If one were to look down upon the Thousand Beasts Mountain from above, they would see how peculiar it truly was. It stood nearly three thousand meters tall, and though its climb wasnât particularly difficult, it still kept many ordinary humans confined to its lower regions.
At its peak, there was no sharp summit or common ridge. Instead, it was as if a great force had carved out a massive depression in reverse. At the top, a vast flat area was surrounded by walls, with several buildings rising within and gates stretching in various directions.
The cluster of shacks was situated near the base of the mountain. There werenât many places to live, but in some areas, one could spot gardens scattered amidst the vast field of stone.
Enormous trees were spread throughout, though they were so few that their scarcity seemed almost pitiful.
At the mountainâs base, the soil was fertileâas if it belonged to another world. Here, many different gardens could be found, but one in particular stood out among the rest. Nearly fifty acres in size, it teemed with people moving back and forth, each tending to their assigned task.
A little farther off, a small stream flowed near this vast garden. Beyond that, where the road no longer reached, giant tree trunks rose from the groundâso many that they were impossible to count. There lay a forest that many residents at the foot of the mountain considered deadly.
It was known as the Thousand Beasts Forest.
âHeheâ¦â
Zhang Chen, with clear astonishment on his face, was pulled from his stupor by a crisp, pleasant laugh coming from beside him.
Shen Jie stood at his side, visibly amused, covering her mouth with one hand as if to stifle her smile. âLook at that amazed expression. Youâve only been bedridden for a little while.â
âHahaâ¦â Zhang Chen let out an embarrassed chuckle once he realized the situation. But who could blame him for being shocked at such a sight? Looking away from her, he said, âI canât help itâthis view is breathtaking.â
âIt is⦠but not as beautifulâone day, maybe weâll see a greaââ Shen Jie, seeing the wonder in Zhang Chenâs eyes, nodded in agreement about the viewâs beauty, but her next words came out so softly they couldnât be heard. When she realized what she had just said, her cheeks flushed. Seeing that Zhang Chen hadnât reacted, a flicker of relief passed through her eyesâyet somehow, there was also a hint of disappointment. She quickly added, âThis happiness of yours is better than the sadness Brother Chen had before he got sick.â
Sad? Zhang Chen was pulled from his thoughts by the word, pondering it deeply. Seems like not all the memories are clear. Maybe only the most impactful ones are easier to recall? Before falling illâ¦
âHaha, I made Sister Jie worry. My apologies,â Zhang Chen replied with a gentle smile, not dwelling too much on those thoughts.
âI wasnât that worriedâ¦â Looking at his face and seeing how he was staring at her, Shen Jie replied timidly, her voice trailing off again. Seeing doubt begin to form on Zhang Chenâs face, she quickly followed up, âCome on! If we take too long, weâll be late.â
Without waiting for a reply, she took the lead, not looking back. Zhang Chen watched her walk ahead and couldnât help the natural smile that spread across his lips.
He was now a blend of two livesâhow could he not notice her shyness? It was true he hadnât been a womanizer in his past lifeâif anything, his romantic record was rather pitifulâbut he did have some experience.
Sheng Jie⦠A long-forgotten face flashed through his mind, and with a heavy sigh, he followed Shen Jie.
The path to their destination wasnât very longâbarely a thousand metersâbut the steep road made it hard to walk, forcing him to slow his pace. Looking at Shen Jie, Zhang Chen noted how steady her steps were, as if she had no fear of slipping.
Come to think of it, shouldnât houses be built in a lower, flatter place? What if they collapse? Zhang Chen found himself thinking about the house he lived in. He was walking over bare rockâit surely couldnât be easy to build homes in such a place.
As they walked, the two passed by several people, either climbing up or heading in the same direction. Zhang Chen only needed to follow Shen Jieâs lead, and even though many of his memories remained hazy, he wouldnât make too many mistakes this way.
Most of the people they passed were wearing rags. Few had intact clothes without patches.
Zhang Chen remained quiet, his mind wandering, until he was abruptly pulled out of his thoughtsâShen Jie, who had been walking steadily, had suddenly stopped.
