THE BLACK CULTIVATOR

“You still owe me my change,” Chris said, grabbing the driver’s shirt before he could climb back into his bus. The driver shoved his hand away with a scowl. “I already told you the fare was two thousand naira. If you don’t have the money, that’s your problem.” “That’s a lie!” Chris shot back. “You clearly said one thousand five hundred before I got on the bus.” Within seconds, a crowd formed around them. Some people tried to calm them down. Others laughed and encouraged the argument. A few passengers simply stood back, recording the drama on their phones. It was another ordinary afternoon in Lagos. The sun blazed overhead, horns echoed from every direction, and street vendors squeezed through the endless traffic, shouting over one another while trying to sell cold drinks, snacks, and phone chargers. “You think you can cheat me because it’s only five hundred naira?” Chris said. “It’s my money.” The driver folded his arms. “And what are you going to do about it?” Chris took a step closer. “I’m not leaving until you return every kobo.” Neither man noticed the massive trailer slowly reversing behind them. The driver of the trailer leaned on his horn. The deafening blast echoed across the road. People screamed. “Move!” Chris instinctively turned around. The trailer was already upon them. There wasn’t enough time. BOOM! The impact was devastating. Steel crushed flesh. Glass exploded into the air. The world spun violently before everything disappeared into darkness. ---- Silence. Chris felt strangely comfortable. There was no pain. No traffic. No shouting. No blaring horns. Only an endless, peaceful silence. His eyelids slowly fluttered open. “…Where am I?” He pushed himself into a sitting position and looked around. A vast field of emerald-green grass stretched endlessly in every direction. Snow-white clouds drifted lazily across a brilliant blue sky. A cool breeze carried the sweet scent of flowers. It was so peaceful that it almost felt unreal. Chris frowned. “This definitely isn’t Lagos.” A woman’s voice suddenly echoed behind him. “No. It isn’t.” Chris spun around. Standing several feet away was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She wore a crimson dress that hugged her figure perfectly, while her long black hair flowed effortlessly down her back. Her golden eyes seemed impossibly calm, as though they had witnessed the birth and death of countless worlds. She smiled gently. “Welcome to the Land of the Dead, Chris.” Chris blinked. “…Excuse me?” “You died approximately three minutes ago.” For several seconds, he simply stared at her. Then he laughed. “That’s a good one.” “I’m serious.” His smile slowly disappeared. “…Wait. You mean… I’m dead?” She nodded. “You died arguing over transportation fare.” Chris stood motionless. Finally, he buried his face in both hands. “My mother warned me. She always said one day my stubbornness over loose change would get me killed.” He let out a long sigh. “I honestly didn’t think she meant it literally.” The woman snapped her fingers. An elegant wooden office suddenly appeared—a polished desk, a chair, towering bookshelves, and stacks of ancient documents. She walked behind the desk and sat down as though welcoming dead souls was simply another day at work. Chris stared in disbelief. “I’ve seen some strange dreams before… but this is definitely the weirdest.” “This isn’t a dream.” She opened a thick, ancient book covered in dust. “According to God’s original plan, today was not supposed to be the day you died.” Chris raised an eyebrow. “If I wasn’t supposed to die… then why am I here?” “Because pride kept both you and the driver from backing down.” She calmly turned another page. “Sometimes destiny only needs one foolish decision.” Chris rubbed his forehead. “So I really died because of five hundred naira.” “When you put it that way… it sounds even more embarrassing.” He looked at her again. “So what happens now? Do I go to Heaven? Or Hell?” She smiled. “The truth is more complicated than humans realize. You are not here to be judged. You are here because you’ve been chosen.” “Chosen?” “You will be reborn.” Chris froze. “In another world.” His eyes widened. “…Like those fantasy novels?” She nodded. “A world where the strong cultivate spiritual energy. A world where people chase immortality. A world where a single expert can destroy kingdoms.” Chris suddenly became excited. “So cultivation is actually real?” “It is. And yes… it resembles the stories you enjoyed reading.” A huge grin spread across Chris’s face. “Now we’re talking. So I can become one of those ridiculously overpowered cultivators?” “If you survive. …That’s the important part.” His excitement dropped slightly. “How dangerous are we talking?” She closed the book. “In your previous world, people competed for money. In this one… they kill for power. They destroy families over treasures. They m******e sects over ancient inheritances. The weak are treated worse than insects.” Chris remained silent. Instead of fear… he smiled. “I survived Nigeria. I’ll figure this one out too.” For the first time, genuine amusement appeared on the woman’s face. “That confidence… must be a uniquely Nigerian trait.” She walked toward him. “As compensation for your premature death… you will receive a system. It will assist your growth until you reach the Half-Body Immortal Realm.” Chris nodded. Then, completely against his better judgment, his eyes wandered. He couldn’t help noticing how breathtaking she was. She was easily the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. “You know…” he said awkwardly. “You’re incredibly beautiful.” She smiled. “Thank you.” Chris blinked. “That’s it? I expected you to slap me.” “I can hear every thought in your mind.” His smile froze. “…Every thought?” “Every single one.” Chris cleared his throat. “Well… at least I said it respectfully.” She laughed softly. “You certainly did.” Then her expression became serious again. “This is where our journey together ends.” Chris nodded. “So… how exactly do I get to this new world?” She raised one elegant finger. “Like this.” Snap. His body instantly dissolved into countless particles of light. Darkness swallowed him once again. As his consciousness faded, only one thought remained. This time… I’m done living an ordinary life. I’ll become someone no one can ever look down on again. ---- Chris’s eyes flew open. He inhaled sharply. Sweat soaked his entire body. Red sand covered his clothes and skin. Slowly, he pushed himself to his feet. His eyes widened. Two blazing suns illuminated the endless crimson landscape before him. He stared at the impossible sky. “So… I really made it.” A smile spread across his face. “I’ve actually been reincarnated into a cultivation world.” Without warning—agony exploded inside his head. “AAAGHH!” He collapsed onto one knee. Memories flooded his mind. A lonely childhood. Relentless bullying. Endless humiliation. Betrayal. Fear. Hatred. The memories belonged to another person. Li Yan. An orphan. An outer sect disciple of the Lion Clan. A young man framed by his fellow disciples and chased into the forbidden Void Mountain, where he eventually died from exhaustion. Several minutes later, the pain finally subsided. Chris slowly stood. He looked toward the distant mountains. “I don’t know who did this to you… but I’ll make them regret it.” Before another thought could cross his mind—a sleek black interface materialized before his eyes. [Supreme Hustle African System Activated.] [Reincarnation Successful.] [Host Confirmed: Chris.] [Special Talent Detected.] [Nigerian Heritage Activated.] [Passive Traits Unlocked:] Undying Courage (Extreme) 5x Recovery and Breakthrough Speed Rhythmic Combat Intuition Chris stared at the glowing screen. A slow smile spread across his face. “So this is my cheat.” Another notification appeared. [Main Quest] Survive the cultivation world for as long as you can. Time Limit: None Failure Penalty: None Chris clenched his fists. His eyes burned with determination. “I didn’t come to this world just to survive. I’ll climb higher than every cultivator. I’ll surpass every immortal. And one day… I’ll become the god standing above them all.” The system responded immediately. [Quest Accepted.] [Willpower Recognized.] [Undying Courage Enhanced.] [Future breakthroughs will accelerate whenever the Host refuses to surrender.] Far beyond the crimson horizon, countless ancient experts cultivated beneath the heavens. None of them knew it. But on that day… the greatest variable the cultivation world had ever seen had finally arrived.