A second life, An Eternal journey to Immortality

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Jiang Cheng sat on the rickety wooden stool, still catching his breath. The weight of tonight's near-disaster clung to his skin like a cold sweat. He was alive—somehow. The rogues had dismissed him, but the way one of them had lingered, eyes narrowing slightly, made his stomach twist.

If another noise had come from him. If he had breathed just a little too loudly. If they had simply been more suspicious… he would be dead.

This is not Earth anymore.

Jiang Cheng rubbed his temples, exhaling slowly. He still thought like an Earthyan, like someone living in a world with laws, security, and a place where caution meant checking both sides before crossing the road, not dodging life-or-death encounters with killers.

That ended now.

He needed a plan, a new way of living. A cultivator's way.

Jiang Cheng took out a piece of paper and a brush, writing down the key points of his new plan.

First, Stop attracting attention.

Selling talismans every day in the market was suicidal. It was only a matter of time before someone noticed his growing wealth and made a move on him.

Instead, he would limit his sales to once a week. He would sell at least 180 talismans per trip, distributing them across different stores so no single merchant became too familiar with him. After that? Straight home. No detours. No unnecessary conversations.

Second, Train in the Endless Dreams.

The simulation space was his greatest advantage. Since he hadn't seen real monks fight, he couldn't simulate actual opponents yet.

But that didn't mean he couldn't practice combat skills against imaginary enemies. He would drill swordsmanship, dodging techniques, and talisman combat until his reflexes became instinctive.

Third . Master spell casting.

Spells in this world were powerful, but if he had to chant an incantation for five seconds while an enemy was charging at him, he'd be dead before he could finish.

He needed to train his existing spells until he could cast them instantly. At the same time, he had to buy more spells and expand his arsenal Like what I saw at Qinglin pavilion Fireball Technique, Water Needle Technique and the like. although expensive but for my life it worth it

Fourth, mastering the art of drawing the Fireball and Water Blade Talismans—not just to sell, but to use in combat when the time came.

And finally—breaking through to the fifth level of Qi Refining within six months.

With his current resources, this was ambitious but achievable. The Qi Condensation Pills in his possession would help, but cultivation wasn't just about swallowing pills and hoping for the best.

He needed to refine his Qi properly, strengthen his foundation, and ensure stability. Rushing could lead to unstable progress or even crippling setbacks.

Jiang Cheng exhaled slowly, staring at his plan.

It was solid. It was realistic.

And most importantly…

It was a path to survival.

A slow grin spread across his face.

The next five months passed in the blink of an eye.

Jiang Cheng fully committed to his training.

Every day, he meditated for hours, refining his Qi and strengthening his foundation.

Every night, he entered the Endless Dreams, battling imaginary foes, dodging invisible strikes, and sharpening his instincts.

Every week, he visited the market only once, selling his talismans in bulk before disappearing back into seclusion.

He trained spellcasting until his Fireball and Water Blade Talismans became as natural as breathing.

He experimented with new techniques, sometimes failing, sometimes succeeding—but always learning.

As the months passed, he felt the difference.

His movements grew sharper, faster.

His Qi became denser, more refined.

His mind felt calmer, more focused.

He was no longer the naive fool who had almost died that night.

And then, finally…

Inside his room, Jiang Cheng sat cross-legged, deep in meditation. His breathing was slow, steady. Before him lay the last Qi Condensation Pill.

His body was at its limit. His Qi had reached a bottleneck, teetering on the edge of transformation.

This was it.

He swallowed the pill.

A surge of powerful energy exploded inside him. His meridians burned as the medicinal essence spread through his body, fusing with his Qi. He gritted his teeth, enduring the pain.

Then—

BOOM!

A powerful aura burst from his body, causing the air around him to tremble. His Qi surged, expanding, stabilizing—ascending.

His eyes snapped open.

The candlelight flickered as a newfound strength coursed through his veins.

He had done it.

Jiang Cheng let out a long breath, his lips curling into a satisfied smirk.

He was now at the fifth level of Qi

Feeling the surge of power coursing through his body, Jiang Cheng clenched his fists, sensing the refined Qi flowing smoothly within him. His cultivation had taken a solid step forward.

Name : Jiang Cheng

Realm : Middle stage Qi refining

Spirit roots : pseudo five element spirit roots. Earth, water, fire, Gold, metal.

( Hidden : five Element body)

Spells

cleaning techniques ( perfection)

Cooling Breeze Spell (Mastery)

Cooking Spells ( Grandmaster)

Illumination Orb ( perfection )

Spirit Sprout Spell ( mastery)

Spirit rain technique ( Grandmaster)

Earth Shaping Technique ( Proficient)

Wood Plank Refinement Spell (Proficient)

Wall Reinforcement Art( Proficient)

Roof Mending Spell ( Grandmaster) etc..

Martial arts

Shield technique ( mastery)

Breath-Holding Technique (Grandmaster)

Wind Step Technique (perfection )

Water Needle Technique ( mastery)

Fireball Technique ( Grandmaster )

Mist Veil ( Grandmaster)

Inferno Wave ( Perfection)

Thunderclap Sword Art ( Mastery )

Thirteen way Sword pose ( mastery)

First grade middle talisman master

Talismans :

Soundproofing Talisman Water Blade Talismans, Fireball Talisman, Soundproofing Talisman, Cleansing/Healing Talisman, Protective Talisman or shield talisman. Etc..

