Lingxiao Sect.
Immortal Grave Mountain Range.
Morning mist rolled across the peaks, spilling through the pines like drifting silver smoke.
On the quiet Disciple Peak, Luo Xueyao stood with her hands clasped, gazing toward the direction of the Grand Xu Dynasty's capital. Her eyes were calm, yet a faint trace of worry lingered within them.
Behind her came Zhao Han's carefree voice.
"Junior Sister, still worrying about your clan again?"
Luo Xueyao turned her head. Zhao Hanwas walking up the path, dressed in plain gray robes, carrying a broom he didn't seem to know how to use.
She bowed slightly. "Senior Brother Lin."
Then, suddenly remembering something, her delicate brows furrowed. "Senior Brother… haven't you opened your spiritual veins yet?"
Zhao Han blinked. "Ah? How do you know that?"
"You were cultivating yesterday," Luo Xueyao said softly, "but there wasn't a single fluctuation of qi around you. Are you… still unable to draw in spiritual energy?"
Her voice carried a tone of disbelief. In the Immortal Martial Continent, one began from the Body Tempering Realm, then progressed to Qi Gathering, opened the meridians, and finally condensed spiritual veins to step into true cultivation. Those who couldn't form spiritual veins were simply… useless.
It wasn't just a setback — it was a death sentence on the path of immortality.
And yet, her senior brother was supposed to be the "Eldest Disciple" of the mysterious Lingxiao Sect.
Could it be that he… had some strange constitution?
There were legends of those born unable to gather qi, but who carried fated physiques — divine bodies that could defy heaven once awakened. When the bloodline stirred, they could cultivate with ease, crush peers of the same realm, and even fight above their level.
Could it be… this foolish senior brother of mine has such a body?
Luo Xueyao's mind spun.
Zhao Han, however, puffed up his chest, clearly pleased with himself. "Junior Sister, the Sect Master said that I have an extraordinary physique, one that's destined for greatness. I'm the future Emperor! The Heaven-Defying Zhao Han!"
He stood with his hands behind his back, chin raised, face completely serious.
Luo Xueyao's mouth twitched.
She looked at his honest face, that air of confidence so thick it could choke a dragon, and she couldn't stop the thought: Is this really the Senior Brother of my sect?
Still… she didn't want to doubt the Sect Master. Lingxiao Sect was far too mysterious. There must be a reason this man was accepted.
Just as she was about to ask more—
Buzz.
A thunderous hum split the air.
The sky trembled.
From above the mountain range, a dragon's roar tore through the clouds. Phantom dragons circled the peaks, their roars echoing through heaven and earth. Countless runes flared in the sky, forming silhouettes of ancient warriors clad in gold. They struck invisible fists, each blow shaking the world, each movement filled with heaven-destroying might.
"This… this is—" Luo Xueyao's voice trembled.
Zhao Han's mouth fell open, broom slipping from his grasp. "Junior Sister, did the heavens just open up for me?"
The two could only stare.
The visions multiplied — divine beasts appeared in the clouds, ancient characters flashed across the heavens, the world itself seemed to bow. Then, all of it — every streak of divine light — rushed toward the Technique Pavilion.
The pavilion's plaque, which had been dim since its creation, suddenly burst with golden brilliance. The three characters "Technique Pavilion" shone so bright that even looking directly at them felt blasphemous.
The visions faded as quickly as they came, leaving only silence and the faint hum of power.
Zhao Han swallowed hard. "I… I didn't cause that, right?"
Luo Xueyao shook her head, unable to speak.
Neither of them dared to guess what had just happened.
Then a familiar voice echoed across the mountain.
"Master's coming out!"
They turned — Qin Wucheng stepped out from the main hall, his white robe fluttering, brows slightly furrowed.
"Disciple, what's with all this commotion?"
"Master," Luo Xueyao said quickly, "the sky… there were dragons, ancient figures, divine lights rushing into the Technique Pavilion—"
Qin Wucheng blinked once. For a brief moment, even he had been startled — he'd thought the sect was under attack.
He quickly focused inward. "System, what's going on?"
[ Ding. Host, please rest assured. This is the phenomenon of the Technique Pavilion awakening. ]
Qin Wucheng's face darkened. "Phenomenon? You almost scared me to death!"
Still, his expression didn't change outwardly. He placed his hands behind his back, nodded solemnly, and said in a calm, almost divine tone, "No need to panic. This is merely the resurrection of my sect's Technique Pavilion."
Both disciples gasped.
"The resurrection of the Technique Pavilion?" Luo Xueyao murmured.
