Chương 2: What He Left Behind

"So much for a fresh start, huh?" One whole day. He had slept one freaking whole day. And he still had a terrible headache. Ren pinched the bridge of his nose. [Lifecore Tree System] Host: Ren Lifeseed: None Talent: Divine Strength (Erased) Stage: Nascent Soul (Broken) Body Stage: First Shackle of Indestructable Body He looked at the system panel again. For something that drilled itself into his mind like a true tribulation, this thing sure lacked the courtesy to explain itself. All he got was: Find a lifeseed.

It didn't even bother to explain what this lifeseed might be.

"If this damn thing is my only way forward… I'm truly doomed, aren't I?" he exhaled deeply for what felt like the hundredth time.

"Fine, baby steps then. I am already used to rolling in dirt, and I survived a freaking modern world of slavery. Let's see what counts as Lifeseed." Of course, he first checked out the Insightdeepener Trees. After all, they should count as precious trees, right?

"System, is this suitable?" he asked, putting one hand on a real behemoth of a tree, its trunk thick enough that four people would need to link hands to hug it. It must be the eldest one. No response.

"Next."

"Next."

"Bloody hell, next!" He went through the whole backyard, but the system didn't reply once. Ren's eye twitched as he fought the urge to curse the damned thing's entire family tree. Or maybe I should use your family tree as my lifeseed, you little… Huh… what did I even expect from a freaking tree system? The blame is mine! Clenching his hands, he turned on his heel and wrapped a white robe over his shoulders. He needed to revisit the Alchemy Peak.

If even they didn't have such a thing, then this system of his would be his true end.

"Greetings, young master!" The servants rose upon seeing him, and the middle-aged woman took out a tray at the same time. Steam rose in circles as soon as she lifted the lid, carrying the rich aroma of meat soup.

"You must be hungry, young master," she said with a gentle smile.

"Master Lei just sent this. Please eat something before going out." Ren threw a quick look, but shook his head.

"No need," he muttered, but his stomach betrayed him in no time, growling loudly. Hey, you don't have to embarrass me, alright? She covered her mouth, clearly holding back her smile.

"At least take a bite, young master." Ren let out a sigh and gave up. Only now he remembered he hadn't eaten anything since the day before. He took a scoop while standing. Just a few bites shouldn't be a problem, I guess… What?! He felt as if firecrackers went off in his mouth. The meat melted instantly, while a blend of spices resembling garlic, curry, and chili pepper danced across his tongue, stimulating his senses for one brief, endless moment.

But the soup washed them clean, not letting them tire his taste buds. He gulped, wondering how it even managed that. His eyes widened slightly. As someone who loves getting his hands dirty in the kitchen, he couldn't put a finger on what animal's meat this was. It carried a deer's firm texture, but melted more easily than oily lamb, tasting like a soothing mix of grilled steak and pork belly.

"Don't just focus on soup, young master, you need to eat properly to be healthy," she muttered, seeing him lose himself in the soup, and pushed another bowl. It seemed no different than broccoli salad—at least to Ren— glistening with olive oil and topped with smoked nuts and seeds. Ren's face twisted. No way in hell I'm eating greens— His mind said one thing, but his body did another, not even hesitating to betray him. He took a bite. And he had to admit it was… strangely good?

Raising a brow, he took another spoonful. It's still weird, but edible. But this doesn't change the fact that meat is the king! Without realizing, he'd polished off the whole tray and even searched for more for a second. For the first time since waking up in this world, he felt… alive. If only everything else could be this simple…

"Little Mei, bring another serving. Be quick." The woman waved a hand, and Little Mei took out a wide sword, stepping on it.

"This," Ren woke up from his thoughts, nearly letting out a burp. He stopped himself just in time, raising his fist to mouth, and faked a cough.

"Ahem, it was delicious, Madam Zhang, but it's enough. You don't need to go, Little Mei." Madam Zhang's lips curled up, but then a sigh parted them.

"We didn't do our job properly and caused you to suffer, young master. Please punish us as you see fit." Lifting her robe's hem, she bent her waist. Other servants followed as well, their voices a chorus.

