Chapter 1: The Truth

  Sandy Village was a small settlement amidst an endless sea of dunes, where golden sands stretched as far as the eye could see. The occasional desert beast roamed the area, prowling for prey. But despite its harsh environment, the village thrived—thanks to a past miracle that had forever changed its fate.

  Today was Shen Zhiyu's tenth birthday. An orphan, yet never alone, he was cherished by the entire village. They believed he was destined for greatness, for his mother had once been their savior—an immortal who had not only rescued them but also taught them the ways of cultivation. The village of today was unrecognizable compared to what it had been before his birth.

  At the center of the training grounds, the sounds of combat echoed. A boy groaned in pain.

  "Stop, stop, stop!" Shen cried out, rubbing his bruised back. "Sister Lan, please! It’s my birthday—can’t you go easy on me?"

  Towering over him was a twelve-year-old girl with a stoic expression, piercing green eyes, and golden hair. She held her wooden training sword by her side, completely unmoved by his pleas.

  Tsk, tsk, if only Sister Lan smiled. She might just make my heart skip a beat, Shen thought bitterly.

  “You’re taking advantage of our training, Sister Lan! Just wait until I start cultivating. Then I’ll get my revenge!” he declared, pointing at her dramatically.

  Lan Yue simply sheathed her sword. "Go wash up," a calm voice interrupted. "Shen, come with me—I have something to tell you."

  Granny Mei’s words left no room for argument. Lan Yue gave a brief nod before leaving without a glance back. Meanwhile, Shen stuck his tongue out at her retreating figure before following the village elder.

  Inside Granny Mei’s humble hut, the air felt heavier than usual. Shen instinctively pulled out a chair for her, then stood before her, his curiosity piqued.

  "Yes, Granny Mei? Do you need help with something?" he asked.

  The old woman shook her head. "No, little Shen. I am here to fulfill a promise I made long ago. Now that you are ten, it is time you learn the truth."

  A strange feeling stirred in his chest. Shen took a deep breath and sat on the ground, sensing the gravity of what was about to be said. Granny Mei’s usual warmth was tinged with an unfamiliar seriousness that only deepened his unease.

  "Shen, I know you’ve always asked about your parents. We never answered because we weren’t allowed to—not until you were of age to begin cultivating."

  Shen forced a smile. "I know you had a reason, Granny. It’s okay." Yet his clenched fists and the way he shifted on the ground betrayed his words.

  Granny Mei sighed. "I will tell you everything I know. Do you realize that this village was once nothing like it is today? We were ignorant of cultivation, barely surviving. Then, eleven years ago, everything changed. Your mother arrived."

  Shen's heart pounded.

  "She appeared out of nowhere in the midst of a beast attack," Granny Mei continued. "Chief Lin was on the verge of death. Many others were gravely wounded. We thought it was the end. But then, your mother lifted her hand—and with a single motion, all the beasts vanished. Incinerated. Just like that."

  Shen’s breath hitched. He had never seen Chief Lin struggle against any beast before, yet his mother had ended the battle in an instant.

  "She then healed us. Every injury, every sickness—gone in the blink of an eye. It was as if time itself had reversed its damage."

  Shen’s eyes widened. Nobody in the village could perform feats remotely close to that. He bolted to his feet, excitement surging through him. "Does that mean my mother was an immortal?!"

  Granny Mei gestured for him to sit back down. "We cannot say for certain. When I asked her, she claimed to be at the Essence Condensation stage. But Shen, your mother was playful and mischievous. I believe she downplayed her power to keep us from worrying. I suspect her cultivation was far beyond what we can comprehend."

  Shen’s mind swirled with the revelation. "So she’s the reason the village has cultivators now... the reason we no longer struggle."

  Granny Mei nodded. "She gave us knowledge—manuals, techniques, guidance. She personally trained many of us. Thanks to her, we are no longer helpless in this vast desert."

  A heavy silence settled between them, allowing Shen to process everything. Then, he spoke the question that had been clawing at his heart.

  "Granny... you’ve only talked about my mother. What about my father?"

  Granny Mei’s expression darkened. "That... we do not know. Whenever I asked, your mother refused to answer. All she said was this: If you wish to know why they left you, then become strong—so strong that no one can stand in your way. Only then will you find them, and only then will they find you."

  Shen paled. He wasn’t foolish. He understood what that meant. His parents had been in grave danger—so much so that raising and protecting him was impossible. They had hidden him away in this village, beyond the reach of whatever forces hunted them.

  He swallowed hard. "Is that all, Granny Mei?"

  "No," she said, standing up. "Your mother left behind gifts for you. She told me to give them to you on your tenth birthday. They are her and your father’s final parting gifts."

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  She moved to the corner of the room, lifting a beast-fur rug to reveal a hidden compartment. From it, she pulled out a small wooden box, old yet carefully preserved.

