Realm

"Alright."
That single word was their only answer, yet it was more than enough.

“Today marks your first step into the world of cultivation. As your father, allow me to explain the most fundamental realms of this path.”

“Cultivation is divided into nine major realms, each further divided into numerous minor stages.”

“The gap between each minor stage is already vast, but between the major realms, the difference is like heaven and earth.”

“These nine realms are: Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, Spirit Refinement, Void Transformation, Unity, Great Ascension, and Tribulation Crossing!”

The ancients truly didn’t deceive me—no, it’s the predecessors who didn’t deceive me. Isn’t this exactly the same as the cultivation stages from the novels in my previous life?

Within Caicai’s heart, there was no wave of emotion; in fact, he even felt a little amused.

Heh.

“After crossing the Tribulation, one becomes an Immortal!”

“Cultivation is also the path of truth, the pursuit of the Dao, and the very first realm is Qi Refining!”

“Qi Refining, the transformation of essence into qi! To calm the mind and return to emptiness, refining one’s own qi to nourish the body and soul, enhancing both vitality and physical strength. This is the foundation of all future progress and a critical first step.”

“There are nine stages within Qi Refining. At each stage, you’ll clearly feel yourself change. Once you reach the fourth stage of Qi Refining, you can start learning some simple spells.”

“Spells! Does that mean at Qi Refining, I can learn sword flight?” At the mention of spells, Yudao Yi’s mind immediately leapt to the dreamlike art of flying on a sword.

His father shot him a sideways glance, lips curled in faint disdain—talkative, aren’t you!

Caicai watched as his father glanced at him, the look in his eyes seemed to say, “Wishful thinking! You’re dreaming!”

“Don’t get your hopes up. If everyone could fly with swords at Qi Refining, wouldn’t the streets be filled with giant swords?”

The streets full of “sword flights”? Oh my, how could one not be embarrassed...

No, no, I’m thinking off track! This is an important moment, why is my mind wandering?

Caicai suddenly wanted to slap himself, but decided against it—wouldn’t want to ruin this handsome face.

“Sword flight is at least a spell of the Core Formation realm, or at the very least, requires a solid Foundation Establishment and some magical treasures. As for Qi Refining, don’t think too much—at best, you’ll learn a few minor tricks, like the simple Fire Summoning spell.”

Hearing his father’s words, Caicai felt a bit disappointed.

No sword flight? How am I supposed to impress the young ladies...

Alas, it’s been years since I last saw a pretty girl!

“Father, my little brother is only five years old. Why are you having both of us start cultivating together?”

This was also something Yudao Yi couldn’t figure out. Normally, one began at eight, but his little brother was only five—what was going on? Surely their old man wasn’t pulling a fast one?

“Is there a problem?”

“No problem?”

“What’s the issue?”

You—!

“Didn’t you say one could only start at eight?”

“Who said that?”

“You did!”

“Did I?”

Damn it! A sudden sense of foreboding seized Caicai’s heart.

“You never said that?”

“Oh~ now that you mention it, I might have.”

Seriously! Nobody try to stop me! Whoever tries, I’ll fight them!

Yudao Yi made as if to charge forward.

A quarter of an hour later...

“Ready to listen to your father now?”

“Yes, yes, your son is listening attentively.” Caicai sat—no, knelt obediently at his father’s side.

If one ignored his bruised and swollen face, he’d surely be the model of filial piety.

Damn it! How many times have I almost cursed today!

I was just putting on an act, just pretending! It’s not like I really wanted to fight! Besides, could I beat him anyway? But you—actually hit me!

“In this world, there’s no rule about how old you have to be to start cultivating. Even if you were just born, you could start as soon as your spiritual awareness awakens.”

Of course, you were setting me up!

Am I even really your son?

I’ll fight you for this!

“Hmm?” His father glanced at him, his gaze slightly dangerous.

“Hmm-hmm?” Caicai looked back at his father, eyes suddenly full of reverence, tilting his head and smiling sweetly, all obedience.

Dear heavens, that was close—I nearly got myself killed. One more beating and I might die young.

“Hmm~” His father nodded in satisfaction.

