End of a Path

I looked down upon the capital. The wind around me howled with pure coldness.

It didn't bother me. Most things didn't bother me for a long time. I have long since left behind the part of me that felt physical pain. It has been so long…

I saw the people celebrating. Despite it being the coldest night in centuries the city was livelier than in ages. Bonfires were erected in which the heat blazed – devouring the symbols of the former authority.

I let my eyes wander. Prominently the Imperial Jade Palace stood out. A place which has seen thousands of rulers – a place which has seen dozens of dynasties. A palace that finally got rid of one of the most tyrannical rulers to ever hold the title of Emperor. After being blinded for a moment by the splendour one would see the extensive damages it suffered. Holes riddled its walls like swiss cheese.

Hmph, a description nobody here would be able to understand. It was so long ago since I've reincarnated into this world.

xxx

Born to poor peasants cultivating rice fields I first thought I was reborn in the past. The goodnight tales about benevolent Immortals who watched over us should have been a warning sign. But regaining my motor functions and the pure intensive feelings of a growing body held most of my attention. Until one day when I was six everybody in my village started to get excited.

After a few questions of me I soon learned that a servant of the Immortals would descend and judge the people of the lower world all while looking for those blessed by the heavens. Apparently, they descended every nine years. The realisation hit me at that time that I was in a world of cultivation. A world in which many would treat the path to immortality and the strong ruled over the weak.

I once was an avid reader of such stories and knew I would be special. There is always a boon given to a reincarnate. And I was curious about what mine was. But while no system appeared to aid me I still believed I would be the chosen one of the heavens – destined to become an immortal emperor with a large and extensive harem. How could I have known that I was the butt of a celestial joke and been "graced" with a curse.

On the day of the selection I woke up early – looking at the sky hoping to be the first one to catch a glimpse of my future. And I indeed saw at sunrise a shadow flying down. It was a teenage looking young girl in a white robe on a sword – more beautiful than even the supermodels of my last life.

She landed in the middle of our village and was quickly greeted by the chief. But she quickly stopped him. Even from the distance I could see the boredom in her face. Ha! I would surprise everyone and become recognised as an unparalleled genius and wipe the boredom out of her face and replace it with awe and envy.

Seemingly out of nowhere appeared two objects: a crystalline orb and a platform made out of what appeared to be stone. Both had runes I couldn't yet understand inscribed. After a short explanation we got to know that the orb would measure our ability to perceive the immortal qi in the world. The platform would judge the aptitude of our bodies to store the qi. A colour from red to purple would appear – like the rainbow. A person would only be able to join if their perception was yellow – meaning it could be developed to a higher realm while red meant inept. The physical potential had to be at least bright yellow. While a body could also be raised in potential it was far too expensive in elixirs and rare treasures.

I wanted to leave behind an impression so I stood last.

One after the other in front of me got red and orange, some a little bit yellow but not enough to leave this boring life behind. The best was a girl with yellow comprehension and a bright orange body with tinges of yellow. The sect disciple didn't stop looking bored while none of the elders looked surprised. The line in front of me continued to shorten until it was finally my turn.

Finally, it was my turn to shine – to set upon my path of immortality, to show my greatness and ascend to godhood. I walked forward with my head held up high.

First my comprehension was measured. The ball glowed up blue. The sect disciple looked it me with shock, boredom forgotten. It wasn't the best but blue was just below the maximum and could be improved with training. Most likely being from outside this world made it easier to perceive a foreign substance like immortal qi.

Yes! Look at me with awe! I shall rise beyond the heavens, I alone am the hone…

Physical aptitude deep red.

Red.

Red?

RED

ImPoSsIbLe

This was merely the start of my journey…

But…

It was the end before the beginning could truly start.

I was so shocked I didn't even realise how fast the examiner returned to normal, packed up the measuring devices and left without so much as a goodbye.

I couldn't comprehend it. So, I stayed in my fuzz for several days. I only went through the motions. Until a mudball was thrown into my face. The little girl that nearly passed just laughed at me and screamed: "Catch me!"

And I ran.

I ran.

I

Xxx

On this day I got to know Yan Lan. She was a bit of a wildfang and endless trouble for everybody within the village. But it didn't matter to me. She helped me to recover from my shock. And I started to realise that my train of thought about the revelation of immortal qi was just weird.

From one moment to the other I was a completely different person – only interested in my own pleasure and benefit. Looking at women like they were cheap objects to gather.

It was highly disturbing…

But I learned to live thanks to Yan Lan again. She was quite smart for her age and headstrong like no other. As the only child of the chief she was quite well liked despite the endless troubles she created. She was just so precious.

I promised myself to protect her for she most likely saved me from a horrible fate.

And as we grew up I helped her whenever I could. Until one day she surprised me with an offer to marry her. This was the day I told her of my reincarnation. She accepted me.

And so, we married and were happy together. But my greatest luck was when I learned that her moon's blood didn't appear. Everything was looking up.

And then the youngest son of the province governor appeared one day.

AN: Originally, I planned to make this story as a one-shot with little more than 1k words. But it seems like it will take some time to complete this story. I already know where I'm going but it may take a bit to complete. So here is the first excerpt based on a song I listened to while writing this chapter and that was basically the origin for this story idea. I'm not sure whether anybody can guess it but I'm curious if anyone will find it out even with this small bit.

P.S.: The first part of this chapter was the most inspired part.