"Please punish us as you see fit, young master!" Ren flinched. He felt a strange weight in his chest. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

"What nonsense are you talking about?" he asked, voice laced with irritation. He grabbed Madam Zhang's elbow to make her rise. She didn't budge, her tone firm and resolute, "Because of us, and our negligence, you starved, Young Master. Even though you ordered us not to come inside, we should still have checked on you instead of waiting here like—""Just like you said," Ren cut her words off and used both hands to support her.

"I ordered you. And you didn't starve me. I am not a baby that needs care around the clock. I just forgot to eat something. So please, don't be like this." His words softened toward the end as he remembered the times he had been forced to lower his proud head. Ren added, "And don't ever lower your heads lightly. Unless it's your father or teacher, don't." I never thought I would use this line ever in my entire life… All that reading paid off well.

"All of you are proud disciples of the Supreme Judgment Sect; hold your head high." Though stubborn as a bull, she let him, a genuine smile blooming on her face.

"Thank you, young master." Other disciples lifted their heads too, despite their obvious hesitations. Ren mustered a gentle smile. However, life loved to throw him a curveball. Lightning crashed into the manor's entrance, and quickly turned into a girl clad in black robes. Her eyes practically glimmered.

"Ren!" she said, happiness oozing just from her voice.

"Can we talk a little bit? I—""I really want to, but I am in a hurry. Maybe for another time, Baozhai." Ren lowered his head and left as quickly as his steps would take him. What a mess you left behind for me, soul brother.

"Wait, don't you remember your promise…" She called behind him, but he didn't turn around. No— he didn't dare to. I'm sorry. … Although he thought he did the right thing, the burning in his calves said otherwise. Ren practically fled to the Alchemy Peak, weaving through the winding stone paths and towering pavilions that reeked of herbs and medicinal smoke. The disciples here, though still greeting him, kept always brief.

Their half-green, half-yellow robes fluttered with their hurried steps, a perpetual frown on their faces. Perfect. Ren moved from one spiritual herb garden to another, touching everything from ancient roots to exotic flowers, fledgling saplings to freshly planted seeds. He hoped at least one of them would trigger a response from the system. Nothing. He gritted his teeth and pressed on. One hour. Two hours. Half the damn day.

"Next."

"Next."

"Next!" If this damn system were something tangible, he'd have long fed it to the pigs by now. Ren slumped against an old willow, rubbing his temples. He stared at the half moon shining over his head.

"Maybe I should just shove myself into the sacred shrine and call it enlightenment… hell, even that is another confrontation in itself."

"Ah, just when I thought you had learned self-reflection." A familiar voice echoed from behind. Calm. Warm. Unfathomable. Ren's body stiffened. His eyes searched around desperately, and he jumped to his feet yet found himself rooted on the spot.

"Master…" He turned around with a bitter smile, only to meet the calm yet terrifying gaze of Qin Guiren, his master. Also, the Supreme Judgment Sect's Sect Master. The man stood with his hands behind his back, clad in a white robe with dragon insignia slithering all over it. The air rippled quietly with his every step. Ren instinctively lowered his head.

"Disciple greets Master." Qin Guiren's gaze swept over him, lingering for a moment too long.

"You've been avoiding me."

"…I wouldn't dare."

"You dare."

"I—""Tell me, son," Qin Guiren's voice sharpened; the warm breeze halted at the same time.

"If you can talk back to me, what wouldn't you dare?" A suffocating silence settled between them. Ren felt as if he was about to be squashed into spiritual paste. Yet it also awakened his stubborn pride. He raised his head, opening his mouth. But staring into the deep abyss of Qin Guiren's eyes, he froze. He had to admit that Qin Guiren must have been a lady-killer in his younger days, and that had continued even now.

