A second life, An Eternal journey to Immortality

Before Jiang's rebirth, he was an ordinary man living an ordinary life, with a calm demeanor and a sense of maturity that belied his age. His appearance was undeniably handsome, a solid 88 out of 100, and he carried himself with an air of self-assuredness, though always cautious in his actions. As an orphan, Jiang had learned early on to rely on himself, but that didn't stop him from valuing the friendships he made along the way. His social circle consisted of university friends, work colleagues, and a few companions from the clubs he frequented to unwind and have fun

Jiang had a penchant for reading novels, particularly those about immortals and cultivation. These stories served as an escape from the monotony of his everyday existence, where the protagonists grew stronger, defied the laws of nature, and achieved greatness. Sometimes, Jiang found himself envious of their limitless potential, imagining what it would be like to live forever, to wield power beyond comprehension, free from the constraints of his fragile human body.

One Friday night, the club was alive with energy. Music pulsed from the speakers as Jiang and his friends navigated the vibrant crowd. He followed his usual routine—laughing, drinking, and enjoying the company of women—embracing the fleeting pleasures of youth. Yet, that night felt different. There was a strange weight on his chest, a subtle sense of unease he couldn't shake. Still, he pushed the feeling aside, determined to lose himself in the moment.

A playful voice snapped him from his thoughts.

"So, Jiang, what's it going to be tonight? Another round of shots, or are we dancing until dawn?"

It was Li Mei, a friend with a mischievous smile and eyes that glimmered with excitement.

Jiang grinned. "Why not both? But don't be surprised when I steal you for a dance later."

Their laughter blended into the music, but for a brief moment, Jiang's gaze lingered on her. In that fleeting second, he wondered what it would be like to live a life not bound by time. A life where moments like these could last forever. He shook off the thought and dived back into the night.

Later, as they caught their breath from dancing, he mused aloud, "You know, Mei, sometimes I wish life could be simpler. No deadlines, no aging—just endless fun."

She chuckled, "You say that now, but wait until you're old and can't keep up with us anymore."

"That's why immortality would be perfect," Jiang said, only half-joking.

Li Mei raised an eyebrow, teasing, "Careful what you wish for. Immortality sounds like a heavy burden."

Their laughter filled the night, but inside, Jiang felt a pang of longing. The thought of immortality lingered like a whisper he couldn't ignore.

Days turned into weeks. Jiang returned to his work routine. He was diligent, respected among his peers, but a restlessness had taken root in his heart.

Xu Wei (a coworker, casually): "Jiang, you're not yourself today. Everything okay?"

Jiang (smiling faintly): "Yeah, just a little tired. The usual stuff, you know?"

"Jiang, you okay? You seem out of it lately," Xu Wei, a colleague, asked over lunch.

Jiang offered a faint smile. "Just tired. The usual stuff."

"Too many cultivation novels, huh? Real life doesn't come with immortality, my friend."

Jiang chuckled, but his voice carried a trace of wistfulness. "I know. But sometimes, I wonder what it would be like to be more than this… to be free from the limits of time."

"Well," Xu Wei said with a grin, "maybe you should start training under a monk. See if you get lucky next life."

They both laughed, but the thought stayed with Jiang.

... Time flies and the Years Goes by

At 30, Jiang's life took an unexpected turn. He was struck with a mysterious illness—one that no doctor could diagnose, no treatment could cure. His body began to deteriorate, slowly at first, but then with terrifying speed. The doctors delivered the grim news: Jiang didn't have long to live.

His friends, though supportive, couldn't ease the growing despair that settled in his chest. Their visits, their kind words, and their attempts to cheer him up only deepened his sense of helplessness. As the days passed, Jiang's health continued to decline.

The vibrant man who had once been full of life now lay in a hospital bed, frail and pale, surrounded by the sterile white walls that seemed to close in on him.

His friends tried to offer comfort, but their smiles were strained, their words hollow.

Liu Fang (a longtime friend, sitting by Jiang's side): "Jiang, I don't know what to say. The doctors… they've run out of options. We've tried everything."

Jiang (weakly): "I don't want to die, Fang. I don't want to leave all of this behind. There's so much I haven't done yet."

Liu Fang (gripping his hand): "You're not alone in this. We're all here for you. You'll always be remembered. You've made a difference in our lives."

Jiang: "But what's the point of being remembered? I want to live. I want to keep experiencing, to see everything this world has to offer... But it feels like... it's all slipping away."

His voice was barely a whisper now, but the fire in his heart burned hotter than ever.

Liu Fang: "You've done more than enough. You're a good person, Jiang. You're going to leave a mark on this world that no one can forget."

Jiang: "I don't care about that... I care about being alive, about never having to say goodbye."

As Jiang's health continued to decline, his obsession with immortality grew. He wanted to escape this fate, to defy the inevitable. If he couldn't achieve immortality in this life, then perhaps... somewhere, somehow, he could find another way.

The pain in his body grew unbearable, but his mind became clearer with each passing moment. His friends had left, exhausted from the emotional toll of his decline. The room was quiet, save for the steady beeping of the heart monitor. Jiang lay there, his breath shallow and labored, staring at the ceiling, consumed by the burning thought of immortality.

"I don't want to die," he whispered to himself. "I want to live forever. I want... immortality."

For a brief moment, the silence of the room seemed to stretch into eternity. And then, Jiang's voice broke through the stillness, hoarse but filled with desperate intensity:

"I want to become Immortal!"

With those final words, Jiang's energy drained, and his body gave in to the inevitable, slipping into unconsciousness...

Another week have passed and Jiang wake up again, As Jiang lay in that sterile hospital bed, his mind was a storm of emotions. The quiet beep of the heart monitor punctuated the silence, a constant reminder of his dwindling time. He couldn't remember a time when he felt so small, so fragile. Every movement, every breath was labored, as though his body itself was betraying him. The once strong and calm man now felt like a mere shadow of his former self.

Jiang's thoughts were a whirlwind, trapped between the fear of death and an unyielding desire to defy it.

"Why now? Why me? I still have so much left to experience... so much to see."

His mind flitted between fragments of memories—his university days, the nights out at the club, laughing with friends, the joy of chasing fleeting pleasures. Yet, there was always that gnawing feeling of dissatisfaction, of knowing he was destined for something more, something grander than the life he led. He had always read about immortals—beings that lived beyond the limits of time, who could achieve unimaginable power, see centuries pass without a single wrinkle.

"If only I could be one of them," he thought desperately. "If only I could live forever."

His gaze wandered toward the window, where the sky was growing darker, as though the heavens themselves were mirroring his despair. The faintest flicker of light cut through the darkening sky. A flash of lightning. It illuminated the room for a split second, casting long shadows on the white walls.

His heartbeat quickened, his breath shallow and erratic. Was it just the storm? Or was something stirring in the air? It felt... strange, like the world was holding its breath, as if it too were listening to his thoughts. The storm outside raged on, the sound of thunder rolling across the heavens like a deep, echoing growl, and a violent flash of lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating everything with an eerie, almost supernatural glow.

"I don't want to die."