2 Chapter 01 - I see you are aiming big

A young man lying on the ground opened his eyes with difficulty due to the dazzling sunbeams colliding with his face.

He had dark waist-length hair and tanned skin.

He would have looked very ordinary, if not that as his jet black eyes gained focus, they seemed almost to contain the abyss itself.

Standing next to him was a girl who was happy for some reason.

"Oh, you finally woke up big brother Yuan... I was distraught!

I know you want to finish the monthly assignment in advance to gain merit and more money. Still, overworking yourself, you fell unconscious for more than half an hour!"

The young man didn't pay attention to the girl. He sat up and began to look around, trying to figure out where he was.

He was in what looked like a freshly ploughed field.

In the distance, he could see other fields worked by farmers.

Looking back in his surroundings, he shifted his focus on the girl who had spoken to him a little earlier.

She looked to be twelve or thirteen years old. She had doe-eyed grey eyes, charming rosy lips, and a delicate nose.

Soft and shiny black hair fell gently on her fair-skinned petite body frame, which was wrapped in a simply auburn dress.

She was gazing at the young man exuding a dazzling gentleness and boundless softness.

Behind her was an ox, which, strangely, one might say was staring at him too.

'That can't be... But it's too real to be a dream...'

Then his eyes fell on his hands and next on the rest of his own body.

'This is not me... What the fuck is happening?!'

While he was screaming inwardly, trying to understand his current predicament, the young girl was looking at him, puzzled.

"Huh? Are you okay big brother?"

When the young man was about to answer, he was assailed by a massive headache, which led him involuntarily to close his eyes and release grunts of pain.

He found himself immersed in an incessant flow of memories, 15 years' worth of experiences and events unknown to him.

It was as if he was experiencing them firsthand.

The girl seeing him in such a state turned pale and was about to cry, but she gritted her teeth, holding back the impending tears.

"Hold on, big brother! I'll go right away to uncle Wu so that he could call a doctor!"

She then started to run out of the field by heading towards a shed on the highest part of the various grounds.

"S-Stop Yue, I'm fine!"

Hearing his voice, the young girl stopped in her footsteps and ran to hug him.

"Fortunately, you are fine, brother Fang! I don't know what I would have done without you!"

Briefly disregarding the girl's statement, he was contemplating his current predicament.

'That's me, but at the same time, not me...

Apparently, I lived 15 years in this body, however, without the memories of my previous life.

I have reincarnated, but how? And why…?

I don't remember how I died in my past life...'

"Don't worry. I will always take care of my little Yue."

'We're both orphans and were raised by her uncle, one of the various agricultural fields' managers under the control of...'

His train of thoughts was interrupted by tears falling on his face.

Hearing her big brother's response, Yue could no longer hold back the tears.

"In the last few days, we have been working non-stop. Besides, you have even taken care of some of my duties… It's my fault that you wer-"

Before she could continue, one of her big brother's hands was placed on her head and began to headpat her.

"Hey, don't say it! I did them because I wanted to. You don't have to feel guilty."

As she received ​​headpats, she instantly cheered up and smiled.

"U-Un!"

"Start heading home. I'll wrap up the things here and be back soon.

I have just to..."

As he was about to explain, he suddenly stopped feeling a heavy gaze on him, and he turned to look at the little girl who had narrowed her eyes.

Seeing her expression, he smiled while scratching the back of his head.

"Don't worry. I'll just do this nothing more while being careful not to force myself."

Hearing that, she showed a gaudy smile before heading out of the farmland.

Watching her leave, a cold light flickered in the young man's eyes but immediately subsided.

'A part of me really care about her... That could be troublesome.'

Now alone, the young man let out a long sigh, then he started to organize his memories.

'Okay... I'm in Against the Gods' universe, one of the many novels I read in my past life.

My name is Fang Yuan, ironically the same as one of my favourite xianxia main characters.

I'm in Floating Cloud City, living in the Xia Clan territory, thanks to Ying Yue's uncle, Ying Wu.

From my memories, plot-wise, it seems that I'm a year before the planned wedding between Xia Qingyue and Yun Che, and they are the same age as me.

Okay, I've already something in mind to gain benefits from them.

