Chapitre 2: Yu Tian's New Life

Yu Tian awoke to bright light.

Something soft and warm was stuck into his mouth. Surprised at the sudden intrusion, he accidentally suckled before getting a mouthful of weird liquid that tasted disgusting.

Spitting the unpleasant thing out with the breast milk and making a mess, Yu Tian realized in horror that it was a nipple once his vision focused.

"A-Ah!" Traumatized, Yu Tian wanted to voice his displeasure but instead was only able to cry. Why would a god that lived for so long want to drink breast milk?

Looking down, he found himself completely naked, with tiny, sensitive hands and feet. The former god finally realized his predicament.

After imploding himself with his remaining Qi, Yu Tian's physical body was utterly destroyed. By not having his god physique anymore, Yu Tian noticed that his sense of taste and smell have also returned.

Increasing in cultivation made an individual rely less and less on eating, as they live off the Qi from the world. Yu Tian's taste buds and smell have long since dulled, unable to derive any pleasure from consumption even if he wanted to.

Well, it wasn't like he enjoyed much food or drink as a human anyways. All Yu Tian focused on was cultivation like an idiot, leading him to his current situation.

However, Yu Tian had no idea why he was now a baby. He would've dissipated into nothingness had he truly died. Retaining the memories of his past suggested he was not dead, but Yu Tian was certain that his current physical body was not a regressed form of his old state.

He wonders if this was also the same kind of reincarnation that creation god Pan Gu went through, after he supposedly "died" from separating the sky and the earth.

"Nurse, what is wrong with my child?" A tired voice cried out in worry. Yu Tian stared upwards and saw a beautiful but fatigued woman staring at him lovingly.

Her long hair fell and smothered his face, but she immediately brushed it away behind her back. Seeing her expression, the God of War couldn't help but feel something he has never felt before.

"My baby, you have to eat." The woman nuzzled him gently while kissing him on the head. Yu Tian couldn't do anything to stop her actions... But internally he didn't want to reject her either.

Was this familial love?

"I'm here, milady." The old nurse rushed into the room holding a cloth, wiping the mess that Yu Tian made.

Her wrinkly, work-worn hands then used the clean side to gently wipe at his forehead. "Congratulations on giving birth to a healthy baby boy, Lady Mei Ling. What seems to be the problem?"

"He's not eating." The woman named Mei Ling complained weakly. "I tried giving him milk but he spat it all out."

"That's weird." The nurse frowned as she picked Yu Tian up and smacked his bottom, causing Yu Tian wanting to swear. Unfortunately, the only way he could voice his displeasure was to start crying again.

"Stop it, you'll hurt him!" Grabbing Yu Tian back, Mei Ling cradled him protectively while stroking his bottom. Sighing, the old woman shook her head in disapproval at the new mother tiger already spoiling the child.

"He's nice and healthy, just keep trying to feed him. Open wide." The nurse helped Mei Ling open her shirt again. Yu Tian stared on helplessly as he had no way out from his incoming dilemma.

After the traumatizing force-feeding, Mei Ling gently wiped away the remnant milk around Yu Tian's tiny mouth. Exhausted, he couldn't help but drift off into sleep, surrounded by warmth.

"My heavens, this child is a handful to feed." The nurse commented while picking up the used cloths. "What will you name him, milady?"

Outside, the slight thundering of distant lightning and the lightly drizzling rain filled the room. Mei Ling stared at her cute baby lovingly as her eyes blanked out from reminiscence.

She hoped that one day she would see him again. Mei Ling also believed that her son would become a dragon amongst men, and that man would hear about their son too.

"He was born on this rainy day, so I want to use Yu. One day I hope he can ascend to the heavens, so let's call him Yu Tian." She finally decided.

As if agreeing with her, the outside lightning intensified as a loud boom gently shook the room.

...

"No milk." The dark-haired boy in the black changshan shook his head, shuddering a bit instinctively. He sat away from the others in a small corner, isolating himself.

