That night, as Shiva—now called Sun—sat outside the hut under the twin moons of this new world, his head began to throb violently. His vision blurred, his breathing quickened, and then the memories poured in like a flood breaking through a dam.
He was not just dreaming of another life. He had lived it.
He remembered Earth. The betrayal, the grief, the suffocating sorrow. He remembered novels, philosophies, the longing to escape. He was not transmigrated—he was reincarnated, his soul reborn in a world that mirrored the very fantasies he used to read about. And now, the memories of both lives surged within him.
Suddenly, a chime echoed in his mind.
[Spiritual Awakening Detected]Initiating System Interface...
A translucent panel opened before his eyes, visible only to him.
Name: Sun (Shiva)Origin Soul: Earth RealmBloodline: UnknownStatus: Dormant AwakenerCultivation System Activated
"Welcome, Awakened One. Your journey begins now."
The system was like those he had read about. But this one felt real, personal, integrated into his very soul.
Cultivation System Overview:
In this world, cultivation was the path to power, enlightenment, and even godhood. The system was divided into nine major stages:
Body Tempering – Strengthens the physical body to its limits.
Qi Gathering – First stage of absorbing spiritual energy (Qi) from the environment.
Foundation Establishment – Solidifies one's spiritual core; defines future potential.
Core Formation – Crystallizes the inner Qi into a Core; cultivator gains elemental affinity.
Nascent Soul – The soul evolves and separates from the body, gaining awareness and control.
Soul Transformation – Refinement of the Nascent Soul into a divine embryo; grants advanced spiritual techniques.
Spirit Ascension – Connection with the universal energies; cultivator's body and soul evolve together.
Void Merging – The physical form starts to dissolve; cultivator gains semi-divine abilities.
Heaven Ascending – Final mortal stage; leads to ascension into the Immortal Realms if successful.
Each stage contained multiple sub-realms, and advancement required talent, resources, and relentless will.
As Shiva processed the knowledge, the pain dulled, replaced by an overwhelming sense of clarity. For the first time, the universe seemed to whisper not despair, but promise.
He clenched his fists, looked up at the alien sky, and said to himself, "This time, I won't live to endure—I will live to awaken."
And far away, the cosmos stirred, as if listening to a soul it had long awaited.
To be continued...