He realized, this was something he had never experienced before. Something completely, utterly foreign
"I'm fine" he said, his voice quieter than he intended
The woman pulled back, relief washing over her delicate, mature features. She was breathtaking like the noble heroines from historical dramas graceful, poised, yet visibly shaken by worry. A typical beauty, the kind who could steal glances in any crowd.
Before he could process more, the old man stepped forward. His long silver hair and flowing robes gave him the air of a wise scholar. With practiced movements, he placed two fingers on his neck, then his wrist, eyes narrowing in deep focus. The man examined him, But something surged inside him.
His breath hitched, Memories foreign yet familiar spilled into his mind. Faces, voices, moments that weren't his yet felt as if they had always belonged to him. Faint, dreamlike, but undeniably present. The life of his predecessor,
'Xu Yuan'
Events he had never lived were now his memories. They held no strong emotions, just shadows of a past that had once been real. It was as if he had stepped into a role that had already been written one he had yet to understand.
"Do you feel any pain?" the old man asked, his voice calm and firm.
Wang Jie shook his head
"No"
The old man stroked his beard, eyes scanning him one last time before nodding
"He's fine Just a little weak"
With a sigh, he turned and left, with the two girl servants. Their curious gazes lingered for a moment before they disappeared beyond the door. Now, only she remained.
She stepped closer, concern still clear in her eyes "Yuan, are you really okay?"
He looked at her, this beautiful woman who seemed to care so much "How did you suddenly become unconscious on the stairs?" she asked
A faint dizziness still clouded his mind, the weight of new memories pressing against his thoughts "I'm feeling a little dizzy… Can I rest for a while?"
Her brows furrowed "Oh! I'm so sorry... Let's talk later, okay?"
She sighed, then smiled gently "You should rest. I'll send something for you to eat" With that, she turned, walking toward the door. As she stepped out, she glanced back once, then closed it softly behind her.
Yet, even as silence filled the room, her face lingered in his mind. His faint memories are very familiar with that face.
****
It took him a while to fully grasp the reality. "I actually came to another world..." he said lying on his bed. The thought sent a thrill through him. The memories, the people, the unfamiliar yet luxurious surroundings. It was real.
He let out a small laugh, shaking his head. Excitement bubbled in his chest. He suddenly stood and jumped up in joy only for his legs to give out beneath him "Ouch!"
He groaned, collapsing back onto the soft bed, his body still weak. Strangely, he could not recall how the previous Yuan had died. None of his memories hinted anything strange or suspicious he would have done. With a weary sigh, he chose to leave the thought for now.
"I think its going to be difficult even to walk" said Yuan feeling ached all over his body. He leaned back against the headboard, letting the memories. They painted a vivid picture one he never expected.
The previous Xu Yuan was born into the Xu Family, one of the major family in Jingyu City. His parents are gone long ago. They had died when he was just a little, leaving him in with his elder sister. His father was eldest son of the Xu family.
Xu Yuan was never the hardworking type. From the moment he could walk, he carried himself with a grace and arrogance that even the family patriarch would find hard to match. He never cared much for cultivation either. While others sweated and bled in the training grounds, Xu Yuan would be lying under a tree, sipping tea, acting like he was already a mighty immortal.
To make things worse, his talent was terrible. Forget about being a genius even calling him average would be an insult to average people. His cultivation speed was so slow it could make a snail look like a cheetah. And yet, he shamelessly sucked up a mountain of family resources, for just breaking through to the first stage of Qi Refining at the age of seventeen.
For comparison, the average seventeen-year-old in his world would be at least at the fifth or sixth stage by now, and the true geniuses? They'd already touched the peak of Qi Refining, or maybe even stepped into the Foundation Establishment Realm.
But did Xu Yuan care about it not one bit. He still walked around like he was the Young Master of Heaven itself, chin raised, hands behind his back, eyes half-lidded in disdain. If someone annoyed him, he wouldn't even bother raising a hand — he'd just order a servant to go beat them up.
And don't even get started on his luck with the ladies. Despite his trash reputation, his shameless flirting and honeyed words somehow got him smacked by countless beauties. A single teasing wink, a casual touch, and the next thing you'd hear was a crisp slap!
His reputation? it was legendary. In the eyes of the families and nearby towns, Xu Yuan was the classic villain, the kind of spoiled young master who picked fights for no reason, bullied the weak, chased after women without shame, and was just waiting for some righteous protagonist to slap him down and steal his fiance.
Xu Yuan smirked, shaking his head "But he had amazing life" Sure, he wasn't the type who want to beat every person annoyed him on the roadside but atleast its not going to be same miserable as before.
"This is my second life… There will be no regrets" he said bringing light smile on his face. The past him had wasted his days in meaningless indulgence, never striving for more. He never did things what he truly wished.
"I'm going to live my life to the fullest"
[Knock] [Knock]
His thoughts were interrupted by a gentle knock at the door.