"It has been two years now, huh?" Li Fan muttered to himself, his voice barely louder than the soft breeze brushing across the courtyard. He sat on the wide stone steps before the door to his residence, his small frame leaning back on both hands, eyes gazing toward the clear blue sky that stretched endlessly above.
A sigh escaped his lips—not one of pain, nor boredom, but of quiet contemplation. These two years, though filled with nothing of great event, were anything but ordinary. For a soul reborn in a world of cultivation and mystery, time seemed to move both swiftly and sluggishly. The days passed peacefully, yet every moment brought the weight of his past and the uncertainty of the future.
Since his grand birthday banquet in the high palace, where hundreds of guests had come to celebrate his birth, life had taken a quieter tone. He spent his days as a normal child would—or rather, pretending to be one. Though he could barely control his body at first, his mature soul had already begun to absorb everything around him with keen attention.
In these silent years, he had become an observer. Through whispered conversations between servants, idle gossip among guards, and the occasional dialogue of elders that drifted to his ears, Li Fan gradually pieced together a vague understanding of the world he had entered.
This was the Sun God World—a vast and boundless realm shaped by the divine hands of a being known only as the Sun God. Legend spoke of this god creating the world in a blaze of celestial fire, infusing it with life and light, and bestowing the laws of cultivation upon its inhabitants.
Li Fan was born into the Li Family, one of the Four Duke Families of the Northern Light Continent, the most stable and influential region among the Five Continents of the Sun God World. The continent was a battleground of influence, populated by many powerful factions. At its peak stood the Royal Family, rulers in name and power, and the elusive yet mighty Holy Land, whose strength rivaled the monarchy itself. Beneath them, standing as the pillars of power and prestige, were the Four Duke Families and the Four Great Sects—each equal in might, each commanding vast resources, land, and legacy.
The Li Family's current head—his father—was named Li Zhengyu. A figure of both strength and elegance, he was the youngest son of the previous clan leader, and through merit and fortitude, he had ascended to the patriarch's seat. His strength, wisdom, and bold leadership made him both respected and feared.
Li Fan's mother, Yun Qinglan, was the youngest daughter of the prestigious Yun Family, another of the Four Duke Families. Her beauty was known across the capital, and her talent in cultivation had been equally praised. Though she had set aside her own path of cultivation to raise her children and support the Li Family, her presence in the household was a pillar of warmth and order.
Li Fan had three elder siblings, each brilliant in their own right.
His eldest brother, Li Tianyu, was known far and wide as the Genius Sword of the Millennium. A prodigy whose mastery of the sword had shaken even the elders of the sects, he possessed not just strength but a calm and noble personality. Despite his fame, he was humble, protective, and kind-hearted. Now, at the age of 18, he stood at the peak of the Core Formation Realm, a feat that solidified his position as the heir to the Li Family.
His second sibling, Li Qingxue, was the icy moon to Tianyu's blazing sun. She was gifted with the rare Ice Goddess Body, and her affinity with the cold made her cultivation unique and powerful. She was a quiet, composed girl, rarely speaking without cause. Though cold on the outside, Li Fan could sense a deep well of warmth and gentleness within her. Now 16 years old, she had already reached the Foundation Establishment Realm, an achievement most could only dream of.
And then, there was the third child, Li Shen, just 11 years of age. Mischievous, lively, and endlessly energetic, he was the heartbeat of the household. Pranks and laughter followed him wherever he went. Though less disciplined than his elder siblings, he was still a genius in his own right—currently at the peak of the Spirit Sensing Realm.
Li Fan, the youngest of them all, was still an infant in the eyes of others. But his soul—his soul was ancient compared to them. He was a man reborn, carrying the memories, emotions, and regrets of his past life. His body may have been small, but his mind was always racing. Watching his family, learning from their actions, understanding the intricacies of this world's power structure—he absorbed it all.
As he was contemplating his thoughts, eyes half-lidded under the vast sky, a gentle yet respectful voice broke through his haze.
"Young Master, it is time to meet your teacher. He is waiting for you in the Great Hall of the Grand Palace."
Li Fan slowly turned around, his face carrying the faintest trace of boredom. His dark, star-flecked eyes landed on the servant, who stood with a bowed head, hands respectfully folded at the front.
With a sigh, Li Fan stood up, stretching his small arms like a lazy cat, followed by a light yawn that revealed the weariness of his unusually mature mind. He shuffled back into his enormous, tastefully adorned room, changed into a finely woven white robe with silver embroidery along the sleeves—symbols of the Li Family's esteemed status. When he stepped out, two servants immediately straightened their backs and bowed.
