Volume One: I’m a Rookie, but I’m Still Dashing

Chapter 1: Immortal World?

Pain, excruciating pain, as if his body had been kicked by hundreds of people. Especially his face—probably as swollen as a boiled pig’s head. Slowly waking from unconsciousness, William Thompson couldn’t help but curse, “Damn it.”

Why? He finally got a chance to travel, only to be struck by lightning. What did I ever do to deserve this? William Thompson fumed inwardly.

In his hazy memory, there seemed to be a woman—he was holding her as they flew up into the sky together.

It’s over, I’ve been struck stupid by lightning! William Thompson thought miserably. Otherwise, how could this hallucination feel so real?

He slowly opened his eyes to see an old, wrinkled face almost pressed against his own, so close that William Thompson felt he could practically smell the other’s bad breath.

“Young master, you’re awake?” The owner of the old face beamed as he saw William Thompson open his eyes.

The overwhelming stench made William Thompson forget his pain and scramble back a few steps. As he suspected, this guy’s breath was as foul as an outhouse left uncleaned for centuries. Forcing down his nausea, he said, “Stay away from me. How long has it been since you brushed your teeth?”

“Brushed my teeth?” The old man looked puzzled. “Oh, does young master mean rinsing the mouth?”

“Same thing.” William Thompson waved his hand dismissively.

“Well, it’s been a long time, I really can’t remember. Let me think…” The old man grew serious and started calculating on his fingers.

William Thompson rolled his eyes. He’d never seen anyone so shameless. Was this guy so poor he couldn’t even afford toothpaste? As he took a closer look at the old man, William Thompson was shocked.

The man was dressed entirely like someone from ancient times: a coarse linen robe, a silk headscarf, hemp boots, and a half-foot-long goatee. If he held a hoe, he’d be the perfect image of an ancient Shaanbei farmer.

Could I have been struck back to ancient times? William Thompson broke out in a cold sweat.

Seeing the old man still frowning and calculating, William Thompson asked in a trembling voice, “Excuse me, what dynasty is this?”

“Dynasty?” The old man looked confused. “If you mean dynasty, if I remember correctly, it should be the 4795th year of Tianhe.”

“Tianhe?” William Thompson racked his brain for the history he’d long forgotten. He’d never heard of a dynasty called Tianhe, and no dynasty in history ever ruled for over 4,000 years. Could it be… another world?

He looked up. Not far away was a dense forest, towering trees reaching into the clouds, all kinds of unknown birds resting on the branches, and now and then a strange beast would leap out of the woods. There were no clouds or sun in the sky, just a vast whiteness. Isn’t this the classic otherworldly setting from legends?

“Oh God, just kill me.” William Thompson wailed. He thought being struck back to ancient times was bad enough, but he’d actually been sent to another world.

“Young master, why are you like this? Isn’t coming here the dream of all mortals? Why are you crying so bitterly?” The old man looked puzzled.

“Boohoo… If only I’d slept with my girlfriend the night before! Why did I have to play innocent? I’m still a virgin. Now that I’m gone, that woman is definitely going to cheat on me.” William Thompson sobbed, pounding his chest and stomping his feet.

“……” The old man stroked his goatee in silence.

After William Thompson finished venting, the old man finally asked, “Do you really want to go back?”

“No shit! I don’t have any superpowers or magic. If I stay in this wild world, I’ll just die!” William Thompson was even more upset. In books, protagonists who get sent to other worlds are always super powerful, controlling lightning and electricity, but when it’s his turn, he just gets struck for nothing.

“Wild world?” The old man looked puzzled, then smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying. “Actually, it’s not impossible.”

Hearing there was a way to return to Earth and not have to face terrifying monsters in this undeveloped world, even William Thompson’s toes got excited. He ignored the bad breath, jumped in front of the old man, and asked urgently, “What way?”

The old man looked William Thompson up and down, then grinned, “Become a Great Luo Golden Immortal, and use great magical powers to force your way through the reverse passage!”

“Are you… kidding me!” William Thompson’s jaw dropped, as if an invisible banana had been shoved in his mouth.

Great Luo Golden Immortal, cultivation, Immortal World—these were words he’d only ever seen in fantasy novels. As a journalist, William Thompson had heard some rumors, but always thought they were fake. He never expected to hear them from this old man. Could it be that here…