Chapter 1 Rebirth
Cold. Weightless. Fragile. Weak.
That's what Adam felt. Darkness surrounded him—then came the light. His body was sluggish, unresponsive, his muscles refusing to obey. He strained to move, to check his surroundings, but his limbs felt like lead. A hard surface pressed against his back, a sharp sting making him wince.
What the hell just happened?
A blurry figure hovered above him. As his vision cleared, he saw a man looking at him with concern. Nearby, a woman sat on a bed, her worried eyes locked onto him. Adam took a few moments to process the situation.
Am I… a child? What in the name of the gods is happening?!
A sudden slap jolted him, snapping him from his thoughts. They're checking if I can breathe… Let's get this over with.
Adam let out a few wails before falling silent. The man and woman both sighed in relief, and he was soon placed in the woman's arms.
I see… That's my mother. But how am I here? How was I reborn? And to think—me, the great Magus, reduced to an infant! What a joke.
A few moments later, another man entered the room. He was clad in a long robe, his sharp eyes and neatly trimmed face exuding authority. He murmured something while holding the woman's hand.
Hmm… My father? Those robes resemble mage robes. I wonder if I'm in the same world…
But Adam's infant body betrayed him. Weakness crept over him, dragging him toward unconsciousness.
Damn it… I'm falling asleep.
His mother held him close, and not long after, maids entered the room. One hesitated before taking him from her arms, and though reluctant, she eventually let go. The others tended to the woman.
Adam awoke in his crib, moonlight spilling through the window beside him. The silver glow bathed the room in a soft luminescence. He took a deep breath, scanning his surroundings.
I need to know where I am… Am I still in Covera?
He thought back to the people from before.
No… They didn't speak any language from my kingdom. In fact, their words seemed completely alien… Gods, there's no way, right?
Just then, movement outside caught his eye. His breath hitched.
A man soared through the night sky at incredible speed.
Flight?! His mind reeled. Flight magic is a high-level skill… If someone can use it so casually, that means powerful mages exist here. I need to feel the mana in the air…
Closing his eyes, Adam stretched his senses outward. He expected the familiar flow of mana, but what he felt instead was overwhelming. The energy around him was thick, relentless—like a raging ocean.
This isn't mana… The realization struck him like a hammer. I'm no longer in my world… All that work…
He exhaled sharply. No. There's no point in dwelling on the past. Magic exists here. My rise in power begins anew.
Shifting his focus inward, he examined his own body. His past life had granted him vast experience in magic, and he instinctively sought to analyze his energy flow. What he found intrigued him.
Mana doesn't circulate through my heart or form wings like before… Instead, there's a core in my abdomen, gathering all the energy. Interesting…
He attempted to absorb the energy around him, eager to test his limits—
Agony shot through him. His frail body trembled as pain lanced through his core.
Damn it! He gritted his metaphorical teeth. This body… it's too weak. I can't handle it. Curse being born as a child!
Once again, fatigue overtook him. Frustration boiled in his mind, but there was nothing he could do. Starting from infancy would be a grueling challenge…
But if anyone could reclaim their power, it was Adam.
Chapter 2 learning the power
Morning arrived too soon.
Adam had already endured the day's first humiliation—being fed, burped, and worst of all, changed.
Curse this body… I can't even control myself. If I still had my bloodline, I'd be absorbing materials left and right, growing stronger by the hour.
But frustration wouldn't help. He pushed the bitterness down and focused.
No matter. Let's study this energy more.
He closed his eyes, extending his consciousness, reaching outward into the strange, dense power around him. It felt similar to mana… but wrong. Alien. Untamed. He probed deeper.
Then, like a door slamming shut, his thoughts were wiped blank.
Over and over, he tried—only to have his understanding stripped away. No pain, no resistance. Just… nothing. His thoughts slipped off the truth like water off polished glass.
Some kind of mental defense? Or is it just too complex? Either way… this will take time.
Meanwhile, in another room...
Adam's father stood with his arms folded, watching over his wife.
"That child's strange," he muttered. "He doesn't cry for food or diapers. Just stares… like he's thinking."
His wife smiled, brushing back her hair with tired fingers. "Maybe he's just quiet by nature. Would you rather he cried all day?"
"Gods, no!" he said with a nervous chuckle. "I'm just… worried."
