"Hiss..."
The moment Jiang Lan opened his eyes, pain shot through his entire body. Even breathing was difficult.
After taking a few breaths to recover, Jiang Lan managed to pull himself together and look around.
He found himself in a somewhat unfamiliar room.
The windows were bright and clean. There was a desk, a wardrobe, and a few posters he didn't recognize hanging on the wall.
He wasn't sure where he was, but Jiang Lan was certain this wasn't his home.
Hadn't he been hit by a truck?
So this was... a hospital?
No... Jiang Lan had never seen a hospital like this in his life.
"You're awake?"
Just then, a mature, alluring, feminine voice rang out.
Jiang Lan turned his head.
Then he froze in bed.
An almost impossibly exquisite face hovered inches from his own.
Silky long hair hung down, its ends brushing his cheek with a faint fragrance.
The man wore a loose gray camisole around the house, its neckline slightly open. As he bent forward, the contours of his curves became especially pronounced.
Almost against his will, Jiang Lan's gaze slid down a little.
That single glance nearly gave him a nosebleed.
Was that even a humanly possible size?
Had he transmigrated into a Korean comic?
"What are you staring at?" The feminine voice above him took on a mildly reproachful tone.
"Nothing... Auntie..."
The words slipped out. Jiang Lan himself froze for a moment when that form of address left his mouth.
Then a splitting headache struck.
A flood of unfamiliar memories surged into Jiang Lan's mind.
Enduring the pain, Jiang Lan struggled to piece those unfamiliar memories together.
This world was called Blue Star.
It was much like Earth, but not quite the same.
A hundred years ago, spiritual energy had returned, and ferocious beasts had run rampant.
Human territory had shrunk drastically. Humanity had retreated into base cities, barely holding its last line of defense with the help of powerful fighters who had awakened martial talent.
In this era, martial artists were the absolute ruling class.
The difference in status between ordinary people and martial artists was like heaven and earth.
And Jiang Lan-or rather, this body's original owner-had been an ordinary person through and through, without any martial talent.
In a world like this, having no martial talent was tantamount to a death sentence.
That might have been a little extreme, but at best, he could scrape out a living. Rising above his social class was out of the question.
The original owner's parents, however, had both been martial artists.
But a year ago, they had both died during a mission outside the city.
Before her death, the original owner's mother had entrusted Jiang Lan to her closest friend.
The man standing before him.
Shen Qingqiu.
The original owner had called him Auntie.
They weren't related by blood. The connection came entirely from his parents' friendship with him before their deaths.
Shen Qingqiu was twenty-four, six years older than the original owner. He was a certified martial artist in Dong'an Base City, at the middle stage of Meridian Opening, and served as captain of the Third Scavenger Squad.
The original owner had only managed to secure a cushy position in the Salvage Team through her connections.
Three days ago, the original owner had gone out on a mission with the Salvage Team. During their withdrawal, a dying mutant ferocious beast had ambushed them. The original owner was seriously injured and fell unconscious.
The original owner had been gravely injured and fallen unconscious.
And then... there had been no "then."
"..."
After digesting those memories, Jiang Lan slowly opened his eyes.
Good news: he'd transmigrated.
Bad news: this body's original owner was a complete good-for-nothing.
"What's wrong? Are you still feeling unwell?"
When Jiang Lan remained silent for so long, Shen Qingqiu frowned slightly and reached out anxiously to feel his forehead.
Feeling the warmth against his forehead, Jiang Lan discreetly moved the hand aside.
"I'm fine. My head hurt a little just now, but it's much better..."
"That's normal." Shen Qingqiu picked up a small bowl from beside him and held it out to Jiang Lan. "The doctor said you injured your head, so you might have headaches for the next few days. Drink your medicine first."
"Okay."
Without hesitation, Jiang Lan took the bowl.
According to the memories he'd just received, Auntie would never hurt him.
But the moment he brought the bowl near his nose, Jiang Lan's brows knitted tightly.
A choking bitterness assaulted his nostrils.
Holding his breath, Jiang Lan downed the medicinal broth in one go, his face scrunching up.
Good medicine tasted bitter, sure.
But wasn't this a little too bitter?
Sitting beside the bed, Shen Qingqiu watched Jiang Lan finish the medicine before finally letting out a small sigh of relief.
"You... you nearly scared me to death." His voice still carried lingering fear. "How many times have I told you to stay close to the team outside the city and not run off? You're not a martial artist. What were you trying to prove?"
Jiang Lan fell silent.
He wasn't the one who had run off.
But in his current situation, he clearly couldn't explain that.
Beside him, Shen Qingqiu continued scolding:
"When your parents entrusted you to me, I promised them I'd take good care of you. If anything happened to you... how could I face them?"
At that, Shen Qingqiu's voice faltered.
Jiang Lan looked at his profile.
His eyes were slightly red. The sunset's lingering light fell across his face, his lashes casting delicate shadows.
"Auntie."
"Hmm?"
"Don't worry," Jiang Lan said earnestly. "I won't act recklessly again."
Shen Qingqiu paused, then said softly:
"All right. Get some rest. I'll go make dinner."
With that, he stood and headed out.
At the doorway, he paused and looked back.
"I've asked the Salvage Team to give you some time off. Just stay home and recover for the next few days."
"Got it."
The door closed, soon followed by the clatter of pots and dishes.
Lying in bed, Jiang Lan stared blankly at the ceiling.
He'd transmigrated.
But he had no martial talent, lived under someone else's roof, and was at the bottom of the Salvage Team...
No matter how he looked at it, this was a lousy start.
Just then, a pale blue screen abruptly lit up before Jiang Lan.
[Host detected. Binding Martial Arts Infinite Upgrade System.] [Binding successful.] [Extracting a martial arts technique from the host's memories of his previous life...] [Extraction successful-Indestructible Vajra Divine Art.] [Current level: 1.] [Defense +10, vitality +100.]
Jiang Lan's eyes suddenly lit up, and wild joy surged through him.
All right, this wasn't a lousy start anymore.
You should've told me I had a cheat sooner, buddy.
But before Jiang Lan could finish celebrating, another set of notifications appeared before him.
[Notice: Indestructible Diamond Body has no level limit. Upgrading requires Fierce Beast Blood Essence.] [The amount of blood essence required increases with each level.] [Required for level 2: First-Tier Ferocious Beast Essence Blood ×1.]
Jiang Lan's expression froze for a moment.
Fierce Beast Blood Essence could aid martial artists in cultivation, improve their physical condition, and provide many other benefits.
The original owner's memories contained information about it.
In the base cities, Fierce Beast Blood Essence was hard currency. A small vial of First-Tier Ferocious Beast Essence Blood cost at least two thousand Credit Points on the market.
And what did he have now?
He was the very definition of flat broke.
Jiang Lan took a deep breath and lay back against his pillow.
It's fine... no big deal.
He already had a system. How hard could earning some Credit Points be?
In any case, his goal was clear now.
Whatever it took, he had to get his hands on that first vial of blood essence.