C1 Wei Lulin

In the dead of night, the attic was chilled by a draft that slipped through the window cracks, causing the candlelight to flicker and dance. In the uncertain glow, a pair of complex eyes could be discerned.

What did these eyes reveal?

They were brimming with a mix of resignation, terror, helplessness, defiance, rage, and even a hint of surprise. Such a tumult of emotions was concentrated in this gaze, clearly reflecting the inner turmoil of their owner, Wei Lulin, at that very moment.

Wei Lulin took a deep breath and slowly let it out. He extended his left hand, observing its delicate whiteness contrasted by calloused thumb and forefinger, and shook his head in silent bitterness.

"Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that the kind of transmigration mishap from a web novel would actually happen to me. Is this luck, or just misfortune?"

Exhaling, Wei Lulin mustered his spirits and stood up. He opened the attic window, allowing the brisk wind to caress his face as he gazed forlornly into the distance, his mind inevitably wandering back to the time before his unexpected journey.

In his former life, he was a programmer, creating software for a living. The job was monotonous, his lifestyle introverted, and his ambitions modest.

His life goal was straightforward and practical: to work hard and buy a small house in the capital by the age of 32, to marry a woman of gentle kindness rather than striking beauty, to raise a beloved child, to bring his elderly parents to the city to care for them, and to live out his days in contented simplicity.

His dreams were grounded, yet reality proved harsh.

Over three decades of economic reform had propelled China's rapid development, with prices soaring just as quickly. Coupled with the deliberate inflation of housing prices by some for massive profits, the cost of living in the capital had become exorbitantly high.

For the average worker, a lifetime of labor might not suffice to afford even a bathroom in a house. But Wei Lulin was exceptional in ability and resilience, willing to endure hardship for the sake of his dreams.

After six years of diligent saving, the balance in his bank account had swelled to a seven-figure sum, enough to cover the down payment on an 80-square-meter home. Yet, he refused to let homeownership dictate his life or compromise the quality of life he shared with his parents, so he continued to work tirelessly.

Six days ago, he was handed an urgent overtime project: to create a data analytics software for an international trading company, with a five-day deadline.

The software was straightforward, and the programming was simple, but it was time-consuming. Initially, he questioned whether his health could endure the strain, but the company's offer of a 50,000 yuan bonus dispelled any doubts, and he eagerly accepted the task.

For three days and nights, he went without proper rest, catching only an hour or two of sleep when exhaustion overcame him, and subsisting on the occasional bowl of instant noodles when hunger struck.

The combination of sleep deprivation, poor nutrition, and excessive physical and mental exertion proved fatal; he collapsed and died at his computer. Upon awakening, he found himself in a completely foreign environment, with someone else's memories flooding his mind.

His ability to adapt quickly to new surroundings helped him come to terms with the reality of his transmigration. Moreover, the body he now inhabited shared his name, easing his transition into this new existence.

His greatest concern was for his parents back on Earth, and how they would cope with the devastating news of their son's sudden passing.

The Endless Forest, one of the eight Forbidden Lands on the Eternal Continent, was a labyrinth of perils, its depths unknown. Home to innumerable formidable Magical Beasts, it was considered an absolute no-go zone for humans, a treasure land that would forever remain unconquered.

The Forbidden Lands were synonymous with death, yet they also harbored wealth beyond imagination.

Untouched by human hands, the Endless Forest retained its pristine state, brimming with Celestial Materials And Earthly Treasures. Legends spoke of miraculous items within that could resurrect the dead, and even transcendental treasures capable of granting ascension by daylight.

As the adage goes: Desire has the power to drive one to madness.

To secure the endless treasures hidden within the Endless Forest, countless individuals have risked their lives venturing into its depths, all with the dream of striking it rich overnight and transforming their destinies.

Due to the remote location of the Endless Forest, far from human settlements, those with influence and connections established villages on the forest's outskirts to serve as supply points. These outposts allowed warriors to restock and repair without wasting precious time on their quest for treasure.