"So am I," she admitted quietly. "But we'll be fine."
He stepped closer, gently taking her hand. "Yeah… yeah, we will. I just—damn it, I don't want to leave. Not now. I want to stay here with you both."
"You have to go," she said softly, squeezing his hand. "They need you. We'll be here when you return."
"Fine," he sighed. "I'll be back as soon as I can. Don't overexert yourself."
He lingered at the door before finally walking to the crib. Adam remained still, pretending to sleep. The man smiled faintly, then turned and left for the waiting caravan outside.
I've made a bit of progress... barely one percent. At this rate, it'll take three months minimum… maybe more if the latter layers are harder to understand.
Adam lay silently in his crib, eyes closed as he mapped out his internal world.
Still… I've got time. I just need to grow up faster. Somehow.
Days passed.
Now resting on his mother's lap, Adam felt her soft fingers brush through his hair. She chuckled gently.
"I wonder who you'll take after more," she mused. "You've definitely got my eyes… but your doofus of a father probably overrode most of my genetics."
She smiled fondly, then sighed as three people entered the room.
The man at the front bowed respectfully.
"Master Irina, the delegation is here regarding the New Year's laws and festival protocols."
Adam's mother looked displeased. "I was trying to enjoy some time with my son…" She reached out with reluctance. "Hand them over."
The two people behind him were from opposing factions—judging by their mismatched robes. Perhaps rival noble houses? Or distant provinces under the same banner?
Interesting…
The man handed her a thick stack of documents. Irina skimmed each page with a sharp eye, making precise notes and signing off selectively.
The man hesitated as she handed them back. "Master Irina, with all due respect… the nobles won't like these conditions."
"They can either accept them," she said coolly, "or shove it. Dismissed."
Unable to respond, he bowed and departed. Only the young woman remained, head bowed even lower.
Timid. Lower rank, perhaps?
Irina flipped through the smaller stack she'd been given. A short silence followed. No arguments. No protests.
By the end, the girl looked… surprised. Gratitude flashed across her expression before she bowed deeply and left.
Adam tilted his head in thought.
Did Mother go easier on her? Hm… Maybe she's fairer than she lets on.
Irina sighed, gently stroking Adam's head. He leaned into her touch reflexively, pretending to be nothing more than a sleepy infant.
So we're nobility. Or at the very least, wealthy. That helps. Fewer obstacles, better resources.
He let out a slow breath.
I've made progress. I can feel it—I'll be able to absorb this energy soon. But the risk is still high. My body's too fragile. For now… observe. Learn. Wait.
He refocused his mind, this time tuning in to their language. He'd begun to recognize a few patterns—his parents' names, some basic words.
I need to move faster. Time is everything.
Chapter 3 progress
It's been two months of this daily ritual, and almost two months since he last saw his dad. Last time he saw him, Adam was still studying this energy. He's come a long way since then. His understanding of the language improved fast—his experience with learning many tongues in his past life definitely helped. Now he could catch basic words and simple sentences here and there.
As for the energy? He finally knows its name—Qi. Just like mana, it governs this world's laws. But it's weird, the way it flows changes what it does, like tuning a spell differently depending on the rhythm. He spent a lot of time just watching people train while sitting in his mother's arms. She had no idea, thought he was just a baby staring at colors and lights. But every time someone performed a technique or circulated energy, Adam paid attention. He memorized everything. Those moments were like puzzle pieces. Slowly, they started to click.
His progress is insane. He reached almost 80% of what he needs to understand. Less than a month and he'll have the whole thing cracked, if things keep going this smoothly. He didn't even start cultivating yet, but still—his mind was clearer lately. Whether it's from finally adjusting to the body or the nonstop mental work, maybe both. Not that it matters. He doesn't have time to figure it out. Right now, what he needs is to wait until his vocal cords grow enough to actually speak. He's already been acting smarter than a normal baby, and his parents noticed. That'll help sell it when he finally talks. But until then, the night is here, and he's too tired to fight it. He lets sleep pull him in.
Far away, somewhere else entirely, a massive battle rages.
Swords clashed on the ground while a dozen powerful cultivators stood above it all, throwing elemental techniques like it was nothing—ice spikes, wind slashes, fireballs. Too fast for the average person to even track. Below them, regular soldiers fought blind, only feeling the shockwaves of something far above their level.
