A second life, An Eternal journey to Immortality

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As Jiang Cheng slept, he found himself in a strange state—not quite a dream, yet not entirely reality. He stood in a vast, empty space, surrounded by nothingness. No sky, no ground, just an infinite void stretching in every direction.

His eyes widened in alarm. "What the hell?!"

His heart pounded as he spun around, looking for an exit, a door, anything. Cold sweat formed on his back. Had he been kidnapped? Was this some kind of high-level illusion technique?

"WHO DARES TO ABDUCT ME?!" he bellowed, his voice echoing endlessly in the void. "Which senior expert is playing tricks on me?! I swear, I have no treasures! I'm dirt poor! If you're looking for a ransom, you're wasting your time! If this is about some secret technique, I don't have one! I can barely afford food!"

He clutched his tattered robe, his mind racing. Was this karma? Had he unknowingly offended some grandmaster? Or—wait, was he dead again?

"No way! I refuse! I just got a second chance at life!" He clenched his fists, determined. "At least let me enjoy some riches and beauties before you send me off to reincarnate a third time!"

For a moment, he considered trying to wake himself up by slapping his face. But before he could, a sudden realization struck him—memories of a strange knowledge flooding his mind.

His eyes flickered with understanding.

"…Wait. This is my own power?"

The panic vanished in an instant. His expression froze.

A long silence stretched in the void.

Jiang Cheng awkwardly rubbed his neck. "Ahem." He looked around, pretending that no one had witnessed his embarrassing outburst.

"Right… So I wasn't kidnapped… This is just my ability…"

He coughed and straightened his robe, trying to salvage his dignity— even if he was the only one here .

With forced composure, he muttered, "I knew that all along… I was just, testing the acoustics of this place. Very echoey. Good to know."

Deciding to ignore his own embarrassment, he quickly turned his attention to his newfound ability

" Endless Dreams "

With a mere flicker of intent, the void shifted. Shapes formed, dissolved, and reassembled at his will.

A shiver ran down his spine as the knowledge surfaced in his mind. This ability allowed him to enter dreams, shape them, entrust dreams to others, and even—if he dared—kill within them.

"Striking at a soul through dreams is dangerous," he muttered. "The backlash alone could be fatal."

The strength of one's soul wasn't something to trifle with, and recklessly wielding Endless Dreams could invite disaster. But the true value of this power lay elsewhere.

Jiang Cheng's mind raced with possibilities. He could construct a dream world to refine elixirs, craft talismans, forge weapons, and more—all without using real resources.

Unlike yesterday, when he had wasted twelve precious sheets of talisman paper—a costly mistake—this power would allow him to practice endlessly, free from material loss.

"With this... I can perfect my skills before ever lifting a pen in the real world," he murmured, excitement flickering in his eyes.

Eager to test his newfound ability, Jiang Cheng wasted no time constructing his dream space. With a mere thought, a desk appeared before him, followed by talisman paper, ink, and a pen—each detail crafted to perfection.

Without hesitation, he began drawing talismans nonstop. Stroke after stroke, his movements were fluid, precise, and unrestrained by material limitations.

Hours passed in an instant.

Suddenly, an overwhelming fatigue washed over him. His vision blurred, the dream world trembled, and the carefully constructed space dissolved into darkness.

Only then did he realize—he had overused his soul power. Unable to resist the exhaustion, he sank into an even deeper sleep.

...

The next morning, Jiang Cheng woke up feeling surprisingly refreshed.

A good mood lingered as he stretched, recalling the events of the night before. His mind was clear, his energy replenished, and most importantly—Endless Dreams was real.

In the kitchen, Jiang Cheng moved with a newfound sense of purpose. He brewed a pot of tea, the familiar ritual grounding him as he planned his next steps. The steam rose in gentle curls, carrying the subtle aroma of jasmine, and he took a slow sip, savoring the warmth.

As he ate, his mind wandered back to the talismans he had drawn in the dream space. Each stroke had felt natural, almost instinctive, as if the knowledge had been etched into his very soul.

But the fatigue that had followed was a stark reminder of his limits. He couldn't afford to lose control like that again. He needed to understand the rules of Endless Dreams—how far he could push himself, what the costs were, and how to harness its power without risking his well-being.

After finishing his meal and cleaning up, Jiang Cheng sat down to meditate for a few hours, restoring his focus and stabilizing his energy.

Once he felt ready, he stood up, carefully placing the eight completed talismans into his space pouch. With a cautious mindset, he set off toward the market, keeping an eye on his surroundings.

