Chapter 1: Unexpected Death & Opportunity (Prologue)
Two figures were floating in a pitch-black space. The only source of light was the glowing golden wheel with a Yin-Yang symbol floating behind one of them.
One of these two figures was a young man of mixed Asian and American descent in his twenties. His naked body was translucent and hazy because he was just a soul without a physical vessel.
The other figure was an elder with long white hair. His robes were in tatters, as if he had just finished a fierce battle.
"I am sorry, child. It seems that during my fight against a Malevolent Entity, our clash accidentally killed you. Your abnormal death got you kicked out of your universe. We are currently in the void between universes in the vast multiverse," the old man regretfully informed him.
"I see," the young man responded calmly. He didn't freak out, nor did he display any over-the-top reactions.
He knew that the old man wasn't lying. He remembered that he was on his way home from his workplace when a flash of light suddenly robbed him of his sight and consciousness. After that, he found himself in this place.
After pondering for a while, the young man spoke up. "So, will you reincarnate me into another world?"
The old man shook his head. "Why do you want to be reincarnated in another world? I can resurrect you in your world so that you can continue your life as if nothing happened, you know."
"Please send me to another world," the young man insisted.
The old man contemplated for a moment. "Are you sure?" he asked.
"Yes." The young man nodded firmly.
"Alright, since you insist on being reincarnated in another world, I will grant your request. Moreover, I will give you a boon so that you can survive there," the old man said.
"I grant you immortality... so long as even one person remembers you, you shall never truly perish."
Immortality.
Was this not the ultimate dream of all cultivators?
The young man felt a surge of excitement after hearing the old man's words.
His plan was to get reincarnated as a Xianxia protagonist with strong plot... ahem, with a strong Fate.
He was a fan of Xianxia stories. Sue him.
If he was reborn as one of those Xianxia protagonists with strong fates, he could let Fate carry him while trying to avoid the pitfalls. He was certain that he could reach the apex of that universe.
"Anyway, let's start with your destination. Do you have any preference? There are countless worlds in the vast multiverse. Anything you can imagine, even the most outrageous concepts, probably exists somewhere out there," the old man said.
The young man returned to his senses and nodded. He contemplated for a moment before speaking.
"Alright, I want to reincarnate as the main character of a vast cultivation world. I want to take his place as the protagonist and gain his memories without being affected by his residual feelings."
He knew that he would be indirectly killing the original hero, but he didn't care. If he got an opportunity that forced him to sacrifice a stranger, he would always prioritize his own future over their lives.
He wouldn't lose a wink of sleep if a stranger died next to him. He only cared about himself and those closest to him.
He was not a saint. He was a selfish man who just wanted to have a fulfilling life.
His past had taught him that he must take chances without hesitation. His life had been full of ups and downs.
He had grown up with loving and supportive parents, but they unexpectedly died in a car crash during his second semester of college.
Following that, he was thrust into a harsh reality completely unprepared. He worked as a laborer in a warehouse to support himself.
It was a harsh, demanding, and unfulfilling life. At least, the internet and the hookers he rented occasionally made his life more bearable.
His reason for choosing a Xianxia world was simply because he loved binge-reading the novels and was an avid fan of the genre.
His main priority was to have a fun, satisfying life, not to fix the problems of that universe.
He wanted to build a harem!
The old man waved his horsetail whisk, sending a stream of light directly into the young man's forehead.
Just as his soul began to dissipate, the young man lowered his head in gratitude. "Thank you for granting my selfish requests."
"Don't be too polite. In the first place, your death was my mistake. Anyway, I will send you to your destination now."
"Okay. I'm ready."
A brilliant light suddenly enveloped the young man. It swept him away, leaving behind a glowing trail like a comet.
Left alone, the old man watched until the light completely disappeared.
A moment later, the old man also vanished.
Stillness returned to this small corner of the vast multiverse.