Chapter 5: Co-Ruling the World: The Langya Wang Clan

Yu Ke recalled his current cultivation realm.

The initial realm is called the [First Heavenly Ladder].

It is also respectfully termed “Zhou Tian Cai Qi”; various sects use different names, such as Chan Ding, Qi Refining, and Yang Haoran.

All paths lead to the same goal: guiding spiritual energy from heaven and earth into the body to strengthen oneself.

One must weave every minute strand of spiritual energy into every acupoint of the body, until nine streams of spiritual energy are fully filled, completing the process.

Geniuses achieve it in a month; ordinary cultivators take half a year.

The former body took five months and change, placing him at average talent.

Entering the second realm is called the Body Washing Realm.

It draws spiritual energy from heaven and earth to cleanse the meridians and unblock acupoints, aiming to forge tendons and bones into greater resilience, achieving the effect of washing marrow and replacing bones.

Three miraculous states exist:

[Golden Skin and Jade Vessels], [Copper Skin and Iron Bones], [Mercury Blood and Silver Marrow].

Yet!

To attain all three simultaneously is as difficult as climbing to heaven.

The former body had taken potent medicines since childhood, laying a solid foundation, and thus achieved [Golden Skin and Jade Vessels].

Know this!

Among outer sect disciples, cultivating [Golden Skin and Jade Vessels] is already exceedingly rare.

It was this that gave the former body confidence in Foundation Establishment.

The result… better not speak of the result.

Heartbreaking!

Yu Ke stepped outside now.

This was also his first time leaving the courtyard since arriving in this world.

He felt no fear, only curiosity.

Yuheng Mountain.

Stretching tens of thousands of miles from east to west, famed for its magnificent and beautiful scenery.

Like a colossal dragon sprawled across the land, its peaks layered and rolling endlessly.

The Shenxiao Sect established its sect here.

Yu Ke looked up; mist swirled at the summit, obscuring the view—that was the inner sect, the gathering place of the sect’s elites.

Halfway up the mountain lay the dwellings of outer sect disciples, who trained diligently, hoping one day to ascend to the inner sect.

Yu Ke was one of them.

“Sigh, even after reincarnation, I still have to hustle!”

At the mountain’s base were the laborer disciples, dreaming of becoming outer sect disciples.

It clearly showed the hierarchy.

Amidst this vast mountain range stood numerous markets, large and small, some built along the slopes, others hidden in deep valleys.

All belonged to the Shenxiao Sect.

As Yu Ke walked this path, his eyes were opened wide.

The noise of voices surged like a bustling marketplace.

He couldn’t help comparing it to the commercial street of his university days.

No endless rows of bubble tea shops, phone stores, restaurants, or hot pot joints.

Instead, only a chaotic murmur filled his ears.

“Premium second-hand flying swords, minor flaws, certified female immortal, quality guaranteed.”

“Latest-model magic robes, crafted from rare materials, unique designs.”

“Selling demon cores—century-old demon beast essences, treasures for cultivation!”

“Selling pet beasts…”

The vendors’ calls—everything was here.

He glanced around, as if searching for the most familiar trace.

In his past life, this would have appeared prominently on the corner of the street—

“Foot bath, Thai style, wellness”

That man lying on a bed in blue cotton shorts, ears perked up listening for the click of high heels on the floor, praying the door would open to a…

Ah, how quickly things change!

Yu Ke strolled leisurely; dusk had already fallen.

Xianpinju was well-known among the outer sect; he found it without much trouble.

It was the most imposing landmark here, thirteen stories tall, majestic in presence.

As the floors rose, so did the cost; the top floor, it was said, required a minimum nightly spend of tens of thousands of spirit stones.

Truly extravagant!

Among the outer sect, only the high-ranking Elders and a few wealthy disciples could afford the thirteenth floor.

Yu Ke stood before the grand, splendid first-floor hall.

