1 Scared and Confused Li Jun
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Earth, Year 3045.
On a massive black train, a student with a black blazer was sleeping by the window; this was in contrast to the others on the train. Beside him was a woman about 17 whose black hair was tied in the form of thick braids. The woman kept pouting as she looked at the man beside her; in her impression, he was always like this.
As a cunning look flashed in her eyes, she was attracted by the change in the projection at the front of the train.
After just reading halfway, she snorted with dissatisfaction, but her action attracted the attention of everyone, and when they looked in their direction, she reacted fast.
She pointed her fingers at the man that was sleeping, before claiming, "He actually even dares to snort in his sleep. Miss Yao, he is mentioning your name in his sleep too." On the left side, of the seat the man was, a young man the same age with short hair and brown pants, observed all this secretly.
"Damn brother! You can't blame me, if there is someone you can blame, it is yourself for sitting close to this witch. But then again, brother I can understand you. So what if she makes up a little bit of lies, you are at least sitting close to a beauty." As he lamented at his situation, he looked at the young man sitting next to him with some anger in his eyes.
It has to be known that he was the one who did not sit in the place the woman had chosen, and ended up having to sit on the left side. As for his clams, they did not make sense, this was actually for a simple reason, the man sleeping had little to no contact with the woman other than in class.
When the woman was smirking slightly, Li Jun, on the other hand, opened his eyes in confusion only to realize it was too silent and everyone was looking in their direction.
From confusion to calm then a hint of panic hidden in his eyes, and he turned his head subconsciously looking into the sky, through the train window.
He then turned around to see his friend looking over eagerly as though wanted to switch the seat with him.
He nodded slightly towards him, and the man become very excited, making Emily have a bad premonition, but Li Jun did not look at her again.
When he was about to stand up, his eyes lay on the numerous characters on the projection, making him get himself lost in a daze. It was also at this moment that he received a massive amount of information in his head.
He was internally scared, after all the memories just appeared from nowhere, but then again from it he realized that everything he understood about the changes happening to to the world, could not just be from a single virus.
"Could it be even possible that my memories coming back from the past, is all in some other being's plans? Perhaps I a pawn that can't possible escape the chess game." When his thoughts reached this stage, he started to think clearly from what memories he had.
"Lets start making small changes in my life and mess up the whole pool. I don't believe that I can't change my outcome. " Something even more interesting seemed to strike him like a bolt.
"Nine chances? Right! How could I forget this, it was more like either something someone was trying to search from my memories, or was it intentionally imprinted." When he thought of this, he sat fixed in the same spot.
In his memories, he stood up and switched the seat with Yu Tu, his beast friend, but he did not plan to take the same path at all.
He kept looking out the window, and he could see complete devastation, but that did not affect him much; he was someone that was aware something massive with big eyes in the starry skies.
He was more interested in the beings existing beyond their solar system, but he dared not look into the sky; that fear still enveloped his mind.
"These are my days before starting on the immortal path and gaining fame. But regardless of how this happened, I plan to alter my future completely." He tried to calm himself down, even though he was still shaking slightly.
He could not help but look at the run-down buildings, rotting poles, and collapsed electric grid lines that were so familiar yet unfamiliar. At the same time, he seemed to think of something , "Are those chances that are mentioned in the future, still present. Some are even well known, for only one reason, they are turned into a resource point by humans in the future, but now that I think about it, it makes no sense." His thoughts had become sharper, even his intelligence seemed to have been elevated.
Taking his sight back, he sighed, "This scene is just like that time I was on my way to the Universe Hall in the past, but this does not make sense! I should already be long dead." He then heard discussions from all around.
But even if he was confused, he still acted the part; his face remained unchanged.
"I heard that from this group, a few elites will be selected and sent to the headquarters. In that place, the geniuses have the chance to select the immortal path. This path is the most suave and reliable to follow. Hey, Li Jun, am I right?" Yu Tu, Li Jun's only friend, was the one speaking.
Listening to these words, Li Jun had the urge to rebuke him out loud, but he held it in.
"What is the point?" This was what he thought. He was not interested in going out of his way to prove that the immortal path was not the best choice at all.
In this moment, he had changed completely and lacked interest in such arguments.
Perhaps even if he had taken another path, the outcome would be the same. But he did avoid thinking about this issue at the moment; with his second chance at life, he was not going to squander it.
