Traveling through time to cultivate immortality: a life and death test

In another world, a child, about six years old, was lying on the pebble beach by the river. He was soaked, pale, with eyes closed and lips purple. He had drowned.

On Earth, Liu Xing was doing team-building in Thailand with his colleagues. They rented a yacht and dozens of people sailed to the depths of the sea. The blue sea and blue sky and the natural beauty were intoxicating.

Liu Xing was a gifted student from a young age. He was known as a child prodigy and enjoyed widespread fame. He was admitted to Tsinghua University with excellent grades, majoring in Computer Science and Technology. After graduation, he joined a large company. Over the past three years, thanks to the internet boom and the booming economy, coupled with his diligence and exceptional work performance, the company offered him a salary increase, promotion, stock bonuses, and a department manager position. His future looked bright.

Thinking about his humble beginnings, without any resources or background, and how he had fought hard to achieve his current success, he felt filled with confidence. Gazing at the vast ocean before him, the sight of him braving the wind and waves only stirred his fighting spirit. He thought about working even harder when he returned, preparing to make a big move and prove his ability to the world, with the aspirations of "Are kings, princes, generals, and ministers born with a special talent?"

"Liu Xing, I saw you brought a bamboo flute on board. Play one for us!"

The shouts of his colleagues interrupted his thoughts. Liu Xing was not annoyed. He took out a bamboo flute from his backpack with a smile and played it leisurely. After finishing a song "Gusu Xing", the flute sounded beautiful and lingering, leaving the listeners with endless aftertaste. Everyone cheered loudly and praised him. When Liu Xing was a child, he herded cattle and learned to play the flute from the old people in the village. He often sat on the back of the cattle and played "Shepherd's Flute", which was very pleasant. Touching the black and inconspicuous bamboo flute in his hand, his heart was filled with peace. This was given to him by the lonely old man in the village. It has been with him for a long time, more than ten years, and he can't let it go. It is his favorite toy.

Suddenly, there was a thunderclap! Without any warning, the sky was covered with dark clouds and the waves were surging. The small yacht was overturned by the huge waves in a short time. Everyone had no time to react and was swallowed by the sea in an instant.

Liu Xing was a typical landlubber. Once in the water, he was completely lost and struggled, the more he struggled, the deeper he sank. He frantically twisted his body, stretched out his arms, trying to grab at a lifeline, but the seawater choked him, entering his mouth and lungs. He struggled to breathe, and his consciousness grew increasingly hazy...

"Ah, my head hurts..."

Liu Xing felt as if his head was torn in half, as if pricked by needles, but at this moment his whole body could not move. It seemed as if there were something extra in his mind, and memories came flooding in, as if he had met a new child who was telling him the story of his life, and as if these were his own memories. It was a very strange feeling. After a long time, he finally recovered. It turned out that this child was also called Liu Xing, and was the illegitimate son of Liu Ying, the owner of Meihua Villa. His mother died after giving birth to him. His aunt gave birth to an older brother and an older sister. His elder brother Liu Yang always bullied him. The little child was very pitiful. His father was busy with work and usually did not care for him much. Usually, only Liang Bo, who came with his mother when she got married, took care of his daily life. His sister Liu Yue would occasionally bring him some cakes and snacks and play with him for a while. He liked his sister Liu Yue the most.

Liang Bo was called away today to attend to other matters at the village. Before leaving, he specifically told Liu Xing to stay home and not run around. Liu Xing nodded in agreement. After Liang Bo left, Liu Xing, bored, went to play by the creek near his home. He was throwing stones enthusiastically when he suddenly slipped and fell into the river. Then came the painful thought of choking on water, the same pain he'd experienced when he'd choked in the ocean. And then nothing else.

Liu Xing opened his eyes slightly, and what came into view was a blue sky, without a single cloud, pure and flawless. He glanced at himself and was startled. His body had shrunk, and he was wearing coarse clothes. Wasn't this the child who told stories in his memory?

"I've traveled through time!"

This thought suddenly occurred to Liu Xing. He hurriedly checked himself. His limbs were still weak, his body unable to move. But he could still see the bamboo flute in his hand. It looked so familiar. Wasn't it the one he'd played on the sea? Looking closer, there was nothing else.

Liu Xing's initial panic had gradually subsided, and he was certain he had traveled through time. But what kind of world was this? In this child's memory, he knew that his elders often wielded swords and guns, carrying weapons on their person, but he had no idea of ​​anything higher than that.

"My stocks are gone, my bright future is gone, and I haven't even had a chance to confess my love to the girl I like..."

"Fuck, God, what is going on?" Liu Xing was so frustrated inside that thousands of alpaca horses rushed past, roaring unwillingly.