Xiao Yunfan watched the performance of the two beside him with cold indifference. After all these years, he knew their personalities inside and out.

By blood, this was his brother and that was his father. If he set aside those ties...
Hmm? He had neither father nor brother—who were these two? Oh! Forgive his poor eyesight, but he didn’t recognize them.

“Then, Father, may I ask why you have chosen this moment for us to begin? If I’d started earlier, perhaps your eldest son would already be at Foundation Establishment by now.”

Despite maintaining a smiling face, Yudao Yi’s heart was full of complaints.

His father shot him another sidelong glance.

That look seemed to say, “You really have no sense of your own limits, do you want another beating?”

Damn it!

Under his father’s gaze, he barely resisted the urge to make more trouble.

For the sake of survival!

“Though in theory, even a one-year-old could cultivate, in practice it’s almost impossible. Not to mention the price paid to awaken a newborn’s spiritual awareness, the sheer difficulty of cultivation itself is insurmountable.”

“All who cultivate must begin with Qi Refining—no one escapes this law, not even the child of a great cultivator. Immortals are an exception, of course; their realm is beyond our comprehension.”

“Qi Refining means drawing the spiritual energy of the world for your own use, strengthening the mind, and forging the body. The pain of this refinement is unbearable for infants; even if their consciousness endured, their bodies could not withstand it—unless a cultivator spent a fortune on rare treasures to cleanse and fortify their child.”

“Even then, success is not guaranteed. So, in the mortal realm, cultivation usually begins at five, once one can withstand the forging of spiritual energy.”

“A cultivator’s years are long—five years is but a fleeting moment. So it’s best to let things take their course, without unnecessary complications. Starting at five, like Yun’er, is quite normal.”

His father looked at his second son, so calm and unruffled, like Mount Tai collapsing without a flicker of fear. Just as outstanding as himself. He wondered why his eldest was so stubborn—when would he learn to be obedient like his younger brother?

“Oh, so that’s how it is. I see, I see.” Caicai nodded, feigning sudden enlightenment.

See, my foot! I’ve been in this world for eight years! Wasn’t it supposed to be five? Give me back my three years of youth!

“Then, Father, why did your eldest son have to wait until eight?”

Meekly, obediently.

His father looked him over, clearly satisfied with his son’s attitude.

Not convinced? Keep it to yourself. Can’t hold it in? Ready for a fight?

A wise man knows when to yield.

“Because you were too weak.”

“What? Father, did I hear that correctly?”

“No mistake, you heard right—you were too weak.”

What the—?!

You have one chance to rephrase that. Never mind, I can’t win a fight and would get another beating. This is exhausting, so exhausting.

Sorry, I’m a weakling. I’ve embarrassed you.

Life is already this hard, why make it harder for myself?

“Your son has nothing more to say, and is simply too weary to speak. Could you please explain, Father?”

“When you were born, you suffered a serious illness that left you with lingering health issues. You were weak from infancy, and at five you simply couldn’t withstand spiritual energy.”

That must be the aftermath of my transmigration, Caicai thought. This body really is weak.

“But that can’t be right—my body feels fine now.” After a moment of confusion, Caicai realized that, especially his kidneys, everything seemed in working order, and voiced his doubt.

Yes, anything else could fail, but not the kidneys!

With a sigh, his father closed his eyes and turned away, as if he couldn’t bear to look at his son any longer.

How did I end up with such a foolish child? The second son is so much more to my liking.

Both father and son, mutually exasperated.

With a swift motion, his father aimed a slap at his head.

Nimbly, Caicai dodged aside.

Hmph! You think all those years of beatings were for nothing?

A vein twitched on his father’s forehead, his lips twisting in embarrassment.

Another quarter of an hour later...

“Will you dodge again?”

“No, I won’t, I won’t! If you tell me to go west, I won’t dare go east! If you tell me to stand, I’ll never dare sit! If you tell me to eat fish, I’ll never eat chicken!”

His voice was muffled, and his face was even more swollen.

Beside them, Xiao Yunfan observed the two, wondering if he should start preparing the white cloth and ancestral tokens—for, after all, this was his brother, and as a younger brother, it was only right to send him off properly.

If you cut this one open, he’d probably be black inside, too.