The forest whispered around her—leaves rustling, an owl's distant hoot, the faint ripple of a stream she couldn't see. Her crimson eyes darted to the canopy, where starlight filtered through, its brilliance shockingly sharp and vivid, a stark departure from the blurred world she'd known. Ben had lived with myopia since childhood, his world a soft-edged haze without glasses, every distant object smudged into ambiguity. He'd worn glasses since he was twelve years old, a constant reminder of his imperfection, and even switching to contact lenses when he was sixteen didn't improve his situation because of the constant discomfort he would feel—grit in his eyes, a nagging itch that made every blink a small ordeal. But now… now her vision was flawless, a clarity so piercing it felt like a violation of reality itself. She blinked, expecting the familiar fuzz or the faint sting of lenses, but the world remained vivid, each detail carved with a precision that teetered on the edge of the surreal.
The canopy above was a living mosaic, leaves interwoven with stars that burned like tiny suns, each one a blazing pinpoint she could almost reach out and touch. She could see the delicate veins of each leaf, their intricate networks pulsing with a life she'd never noticed as Ben, their edges so sharp they seemed etched by a divine hand. The sight wasn't just clear—it was overwhelming, a torrent of detail that flooded her senses and left her dizzy. A butterfly drifted past, its wings a shimmering tapestry of sapphire and amber, and she could discern every scale, every filament catching the moonlight in a dance of iridescence that felt too perfect, too unreal. Her gaze flicked to a wildflower at the hollow's edge, its crimson petals glowing with an inner fire, their subtle gradients—scarlet fading to ruby—revealing patterns so intricate they seemed to whisper secrets of the forest itself.
The clarity was a gift, but it was also a weight, amplifying the fracture in her identity. As Ben, she'd navigated a world of blurred edges, a comforting imperfection that matched his unremarkable life. Now, every detail screamed her displacement, her otherness. The stars didn't just shine—they pierced, their light accusing her of trespassing in a world she didn't belong to. A bird perched on a nearby branch, its plumage a mosaic of emerald and gold, each feather so finely detailed she could count the barbs, see the microscopic hooks that bound them together. Its obsidian eyes met hers, and the connection was visceral, as if her gaze could unravel its essence. The forest pulsed with a vibrancy that bordered on the divine, each element rendered in a clarity that made her chest tighten, her breath catch. It was as if the world had been crafted for eyes not meant to be human, and she was an intruder, drowning in its beauty. For a moment, she feared it might consume her, its vividness a tide she couldn't swim against, and she pressed her hands to her eyes, desperate for the blur she'd once cursed.
The clarity wasn't just physical—it was a weight on her mind, deepening the fracture in her identity. I'm Ben, she thought, clinging to the name, but it felt hollow, a relic of a self that no longer fit. No, I feel too different. I'm… something else. The correction was a quiet ache, a reminder that her new body—this delicate, childlike form—was reshaping her from the inside out. Her thoughts raced, too fast and sharp, as if her brain had been rewired to match this body's potential. Emotions surged unpredictably—fear spiking like a blade, awe at the forest's beauty, grief for the life she'd lost—each one hitting harder than it should, amplified by a mind that felt too young, too raw. She tried to summon Ben's calm, to box away the fear, but it spilled over, a child's panic that made her hands shake uncontrollably. As Ben, she'd been steady, grounded, able to shrug off setbacks with quiet resilience. Now, that stability was gone, replaced by a disorienting flux that left her reeling.
She shifted in the hollow, the rough bark scraping her skin, and winced at the sensation—too sharp, too immediate. Her body felt wrong in every way. Her arms were too slender, lacking the strength she'd built carrying book crates or hiking trails. Her balance was off, her center of gravity lower, making every movement a conscious effort. Even her heartbeat, steady now after the previous night's chaos, pulsed with a rhythm that wasn't hers—a child's quick, fluttering beat, not the slow thud of a grown man. How do I live like this? The question hung unanswered, a shadow in her mind as she stared at the forest beyond the hollow.
The forest was alive, its beauty both a lure and a threat. She let her gaze wander, testing the limits of her newfound vision. The trees towered above, their bark etched with grooves and whorls that seemed almost deliberate, like ancient runes carved by time. Their leaves, a deep emerald, shimmered with moonlight, each one outlined with a silvery glow. Vines draped from branches, swaying in a gentle breeze, their surfaces dappled with subtle veins that pulsed with life. Wildflowers—crimson, violet, gold—dotted the underbrush, their petals so vivid they seemed to glow in the night, each one revealing intricate patterns she'd never have noticed as Ben. The sight was mesmerizing, but it was also overwhelming, a sensory deluge that made her head spin and her chest tighten.
She turned her head slowly, her fingers sinking into the soft grass, and let her eyes wander. A narrow stream wove through the trees, its surface rippling with the sky's reflection, silver fish darting beneath in flashes of light. Moss clung to rocks along its banks, a lush green that seemed to hum with vitality, while ferns unfurled in graceful arcs, their fronds swaying like dancers in a silent ballet. In the distance, a faint mist curled around the trunks, lending the forest an ethereal glow, as if it existed between worlds. The sounds were as vivid as the sights: birdsong, sharp and melodic, weaving through the air; the rustle of leaves, a soft whisper; the distant snap of a twig, jolting her into alertness. It was beautiful, yet it carried a weight, a reminder that this world was as perilous as it was enchanting.