Without saying much, he walked toward the gate with unhurried steps, his little legs moving steadily on the tiled path. Though small in stature, there was a poise in the way he carried himself—a kind of still dignity that came from his soul, not his age.
A grand carriage, modest in size but refined in craftsmanship, awaited him at the entrance. With the help of servants, he climbed inside and settled into the cushioned seat. As the wheels began to roll, Li Fan found himself gazing out of the window again, the world blurring past. He didn't think much, but his heart felt heavy—like he was still searching for something undefined.
Time slipped away until the sudden halt of the carriage jolted him from his musings.
"We have arrived, Young Master," the coachman's voice came respectfully.
Li Fan looked out through the small window and saw the familiar towering silhouette of the Great Hall. A surge of memories from two years ago flashed across his mind—the massive crowd, the floating elders, and the sheer grandeur of this world.
He got off the carriage with grace, though the guards subtly offered their support. The familiar wide steps led up to a gate larger than most city walls on Earth. He was guided inside, and once again the ceiling seemed endless, the marble floors echoed the light steps of his feet, and the giant golden banners of the Li Family swayed lightly above.
Inside, near the great arched doorway of the inner hall, a boy was waiting for him—his youngest elder brother, Li Shen.
When Li Shen spotted him, his face lit up with pure joy.
"Little brother, you've arrived!" he called out, jogging toward him with a cheerful smile.
"It took some time. I'm sorry to make you wait," Li Fan replied with a faint, polite smile. His tone carried warmth, despite his matured demeanor.
"Don't worry about it. Let's go inside. Everyone's waiting for you," Li Shen said and quickly took Li Fan's small hand in his own.
Without waiting for the guards to announce them, Li Shen pulled Li Fan into the hall with innocent excitement.
Inside, the room was filled with warm light and soft murmurs. Five figures sat on intricately carved sofas, talking leisurely. The aroma of fine incense filled the air. Each person there was cloaked in powerful auras—calm but suffocating for ordinary people.
As the two boys entered, all conversation ceased.
Five heads turned toward the young duo, smiles blooming on their faces as they saw the youngest member of the Li Family arrive.
"Come here, sit here," a deep, familiar voice echoed—his father, Li Tianwu, dressed in robes of gold and black, motioning to the seat beside him.
Li Fan was just about to make his way to the indicated seat when a calm and dignified voice interrupted.
"No, child. Sit with me, come here."
After hearing the second voice, Li Fan turned his gaze—and his eyes softened slightly.
It was his mother, Yun Qingyue, seated gracefully in a robe of light blue silk that shimmered like the morning mist. Her long black hair was tied in a simple but elegant braid, falling over her shoulder. Her eyes, gentle and filled with love, gazed at him with a quiet expectancy.
Just as he was about to change direction and walk toward her, his father's voice boomed again with mock sternness.
"No, my child. Come sit beside me."
Before he could react, his mother's voice cut in sweetly, though with a quiet firmness.
"No, come here. Sit on my lap."
Li Fan blinked. He looked at his father, then his mother.
"Come here, son."
"No, come here—Mother is calling."
"Come to your father."
"You always sit with your father. Come to me today…"
The exchange continued with increasingly soft pleas from his mother and increasingly authoritative counter-commands from his father, until—
Yun Qingyue suddenly pouted and turned her face away, her eyes misting over, lips quivering slightly like she might cry the very next second.
Li Tianwu, who had faced down heavenly tribulations, beast hordes, and ancient foes, suddenly faltered.
He coughed awkwardly and turned to look away.
"…Fine. Sit with your mother," he said in defeat, shaking his head with a faint, helpless smile.
The other elders in the room chuckled softly at the sight, clearly amused by the dynamic.
Li Fan, who had remained standing quietly like a tiny judge presiding over the debate, walked gracefully toward his mother and climbed up to sit on her lap. She smiled warmly, holding him in a gentle embrace that felt like warmth itself.
"Much better," she whispered to herself, gently tucking a stray strand of his hair behind his ear.
Li Fan relaxed in her arms, leaning back slightly as her spiritual energy enveloped him like a calm sea. Even though he had the soul of an adult and memories of a previous life, in her embrace, he could feel something more ancient than logic—something soft, unexplainable, something called home.
Meanwhile, his father folded his arms and muttered something unintelligible under his breath. His siblings looked like they were trying hard not to laugh.
Li Shen, standing at the side, leaned close and whispered with a grin, "You broke the family balance, little brother."
Li Fan didn't respond, but his eyes glinted playfully.
As Li Fan settled comfortably on his mother's lap, a content smile tugged at his lips. Her arms wrapped around him softly, and her delicate scent—like winter blossoms carried by early spring breeze—filled his senses. It was a warmth he had come to cherish over these last two years. But his mind, as always, was far from idle.
