NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3: Chapter 3: The First Disciple
As night fell, Ni Tian lay on the grass outside his wooden house, gazing at the vast expanse of stars above. The cool mountain breeze rustled the leaves of the ancient tree beside him, carrying with it the faint scent of earth and dew. He took a deep breath and murmured to himself,
"Tomorrow marks my third day in this place…"
The events of the past days still weighed on his mind—the betrayal, the humiliation, and his near-death experience. But more than anything, what occupied his thoughts was his unexpected second chance. The Primordial Rebirth Lotus had restored his cultivation, and though he was still weak, he had taken his first step toward reclaiming his lost destiny.
With those thoughts swirling in his mind, his eyelids grew heavy, and he drifted into sleep beneath the starry sky.
The following morning, Ni Tian awoke to the golden rays of sunlight filtering through the leaves. He sat up, stretched his sore muscles, and decided to gather some food before starting his tasks for the day. He picked a few edible plants from the nearby forest and ate them raw, savoring their natural freshness.
As he finished his meal, his eyes fell upon the wooden house he had been living in. Though it provided some shelter, it was fragile and weathered, barely capable of withstanding strong wind and rain.
"I can't live like this forever. If I want to survive here, I need to strengthen this house."
Determined, he grabbed a rusty hatchet he had found inside the house and made his way down the mountain to gather wood.
Though his body was still in recovery, he pushed himself to swing the hatchet, cutting down trees piece by piece. His muscles ached, sweat dripped from his forehead, but he didn't stop. Every strike of the blade against the tree reminded him that he was no longer the weak Shen Li.
By midday, he had gathered enough wood for repairs. Just as he was about to leave, he noticed a strange fruit hanging from a nearby tree. It was round, red, and slightly translucent, resembling an apple but with a faint golden glow. Curious, he picked one and took a bite.
The fruit was sweet and refreshing, filling his body with warmth. He felt a subtle energy coursing through him, but it was mild—nothing compared to the effect of the Primordial Rebirth Lotus.
Satisfied, he carried the chopped wood back up the mountain, dragging it with great effort. By the time he reached his house, the sun was already setting, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. Exhausted, he decided to leave the repairs for the next day.
That night, as Ni Tian rested, he sat beside the Primordial Rebirth Lotus and carefully plucked a single petal. He had already experienced its effects once, and though the pain was unbearable, it had given him a tremendous boost in cultivation.
"I should be able to handle it this time," he thought, placing the petal in his mouth.
However, the moment he swallowed, an unbearable heat erupted within him. The energy surged violently through his meridians, far stronger than before. His body trembled, his veins bulged, and an overwhelming force threatened to tear him apart from within.
"Damn…! I didn't expect it to be this intense!"
Ni Tian collapsed to the ground, his fingers digging into the dirt as he gritted his teeth in agony. His dantian felt like it was shattering and reforming at the same time, as if something deep within him was awakening. The pain was unbearable. His vision blurred, and soon, he lost consciousness.
When he finally woke up, the morning sun had already risen. He found himself lying on the ground, his body drenched in sweat. The wooden bowl he had used the night before lay beside him, untouched.
As he struggled to sit up, he suddenly noticed a massive shift within him. He quickly checked his cultivation and was shocked.
From the 1st Level of Qi Refinement, he had broken through to the 4th Level in a single night!
But that wasn't all—there was something new. A strange, calming sensation spread through him, unlike anything he had felt before. He closed his eyes and focused.
"This… this is my innate talent?"
A mysterious inscription appeared in his mind—Qingshui Xin (Clear Water Heart). Though it was currently at the Mortal Realm, it granted him the ability to control water, though with limitations.
Ni Tian clenched his fists, feeling newfound power coursing through his veins.
"I may not have divine blood… but I have my own path now."
With renewed determination, he ate a simple breakfast and resumed working on his house. He reinforced the foundation, ensuring it could withstand strong winds, and repaired the roof to keep out the rain. The work took the entire day, and by the time he finished, exhaustion overcame him, causing him to fall asleep without even eating dinner.
The next morning, Ni Tian felt more refreshed than ever. He decided to train his newly awakened ability while tending to his small farm. By midday, as he rested in front of his house, he suddenly felt a faint energy fluctuation from down the mountain.
A presence.
His brows furrowed. Someone was there.
Driven by curiosity, he quickly descended the mountain, following the faint aura. As he reached the base, he saw a young woman lying unconscious on the ground. Her breathing was weak, and her skin was unnaturally pale—signs of poisoning.
Without hesitation, Ni Tian lifted her frail body and carried her back to his house. Her clothes were torn in places, and dried blood stained the edges of her robes. Whoever she was, she had been through a terrible ordeal.
Upon reaching the house, he placed her on the bed and boiled water using the petals of the Primordial Rebirth Lotus. Carefully, he let a few drops trickle down her lips, hoping it would help cleanse the poison from her system.
That night, he sat by her side, ensuring her condition did not worsen.
The Girl's Past and an Unexpected Proposal
The next morning, the girl finally woke up. Her eyes fluttered open, revealing a pair of deep, sorrowful silver irises.
Ni Tian, noticing she was awake, asked, "Are you alright?"
The girl hesitated but then softly replied, "Yes… Thank you."
Her voice was gentle yet carried traces of pain. She sat up slowly, still weak from her ordeal.
"I'm Aeris Sylvaine," she finally introduced herself. "From the Aeris Sect of Aerium Continent."
At the mention of her sect, a dark shadow passed over her face. Taking a deep breath, she continued, "My sect was weak, and because of that, we were attacked. They poisoned everyone… My father told me to run while he stayed behind to fight." Her voice trembled. "I ran… but I was poisoned too. I fell from my spirit sword… and that's when you found me."
Ni Tian listened in silence. He understood her pain, though their circumstances were different.
After a moment, she suddenly looked at him and asked, "What is your cultivation rank?"
"…4th Level of Qi Refinement," he admitted, feeling slightly embarrassed.
Aeris's eyes widened. "You… You saved me while only being in Qi Refinement?"
Instead of questioning his strength, she suddenly knelt and bowed deeply.
"Ni Tian… please take me as your disciple."
Ni Tian was completely stunned. "What?"
Aeris met his gaze with unwavering determination. "I owe you my life. And though my sect is gone, my will is not. I want to learn from you, to follow you as my master."
Seeing her sincerity, Ni Tian sighed, then smiled slightly. "Alright. If that is your choice, then I accept."
Aeris lowered her head with respect. "This disciple greets her master."
For the first time since his rebirth, Ni Tian felt something other than hatred and vengeance. He had found a companion.
His journey had only just begun.
End of Chapter 3