He, who had been eyeing the ground warily with each step, lifted his head just in time to see Shen Jie cupping her hands respectfully toward a young man walking up the path, his head slightly lowered, not even sparing them a glance. Zhang Chen noticed she wasnât the only oneâmany others, climbing or descending, were also bowing to this youth. Some were even more extreme, dropping to the ground and not daring to look at him.
A noble of this world? Zhang Chen quickly lowered his gaze and mimicked Shen Jieâs gesture. As the young man passed by, it felt as if the air itself grew heavier. Every one of his steps weighed down on Zhang Chenâs very being, stirring a strange wave of anger and humiliation in his chest. Zhang Chen didnât know where it came fromâthis was his first time encountering someone like this. Is this from him? Or from the bodyâs original owner?
The youth walked on calmly, his white clothes spotless, his skin glowing with health, and his star-like eyes gazing forward with boundless pride. He didnât spare a single glance at the many people bowing to him before continuing on his way.
As the young man walked by, Zhang Chen noticed how steady and confident his steps wereâso different from his own, and from so many others.
In the short time since heâd arrived, he had only seen a few people who didnât seem afraid while walking this road. Shen Jie was one of them.
âWho was that young man? I felt such pressure from him, like he was staring right at me with every step.â
âYou really are clueless. Thatâs Young Master Hao of the Jin family. If he heard you say something like that, youâd probably offend him.â
âYoung Master? Why is he walking around without any guards?â
âWhat do you know? Who would dare attack him this close to the city and invite the Jin familyâs wrath? Besides, I heard Young Master Hao is already nearing the final stage of Qi training.â
As this conversation was overheard, sounds of envy echoed in all directions.
Zhang Chen, still a bit confused, also caught parts of the conversation and quickly understood that the young man wasnât some nobleâat least not in the traditional sense. But when he heard them mention Qi training, images suddenly surfaced in his mind.
More and more detailed memories about immortality began to emerge: three distinct scenes flashed through him. One was of an old man with kind eyes. The second, a woman who spoke softly, as if afraid to startle him. With her came warm embraces and tender kisses, and in her gaze was an unconditional love. The third and final image was of a man with his back turned. His face wasnât visible, but the pride glowing in his eyes could be felt. He stepped forward and gently patted the childâs head.
All of it happened in less than a second, and Zhang Chen felt a brief pain in his head that quickly faded.
If the word immortality had previously only hinted at how unusual this world was, these new memories made him realize that he had underestimated it.
This pursuit wasnât a matter of myth or vague ambition, like in his past life. It was a systemâreal, structured, and proven.
The fact that an ordinary person knew the name of the first realm of cultivation was all the proof he needed. It showed just how widespread the path of immortality was in this world.
What Zhang Chen didnât realize was that this knowledge came from the proximity to a cultivator city. In many other places, the pursuit of immortality was little more than a foolâs dream, and "immortals" were just desperate hopes imagined by those longing for more.
âLetâs keep going.â
Zhang Chen, still a little disoriented by everything that had happened in such a short time, heard Shen Jieâs clear voice.
Looking at her continuing ahead, he noticed she wasnât the least bit impressed, as if all this was completely normal. Looking around, he saw that most people had already returned to what they were doing.
He didnât even know that this kind of reverence wasnât reserved only for powerful figures in the cultivation world. Anyone who had managed to set foot on that path stood out from the rest.
No wonder so many people dreamed of becoming cultivatorsâmany gave up everything they had to chase that world, sometimes guided by nothing more than a rumor.
The two of them, along with many others, continued walking. Though the steep path made things harder, it wouldnât take more than an hour to reach their destination.
By now, Zhang Chen could see people ahead traveling the same way, and the closer they got, the more impressed he became. And that was saying a lotâhe hadnât exactly lived a modest life in his previous existence.
A vast field stretched out before him. Zhang Chen saw dozens of people moving about, and he estimated there must be over a hundred workers. As he drew nearer, memories of the place began to surface, and he finally understood that most of the people working here were ordinary.
When heâd gotten this job, he was told that a prominent figure from the city had discovered a spot where spiritual energy gathered in the water. It was a short stretch, but enough to benefit the field.