With the playful family debate behind him, he now turned his attention to the three others seated in the room.
The first two men were both strikingly handsome, carrying the same strong features as his father—sharp eyebrows, chiseled jawlines, and powerful auras hidden beneath relaxed demeanors. But where his father had an air of regal steadiness, these two seemed more... spirited.
'They must be my uncles,' Li Fan thought, eyes narrowing in subtle observation. 'Father's elder brothers.'
His gaze lingered on the man seated closest to his father's right—dressed in flowing silver-white robes, a long sword resting on his lap, wrapped in black silk. His eyes were distant, focused on the blade even as others spoke.
'That must be Eldest Uncle—Li Jianyu.'
A famed sword fanatic, the man had long renounced power and politics for the pursuit of the ultimate sword. Legends said he once cut down a mountain in anger when a spiritual beast interrupted his meditation. He was also the personal instructor of Li Tianyu, Li Fan's eldest brother, which explained the near-symbiotic relationship between them.
'He's the one who made Tianyu such a monster with the sword... no wonder they're so alike.'
The second man, seated beside the first, wore looser clothes of dark crimson, his muscular arms half exposed. His dark brown hair was tied up messily, and a jade gourd hung at his waist.
He gave Li Fan a cheeky wink when their eyes met.
'And that must be Second Uncle—Li Guang.'
The martial arts maniac. Known for traveling through ancient ruins, fighting beasts barehanded, and exploring uncharted lands just for fun. He had long rejected the family leadership in favor of a nomadic life, returning only once a year—always with new scars and a bigger laugh.
Their father, Li Tianwu, the youngest of the three, had inherited the leadership only after both brothers stepped aside.
'But he didn't just take the seat,' Li Fan reminded himself. 'He earned it. I've heard the whispers among the servants—he defeated over ten competitors, both cousins and elders alike, in the internal succession war. A man who combines strength and wisdom. No wonder he sits on the throne of the Northern Light Duke Clan.'
Then Li Fan's eyes moved to the third man—an old figure, his back straight like a spear, long silver-white beard flowing down to his chest. He wore simple dark-blue robes, adorned only with a brooch of the Li family insignia.
His gaze met Li Fan's, sharp and inspecting, like an ancient sword unsheathed beneath a calm exterior. Li Fan instantly felt a strange pressure.
'This man… he's different.'
His presence was overwhelming yet quiet, like a deep well that could drown you without a ripple. The old man's eyes didn't carry disdain or fondness—just endless scrutiny, as though peering straight into Li Fan's soul.
'He must be the elder they spoke of… the one who requested to become my teacher. An old monster, no doubt, hidden away in the family's inner court.'
Li Fan blinked, then offered a respectful nod from his mother's lap, trying to appear calm despite the goosebumps that had risen on his neck.
The old man raised an eyebrow, then gave a single approving nod in return. That was all.
Just then, Li Tianwu clapped his hands gently, drawing everyone's attention.
"Now that everyone is here," his father began, "let us proceed." His deep voice echoed through the chamber like rolling thunder softened by velvet.
He turned to the old man, smiling. "Elder Mo, the child is in your hands now. You may test him however you wish."
Elder Mo. That was his name.
Li Fan sat up straighter. So, the true test begins.
Elder Mo stood slowly, his joints not making a sound. Despite his age, his body moved with the grace of a young cultivator. He stepped forward and extended a hand toward Li Fan, motioning gently.
"Come here, boy."
Li Fan slid off his mother's lap and stepped forward, walking slowly until he stood in front of the old man.
Elder Mo's expression didn't change. He merely waved his hand—and a disk of jade floated into the air, glowing faintly.
"Place your hand on the root-testing stone. Let us see what the heavens have given you."
Everyone in the hall grew quiet, watching intently.
Li Fan inhaled softly, then stepped forward.
He stood in front of the jade stone floating in mid-air. Its surface was smooth, polished, and cool to the touch. Faint inscriptions etched in a language he couldn't yet understand glimmered along its surface. Without hesitation, he lifted his small hand and pressed it against the glowing disk.
At first, there was silence. No sound, no movement. But then—
A faint pulse, like the tolling of a celestial bell, echoed from the stone.
Light.
Color began to seep across the jade surface—first red, then blue, followed by green, silver, gold, and so on.
The hues began to swirl like stars in a galaxy, blending into a radiant storm of brilliance.
And then—nine distinct colors, each representing a different elemental affinity, lit up the stone in a symmetrical wheel of cosmic balance.
A collective gasp erupted in the hall.