Time passed quickly, and today was the Li clan's annual gathering to test martial aptitude. Yu Tian currently sat in a large dining hall with all the other children of the Li clan, some of who were still rubbing their eyes sleepily or dozing off from being woken this early.

Usually, they'd be noisy and rambunctious once afternoon lunch rolled around.

Yu Tian's black eyes shone with intelligence that was miles apart from the other children his age. He was now 7 years old, spending most of his time in the clan library studying the world he was in.

This was called the Tian Qi continent. Like his home plane ages ago, this continent is riddled with various factions and races fighting. The only law is that the weak obey the strong, with strength meaning everything.

His Li clan currently resided in Stardust City, famous for the stardust collected from the Starlight ore, which were mined from caves hidden in the mountainous areas. Stardust is highly valued by the alchemists who produced pills and various concoctions with the material, with both medicinal and malleability properties.

Aside from the Li clan's specialty in offense and fire Qi, there were also three other major families governing Stardust City. The Shan clan, known for their earth Qi and defense techniques, were on very good terms with the Li clan. Then there was the Yun clan, reknowned for agility techniques and acted as messengers between various cities.

Finally, the Sima clan specialized in finance and politics, but most of their family strength is kept under secrecy. Their family had ties to the royalty, with generations serving in the royal court as advisors.

This empire is known as the Holy Qilin Empire, with a huge wall surrounding the outer edges of the territory. Outside the wall were all considered enemies of the country.

Not only were there demonic beast hordes that gained intelligence, but the Outer Tribes, the Sun Nation, and many other enemies had their eyes on the resources within the Holy Qilin Empire. Skirmishes and small-scale wars were common occurrences.

Giving the red cow milk back to the maidservant who tried to hand it to him, Yu Tian waved her away as he began to dig in his breakfast of plain buns. He couldn't bring himself to be accustomed to milk, as he found himself repulsed by it. "You can have it."

The teenage maidservant bowed quickly in thanks before leaving with the bowl of red cow milk. Aside from Yu Tian, all the other children were gulping it down greedily.

The red cow was a rare mutation of a regular cow that had consumed cultivation resources. Once a week, the clan would pay a hefty sum just so each of their younger generations could have a bowl of the valuable liquid.

She couldn't help but think that this young master was quite foolish to not drink it, as red cow milk was a valuable commodity. Not only was it good for one's cultivation, but it also strengthened one's bones and had benefits to the skin.

Paying no heed to the maidservant scurrying away, Yu Tian continued to chew on his buns. He shuddered again when he remembered the taste of milk. "Disgusting."

The former god was thankful that he had been able to retain his name, whether by luck or by fate. In his previous human life, although many of the events he could no longer recall, Yu Tian had been an orphan who braved through the bitter cold and hunger all alone.

Relying on his wits, and some luck, Yu Tian smiled bitterly as each year's unforgiving winter took the lives of many children just like him. They banded together not out of camaraderie, but rather necessity.

There was no loyalty though. Infighting and stealing from one another was common, and even the frequent murder. Yu Tian remained invisible, unwilling to be a leader but useful enough to not become cannon fodder within the group, managing to do just enough to survive.

Now in his new life, Yu Tian found himself unaccustomed to such comfort.

He had a roof over his head, enough food to fill his belly, and even a mother who loved and cared for him more than herself. Familial love is an odd thing, and even now, Yu Tian was unable to adjust to completely accept it because he found the concept so unfamiliar.

However, it's been a gradual process, and Yu Tian started to find himself accepting his mother more and more. He cared for Li Mei Ling, and did not shy away from her touch.

In his past life as a child, he had none of these luxuries.

Unfortunately, his current status in the Li clan was one of the lowest compared to the other main branch members. Yu Tian didn't mind it though.

His mother was the only child of the current patriarch of the family, Li You Zi. Yu Tian found out that no one except her knew who his father was, but Li Mei Ling kept silent and wouldn't say a word to anyone about him, even Yu Tian.