  Shen’s breath hitched. For the first time in his life, he would receive something from his parents. Something they had left just for him.

  He stepped forward, heart pounding with anticipation.

  Shen carefully took the black box from Granny Mei’s hands, his fingers trembling slightly. "Granny Mei, how do I open it?"

  She shook her head. "I’m not sure, little Shen. Your mother didn’t leave any instructions—only that this was meant for you on your tenth birthday. Take it back to your hut. I’ll tell everyone not to disturb you for the rest of the day."

  "Thank you, Granny Mei." Shen bowed deeply before dashing back to his small hut. Inside, the space was simple—a wooden bed, a single window, and a small desk with a chair beside it. He placed the box on the desk and stared intently at it.

  I hope you’re safe, wherever you are. I’ll find you one day… but first, how do I open this thing?

  Far across the vast universe, in an isolated cabin, a silver-haired woman sneezed—and promptly blew up the entire structure.

  "Fucking hell! Who’s talking about me behind my back?" she cursed, standing amidst the wreckage. Then, her expression softened. "Wait… what day is it?" Her golden eyes widened. "Oh my god… my baby boy. He should be turning ten today, at least by that world's time. Happy birthday, my son."

  Back in the hut, Shen suddenly shivered, glancing over his shoulder as if someone were watching him. Weird… I swear I just felt something.

  Night had already fallen, and the village was quiet. He hadn’t realized how much time had passed while he was focused on the box.

  Maybe I should try using a drop of blood…

  Without hesitation, Shen pricked his thumb with a pin and let a droplet fall onto the box.

  CRACK.

  It worked! He sucked on his thumb, watching in amazement as the box split open. Inside, two objects rested within—an ornate ring and a floating, glowing orb.

  Which one should I check first…? His curiosity got the best of him. He reached out and touched the orb. The moment his fingers made contact, his vision went black.

  Something was happening. Something profound. His mind, body, and soul trembled as an unseen force surged through him.

  When Shen woke, the first thing he noticed was the faint morning light streaming through his window. He bolted upright. What happened last night?

  His eyes darted around—then widened. The ring was now on his finger, fitting perfectly. The box, once large, had transformed into a small cube hanging from a thin chain around his neck. But the orb? It was gone.

  A sudden, unfamiliar sound echoed in his mind.

  [ARISE, SHEN ZHIYU.]

  [M@$#%#@$ §|€￡&@$&H]

  [WELCOME TO THE CHAOS SYSTEM.]

  Shen gasped. The words weren’t spoken—they simply existed within him, undeniable and absolute. He waved his hands through the glowing messages, but they remained, even when he closed his eyes.

  Then, more text appeared before him:

  [Name: Shen Zhiyu]

  [Title:]

  [Bloodline: (SEALED)]

  [Body Constitution: (SEALED)]

  [Cultivation Level:]

  [Attributes:]

  Strength - 5

  Vitality - 7

  Agility - 9

  Perception - 4

  Willpower - 2

  [Active Skills:]

  [Passive Skills: Divine Analysis]

  [Inbox: 1 Unread Message (Special Message from Mom)]

  Shen’s breath hitched. Without hesitation, he selected the message. A soft, warm voice—one he had never heard before—filled his mind.

  "Hi, my son… I’m so sorry we can’t be there for you, to watch you grow, to stay together as a family. But happy birthday, my little bug. We love you. Grow strong, and come find us. I created this system to guide you through cultivation, and your father left you the ring. This is all I can say for now… but I wish you luck on your journey. Stay safe, bug."

  As the message ended, tears welled in Shen’s eyes. He had always been loved by the village, but this was different. This was his mother—his real mother—telling him she cared. That she had been thinking of him all this time.

  He cried, silent sobs shaking his small frame. For several minutes, he let himself feel the weight of her words. Then, with a deep breath, he wiped his tears away.

  Determined, he turned back to the system interface. His eyes narrowed as he read over his status again.

  A sealed bloodline… a sealed body constitution… and this skill, Divine Analysis…

  Something else caught his attention. Next to his name in the initial message, a garbled section of text remained unreadable.

  What is that?

  The moment he thought about the question, a new prompt appeared:

  [Would you like to initiate Divine Analysis?]

  [Yes / No]

  Without hesitation, Shen selected [Yes]—and instantly regretted it. A splitting headache hit him, forcing him to clutch his temples.

  [Divine Analysis failed.]

  [Obstruction detected: The Eternal Ring.]

  Shen groaned, shaking his head. The ring? He glanced down at the band on his finger, and as if responding to his gaze, a message hovered beside it:

  [The Eternal Ring.]

  Something told him this ring was far more important than he realized.

  A new prompt appeared:

  [Would you like to soul-bind The Eternal Ring?]

  [Yes / No]