Among them, Lake stood tall, a spear in hand, locked in a brutal one-on-one against a bald man with a bulky frame. The man grinned, voice full of mockery.
"You're Lake, aren't you? Pathetic. You had so much promise. Now look at you, some soft family man. Maybe I should pay your woman a visit. Irina, right? Pretty little—"
Lake's eyes narrowed. His grip on the spear tightened like a vice.
"You better keep her name off that filthy tongue. Fragmented Earth!"
A dozen jagged shards of rock rose from the ground, circling the burly man like hungry wolves. Then they launched. The man barely had time to throw his arms up. The dust exploded on impact.
Silence.
Then—footsteps. Fast.
Lake stepped back, spear raised. The man burst through the dust cloud, bleeding but still grinning like a maniac.
"Iron Skin!"
A dull sheen crawled across his skin like living armor. He charged, fists like hammers. Lake blocked the first few hits, but they were heavier now, each strike shaking his arms. He was getting pushed back. One slip was all it took—the man broke through, landed a heavy punch to Lake's chest. Lake flew back, tumbling across the dirt before planting his spear and catching himself.
He groaned, clutching his chest. Breathing heavy. Pain blooming under his ribs.
Still, he stood.
Eyes locked forward, he raised his spear with one hand, steadied his breath, and spoke:
"Spear Technique—Absolute Drill. Movement Technique—Blinding Dash."
It was risky—two techniques at once, especially at his level. But there was no choice.
A flash of light.
Then silence.
Lake reappeared behind the burly man, now motionless. A chunk of the man's side was just… gone. He dropped without another word.
Lake stood for a moment longer… then his knees gave in too. The exhaustion caught up at last.
Chapter 4 breakthrough
Just like usual—99%.
I've been stuck at this level for a while. I'm just not sure what's left. Something is missing. I just… don't know what.
Adam was lost in thought until he saw his mother sit up and walk to the middle of the room. She settled into a lotus position, and his eyes focused on her breathing—slow, methodical.
She's cultivating… just like how mages did in my world.
He watched her inhale and exhale in patterns that might seem chaotic to the untrained eye. But to him, each breath was perfectly timed—precise down to the millisecond. Every second accounted for.
And it's working.
She'd started cultivating two weeks ago after recovering enough from childbirth.
Adam closed his eyes, ready to return to his studies—until he heard a knock. The sound was soft, ethereal. A woman's voice followed, smooth and angelic.
"Irina, I'm here."
Irina shot up with excitement and hurried to the door. She opened it wide, and in walked a tall woman dressed in white and golden silk. A heavy aura surrounded her like an invisible mantle. Adam's eyes widened.
Such a heavy aura… she's powerful, for sure.
The woman smiled warmly.
"Irina, dear. How are you?"
Irina grabbed her hand, joy evident in her voice.
"Big Sis Solana… I've missed you! I'm great, healing slowly."
Solana smiled and stepped toward Adam's crib. She gently picked up his tiny hand and studied his face.
"Is this the famous Adam? He takes after you. That's good—better than looking like his father."
She laughed and joined Irina. They talked for a while. Adam only understood snippets, but it was enough.
She's her sister… and the leader of another part of the kingdom. Larger than what my mom controls… interesting.
Then he saw Irina lower her dress, exposing her back. Solana placed her hand gently there and closed her eyes. Suddenly, Adam felt it—energy flowing from Solana into Irina. Qi.
And then, he saw it.
Paths.
Qi moved through her body like flowing rivers, trailing through vein-like lines. All of them branched out from one point: her abdomen.
Of course! How could I not know?! That's what I'm missing!
Something snapped inside his mind. Understanding rushed in like a tidal wave.
Qi... the way it flows changes everything. It defines who you are, how you grow, how you fight. It's like I was blind, and now I can see.
Let's test it.
To avoid risking his life, he chose something simple—strengthening his body. He closed his eyes and slowly pulled Qi toward himself. He stopped it at the surface—his skin—letting it settle, move, fortify, without diving deeper.
This is it.
A figurative smile bloomed across his tiny, baby face.
My path is open again. It's time to start.
For the next two hours, he focused on this—gently reinforcing his body with external Qi.
Then, he heard movement. Solana was getting ready to leave, her golden silks fluttering slightly. But before she stepped through the door, she paused. She glanced at him.