But it wasn't over.
Suddenly, the stone began to tremble. A dark light surged from its core—not a color, but the absence of all light. Chaotic energy began leaking from the base of the jade, streaming upward and surrounding Li Fan.
The atmosphere turned heavy.
It felt like the air was being crushed under the weight of ancient forces.
The chaotic mist curled and danced, then surged downward—as if drawn by the boy himself—and was absorbed silently into Li Fan's body.
Elder Mo's eyes widened. His jaw slightly parted as his old hands trembled.
"Th-this…" his voice cracked. He turned stiffly to face the assembled nobles.
"This is a Ninth-Stage Spirit Root… the highest possible tier in our world."
A stunned silence followed.
Elder Mo continued in a voice laden with disbelief.
"His root… it is the same level as his siblings. All of them… four children… each possessing Ninth-Stage roots."
He turned abruptly to Li Tianwu and Yun Qingyue, his gaze filled with a complex mix of wonder, fear, and absurdity.
"What in the world have you two consumed? What kind of heavenly medicine, forbidden fruit, or divine blessing did you receive to give birth to not one—not two—but four monsters?!"
He raised his hand, as if appealing to the heavens themselves.
"Do you understand what this means? In the past thousand years, only five individuals have been recorded with Ninth-Rank roots. Five! Two of those five are you two—and now, your four children make up six through nine! What kind of monstrous family is this?"
The old man's voice trembled, his composure cracking beneath the magnitude of what he was witnessing.
Yun Qingyue blinked, stunned. Her lips parted in astonishment, then slowly closed as she turned to her husband.
Li Tianwu's eyes narrowed. The two shared a long, deep glance—one filled with both suspicion and familiarity, as if old, forgotten truths were resurfacing.
After a moment, both shook their heads at the same time and sighed, wearing the exact same expression—a helpless, wry smile.
They knew something… but not everything.
Li Fan, still standing in the halo of dimming chaos energy, blinked slowly.
'So… it's like that.'
He lowered his hand and stepped back as the light from the Probing Stone faded. His expression remained calm, but inwardly, he began to process everything.
'Spirit roots are divided into nine stages. The first being the lowest—a faint connection to the world's spiritual essence. Most mortals don't rise above stage three.'
He paused, eyes flicking toward Elder Mo, who was still shaking his head and mumbling to himself.
'But the ninth… a direct resonance with heaven and earth. An unshackled link to the universe itself. Those who possess it are said to have the potential to become… gods.'
As the last traces of energy vanished from the air, Elder Mo finally composed himself and cleared his throat.
"There's more…" he muttered, his gaze fixed now entirely on Li Fan.
The boy met his stare unflinchingly.
"When the chaotic energy surged, I recognized it. That aura… I've felt something like it before, once, in the depths of a forgotten ruin buried beneath the Sea of Dying Stars."
Everyone turned toward the old man.
"That energy… matches the descriptions of a body recorded only in obscure, ancient texts. A body not of peace, but of destruction. Not of balance, but of primordial wildness."
He took a slow breath.
"It is called… the Chaos Ancient Body."
Gasps echoed again.
Even Li Jianyu and Li Guang—who had spent their lives traveling and studying arcane techniques—froze in their seats.
Li Tianwu's face darkened.
"Are you sure?"
Elder Mo nodded gravely. "The energy signature is the same. I cannot say it's fully awakened yet… but the affinity, the response of the stone, the absorption of chaos… it fits all the records."
Yun Qingyue tightened her embrace around her son, eyes filled with concern, yet also pride.
Li Fan blinked.
'Chaos Ancient Body…'
He turned the name over in his thoughts.
'It seems it is some special body, maybe I have special affinity, 'caos' likely is my affinity'
He lifted his head.
"So… what does it mean?" he asked softly.
Elder Mo looked at him, expression unreadable.
"It means, child… that your path is unlike any other. With a body like yours, the heavens will bless you—but they may also fear you. Cultivation will come easy… but peace will not."
Li Fan didn't respond. He simply looked down at his own hands—small, soft, but now marked by destiny.
The room stayed silent, each person lost in their own thoughts.
And in that silence, Elder Mo walked forward.
He placed a hand gently on Li Fan's shoulder.
"Li Fan," he said slowly, "from this day forth, I accept you as my personal disciple. Your siblings are monsters in their own right… but you…"
His voice dropped lower.
"You may be the one who breaks through this world's ceiling."
A soft breeze passed through the grand hall.
Li Fan looked up into the eyes of the man who would become his first teacher.
And then he smiled—not with arrogance, but with calm, knowing determination.
'So this is the first step.'
'The world has finally started moving.'