He had chiseled, sharp features that seemed carved by a talented sculptor with little to no wrinkles. Unlike most other elders, he preferred a clean shave that gave him a more regal air. His long, dark hair flowed like a river of ink, tied back with a jade hairpin shaped like a curved dragon. Yet what made Ren stop was the blame written across his face. The bitter thought of 'I failed you'. Qin Guiren shrugged his mountain-like shoulders and reached toward his hair, ruffling it gently, a sigh escaping his lips.

"No matter what, you are, and always will be, my one and only disciple. Once a master—""Always a father…" Ren blurted out, trembling. He never knew a father's touch, but all his instincts screamed at him that this was it. This… was it.

"Master," he muttered, lowering his head once again, but not out of shame. Only to hide tears. I… I… am not him… how can I… He couldn't wrap his head around his feelings. They were… strange. Unfamiliar. Warm.

"It's getting late, child. Go and have a good rest. I need to go somewhere," Qin Guiren muttered, patting his back before disappearing in a purple flash. Ren was sure that he had seen a resolute glimmer in his eyes just at the last second. He inhaled deeply, then let it out. Inhale. Exhale.

"What am I gonna do…" he muttered, staring at the dark sky. All kinds of stars blinked above him. He didn't know a single one of them, yet he remembered them all.

"Why do people have to care about you so much, huh, soul brother? Why can't you let me blend into the crowd and be someone insignificant, just like how I… I…" sniffing his nose sharply, Ren punched the innocent tree. At the same time, he saw two scorched marks on the ground where Qin Guiren had stood.

"Fucking hell." Only a dull thud answered back. … Ren found himself in his backyard, once again. The earthy smell, combined with the warm breeze, helped him calm his battered self. He stood in the center, taking a deep breath, eyes closed. He shifted his stance, feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent. His hands raised gently, palms facing outward as he drew circles in the air. First, a great one on the left, then two small ones on the right. Take two steps forward, push your right palm out as…

He repeated every step in his mind, forcing himself to only focus on the mantra of the Heavenly Serenity Technique. He had found this technique buried in his soul brother's memories, something the former owner had only dabbled with before switching to more aggressive methods. Typical for someone that young. But Ren felt a quiet charm in its simplicity and made it a daily habit. It was simple yet profound— meant to align the breath, the body, and the flow of spiritual energy into one seamless rhythm.

Ren exhaled slowly, steadying his thoughts. The day's weariness melted in no time. He focused inward, feeling the subtle energy stir deep within his body, trickling through his pores like a hesitant stream. Almost imperceptible at first, like the faintest ripple on still water. What a wondrous thing it was. Moving as if alive in one moment, then going still the next like a bored child. Sometimes it loved to throw a tantrum, getting edgy, but his calm movements were enough to rein it in. Ah, an unruly brat it is.

Lovely, thought Ren, his lips curled a little. As always, he felt the spiritual energy gather and pool within him, but like a dam with a crack, it quickly began to leak, spilling outward. He knew this sensation all too well. His broken foundation couldn't contain or absorb the energy— it slipped away the moment it entered him, like trying to catch smoke with his bare hands. A faint disappointment settled over him, yet he continued.

Even though he couldn't cultivate, letting the spiritual energy course through his meridians was a rare grace for any mortal, its ethereal feeling a wonder he had never felt. He started to lose himself in it. Didn't care how numb his muscles felt. Didn't care that sweat had soaked through his clothes. Didn't care about the burning in his chest. He just felt that peace, that serene feeling. My entire life has been spent searching for such a relief. A peace I can feel with my whole heart.

Never thought I would find it in a different world, in such a cruel joke. Whichever entity sent me here, thank— A sharp pain stabbed at him right in his core all of a sudden, causing him to buckle. He broke into a coughing fit, spiritual energy overflowing from his body. Bloody thanks, huh? His coughs turned into bitter laughter, which ended with him vomiting a mouthful of fresh blood.

"I take back what I said." The words forced their way out of his parted lips, his throat burning.

"Fuck you, you bastard!"

"Quarreling with… spiritual energy, young man. And you even lost… interesting. This old bag of bones thought he woke me up for a dire situation, but being greeted by such a sight… interesting." Just at this moment, an ancient voice came from behind.