Li Fan's POV:
It had been three days since I first met Elder Mo.
In those three days, he had taught me about the world and cultivation systems—knowledge that ordinary children could only dream of accessing. Compared to my past life, where even hearing the word "cultivation" would have felt like a fantasy, this world was infinitely vast and profound.
This world was called the Sun God World.
It was divided into five great continents: Western Demon Continent, Eastern Ancient Continent, Northern Light Continent, Southern Heaven Continent, and Central Heaven Continent.
Our family, the Lin family, resided in the Northern Light Continent, within the mighty Zhou Empire.
In this empire, the Lin family stood at the peak of nobility—a prestigious Duke family directly under the imperial authority. But even within the Lin family, there were strict divisions:
3 Main Families
9 Branch Families
16 Affiliated Families
Becoming one of the Main Families wasn't a matter of wealth or influence alone. To qualify, someone in the bloodline had to break through to the Ascension Realm, the highest known cultivation realm in this world.
Although ancient records spoke of realms beyond Ascension, none had reached such heights in countless eras.
My Grandfather's family was one of the three Main Families.
The other two Main Families belonged to my Grandfather's two brothers.
In short, my bloodline stood at the very apex of the Zhou Empire's noble society.
As I lay on my bed thinking about everything I had learned, I heard soft footsteps approaching my courtyard. The rhythmic sound of sandals against the stone courtyard pulled me out of my thoughts.
I stood up and walked out into the courtyard.
3rd Person POV:
Li Fan exited his room and saw Elder Mo sitting casually on a wooden chair placed at the center of the courtyard. One of his legs was crossed leisurely over the other, and he was slowly sipping tea, radiating an aura of calmness and dignity.
Li Fan walked over, stopping a few paces away across the low wooden table, placing his hands respectfully behind his back—perfect posture, showing the etiquette he had been taught.
Elder Mo took another slow sip of his tea. After what felt like a long moment, he gently placed the teacup back on the table and looked up at Li Fan with a warm smile.
"Now that you have rested enough these past two days, it is time for you to start preparing for cultivation," Elder Mo said, his voice calm yet carrying an unyielding authority.
"I will teach you everything you need to know to begin."
Li Fan immediately nodded, his small body standing even straighter.
Seeing his reaction, Elder Mo smiled even wider.
"Before we begin, sit down. First, you must understand—what is cultivation?"
Li Fan obediently crossed his legs and sat down on the ground, eyes focused on the elder, ready to listen to every word.
Elder Mo's voice turned profound, slow, and rhythmic, each word sinking deeply into Li Fan's heart:
"Cultivation is not merely a method of gaining power. It is the instinctual process of strengthening the connection between oneself and the world."
"We are born from the world, and the world is born from us. Every living being born under the heavens seeks a deeper connection with the world—it is a natural instinct, a bond formed by laws, by cause and effect."
"Through cultivation, we use this connection to strengthen our very existence within the cycle of the world. We take from the world... but in return, we must also give something of equal value."
"This mutual exchange is why the World Spirit appreciates cultivators who follow the proper path—because, by growing stronger, we also help raise the existence of the world itself."
Li Fan listened carefully, his mind painting vivid images of an endless, breathing world full of energy and mystery.
After a slight pause, Elder Mo continued:
"Now, there are two types of cultivation:
1. Orthodox Cultivation (Mutual Beneficial)
2. Unorthodox Cultivation (Demonic)
"Orthodox cultivation follows the natural cycle: we only take as much Spirit Energy as the world is willing to give, purified and refined by the World Spirit itself."
"Unorthodox, or Demonic cultivation, on the other hand, forcefully absorbs raw Spirit Energy directly from the world. Worse, when this isn't enough, demonic cultivators steal the refined Spirit Energy from other living beings—causing their weakness or even death."
Li Fan's small fists clenched unconsciously.
"This type of unorthodox cultivation is faster and can result in slightly more power at the same realm," Elder Mo said, "but because it harms the world, it is strictly forbidden by the World Spirit. The world itself will eventually turn against them."
