Darkness. A thick, suffocating darkness surrounded Li Qingyun. His thoughts were a swirling storm of confusion and panic. One moment, he remembered the blinding headlights, the screech of tires, and the crushing impact — then nothing. Yet now, he was… somewhere. His senses were numb, his body heavy and unresponsive.
He tried to move, but his limbs wouldn't listen. He tried to speak, but only a faint, incoherent noise escaped. Panic gripped him, but he fought against it, forcing himself to stay calm. That was who he was — calm and adaptable, even in the worst of situations.
Gradually, muffled sounds began to reach him. Voices — warm, excited voices.
"It's a boy! A healthy boy!" a cheerful, unfamiliar voice exclaimed.
"Thank the heavens! Our precious son is here!" Another voice, this one softer, filled with joy and relief.
Li Qingyun struggled to understand. Where was he? Who were these people? He tried to see, but his vision was blurry, only faint shapes and lights dancing before him. He felt himself being lifted, wrapped in something warm and soft. A gentle, trembling hand touched his cheek.
"Oh, my little Qingyun… you're finally here…" The voice was gentle, full of love.
Qingyun. They called him Qingyun.
Realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. This wasn't a dream. It wasn't some strange, foggy memory. He was… a baby. Reincarnated.
His mind raced, struggling to make sense of it all. He had died — that much he knew. The accident, the pain, the darkness… and now he was here, a newborn. The warmth of the blanket, the gentle touch, the loving voices — it was all real.
As the days passed, Qingyun began to learn more. His blurry vision slowly cleared, and he saw the faces of his new parents. His mother, a beautiful woman with gentle features and a kind smile, often held him close, whispering soft words of love. Her name was Lin Meiyu. His father, a tall, dignified man with a stern but warm presence, was Li Tianyang. The Li family was clearly wealthy, judging by the grand, elegantly decorated room he spent most of his time in.
Golden silk curtains framed the large windows, letting in the warm sunlight. Delicate, hand-painted porcelain vases stood in the corners, and a grand, intricately carved wooden crib was where Qingyun spent most of his days. Servants moved quietly through the halls, always respectful, always attentive.
But while his parents showered him with love, Li Qingyun's mind remained a storm of thoughts. The shock of being reincarnated didn't fade easily. At first, he wondered if this was some strange afterlife or a dream he couldn't wake up from. But the warmth of his mother's embrace, the soothing scent of her perfume, the soft lullabies she sang — all of it was too vivid, too real.
"I'm alive… but in another world," he thought to himself one quiet afternoon, as his mother gently rocked him to sleep.
Days turned to weeks, and his panic slowly faded. He adapted, just as he always did. Li Qingyun's mind remained sharp, even within his tiny body. He listened carefully to the conversations around him, trying to learn as much as he could. The Li family was one of wealth and influence, with his father managing a prosperous business in the city. Their mansion was a grand estate surrounded by lush gardens, and the family was respected by everyone in the region.
His parents adored him, always by his side whenever they could spare a moment. His mother would sing to him, tell him stories of heroes and legends, while his father proudly held him, promising to teach him everything he knew once he grew older.
But Qingyun's thoughts were always a mix of wonder and worry. He had been given a second chance at life, but in a completely different world. What was this place? Was it safe? Could he build a new life here? He knew nothing about this world's rules or dangers.
Until one night, everything changed.
He lay quietly in his crib, staring up at the elegant, silver patterns carved into the ceiling. A soft breeze whispered through the open window, the moonlight casting a pale glow across the room. His parents had already retired to their chambers, and the mansion was silent.
Suddenly, a faint, cold sensation washed over him — a tingling that spread from the center of his body to his fingertips. His vision seemed to blur for a moment, and then a translucent, faintly glowing screen appeared before his eyes.
[SYSTEM INITIALIZED]
[Welcome, Li Qingyun.]
[You have awakened the Self-Cultivating Technique System.]
Li Qingyun's heart raced. A system? Like the stories of game-like worlds he had heard back in his previous life? But his shock quickly faded, replaced by his natural calm. He studied the screen, and more text began to appear.
[System Functions:]
Slot Space: You may place any technique within the system's slots. Techniques placed will automatically cultivate and improve over time.
Technique Ranks: Techniques are categorized from Rank 1 to Rank 9, with each rank further divided into four grades: Low, Medium, High, and Supreme.
Energy Requirement: The system requires energy to function. Energy can be absorbed passively or actively from your surroundings, or through special resources you may acquire.
Current Slots Available: 1 (Additional slots can be unlocked through growth or special conditions.)
Li Qingyun stared at the screen, absorbing the information. This was… beyond anything he could have imagined. A system that could automatically cultivate techniques for him? In his past life, he had struggled through each day, barely making ends meet. But here, with this system, he had a chance to become something more.
"Calm down… Understand it first…" he thought, his sharp mind already piecing together possibilities. If the system could cultivate techniques for him, then his focus would be on acquiring the best techniques and providing the necessary energy. But where would he find these techniques? What kind of world was this?
The translucent screen remained before his eyes, and he noticed a faint, swirling mist around his tiny body — a faint blue light that seemed to flow into his chest.
[Energy absorption active. Passive energy intake detected.]
So even now, his system was absorbing energy on its own. A faint sense of excitement sparked within him, a feeling he hadn't experienced in a long time. He had a second chance, a chance to rise above the ordinary life he once led.
But he didn't allow himself to get carried away. He knew better than anyone that the world could be harsh. Even with a system, recklessness would lead to disaster.
"Adapt first… Understand the world… then grow."
With his calm and adaptable nature, Li Qingyun set his first goal — to learn everything he could about this new world and quietly strengthen himself. In this life, he would not be just an ordinary man struggling to survive.
This time, he would seize every opportunity.