The courtyard buzzed like a hive. Dozens of youths stood in rows, all straight backs and puffed chests, as if posture alone would make them geniuses. One boy flexed so hard his robe sleeves tore. Another smiled mysteriously at nothing, probably practicing his "peerless prodigy" look.
Xuan Yuan stood at the back, hands tucked in sleeves, quietly judging them all.
Yep. Welcome to the genius roll call. All that's missing is the cold beauty who thinks everyone's beneath her. Should I start placing bets?
The sharp tap of a cane silenced the chatter.
Elder Xuan Bei walked in, white hair flowing, beard long enough to braid, eyes sharp enough to pierce through secrets. His aura pressed down like a mountain, calm but irresistible — the kind that belonged to someone who had climbed all the way to the peak of Nascent Soul. Within the clan, that made him a giant. Outside, it made lesser families bow in respect. He is one of the core elders of the clan who has taken upon himself to train the younger generation.
Yuan squinted. Yep. That's the look of a man who could kill you with a finger… and then lecture your ghost for three hours about discipline builds character....
"Children of the Xuan Clan," he boomed, "this year's TalentCompetition will be unlike any before."
Gasps. Wide eyes. Someone clenched his fists so hard his knuckles cracked.
Yuan considered yawning for dramatic effect. Here we go, exposition time.
"This time," Xuan Bei said, pausing for drama, "the competition will not be limited to our clan alone. For the first time in centuries, it will be held jointly with our long-standing allies, the Liang Clan."
Whispers exploded instantly.
The Liang Clan—famous for its beautiful daughters and terrifying bow cultivators. For generations, the Xuans and Liangs had intermarried, binding ties of blood and politics. Even Xuan Yuan's mother was from Liang family.
"Only those under sixteen may participate," the elder continued. "The winner will not only bring honor to their clan, but may also earn quota to enter Azure Flame Imperial Academy"
That last line turned the courtyard electric.
Xuan Yuan thought about power structure of
There are 11 Major forces in Eastern Spiritual Lands - 5 families, 3 sects, 2 palaces, 1 dynasty.
"The Three Great Sects—Azure Sky, Scarlet Flame, and Profound Sword"
"The Two Great Palaces—Moon Mirror and Nine Suns"
"The Six Ancient Families—Huang, Bai, Shen, Liang, Xuan, and Feng."
And strongest of them all - "Azure Flame Imperial Dynasty", which has reigned over Eastern Spiritual Land for more than a hundred thousand years.
The courtyard practically vibrated.
Yuan raised a brow. Wow. Everyone's suddenly auditioning for a higher league. Meanwhile, I can't even light a candle with my qi. What am I supposed to do, juggle spirit stones for entertainment?
Still, the information mattered. World-building complete. Stakes raised. He filed it neatly in his mental notebook.
When the announcement ended, Elder Xuan Bei's eyes locked onto him.
"You. Stay."
Yuan's lips twitched. Of course. Cue the private meeting with plot-relevant old man.
Once the courtyard cleared, the elder stepped closer, his gaze kinder and softer now. "Xuan Yuan. You have worked harder than any child in this clan. Though the heavens deny you, your determination has never faltered. For that, I respect you."
Yuan blinked. Wait, was that a compliment? Hold on, is this the same elder who used to lecture me until my ears bled? Did he get replaced with a doppelgänger?
"But," Xuan Bei went on, "the Patriarch and your father have decided. You will not join the competition."
Yuan's expression stayed calm, but inside he was cackling. And there it is. The classic 'let's not embarrass ourselves in front of guests' strategy. Can't blame them. I'd do the same.
"You will instead be sent to the Desolate South, to a sect managed by an old friend of your father's," Xuan Bei said. "It is peaceful, far from schemes and expectations. There, you may live freely, without burden."
Outwardly, Yuan nodded. Inwardly, he thought, Translation: we love you, but please stop existing in public until further notice.
Still, it wasn't cruel. In fact, it was… thoughtful. They weren't tossing him aside. They were giving him a quiet exile with a bow on top.
"I understand," he said simply.
The elder looked almost relieved. He patted Yuan's shoulder. "You are a good child. Never doubt that."
Later, back in his courtyard, Yuan collapsed onto his bed and stared at the ceiling.
"So let me summarize: Truck-kun kills me, I wake up as a cultivation clan young master, and now I'm being shipped off to backwater land before I can even embarrass myself in the talent competition. Honestly, this plotline writes itself."
He rolled onto his side.
"Next thing you know, they'll marry me to a village girl who thinks brushing her teeth is an annual ritual. Perfect."
He chuckled, then sighed.
Still, he couldn't deny it—his clan cared. They weren't shoving him out with malice. They were protecting him. That was rare enough in these cliché worlds.
But he wasn't helpless. He closed his eyes.
"Alright, mystery system. You've been teasing me long enough. Open sesame."
Light blazed across his consciousness. Ancient runes swirled, shifting into glowing lines of text.
Immortal's Codex System Activating…
Synchronization complete.
Host recognized: Xuan Yuan.
First Sign-In award available.
Yuan's lips spread into a grin, half mad, half amused.
"Well, well, well. Look who finally clocked in to work."