"Although unorthodox methods can help break through bottlenecks more easily, they come at a terrible price."
Elder Mo paused, giving Li Fan a chance to digest these heavy truths, then continued:
"Within Orthodox Cultivation, there are many specialized paths. Some examples are:
Elemental Cultivation: (Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Ice, Lightning, Light, Darkness, Shadow, Blood, and more)
Buddhist Cultivation
Physical Body Cultivation
Soul Cultivation
Qi Cultivation
Weapon Cultivation
Beast Taming
Spirit Cultivation and many others.
"In our Lin Family," Elder Mo added, "most cultivate Qi. Some specialize in weapon techniques—especially the sword and blade."
"Your Eldest Uncle and Eldest Brother are both sword cultivators. Your Second Sister, however, is an Elemental Cultivator—specifically of Ice."
Elder Mo's eyes twinkled with pride.
Then he leaned closer slightly, his tone turning serious:
"You, Li Fan, possess the Chaos Ancient Body. This body has no elemental affinity but produces and emits an immense amount of raw Qi naturally. Therefore, your path is clear—you are most suitable for Qi Cultivation."
Li Fan's heart raced.
"Now, to begin cultivation, the first step is to temper the body—to adapt it for the flow of Spirit Energy."
With those words, Elder Mo stood up, made a casual gesture, and Li Fan found himself encased in a thin, transparent bubble-like shield. Then, with a whoosh, they both soared into the air toward the family's Training Ground.
_____
Li Fan POV:
Flying through the air wrapped in the thin energy bubble was a surreal experience. It was as if I was floating, weightless and free, but still protected by some invisible force.
After a few moments of flight, we descended onto a massive, enclosed field.
As my feet touched the ground lightly, I looked around—and my eyes widened in shock.
The field was absolutely enormous.
If I compared it to Earth, it would be big enough for four football matches to be played at the same time—and even then, there would be space left for an entire bustling market! High stone walls surrounded the area from all sides, ensuring complete privacy.
I was still gawking when Elder Mo said casually:
"This will be your private training ground."
"It's a bit small, but you'll have to make do for now. When you grow stronger, you'll get a bigger one. Understood?"
I almost choked on my own saliva.
'A bit small?! THIS is considered small?!'
'Can you even hear yourself, old man? Are you even human?!'
I had a hundred complaints swirling in my head, but none made it out of my mouth.
Instead, I could only stare blankly as Elder Mo smiled and said:
"Now, get ready for training. Go stand at that corner, and take this posture."
He demonstrated a wide-legged squat—the famous Horse Stance.
"Hold it for one hour. Then take a two-minute break. Then repeat the Horse Stance for another hour. Continue this cycle until the sun goes down."
He smiled kindly.
"I'll come check on you later."
Before I could even react, his figure shimmered—and he vanished into thin air.
_____
Li Fan POV (continued):
Hours passed.
Six brutal, excruciating, bone-grinding hours.
I remained stuck in the Horse Stance, my tiny legs trembling violently. Every muscle screamed in pain. Every joint begged for mercy.
Whenever I tried to adjust my stance to ease the burning pain, a mysterious force would immediately correct my posture back to the perfect form Elder Mo had demonstrated.
If I tried to extend my break longer than two minutes, the same force would drag me back into the Horse Stance, forcing me to continue.
'Damn it, how can a two-year-old child endure this torture?!'
'Why is he making me suffer like this?'
Sweat poured down my body like rain. Every second felt like an eternity.
'How can something so simple be so painful?!'
I gritted my teeth, clenching my tiny fists with all my strength, but the pain only grew worse.
Just when I thought I would collapse, a ripple appeared in the air—and Elder Mo reappeared.
He walked calmly toward me, hands behind his back, a smile playing at his lips.
Stopping a few steps away, he said:
"You have been practicing the Horse Stance for quite some time now. You can stop."
Relief flooded my exhausted body.
Elder Mo continued:
"You must be wondering why I made you work so hard today."