Zhang Chen still remembered people asking why the landowner didnât just hire cultivators, which would make caring for so much land easier. It hadnât been the overseer who answered the question, but the important figure herself.
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Back then, Shen Jie had helped him get the job.
He remembered that at the very moment doubt lingered among the crowd, a woman emerged from within it. Her red dress stood out, accentuating her long dark hair. Her face, however, was hidden behind a mask.
She looked to be about twenty-five, but no one dared underestimate her. The fact that she was from the city already said enough.
She explained that the land was actually meant to give people without cultivation a chanceânot only for themselves, but possibly for their children too.
To be honest⦠it feels like sheâs always looked out for me⦠Zhang Chen suddenly thought.
He didnât clearly remember why he had a good relationship with the overseer, but he knew there was something thereânot just from vague memories, but because Shen Jie had mentioned it outside his house.
Zhang Chen soon spotted a middle-aged man standing atop a massive boulder. His white robe fluttered in the wind, and the few strands of hair still clinging to his head did the same. His beard was far longer than his hair. He clearly held a position of authority, overseeing the workers.
âSupervisor Linâ¦â Zhang Chen muttered as he recognized the man. Now, with his memories in place, he felt nervous. After so much time away, he had no idea what the overseer would say.
He even noticed glances of pity and mockery from a few people nearby. After all, this job was highly sought-after.
"You donât need to worry. I already explained your situation to Supervisor Lin. He wonât fire you, but youâre not getting away without a scolding," Shen Jie said suddenly. She had noticed his concern and calmly reassured him.
Hearing that, Zhang Chen turned his head toward her. Her clear, calm eyes met his, and eventually, he relaxed."I must thank Sister Jie for taking care of that for me. I owe you."
"Donât worry about it. It was just a matter of saying a few words. Now go to the supervisor already. I have things to do."
As soon as she finished speaking, Shen Jie walked off quickly, not giving Zhang Chen any chance to respond. Watching her leave, he simply shook his head with a smile and turned his gaze toward the supervisor, who was already watching him.
The road they had been walking seemed to end here. No longer surrounded by rocks, they now saw mounds of soil, something necessary to support such a large plantation.
This place was the true base of the mountain, with a stream just ten meters away. Large trees were scattered everywhere, and grass and flowers grew here too.
Now that he was close enough, Zhang Chen could tell that the forest was incredibly near, as if trying to encroach upon the mountain. But clearly, the people living here held it back.
There were still some tree stumps, some even too smooth to have been cut by an ordinary axe. In the distance, the forest looked dark and eerie, with barely a ray of sunlight passing through the thick leaves.
Shaking his head, Zhang Chen dismissed the idle thoughts. He then walked toward the massive rock that could be seen from afar. As he approached, he saw Supervisor Lin looking down.
At that moment, Zhang Chen felt a great pressure fall upon his bodyâbut fortunately, it disappeared as quickly as it had come.
"Come."
Only a calm, aged voice came from above. Yet this simple order left Zhang Chen at a loss, as the rock was nearly four meters tall. How was he supposed to climb it?
While he was still figuring out how to scale the massive stone, a gentle wind stirred behind him without him noticing.
Just as Zhang Chen sensed the wind was stronger than usual, it turned into something more solid and began to lift him toward the supervisor.
It took him a moment to understand what was happening, and only when he could already see the top of the rock did it truly hit him. His heart pounded wildly, and involuntarily, his mouth opened as if to say somethingâbut the words wouldnât come.
Magic... no, this is cultivation! Only now did Zhang Chen fully accept that this world was truly different. Despite the memories and everything people had said, nothing was as convincing as seeing it with his own eyes.
"Youâre several days late. How do you plan to explain that?"
As soon as Zhang Chen felt the rock under his feet, the supervisorâs calm voice drifted into his ears. From deep surprise to a sudden question, it took him a moment to respond.
Deeper memories of Supervisor Lin surfaced in his mind just then.
"Supervisor Lin, as Sisâ I mean, as Miss Jie said, I was illâ¦"
"You think that excuse is enough? Look at those peopleâs faces! How many do you think are healthy? How many fight for a spot here?!"
