【Host, this world is extremely dangerous. Cultivation cannot be delayed—do not slack off!】
Lying on the sofa, Lin Mo gradually shook off the sense of detachment from time.
The room slowly returned to its state before the collapse.
There was still time to change everything.
Getting up from the sofa, Lin Mo didn’t do anything drastic. Instead, he grabbed a broom from the small balcony and began cleaning.
【Host, cultivation is the true goal of our kind. The path to immortality is the righteous way.】
Lin Mo ignored the voice, sweeping through the living room and bedroom.
After being away for over a month, the dust wasn’t too bad, but a thorough cleaning was still necessary.
Once everything was tidy, Lin Mo suddenly remembered—he’d forgotten to turn the power back on.
With a click, he flipped the switch.
The lights came on, brightening the entire space.
Lin Mo walked to the ancestral shrine and lit incense for his parents.
“Mom, Dad, your son was unfilial in my past life, making so many foolish mistakes. But in this life, I’ll study hard and become someone worthwhile.”
【Host, host! You can also cultivate immortality! Immortality!!!】
“If I cultivate, can I bring my parents back?”
Lin Mo stared at the black-and-white photograph on the shrine.
【Your parents may have already entered the cycle of reincarnation. If you diligently cultivate, you might find their reincarnated selves.】
Hearing this, Lin Mo’s eyes lit up.
“Really?!”
【Host, do not underestimate this system. I am the Peerless Cultivation System of the Four Seas and Eight Wastes!】
Great, now it was giving itself fancy titles again.
Still, a flicker of hope rose in Lin Mo’s heart.
With nothing else to do, he started doing push-ups on the freshly cleaned floor.
One.
Two.
Three.
...
Ten.
Twenty.
Thirty.
“No more… I’m exhausted.”
Lin Mo collapsed onto the floor, panting heavily.
“No more, System. I can’t do it.”
【Your physical fitness is indeed lacking, but you must persevere.】
【Today’s task: Complete 100 push-ups (30/100).】
After resting, Lin Mo noticed the push-up count hadn’t reset.
“Wait, System… I don’t have to do all 100 in one go?”
【Host, do you have no self-awareness about your current physique? This system would never assign an impossible task.】
Alright, now he was being mocked by his own system.
Lin Mo settled into a rhythm—ten push-ups, then a short break.
Within an hour, he finished all 100.
【Today’s task: Complete 100 push-ups (100/100).】
【Task completed.】
【Reward: Body Strengthening Pill x1】
Lin Mo shot up from the floor. With a thought, a malteser-like pill appeared in his hand.
“Just eat it?”
【Yes, host. The Body Strengthening Pill enhances physical fitness, detoxifies, nourishes vitality, and fortifies the body—supports kidney health too.】
“Tch, I’m sixteen. My body’s in peak condition! Who needs kidney support?”
He popped the pill into his mouth and was about to get water when it melted instantly, sliding down his throat.
A surge of warmth spread through his body.
Then, a foul stench erupted from his pores, so potent it nearly made him gag.
He rushed to the shower.
Under the spray, black sludge streamed from his pores, washing down the drain.
Lin Mo clenched his fist—his once-skinny muscles now had definition, and his previously flat stomach bore the faint outline of a six-pack.
A single pill had achieved what months of gym work would.
Lin Mo checked the mirror, relieved his head hadn’t turned pointy.
“So… this is cultivation?”
【Host, don’t misunderstand. Your current physique is still insufficient for Qi refinement. Focus on daily tasks first.】
Freshly showered, Lin Mo tested his strength by attempting to lift the fridge.
Even the lightest fridge weighed at least 50 kg.
Before, he’d have struggled with all his might, but now he managed to hoist it briefly before setting it down.
“Is this… power?”
Lin Mo began looking forward to what came next.
As he stepped out, his stomach growled.
Glancing at the clock—8 PM already.
“Damn, time flies.”
Just as he was about to leave, his old-school flip phone rang.
Caller ID: Landlady Auntie.
It all came rushing back.
His current place was far from Guangba Middle School—a one-hour commute each way.
So before visiting his grandma, he’d rented a one-bedroom apartment near campus.
Lin Mo remembered how kind Landlady Auntie had been initially, especially after learning about his situation. She’d invite him for holiday meals or bring him snacks.
But after he turned rebellious and ignored her advice, she’d given up on him—probably thinking he was hopeless.
After graduation, they’d lost contact.
Looking back, he’d been an ungrateful brat.
He answered the call.
“Hello, Landlady Auntie. What’s up?”
“Ah, Lin Mo! The apartment’s all cleaned up. You can move in anytime. Just wanted to let you know—hope I didn’t disturb you.”
Before his downfall, Landlady Auntie had been considerate like this.
Lin Mo replied quickly, “No, not at all! I’ll come by tomorrow for the keys, if that works?”
“Tomorrow’s fine. I’ll be home—just call when you arrive.”
After setting a time, Lin Mo changed and headed out.
Having lived here for years, he knew all the local eateries.
A ravenous hunger gnawed at him.
“System, was that a Body Strengthening Pill or a Starvation Pill?”
System: Everything comes at a price.
Soon, he reached Renren Snack Shop.
Despite the name, it served everything—congee, noodles, rice dishes, all expertly made.
Lin Mo used to love their morning rice noodle rolls with lean pork and extra layers.
Standard servings came as two stacked sheets; an extra one made it three.
For just five yuan, it kept him full for hours.
Too bad he wouldn’t taste it again for years.
“One large beef brisket noodles and one large wonton noodles—quick, I’m starving!”
“Sit down first! It’s coming.”
Soon, the wonton noodles arrived.
Clear broth, springy bamboo-pole noodles, and a sprinkle of chives floated atop.
The wontons hid beneath, propped up by a spoon to keep the noodles from sogging.
The noodles made with duck eggs and flour were all about that satisfying, springy bite—if they turned soggy, what was even the point?
So Lin Mo grabbed his disposable chopsticks, ignoring the heat, and slurped them up in big, hearty mouthfuls.