He straightened his robe, his heart fluttering slightly; he took a deep breath and stepped inside.

He wasn’t worried about a trap disguised as a feast!

Just don’t end the night with a request to split the bill.

He entered the eighth floor.

Naturally, no climbing was needed; clever mechanisms, like elevators, effortlessly carried him higher.

Yu Ke was astonished inside, but his face remained calm and composed.

“In this cultivation world, productivity is different.”

He saw no electrical devices at all, only faint ripples of spiritual energy, involving some runes—areas beyond his knowledge.

The eighth floor featured a winding corridor, like private chambers.

A maid led Yu Ke to a door.

Yu Ke murmured thanks.

He gently pushed open the door; the scene before him was utterly unlike what he expected.

The space was vast!

Like an estate.

A stream had been carved into the floor, alive with fish.

Above it, a small bridge crossed the water, mist curling around.

Qin and se strings played softly in harmony; dancing girls swayed gracefully.

A sense of serene elegance, comfort, and ethereal tranquility washed over him.

Yu Ke couldn’t help thinking of that Liu brother’s phrase: “Keep playing, keep…”

At that moment!

The hall was already filled with many, all outer sect disciples of the Shenxiao Sect.

Yu Ke looked around and found many familiar faces—mostly old acquaintances.

His friend Zhou Liang waved at him.

Yet at the center of the crowd, a woman in green robes stood out sharply.

The former Yu Ke had never seen her.

She was about sixteen or seventeen, graceful and exquisite, her face like powdered goose fat, lips like cherry blossoms, eyes like autumn water.

Dressed in emerald silk, she resembled rain on emerald lotus leaves or mist veiling a lone mountain—beautiful enough to steal the breath.

Like a pearl in the room, all gathered around her as if stars encircled the moon.

Conversations subtly revolved around her, voices lowering slightly in her presence.

Seeing this, Yu Ke suddenly understood.

“Yu Senior Brother, you’ve arrived, please take your seat.”

“Yu Senior Brother, long time no see.”

“Yu Junior Brother, you’re here too.”

As Yu Ke entered, many rose to greet him.

Yu Ke did not presume; he responded to each one.

“Senior Brother Chen, Senior Brother Chu, Senior Brother Guyue.”

“And Zhou Liang, you little rascal.”

The woman in green robes also turned to look at Yu Ke; her beautiful eyes sparkled with charm, a faint glow like luminous jade in her brows.

Yu Ke’s gaze settled on the most familiar face—Zhou Liang.

“Senior Brother Zhou, I’ve never met this immortal lady before; could you please introduce her?”

Undoubtedly!

The focus of this banquet was this woman in green.

Her ability to draw so many here proves her influence within the outer sect.

Everyone present, including Yu Ke himself, shared a common identity—scion of a noble family of the Great Zhou Divine Nation.

On the land of Leizhou stand six great powers.

Among them, the Great Zhou Divine State ranks third.

In the southeast of the continent lie Leizhou, Taizhou, Qingshou, and four other states—twenty cultivation dynasties all under the protection and jurisdiction of the Shenxiao Sect.

The Shenxiao Sect is a true behemoth.

This is an era where dynasties and sects jointly rule the world.

Yet behind this, the sect, with its profound heritage and unmatched strength, is the true ruler.

The identity of a noble family scion of the Great Zhou Dynasty acts as an invisible thread, tightly binding them into a single group.

Yet!

Even among these great noble families, circumstances vary.

Take the Yu family of Luoshui, where Yu Ke resides—recently somewhat declined, yet still possessing the enduring prestige of a noble household.

Likewise, among those present are many sons of humble families whose lineages have fallen, but whose ancestors once flourished.

Whether humble or noble, they all belong to the category—noble family scions.

“The Langya Wang clan, Wang Yunxi, pleased to meet you, Master Yu.”

Before Zhou Liang could speak, the woman had already smiled sweetly.

(End of chapter)