When their elder asked, the three of them immediately responded.
He then continued, "Did you know that there is a sword sect in the Eastern Domain? That's why you three are the only sword cultivators in this sect."
Shen Xiu glanced at his two companions, but they seemed unaware. So he answered, "Yes, Elder. From my inquiries, they accept new members every eight years. They don't base their acceptance on the cultivation realm but on sword intent, specifically intermediate sword intent."
The elder nodded upon hearing Shen Xiu's explanation.
"I would like to add that, since there is no elder sword cultivator to teach you here, you may stay or leave this sect at any time you wish. This was stated by Sect Master Han Feng."
...
Upon hearing this, Madara thought to himself, "Eight years? That's a long time just to join a sword sect. And to be accepted, your sword intent needs to be intermediate. As far as I know, this follows basic sword intent, which I currently possess." With this information, he decided to stay in the Heavenly Dao Sect.
...
"Due to the lack of an elder to teach you about sword techniques (dao), I hope the three of you can support each other by sharing your ideas until a sword cultivator joins our sect," Elder Xu said.
Once the discussion concluded, he dismissed the three disciples, and they cupped their fists in respect. As the other two disciples left, Elder Xu noticed that Madara had not moved. Just as the others were walking out, Madara asked, "Elder Xu Feng, may I ask where the library is?"
~~~His question was not just about the library. He was eager to learn more about this world—the name of the world, whether it had continents like Earth, and other similar details. These were things he had been curious about for some time but had refrained from asking his older sister, fearing she might suspect he didn't belong to this world.
He could have asked his own elder, but he hesitated. He didn't know him well enough and worried that his constant questioning might become tiresome. So, he thought it would be better to research these things on his own.~~~
When Elder Xu Feng heard this, he directed him to the library. After providing the information, he asked, "Uchiha Madara, do you really live in Jin Yang Town?"
Upon hearing this, Madara immediately nodded, though a hint of doubt lingered in his mind. When his elder had no further questions, he cupped his fists in respect and took his leave. As he exited the pagoda, he set out to find the library. During his search, he noticed a crowd gathered at one of the training area platforms. On top of the platform, two men were engaged in a fight—one with his hair tied up, the other bald. Both wore garments with a logo on their left shoulders, signifying they were Outer Sect disciples.
In the fight, the man with the tied-up hair attacked relentlessly with his saber, while the bald man dodged each strike at the last possible moment. With each dodge, the exhaustion on the face of the man with the tied-up hair became more apparent. Finally, the bald man spoke, "What happened? Where's the courage and arrogance you were showing earlier? Just because you have a weapon doesn't mean you're strong. You're mistaken." He said this while continuing to dodge the saber strikes of his opponent.
...
Madara quietly agreed with what he had heard, but his gaze shifted to the man holding the saber. He noticed that Long Wei's qi was slowly running out, and he muttered to himself, "It looks like someone has won."
...
Others in the crowd also noticed Long Wei's diminishing qi. As he launched another attack, Zhou Lei quickly found an opening. Seizing the opportunity, he used his Stone Fist Technique, aiming it directly at Long Wei's chest.
---Stone Fist Technique: A technique that focuses on turning the user's fists as solid as stone, allowing them to deal devastating blows that can shatter rocks or even armor. The strength of the punch is enhanced by drawing on the energy of the Earth, increasing the power of the strike.---
Just as the strike was about to land, a hand swiftly grabbed Zhou Lei's right arm, stopping him. "What is going on here?"
Everyone turned to see their Elder Xu Feng, standing on the platform. With the arrival of their elder, the two fighters had no choice but to explain the situation. Meanwhile, Madara, uninterested in the commotion, quietly excused himself and left to find the library.
When he arrived at one of the sect's pavilions, he was immediately stopped by one of the two guards at the library entrance. In response, he presented his sect talisman, which contained his information. After the guard inspected it, he was allowed entry.
