Chapter 1: The Return to Akamana

‘I… I’m still alive?’

Zhang Luan gazed around him, his expression one of utter bewilderment, and murmured to himself.

He had distinctly perished beneath a dragon’s fiery breath.

Yet… what was this anomaly?

Zhang Luan gulped down lungfuls of fresh air, the vigorous thumping of his heart a stark reminder that he was, indeed, alive.

Only then did he truly take in his surroundings. His pupils constricted; this place was intimately familiar to him.

It was the Akamana Library from ‘Aether Gods’.

‘I’ve returned?’

He picked up a book from the table before him and inhaled its scent. The distinct aroma of paper sent a jolt through his mind, solidifying the reality that this was no dream.

‘Could this be when ‘Aether Gods’ first launched?’

Taking several deep breaths, he subtly, yet tremblingly, called out for his character panel within his mind.

Immediately, a familiar glowing interface materialized within his vision.

[Character: Zhang Luan]

[Level: 1]

[Template: NPC]

[Faction: Unselected]

[Race: Human]

[Strength: 10]

[Intelligence: 10]

[Endurance: 10]

[Agility: 10]

[Health: 100]

[Mana/Aether/Qi: ? (Will appear after Faction selection)]

[Luck: A]

[Class: Unassigned]

[Talent: None]

[Skills/Aether Abilities: None]

[Items: None]

[Description: A weakling with a combat power of 5. Please select your Faction and assign a class quickly to begin your future. May the gods bless you.]

[Time until ‘Aether Gods’ launch: 30 days]

[Time until ‘Aether Gods’ merges with Azure Star: 395 days]

“395 days before? ‘Aether Gods’ hasn’t merged with Azure Star yet!?”

Zhang Luan frantically rushed to a nearby mirror. Staring at the young, handsome face reflected there, countless memories swirled into his mind like scattered fragments in the wind.

Ten years prior, ‘Aether Gods’ had launched.

As the world’s first and only fully immersive mental reality game, its release had captivated countless players. Yet, no one then knew that the curtain was slowly rising on a grand drama.

On the first anniversary of ‘Aether Gods” launch, Azure Star suddenly began to fracture. Floods, tsunamis, storms—countless calamities swept across human civilization simultaneously.

The world of ‘Aether Gods’ underwent a similar transformation. Players were astonished to find themselves returned to reality, having inherited everything from the game, save for the ability to resurrect.

With civilization crumbling, the high-level players naturally ascended to positions of power. The original inhabitants of the Aether Gods world rapidly seized dominion over the entire planet. All existing powers on Azure Star became utterly meaningless in that moment, ushering in a truly new era.

He had entered the game half a year after its launch, a little late compared to others. Once the worlds merged, he found himself unable to keep pace with the advanced players.

After years of struggling, he had ultimately perished beneath the dragon’s breath of an Ice Demon Dragon.

Now, he had awakened once more, back in this very place.

He abruptly rose to his feet, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

“Though I don’t understand how, since I’ve returned, this time I will undoubtedly become the strongest!”

Confirming his surroundings once more, his eyes burned with fervent intensity. This library was located in Akamana City.

If all went as it should, a monumental opportunity awaited him right here, right now, ripe for the taking.

There was no time to lose.

As he stepped out of the library, Zhang Luan’s heart pounded with increasing fervor.

His pace quickened, until he was outright sprinting.

He soon arrived at a dilapidated exhibition hall on the outskirts of the town. There, nestled at the far end of the exhibit, a stone bearing faint, reddish-gold patterns lay quietly within a shattered display case.

A wave of warmth surged through Zhang Luan’s chest. He took several deep breaths, his hands trembling slightly as he approached it.

“I found it.”

Unknown to all, this abandoned exhibition hall contained a legendary mythical item: the Aether Stone, capable of granting one the ultimate Aether-type class, the [Ultimate Aether Weaver].

Zhang Luan stared at the unpretentious stone, licking his somewhat parched lips. He exerted all his strength, smashing open the glass case. He had no fear of being discovered.

After all, no one would care if a mere stone vanished from an abandoned exhibition hall.

As he excitedly reached out and grasped it, the system’s hollow voice echoed in his ear:

[Mythical Aether-type Class Advancement Item detected. Do you wish to choose the Aether-type Faction? (This choice is irreversible)]