Five years.
To a cultivator, five years was nothing more than a blink of an eye—a single meditation session for an old monster secluded in a mountain cave. But for Lin Kai, these five years had been a whirlwind of growth, discovery, and the agonizing reality of being a toddler with the mind of a college student.
He was now five years old. His baby fat had thinned out slightly, revealing a sharp jawline that hinted at his future handsomeness. He wore a miniature version of the Lin Clan's training robes, white with blue trimming, and his unique black hair with its jagged red strips was tied back in a small ponytail.
Currently, he was sitting in the Crimson Cloud Pavilion, his legs dangling off a chair that was too big for him, staring intently at a massive scroll spread out on the table.
"Pay attention, Kai'er," Yu Yue's voice was soft but commanding. She tapped a section of the map with a long, jade pointer. "The world is not just what you see from the floating islands."
"I know, Mother," Lin Kai said, his voice childish but his eyes sharp. "That is the Spirit Land. And that one is the Vermillion Sage Continent."
Yu Yue smiled, a rare, genuine expression that she only showed to him. "Correct. But do you know who lives there?"
Lin Kai leaned forward. This was the part he loved. The lore dump.
"Humans are the most populous," Yu Yue explained, her finger gliding over the map like a phantom. "But we are not the only one strongest here. In the Spirit Land, the Ancient Beast Clans rule. They are born with bodies tough enough to crush steel. In the Vermillion Sage Continent, the Alchemist Guilds hold power, but they trade with the Celestials."
"Celestials?" Lin Kai asked.
"Beings born of pure energy," Yu Yue said, her eyes darkening slightly. "Arrogant. Powerful. They believe they are the descendants of the stars. Then there are the Fairies of the forest domains, masters of illusion. And the Angels of the Western Sanctum, who wield Light Qi."
Lin Kai absorbed this information like a sponge. 'So it's a standard high-fantasy setup, but mixed with cultivation. Celestials, Angels, Beasts... wait, if there are Angels, are there Demons?'
"Mother," Lin Kai asked, pointing to a dark, swirling patch on the map that had no name. "You told me about Aether Qi, which makes up the air we breathe. You said there is Stellar Qi from the stars, and Elemental Qi like Fire and Water. But what is that?"
He pointed to the dark patch.
Yu Yue's hand paused. The room seemed to drop a few degrees in temperature.
"That," she said quietly, "is where the Demonic Qi and Nether Qi gather."
"What's the difference?" Lin Kai pressed, his curiosity piqued.
Yu Yue looked at him, her violet eyes searching his face. "Think of Aether as the sun. It is warm, life-giving, and orderly. Most of the righteous sects cultivate this. Demonic Qi is chaotic; it is the energy of bloodlust and madness, used by the Demonic Beasts and Berserkers."
She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "But Nether Qi... that is different. Nether is not madness. It is silence. It is the cold of the grave, the shadow behind the light. It is forbidden because it consumes Aether."
"Forbidden?" Lin Kai raised an eyebrow. "So, no one uses it?"
Yu Yue chuckled, a sound that lacked humor. "Oh, my silly son. In this world, power is the only truth. The 'Righteous' Clans call it forbidden to the commoners, but in the shadows? Many top hidden clans—even few Elders in our clan—study it in secret. Darkness is just another weapon, Kai'er. It is only evil if the wielder is weak."
Lin Kai nodded slowly. 'Darkness is just a weapon. Noted. Sounds like foreshadowing.'
"So," Lin Kai asked, swinging his legs, "what rank of cultivation do you need to use it? I'm stuck at the 4th Stage of Mortal Foundation. When do I get to the cool stuff? What comes after Mortal Foundation?"
Yu Yue tapped him lightly on the forehead with the jade pointer. Thwack.
"Ouch!"
"Don't be greedy," she scolded gently. "Knowing the higher realms before you are ready will only breed a Heart Demon. It is dangerous to look at the summit when you haven't even climbed the first step. Just know that the sky is higher than you can imagine."
Lin Kai rubbed his forehead, pouting. 'Typical cultivation trope. 'You are too weak to know.' Fine.'
To be fair, he shouldn't be complaining. At five years old, being at the 4th Stage of Mortal Foundation was terrifying. Most children didn't even sense Qi until they were seven. He was a certified genius.
However...
BANG!
The heavy oak doors of the pavilion shook as if hit by a battering ram.
"Kai-Kai! Wake uuuup!"
Lin Kai flinched. He knew that voice. He knew the impending doom.
The door flew open, and a small hurricane in pink robes stormed in. It was Lin Yan'er.
She was six years old now, and the "cute doll" phase was evolving into the "tyrannical princess" phase. Her hair was tied in high twin-tails, and her skin glowed with a faint, healthy luster—evidence of the countless medicinal baths she had been soaked in.
Behind her, the poor nanny looked exhausted, bowing apologetically to Yu Yue. "Young Miss, please, slow down..."
"Training time!" Yan'er declared, marching up to Lin Kai and grabbing his arm. Her grip was like an iron pincer.
"Yan'er, I'm studying..." Lin Kai tried to protest, digging his heels in.
"Studying is boring! Daddy said muscles are better than books!" She yanked him.
Lin Kai looked at his mother with pleading eyes. 'Save me. Please. She hits really hard.'
Yu Yue just smiled, sipping her tea. "Go on, Kai'er. Don't be lazy. A man must have a strong body. I will cultivate while you are gone."
She turned to the nanny, her gaze sharpening. "Take care of him."
"Of course, Madam," the nanny said, bowing deeply.
Lin Kai slumped his shoulders in defeat. "Fine. Let's go."
"Yay! I'm going to teach you the Crushing Rock Fist today!" Yan'er cheered, dragging him out of the room.
As they left, Lin Kai sighed. He hated physical training. His adult mind found the repetitive motions tedious, and his child body found them painful. But in the Lin Clan, if you didn't train, you were trash.
They arrived at the Junior Training Square, a vast courtyard paved with bluestone. Dozens of children, ranging from five to ten years old, were already there. These were the heirs of the branch families and the elite inner disciples.
The moment Lin Kai arrived, heads turned.
"It's the Little Genius!"
"And the Princess!"
Despite his internal grumbling, Lin Kai was popular. He was the son of the Third Elder, and he was undeniably talented.
"Alright everyone!" Yan'er shouted, climbing onto a stone platform. "Pair up! Sparring time!"
Lin Kai tried to hide behind a stone pillar, but a shadow loomed over him.
"Hey, Lin Kai!"
It was Lin Bo, like of his age from a branch family. He was built like a brick, with a runny nose and a permanent scowl. He was stuck at the 2nd Stage of Mortal Foundation and had always been jealous of Lin Kai.
"Fight me!" Lin Bo shouted, swinging his fist.