In a sprawling city that could put even the grandest metropolises on Earth to shame, there exist a sect of unparalleled renown at its very heart. The city’s existence was intricately tied to the magnificence of this sect.
At the entrance stood a towering mountain gate, its surface adorned with bold, clear characters proclaiming: Heavenly Sword Sect.
This sect was a marvel of grandeur, surrounded by a bustling city inhabited by righteous families and cultivators, all pledging their allegiance to it.
Within the sect, in the outer court, a young man opened his eyes and sighed deeply, sitting up from his bed.
"Fifth level of Qi Refining," he murmured. "After a whole year, this is all I’ve achieved."
Despite his lament, his tone carried a hint of satisfaction. This young man, Tian Lei, had a story unlike most. In his previous life, he had been an ordinary man, living a mundane existence. That life ended abruptly in a freak accident involving a falling object.
When he awoke, he found himself cradled in the arms of the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her otherworldly beauty made him question if he was dreaming—until she gently pressed her breast to his mouth.
It was then he realized the truth: she was his mother, and he had been reborn as a baby. Far from an afterlife, he had been reincarnated.
"What’s going on?" he had wondered, but his infant body quickly succumbed to sleep, leaving his questions unanswered.
Over the years, Tian Lei came to understand his situation. This was a world of cultivation, governed by mystical arts and power. Yet, his first coherent thought after grasping the reality of his reincarnation was one of disbelief:
"How did I, a fan of Western fantasy, end up in an Eastern fantasy world?"
True to his nature as a fantasy enthusiast, he eagerly searched for a "cheat"—a magical advantage. He tried shouting commands, imagining hidden systems, and reenacting tricks from his favorite novels. But no matter what he tried, no magical system or hidden gift appeared.
Resigned to reality, Tian Lei accepted that his journey would be one of perseverance and hard work, with no shortcuts.
When he reached the age for cultivation, his mother took him to the Heavenly Sword Sect to test his qualifications. Their humble village was home to many mortals—ordinary people unable to cultivate. Along with other hopeful children, Tian Lei was tested by a sect elder.
When his turn came, he stepped forward with a calm demeanor. The elder placed a hand on his chest and declared his aptitude: Average. While not remarkable, it was enough to earn him a place in the Outer Sect. Many with even lower aptitude were relegated to Handyman Disciples, but Tian Lei with his average aptitude in cultivation was relieved to escape that fate.
The Cultivation Talent in this world is determined by the condition of special veins or organs developed in the body of the Humans living in a world filled with Spirit Energy called Spirit veins or simply Cultivation roots.
Most people have impurity filled and blocked Cultivation Roots, and the more open and impurity free they are the better ones talents in cultivation are.
As an Outer Sect disciple, he was required to perform one simple task per week in exchange for his weekly cultivation resources. At sixteen, with his body ready for cultivation, Tian Lei officially entered the sect and was given the basic cultivation art of the Outer Sect: the Spirit Sword Qi Art.
This technique, a High Profound Rank art, reflected the sect’s prestige. Cultivation arts were classified into ranks—Mortal, Profound, Earth, and the finally Heaven Rank—each further divided into Low, Intermediate, High, and Top levels. Despite being in the Outer Sect, disciples like Tian Lei practiced techniques far superior to what lesser sects could offer.
It Showed the level of Heavenly Sword Sect a first grade Sect.
Now, after a year of diligent practice, Tian Lei had reached the fifth layer of Qi Refining—a respectable achievement for someone of average talent.
In this world, cultivation followed a structured path:
Body Forging
Qi Refining
Qi Condensation
Qi Core Creation
These Mortal Realms, each divided into ten stages, formed the foundation of cultivation. Beyond them lay the Spirit Realms, their secrets reserved for Inner Sect disciples and beyond.
Sitting at the edge of his bed, Tian Lei reflected on his progress.
"At this rate, I’ll reach the peak of Qi Core Creation in one or two years. Truly, average talent."
While his efforts yielded results about 20% faster than most Outer Sect disciples, he couldn’t help envying those with superior talent who advanced to the Inner Sect within half a year. Yet, he knew dwelling on comparisons would only hinder his growth.
Clenching his fists, Tian Lei resolved to focus on his journey.
"This is a second chance at life. I’ll make it count."
With renewed determination, he stood and exited his room. It was the first day of the month, and he headed to the Outer Sect Resource Distribution Center.
Arriving at the center, Tian Lei joined the line of disciples awaiting their monthly supplies. As he waited, he noticed the attention he was drawing—particularly from the female disciples. Some blushed, others stole shy glances, and whispered among themselves.
It was a common occurrence for Tian Lei to draw attention, a fact he attributed to the extraordinary genes he had inherited from his mother. Even in his humble village and now within the prestigious sect, there was no one who could rival his mother’s unparalleled beauty. As her son, he had inherited her divine looks.
Although Tian Lei had no knowledge of who his father was, he often mused that his father must have been equally handsome. After all, such a peerless face could only be born from a union of exceptional individuals.
However, his remarkable appearance wasn’t always a blessing. It often brought him trouble, as many powerful male cultivators viewed him with jealousy and suspicion. On the other hand, numerous female disciples were drawn to him, some openly confessing their admiration.