As she was mesmerized by the scene, her mind wandering, a question gnawed at her: What am I supposed to do in this place? The thought was a spark, a plea for clarity in the chaos of her rebirth. She'd been staring at her trembling hands, willing answers from her new body, when a sudden flicker stirred—not in the forest, but inside her mind. A translucent screen shimmered into existence before her eyes, hovering like a mirage, its surface glowing with faint, golden text. She gasped, her heart lurching as she flinched back, the bark scraping her bare skin. Her crimson eyes widened, darting over the impossible display. What the hell is that?
Her breath caught, her mind racing. It looked like something straight out of the fantasy novels she'd devoured as Ben—a status panel, like the ones in isekai stories where ordinary people were whisked away to magical worlds with systems to guide them. This… this is like an isekai, she thought, a mix of disbelief and exhilaration bubbling up. Did I really get reincarnated into one of those worlds? There is no way... The idea was absurd, something she would have never believed to actually happen, not in a million years, yet here it was, floating before her, completely undeniable. I must be dreaming. She closed her eyes, but it was still in front of her somehow, hovering in her line of sight. Her pulse quickened, a child's frantic beat, as she opened her eyes again and leaned forward, the cold of the hollow forgotten. She focused, and the text sharpened, revealing a detailed panel:
--
[Status Panel]
Name: Unknown
Age: 10
Lifespan: ∞
Existence Tier: Tier 0 (Mortal)
Cultivation Level: None
Techniques: None
Divine Abilities: None
Bloodlines: None
Gifts:
- Immortal Existence: Body, mind, and soul are indestructible. No force can permanently end your existence.
- Revival Growth & Adaptability: Death strengthens you, adapting your body and mind to overcome prior weaknesses.
- Ageless Body: Control over physical aging, allowing you to mature or remain youthful at will.
- Peerless Magic: Unparalleled aptitude for magical arts, surpassing natural limits.
- Golden Ratio Body: Perfect physical proportions, enhancing beauty, strength, and agility.
- Sacred Pleasure: A unique aura, amplifying charm and influence, with untapped potential.
- Appraisal: Identification of any living entity.
Talent:
- Immortal Cultivation: 10★
- Comprehension: 10★
- Willpower: 10★
- Adaptability: 10★
- Magic: 9★
- Martial Arts: 7★
Description:Transcendental Innate Talent in All Aspects of Immortal Cultivation – Your potential in Qi refinement, body cultivation and soul cultivation has transcended all limitations, enabling unmatched mastery of all immortal cultivation paths.
--
Her jaw dropped, a soft "No way…" escaping her lips before she clamped a hand over her mouth, glancing nervously at the forest. The panel was real, its golden text glowing with an otherworldly certainty. Lifespan: ∞. The words hit her like a thunderbolt, her eyes locking onto them. Infinite? I… I can't die? Her mind reeled, flashing back to the night before—her lungs seizing, her heart faltering, the darkness swallowing her whole. She'd thought it was the end, her new body too weak to hold her soul. But that warmth, that unshakable ember, had pulled her back. Immortal Existence. Her hands trembled, not from cold but from the sheer weight of it. She almost jumped up, a surge of excitement coursing through her, but then she froze, her bare skin prickling against the bark. I'm literally naked in a forest. Calm down, idiot.
She forced a shaky breath, calming herself and thinking about her unbelievable situation for a moment. Then, she focused and came to the most logical conclusion - I'm being scammed, yes someone must be scamming me. There is no way I somehow became invincible in a single step. Her old skeptical self, kicked into overdrive, searching for the catch. This is too good to be true. Panels like this don't just pop up in real life.What's the trick? She squinted at the glowing text, half-expecting it to flicker like a cheap hologram, but it remained solid, its words taunting her with their certainty. Her heart raced, the child's pulse too fast, too fragile, as she wrestled with the impossible. But… what if it's real? The thought crept in, unbidden, and her gaze darted back to the Gifts, each one a promise that felt like it belonged to someone else.
Revival Growth & Adaptability—Death can make me stronger? The idea was insane, straight out of the overpowered isekai protagonists she'd read about. Ageless Body—she could stay young forever or grow up on her terms? Her fingers twitched, itching to test it, but she stopped short, her bare shoulders hunching against the cold bark. Focus, you're not a kid playing a game.Peerless Magic sparked a thrill, her mind flashing to images of fireballs and arcane runes, the kind of power she'd dreamed of as Ben, curled up with a novel. Golden Ratio Body made her glance down at her small, perfect frame, and a flush crept up her neck—Perfect proportions? Yeah, right, I'm a scrawny kid. But the description didn't lie, and she felt a strange confidence in her movements as she started to get over her initial dizziness.
