"Book 1: The Destined Ones, Sea of Ancient Days

[Sanity Collected, Voyage Begins!]

...

...

Under the clear blue sky, seagulls soared freely.

On the vast expanse of the sea, a colossal tidal wave rose like a mountain before crashing back down with earth-shattering force.

In the next moment, a gigantic black whale, massive as a mountain itself, breached the surface. It leaped dozens of kilometers into the air before slamming back down into the churning waves.

BOOM!

The impact sent towering waves surging skyward, reaching thousands of feet high. Like an apocalyptic tsunami, they rolled outward in all directions, a sight both terrifying and awe-inspiring…

At that moment.

Streaks of starlight rained down from the heavens, striking the vast ocean surface. Where they landed, battleships of varying sizes materialized.

On each deck stood a figure – inhabitants of Earth – all wide-eyed and stunned.

“Sh*t, where the hell is this? I just went to take a dump, and now I’m in another country?”

“Pretty sure I just pulled a legendary character... except, the golden glow seems to be… me?”

“Holy crap! The ocean? This is the sacred ground I, He Qiang, have dreamed of to prove my worth!”

Before more exclamations could erupt from the Earthlings, a booming voice resonated across the sky, echoing over tens of thousands of miles of sea.

“Welcome to the Sea of Ancient Days, humanity of Earth.”

“From this moment forth, you are all Destined Ones of this world. Each of you shall receive a ship capable of infinite evolution, the ability to recruit crewmates, and the charge to conquer these uncharted waters, establishing your dominion…”

“Your mission is singular: traverse the Seven Seas, reach the end of the Eternal Passageway…”

“There lies everything you could ever desire: slaves, riches, status, glory… and eternal life…”

Hearing this ethereal proclamation, every person from Earth erupted.

“Holy sht! Are we all* isekai'd?!”

“The Great Age of Navigation has begun! My time to shine, He Qiang, has arrived!”

“Springtime for us fishermen! Thank gods, thank heavens!”

“King of the Pirates, the One Piece… Lin Xiaoqiang is coming for it!”

Cheers erupted from countless throats.

Yet, far more voices were tinged with anxiety...

....

In the northern waters.

lonely little fishing boat drifted, barely five meters long.

At the prow stood a youth with striking white hair, strands whipped by the salty wind. He scanned the surrounding sea with dazed confusion.

The youth was named Luo Yun. Tall and slender with delicate features.

He was a foundling, raised by the director of Qing Shan Orphanage amidst many children with disabilities.

Now sixteen, he had earned a place at a prestigious city high school; a bright future had seemed assured.

But then, a crimson light had enveloped Earth, transporting him to this boundless expanse of water.

Severe albinism impaired his vision. Anything beyond five meters was a blurry pixelated mess.

Compared to others, adapting to this immense, featureless sea seemed daunting.

Yet, his inherent calm steadied him. Panic gave way to swift analysis of his predicament.

Having read many novels, he knew a system often accompanied a protagonist's transmigration.

So, he addressed the empty air:

“Is there a system? If so, could you please confirm?”

resonant echo materialized in his mind:

[Here, no system exists. For your queries, consult me. I am the Will of Heaven. Basic matters concerning the Destined Ones fall within my purview.]

Dammit!

No system!

Guess he wasn’t the protagonist after all!

Disappointment washed over Luo Yun. “Can you tell me how to survive here?”

[Hint One: Within the cabin lie navigational charts and weapons left by the previous captain, tools to hasten your adaptation to this world.]

[Hint Two: Initially, you shall receive a companion beast. Nurture it well; it will be your crutch through the vulnerable novice phase…]

[Hint Three: Also within the cabin, a fishing rod capable of hooking anything, even slumbering demon gods. Fortune or woe is unknown.]

[Hint Four: Islands along your path offer opportunities to recruit crewmates. Exceptional crew possess potent potential; they can become your right hand, aiding your journey to the Eternal Passageway…]

[Final Hint: Within three months, you must unite with other Destined Ones, repel the Guardian Overseer of the Sea of Ancient Days, and unlock the passage to the Second Sea.]

[Otherwise, when eldritch fog consumes the entire Sea… there shall be no survivors…]

Luo Yun processed these directives. “You said… all humans from Earth were transported. Does that include everyone from Qing Shan Orphanage?”

“Yes.”

“Ten billion souls were brought to this world. Should you wish to see them again, sail onward. Perhaps someday, somewhere upon this world, paths may cross.”

