Chapter 453: Since I Can't Start From Zero, I'll Begin at Max Level Instead
[Special Mission “Search for Celestial Ladder Fragments” issued: In the world of Ayla, gods and demons coexist. Everyone can practice magic. The seven main gods reside in the heavenly realm, competing for faith power. The Demon King leads demonic armies to conquer humans, beastfolk, and elves. Your mission is to become the eighth main god recognized by the seven main gods.]
[For this mission, you will possess the body of a recently deceased novice mage and start from scratch.]
[Mission reward: One Celestial Ladder fragment]
“Seems Ayla is a magic world. This mission is special – starting from zero. Begin mission.”
The system attempted to separate Jiang Li’s soul from his body, keeping his body in the Nine Provinces world while sending his soul to Ayla.
[Transmitting…]
Jiang Li felt the system trying to extract his soul, presumably to possess that novice mage’s body.
But even using all its strength, the system couldn’t extract Jiang Li’s soul.
Jiang Li had to relax his body to make it easier for the system.
The system managed to extract a small portion of his soul for transmission to Ayla.
[Energy too immense, transmission failed…]
[Energy too immense, transmission failed…]
[Energy too immense, transmission failed…]
Previously, the system could transmit Jiang Li because he was a complete entity, controlling all his power. This time, trying to transmit just a portion of his soul – without Jiang Li consciously suppressing its power – proved too much for the system’s capacity.
[Unable to comprehend… Changing mission parameters… Transmitting complete entity…]
Jiang Li was transported to Ayla world with both body and soul intact.
“I thought I’d be cultivating from zero this time. Turns out I’m exploring another world with Mahayana stage cultivation again.” Jiang Li sighed. He had wanted to experience how a newbie grows.
“The spiritual energy here is quite thin, far inferior to the Nine Provinces.” Measuring energy concentration was Jiang Li’s first action in any new world.
So far, only Mingzhong World’s energy concentration could compare to the Nine Provinces.
Jiang Li found himself in a graveyard, standing before a weathered tombstone barely legible as “Novice Mage Milsey’s Grave.”
“This must be the person I was supposed to possess.”
Using his spiritual sense, Jiang Li saw that Novice Mage Milsey was now just a skeleton.
“…Good thing I didn’t possess him, or I’d have become the White Bone Spirit.” Jiang Li felt relieved.
Upon reflection, the system’s mission had been delayed five hundred years. According to the system’s timeline, Milsey had just died, but in reality centuries had passed, leaving only bones.
“Old Bai, respond if you receive this.” Jiang Li contacted Bai Hongtu to calculate time differentials.
“Didn’t receive. Won’t respond.” Bai Hongtu stood high above, coldly replying while holding a Communication Talisman in one hand and directing tree planting with the other.
Seeing Bai Hongtu’s stern face, Jiang Li wasn’t anxious, just smiling silently.
Finally, Bai Hongtu couldn’t contain his curiosity: “Which world are you playing in now?”
“Ayla World. Seems to be a magic-using world.”
“What’s magic?” Bai Hongtu had never heard of it.
“Similar to spells, used for combat and daily life.”
“Oh.”
Suppressing his curiosity, Bai Hongtu continued arranging the Nine Provinces Spirit Plant Array, not mentioning visiting the new world.
He knew priorities when he saw them.
“I’ll have my fun after finishing this!” Seeing the slow planting below, Bai Hongtu joined in personally.
…
“Different speech speeds suggest roughly 500 years passed in Nine Provinces while 100 years passed here.”
“Milsey died a century ago, no wonder he’s like this now.”
Scanning with spiritual sense, Jiang Li found himself in human territory where people had blonde hair and blue eyes, somewhat resembling Li Nian’er and others.
Jiang Li made no attempt to disguise himself, striding openly toward the nearest city.
His black hair, black eyes, and ancient-style clothing stood out dramatically, drawing curious stares.
But curiosity was all it was – possibilities like lich curses, magic side effects, or simple dye jobs made his appearance unremarkable enough.
“Ayla has four major factions: humanity’s Holy Empire, beastfolk’s Beast Nation, forest-dwelling elves, and the most powerful demon race.”
“The demon race fights all three others while maintaining advantage – partly due to lack of cooperation among humans, beastfolk and elves, but still demonstrating their strength.”
“The three races have seven gods total, five from humanity. The gods grant them power to resist demons – teaching them to use spiritual energy, called ‘mana’ here.”
“Those not devoted to gods cannot use mana.”
“The gods also prophesied a hero would defeat the Demon King and save the world, inspiring heroic dreams in every youth.”
Through spiritual scanning, Jiang Li learned humans had combat professions called “adventurers,” categorized as warriors, mages, priests, tanks, assassins etc. based on skills.
Even non-adventurers knew minor spells like small fireballs – daily conveniences not qualifying as novice mage level.
Adventurers ranked from novice to fifth grade.
Their main income came from fighting demons – killing them or selling corpses for money.
“This world’s eight strongest are the seven self-proclaimed gods and the Demon King.”
Jiang Li rarely heard “god” used this way – usually just as objects of worship.
Some immortals, finding their paths limited after ascension and unable to reach Celestial Immortal stage, turned to faith for power growth.
They sought power not for dominance but survival in the harsh Immortal Realm.
Protecting mortals earned them worship, as mortals in the Immortal Realm faced constant danger from demonic cultivators’ blood sacrifices.
Though not their intention, these “gods” actions benefited mortals.
Now with no mortals left in the Immortal Realm, these self-styled gods weren’t particularly strong – likely not surviving whatever catastrophe occurred.
Besides these, Immortal Elder Changcun fabricated the Divine Vault Sovereign as the Outer Realm Demons’ god.
“Both the gods and Demon King appeared over a thousand years ago. Maybe one side represents fallen immortals? Or both?”
“Can’t conclude yet – need more observation.”
In no hurry, Jiang Li decided to register as an adventurer for fun.
“Excuse me, can I register as a Mahayana-stage adventurer here?”
The guild receptionist looked utterly bewildered.