Over decades, even centuries, these villages saw an influx of people, growing into bustling towns and eventually cities. Lindorin Town emerged from these conditions. Situated in Yao Country, it was founded through the collaborative efforts of the Yao royal family and the three major families. After hundreds of years, what was once a small village has now expanded into a super town, home to a permanent population of over 100,000 and a transient population in the tens of thousands.

In the heart of Lindorin Town, along Central Street, stood a beautifully crafted Level Two pavilion. A prominent signboard hung outside, proudly displaying "Wei's Pharmacy."

Inside the main hall on the first floor, a slender and attractive young man greeted customers with a warm smile. He stood behind the counter, meticulously explaining the various herbs and their prices.

This young man was Wei Lulin, who had found himself in a new world after transmigration. His serene and resilient nature helped him find his footing amidst the initial shock and confusion. He quickly embraced his new identity and began his new life.

Fortuitously, he found that not only did his new body share his surname, Wei, but his given name, Lulin, remained the same, which greatly eased his transition into this role.

However, he was less than pleased with the lowly status of his new body; he was merely a scion of one of the branches of the Wei family, one of the three great families of Yao Country.

"Lulin, I need to step out for a bit, so please look after the shop," instructed an elder descending the stairs, just as Wei Lulin was enthusiastically recommending an herb to a customer.

"Shopkeeper, rest assured, I'll take good care of the store while you're away," Wei Lulin said with respect to the elder.

Despite the elder's advanced age and modest strength, his vast experience played a significant role in the development of Wei's Pharmacy in Lindorin Town to its current state.

"You are such a pity," the elder said, a hint of regret passing over his face as he looked at the dutiful and well-behaved Wei Lulin.

The keen Wei Lulin noticed the elder's regretful expression and quickly understood the reason behind it.

The world Wei Lulin found himself reborn into was known as the Eternal Continent, a realm akin to ancient times.

The full expanse of the Eternal Continent was unknown to Wei Lulin, but he was aware that this world was entirely different from Earth, where he had lived in his past life.

In this world devoid of modern technology, cultivation was the sole pursuit, commonly referred to as the path to immortality. Legends told of mighty cultivators who could command the weather with a mere wave of their hand.

Here, the absence of laws meant survival of the fittest, with the powerful dictating what was true. To achieve status and security, one had to continuously grow stronger.

Wei Lulin was seventeen years old. At sixteen, he underwent his family's test and discovered his Cultivation Talent was High Level Grade Eight. While such talent was quite common on the Eternal Continent, in Yao Country, within the Wei family, it was considered top-notch.

Cultivation Talent was categorized into three grades and ten levels, making thirty levels in total. The lowest was Inferior Grade Ten, and the highest, Superior Grade One.

In Yao Country, the individual with the most impressive talent was Lin Linyao from one of the three major families, the Lin Family, with a Middle Level Grade Eight talent. In the Wei family, the most talented was the Patriarch, Wei Bochen, whose talent was at Low Level Grade Eight.

Under normal circumstances, Wei Lulin's High Level Grade Eight Cultivation Talent would have garnered him significant attention within the family, even as a member of a collateral branch and without parents or any influential support.

Regrettably, on the third day of his Cultivation Talent test, while enjoying himself outside the Yao Country Capital, he stumbled upon a clash between two unparalleled masters.

The true strength of these masters was unknown to the secluded inhabitants of Yao Country, but the effects of their fierce battle were unmistakably evident.

Even though the conflict unfolded high above, the residual shockwaves inflicted severe injuries on him. His survival was a stroke of luck; however, his meridians were damaged by the battle's aftermath, rendering him incapable of cultivating.

Having inherited the memories of the deceased Wei Lulin, he was acutely aware of everything that had transpired. Despite his deep frustration, he was powerless to change his fate.

The Eternal Continent was rich in spiritual energy and brimming with Celestial Materials And Earthly Treasures. Yet, items capable of mending meridians were exceedingly rare and of the highest caliber. Given Wei Lulin's identity and the Wei family's influence, these treasures were beyond his reach, forcing him to bury his resentment deep within.

Wei Lulin released a sigh, dispelling the heaviness in his chest, steadied his mind, and resumed his work.