A strange gaze. Long. Sharp. Knowing.
...She knows, doesn't she? I'll have to be careful.
Chapter 5 return
It had been two months since Solana's visit.
Almost five months since he came to this world.
Two quiet months of slow, careful cultivation.
Adam had continued strengthening his skin, drawing Qi to the surface layer of his body—but only when he was alone. He'd quickly realized something important: people could sense Qi movement. So he trained in secret, cautiously. Quietly. Patiently.
He spent his days pretending to be a normal baby, while his mind was anything but.
His mother often cultivated in the same room, completely unaware that her son was mirroring her breathing. He watched her for hours, memorizing every inhale and exhale—every pause. He noticed how different patterns affected how the Qi flowed, and began testing those on himself.
With enough effort, he perfected one. It allowed him to circulate Qi more efficiently through his skin, strengthening it without needing to draw it deeper into his body.
It's slow, but it's working.
After all that time, he finally reached a small breakthrough. His skin felt denser, sturdier. It wasn't indestructible, but it was tougher than before.
I can feel myself nearing a bottleneck. I'll start with muscle tempering soon enough.
Adam had already come up with a naming system for the stages he'd follow:
Skin Strengthening.
Muscle Tempering.
Bone Densening.
Organ Reforging.
Each one would take time—but time was something he had.
Alright. I should rest for the night.
He closed his eyes, letting the last currents of Qi settle across his body. His breathing slowed into that perfected rhythm. His tiny body relaxed in the cradle, and silence returned to the room.
Morning came, and with it, the sound of distant voices.
Adam stirred, blinking to the sight of his mother in front of a mirror, putting on makeup and adjusting a high-quality dress. Her aura was calm—but slightly excited.
Hm? Is there something important going on?
Irina noticed his gaze and smiled, walking over to scoop him up gently.
"Ready to see your father again?"
Oh, he's back? That's nice. He's been gone a while. Mother said he was at a war.
A knock echoed from the door. "They are approaching, Lady Irina."
Irina nodded to the maid. "Thank you."
She stepped out with Adam in her arms. The halls were buzzing with movement—maids, guards, workers, all rushing to prepare.
It seems like everyone is getting ready.
Eventually, they made their way to the entrance of the castle, where many had already gathered—guards, servants, nobles, and family alike. A soft tension was in the air, like everyone was waiting for something.
That's when Adam noticed him.
An old man stood near the front, his beard long, his posture regal. He wasn't trying to flaunt his power, but the air around him was heavy. Suppressed, yes—but unmistakably vast.
Irina walked over and bowed slightly.
"It's good to see you, Elder Wise."
"Good to see you, young mistress," he replied with a smile. "It's not like you to join these ceremonies."
"True," she chuckled. "But in my old age, I've grown nostalgic. Besides—I'd like to see how one of my personal disciples is doing."
Oh? Father is his disciple… interesting.
Before Adam could think more on it, a thunderous sound tore through the air.
A war horn.
Loud. Ancient. Reverberating like a mountain's roar.
And then, the warriors arrived.
Marching in perfect formation, their armor glinting under the sun. Some broke off from the group, heading toward loved ones. Others went to report to their superiors. Each moved with practiced ease—seasoned, hardened by battle.
Among them, one man stood out.
Lake.
Adam's father.
He walked with a casual strength, the type that didn't need to be flaunted. His eyes scanned the crowd—until they locked onto Irina and Adam.
He smiled.
Irina walked toward him, and Lake bowed respectfully to Elder Wise.
"How was the battle?" the elder asked with a grin.
Lake shrugged. "No one was even a challenge," he said, half-joking.
They talked for a while, sharing a few war stories and idle comments. Then Lake turned to his family.
He walked with Irina and Adam back into the castle. The three of them moved quietly through the halls, a peaceful moment wrapped in soft conversation and tired laughter.
Later that night, in the dim candlelight, Irina and Lake sat together with Adam nestled between them.
They shared a quiet, romantic moment—simple but warm. A few soft words. A gentle hand on the other's. A shared look that said: I missed you.
They leaned over to say goodnight to their son.
"Goodnight, Adam," Irina whispered.
"Sleep well, little warrior," Lake added with a grin.
Then Adam smiled faintly, eyes still closed.
"Goodnight," he replied.
The room froze.
Irina blinked. Lake leaned closer.
