Chapter 5: The Calm Before the Selection

Five years had passed since Kyle; nowYuXuanwas reincarnated into this new world.

In that time, he had grown from a crying infant into a curious, wide-eyed child with a brain running far ahead of his age. He didn’t just learn to walk or talk — he learned everything he could.

About the world.

About cultivation.

He now knew the name of this world —Eternal Star Heavenly World— and it was nothing short of insane.

In the Eternal Star Heavenly World, children typically began cultivating at age ten, once their meridians stabilized and their minds could endure the strain of qi flow.

A sky withone massive sunandtwo glowing moonshung above them. A world where people flew on swords, shattered mountains with a punch, and split seas with a casual flick of their sleeves.

This was atrue cultivation world.

And it was vast.

The world was divided into seven massive domains, each one ruled by an ancient power. TheYu Clan— his clan — ruled one of them. TheHuan Clan, his mother’s family, ruled another. The remaining five were in the hands of other equally terrifying ancient families.

And that was just the beginning.

This world wasn’t the only one.

Yu Xuan had learned that this realm spanned countless worlds — layered and ranked by strength and origin. They were classified as:

Lower Worlds

Middle Worlds

Upper Worlds

Heavenly Worlds

And above even those... were theImmortal Worlds.

Realms so high they supposedly existedbeyondthis realm, where time flowed differently, and the weakest beings could crush stars as a hobby.

Of course, most of this was just legend to ordinary people.

But in Yu Xuan’s case... this was not myth but reality.

As he had seen in family records that his family not just his but all other families had some connection to a certain immortal world.

And he had come to accept his new life.

Life in the Yu Clan was, in a word, wasoverwhelming.

To the rest of the clan, he was the "Young Master" — adorable, polite, absurdly talented.

For most five-year-olds, a day might involve snack time, running in the mud, or chasing butterflies.

He spent his mornings studying clan history, learning calligraphy, his brush technique was’elegant yet threatening’according to one Elder.

He was also regularly surrounded by smiling clan aunties who doted on him a little too hard — many of whom spoke way too enthusiastically about him’growing up strong and marrying well.’

Yu Xuan wasn’t sure what they were planning, but he didn’t trust their smiles.

Afternoons were slightly better.

He’d sneak off into the clan’s eastern gardens — a massive spiritual meadow filled with floating rocks, koi ponds, and peach trees older than dynasties.

There, he could pretend to meditate while actually testing out System functions... or, when that failed, nap under a tree like the lazy genius he was becoming.

And then, of course, there were his [Traits] — passive powers granted by the System that made him feel increasingly overpowered... and a bit nervous.

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[Soul Vision]:Grants the ability to perceive the true nature of souls, including their presence and hidden characteristics. Can detect soul fluctuations and spiritual intent, even through barriers or concealment.

[Mental Resistance]:Greatly enhances resistance to illusions, mental manipulation, and mind-affecting techniques. Helps maintain clarity and focus under spiritual pressure or mental assault.

[Adaptive Mind]:The mind adapts rapidly to new environments and concepts. An innate comprehension-enhancing trait that allows to quickly absorb, analyze, and apply complex knowledge — from cultivation arts to battle techniques.

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Sometimes, he wondered if this was all just a long, overly vivid fever dream.

But then he’d look at his family — the beautiful, loving mother, the ridiculously handsome father who radiated pressure just by sipping tea, and the older sister who might one day punch a dragon in the face — and remember:

Nope.

This was very real.

And each of them?

Characters of their own.

***

Deep within the heart of theEternal Star Heavenly World, in a hidden dimension, a meeting was underway. This wasn’t just any gathering — it was a rare council between theSeven Ruling Clansof the world.

Seven massive thrones floated in a circle above a glowing platform of starlight, each pulsing with a distinct aura that seemed to warp the very space around it.

One by one, the clan leaders appeared on their respective seats, their presence causing faint tremors in the void.

The first to arrive was theMing Clan, initiators of the meeting. Their aura was ancient, calm — like a sealed scroll hiding dangerous knowledge.

Next came theYu Clan, known across realms for their mastery ofstarlight cultivationand unparalleledswordsmanship.

