan Tian Realm? That rang a bell—some xianxia webnovel he'd skimmed once. Cultivation, immortals, all that overpowered fantasy crap. But this... this was his hacking suite, ported into reality. Li Wang's mind raced, a grin creeping onto his face despite the absurdity. If this was real, he wasn't just a player. He was the damn admin.
"Alright, let's test this." He focused on the search bar, muttering, "Scan my stats. Health, strength, whatever."
The panel hummed, data flooding in like a debug log:
[Entity: Li Wang
Realm: Mortal (Peak)
Vitality: 10/10
Qi Reserves: 0/0 (Latent Potential: High)
Strength: 5
Agility: 6
Endurance: 4
Intelligence: 12
Luck: ? (Anomalous)
Special: World Editor Suite (Admin Privileges)]
Mortal Peak. No Qi. He was basically a squishy noob in a world of superhumans. But that intelligence score? Felt right. And the Luck being anomalous—probably from his hacker luck dodging bans.
"Edit time," he said, selecting Vitality. A slider appeared. He nudged it to 15, hit apply. Warmth surged through his limbs, the lingering ache from his fall vanishing. "Holy shit, it works." He stood, testing his balance. Felt solid. No backlash. Yet.
Emboldened, he scanned the environment. [Qi Density: Low (Forest Periphery). Nearby Entities: Spirit Rabbit x3 (Level 1), Minor Herb Node (Qi-Replenishing Leaf x5). Threat Level: Negligible.]
A rabbit hopped into view, its fur shimmering faintly with blue light. Not your average bunny—probably packed with that Qi stuff. Li Wang's stomach growled. He'd kill for a burger, but beggars couldn't be choosers. "Search for edible values on that thing."
[Entity: Azure Spirit Rabbit
Health: 8/8
Qi Essence: 2
Edibility: High (Consuming grants minor Qi awakening)]
Perfect. He crept forward, channeling his inner stealth gamer. The rabbit froze, ears twitching, but he lunged, grabbing it by the scruff. It squirmed, tiny claws scratching, but his boosted vitality shrugged it off. A quick snap of the neck, and it was done. Messy, but effective.
He built a small fire with scavenged flint—thank you, survival games—and roasted the meat. As he ate, a notification pinged.
[Qi Awakening Initiated. Absorbing Essence... Mortal Realm → Qi Gathering Stage 1.]
Energy bloomed in his gut, like static electricity coiling tight. His meridians—whatever those were—tingled, pathways opening like unlocked files. It wasn't much, just a trickle, but it was power. Real power.
Li Wang leaned back against a tree, wiping grease from his chin. "Okay, Li Wang, think. This is the Xuan Tian Realm. Cultivators everywhere, sects, treasures, the works. I'm a hacker in a cultivation world. I can edit the code of reality." He chuckled, the sound echoing oddly in the quiet woods. "This is either the best isekai ever or I'm in a coma."
But the hunger was gone, and that Qi felt good. He experimented further, searching for his own cultivation progress. [Progress to Qi Gathering Stage 2: 5% (Requires Qi accumulation via meditation or elixirs).]
"Meditation, huh?" He sat cross-legged, mimicking poses from those novels. Closing his eyes, he guided the Qi through his body, feeling it pool in his dantian—a warm core below his navel. Minutes stretched into what felt like hours, but the panel ticked up slowly. Boring, but progress.
A rustle in the underbrush snapped him alert. Not a rabbit this time. Footsteps—human, or close enough. Li Wang froze, scanning.
[Entity Approaching: Zhao Feng (Qi Condensation Mid Stage). Intent: Neutral (Scouting). Threat: Moderate.]
Qi Condensation? That was above Mortal, right? Early game boss territory. He edited his Agility to 8, heart racing. Better safe.
A young man emerged from the trees, lean and wiry, with sharp eyes and a patchwork cloak that screamed "budget adventurer." He carried a short sword at his hip and a satchel bulging with what looked like herbs. Spotting Li Wang, he halted, hand drifting to his weapon.
"You there," the man called, voice casual but edged. "Lost? This stretch of the Wilds isn't kind to mortals."
Li Wang stood slowly, forcing a grin. Funny how panic made him quip. "Lost? Nah, just... picnicking. You know, rabbit kebabs and existential dread. Want some?"
The man—Zhao Feng, according to the scan—blinked, then laughed, a short bark that eased the tension. "Bold words for someone in rags. Name's Zhao Feng. Rogue cultivator, if you catch my drift. You don't smell like a local, and that fire's fresh. Bandits been thick lately; thought you might be scouting for 'em."
"Li Wang," he replied, keeping it light. Cunning kicked in—play the fool, gather intel. "Trans... uh, traveler from far off. Yeah, mortals like me stick out. What's the deal with bandits?"
Zhao Feng eyed the spit, then shrugged and accepted a skewer, tearing into it. "Luo Fang's crew, mostly. Foundation Establishment brute leading a pack of Qi Condensation thugs. They hit the trade roads between Azure City and the Jade Mist peaks. Prey on herb gatherers, new disciples. You heading to the city?"
