Volume One: Another World Chapter Two: The Bone-Chilling Marrow Cleansing Pill

With the system’s explanation, Li Yu quickly understood the purpose of the right to enter another world. The entry right was like a key—just as you needed the correct key to open a door, you needed this right to enter a different world. Without it, if you tried to force your way in, the world’s will would immediately judge you as an intruder.

“So basically, going in without the entry right is like breaking in without a key—a thief,” Li Yu muttered, curiosity piqued. “If someone’s judged as an intruder, what happens then?”

“Death,” came the cold, mechanical response.

“…So this system is something else, huh? It can even develop other worlds,” Li Yu mused as he hailed a taxi. He was still lost in thought when he finally reached home.

Once back in his room, he plugged in his phone and began searching online.

“If you could travel to another world, what would you do?” he typed.

As the page loaded, new replies from netizens appeared.

“Of course, I’d build a massive harem! We can’t have multiple wives here anymore, but in another world, why not go for three thousand beauties?”

“Wake up, man above—what if the other world is full of beastfolk?”

“Isn’t that even more exciting?!”

“…If I went, I’d definitely pursue immortality. I doubt they have any bans on becoming a spirit over there. I’d cultivate, no question.”

“I am Ning Yao, with one sword I can move mountains, overturn seas, subdue demons, command deities, pluck stars, break rivers, destroy cities, and open the heavens…”

“Get real, you expect to just leave your family behind?”

“Why not just travel back and forth between the two worlds?”

This point was crucial.

“System, how do I use this entry right for another world?” Li Yu asked, his expression serious. “And if I go, can I come back?”

“You can return. The right to enter another world is now branded in your mind. As long as you wish to go, you can go; and if you wish to return, you can return. It’s entirely under your control.”

With the system’s reassurance, Li Yu finally felt at ease.

With an unknown world before him, how could he possibly stay calm? His heart itched with anticipation. Yet, he also knew that rushing headlong into the unknown was unwise. Even traveling to another province could get him lost—let alone another world—so he forced himself to calm down and carefully read what others had to say.

Though many online replies were pure fantasy, there were also plenty of thoughtful suggestions. Over the course of the afternoon, Li Yu compiled a list of important things to keep in mind.

For instance, if he arrived in wild, uninhabited mountains, he’d need to be prepared for survival—outdoor gear would be essential.

He should also consider how to use his knowledge advantageously, quickly blending into the world and gaining benefits.

He needed a strategy for establishing himself as a prodigy and joining a powerful sect.

After organizing these notes, Li Yu stretched lazily and asked, “System, can I check in now?”

He’d already experienced one of the system’s two functions, the daily sign-in. He was curious about the check-in system.

“Yes, you may.”

“Check in!”

“Ding. Check-in successful. You have received: Marrow Cleansing Pill x1.”

A pitch-black pill materialized in Li Yu’s hand. Immediately, he understood its purpose—it would comprehensively enhance his physical constitution.

“This is a treasure,” Li Yu remarked, tossing the pill into his mouth and chewing it up.

After all, it was just a check-in reward. It didn’t even have a star rating like the sign-in items, and the system had already mentioned that the check-in cycle was weekly. Since he would receive such things regularly, Li Yu didn’t think much of it.

But the next moment, he realized he’d underestimated the pill.

The instant it entered his mouth, the Marrow Cleansing Pill dissolved into a burning current that surged through his limbs and finally rushed to his head.

Li Yu collapsed straight onto his bed, shuddering violently.

It took five minutes for the heat to gradually dissipate.

“I thought I was dying!” he gasped, as his senses slowly returned. Clenching his fist, he immediately sensed the changes in his body.

He was brimming with strength—so much that it felt inexhaustible.

Li Yu rushed into the bathroom.

“This is filthy… But the effect is better than steroids…” In the mirror, he could clearly see his skin covered in layers of black grime. Even the areas usually hidden by clothing bore dark stains.

He tore off his clothes in a hurry, ending up completely naked.

He was stunned by what he saw.

His formerly five-foot-nine frame had grown to six feet. The “prosperous flesh” accumulated from years of inactivity was gone, his belly had vanished. In their place were smooth muscle lines; his eyes were larger, and his nose bridge more pronounced.

“So this is what it means to comprehensively enhance the body?” Li Yu marveled. “The effect is terrifying!”

The transformation was overwhelming. At a glance, he didn’t seem much changed, but a closer look showed every aspect of his body had been upgraded—he felt renewed, elevated.

His very bearing had improved. If his looks were a 7 out of 10 before, now he was easily over a 9.

After appreciating the change for a few minutes, Li Yu went to the shower and scrubbed himself clean.

He wasn’t vain, after all, and this was his own body; a few minutes of admiration was enough.

Once he was done, he wrapped himself in a towel and returned to his room.

This time, instead of browsing the web, he started searching for outdoor gear shops on the map. The prospect of a whole new world was simply too alluring. Li Yu decided to make his preparations and set off as soon as possible.

Knock, knock.

A soft, gentle voice called from outside his door, “Yu, aren’t you coming for dinner?”

Li Yu glanced at his phone—it was nearly six in the evening. No wonder he was hungry; his stomach rumbled in protest.

“Coming,” he called, opening the door. “Are you back from class?”

Li Yu didn’t live alone. There was also a twelfth grader in the house, busy preparing for the college entrance exams.

Her workload was heavy, so it was normal for her to come home around six or seven, or sometimes not at all if she went straight to evening classes. That was why Li Yu asked.

Huang Xiu’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. “Of course I am. Don’t you see what time it is? Why didn’t you eat lunch?”

But as the door opened, her face flushed instantly at the sight of Li Yu wearing only a bathrobe.

Why did it feel like Yu had changed so much?

“Hurry up and get dressed for dinner,” Huang Xiu murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. She darted to the living room, calling back, “I’m not waiting for you—hurry up.”

Li Yu scratched his head. By the time he sat at the table, Huang Xiu had nearly finished her bowl of rice. He picked up his own and said casually, “Slow down, don’t choke. How’s studying going lately?”

They lived in a two-bedroom apartment, bought by Huang Xiu’s parents for her convenience during high school. Since their families were close, Li Yu, having entered the same high school, moved in as originally planned.

Unfortunately, they were only classmates for about a month. Li Yu took the college entrance exam, got his results, and then it was, “Goodbye, classmates—I'm off to college.”

That included Huang Xiu, his classmate since kindergarten. Li Yu had packed his bags and left for his dream campus, leaving her behind.

“Uncle Li asked when you’re planning to go home…” Huang Xiu put down her bowl and asked softly.

Li Yu frowned, but before he could reply, the ever-observant Huang Xiu quickly said, “I don’t know what’s going on, but Yu, you can stay here. It’s fine.”