The Sword Peak was silent
It's icy wind slicing through the night like invisible blades.
Here, cultivation was merciless — no luxuries, no distractions, only the sword and the cold to temper one's will.
Chu Xuan stood before Fairy Xi Xuan,
Who sat atop a stone platform, her Robes as pure as fresh snow.
Her beauty was untouched by mortal warmth, eyes clear as moonlight,
But The aura around her made even seasoned elders bow in silence.
"From today onward " she said, her voice calm yet firm,
" You will cultivate under my guidance. But before that, tell me—what of your family, your parents?"
Chu Xuan lowered his gaze. His transmigrated identity had been shaped carefully. "This disciple is an orphan ,
" Master. I have no parents, no clan. Only the Dao remains before me."
For a long breath, Xi Xuan studied him. Her eyes softened by the smallest fraction,
Though her tone remained indifferent. "An orphan… perhaps that is why your eyes seem free of worldly dust."
She paused. "Very well. Then your only kin shall be The sword."
With a flick of her sleeve, Three jade slips floated before him, glimmering faintly with sword intent.
"These are manuals of Sword Peak. One focuses on sharpness, one on speed, and the last on resonance with heaven and earth.
Normally, outer disciples must toil for years to glimpse Them.
But if you can comprehend even the first level of any one of them within a month,
" I will grant you access to the sect's cultivation library—for seven days, with no restrictions."
A murmur ran through the few observing senior disciples. Even for Inner disciples, that opportunity was rare.
Chu Xuan accepted the jade slips respectfully, bowing deeply. "Disciple thanks Master for her grace."
Xi Xuan's expression did not waver. "Grace is not given, only earned. Fail, and you will remain at the outer shelves until you can prove otherwise."
---
In the Cave of Ascetic Sword Peak
The cave Xi Xuan granted him was small and cold. Stone walls, a stone bed, and The faint whistle of mountain winds. No luxuries, no warmth—yet to Chu Xuan, This was Perfect.
Here, he could cultivate without distraction.
Sitting cross-legged, he pressed the jade slips to his forehead. Sword Dao intent poured into his mind, sharp and dazzling.
To ordinary disciples, this torrent was unbearable, often leading to Qi deviation.
But to Chu Xuan, it was like a spring breeze. His Creation Defying Comprehension lit up, analyzing, reorganizing, and fusing knowledge at impossible speed. Still, he held himself back.
To reveal his comprehension too soon would invite suspicion.
"One month…? If I wished, one night would be enough to Master at the Re-create Realm '
But subtlety is the sharpest sword !
He placed the jade slips aside and closed his eyes.
Deep within his dantian, The Great Heavenly Creation Core shimmered.
It was no longer a 'Golden core',
But a Faint Illusionary Nascent Planet, Rotating slowly, as if Containing The Seed of an entire Universe.
Every Dao rune he comprehended was like a star flickering into existence on its surface.
Yet The planet was thin, Transparent, fragile—it demanded resources, Spiritual essence, rare treasures to solidify its form. Without them, growth would be agonizingly slow.
Still, even in its incomplete form, the Creation Core's potential dwarfed all other paths.
---
That night, as he sank into meditation, the System's Notification echoed:
[Ding : Impression Function Active]
[ Impression Mark established: Fire Cloud Demon Sect – Outer Elder, potential threat in 30 years.]
[ Impression Mark established: Heavenly Court scout, potential encounter in 300 years ]
...
Chu Xuan smirked faintly.
These were the very same enemies Han Jue had faced in the original timeline.
But unlike Han Jue, who had to live in Paranoia, Chu Xuan already knew the shape of every storm before it arrived.
"So long as I track them from the shadows, I can cut off danger before it grows. Han Jue survived by hiding…
But I shall Reign by Dominating."
--
Day after day
Chu Xuan remained in the ascetic cave. While other disciples trained in groups,
He walked a solitary path, sword intent Resonating faintly Through Stone walls.
Some whispered he was too withdrawn.
Others sneered That he was too arrogant, Relying on Fairy Xi Xuan's favor. Yet none dared approach his cave. Something about him — calm, impenetrable, fathomless — repelled them instinctively.
Xi Xuan, Though she never voiced it, Often found her thoughts straying toward her new disciple.
His is answers had been too calm, his eyes too steady. Was he truly just a Qi Refining cultivator?
Each time she brushed the thought aside. "No… I am imagining things. He is but a disciple. Nothing more..."
But deep inside, a strange curiosity had already taken root.
---