It was shameful to bear a child without marriage, and under the pressure of Li Mei Ling's aunts and uncles, You Zi was forced to punish her. He confined his daughter to her bedroom for three months and lowered her family status to a side branch member.

An obvious slap on the wrist, but Li Mei Ling was the apple of Li You Zi's eyes. Ever since she was born, the patriarch always doted on her. When his wife died, he doted on his daughter even more.

Li You Zi was furious when he found out some unknown man got Li Mei Ling pregnant, but the fury eventually turned to resignation under his daughter's stubbornness.

The other elders of the clan weren't happy with Li You Zi's decision, but since he was the patriarch, they had no choice but to listen. It was also this event that allowed his mother to escape being a concubine for the royal family, but the Li family had lost much favour due to this incident as well.

Not only that, but all of his other relatives despised them. Even the servants no longer looked at them with much respect, and the other children have been taught to treat them similarly.

Li You Zi always had a complicated expression whenever he saw Yu Tian. They have never had any interaction since his birth, and Yu Tian only greeted him out of formality. Compared to his maternal grandfather, Yu Tian didn't care too much about it.

...

"Yu Tian!" Hearing his mother's voice made him freeze in his tracks.

He already snuck out of the dining hall and was ready to go exploring again. Other than spending time at the library, the former god loved to explore the beautiful surroundings in the clan's huge backyard, leading towards the mountains.

Pulling on Yu Tian's ear, the boy looked up tearfully at her and whimpered. Li Mei Ling wasn't buying his act though. Her son was too intelligent for his own good.

Sneaking away from the beginner martial practices that all the children were supposed to attend, Li Mei Ling usually finds him in the library reading or lazying off in the clan backyard, having a level of maturity and intelligence unseen in the other children. Her son was definitely a genius, but he lacked effort.

After all, what mother wouldn't know their child like a well-read book?

"Mother, it hurts." Yu Tian pitifully murmured. Finally, Li Mei Ling's heart grew soft and she picked him up and hugged him tightly.

"My little baby, you have to train and study hard." The beautiful lady kissed his forehead and patted him, making Yu Tian squirm in embarrassment.

"I'm not a baby anymore, mother." He sighed internally while voicing his complaint. Li Mei Ling was extremely affectionate and loved to spoil him like this, much to Yu Tian's dismay.

"Hmph. You'll always be mother's little baby." Li Mei Ling pouted slightly as she put him down.

"Today's the martial aptitude test. We have a guest from the Celestial Academy attending today to test our family's youngsters." Yu Tian's mother reminded him. His head was again affectionately assaulted by a fair, slender hand. "That includes you, so make sure to attend this time."

Yu Tian frowned. Celestial Academy was one of the top 10 cultivation schools in the Holy Qilin Empire. He had forgotten that today was the annual aptitude test.

Some children were talented enough to condense Qi, and some luckier ones could even awaken their martial spirit.

Children who were 6 years of age could participate, but last year Yu Tian had frolicked off into the backyards and missed it. Li Mei Ling was so angry that she gave him a good whopping on his bottom until it was bright red as punishment when he returned.

"I trust my son will do great, because he is a shining star." Yu Tian sighed and felt awkward again.

Looking away to hide his gaze from Li Mei Ling, his eyes narrowed sharply.

He abandoned those "training" sessions because they were useless to him. For heaven's sake, he was the God of War! However, Yu Tian's frequent absences also caused the grown-ups in the clan to view him in further disapproval, adding on to their negativity against the two.

In this life, Yu Tian just wanted to be carefree and enjoy himself. He even found himself not wanting to cultivate anymore.

"I'll do my best." Yu Tian reluctantly replied with a smile. He felt that he should try to meet Li Mei Ling's expectations, atleast a bit.

Turning to leave, Yu Tian felt his mother grabbing onto his shoulder.

"One more thing, you drank your red cow milk this week, right?" Hearing those dreaded words, Yu Tian immediately broke out into a cold sweat.