Chapter One: The Youth and the Transmigration (A Cliché)

The sunlight spread across the grassland like a warm blanket. A breeze swept through, carrying the fresh scent of grass and bringing the distant, low growls of beasts to the ears. Wang Qiong lay on the ground, his eyes half-open, staring at the sky. He didn't want to move, nor did he want to speak.

"Dead yet? If not, get up quickly." A sweet yet disdainful voice suddenly echoed in his mind.

Wang Qiong stiffened for a few seconds, then rolled over and remained sprawled out. He had resigned himself to his fate; he was far too familiar with this routine: the opening, the otherworld, the system—come on, there was no escaping this cliché script.

"Hey, if you don't move, you're really going to die." The voice grew a bit louder, sounding impatient.

"Fine, let me die then," Wang Qiong replied sluggishly, his tone filled with the weariness of someone who had seen it all. "At worst, I'll get bitten to death by a monster in the opening scene, the readers will curse the author for being short-lived, and they'll leave a one-star review before moving on."

"What kind of nonsense are you spouting?" The voice paused, then continued, sounding clearly annoyed. "Listen, I am your system spirit, Sugar. You are currently in the Infinite Continent. Stop playing dead; this isn't a retirement home."

"Infinite Continent?" Wang Qiong sighed. "You're proud of such a bland name? Why not call it the Nine Provinces, the Heavenly Court, or the Land of Heaven and Earth? The author must be lazy."

"..." Sugar was silent for a moment, then said with clear irritation, "You're lucky to be alive. Enough talk, get up! The thing behind you has already locked onto you."

Hearing this, a chill ran down Wang Qiong's spine. He scrambled to his feet and, sure enough, saw a massive wolf slowly approaching from a few dozen paces away. Its fur was as black as night, and its eyes glowed with a blood-red light. Each step of its razor-sharp claws tore a mark into the turf.

"This kind of opening..." Wang Qiong swallowed hard. "Is a bit too hardcore, isn't it? I don't even have a wooden sword from a newbie village!"

"Shadow Wolf." Sugar’s voice became calmer, seemingly forcing herself to endure the protagonist's complaints. "It’s a low-tier shadow creature. It’s very weak."

"Are you sure?" Wang Qiong stared at the bloodthirsty maw, which looked like something out of a monster movie, his tone filled with absolute distrust. "It could snap my head off with one swipe, couldn't it?"

"As long as you can activate your Psionic Energy, it won't even be able to get close to you." Sugar paused, then added, "The prerequisite is that you must survive the next thirty seconds."

Wang Qiong wanted to retort, but the wolf was already charging with a low growl. He threw his body to the side in a frantic scramble, the wolf's claws grazing his shoulder and leaving a stinging trail of pain.

"I have the body of a fourteen-year-old but the soul of a forty-year-old!" Wang Qiong cursed as he rolled away. "You want me to fight this kind of monster? Do you have any idea how ridiculous this is?!"

"Focus your mind!" Sugar snapped. "Psionic Energy is the manifestation of will. You just need to believe you can, and you will be able to mobilize the power within you!"

"That kind of shonen dialogue doesn't work on me." Wang Qiong rolled his eyes, but in the next second, he was forced to roll away violently. The wolf's fangs snapped through the air, nearly biting his leg.

"It's over. With talent this rotten, this opening really is hell-mode difficulty..." he muttered between gasps. "Before I transmigrated, I was fired from my company, failed as a web novel editor, and got dumped... Is this retribution?"

Sugar was silent for a second, her tone becoming enigmatic: "How do you know this isn't salvation?"

Wang Qiong had no time to answer. He suddenly felt a sharp, stabbing pain in his mind, followed by an unfamiliar surge of power erupting from his chest. He had no time to think, reacting on instinct as he thrust his hands forward at the lunging wolf.

A burst of white light exploded. The wolf was sent flying, and as it hit the ground, its limbs twitched a few times before it dissolved into a cloud of black smoke.

