The sun hung low over Liang Village, throwing long shadows across the fields where farmers worked like they always did.
The news about the divine incident spread fast, but no one dared to talk about it.
Cultivators from nearby areas felt even more fear after learning it came from people of the Upper Realms. To them, it was like a storm had passed and they hoped it wouldn't return.
Li Chen stayed at the grave behind his family's small home.
A simple stone stood there with his father's name carved into it.
Li Kai.
A man who lived and died with strength.
Li Chen bowed one last time, then walked back toward the house.
The door opened with a creak. The home that was once warm felt cold. Every sound was louder.
He stepped into his parents' bedroom. Everything froze in time. His mother's embroidery sat unfinished beside the bed.
He ran his hand along the edge of the bed. But his fingers stopped when they touched something strange.
Suddenly, A wooden panel appeared under the bed.
He pulled it up with some effort.
Under it was a stone tablet the size of his chest, wrapped in cloth. Strange glowing patterns moved across its surface. When he unwrapped it, the air felt different. The scent of plum blossoms mixed with something old filled the room.
The tablet started to hum and then projected an image. It was his mother, Lin Yue.
"If this tablet is found by my son, Li Chen…
Know that I loved your father more than life, more than duty.
You are not a mistake. You are the peak of bloodlines even the heavens feared.
Forgive us. Live. And when you are ready… awaken."
The light faded.
Li Chen sat without moving, eyes fixed on the dim tablet.
He clenched the jade pendant on his chest.
"I don't care if you are from the Upper Realm or not. I don't care if I'm hunted or cursed. You are my mother, and I will bring you back. I've already lost my father, I don't want to lose you next."
Then, suddenly a sharp chime rang in his head.
[Family System Activated]
[Host: Li Chen]
[Bloodline: Locked]
[Realm Status: Lower World]
[Cultivation Level: Qi Condensation (sealed)]
[Initial Privileges:
1. Legacy Mission (not yet given)
2. Cultivation Sync Bonus – partners and children gain boosts.]
[Welcome, successor(*_*)]
Li Chen stumbled back. "What… what is this?"
A vibrant blue virtual panel materialized before his eyes.
[This is the path your blood has chosen. You are no longer only Li Chen of Liang Village. You are the seed of rebellion. You are the spark that will burn the sky. (*_*)]
His face turned pale. "Why does it feel like I've been thrown into some kind of mission?"
"Oye shit head! Who are you?" he asked while trying to touch the panel.
[Host has not grown enough yet, so it is not worth telling you. ರ_ರ]
"What! I'm nineteen years old, and in a few days I'll be twenty, and you're saying I haven't grown enough?"
"If this was a woman talking like that, I would have already shown her I'm a grown man." His hand slid down.
[Host, you are not strong enough to know my existence, and you do not have the qualification. ರ_ರ]
"Tch. If you don't want to say it, just say it. Do you have to be so blunt?"
He still wasn't sure if any of this was real. He decided to test it.
"System, can you help me unseal my cultivation?"