As he walked, his gaze drifted toward the spiritual fields near his home. He suddenly halted.

"Oh no…" he muttered, rubbing his forehead. "I almost forgot—I'm still a spiritual farmer."

His five acres of spiritual fields lay before him, untouched since his last harvest. The neatly tilled soil awaited new seeds, a silent reminder of his other responsibilities.

For a moment, he hesitated. Should he head straight to the market or take care of the fields first?

Jiang Cheng thought for a moment before making his decision.

"I'll handle the farming later," he muttered. "Selling the talismans comes first—plus, I need to restock some daily necessities."

With that in mind, he continued toward the market.

On the way, Jiang Cheng ran into his neighbor—Old Man Liu. The elderly farmer, dressed in simple robes, carried a well-worn spiritual hoe over his shoulder. His wrinkled face lit up with a warm smile as he spotted Jiang Cheng.

"Jiang boy! Where are you off to?"

Jiang Cheng returned the smile. "Just heading to the market to sell a few things, Old Liu. How's the harvest this time?"

Old Liu's face darkened slightly. "Tch, some damn insects and pests got into the spirit rice again," he grumbled, shaking his head. "Left a bit of damage, but overall, not too bad."

Just as Jiang Cheng was about to reply, Old Liu's expression suddenly shifted. His eyes narrowed, and a lewd grin spread across his face.

"Speaking of the market…" He leaned in, lowering his voice. "Jiang boy, I heard there's a new girl at the Drunken Flower Pavilion—fresh arrival, young and full of life. You wouldn't happen to be stopping by there, would you?"

Jiang Cheng's mouth twitched. "Old Liu, aren't you a little too interested in these things?"

"Hah! What do you know, boy?" Old Liu wagged his finger. "Cultivation is important, but so is enjoying life! You can't spend all your days buried in books and spirit fields. A man needs to unwind now and then! Back in my prime—"

Jiang Cheng quickly cut him off before he was forced to hear a long-winded tale of Old Liu's youthful escapades. "I'll pass. I have business to take care of."

Old Liu sighed "Ah, youth wasted on the cautious… Well, suit yourself. But if you ever change your mind, just let this old man know—I have connections." He winked before hoisting his hoe back onto his shoulder.

Jiang Cheng shook his head with a chuckle and continued on his way, leaving Old Liu behind, still muttering about "wasted opportunities."

After a few minutes, Jiang Cheng arrived at the market, where the streets were packed with people moving in all directions like a swarm of ants on a sugar high. The air buzzed with energy—loud chatter, the clinking of spiritual stones, and the rich scent of roasted meat and medicinal herbs filled his senses. It was as if the market itself was alive, a chaotic symphony of sights, sounds, and smells.

As he strolled through the market, merchants called out to potential buyers, each trying to outshout the other like a competition for who could be the most obnoxiously enthusiastic.

"Fresh spirit fruits! Sweet and juicy, straight from the mountain orchards! If you don't buy them, my wife will make me eat them, and I'm allergic!"

"High-quality talisman ink! One drop, and your inscriptions will glow for days! Two drops, and they'll glow so bright you'll blind your enemies! Three drops, and—well, let's not get carried away!"

"Spirit beast meat! Cook it right, and it'll strengthen your vitality! Cook it wrong, and it'll strengthen your ability to visit the outhouse all night!"

A burly man waved a giant fish with shimmering silver scales, its tail slapping him in the face as he struggled to hold it up. "Golden Spirit Carp! Nourishes the soul! Just caught from the Azure Lake this morning!

Nearby, a wrinkled old woman sat behind a stall filled with strange-looking roots and dried flowers. She cackled as she crushed a dried herb between her fingers, releasing a sharp, bitter aroma that made Jiang Cheng's nose wrinkle. "Boy, this is Seven Star Grass! Brew it in tea, and it'll clear your meridians!

"Spirit beast eggs! Hatch one today, and in ten years, it might call you dad—or eat you! No refunds!"

Jiang Cheng watched the chaos unfold before him and couldn't help but think that, despite the presence of cultivators, this market was no different from a mortal one—everyone was shouting, bargaining, and trying to get the best deal.

He glanced at the street stalls where monks were selling elixirs, talismans, and various trinkets. The thought crossed his mind—if he set up a stall himself, he could probably sell his talismans at a higher price. But after a moment's consideration, he shook his head.

Selling in the open meant wasting a lot of time and drawing unnecessary attention. Talismans were valuable, and attracting the interest of the wrong people—whether thieves, greedy cultivators, or competitors—was not worth the risk. It was better to sell through an established store, even if it meant earning slightly less.