"…Did he just—?"
They both stared at their son in disbelief.
Chapter 6 muscle tempering
Adam was frustrated. He could've been using this time to train, but instead, his parents were gushing over the fact that he could talk.
Maybe I should've just pretended to be mute... Tsk.
His mom was smiling from ear to ear.
"Our son said his first words—Lake! He can talk, and he's only five months old!! And I didn't want to tell you until you saw it but… he can crawl!"
Lake's face lit up. "Of course he can! He's my son. He takes after his father, after all!"
"Nuh uh," Irina shot back proudly. "I carried him for nine months! He takes after his mom, obviously!"
Adam internally rolled his eyes at his parents' antics. But to be fair, they were young—barely in their early twenties. The two bickered like excited teenagers.
Eventually, Irina set him down.
Adam stood—well, waddled—before them and declared in a clear, firm voice:
"Mother. Father. I will no longer use diapers."
"Eh?!" Lake blinked in disbelief. "You just said your first word yesterday—and now you're speaking in full sentences!?"
Sorry, Adam thought. But I am not dealing with that humiliation anymore. I was a magus, for god's sake.
Irina and Lake exchanged glances, then both burst into warm, helpless laughter. Their child was weird. Maybe even borderline creepy. But he was theirs.
"What do you think?" Lake asked, nudging his wife. "Should we start teaching him?"
"Now? He's not even a year old."
"But he can speak! And understand! Can you imagine how smart he'll be if we teach him politics and cultivation before he awakens?"
"I don't know..." Irina glanced at Adam. "He's still a toddler."
Later That Week
Adam sat under the old tree behind their home, propped up on a little pillow his parents had placed for him. Unlike his usual calm demeanor, his brows were furrowed in frustration.
"I can't continue Skin Strengthening… I've hit my current limit. The Qi just bounces off now."
He sighed. "I guess it's time."
I need to start Muscle Tempering… but that breaks down muscle fibers and rebuilds them. I'm still an infant. If I rush it, I could cripple myself.
Normally, a cultivator would wait for their internal Qi to awaken to support the process.
But Adam wasn't normal.
Fine. If I can't brute-force my way through it… I'll grow into it. Slowly. Like vines weaving through stone.
He gathered the ambient Qi around him. Carefully filtered it into his muscles—not enough to tear them. Just enough to coax change.
It hurt.
Even done gently, Muscle Tempering reached far deeper than Skin Strengthening ever had.
But he didn't stop.
He focused.
He controlled his breath.
He endured.
The Next Morning
Adam was still asleep—deeply, heavily. Unusual for him.
His parents didn't mind… but they were confused. He usually woke up at dawn with a curious sparkle in his eye.
What they didn't realize was that something had shifted.
A new chapter had begun.
Muscle Tempering had officially started.
Chapter 7 true muscle tempering
A few days into muscle tempering, it had proven far more challenging than Adam originally thought.
It's like my muscles reject the Qi… they're too weak. Too fragile to absorb it.
Skin strengthening had worked because it required so much less. But muscles—they were deeper, more complex. Alive in ways skin wasn't.
I'm too weak to go harder… and I can't afford to go slower.
Adam carefully tried to force just a bit more. Maybe his willpower could overcome the pain.
But he winced.
From across the room, his mother stirred. Her footsteps rushed closer. Adam quickly shut his eyes, feigning sleep.
"Poor baby," Irina whispered. "Must be having a nightmare."
She patted his back gently and left after a few moments.
Damn it… I can't even go a single percent harder.
Adam exhaled slowly, then closed his eyes again. He continued at the same frustratingly slow pace.
Later that evening
Wrapped in a tiny blanket, Adam sat on a cushion, watching from the porch as his father trained in the yard.
Lake stood shirtless under the moonlight. His skin shimmered faintly with sweat, muscles flexing with each rhythmic motion. He wasn't cultivating Qi in the spiritual sense—he was cultivating his body.
Lake let out a sharp exhale and dropped into a horse stance, a heavy log balanced across his shoulders. His arms trembled slightly, but his form remained solid. There was no protective Qi flow.
He was straining his body to strengthen it.
Adam's eyes widened.
He watched more closely now.
He's letting his body adapt to pressure first… then reinforcing it.
