Chapter 1

"Master, you're awake. Sithu Reading 520 Official Website

www.

Just as Shen Fengshu opened his eyes, he heard an unfamiliar voice addressing him as 'Master': "We don't have much time left; it's time to set off."

What does that mean? What time is running out? Time to set off? Is this person even making sense?

No, wasn't I already dead? How can I still have thoughts?

Just as Shen Fengshu was feeling confused, a series of warnings and prompts suddenly flooded his mind.

"System activation!"

"System self-checking..."

"Warning! System has undergone an unknown mutation, reinitializing!"

"Warning! Unable to connect to headquarters communication link! Unable to connect to satellite signals! Unable to access the network!"

"Warning! Data link cannot be invoked!"

"Warning! Unable to locate!"

"Warning! Interference source detected in the controller's body, brain waves significantly disrupted!"

"Warning! 68% of nanobots missing!"

"Warning! 74% system functions impaired, armor status failed! Weapon systems failed!"

"Energy reserve at 73%!"

"Controller's physical condition being checked..."

...

What does it mean that the system has undergone an unknown mutation? Just as he realized something was amiss, a flood of unfamiliar memories overwhelmed Shen Fengshu, the massive influx of information making it impossible for him to think for a moment.

A short while later, the additional memories left Shen Fengshu dazed.

He found himself in another world, having transmigrated! His soul had taken over the body of another young man also named Shen Fengshu, becoming this world's Shen Fengshu. Not only had his soul transmigrated, but the semi-finished nanosuit he had been responsible for developing and testing on Earth, which was bound to his brain waves, had also transmigrated with him and remained bound.

The series of warnings and prompts were the output of the nanosuit's control system during its self-check in Shen Fengshu's mind.

The memory fusion left Shen Fengshu somewhat dazed, but he quickly regained his senses and sat up.

The bed was quite nice, with redwood carvings and exquisite craftsmanship, but it was too hard, not as comfortable as the high-end ergonomic mattresses on Earth.

The voice from earlier was familiar. The additional memories told Shen Fengshu that it was the martial steward who had been taking care of him during the trip.

The martial steward was a near-peak expert, loyal to the Shen family, and had taken good care of him. It seemed that Shen Fengshu trusted him a lot.

A peak expert? Very powerful? What does it mean that time is running out? "Master, today is the forty-eighth day, and Lord Shen can't hold on much longer." The martial steward, not noticing Shen Fengshu's abnormality, helped him put on his brocade robe and tidied him up before saying solemnly, "We can't afford to delay. If we ride hard, Master can still spend a day or two with Lord Shen."

Lord Shen can't hold on much longer? His father in this body? Shen Fengshu's mind raced, and a flood of memories surged to the surface. His father, Shen Zhen, had suddenly fallen ill, and ordinary medicines were ineffective. He was being kept alive by a life-prolonging elixir from the family's treasure trove. To save him, they needed to find a legendary immortal herb within two months. They had already been out for over forty days, and they were over two thousand miles from home.

Even if they rode day and night, it would take at least ten days to get home, meaning that even at the fastest speed, Shen Fengshu could only spend a maximum of two days with his father.

"The Langhuan Academy is being too unreasonable, changing the rules at the last minute, making a laughingstock of themselves." The martial steward, seeing Shen Fengshu lost in thought, continued, "Even if Master turns around and leaves, no one would dare say a word against him."

Shen Fengshu didn't hear the martial steward's words. He was quickly thinking to himself.

Severe illness! Only a legendary immortal herb can cure it? What if they can't get the herb? At least so far, they haven't obtained it. The nanosuit had strong body repair capabilities and battlefield medical design, which could treat others. Although he didn't know what his father's illness was, as long as he was by his side, the nanosuit's cellular-level repair capabilities could maintain his father's life.

The extra time could be used to continue searching for the immortal herb. The only cost would be a large amount of energy, but compared to the immortal herb, energy was easier to obtain. With solar charging and a few dozen simple hand-crank generators, and enough guards, a few dozen or even a hundred experts could keep the nanosuit charged by cranking non-stop.

Although he had no feelings for his father in this world, Shen Fengshu was determined to maintain a complete family.

"Lord Shen doesn't have much time left, but our return isn't an admission of defeat." The martial steward continued, "Moreover, the Langhuan Academy was at fault first. Master is only sixteen and doesn't want to face the masters of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. It's not shameful."

"Uncle Wu, pack up. We're leaving." Before the martial steward could continue, Shen Fengshu made his decision: "We'll return as quickly as possible!"

"Master, you don't need to take those people's words to heart..." Just as he said this, the martial steward suddenly heard Shen Fengshu's words and was stunned. What did he just hear? The stubborn Master saying he wants to go home?

