After Transmigration, I Recreated the Heaven and Earth in the Dark World

Yuan Tao awakens in a consciousness space of his new world, a transmigrant from a past life where he battled illness. He finds a little ghost cowering there, easily subdued because within his own consciousness he is effectively omnipotent. After destroying it, his unique technique, Shadow Mage, activates, allowing him to command shadows to devour demons and ghosts, integrate their power, and summon beings from his imagination. He also discovers a cheat ability: collecting dispersed energy from his subordinates' daily activities to form experience points, which can upgrade items or enhance beings, unlocking potential and breaking through martial realm barriers.

The world Yuan Tao enters is Nightshade Kingdom's Taijing City, specifically Yuan Clan Fortress. It is a realm where demons, ghosts, monsters, and spirits roam, especially at night. Humanity survives by gathering in fortified settlements, protected by aristocratic clans who monopolize martial arts techniques. The realms of martial practitioners are Skin Refining, Bone Forging, and Blood Exchange. The strongest in the fortress is Dong Lei, an Eighth Rank Bone Forging warrior sent by the city. He oppresses the villagers, relying on his superior strength. The common people endure heavy taxes and exploitation, with no hope of advancement as techniques are strictly controlled.

Yuan Tao's family in this life is poor. His parents died years ago, leaving him in a dilapidated shack. He has two elder brothers and two elder sisters; the family resorted to exchange marriage to secure spouses. His eldest brother Yuan Shan supports a wife and several children, including two young twins. The household struggles on a small plot of land, barely producing enough grain after taxes. His brother's family is kind but burdened, while his second brother's wife is harsh due to poverty. Yuan Tao, now ten years old, is the youngest and often hungry.

Upon fully integrating his past life memories, Yuan Tao understands the danger and decides to act. He ventures into the outskirts of the mountain forest, a place of hidden perils like venomous snakes, traps, and treacherous terrain. Using Shadow Mage, he summons a shadow wolf, slightly stronger than an ordinary wolfdog, to hunt. The wolf catches a snake, field mice, and bird eggs. Yuan Tao roasts the meat, eating greedily to replenish his depleted energy. He realizes his body consumes energy faster than normal due to his awakened powers. After consuming over ten catties of meat, he feels full but cautious not to overeat. He also gathers dry firewood, hiding extra game inside to bring to his brother's family.

Returning to the fortress at dusk, the guards ignore him. He heads directly to Yuan Shan's home, where his two young nephews greet him joyfully. Yuan Tao gives them the wild chickens and field mice, delighting the children. When his brother and sister-in-law return from fieldwork, the sister-in-law enters the kitchen and is stunned to find the game prepared. Yuan Shan offers Yuan Tao to stay with them if his shack becomes too cold, showing familial concern. Yuan Tao, however, is already thinking ahead: he must rely on his abilities to survive and grow, using his Shadow Mage and cheat system to become strong enough to protect himself and his family in this cruel world where the weak are exploited by the aristocratic clans and their enforcers like Dong Lei.