Luo Yun’s brow furrowed. “Director Grandpa… he’s eighty-two. Can he adapt to this…?”

“At the end of the Eternal Passageway grows the Tree of Life. There, anyone can be revived.”

“Furthermore, even the aged may attain extraordinary power within this world of miracles. While you worry for him, he may worry far more for you.”

“Got it. First priority is myself.”

Luo Yun exhaled slightly. “So… what do I do now? Any suggestions?”

“Enter the cabin. Seek the previous captain’s navigational charts. They shall instruct you on adapting swiftly to this harsh sea.”

“Thank you.”

Acceptance settled over Luo Yun. He gave a small bow towards the sky before turning and ducking into the cramped cabin.

The space was narrow, more like a corridor than a room, unable to even fit a one-meter-square table. A thick, musty odor permeated the air, making Luo Yun’s nose itch.

Rubbing his nose, he peered around.

In a dim corner, three faint glimmers pulsed rhythmically.

“What are those?”

Curiosity drew him closer.

He discovered a worn book, a gray fishing rod, and a wooden sword.

All three were covered in dust. Undeterred, Luo Yun carefully lifted the glowing book and wiped the grime from its cover.

Slowly, the brown leather revealed itself.

Stained patches marred its surface. Embossed in strange, almost rune-like characters were the words: Navigation Manual.

The script was bizarre, twisting like tadpoles, yet Luo Yun instantly grasped its meaning.

“The previous captain’s manual.”

Intrigued, he opened the first page. Handwritten notes greeted him:

[Hello, you who come after.]

[If you’re reading this, the dashing me is already dead.]

[Within lie a failed man’s hard-earned lessons… and insights on swordsmanship. Hope they help…]

[— Zhang San, Handsome Swordsman]

Luo Yun scanned it and flipped to the second page: Zhang San’s Nuggets of Wisdom

[1. Your ship IS your life. Strengthen it, protect it. Never leave it lightly. Ship sinks? You sink.]

[2. Cherish your pet. It’s your lifeline in the early game. (Pro-tip: If you like it, contract it. Don’t be like me. Cooked mine first day. Biggest regret.)]

[3. Master your grappling hook, fishing rod, and the Trading Channel. Food, rare finds, vital intel – they’re your keys.]

[4. Secure a Class ASAP. Cultivate Battle Aura. It unlocks near-superhuman strength. (My path? Swordsman. Obviously. It’s the coolest. Aspiring swordsman? Study my notes. Prefer another Class? Islands have teachers.)]

[5. SEE AN ISLAND? LAND ON IT! Crew recruitment happens there. ONLY with powerful crew can you challenge the Overseer’s legions!]

[WARNING: Beware Succubus Isle. Treacherous waters, fierce adversaries. Spent 2.5 months there. Cost me billions of heroic soldiers. That’s why I failed the three-month trial...]

[6. When weak? AVOID YOUR OWN KIND. Lose your ship? Its debris feeds theirs. YOU? Dead. Or enslaved. Forever.]

[WARNING: Seriously. Stay away from others until strong!]

[7. Always watch for sea fog. Even asleep. Let it touch your ship? You’ll face the Overseer’s cavalry… prematurely.]

[8. DO NOT LIE FLAT! DO NOT LIE FLAT!]

[This ain’t Eden. It’s Hell. Strong survive. Weak perish.]

Finishing the eight warnings, a subtle weight pressed on Luo Yun’s heart. This world seemed far more perilous than imagined.

He turned to the next page: Personal Status

[Luo Yun: Human]

[Race Tier: Low]

[Mora: 0]

[Status: Starving (EAT NOW. Lowers SANITY.)]

[Class: None]

[Tier: None]

[Insight: 100]

[Traits: Harmless Aura, Fearless Heart]

[Harmless Aura: Neutral creatures feel goodwill towards you. Downside: Evil creatures see a hidden threat - major malice boost.]

[Fearless Heart: No fear, even facing death. Downside: Fearlessness erodes SANITY.]

Satiety: 3/10

SAN: 55/100 (Below 50? Triggers insanity: Madness, Suicide, or a Cold-Blooded Butcher emerges...)

...

Suddenly, his stomach clenched violently. A hollow emptiness gnawed at him.

[WARNING: Satiety below 5! All attributes HALVED. SANITY: -5]

[Restore Satiety within 30 minutes. Failure = continuous SAN drain. Unpredictable personality/emotional shifts.]

“Hunger drops SANITY too?!”

“Need food. Fast…”

The prompting tone chimed once more in his mind..."