Lake slammed a foot into the ground. A short burst of earthy Qi rippled outward. His veins bulged. Muscles coiled, then unwound like springs.
Adam stared in silence.
And then—it clicked.
It's not about using Qi to do the work. It's about creating tension—natural stress—and then using Qi to stabilize the damage, not prevent it.
I've been doing it backwards.
Alright, Father. I see now.
But how do I strain my muscles as a baby…?
He extended his arm and flexed it as hard as he could, breathing slowly. As he felt the muscle strain, he began channeling Qi—not to shield it, but to reinforce it. To fill in the gaps.
It's working… I figured it out!
He stretched each limb, held it, then tempered it. Curled his stomach until his tiny abs trembled with pain. Slowly, deliberately, he worked through every major muscle group.
It was exhausting—but he had finally found a method that worked.
This just leaves… my back. That's tricky.
I can't strain what I can't even control properly.
Then, a thought.
Carefully, Adam flipped over onto his stomach. The blanket crumpled beneath him. He placed his palms flat and pushed—not enough to rise, but enough to lift his chest slightly off the cushion.
His back muscles tensed.
There.
It was subtle. A shallow movement. But his lower back twitched, and his shoulder blades drew together under the strain.
He focused. Breathed slowly.
Then, he channeled Qi into that fragile tension point—gently reinforcing the stress without overwhelming it.
It wasn't perfect. It was awkward. He slipped once, let out a faint grunt, then tried again.
Bit by bit. Tension first. Then the Qi.
He repeated it. Again and again. Slowly. Until his tiny arms gave out and he collapsed into the pillow with a soft thump.
The pain was real. The ache spread evenly now—arms, legs, stomach… and finally, his back.
Adam smiled.
Now, this... this is real muscle tempering.
Chapter 8 one year
dam was surrounded by many people—his parents, select workers and maids, and even his aunt Solana was here. All these people, although busy, had made time for him.
"Happy birthday, Adam," everyone said in unison.
Laughs filled the room, but soon everyone left except for his parents and his aunt. The three talked in private.
"One year old, and he can walk, run, and talk like an adult. You two are raising a beast," Solana said, her tone half-joking, half-serious. "I wonder how he'll be when he awakens… You two know that he's likely to awaken earlier than even nobles usually do, yeah?"
The two sighed, and then Irina spoke.
"We… know. We've been discussing how we're going to deal with this. We're thinking of hiring tutors—one to teach him about the political world, one about cultivation. But he is a child. I know he's very serious and acts like an adult, yet still… I want him to at least live his childhood a bit more."
Lake put his hand on Irina's shoulder.
Solana replied, "I know, sister, but this isn't the time for that. The world is growing ever more dangerous. Wars are more common, political powers are shifting—you need to do what has to be done." She looked at Lake. "Lake, I'll trust you'll make the right decision."
Lake took a few moments, then squeezed his wife's shoulder. "We'll do it."
Irina didn't say anything, just put her hand over her husband's hand with her head down. When she looked up, she saw Solana already leaving.
"I'll come back to check on his progress in one year. Don't let him slack."
And just like that, she was no longer there.
Two weeks later
Back to Adam—he was in his room.
Bone densening. The next chapter. It is not very hard except in delicate areas like the skull and spine. According to my progress, I should be done in five months. Then, organ reforging… which will likely take the longest time.
A week passed with the same daily training. He had gotten a bit more free time ever since he showed more and more intelligence, so his progress really wasn't bad.
As he was in his room training, he heard a knock.
"Young Master Adam, the masters are calling for you."
He walked out and found a maid, promptly following her. They reached a room. Adam thanked the maid and walked inside.
He found his parents sitting with a random old, bearded man.
The man stood as Adam entered, eyes narrowing with mild curiosity. His presence wasn't threatening, but it carried weight. His robes were simple but finely made, marked with ancient embroidery that Adam instantly recognized as elemental sigils.
"Adam," Lake said, gesturing toward the man, "this is Master Jinhai. He's not here to teach you cultivation directly. That's something you'll do when you awaken. But until then, he'll teach you everything about cultivation. Paths, elements, body types, Qi attributes, major sects, history—you name it."
Adam's eyes widened slightly, interest sparking. Master Jinhai gave him a polite bow.
"I do not train children," he said with a surprisingly smooth voice, "but I do guide minds. If your parents speak true, you may be more capable than some sect disciples I've met."