The difference was like heaven and earth. Five months ago, he was just a weak, clueless newcomer in this world, fumbling his way through survival. Now, he had refined his Qi, mastered multiple spells, improved his combat awareness, and built a foundation that could finally be called solid.

Jiang Cheng sat cross-legged in his small room, feeling the powerful surge of spiritual energy coursing through his meridians. He clenched his fist, marveling at his newfound strength.

"With my current strength and mastery of spells, I could crush my previous self with one hand!" he thought smugly.

But then, his expression turned serious. "Still… I must not get arrogant. Caution is key. I won't go outside looking for death."

Unlike those reckless protagonists in cultivation novels who always sought revenge or fought across levels like lunatics, Jiang Cheng was different. He had no desire to be the strongest. He just wanted to survive, become immortal, and—most importantly—not die.

"Leave all that 'fighting against the heavens' nonsense to the real protagonists. As for me…" he suddenly grinned wickedly. "I like bullying the weak with a high level! Jejejeje—"

A sinister, chilling laugh echoed through the tiny house.

Outside, Old Liu, his elderly next-door neighbor, was just about to take a sip of tea when he heard it. His hands trembled, nearly dropping the cup.

"What the hell is that!?" Old Liu's eyes widened in horror. "Did Jiang boy go crazy from loneliness?! I told him to go with me to the bro—"

He stopped himself just in time, wiping cold sweat from his forehead.

"Maybe he's practicing some demonic cultivation," Old Liu muttered, backing away from Jiang Cheng's door. "I should stay away for a while. Don't want to be turned into a human sacrifice…"

Meanwhile, inside, Jiang Cheng was still lost in his own delusions of grandeur.

"Yes… YES! The path of survival! The path of bullying the weak! Kuahahahaha!

Old Liu, now halfway down the street, broke into a run.

"This kid is definitely possessed, I need to inform the neighbors.

Early the Next morning, Jiang Cheng stretched lazily as he stepped outside, carrying his Wooden straw hat, to the spirit fields . The fresh air felt nice after a long cultivation session. But just as was about to cast the spirit rain, he suddenly sensed something… off.

Not far away, Old Liu was standing stiffly, peeking at him from behind a tree like a thief. His body was half-hidden, but his bald head gleamed under the sunlight, completely giving him away.

Jiang Cheng frowned. "Old Liu? What are you doing?"

Old Liu flinched. "Hah! Y-you're talking normally?" he muttered to himself, as if confirming something.

Jiang Cheng raised an eyebrow. "Of course, I'm talking normally. What's wrong?"

Old Liu hesitated, then took a careful step forward—only to suddenly take three steps back again. His expression was full of wariness, like someone facing a dangerous beast. "Jiang boy… it's still you, right?"

Jiang Cheng was confused. "Who else would I be?"

Old Liu squinted at him. "Hmph! Last night, I heard some sinister, demonic laughter coming from your house! Not once, not twice—but many times! You were cackling like an evil spirit in the middle of the night! Do you have any idea how terrifying that was?!"

Jiang Cheng choked. Oh… that, embarrassment flash on his face

Seeing his stunned expression, Old Liu gasped. "So it's true! You were possessed! I knew it! I was ready to call the Law Enforcement to exorcise you!"

Jiang Cheng almost spat out blood. "What exorcism!? I was just excited about my cultivation progress!"

Old Liu wasn't convinced. He stroked his chin, narrowing his eyes. "Excited…? No, no, no. That wasn't normal excitement. That was villainous laughter. The kind you hear before someone starts a massacre."

Jiang Cheng's lips twitched. "I—"

Old Liu suddenly took another step back, his expression turning solemn. "Tell me honestly, Jiang boy… have you joined the demonic path?"

Jiang Cheng felt a vein pop on his forehead. "No!!"

But Old Liu still didn't look convinced. He reached into his robe and pulled out a dried talisman, shaking it threateningly. "Then why were you talking about 'bullying the weak'?! Hah?! Do you think I didn't hear that?! Are you planning to oppress us honest villagers?!"

Jiang Cheng's face darkened. "…You eavesdropped on my self-reflection?"

Old Liu puffed up his chest. "Of course! When a potential demonic cultivator appears, it's my duty as an elder to investigate! I even gathered the neighbors to discuss whether we should move away for safety!"

Jiang Cheng's expression froze. "The… the neighbors?"

At that moment, a window from the house next door creaked open. Auntie Zhang peeked out, her face full of concern.

"So… you're really not planning to sacrifice us?" she asked hesitantly.

Jiang Cheng: "…"

Jiang Cheng took a deep breath. Stay calm. Stay calm.

In the end, he could only rub his temples and sigh. "I swear, I am not a demonic cultivator."

But Old Liu still looked doubtful. "Hmm… Fine. But if I hear that laughter again, don't blame me for calling the law Enforcemen team !"

Jiang Cheng groaned. "You—!!"

"How did I go from breaking through in seclusion to being investigated for demonic cultivation overnight?"

And so, a perfectly normal morning turned into a neighborhood crisis, with half the village keeping a cautious eye on Jiang Cheng for the next few days.