The underground laboratory was cold, dim, littered with tangled cables and flickering monitors displaying rows of complex code. In the middle of it, a thin man in a worn lab coat stared at the screen without blinking. His face was pale, dark circles heavy under his eyes, his hair a messy bird's nest as if it hadn't been combed for days. He was Qin Shi Huang, a genius scientist who had sacrificed everything to complete his nano technology.
His thin hands trembled as he pressed the final simulation button. Inside a glass tube before him, billions of nano particles sparkled like tiny stars, perfectly merging and separating in accordance with the commands of the artificial brain he had designed. Qin Shi Huang held his breath, his eyes widening as he took in the result of his life's research.
"Finally… nano technology capable of adapting, regenerating, even replicating…"
He murmured softly, his voice hoarse. Awe and amazement surged in his chest. He realized this discovery could heal human wounds in mere seconds, even build any metallic structure from the microscopic level. A revolution that could change the world.
"I did it… I finally did it…"
His breathing was ragged, his body slumped from dozens of hours without sleep. His knees weakened, as though all his energy had been drained. Clutching the edge of the table, Qin Shi Huang gazed at the glass tube one last time with a faint, bitter smile.
"If only I could live just a little bit longer…"
His body swayed. His vision blurred. His surroundings spun, and a cold numbness spread from his fingertips through his entire body. His heartbeat slowed, and before he could press the data storage button, his body collapsed onto the hard floor with a loud thud.
His consciousness vanished in an instant. Yet as his mind sank into darkness, somehow he felt a mighty power touching his soul.
Qin Shi Huang, a majestic voice echoed from nowhere, I, the Ruler of the Universe, am amazed by your extraordinary dedication to science. Therefore, I shall grant you the SSS-Rank Nano Manipulation Skill in your next life. Use it wisely.
At once, a warm sensation pierced through his soul. Qin Shi Huang wanted to ask, wanted to refuse, or at least give thanks — but before he could utter anything, he was drawn into a blinding swirl of white light.
---
Qin Shi Huang woke up. His body felt light, fresh, and far more vigorous than before. He panted, staring up at an old wooden ceiling that gently swayed in the wind. The sharp scent of herbs stung his nose.
Where is this…?
He tried to rise. As he lowered his gaze, Qin was startled. His body was younger, leaner, with strong hands belonging to a young man. He touched his face — no more wrinkles, no more dark eye bags. His skin was as clean as that of a healthy youth.
This… a new body?
The bamboo door opened, and an old man with long white hair entered carrying a bowl of warm porridge. His eyes were gentle and full of affection.
"Qin'er, you're awake? Don't push yourself. Your body is still weak," the old man said with a kindly, hoarse voice.
Qin'er? He's calling me Qin…?
Qin Shi Huang realized one thing: in this new world, even his old name had followed him. He was not just Qin Shi Huang of Earth, but Qin Shi Huang as a teenager of about eighteen years old, in a remote village at the foot of the Xuanlong Continent mountains.
Apparently, this old man was his guardian in this new world, who had cared for him since he "passed out" by the riverside a few days ago. Qin bowed his head in thanks, though his mind was still in turmoil.
After the old man left, Qin Shi Huang tried to feel into his own mind. There, a transparent panel seemed to appear, trembling faintly — no different from the virtual interface in his old lab.
Obtaining the SSS-Rank Nano Manipulation Skill — active.
Qin's eyes widened. He quickly reached his hand toward the wooden bowl beside him, trying to link the nano particles in his mind with the object. Instantly, the wood of the bowl began to tremble, then started breaking down into microscopic, sparkling particles dancing under the command of his thoughts.
This… really works?!
The nano particles still retained the wood's characteristics — its scent, its density — but now in the form of microscopic shards that Qin could control at will. His heart pounded, his eyes gleamed in disbelief.
I can decompose anything into nano particles… yet keep its original properties?
A rush of curiosity reignited the passion inside him, just like back in the laboratory. In a world where others relied only on spiritual energy to defeat their foes, he now had the most unexpected weapon: science fused with divine power.
Qin Shi Huang clenched his fist.
If that's the case… let's start researching in this new world.
After successfully reducing the wooden bowl into nano particles, Qin Shi Huang held his breath. His eyes sparkled, a stream of wonder flooding through him. With a tiny flick of his finger, he managed to reassemble the wood particles back into a flawless bowl.
Incredible…
He repeated the tests many times, trying other objects in the room, from a wooden spoon to scraps of cloth — everything could be broken down into nano particles and then reconstructed. The object's essential structure remained, only its form was free for Qin to manipulate. It was as if he had a nano-printer inside his brain — a power beyond the imagination of ordinary people in this world.
If I could combine this ability with the spiritual energy here, maybe I could create weapons or healing tools far more efficient, he thought, excited.
The bedroom door creaked open softly. His grandfather came in again, this time carrying an empty rattan basket.
"Qin'er," he said warmly, "would you mind accompanying me to the village market today? We've run out of rice and vegetables."
Qin Shi Huang nodded quickly, calming his mind. As curious as he was to keep experimenting with his new power, he realized he needed to socialize so he wouldn't seem suspicious.
"Of course, Grandpa."
They walked along a dirt path of reddish clay cutting through sprawling green rice fields. The morning air in the village was cool and clean, no pollution, only the scent of dew, grass, and wild flowers. Birds flitted low, swooping between blooming plum trees. Far off at the mountain's foot, a small waterfall sparkled in the sunlight.
The village was called Qingliu, a simple yet beautiful place, surrounded by green hills and clear rivers. Thatched-roof houses stood neatly lined, decorated with red lanterns, while villagers bustled around with friendly smiles. Children ran about flying kites, and a few young men practiced martial arts in their front yards.
What a peaceful place, Qin thought, admiring the scenery.
As they neared the village market, Qin heard a commotion. Vendors hawked their goods, from fresh vegetables and river fish to rolls of cloth and rare spices. The cries of prices rang out, creating a lively, joyful atmosphere.
But among those voices, he caught a conversation from several young men near a stall selling mung bean porridge:
"Did you hear? The Alchemy Sect will hold an alchemist examination next month!"
"Really? If we pass, we could be accepted as official disciples of the sect!"
"Yeah, and they say the prize for the exam is huge."
Qin was stunned. He turned to his grandfather, curiosity rising.
"Grandpa, what is… an alchemist?"
His grandfather chuckled softly.
"Hehe, an alchemist is someone who studies herbs, medicine, and the refining of spiritual energy. They can make healing pills, concoct explosive powders, even smelt metals for special weapons."
Qin was immediately interested.
Alchemy… similar to material engineering, just wrapped in spiritual energy? In that case I could combine my scientific knowledge with alchemy here!
His grandfather gently patted Qin's shoulder.
"If you're interested, Qin'er, there's no harm in trying the exam. After all, you've known medicinal herbs since childhood fairly well," the old man said, completely unaware that his grandson possessed knowledge far beyond mere herb lore.
Qin Shi Huang nodded with firm determination.
Becoming an alchemist might be my path in this new world — I can hide my nano technology as an alchemy skill, without raising suspicion…
He gripped the rattan basket tighter, his eyes shining with enthusiasm toward the ever-busier market.
Alright, I'll start studying this ability, and then prepare for the alchemist examination.
And with steady steps, Qin followed his grandfather into the market crowd, stepping onto the beginning of his new adventure on the Xuanlong Continent.