"What kind of techniques cause that much of a commotion?"
Zhao Han looked around nervously. "Master, are you sure the heavens aren't mad at us?"
Qin Wucheng coughed lightly. "The techniques inside are the accumulation of the Lingxiao Sect's past generations. Naturally, the world responds when true power reawakens."
Hiss—
Luo Xueyao's delicate face froze. The accumulation of past generations?
An ancient sect whose methods could shake heaven and earth?
That was the kind of background that could terrify emperors!
If word of this got out, every hidden ancient powerhouse on the continent would probably crawl out of their coffin to come rob them blind.
"It's settled," Qin Wucheng said lightly. "The Technique Pavilion has recovered. You two may enter to comprehend the arts. The techniques will choose their own wielders."
Luo Xueyao's eyes widened in awe. Zhao Han, however, was already grinning from ear to ear.
"Yes! Finally, it's my turn to rise!"
He clasped his hands and declared with righteous arrogance, "The heavens sent me here! Sect Master, rest assured, I, Zhao Han, will definitely bring glory to Lingxiao Sect!"
Luo Xueyao could only cover her face in silence.
Still, both disciples bowed. "Thank you, Sect Master!"
"Go."
As the two prepared to leave, Luo Xueyao hesitated. "Sect Master, but Senior Brother's… spiritual veins haven't been opened yet. Can he still cultivate?"
Zhao Han stiffened. "Junior Sister, you—!"
His face turned the color of storm clouds.
You dare expose my secrets in front of Master?!
Qin Wucheng paused. "You haven't opened your veins?"
Zhao Han rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Didn't you say I was the future emperor?"
Qin Wucheng blinked twice. "Did I?"
He thought for a moment, trying to recall. Did I call him that? Maybe the system did. I just repeated it, didn't I?
He sighed inwardly. System, this kid doesn't even have spiritual veins, yet you told me he was a genius? Are you kidding me?
[ Ding. The disciple Zhao Han possesses the legendary Fighting Saint Body. He cannot open spiritual veins due to the lack of a matching cultivation art. However, the Technique Pavilion contains a technique perfectly suited to him. Note: The Fighting Saint Body is among the strongest physiques in existence. Once awakened, it can battle heaven, earth, gods, and demons alike. ]
Qin Wucheng froze.
Fighting Saint Body?
His eyes flicked toward Zhao Han, who stood there puffing out his chest again as if trying to look majestic.
This clown? A divine physique?
Still, he schooled his expression into calm composure and said with grave dignity, "Zhao Han, the heavens have favored you. Your body holds tremendous potential."
Zhao Han blinked. "Eh? Really?"
"Indeed."
Qin Wucheng nodded slowly, voice steady. "Your physique is rare across eternity. You cannot open your spiritual veins because ordinary cultivation arts reject you. But once you find your destined method… you will soar like a dragon through the nine heavens."
Luo Xueyao's lips parted slightly, her heart skipping a beat.
A destined method…? Then could Senior Brother truly have that kind of fate?
Zhao Han's expression shifted from confusion to exhilaration. He clenched his fists, trembling with excitement.
"I knew it! I told you, Junior Sister! I, Zhao Han, am the future Emperor!"
Qin Wucheng's mouth twitched.
He's really hopeless.
"Master, what kind of physique is it?" Luo Xueyao asked curiously.
Qin Wucheng stroked his chin. "It's called the Fighting Saint Body."
"The Fighting… Saint Body?"
The name alone made both disciples' hearts race.
"Legend says those born with it cannot cultivate by ordinary means," Qin Wucheng continued, his voice calm but resonant. "Once awakened, their power increases endlessly with battle. Every strike refines their body, every wound tempers their spirit. At its peak, it can fight against heaven, earth, gods, and demons."
Zhao Han's eyes sparkled. "Fight against heaven and earth, gods and demons… ah, so that's why the heavens made me sweep the floor every morning—to polish my Saint Body!"
Luo Xueyao nearly choked on air.
Qin Wucheng pressed his fingers against his temple. "Enough nonsense. Go to the Technique Pavilion and let the arts choose you."
"Yes, Sect Master!" the two said together.
As they hurried toward the golden pavilion at the mountain's edge, Qin Wucheng remained in place, sighing softly.
Fighting Saint Body, huh… system, you really like giving me trouble.
Still, a small smile crept onto his face.
If Zhao Han truly awakened that physique, even the Immortal Martial Continent's hidden powers might have to take him seriously.
And as for Lingxiao Sect… perhaps its name would finally begin to spread across the world.