Zhang Chen quickly cupped his hands in a respectful gesture. If he couldnât even do that, then his two lifetimes would have been for nothing. Unfortunately, he was cut off by the supervisor, receiving the scolding Shen Jie had warned him about.
Even so, he did as instructed and looked at the incoming workers and those already working.
Indeed, many of them were thin and pale; some stopped to cough from time to time, whether men, women, elderly, or young. Of course, this wasnât the case for everyone.
Among them, he also noticed that each had a specific type of task. It seemed that, before most of the laborers arrived, human warriors came to remove useless herbs using special sickles and hoes.
Looks like there are two types of work hereâmanual and more technical, Zhang Chen thought, keeping his expression neutral.
"I apologize, Supervisor Lin. Youâve taught me a lesson⦠Itâs just that⦠my condition didnât feel like a normal illnessâ¦" he said, trailing off.
"Oh⦠really?" Supervisor Lin replied with little emotion in his voice. Then, for the first time, he turned and looked directly at Zhang Chen, who still had his hands cupped but now stared him straight in the eyes.
A trace of surprise flashed across the supervisorâs gaze. The first time he had seen the young man, he hadnât even dared lift his head.
He looked at Zhang Chen with a meaningful gaze for a breathâs time before turning away again.
"In any case, youâre lucky Shen Jie looked after your field. At least we didnât fall behind schedule. Donât forget who you owe your gratitude to. You may go."
Being stared at so closely, the suffocating feeling that had disappeared earlier now returned with greater intensity. Zhang Chen understood that Supervisor Lin grasped the true situation but seemed unwilling to get involvedâor even to care.
"I understand, Supervisor Lin. Chen will take his leave now," he said, still with hands cupped. As he straightened up, he remembered he was still on top of the rock. Looking again at the supervisor, he noticed he didnât seem inclined to help.
Scanning the area, Zhang Chen quickly spotted a gentle slope behind the rock that would make getting down easier.
Without wasting any more time, he moved in that direction and jumped down in one leapâalmost slipping. He narrowly avoided embarrassing himself.
Unbothered by the curious glances around him, Zhang Chen headed toward the section of the field under his care.
While he was being watched, many still held looks of envy and speculation. Missing work here was frowned upon, and many were thinking about the rumors involving the supervisor, Shen Jie, and Zhang Chen.
It didnât take long for him to reach his field. Narrow paths had formed between the various planting areas, and everything seemed very well organized.
The sequence of fields started in the east and stretched toward the west, following the course of the stream, whose source couldnât be seen from there.
Upon arrival, Zhang Chen noticed a middle-aged man still pulling out weeds with great effort. His shirt was already drenched in sweat, even though it was still early morning. Looking around, he saw that everyone else was waiting for their partners to finish their respective tasks.
Now that he was there, Zhang Chen could finally observe the great variety of crops.
Each plot lay beside another, and most of the plants appeared to be a type of rice. However, this rice was far from ordinaryâits stalks were a pale green, but the grains had a crystalline appearance, reflecting the sunlight.
This world constantly challenged Zhang Chenâs understanding of what was normal.
He also noticed Shen Jieâs field, separated from his by only one other plot. There, a man was also pulling weeds and seemed to be trying to make conversation with Shen Jie, who, in turn, showed little interest in replying.
With his memories clearer, Zhang Chen could better understand what the "human warriors" were. Even humans who didnât follow the path of cultivation werenât ordinary in this world.
Possessing strength far beyond the average, they could live up to a hundred years with relative ease. However, their presence here suggested that this path of cultivation seemed to have a ceiling, or continuing on it was incredibly difficult.
But Zhang Chen, from the very beginning, had been a Qi Refiner.
He looked ahead and saw that the forest remained quiet and dark. Just before it, the clear stream sparkled, and Zhang Chen could almost swear that some parts of it shimmered.
âIâm done. You can take over now.â
While admiring the landscape, the voice of the middle-aged man sounded suddenly. Zhang Chen turned his attention to him and quickly noticed the weariness in his expression. Small holes left by the uprooted weeds were scattered throughout the field.
âRight. Thank you very much for your effort, sir.â
Zhang Chen replied with hands cupped in respect. The man nodded and left the field. Zhang Chen, on the other hand, picked up a bucket that was set aside and walked toward the stream.