The air fell quiet again, save for Wang Qiong's heavy panting. He looked down at his hands and muttered, "Is this... Psionic Energy?"

"At least you have some talent," Sugar said lazily. "But since you managed to unleash that much power on your first try, I'll give you a three out of ten."

"Only a three?" Wang Qiong gave a twisted laugh. "I almost kicked the bucket, you know?"

"Enough talk, let's go. Shadow creatures never hunt alone. Its companions have already caught your scent." Sugar’s tone returned to its calm state. "Your target is the Sacred Peak Academy. It is the birthplace of Psionic Energy in this world and the only place where you can survive."

Wang Qiong sighed, feeling like the unluckiest person alive. Life as a web novel editor was already desperate enough, but he never expected to transmigrate into a battle royale script.

"Fine, to the Sacred Peak Academy," he muttered. "At least it sounds like a place a protagonist would go."

————

They hadn't walked far when Wang Qiong heard rapid footsteps. Looking back, he saw a young girl running out of the bushes. She wore tight-fitting hunter’s gear, held a longbow, and had ink-black hair, though her eyes held a strange, silver glint.

"Run!" she shouted at Wang Qiong, her voice crisp but anxious. "Don't just stand there staring!"

Before Wang Qiong could react, he saw a pack of shadow creatures chasing behind her. Their numbers were far greater than the wolf from before, and they were faster, with a thick, murderous aura filling the air.

"What kind of opening is this!" Wang Qiong yelled, turning and running.

The girl dashed past him, fluidly pulling an arrow from her quiver and nocking it. She shot back over her shoulder; a flash of silver light later, the fastest creature fell to the ground with a thud. Her brow, however, remained furrowed—the situation was clearly grim.

"Who are you?" Wang Qiong asked as he ran.

"Yin He," she replied coldly. "Stop talking. Keep up."

"That name sounds a bit edgy..." Wang Qiong muttered, but he didn't dare say it out loud.

————

After running frantically for a long time, the two finally shook off the monsters. They stopped in a small forest, and Yin He panted, scanning the surroundings vigilantly.

"How are you still alive?" she suddenly asked, her tone laced with suspicion. "An ordinary person would have been dead long ago if targeted by shadow creatures."

"I wanted to die too," Wang Qiong sighed, "but it seems I can't."

Yin He frowned, examining him carefully. Her gaze made Wang Qiong uncomfortable, but he had no time to dwell on it. His attention was drawn to a new question: Why did he feel that behind the slaughter of this world, there was some kind of greater conspiracy lurking?

He didn't ask, however, and simply followed silently behind Yin He as they headed toward the unknown academy.

————

Wang Qiong wanted to stop and catch his breath, but Yin He clearly wasn't giving him the chance. She had already deftly pulled a second arrow from her quiver, her expression cold and sharp—she looked nothing like a girl in need of protection. As the bowstring snapped, another shadow creature let out a pained roar and collapsed.

"Where did you get that gear?" Wang Qiong couldn't help but ask. "Hunter's gear, a longbow, and enchanted arrows... are all adventurers in this otherworld this professional?"

Yin He frowned and didn't answer; she didn't even turn her head.

"This girl isn't following the script at all," Wang Qiong muttered, but after glancing back and seeing the shadow creatures closing in, he shut his mouth and sprinted with all his might.

————

The two finally broke through the trees and reached an open expanse. In the distance, a river stretched across the horizon, and the silhouettes of some buildings could be vaguely seen on the other side.

"If I keep running, I might actually die of exhaustion." Wang Qiong sat down on the ground, panting like a broken bellows. He couldn't help but complain, "I transmigrated to another world only to be hunted down in the opening scene; I suspect my protagonist aura was left out by the factory."

Yin He ignored him, quickly scanning the area to ensure there was no immediate danger before turning to look at him coldly. "You really are... surprisingly weak."