From their emotions, he could guess they were super excited about this and couldn't wait to arrive. The same was true for him. The only difference was that each of them had different goals.
Yu Tu was the same and took advantage of the hype to continue exaggerating things. He probably thought the only thing he needed was immortal skills, and this made the teachers on the train just laugh it off.
But some still made some small remarks. "It is good to be young."
"Yu Tu, stop misleading others. When you arrive at the Universal Hall, do not rush to make a choice; think about it first. The paths that exist each vary, and some of them are useful to society too; you should not push them aside just yet." The words of Mr. Chao seemed to have not been heard by anyone at all.
The reason why everyone ignored such words was simple. They all assumed they were special and would shine if they went down the most suave path.
None of the students cared about this, but Li Jun was able to see through a lot at this moment. Back then, he was like everyone else, thinking of what Mr. Chao had said as some kind of joke.
Even with the reminder from the teacher, the discussions did not stop. Everyone was discussing secretly, with Li Jun hearing clearly what Yu Tu was mumbling from behind him.
"We just have to get our hands on the immortal skills. On second thought, those without potential will not be allowed to meet the immortal selection criteria. In this class, it is a sure thing for me to enter the selection." He continued to speak with excitement.
"Where do you think the Universe Hall came from? Is it also some kind of relic or was it obtained in the ruins by the strong?" One of the teenagers with enthusiasm went ahead and asked what had always been on his mind.
"It does not matter. We just have to go ahead and take the suave path. I heard that sector lords are terrifying individuals that have taken the immortal path to a very high stage. They do not need to move to deal with enemies. One could unleash a sword strike from the sector to destroy any mutants that tried to cause havoc to the border walls." A cute girl also got involved in the conversation.
"Hm! Immortals? I used to think too naively the same way back then, but not anymore. The sector lords are definitely not taking the immortal path. From my previous timeline, it was clear this individuals where too strong, and the height I was on was not even enough to get in contact with them, only a path like evolution or martial arts could allow such fast cultivation speeds the higher one practiced. After all, the paths do not depend on energy conversion, rather the understanding of the world and imitation of it." Li Jun sighed as he listened to the discussions, but did not dare mention what he was thinking.
The discussions become heated, but no one noticed that the young man at the window seat had a weird look on his face, as he looked at everything.
"I don't know how I managed to get back to the past or whether this is an illusion, but I want to take another path.
Perhaps this would allow me to not have any regrets. The immortal path was considered Suave, but it could not be more of a trap.
I remember that even though those who took the martial arts path were not stronger than me, they seemed not to be controlled. The same can be said for the path of evolution.
With this chance to restart, I should also not step on the immortal path, or it is no different from turning myself into those outer gods snack." He looked around and noticed that he did not pay attention to anyone else in the train other than the woman (Emily Wu) sitting opposite him anymore. She was the only one silent, and seeing from her actions and facial expressions she looked down on the immortal path.
"What an interesting person! I remember she disappeared after we each entered a faction to train in our Immortal path." He thought silently. It could be understood, as she talked more to him than anyone else in the school.
On the front of the train, the teachers where seated together and in a discussion. Other than laughter, from time to time among the students, they where not bothered to interfere.
It was also the reason they found it amusing when Mr. Chao was trying to offer the students advice.
A woman with white hair and silvery eyes, was in charge. She looked at Mr, Chao and said, " Chao Bing! Why waste your breath on them. Back then, among us, who was wiling to let go of the immortal path. Given another chance, I am sure none of you will be change your path. After all the immortal path is just too alluring." The woman was no young.
Just like the other teachers, they had gained from the longevity aspect of the Immortal path. But this was not to say they where immortal, longevity simple meant their lifespans where extended. The same was true for the strongest person alive. This could not be said for the other paths, and in the end, how could anyone be willing to loose this chance.
Long lives where something to think about, and martial arts was difficult for someone to achieve this in the early stages, as such lost any attractiveness.
The demeanour of immortals for men was already an attractive thing, as for woman, that beauty aspect won them over.
"Destination in sight! Please prepaire to alight! Follow standard procedures when alighting!" An electronic voice sounded, making the entire train go quiet.
"Universe Hall! We have reached the Universe Hall!" Lin Jun didn't know who shouted but everyone started to clap and make celebration noise.
The anticipation on their faces could not be hidden.