When he got there, he saw that the stream wasnât very wideâjust over four meters across. It was barely a meter deep, and the crystal-clear water allowed him to see the stones at the bottom.
He filled the bucket in one go, but upon lifting it, he was surprised by how heavy it felt. It seemed impossible for a bucket of that size to weigh so much. The way back, which had seemed short before, now felt incredibly long.
Back in the field, Zhang Chen took a small ladle and began watering the seedlings under his care. Each rice stalk received only a little water, but they all looked healthy.
Thanks to his more detailed memories, he knew that a single bucket was enough to water a quarter of the entire field. Zhang Chen would need to walk a {thousand meters} in a straight line to water every single crystal rice stalk.
With one meter of space between each plant, there were a thousand stalks to water. At first, he thought the water wouldnât be enough, but the small ladle dispensed exactly the right amount for each plant.
Itâs worth noting that this spacing was designed to make things easier for ordinary people. If Qi cultivators were tending the fields, the plants would be spaced more closely. Each rice stalk produced about one hundred and fifty grains.
An hour later, Zhang Chen was already breathing heavily. Sweat dripped from his forehead, and his shirt clung to his chest.
âItâs been so long since Iâve done hard labor⦠I almost forgot how tough it is.â
He murmured to himself as he straightened his back and looked at the rest of the field. A discouraged sigh escaped his lips. He found himself glancing at Shen Jieâs field, where he saw her carrying the bucket with ease, already heading for her third round.
Wearing a strange expression, Zhang Chen prepared to fetch more water.
Shen Jie was already returning to her field to water the third row. She glanced in Zhang Chenâs direction, saw him sweaty and exhausted as he went to fetch more water, and smiled discreetly before resuming her work.
âMiss Jie, why donât you take a break? Let me finish the last two rows for you,â said the man who had been pulling weeds, still trying to strike up a conversation with her. He had an unshaven beard and well-defined muscles, but his face looked tired, making him appear older than he really was.
âYour job is already done. Thereâs no reason to do anything extra,â Shen Jie replied, without even lifting her head. It seemed like she was either used to this or had given up trying to push him away.
Hearing this, a flicker of irritation flashed in the manâs eyes. Without showing much in his expression, he looked at Zhang Chen with disdain.
Zhang Chen made four more trips to the stream, but during one of them, his fingers slipped and the bucket fell to the ground. By the time he finished, the sun was already high in the sky, and its rays burned stronger than usual.
Looking around, he noticed that most people had already finished their tasks and were gathering near Supervisor Linâs boulder, as if waiting for something.
Zhang Chen remembered that around this time, a meal would be distributed. Though it wasnât anything extravagant, it did contain a bit of the crystal rice, which made this job so sought after.
The crystal rice wasnât ordinary. It was said to contain spiritual energy, which was why it was cultivated in such large quantities.
Even though the workers received the least refined portion, it was still free. It was also possible to buy cheaper rice, but in a world so harsh for common people, these benefits were the dream of many.
Zhang Chen, however, looked at all of this with a somewhat dazed expression. I forgot my bowl! He remembered it was necessary to bring your own container to receive food.
While he was lost in thought, Zhang Chen felt something in his hand. Looking down, he saw a brand-new bowl. At his side, Shen Jie had just handed it to him.
âSister Jie...â
âLetâs go,â she said, cutting him off before he could finish the sentence. Zhang Chen simply followed her in silence.
From a distance, the man who had been trying to chat with Shen Jie watched the scene, his eyes filled with anger.
After getting their food, the two sat nearby and talked while eating. The afternoonâs work would be the same: watering the crystal rice plants again.
By the end of the day, Zhang Chen only wanted to lie down and sleep deeply. However, he was pulled out of that wish by Shen Jie, who reminded him they still had to climb the mountain again to get back home.
That day, he truly felt the weight of life here.
After dropping Shen Jie off at her door, Zhang Chen said his goodbyes and continued on to his own hut, which was more than a hundred meters away.
As he approached, he noticed a few silhouettes disappearing around the corners of nearby homes. He furrowed his brow and went inside, locking the door behind him.
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{ } = 1000 meters is approximately 1094 yards