"Sorry, I'm a web novel editor by trade, not a combat-class hero." Wang Qiong rolled his eyes. "And it's not my fault I'm weak. Which of the protagonists I read about didn't come with a 'golden finger' cheat? Have you ever seen a factory that drops someone into a pile of monsters without giving them any cheats?"

"…I don't understand what you're saying, but clearly, you need to improve yourself quickly." Yin He said indifferently. "The hunters of the Shadow Tribunal won't give up easily."

"The Shadow Tribunal? Sounds like a villainous organization." Wang Qiong raised an eyebrow. "Is it the kind that specializes in cleaning up transmigrators? I look like an ordinary person; what's the point of them chasing me?"

"They aren't chasing you," Yin He said stiffly. "They're chasing me."

Wang Qiong froze. Just as he was about to ask about her identity, he heard distant, faint growls from the forest. He immediately fell silent—whoever’s trouble it was, it clearly wasn't over yet.

"Fine, let's keep running." Wang Qiong stood up and brushed the dust off his pants. "If we can make it to that Sacred Peak Academy you mentioned, I'll consider it a win."

————

They walked along the river for a long time, and the blurry buildings in the distance gradually came into focus.

It was a city, but entirely different from anything Wang Qiong had ever seen. Towering spires rose like spears piercing the sky, and the building materials, of unknown origin, shimmered with a strange metallic luster. The entire city was shrouded in a thin blue light, like a massive protective dome.

"That is the outer district of the Sacred Peak Academy," Yin He said, her tone softening slightly. "It is the strongest Psionic institution on the Infinite Continent and a gathering place for the elites of all races."

Wang Qiong looked up at the city, a sense of inexplicable awe rising in his heart. He studied the light curtain for a moment and suddenly asked, "So, you brought me here to make me stronger?"

Yin He glanced at him but didn't answer immediately.

Sugar spoke up unexpectedly: "She's not that kindhearted. You're here because this is the only place that can save you."

"Save me?" Wang Qiong was stunned. "What do you mean?"

"Where do you think that power came from when you used Psionic Energy earlier?" Sugar’s tone held a hint of schadenfreude. "It didn't appear out of thin air; it was drawn from your own life force. If you don't learn how to control it, it won't be long before you’re drained dry by your own power."

Wang Qiong felt a chill down his back. He opened his mouth to say something, but Sugar clearly had no interest in explaining further, only urging: "Go in quickly; if you're late, you won't even have the strength to knock on the door."

————

The gate of the Sacred Peak Academy was even more magnificent than Wang Qiong had imagined. The massive metal door stood over ten meters high, engraved with complex runes that shimmered in the light. Yin He softly recited a string of words, and the runes on the door began to flow slowly, as if coming to life.

"Chanting to open a door... classic otherworld trope," Wang Qiong muttered to himself.

Yin He ignored him, focusing on completing the spell. The metal door emitted a low hum and slowly opened. Wang Qiong held his breath, and the sight before him left him astonished.

Inside the gate was not an ordinary campus, but a courtyard so vast it seemed endless. A massive statue stood in the center, holding a bright ball of light that illuminated the entire courtyard in minute detail.

"Is that statue..." Wang Qiong couldn't help but ask.

"A symbol of the Primal Core," Yin He replied briefly. "It is the starting point of all heritage in the Sacred Peak Academy."

"Alright..." Wang Qiong looked up at the glowing orb, feeling a strange sensation in his heart. It was as if... it was watching him.

"Stop staring." Yin He’s voice broke his train of thought. "Next, you need to prove your ability to the academy."

"Ability?" Wang Qiong's heart sank. "Hey, an exam right at the start? Do you guys not have a tutorial mode?"

"No," Yin He said coldly. "The Sacred Peak Academy does not cultivate trash. If you cannot pass the assessment, get out—or die in the monster pile outside."

Wang Qiong's face turned green: "Isn't that a bit inhumane?"