No matter how unwilling he was, he had to face reality. He'd truly traveled through time, and given himself to an unloved bastard, a child so tiny he could die at any moment. In just two short lives, he'd drowned twice. "I must learn to swim!" Liu Xing roared inwardly. An adult's soul, with an adult's thoughts and mind, was contained within a child's body. What kind of experience was that?

"Little Liu Xing, from now on I will be you and you will be me, let's depend on each other." After Liu Xing gradually accepted the reality, he began to think about his next plan.

First, he needed to understand what kind of world this was. Would his experiences and knowledge on Earth be applicable here? The time-travel plot he'd only seen in online novels was actually happening to him. Liu Xing felt a bit ridiculous, but also a bit excited. It seemed he was quite the restless person. To understand this world, he might need to return to the villa, slowly inquire, and gradually uncover its mysteries. But there was no need to rush; as long as he was willing, he could figure it out.

Secondly, I need to review my abilities. Aside from the jet-black bamboo flute in my hand, I possess nothing of note. However, this unremarkable bamboo flute doesn't appear to be anything special, nor does it seem like a treasure. However, this bamboo flute, which has traveled with me through time, is definitely not simple; it simply hasn't yet manifested its divine power before me. Therefore, I must protect it and not lose it. Damaging it isn't a concern, as such a treasure wouldn't be easily destroyed. Furthermore, my childlike body has ample room for growth in all areas, and with my mature adult mind, I can plan ahead and improve all aspects of my abilities.

Finally, one must determine one's next goal based on one's own situation. Who cares about a child? This is the perfect disguise for outsiders. Growing up slowly and waiting for an opportunity is one's advantage. If this is a world that values ​​literature, then study hard, hoping to pass the imperial examinations, gain a prestigious position, and achieve a successful career. If this is a world that values ​​martial arts, then train one's body from a young age, cultivate peerless martial arts, and one day establish a school and become famous. Liu Xing silently planned his future.

"Xingxing, what are you doing lying there? Let's go home and eat."

A clear, childish voice, like the chirping of an oriole, echoed through the air. A delicate little girl with pigtails came bounding towards him. Liu Xing turned his head and looked over. Wasn't that little Liu Yue? She had come looking for him.

"Sister, I fell into the river and almost drowned."

Liu Xing said weakly. Fortunately, the "sister" sounded natural, and his voice was still the same as little Liu Xing's, so he didn't need to deliberately disguise it. Little Liu Xing had a good impression of Liu Yue. Although the soul within her little body had changed, Liu Xing still had a good impression of the little girl.

"Ah, you fell into the river? Are you okay, brother? Let me check on you."

Liu Yue hurriedly squatted down and looked at her brother's face. After more than an hour of recovery, Liu Xing's face had regained some color, but his hair was messy and his clothes were untidy.

"I'll help you go home and then see a doctor."

"Well, thank you sister."

The brother and sister supported each other and limped towards home. Fortunately, it was not far from home. After a while, they arrived at the gate of the villa. At this time, a servant saw them and hurried over to help. They carried Liu Xing to the bed and hurriedly called a doctor to see him. The doctor felt his pulse and said that he would be fine after two days of rest. He also prescribed a cold medicine and left.

After drinking some porridge at noon, he lay down on his bed and drifted off to sleep. In the evening, Liang Bo returned. Upon learning that the young master had fallen into the river, he was incredibly nervous, rubbing his forehead and asking questions. He blamed himself, weeping, and said he was sorry for the young lady. Liu Yue came again in the afternoon, bringing him some pastries and reminding him to get some rest.

After lying down for the whole afternoon, taking some medicine, and eating, he finally regained some strength. It was a quiet night, and Liu Xing sat in the yard to enjoy the cool air. He and Liang Bo lived in a remote, private courtyard, about 300 square meters, with three small rooms. Today's experience confirmed a few things for Liu Xing. The way the people here dressed, the way the medical facilities were provided, were all very old-fashioned. It felt like he had stepped back into ancient times, though he couldn't tell which country, dynasty, or era they were from. Furthermore, little Liu Xing was truly disliked by his parents. He almost lost his life, but they never came to see him. Fortunately, he had his sister and Liang Bo, who genuinely cared about him, and that brought him some comfort. He was already an adult, and having seen the ups and downs of human nature in his past life, his resilience was much stronger. He couldn't imagine how little Liu Xing had gotten through all these years, and how miserable and sad he had been.

Liang Bo sat beside her, looking at Liu Xing lovingly, then looked up at the sky and swore in his heart: Miss, you left too early, leaving the young master alone and helpless. I will definitely help you take good care of him.

"Xingxing, be careful next time you play by the river. Stay away from the water. It's too dangerous there."

"Well, I'll pay attention next time."

"Xingxing is so good." Liang Bo touched Liu Xing's head and said.

"Uncle Liang, tell me about my mother. I miss her."

"Miss..." Liang Bo fell into memories.

"You're six years old now, it's time to talk to you."