With that decision made, Jiang Cheng trotted toward the store where he purchase his clothes that time

As Jiang Cheng stepped into the store, the familiar scent of ink and parchment filled the air. Behind the wooden counter stood the same young woman from yesterday—dressed in a light blue robe, her dark eyes sharp yet carrying a hint of amusement.

She recognized him immediately and smiled. "Oh? You're back already. That was quick. Did you come to return faulty talismans?"

Jiang Cheng chuckled, shaking his head. "No, I'm here to sell some."

Her eyebrows lifted slightly in surprise, but she remained composed. "Sell? You mean… you made them yourself?"

Jiang Cheng took out the eight low-grade Minor Shield Talismans and placed them on the counter. The faint glow of spiritual energy in the patterns proved their effectiveness.

The young woman's gaze flickered with interest as she picked one up, examining the strokes. "Hmm… the structure is stable, the spiritual energy is evenly distributed, and there's no excess leakage." She gave him a curious look. "Not bad at all. You're either a talisman master or a hidden genius."

Jiang Cheng remained cautious. He waved his hand dismissively. "I'm just a beginner. I got lucky a few times."

She let out a soft laugh. "A beginner, huh? Most beginners fail dozens of times before succeeding even once. But sure, let's go with 'lucky.'"

Jiang Cheng changed the topic. "How much are you offering for these?"

The girl tapped the counter, thinking for a moment. "Normally, low-grade Minor Shield Talismans sell for five spirit stones each. But since we need to make a profit, we buy them at four spirit stones apiece. That's the standard rate."

Jiang Cheng had already expected this, so he nodded. "Fair enough. I'll sell all eight."

She quickly calculated the amount. "That'll be 32 spirit stones in total." She retrieved a pouch and placed the spirit stones inside before handing it to him.

Jiang Cheng took the pouch and then said, "I also need more talisman paper. How much for thirty sheets?"

The girl smiled. "We sell them at one spirit stone for three sheets, so for thirty, that'll be ten spirit stones."

Jiang Cheng handed over ten spirit stones without hesitation. The young woman efficiently packed the papers into a bundle and handed them over.

"Not a bad deal for a 'beginner,'" she said with a teasing smile.

Jiang Cheng simply nodded, not wanting to reveal too much. "Thanks."

As he turned to leave, she called out, "If you make more, feel free to sell them here. And maybe next time, tell me your name, "Mister "

Jiang Cheng chuckled lightly but didn't reply, stepping out of the shop with his newly acquired supplies.

Jiang Cheng walked through the bustling market, eventually stopping at a street stall displaying an assortment of freshly butchered monster meat.

The seller was a burly man with thick arms and a scar running across his cheek, likely a former hunter who had retired to selling his spoils.

"Fresh monster meat! Strengthens the body, replenishes vitality! Two pounds for just one spirit stone! You won't find a better deal!" the man hollered, his voice booming over the market noise.

Jiang Cheng approached the stall and casually inspected the meat. The cuts looked fresh, some still faintly emanating traces of spiritual energy. He nodded in approval. "Give me four pounds."

The seller grinned. "A fine choice, young man." He quickly wrapped the meat in clean parchment and handed it over.

As Jiang Cheng passed over two spirit stones, he glanced at the man and asked, "Any news from the Endless Mountains lately? I hear the beast tides have been unpredictable this year."

The seller snorted. "Unpredictable? More like downright strange. Normally, the beast tides follow a pattern—small surges every few years, with a big one every few decades. But lately, monsters have been acting erratic. Even weaker beasts are growing restless, attacking villages closer to the foothills."

Jiang Cheng frowned. "That's unusual. Could it be a territorial dispute between monster clans?"

The seller scratched his chin. "Possible, but unlikely. The real problem is that some hunters claim to have seen unfamiliar creatures—beasts that don't match any known records. That's what's got people worried. When something new appears in the mountains, it usually means trouble."

Jiang Cheng nodded thoughtfully. The Endless Mountains , a vast and dangerous region filled with countless spirit beasts, were crucial to the cultivation world.

They provided rare resources, but they also harbored terrifying dangers. If new, unknown creatures were emerging, it could spell disaster for nearby sects and towns.

"Thanks for the info," Jiang Cheng said, securing his meat in his storage pouch.

The seller waved a hand. "Just be careful if you're planning to head that way. These days, even experienced cultivators are treading cautiously."

Jiang Cheng gave a slight nod before blending back into the market crowd, his mind already processing the implications of what he had just learned.