"The reason is simple: to cultivate, you must first temper your body. Before you can sense the Qi inside you, your body must reach its limit through steady breathing and strict routines."
"This is necessary to awaken your body's natural connection to Qi."
He looked at me meaningfully:
"For an average person, it would take a minimum of one month to sense Qi for the first time. For you, because of your Chaos Ancient Body, it will also take up to a month—but not longer."
"However, just because you have an extraordinary body does not mean you should become arrogant. Every constitution has its strengths and weaknesses. Sword bodies are sharp, ice bodies are resilient. Yours is the embodiment of Chaos and raw power."
He placed his hands behind his back once again.
"Rest well. Tomorrow, we continue."
And with that, Elder Mo once again vanished like a ghost.
_______
I stumbled back to my room, barely keeping myself upright.
As soon as I threw myself onto the bed, exhaustion slammed into me like a tidal wave, and darkness took me.
'This… is just the beginning…'
_________
Li Fan's POV:
Several hours later, I woke up in the middle of the night, feeling my whole body sore yet strangely relaxed. Stretching both arms lazily over my head, I muttered to myself,
"I feel refreshed after that nap... That training took everything from me."
Yawning, I wandered out of my room, making my way toward the dining hall, when suddenly, a soft voice interrupted me.
Standing in the dim moonlight was a girl — Yu Xuan, my personal maid. Just like her name suggested — a "jade flower" — she was truly a beauty. Her long hair fell gracefully over her shoulders, and her gentle eyes gleamed warmly under the soft night lamps. She must be around nineteen years old now.
With a bright smile, Yu Xuan leaned slightly forward, placing her hands on her slightly bent knees as she asked,
"Young Master, how was your sleep? Do you feel better?"
I returned her smile and nodded.
"Yes, I feel much better now. I'm starving though. Let's go eat, okay?"
She giggled lightly and nodded, then walked beside me as we entered the dining hall.
Inside, a large, grand dining table was already decorated with all kinds of dishes—steamed meats, roasted fish, fresh fruits, and fragrant soups. Despite it being so late at night, it seemed the kitchen had prepared a feast, anticipating my hunger after the day's harsh training.
I sat at my usual seat, and Yu Xuan naturally took the seat beside me.
When I was younger, she used to feed me with her own hands since I could barely eat by myself. Even now that I was capable of eating on my own, she still often ate with me — mostly because I allowed her. Over time, her presence had become a comforting habit.
As we ate together quietly, a peaceful atmosphere settled between us.
After filling my stomach, I returned to my room, feeling satisfied. Following Elder Mo's earlier instructions, I sat cross-legged on my bed and began to meditate.
Channeling my breathing slowly, I tried to feel the faint qi inside me, although it still remained elusive. Nevertheless, just maintaining steady breathing seemed to make my body feel slightly lighter.
Eventually, without realizing it, I drifted off into a deep, peaceful sleep.
_____
Morning:
A knocking sound pulled me from my dreams.
Knock knock... knock knock...
Blinking my eyes open, I stretched my arms and yawned. The door creaked slightly, and standing there was a familiar figure — my mother, Yun Qingyue.
Dressed in simple yet elegant robes, her long black hair tied neatly behind her, she stood at the doorway, smiling gently at me.
Morning light peeked gently through the curtain, casting a warm glow across my room.
My door creaked open, and there stood my mother, Yun Qingyue, her usual gentle smile softening her already beautiful features. She stepped into the room and quietly sat beside me on the bed. Her fingers reached for my hair, tenderly combing through it like she used to when I was little.
With concern lacing her voice, she whispered,
"My child, how was the training yesterday? It must have been hard… And yesterday was also the first time you slept alone without me. Did you sleep well, hmm?"
Her gentle eyes were locked onto mine as she stroked my hair softly.
I met her gaze and replied,
"Yes, Mother, I had a good sleep. And yesterday's training went well too. Elder Mo didn't make it too hard for me. Sorry for making you worry."
She looked at me for a long moment. Her lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say something... but then she simply smiled and said nothing.