Following them, theHuan Clan, supreme illusionists whosespiritual illusionswere so powerful, even reality second-guessed itself.

Then theXing Clan, famed for their dominance overalchemyandformations.

TheWuxing Clanfollowed, masters ofelemental extremity— capable of turning a raincloud into a blizzard or a breeze into a wildfire.

Then came theLei Clan, whosethunder artsand combat techniques were so fierce they often accidentally shattered their own arenas.

And finally, the battle-hardenedChun Clan, known for their iron-bodied martial cultivators and mastery of pure combat.

Once all had gathered, an elderly man in sage-green robes stood, a warm smile on his face. Despite his amicable expression, a strange weight hung around him — the kind that made young cultivators faint from eye contact.

"The Seven have gathered," the old man said, his voice carrying across space like a soft bell. "Let us begin."

He wasMing Taishen, head of the Ming Clan.

"You claimed this concerns a great opportunity for our world," said a solemn voice from one of the thrones.

"Indeed," Ming Taishen nodded. "An opportunity... for the next generation."

Yu Changming, Patriarch of the Yu Clan, leaned back with his arms crossed. "Elaborate, old man."

Ming Taishen’s eyebrow twitched. Just a little.

But he spoke calmly. "Through ancestral divination and a treasured artifact, I have confirmed that a gate will open. TheHeaven Immortal Sect— from beyond even the Immortal Realms — will descend their eligibility selection into the Lower Realms."

The space trembled.

Even the floating thrones shuddered faintly.

Silence fell, as heavy as a mountain.

Everyone present understood what those words meant.

"The Heaven Immortal Sect...?" one clan head finally spoke. "But they have countless prodigies in the Immortal Realms. Why look to us?"

"I do not know," Ming Taishen admitted. "But I know this: they seek untapped potential — cultivators who have not yet established their foundation. Youths with rare roots, high comprehension, or unique fates."

A pause.

Then another voice added, "Surely, they’re not only coming here. Other Worlds—?"

Ming Taishen nodded gravely. "Yes. This isn’t limited to our Eternal Star Heavenly World. Word from theHeaven’s Eye Mirrorsuggests the Heaven Immortal Sect will conduct this selection across multipleHeavenly Worldsand possibly the realm as a whole."

"So... we’re competing with geniuses from across the Realm?" said the Xing Clan elder, his voice growing heavier.

"Correct," Taishen replied. "And most of them... won’t be ordinary."

"This is no small thing," saidHuan Lianhua, the Huan Clan’s matriarch, her illusion-wreathed voice soft. "Our ancestors dreamt of such a chance."

"Indeed," said the Clan Leader of Xing Clan, stroking his beard. "Being chosen by such a sect is akin to being reborn among the stars."

"Let me get this straight," grunted theLei Clan’s Head, who rarely spoke unless thunder was involved. "They’ll be scanning our entire realm... looking for talent?"

"Correct," Ming Taishen confirmed. "The selection will begin in ten year’s time. They will sweep across the realm and identify cultivators with the potential to ascend."

"But if the candidates must be foundation-less..." theChun Clan Headmurmured, his voice low and gravelly, "then we must not let our most promising youth form their foundation yet."

"Exactly." Ming Taishen nodded. "If you have disciples or descendants with monstrous talent — keep them in training. Refine their spirit. Sharpen their minds. But do not let them step into cultivation just yet."

"That’s dangerous," Yu Changming muttered. "Suppressing talent too long can backfire."

"True," Ming Taishen said, "but the reward... could change everything."

The thrones were quiet once more.

Then someone chuckled.

"If I know the Heaven Immortal Sect," said theWuxing Clan Head, "they’ll expect the cream of the crop. Not just talent... but stories. Tragedy, perseverance, hidden legacies — the whole lot. Someone might get picked just for having a dramatic enough hairstyle."

A few chuckles echoed, but the tension remained.

Because they all knew:

This selection wasn’t just a test.

It was adeclaration.

In ten years, the realm would be judged — not just against themselves, but againstother heavenly worldsand their most monstrous geniuses.

And such discussion were taking place across the realm.