"Welcome to the Infinite Continent," Yin He said emotionlessly before turning to leave, leaving Wang Qiong standing alone in front of the statue, wanting to cry but having no tears.

"This is hellish..." Wang Qiong sighed, looking at the glowing statue, and gritted his teeth. "Fine, I'll give it a shot."

He stepped toward the statue, as if walking into the abyss of his destiny.

Wang Qiong stood before the statue, a cool breeze blowing past. The surrounding atmosphere was eerily quiet, as if everything was waiting for him to take that step.

"So, what now?" He looked around. "Do I swear loyalty to the statue, or do I offer up my fourteen-year-old body?"

Sugar finally lost her patience: "Can you be quiet for a second? According to the rules, you need to touch the orb on the statue. Don't ask so many questions; just do it."

Wang Qiong frowned at the orb, feeling as if it were a strange surveillance camera watching his every move. He hesitated for a moment, then sighed: "Fine, let's do it. I don't believe it could be any worse than my time working."

He reached out, and the moment his fingers touched the surface of the orb, a scorching heat surged into his body, striking his chest.

"Ouch!" Wang Qiong let out a cry and instinctively pulled his hand back. He crouched on the ground, clutching his chest, tears almost streaming down his face. "What the hell is that? It's as hot as a tea kettle!"

"That is the power of the Primal Core testing your essence," Sugar explained blandly, a hint of amusement in her voice. "If you can hold on, it will allow you to enter the Sacred Peak Academy. If not... don't ask what happens."

"Testing my essence? What kind of essence could a middle-aged soul have!" Wang Qiong gritted his teeth and stood up, brushing off his clothes, and reached out to touch the orb again. "Come on, let's see how else this world can torture me!"

This time, the heat was even more intense, like fire being poured directly into his veins. Wang Qiong felt something in his mind being torn open, an unfamiliar power surged out, accompanied by countless fragmented images—a world struggling between light and darkness, countless figures vanishing into black fog, and finally, a massive tower of light collapsing into dust.

"What the hell is this? The background for a beginner quest?" He endured the excruciating pain, biting his lip, cold sweat streaming down his forehead.

————

The images flashed by, and the heat of the orb gradually dissipated. Wang Qiong finally collapsed to his knees, exhausted. He gasped for air, looked up at the statue, and gritted out: "Did I pass? Or am I dead?"

Sugar replied lazily: "I suppose you passed, barely. Your talent is so rotten... it's like a charity-day special admission for the academy."

"Then do I have to thank it?" Wang Qiong gritted his teeth. "If it could issue an admission letter, I'd be even more grateful."

Before he could finish, the statue in front of him suddenly shook. A golden rune flowed out from the orb, transformed into a shining scroll, and drifted into his hands.

Wang Qiong was stunned. The scroll in his hand felt heavy, as if it carried some unspeakable weight.

"Congratulations," Sugar said coldly. "You are officially a member of the Sacred Peak Academy, a 'Provisional Psionic User'."

Wang Qiong rolled his eyes: "Sounds like a big deal."

"Don't be too happy yet," Sugar said coldly. "A Provisional Psionic User is just a piece of trash with one more life than an ordinary person. You have a long way to go."

"Great." Wang Qiong stuffed the scroll into his clothes. "Listen, I don't even know how I'm going to survive until tomorrow."

————

Wang Qiong followed the path behind the statue into the academy, and the sight before him made him forget to complain for a moment.

The interior of the Sacred Peak Academy was not like an ordinary school, but more like a miracle city blending technology and magic. Towers and courtyards intertwined, and floating magic lamps hovered in the air, providing soft light for the paths. Students in magnificent robes or armor walked by in groups, their steps carrying a sense of confidence, as if everyone knew they were the chosen ones.

"Are these my classmates?" Wang Qiong stood at an intersection, silently watching a student wave their hand to release a blade of ice-blue light, the skillful movement looking like a show-off.

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