Chapter 24: A New Era

The dead man was called Xue Chuan, a destitute scholar.

By reading his memories, Zuo Meng realized this world had become remarkably sophisticated compared to his crudely created earlier civilizations. After countless years of evolution, both the laws and civilization had approached perfection. The current world’s rules were now almost identical to the real world’s.

“This environment mirrors reality closely. If I can break through internal energy limitations here, the real world path will open.”

As ancient sages taught: To transcend the world, one must first immerse in it.

To escape universal laws, one must first be truly bound by them. During his previous two Dream World entries as Ancestor of All Paths and World Observer, Zuo Meng remained too detached. Though lofty, such perspectives differed too much from reality. Now being an ordinary person himself, he needed to experience true law-bound existence before breaking free.

The mirror at Heifeng Fort gave him direction – now came the experimentation.

“Failed imperial exams and hanged himself?”

Zuo Meng found the death reason absurd.

This feudal era upheld “all occupations pale before scholarship”. Xue Chuan had studied for decades, bankrupting his family into poverty. After failing exams and watching his childhood sweetheart become Wang Yuanwai’s seventh concubine, he chose death. The fading aura Zuo Meng saw earlier marked the scholar’s final breath.

“So poor even rats abandoned his rice jar?”

Poverty shouldn’t mean helplessness!

Why not sell calligraphy or paintings? Any work could sustain life.

Unlike this era’s stubborn scholars, Zuo Meng felt no shame about practical survival methods.

“Like reality, hunger persists. This dizziness must be starvation.”

Bound by world laws, Zuo Meng now needed food like any mortal.

“Must find sustenance before this body dies.”

Knocks interrupted his thoughts.

Adjusting to physical sensations, Zuo Meng opened the door.

A maid stood outside. Without waiting for questions, she threw a grain bag and sneered, “Xue! Our mistress struggles too. This is her last charity. Stop pestering her – she’s done enough.”

Zuo Meng recognized her – the cousin-turned-concubine’s servant. Her name escaped him.

“Remember! Don’t approach her again!”

The maid left with final warning.

Zuo Meng silently clasped hands in acknowledgement.

This debt would be repaid when stronger. For now, the food prevented starvation.

After eating, Zuo Meng returned to the courtyard. Observing through mortal eyes revealed new insights.

“The Creator’s macro view showed perfected civilization without extraordinary powers. But micro-level changes emerge – ancient era and Totem Era energies stir. Could Xuan Gui be awakening?”

Like humans missing ant-tunnel details, only immersion revealed world’s subtle shifts.

This deepened Zuo Meng’s understanding: True transcendence requires complete worldly engagement.

He wouldn’t idle like Xue Chuan, paralyzed by poverty and pride. To develop real-world usable cultivation methods, he needed mortal wisdom. With Dream World’s laws still transitioning, ancient powers only faintly surfaced. The coming decade remained ordinary people’s era.

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“Fresh meat buns!”

“Candied hawberries!”

Street noises gave Zuo Meng time-travel sensations. The real Zuo Meng wasn’t native – a Rebirth traveler with prior life experience. Unlike reckless youths, he’d waited securely on the mountain until properly prepared.

“Friend, borrow some silver.”

Zuo Meng tapped a young man’s shoulder.

“Who…?”

The youth blinked, suddenly feeling refreshed as lingering depressions lifted. By time he recognized meeting someone extraordinary, both stranger and his silver had vanished.

“Robbed?”

The youth stood bewildered.

Zuo Meng juggled stolen coins, buying snacks while sightseeing. During his Liuhe City days seeking Earth Rat’s information, he’d often “redistributed” wealth. This victim’s fading luck foretold disaster – taking silver while averting crisis seemed fair trade.

“Boxing hall?”

Zuo Meng paused before a training facility.

Though feudal unity suppressed Jianghu sects, martial rumors persisted in Xue Chuan’s memories – Iron Head techniques, Stone-Shattering Palms, but no internal energy. Still, combat schools thrived, catering to humanity’s competitive nature.

Entering revealed twenty shirtless youths drilling punches, their shouts echoing heatedly.

Zuo Meng scanned then turned to leave.

“Young master seeks martial training?”

An instructor approached softly, deferential to scholars’ elevated status.

“Just browsing.”

Zuo Meng exited without breaking stride.