[Detailed information is costly. The system can provide specific data on the location of an artifact, on a target's background, or on the secrets of a child of destiny in exchange for points. Detailed information on the background of the target Xuan Ling costs 1000 luck points.]
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BaiShe remained motionless for a few seconds, his face perfectly calm despite the torrent of thoughts stirring in his mind.
'So even the system considers her past as valuable information.'
'Such a scene had never occurred. Ling'er remained loyal until the end, supporting me even in the darkest moments. This naive little girl has become an arrogant and icy woman. I must uncover her secret no matter what.'
****
Generally speaking, there were five great Realms.
The first, and most mysterious, was called Primordial Heavens. According to the historical fragments that had survived, this was where the Primordials once lived, the first entities that had shaped the Dao and the laws of the world. No one knew if this realm still existed or if it had vanished with the Origins era.
Next came the Forbidden Kingdoms, the domain of the Rakshasas, ancient and violent creatures that had once fought the Origins.
The third realm was known as the Ancient Realms. This immense zone was filled with ruins dating back to the Origins era.
The fourth domain was the Lower Realms.
It consisted of a collection of lower worlds each possessing a different level of Qi. Some had barely enough spiritual energy to allow rudimentary cultivation.
Earth was part of these worlds...
Finally, there were the Upper Realms.
A vast land, as large as several galaxies combined, where the Qi was much denser and where the most powerful cultivator lineages had lived for millennia. The air itself was charged with energy, to the point that common plants became medicinal herbs there and ordinary animals could develop spiritual consciousness. The great immortal families had built their domains there.
Among these families were the Xuan, of course, but also the Hu, the Xia, and the Shi. These families have ancestors from time immemorial who became immortal, hence their name.
....
That day, as the sun began to decline over the Xuan family domain, a messenger arrived at the main gates.
He wore the official robe of the Supreme Dao Sect.
The domain guards, posted in front of the monumental entrance, immediately stepped aside when they saw this emblem. Their reaction was instinctive, almost reflexive; no one blocked the passage of a messenger from the Supreme Dao Sect, not even the Xuan family guards.
"Order from the Supreme Dao Sect. The main disciples of the Xuan family must present themselves immediately at the sect."
...
A few hours later, as shadows began to spread over the domain, a spiritual ship silently took off from the platform located behind the main pavilion.
It was now crossing the skies of the Upper Realms, speeding through the cloud layers at a speed that would have seemed dizzying to any mortal observer.
***
The Supreme Dao Sect.
The most powerful sect in the Upper Realms, without any doubt. Its influence extended far beyond the borders of this realm to reach even the most remote worlds of the Lower Realms; its name was known and respected. Entire generations of cultivators had dreamed of being admitted there, and those who achieved this feat saw their destiny transformed forever.
And at its head stood a man whose power remained a mystery to all, including his closest disciples.
Pangu...
No one knew his true age, nor his exact cultivation level. Some said he had reached the ultimate stage of Celestial Emperor, others that he had surpassed that realm... One thing was certain: no one had ever seen him fight seriously, and those who had provoked him in the past were no longer there to tell the tale.
When the ship finally arrived at its destination after several hours of travel through the skies, an immense mountain range appeared on the horizon.
The peaks rose so high that they pierced the highest cloud layer, their summits disappearing into the azure sky. Each mountain was covered with spiritual vegetation, from centennial trees to rare herbs, and cascades of pure water cascaded down their slopes forming permanent rainbows.
At the summit of the highest mountain, the one that dominated all the others by several hundred kilometers, stood the Supreme Dao Sect.
"This way, please. The grand meeting hall awaits you."
The two main disciples from the Xuan Family were obviously BaiShe and Ling'er; they crossed several inner courtyards and arrived in front of the grand meeting hall.
The hall was gigantic, so vast that several hundred people could stand there without touching each other.
The Qi in this place was so concentrated that it seemed almost tangible, a soft but constant pressure that enveloped every visitor like a damp blanket.
Several sect elders were already present, seated on raised platforms.
At the center of the hall stood an imposing silhouette.
He measured nearly two meters, perhaps a little more. His body was powerful and muscular, built like that of a warrior rather than a scholar. His long white hair, as white as snow, descended to the middle of his back.
A black band covered his eyes. No one knew for certain whether he was blind or if the band was simply a personal choice.
His qi was perfectly calm, making it impossible to detect his level.
Some said he possessed the blood of a true Titan, inherited from a lineage forgotten for millennia.
When all the main disciples were present.
Pangu's voice resounded throughout the hall.
"Talented Disciples."
An absolute silence fell over the assembly.
"The balance of the world is changing. The Ancient Realms are beginning to open after millennia. Ancient forces we believed gone are starting to stir. We are in a new era of the Dao."
He paused, his impassive face turned toward the assembly as if he could see each one through his band.
"The time has come to designate my heir. The one who will become the leader of the Supreme Dao Sect after me."
A murmur immediately ran through the hall, a wave of surprised whispers that rose then fell almost immediately. No one had expected this announcement except this young scholar who remained perfectly calm.
'This is one of the opportunities I seized in my previous life. By becoming the heir, I had accumulated enough influence to manipulate many children of destiny as I pleased. The luck points had poured in.'
BaiShe remembered that period perfectly. The power and the ability to act without answering to anyone, all of it had been handed to him on a platter that day.
However, his experience from his previous life had also taught him something else, a lesson he had paid dearly for.
Too many titles attracted too much attention.
Becoming the sect's heir meant being constantly observed. The elders scrutinized his every move, the other potential heirs watched for the slightest weakness, and even ordinary disciples spied on his actions to draw inspiration from them.
In his previous life, this constant visibility had often limited his maneuvers in the shadows. He had constantly had to act as an exemplary leader, a model of virtue and wisdom. Every time he wanted to act discreetly, he had to find excuses or create diversions.
'This time, I must act differently.'
While Pangu continued his speech, BaiShe observed some disciples present in the hall.
'There are certainly Children of Destiny here.' BaiShe was convinced of it.
However, for the moment, BaiShe was looking for something else.
Someone he could place on the heir's throne in his place. Someone talented enough to be credible, but malleable enough to follow his directives. Someone who would occupy the heir position, attract all the attention, endure all the pressures while he, BaiShe, pulled the strings from the shadows.
A light smile appeared on his lips.
'Who better as a candidate than my beloved little sister… Ling'er.'
He slowly turned his head, and their gazes met; her golden eyes were cold, the same as throughout the entire journey.
BaiShe tilted his head slightly, just a little, as if observing a particularly interesting phenomenon. His smile did not waver.
'You are so different, Ling'er. What has the celestial dao plotted again to put obstacles in my way?'