Unfortunately, I have little time at my disposal.

With the knowledge I have of the future and due precautions, I could have gained more, but sadly, I wasted 15 years being a farmer. What a joke!'

Thinking about the time lost in his second life, he almost laughed at himself.

However, in all this, Fang Yuan didn't notice that a pair of eyes were focused on analyzing him as if peering into his soul.

'No use crying over spilled milk.

At fifteen, I'm at the fourth level of Elementary Profound Realm.'

He then chuckled to himself.

'Oh, it seems I don't have any legendary set of veins, but I'm average as fuck.

After all, without resources and being a farmer is the best I could have achieved. Seems like I should appropriate myself of...'

Retaken by his thoughts, he quickly moved the plough and the other farm tools to an adjacent shed.

Once finished, he made his way to the ox left in the field to return home with it.

While Fang Yuan was planning about his future schemes, he noticed the animal's strange intelligent gaze.

'Also, I have to gain more information on the Profound Way.

I can start by... Huh? Why is big broth- Uhm, the black ox staring at me like that?'

It was then he heard a deep and mysterious voice.

"Oh, did you finally pass through the 'awakening'?"

He looked around but saw no one.

Currently, in the field, there were just him and the ox.

This healthy black ox had a glossy hide and was sturdily built. Since Fang Yuan had to use him for ploughing and other farming tasks, he always took great care of it.

As it was bought when he was a child, over the years the past him has developed a feeling of respect for it and even fraternal one, since counting on him even as a kid he was able to carry out tasks that only adults could.

In fact, from the moment he remembers, he has always called it big brother ox, treating it as part of the family.

"Who...?"

"I'm in front of you, little brother Yuan. Did you finally awaken?

'Don't tell me...'

"Yes, I awakened… You are the same as me, brother ox?"

"As expected by a comrade, you're quite quick-witted.

Yes, we're both 'outsiders'. We don't belong here.

But I'm surprised you took fifteen years to remember your past life, and few things can surprise me, you know?"

"Brother ox, I guess you do know why it took so long, don't you?"

"Well, amongst the Six realms of Saṃsāra, beings that retain the memories of their past lives appear from time to time, but in this particular universe..."

As it was talking, brother ox casually directed its gaze into the sky.

Others might have thought it was a random movement, but Fang Yuan felt as if the time had stopped with such a simple act.

"Before, I had only made some assumptions since I was too lazy to control, but it seems that there are heavenly treasures that could tamper the journey of the souls... Interesting."

Fang Yuan was aware of them, but he finally managed to connect the dots after hearing its brief explanations.

'The Mirror of Saṃsāra!

Wait, now that I think about it, this situation seems familiar...

Don't tell me... Is it brother ox of that novel?

I'm not just in the world of ATG.

I have to change my plans.'

While Fang Yuan was thinking, brother ox redirected its gaze towards him and had an expression similar to a smile.

"You and I both have the memories of another identity. We're not a regular farmer and ox. For us to be able to meet can be regarded as a form of destiny, you know?"

The young man smiled at him as well while pondering.

'What is brother ox? Maybe a God? That would explain many things.

Well, I certainly can't ask him, if he had wanted to, he would have told me without problems, but I could ask him a question about this universe...'

"I think it is the case... But can you answer one question?"

The black ox nodded.

"The concept of immortality does exist?"

Brother ox hearing the question showed delight.

"Eheheh, little Yuan, I see you are aiming big, and I'm pleased about it.

Yes, Immortality does exist."

Upon learning of this, Fang Yuan unconsciously began to emanate an oppressive aura, and a wide grin crossed his face.

"Brother ox, are you a-"

"I will not answer that. I've never asked about where you come from, so don't ask me where I come from either.

Now, all you need to know is that I'll give you something as a memento of our friendship, will you accept it?"

Not even giving the ox the time to finish the sentence, Fang Yuan answered.

"I'll accept it without a doubt!"

'As if I could ever refuse, it will be the fundament to reach my goal.'

"Good.

I will now impart you a cultivation technique that I think will make you reach your goal.

The Nine Transformations of the Demonic and Divine."

Alternative title: 'Reincarnated as a farmer in Against the Gods'