Yuan Tianzhu awoke in a sea of green grass, the warmth of the sun shining down on him as he inhaled the fresh air around him, feeling life pulsing inside his lungs.
He could already tell this wasn't Earth—nor even that damned Black Forest, just by the air he was breathing. It was probably a world where only the strong survived and thrived—a cultivation world where danger and fortune went hand in hand.
Still, he couldn't be one hundred percent certain that it was a cultivation world. However, his vast experience within the Primordial Origin Library made him think otherwise.
After all, he hadn't spent 100,000 years in that library studying cultivation-related books for nothing, right? If he had, that would be illogical—and quite disappointing.
So, he was ninety-nine percent sure this was a cultivation world.
Which was huge.
"Hm, since I've been transferred to another world, should I change my name? I've read webnovels where characters had Western names instead of Eastern ones," said Yuan Tianzhu, stroking his forehead. "It would feel weird and out of place if I found myself in such a situation. I probably should change my name. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. But not now. First, I need to gather information about where I am!"
Yuan Tianzhu began moving through the forest after leaving his thoughts behind. As he walked, he couldn't help but marvel at the beauty and vibrance of this world. The towering trees swayed gently as if the wind itself was waving.
The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers and the sounds of unusual insects.
The environment was full of life and vitality—a sharp contrast to the calm and stillness of the Primordial Origin Library.
However, Yuan Tianzhu remained cautious. Despite the allure of this new, colorful world, he knew it could be a mask for danger, and that threats lurked in every world—including this one.
He wasn't naïve.
He was in an unknown forest, with no cultivation, and was vulnerable to both beasts and humans.
Therefore, Yuan Tianzhu could not allow himself to be anything but extremely cautious.
He had learned from the many webnovels he'd read that he couldn't play with his life as if it were an online game—or he'd pay the price.
A very steep one.
'Hm, should I try sensing the Vital Essence of Heaven and Earth while I walk? That way, even if I don't have any cultivation, I could cast some spells to protect myself if needed?'
Yuan Tianzhu thought, as his steps covered more ground in the forest.
With that thought in mind, Yuan Tianzhu immediately closed his eyes and tried to feel the concentration of Vital Essence in his surroundings.
Ever since he'd awakened in this forest, that had been his only thought:
Try to cultivate!
How could he not?
Who wouldn't want to have powers beyond human imagination?
Even so, he didn't let this distract him, not only because he knew exactly where he'd been—but also because of that, he didn't want to delay acquiring some self-protection methods.
He had to protect himself or he'd die like a dog.
He didn't know whether the Primordial Origin Library had modified his body or not. However, he could still remember all 100,000 years he'd spent in the Library as if it were yesterday.
Gradually, Yuan Tianzhu began to spread his awareness through his body, trying to feel the Vital Essence that permeated the world around him.
Ssssh…
His heart raced for a moment, and he could feel streams of Vital Essence giving him a kind of indescribable emotion. A wave of Vital Essence washed through his body, cleansing his meridians, skin, and bones.
It was an extremely pleasant sensation, like bathing in a sacred pool devoid of any impurities.
It felt familiar, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
While in the Primordial Origin Library, he had already become familiar with the feeling of trying to absorb and manage Vital Essence—but it felt very different in this new world.
The Vital Essence here was far denser than anything he had experienced behind the protective walls of the library.
'Should I try to cultivate right here? No, I shouldn't. I'd probably attract too much attention…'
Yuan Tianzhu didn't act recklessly, even though he was excited to test the powerful cultivation methods he had acquired.
He understood that some of his cultivation methods could cause special manifestations—especially the one he had chosen to cultivate.
Especially in a forest. Who knew if it wouldn't attract a monster who'd swallow him whole?
He didn't even want to imagine that.
That would only draw the attention of unfriendly parties.
Cultivation worlds were usually full of dangers—some obvious, others not. Still, he wasn't in a rush to attract unnecessary attention or enmity.
If he were suddenly captured by a powerful cultivator, he might have to sacrifice almost everything to survive.
Not worth the risk.
Silently, like a true hunter, Yuan Tianzhu moved past tall, towering trees with thick, sturdy bark—like great wooden towers—while continuing to absorb Vital Essence.
He was highly sensitive to the threatening presence of various wild beasts—some he might be able to defeat, others lethal to him.
Yuan Tianzhu moved with caution and skill, wary of both strong and weak beasts, should he have to face either.
Even the trees made noise—the wind rustling through the branches and faint groans in the distance.
The connection between danger and his heightened awareness was clear in Yuan Tianzhu's vigilance and his full focus on his surroundings.
He understood that he had to be ten times smarter than the average person, and he had to be exceptionally careful and cautious—because even a brief lapse could cost him his life.
It was then that Yuan Tianzhu heard the sound of branches shifting in the distance.
He immediately stopped, holding his breath, heart pounding, cold sweat running down his handsome face.
"You… sure that girl ran this way, Big Brother?"
A timid male voice echoed above.
Yuan Tianzhu saw it was a short man—about 1.3 meters tall. Still, calling him a dwarf would be more appropriate. His hair was shaped like an afro, but with stiff spikes—as if he'd used gel to keep it up. He wore simple clothes, making him look like a useless thug.
"Shut up. Of course I'm sure. Who do you think I am, Second Brother?"
The man he'd addressed as Big Brother replied, a bit annoyed. Unlike his brother, he was huge—almost 1.9 meters tall. He had a scar over his right eye, making him even more intimidating.
"Tsk… if it weren't for that little bitch, we wouldn't be out here, wandering like donkeys in the Fallen Desolate Forest."
Big Brother grumbled as he walked.
"You're right, Big Brother. If it weren't for that bitch, we'd be in a room full of girls to enjoy ourselves. Tsk, tsk… speaking of that bitch, she really is a great beauty. Big Brother… how about we take her for ourselves before—"
SLAP!
"Are you insane?! Not even the Big Boss dares touch a hair on her head, and you—a gray-haired, coarse, stocky, ugly little dwarf—want to try? Go ahead, if you want to die… but don't drag me down with you, idiot! How can I have such a dumb brother?!"
After landing a solid slap, the Big Brother exploded in a fury of insults, pointing a finger at Second Brother.
"Aghr… I'm sorry, Big Brother…"
Yuan Tianzhu observed them, hidden behind a large tree. In the middle of his robes was a strange, ancient script that read: Stealth.
It was a spell.
Only ancient Spell Masters could produce it. It was a rudimentary spell, easy to understand and cast, with a single purpose: to hide its user's presence.
Yuan Tianzhu watched the two bandits with glowing eyes.
'Should I follow them? If they're bandits, they probably have a map of this forest… this
Fallen Desolate Forest. And of course, not to mention, they probably carry lots of money. Still, I should proceed carefully—they might have cultivators among them. Let's follow, learn the hideout's location, and assess their strength… only then act.'
Determined, Yuan Tianzhu drew the words: Scent Nullifier, Silent Steps, Sound Nullifier, and Stealth once more.
One could never be too careful.
Only then did he begin to follow the two men…