Back to the Real World

A blinding white light filled Li Wei's vision as he stepped through the open gate. His body felt weightless, as if he were floating in the air. He tried to open his eyes, but all he saw was white. The piercing pain from every wound on his body began to fade, replaced by a warm and soothing sensation.

Slowly, his vision began to clear. He could feel the hard, cold wooden floor beneath his feet. The towering bookshelves of the library surrounded him. Li Wei realized he was back where he had been standing before, in front of the same shelf in the ancient library. His right hand still held the old, weathered book.

Li Wei was stunned for a moment. Everything he had just experienced felt so real—the pain, the exhaustion, the fear of facing the merciless spirit guardians. But now, he was back, and the real world felt so quiet, as if no time had passed at all.

He looked at the clock on the library wall.

"Still 10 AM," he muttered softly.

It was the same time as when he had first touched the book. His breath caught for a second.

"So… time really stopped here while I was inside the book."

Li Wei slowly lowered the book and examined his body. There were no cuts or bruises that he could feel. His body was completely healed, with no trace of the brutal battle he had just survived. "Amazing," he thought. But although his body was unscathed, the trauma lingered in his mind. The fight had been so real; it felt like he had truly been on the brink of death.

[System Window]

Congratulations, you have completed the book 'Gate of the Three Guardians.'

Reward Received: Dagger of Shadowstep.

Li Wei saw the system window appear in front of him, floating in the air with a soft blue glow. Beneath the notification, an image of a sleek, small dagger with a shimmering black blade appeared. He reached out, and the dagger materialized in his hand.

"Is this… real?"

Li Wei muttered, examining the dagger closely. The blade seemed sharp and lightweight, almost like a shadow formed into a weapon. Li Wei swung it through the air, and the movement was so smooth it felt as though the dagger was an extension of his own hand.

"What a remarkable reward," he said, studying the intricate carvings on the handle.

However, thoughts of what he had just gone through began to creep back into his mind.

"If this was just the first book, how dangerous could the others be?" he wondered.

Li Wei tucked the dagger into his belt and looked around the library. The place was so quiet and peaceful, as if everything that had just happened in the book was nothing more than a long nightmare. Yet, the presence of the dagger proved that it had all been real.

With mixed emotions, Li Wei glanced at the bookshelf in front of him, and almost unconsciously, his hand reached out to touch the book he had just completed.

[System Window]

Book Title: Demon Sect

You have completed this book. Would you like to continue the story?

Options: Yes / No

Li Wei paused, staring at the choices on the system window.

"I can go back anytime," he thought.

But his body still felt mentally drained from the fight. He pressed No on the system, closing the book gently and placing it back on the shelf.

"I need to be better prepared before entering another book," he muttered softly.

As Li Wei walked further into the library, he couldn't help but feel a growing curiosity.

"If time doesn't move here at all, how long can I explore these books? And what can I gain from them?" he thought.

An odd feeling, a mix of fear and excitement, washed over him.

However, before he could ponder further, the library entrance creaked open. An old man with a white beard and sharp eyes entered. It was Mr. Zhang, the library's caretaker.

"Li Wei, you're still here?" Mr. Zhang called out, walking closer.

"I thought you'd only spend a few minutes, but you look so focused."

Li Wei was startled for a moment. "So no time really passed," he thought.

He nodded, trying to keep his composure.

"Ah, yes, Mr. Zhang. I just got absorbed in one of the books here. Time seemed to fly by."

Mr. Zhang chuckled softly, his eyes scanning the shelves around them.

"This library is indeed full of treasures, Li Wei. Many come here seeking inspiration or simply to enjoy the quiet atmosphere."

"Of course," Li Wei replied, maintaining his politeness. "Is there anything I can help you with, Mr. Zhang?"

The old man shook his head. "No, no, I just wanted to check that everything was alright. But if you're up for it, I'd like you to organize some new books on the second floor."

Li Wei nodded, feeling relieved that Mr. Zhang hadn't noticed anything unusual. "Sure, I'll get to it right away."

After Mr. Zhang left, Li Wei took a deep breath. There was so much to think about now. He knew he couldn't talk about this with anyone. This ability—this strange system—could be incredibly dangerous if it fell into the wrong hands.

As he walked up to the second floor, his mind raced.

"I need to understand this system better. Maybe the other books hold clues about how it works, or even how I can improve my abilities."

When he reached the second floor, he saw shelves lined with various books. His eyes were drawn to a slightly damaged book in one corner. The title read Legend of the Black Sword. Without thinking, his hand reached for it. As soon as his fingers touched the cover, another system window appeared.

[System Window]

Book Title: Legend of the Black Sword

Description: The tale of a swordsman who lost his family in a tragedy and seeks justice in a world full of chaos. This book focuses on martial arts, ancient sword techniques, and sect conflicts.

Difficulty Rating: B

Would you like to enter this book?

Li Wei smiled slightly. After his first experience, he felt a bit more confident.

"This looks interesting… but I need to be more prepared."

He placed the book back on the shelf and decided to spend the rest of the day working in the library, organizing the new arrivals as Mr. Zhang had asked, and completing other tasks. Throughout the day, his mind kept replaying the events from inside the Demon Sect book and the possibilities of his next adventure.

As the sun began to set, Li Wei finally finished his work. With his body tired but his heart still racing, he left the library and walked toward his apartment in the city. The streets were busy with lights and honking cars, but his thoughts were elsewhere.

When he arrived at his apartment, Li Wei collapsed onto his bed, staring at the ceiling with a mind full of thoughts. "The worlds inside the books… and the power I can gain from them. What is the true purpose of this system? And how far can I go?" he whispered.

Li Wei knew one thing for certain: his life would never be the same. He would keep delving into the secrets of the ancient library, exploring world after world within the books, and finding a way to grow stronger. With newfound determination, he closed his eyes, ready for the next day and all the possibilities it could bring.

"I have to get stronger," he whispered. "If I want to survive this, I have no other choice."

And with that, Li Wei knew his journey had only just begun.