Sacred Pleasure caught her off guard, and she blinked, rereading it. A unique aura? Amplifying charm? "What even is that?" she muttered under her breath, her voice a child's squeak. It sounded like something from a questionable fanfiction, and her cheeks burned with embarrassment. Untapped potential, sure, but I'm not charming anyone like this. Still, a part of her—a small, curious part—wondered what it could do. Then there was Appraisal. Identification of any living entity. Her practical side latched onto it immediately. That's useful. I could check if a plant's poisonous or if someone's dangerous. She imagined pointing at a tree or a passing bird and knowing its secrets, a lifeline in this forest where everything felt like a threat. Okay, that one I believe. Maybe.
So, is this panel that I'm seeing because i accidentally used Appraisal on myself? She froze, the thought sparking a mix of curiosity and suspicion. It makes sense—'identification of any living entity' includes me, right? Her crimson eyes narrowed at the glowing text, as if it might confess its secrets. If I triggered it without meaning to, maybe this system's not a total scam. But the idea felt too neat, too convenient, and her skeptical side bristled. Or it's just messing with me, showing me what I want to see. She didn't have time to dwell—her gaze flicked to the Talent section, and her breath hitched.
Transcendental Innate Talent. Immortal Cultivation: 10 stars. Comprehension, Willpower, Adaptability—all of them also 10 stars. Her heart skipped, a wild, giddy rush flooding her chest. I'm a prodigy. A freaking cultivation god! She wanted to leap out of the hollow, to scream her excitement to the stars, but the cold earth and her exposed skin kept her rooted. Naked. Freezing. Mortal. Get a grip. The joy was tempered by a gnawing fear, her pulse hammering in her ears. Ten stars? Me? This body can barely walk straight. Or wait, is it 10 out of 100 or something? Yes, that must be it. She told herself as she continued to her other talents. Magic: 9 stars. Martial Arts: 7 stars. Not as good as her cultivation talent, but also not far behind.
But as she went on to the Description, she froze. Transcended all limitations. Unmatched mastery. It was the kind of thing she'd roll her eyes at in a novel—too overpowered, too convenient. This must be a lie, or some sort of cosmic prank. Nobody gets this for free - right??... In her past life, she had been a bookstore clerk with no grand destiny. Yet here she was, in a child's body, with gifts that could shake the heavens. Her mind circled back to the isekai idea, the stories where ordinary people became legends. This feels like one of those novels, but it's too real. The cold, the fear—it's not a story. Her fingers traced the dirt, grounding her as she wrestled with the contradiction. If I was reincarnated and received all these cheats, there must be a catch.There's no such thing as free lunch, especially not in a world that seems to focus around cultivation.
The panel raised more questions than it answered. Why these gifts? Why this world? Why her? She wasn't ready to trust it—not yet—but the possibilities it promised were too vivid to ignore. If even half of this is true, I could… I could be someone. Her old life—Ben's life—had been safe, small, predictable. This was a chance to be more, to live the stories she'd only read.
The panel flickered and vanished, leaving her alone with her thoughts. But its words lingered, etched into her mind, stirring a suspicion she couldn't shake. The gifts — Ageless Body, Peerless Magic, Golden Ratio Body—felt eerily familiar, like echoes of a story she'd once lost herself in. They mirrored the extraordinary abilities of Yuuri, the protagonist of Hakai Me no Yuuri, whose indestructible body and unmatched magical talent had captivated her imagination. And the panel itself, with the same sections and its structured stats, was uncannily similar to the system interface described in Reincarnated as a Jade Beauty, a cultivation world where power was quantified and destinies were shaped. Her heart quickened as a memory surfaced—a night months ago, lying in bed, half-asleep after finishing Hakai Me no Yuuri. She'd drifted into a daydream, imagining herself reborn with Yuuri's gifts but in the vibrant, ruthless world of Reincarnated as a Jade Beauty. It had been a fleeting wish, a momentary escape from her mundane life. Could that… could that have been the cause? The thought was absurd, yet the parallels were too precise to dismiss, a seed of suspicion taking root in her mind.
The forest loomed, vast and unknowable, but hiding in this cold stripped naked was not really an option. She felt she would freeze at any moment, the small recess she was sitting in not shielding her from the night's biting chill. Her teeth chattered, a child's high-pitched clatter, and she hugged her knees tighter, the rough bark digging into her back. If I'm immortal, why am I freezing to death? Some scam this is, she thought, a bitter laugh bubbling up before she swallowed it, glancing nervously at the shadows beyond the hollow. The panel's promises—Immortal Existence,Transcendental Innate Talent—felt like a cruel joke against her shivering, vulnerable state. No way I'm a cultivation god when I can't even stand up without tripping. She couldn't stay here, scam or not. The stream might have answers, something to keep her from freezing solid. The faint scent of water, cool and mineral, drew her forward, a promise of something tangible in the unknown. Her bare feet sank into the soft earth, the sensation grounding her as she took a tentative step toward the faint ripple of water. The forest loomed around her, both a threat and a promise, and she resolved to face it, one careful step at a time.