Adam nodded solemnly, then turned to his parents.
"I'm glad you picked him," he said plainly. "But I heard you talking about hiring a political tutor too. You don't need to."
Irina blinked. Lake raised an eyebrow.
Adam stepped closer. "Just give me the books. I'll read them. If I don't understand something, I'll ask. But I don't want to waste time listening to someone teach me what I can learn faster alone."
Irina opened her mouth to protest, but Lake spoke first. "He's right."
Irina paused, then sighed and offered a faint smile. "Alright. But I'll still assign someone to make sure you're actually reading."
Adam nodded, satisfied.
Master Jinhai let out a small chuckle. "This will be… interesting."
Chapter 9 factions
Master Jinhai rubbed his beard as he checked on Adam. "Alright, I've taught you enough about Qi, and you seem to already know some stuff too, so it's time to teach you about the different factions."
Adam's interest was piqued. "Alright, I'm listening."
"Well, as you should know, there are five continents in our world. One of them is uninhabited—for reasons we'll explore later. From the remaining four, only two really matter. The one we live on, Avora, and the largest continent, Cynder. The reason they matter more is that they hold the strongest factions, whether we're talking about countries or, more importantly, sects. These two continents have always been at war, to the point where the sects and nations of each land formed a truce and alliance just to fight against the other. Do you know why?"
Adam replied immediately. "Resources."
It was rudimentary, but true.
"Quite right. The reason the other two continents don't matter should be obvious—they lack the resources necessary to bring about true power. As for the last continent? Uninhabitable… for people, that is. It's full of vicious Qi. The only things that can survive there are monsters approaching godhood."
"Is there no one strong enough to go there?"
"It's not that," Jinhai sighed, "but the balance of power is very delicate. Tell me—if two people were equal in strength, and one of them tied a hand behind their back, would the other gain an advantage?"
"I see... so all those strong enough to explore it are part of factions. Leaving would mess up the balance."
"Yes. So... hmm. That's enough for today. Next week, I'll teach you about the main sects—and the sect that I, and your family, are part of. See you next week."
"See you next week, Master Jinhai."
Jinhai left, and Adam was left to his own accord.
Sigh... another world, another political struggle.
Adam made a fist and tightened his grip. I am getting stronger. I can feel my bones reaching their limit. And my strength? I can already break boulders... What will it be like once this awakening happens?
Adam made his way to his room, continuing his bone densifying training. He used all his free time for this one purpose. A week passed just like that.
Master Jinhai returned and sat across from Adam. "Alright. Now we'll talk about the ten major sects—five on each continent. From our side, there is our sect, the Golden Lotus Sect. It's ranked third. Number four is Thorn Sect. Number five is Blue Moon Sect—which is a women-only sect. Number two is True Will Sect. And number one is the Thundering Fist Sect. Don't let the name fool you—they use weapons and other elements, not just fists."
"And from the other side, we have, in no particular order: Crashing Wave, Heartless Snake, Quivering Mountain, Shaking Peaks, and Storm Holders. Each of them holds different philosophies and cultivation focuses, but they're all dangerous in their own way."
Adam absorbed the information silently.
After Jinhai left once more, Adam returned to his routine—eating, training, studying, meditating, and cultivating. Every day was the same, but progress was visible. His body grew firmer, denser. His bones—once soft and pliable like any child's—now felt like iron rods underneath his skin. His punches cracked stone. His legs dented steel.
Months later
He sat cross-legged, drawing in ambient Qi slowly but precisely. The feeling of pressure filled his limbs and spine, a burning tightness that came with each breath. Qi coursed through him like heated mercury—thick, slow, but powerful.
My marrow feels full. My density is at its peak. No matter how hard I push, my bones won't absorb more.
He exhaled, frustration flickering briefly across his face.
So this is the bottleneck... Bone densifying complete.
He stood up, stretched, and walked to the mirror in his room. His body was lean but muscular—unnaturally so for someone his age. His eyes still carried a boyish sharpness, but behind them lay a mind weathered by another life.
Then it's time... Organ reforging is next.
He placed a hand over his chest.
This will be the hardest stage before awakening. But pain means nothing if it brings results.
And with that, Adam sat down once more. His breaths deepened. The Qi he drew in this time wasn't aimed at his bones... it was aimed at his heart.