Instead, she gently scooped me up in her arms like I was still a toddler and stood up from the bed.
"Let's go get you ready," she said warmly, "You must be hungry too, right? I made all your favorite dishes today." She giggled a little, then added with a playful wink,
"And don't forget—you also have to prepare for training. Don't worry, your mother has prepared a special set of herbs and medicines for you. They'll help you sense qi more easily and strengthen your body too, okay?"
Hearing her words, I was stunned. My eyes widened, and joy surged through my chest.
"Really?!" I jumped out of her arms, rushing toward the bathroom with renewed energy.
In just fifteen minutes, I was fully dressed and ready. My robes were simple but well-fitted, and I could already smell the delicious aroma wafting from the dining hall.
Together, Mother and I enjoyed breakfast—an array of sweet steamed buns, nourishing porridge, crispy meats, and fresh fruits. Afterward, she personally handed me a bowl filled with a steaming herbal mixture. I drank it without hesitation. It was bitter—but it filled my body with warmth and strange vitality.
With a final wave to my mother, I dashed toward my courtyard, where Elder Mo was already waiting for me.
He stood with one hand behind his back, the other holding a tea cup, as always. When he saw me, he smiled in his usual knowing way.
We chatted for a while—he told me various things about the world and cultivation—and then, he gave me instructions for the day.
But today's exercise… was even more painful than the horse stance.
_____
Third Person POV:
One week later — inside a large, luxurious training room.
It had been seven grueling days.
Each day, Li Fan woke up early, practiced until his body screamed, meditated until his mind ached, and endured a strict training routine crafted by Elder Mo—a routine filled with refined exercises, breathing techniques, pressure stances, and herbal baths.
But today… something changed.
Li Fan was sitting in his private training chamber, cross-legged in deep meditation. His posture was stable. His breathing was calm and rhythmic. The surrounding air was quiet—yet subtly trembling.
Suddenly, his body flinched.
His eyes opened wide for a moment.
In that moment…
For the first time, after days of endless effort and suffering...
He felt it.
A faint, warm, thread-like sensation.
Qi.
It was gentle, like a whisper in his blood. Yet powerful, like a hidden river deep within the mountains.
But sensing Qi was merely the beginning.
Following Elder Mo's teachings, he began the second part of the foundational stage—integrating Qi into his bones. This was known as the Bone Tempering Stage, the first level of the Body Tempering Realm.
However, this wasn't as simple as moving Qi around. No, to integrate Qi into bone, one needed to gather and control it in large, stable quantities. The process demanded extreme focus, physical resilience, and an iron will. For the average person, it could take months or even years.
But Li Fan was not average.
With the inherited Caos Ancient Body, his affinity with Qi was far beyond the ordinary. Even then, it took him another week of painful repetition to gather and control enough Qi to begin.
As he circulated the Qi, he guided it gently into the marrow and inner layers of all 206 bones of his body—each connection feeling like fire searing his insides. The energy, a mixture of internal life force (Chi, produced by his body's cells) and external ambient power (Spirit Qi, from the world), slowly merged and began transforming the structure of his bones.
With every breath, his skeleton grew denser and more durable, infused with robust vitality. The pain was immense, but so was the satisfaction that followed.
And then—he did it.
With a deep exhale, his eyes opened sharply. His body pulsed with strength, and his senses felt keener than ever before.
'I did it... I've completed Bone Tempering Stage One... I've truly stepped into the path of cultivation!'
Just as joy surged in his heart, a strange voice echoed in the air.
> "Congratulations, master! You have taken the first step in cultivation. Now you may inherit his legacy."
"Wha—!?"
Li Fan's eyes widened in shock. Hovering before him was a creature unlike any he had ever seen.
A small, transparent black cat, completely ethereal, floated in midair without wings. Its fur shimmered faintly like the surface of still water at midnight. Its large, sparkling eyes gleamed with intelligence and ancient secrets. Despite its odd appearance, it exuded a strangely comforting aura.
"D-Damn... What is this?!"