Morning light filtered gently through the trees of Qingshan Mountain, casting soft shadows across the Lin Clan courtyard. A faint breeze carried the scent of pine and earth, while thin strands of spiritual qi drifted quietly in the air.
This richness of qi was not without reason. Beneath Qingshan Mountain lay a second-tier high-grade spiritual vein, nourishing the land and allowing the Lin Clan to thrive here for generations. Though not among the most powerful in the world, it was more than enough to support a stable cultivating family.
Seated cross-legged on the stone ground, Lin Daofeng slowly exhaled. His breathing was calm and steady as faint streams of qi gathered around him, circulating through his meridians with increasing smoothness.
Then a subtle change occurred.
The scattered qi aligned, forming a stable cycle within his body. For a brief moment, everything grew quiet—and then it settled.
Daofeng opened his eyes, a faint clarity flickering within them.
"I've reached the third layer…"
His voice was soft, carrying a trace of satisfaction. It wasn't a major breakthrough, but it was real and steady progress.
He raised his hand slightly, watching the faint flow of qi between his fingers—controlled, smoother than before.
As he observed it, however, another thought surfaced quietly in his mind, familiar yet out of place in this world.
This isn't my first life…
The thought came naturally, without confusion or shock, because it had never truly left him.
From the moment he was born in this world, he had remembered—at first in fragments, blurry and distant, but gradually becoming clearer over time.
A different world. One without spiritual qi or cultivation. Towering buildings of steel and glass, strange vehicles that moved without horses, voices traveling through invisible signals.
A world driven not by personal strength, but by knowledge and technology.
In that world, he had been ordinary—just another person among billions, with no power or legacy.
He didn't remember how he died.
Only that one moment everything ended, and the next, he was here—reborn as Lin Daofeng.
At first, it had been unsettling.
But time had smoothed everything.
This world felt real—the warmth of his family, the weight of his body, the flow of qi within him.
None of it was an illusion.
So he accepted it, not as a dream or a second chance, but simply as his life.
Still, that past life left something behind—perspective, patience, and a calmness that others his age did not have.
Daofeng lowered his hand slightly.
"Qi Refining… Foundation Establishment… Core Formation… Nascent Soul…"
His voice slowed slightly as he continued.
"And beyond that… Soul Transformation…"
A faint pause followed.
Even in the Lin Clan, knowledge of those realms was limited.
Nascent Soul cultivators were already considered top figures—individuals who could establish sects, dominate regions, and decide the fate of countless lives.
As for Soul Transformation…
Daofeng's gaze shifted slightly.
Those were no longer just powerful cultivators.
They were legendary existences.
Figures spoken of in records and rumors—rarely seen, almost never encountered.
For most people…
Even reaching Foundation Establishment was a lifelong pursuit.
The path ahead—
Was far longer than it first appeared.
He let out a faint breath.
"No need to rush."
In his past life, people rushed for everything—success, money, recognition—always chasing, rarely satisfied.
But here, the path stretched across years, decades, even centuries.
Rushing would only lead to mistakes.
His gaze shifted slightly.
"Talent matters too…"
"In this world, everything begins with spiritual roots."
There were five elements—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Every cultivator possessed some combination of these.
"The more mixed the roots, the harder it is to cultivate," he recalled quietly.
"Pseudo spiritual roots are slow. True spiritual roots are faster."
He paused slightly before continuing.
"And heavenly spiritual roots…"
A faint seriousness appeared in his eyes.
"…are extremely rare—almost legendary."
Those who possessed them were few enough to be counted in stories, individuals destined to stand far above ordinary cultivators.
Daofeng smiled faintly.
"I have three spiritual roots… not the best, but far from ordinary."
"With proper guidance, it's enough to walk a steady path."
"Brother!"
A cheerful voice broke his thoughts.
Before he could react, a small figure rushed into him and grabbed his arm.
Lin Daomei.
Her bright eyes sparkled as she looked up at him, her small hands gripping his sleeve tightly.
"Did you get stronger again?" she asked eagerly.
Daofeng chuckled and crouched down.
"Just a little."
"How little?"
He thought for a moment, then smiled.
"Enough to carry you without getting tired."
"Really?!"
Without waiting, she climbed onto his back.
Daofeng laughed lightly as he stood, adjusting her carefully.
"You're getting heavier."
"I'm not!" she protested immediately.
Then she tilted her head.
"Brother… how old are you now?"
"Fifteen," Daofeng replied.
"Fifteen…" she repeated, as if it meant something important.
"Then you're already very strong, right?"
"It is."
A calm voice sounded from behind.
Lin Yunming stepped into the courtyard, his presence steady like a mountain.
"At fifteen, reaching the third layer of Qi Refining is already above average within the clan."
Daomei blinked. "Really?"
"More importantly, his qi is stable," Yunming added.
"Stable means good?" she asked again.
"It means his foundation is solid," Yunming replied.
"Some may advance faster, but unstable qi will only slow them later."
He paused slightly.
"You've done well."
Daofeng straightened.
"Yes, Father."
"At fifteen, reaching the third layer is a good result," Yunming continued.
"But don't become complacent."
"I understand."
"Talent determines how far you can go—but discipline determines whether you actually reach it."
"Your pace is steady. Maintain it."
"A stable foundation will matter more than speed in the long run."
Daofeng lowered his gaze slightly.
"Then… what should I focus on?"
"Stabilize. Observe," Yunming said.
"Walk your own path."
A brief silence followed.
Daomei tugged his sleeve again.
"Brother…"
"Mm?"
"You won't go far away, right?"
Daofeng looked at her for a moment.
Then gently placed his hand on her head.
"Not anytime soon."
She nodded firmly.
"Then I'll get stronger too!"
"So I can help you!"
Daofeng smiled faintly.
"Alright."
For a moment, the courtyard fell into a quiet calm.
As Daofeng stood there, his awareness drifted slightly outward.
The faint strands of qi around him felt… different.
Gentler.
Closer.
His senses brushed lightly against the nearby plants.
He paused.
Something about it felt… comfortable.
Not like cultivation.
Not like absorbing qi.
But something softer.
Like a quiet presence welcoming him.
For a brief moment, even his breathing slowed.
His thoughts became still.
There was no increase in strength.
No visible change.
Yet
—
The calm it brought was undeniable.
"…Strange," he murmured softly.
He did not try to understand it.
Nor did he reject it.
He simply accepted it.
Calmly.
Naturally.
As if it had always been part of him.
Above them, Qingshan Mountain stood silent and unchanged, supported by the spiritual vein beneath it, quietly nurturing generations of cultivators.
And within that silence
—
A path stretched forward.
Long.
Uncertain.
But real.
This time
—
He would walk it with clear eyes.