Great! The martial steward was about to get up and agree when Shen Fengshu suddenly asked, "Those people? Who are they? What did they say?"

"Master, we still have at least ten days of travel..." The martial steward wanted to slap himself. Master had already decided to leave, but he had let slip some information.

"What did they say?" Shen Fengshu asked calmly.

"Those people are just jealous..." The martial steward explained with a bitter smile.

"What did they say?" Shen Fengshu remained unmoved, his voice calm as he looked into the martial steward's eyes. "The academy set up the challenge, and Master fell into a coma. Some people, seeing others' wealth and status, are envious and jealous, spreading rumors that Master is faking illness to avoid the challenge." "They also say that Master's request for medicine is just an excuse, using a family member's illness to cover up, which is unfilial." Since he had started, the martial steward decided to spill everything: "As a son, using such an excuse to curse one's father is worse than a beast... everyone should be able to punish him!"

"So, it seems we have to face this challenge?" Shen Fengshu said calmly. "Such a charge, I can't bear it."

Shen Fengshu's face was calm, but the martial steward and the guards could see his anger. Being unfilial was a grave sin in this world, and bearing such a charge would make one unable to hold their head up. Not to mention cursing a close relative, if this charge stuck, there might be righteous heroes who would step forward to eliminate the threat. This charge was truly one that everyone could punish.

At that time, people would only cheer for the hero who stepped forward. As for the truth, who would care? Over two thousand miles away, would anyone bother to verify? Not in the same country, who would go out of their way to ruin such a heroic deed?

Who is so malicious? What grudge do they have?

"What challenge did the Langhuan Academy set?" Shen Fengshu still didn't know the details of the challenge.

The immortal herb was not easily obtained, and unless one was a disciple of the immortal sect or had a friend in the sect, Shen Fengshu had to first seek entry into the sect. His group had already visited several immortal sects within a few thousand miles, and the Langhuan Academy was the fifth. The previous four had all politely refused him with various bizarre reasons, and the Langhuan Academy was the last hope, pointed out by a kind disciple of the fourth sect, Qingyun Temple.

The Langhuan Academy allowed those with insufficient knowledge and talent to pay gold to gain entry. One thousand taels of gold made one a registered disciple of the outer academy, and ten thousand taels made one a registered disciple of the inner academy. Only registered disciples of the inner academy had the right to request the immortal herb.

The Shen family had ten thousand taels of gold, and Shen Fengshu had come with high hopes, thinking the immortal herb was within reach. However, he was met with a sudden blow. The original Shen Fengshu had already been exhausted from the journey, and the sudden change in rules at the Langhuan Academy had turned his high hopes into extreme disappointment, causing him to faint on the spot. When he woke up, he had become the current Shen Fengshu.

As for what the Langhuan Academy had changed, Shen Fengshu had no idea.

"The new rules are a two-part challenge," the martial steward quickly answered. "The first part is a choice of music, chess, calligraphy, or painting, guarded by a top instructor of the outer academy. The second part is a test of literary talent, guarded by an instructor of the inner academy. Passing the first part makes one a registered disciple of the outer academy, and passing both parts makes one a registered disciple of the inner academy."

"Such a cunning plan!" Hearing the details of the challenge, Shen Fengshu couldn't help but sneer. "Except for chess, there are no absolute standards for music, calligraphy, painting, or literary talent. If they want you to pass, you pass; if they don't, you don't. They have complete control."

"Master is right," the martial steward agreed.

The martial steward, being experienced and shrewd, had seen through this, which was why he had advised Shen Fengshu to return home. The original Shen Fengshu was young, naive, and stubborn, but the current Shen Fengshu was different, with a meticulous mind and keen observations. He pieced together the memories of his previous visits to the immortal sects and felt something was amiss.

It seemed these sects were deliberately trying to prevent him from joining. Whether they used bizarre reasons to refuse him or suddenly changed the rules, their goal was the same.

If it weren't for his father's illness, Shen Fengshu wouldn't have considered joining an immortal sect.

But now, these sects were acting superior, looking down on the world with a sense of superiority, refusing him outright or changing the rules to torment him. Why?

I'm leaving anyway, and they're using such a charge to force me to face the challenge. Fine, I'll do as you wish.

"Uncle Wu, let's go and face their chess challenge." Standing up, Shen Fengshu burst with boundless fighting spirit.

Full of passion, he was ready to soar to the heavens and embrace the moon.

Music, calligraphy, and painting are subjective, right? Let's play chess, then. If I win, they can't say I didn't pass, can they?

"Load the AlphaGo Zero program!" It's just a game of Go, I'll crush you!