Li Wang nodded, mind whirring. Azure City—sounded like a hub. "Yeah, need to get my bearings. Any advice for a guy with zero Qi?"
"Zero? You're mortal?" Zhao Feng whistled, scanning him with what Li Wang guessed was a cultivator's sense. "Lucky you ran into me, then. The Wilds eat the weak. Stick close; I'll guide you out for a cut of whatever you've got." His eyes flicked to Li Wang's empty hands, amused.
"Deal," Li Wang said, freezing the value of his Qi progress at 5% to prevent any weird decay during the walk. Smart move—stability first.
They set off through the woods, Zhao Feng leading with practiced ease. He chatted freely, filling in the blanks. The Xuan Tian Realm was a brutal ladder: mortals at the bottom, scrambling for scraps of Qi to enter Qi Gathering, then Meridians, Foundation, and up to immortality if you didn't get tribulated into dust. Sects like Jade Mist or Azure Cloud dominated, hoarding manuals and elixirs. Rogue cultivators like Zhao Feng scraped by, allying when it suited.
"You're smart to head to Azure City," Zhao Feng said, hacking at vines. "Markets full of low-tier pills. A bit of labor, and you could buy a basic cultivation art. Just watch for enforcers—they tax outsiders."
Li Wang absorbed it all, his hacker brain categorizing. This world ran on rules—Qi flows, realm breakthroughs, heavenly laws. His suite could crack them wide open. But reckless edits? Backlash sounded bad. Like bluescreening reality.
By midday, the trees thinned, revealing a dirt road scarred by cart ruts. Zhao Feng tensed. "Quiet. Smell that? Smoke."
Li Wang scanned. [Anomaly Detected: Ambush Setup. Entities: Bandit Scouts x4 (Qi Condensation Early). Leader: Luo Fang's Lieutenant (Foundation Early).]
Shit. "Bandits?"
Zhao Feng drew his sword, nodding grimly. "Four, maybe more. You hide; I'll handle—"
A net whistled from the bushes, tangling Zhao Feng's legs. He cursed, slashing futilely as three rough-looking men burst out, laughing. The fourth, burlier with a scarred face, stepped forward. "Well, well. Rogue and a mortal. Hand over the satchel, Feng. Boss Luo wants his cut."
Zhao Feng struggled. "This ain't your road, Dai. We're just passing."
The lieutenant—Dai, apparently—sneered, Qi flaring around his fists. Foundation Early, scan confirmed. He could pulp them both.
Li Wang's mind raced. Fight? No way, not at Mortal. Run? They'd catch him. Hack time. He focused on the net, searching values. [Item: Ironthread Net. Durability: 20/20. Binding Strength: High.]
Edit: Set Durability to 0. Apply.
The net shredded like paper, threads crumbling to dust. Zhao Feng sprang free, eyes wide. "What sorcery?"
"Later," Li Wang hissed, boosting his own speed again. But Dai was already charging, a punch crackling with Qi aimed at Li Wang's chest.
Instinct took over. Search Dai's Qi Reserves. [Qi: 45/50.] Edit: Drain to 0. But hesitation—would that kill him? Backlash risk?
He compromised: Freeze Qi output. Apply.
Dai's fist halted mid-swing, Qi fizzling out like a stalled engine. Confusion twisted his face. "What... my power!"
Zhao Feng capitalized, sword flashing. He disarmed one scout, kicked another into the brush. Li Wang grabbed a fallen dagger, more for show, and jabbed at the third, who yelped and fled.
Dai roared, but without Qi, he was just a big guy. Zhao Feng's boot to the knee dropped him, then a hilt to the temple knocked him out cold.
Panting, Zhao Feng turned to Li Wang. "You... how? That net, his Qi—it just stopped."
Li Wang shrugged, playing it cool. "Trade secret. Let's say I'm good with tricks."
Zhao Feng stared, then grinned. "Tricks, huh? You're no ordinary mortal. Come on, before reinforcements show."
They looted the scouts— a few spirit stones, minor herbs—and bound Dai to a tree. As they hurried down the road, Li Wang felt eyes on them. His scan picked up a distant figure watching from the treeline: [Entity: Sung Ji-Yeon (Qi Condensation Late). Intent: Curious (Observing).]
Who was she? Ally or spy? Zhao Feng didn't notice, chattering about splitting the loot.
Azure City's walls loomed ahead, bustling gates guarded by enforcers in sect robes. Safety, for now. But Li Wang's gut twisted. That edit on Dai—had it left a trace? The air hummed faintly, like code compiling.
As they approached the gates, a patrol captain barked orders. [Entity: Ren Hao (Foundation Stage 6). Scanning entrants.]
Zhao Feng tensed. "Act natural. But if they question us..."
Li Wang nodded, but inside, he was already searching for exit variables. Something told him this city held more than markets. And that frozen Qi on Dai? It might thaw with interest—from someone a lot stronger.
The gates creaked open, but before they stepped through, a low rumble echoed from the woods behind. Distant shouts, hoofbeats. Reinforcements? Or worse?
Li Wang glanced back, the panel flickering with a new alert: [Dao Anomaly Detected: Minor Backlash Imminent.]
Great. Just what a hacker needed—a world antivirus on his tail.