Li Qingyun's life in the Li family was one of warmth and comfort. His parents, Li Tianyang and Lin Meiyu, loved him dearly, showering him with care and affection. As he grew, his infant body gained strength, his senses sharpened, and his mind — already mature due to his reincarnation — remained keenly observant.
But Li Qingyun wasn't content with merely enjoying this comfortable life. He was a man who valued knowledge, and the most pressing question on his mind was understanding the world he had been reborn into.
Listening carefully to the conversations of his parents and the servants, he gradually pieced together a clear picture. The Li family was a wealthy and respected household in Azure Sky City, a bustling metropolis under the jurisdiction of the Blazing Sun Empire. Azure Sky City was a major trade hub, and the Li family's wealth came from a successful business dealing in rare herbs and cultivation resources. Yet, their true strength was not just their wealth.
The Li family was not ordinary. They were a family of cultivators.
This world was a land where strength determined everything, and those who pursued power were divided into two main paths: Martial Artists and Cultivators.
[Martial Artists: The Path of the Body
Martial Artists focused on physical strength, speed, and combat techniques. They trained their bodies to the limit, learning powerful martial skills to enhance their combat abilities. Martial Artists advanced through nine ranks, each divided into Early, Mid, Late, and Peak stages.
Rank 1 to Rank 3: Body Refinement, strengthening the body's muscles and bones.
Rank 4 to Rank 6: Qi Condensation, where Martial Artists learn to harness and manipulate inner energy.
Rank 7 to Rank 9: Spirit Integration, merging their bodies with their spirit force, achieving superhuman feats.]
Martial Artists were known for their fierce combat prowess, but their reliance on the body meant they had to train diligently, enduring intense physical pain to advance.
[Cultivators: The Path of the Soul
Cultivators, on the other hand, pursued spiritual energy. They absorbed the essence of heaven and earth, refining it within their bodies to grow stronger. Cultivators were also divided into nine realms:
Qi Gathering Realm: Absorbing spiritual energy and forming a foundation.
Foundation Establishment: Solidifying the spiritual foundation, allowing the cultivation of basic techniques.
Core Formation: Condensing energy into a solid core within the body.
Nascent Soul Realm: Manifesting a soul avatar within the body, granting immense power.
Soul Transformation Realm: Strengthening the Nascent Soul and gaining spiritual mastery.
Void Reversion Realm: Merging the soul with the world, achieving control over space.
True Essence Realm: Mastering the essence of all things, manipulating elemental energy.
Heaven Ascension Realm: Transcending mortal limits, nearing the level of gods.
Divine Ascendant Realm: Achieving near-immortality, a realm of legendary figures.]
Cultivators were feared for their mystical abilities, capable of unleashing devastating spells, controlling elements, and performing miraculous feats. They lived longer and were less reliant on the physical body, making them far more versatile than Martial Artists.
Li Qingyun was fascinated by this division. His family, the Li family, were known as Cultivators — specifically, they were alchemists and herbalists, who not only cultivated for power but also traded in rare spiritual herbs and elixirs. His father, Li Tianyang, was a respected Core Formation expert, while his mother, Lin Meiyu, was in the Foundation Establishment Realm but was known for her expertise in alchemy.
Their wealth came not just from their business but from their connections with other powerful cultivators who sought their herbs and pills.
As the years passed, Li Qingyun grew rapidly. His tiny body gained strength, and his sharp mind never rested. He listened intently to his father's conversations with his business partners, his mother's lectures to the servants about proper herb care, and even the whispered rumors among the maids. Piece by piece, he built a mental map of the world.
The Blazing Sun Empire was one of the five great empires of the region, each ruled by powerful cultivators. The empire was ruled by the Sunfire Dynasty, a lineage of mighty cultivators known for their mastery over flame techniques. Azure Sky City was one of its wealthiest cities, and the Li family was a respected power within it.
But beneath the city's prosperity, Li Qingyun learned of a world filled with danger. Bandit groups roamed the wilderness, demonic beasts lurked in the mountains, and rival factions often clashed in bloody battles for resources. Even within the city, noble families competed fiercely, their polite words often hiding murderous intent.
Yet Li Qingyun did not feel fear. If anything, he felt a burning desire to grow strong. He had a second chance at life, and now he understood just how precious that was. His system — the Self-Cultivating Technique System — was his greatest advantage.
One evening, as he lay quietly in his cradle, the familiar translucent screen of his system appeared once again.
[Self-Cultivating Technique System]
Slot Space: 1 (Available)
Technique Installed: None
Energy Absorption: Only from objects recognized by the heavens as valuable.
Available Energy: 0.0 Units
Li Qingyun's mind raced. His system would not passively absorb energy. It required objects recognized by the heavens as valuable. This meant two categories:
Mortal Treasures: Items recognized as valuable by the world of mortals — such as gold, silver, and precious gems.
Cultivation Treasures: Spiritual herbs, alchemical pills, rare minerals, and other resources valued by cultivators and martial artists.
Li Qingyun realized that even though his family was wealthy, he couldn't simply steal or demand such treasures. He needed a way to obtain them without arousing suspicion.
"Patience," he whispered in his mind, his infant face showing a calm, thoughtful expression. He was not a rash person. He would bide his time, learn more about the world, and only act when he was certain.
His parents noticed his unusual calmness and intelligence, often praising him as a "gifted child." But they did not suspect his true nature. To them, he was simply a bright and obedient son who rarely cried and always seemed to listen attentively to their words.
Li Qingyun planned carefully. He needed to keep his abilities hidden, slowly gather techniques, and learn more about cultivation. He was in a wealthy, loving family, but he knew that the world beyond their mansion's walls was filled with danger and deceit.
In this life, he would not be weak. He would not be ordinary.
And he would never waste this second chance.