Upon entering, Madara was enveloped in an atmosphere of quiet wisdom. The wooden walls were adorned with intricate carvings of sacred symbols, and the air was thick with the scent of aged parchment and ink, mingling with a faint trace of incense drifting from a small burner in the corner.
At the center of the pavilion, an elderly man sat at a desk, writing. Madara approached him. "Sir!"
The elderly man paused, lifting his gaze from his work to the standing figure. "What is it, young man?"
"May I borrow a book?"
The old man chuckled in response. "Of course, but you'll need to leave your sect badge with me."
Madara, confused by the request, asked, "Sir, why must I leave my talisman with you?"
The elderly man explained, "In the past, many disciples tried to sneak books out of here, which led to several books going missing. Because of that, you'll notice that some books have missing pages. Don't worry, I'll return your talisman when you leave the library."
After hearing the request, he handed his sect talisman to the elderly man. Once it was accepted, he began to explore the library. Rows upon rows of towering bookshelves made of dark, polished wood, stretched high into the air, heavy with countless scrolls and tomes. Soft light filtered through paper-covered windows, casting a gentle glow over the room. The occasional rustle of robes echoed as cultivators wandered through the aisles, their footsteps muted by the thick, woven rugs beneath them.
After finding the book he was searching for, he made his way to one of the nearby study tables to read. Sitting down, he opened the book titled Blue Sky World (蓝天界, Lántiān Jiè) Lantian World. As he flipped it open, he noticed the book was quite old. He carefully handled it as he began to read.
...
| The Age of Mortal Existence |
A billion years ago, before the discovery of cultivation, the world was inhabited solely by mortals, unaware of spiritual qi, or higher realms. People led simple lives in small villages and tribes, depending on agriculture, hunting, and basic craftsmanship to survive. They lacked the knowledge of the cosmos or the ability to manipulate energy. Their existence was centered around the cycle of life and death, with no concept of transcending mortal limits.
During this time, the world was governed by the natural forces of the seasons, the elements, and the ebb and flow of life. Humans were bound to the physical world, living in harmony with the will of the heavens. Ancient legends speak of a time when humans shared a deep connection with nature, but their lives were fragile and fraught with challenges such as disease, war, famine, and natural disasters. Without the power of cultivation, humans were at the mercy of their surroundings, and death was an inescapable part of existence.
Their understanding of the universe was limited to what was tangible and visible, often shaped by superstitions and folklore about gods, spirits, and natural phenomena. Without the knowledge of qi, or spiritual energy, they viewed extraordinary events as supernatural occurrences tied to deities or spirits. Society was often organized into tribes or clans, with leadership determined by physical strength, experience, or wealth rather than cultivation skills.
Healing practices were basic, relying on herbal remedies, spiritual rituals, and folk medicine provided by shamans or wise elders. People followed traditional customs and lived according to the natural cycles without advanced knowledge or mystical artifacts. Fear of the unknown was widespread, as they had no explanation for strange phenomena or mysterious occurrences.
| The Awakening of Spiritual Energy |
The turning point in the history of the Lantian world came when a few enlightened beings or mystics discovered the existence of spiritual energy, or qi. These early figures, often deeply connected to nature or the elements, began to perceive the presence of invisible forces flowing through the air, the earth, and the bodies of all living beings. This discovery is sometimes linked to a rare cosmic event or the arrival of a higher celestial being who shared this knowledge.
Some versions of the story suggest that the first cultivators were simple shamans, priests, or sages who deeply observed the natural world. However, this is a misunderstanding. The true origin of this discovery can be traced back to the heroic deeds of Qing Yun and his four companions. Qing Yun, known as the first cultivator due to his superhuman abilities, realized through his own experiences that certain practices—such as meditation, fasting, and communion with nature—enhanced his health and extended his lifespan, setting him apart from others. These practices eventually led to the revelation that the flow of spiritual energy within the body could be cultivated, thus giving birth to cultivation techniques.