The art of Body Cultivation unfolds as a journey toward forging one's corporeal form to unprecedented limits. In the budding stages, the emphasis lies in fortifying the body, laying the groundwork for the eventual amalgamation of physique and dao, a process integral to attaining the Dao realm.

Those who embark on the path of melding bodily refinement with the refinement of spiritual qi invariably wield greater strength compared to their peers within the same realm.

Ah, but you might be curious as to why my past incarnation, in all its apparent wisdom, did not incorporate body cultivation into my masterful cultivation method. Well, my dear lamb, there are two reasons: It requires a f*ck tonne, perhaps even two F*ck tonnes of resources (which were, alas, beyond my grasp), and let's not forget the fact that I am not one to embrace masochism with open arms.

You must be questioning as to why body cultivation would be associated with such 'preferences'.

Well then, allow me to clarify the connection between body cultivation and the, ahem, "joys" of embracing pain. You see, the practice of body cultivation demands that one pushes their physical vessel to the brink—think of it as receiving a thorough pummeling that leaves one resembling a swine covered with indigo hues.

Following this, one is treated to the soothing, relaxing, and rejuvenating balm of a medicinal bath, a truly divine experience akin to innumerable insects performing an intricately choreographed dance of bites and pinpricks upon the skin. Not exactly the preferred pastime of what society deems as a 'normal' individual.

"Are my words even entering your ears at all?" my grandfather's question jolted me back from the realm of my contemplations.

"Yes, they are, I'm all ears." I affirmed, although it was quite apparent, that my mind had embarked on an astral journey of finding itself.

"It hardly seems so, but no matter. Now, onto the topic at hand. I shall seal your fire spiritual root, effectively suppressing the dissonance between your spiritual roots. Moreover, I will devise a qi cultivation technique tailored to your situation. During this time, your must focus on honing your physique through the use of the dao of life and water.

Simultaneously, broaden your comprehension of the dao of fire, water, life, and death." my grandfather's announcement echoed through my ears.

 

"Wouldn't dispersing my focus across multiple areas hinder my progress?" I asked, my voice tinged with a hint of desperation, a last-ditch effort to evade the clutches of this masochistic effort.

I pleaded, attempting to persuade my grandfather. Alas, my plea was met with steadfast assurance.

"With your innate aptitude, there's no cause to concern yourself over such trivial matters. I, too, trailed the path of body cultivation alongside soul refinement, so did my father before me, and his ancestors as well. The Xin lineage stands as a symbol of dragons amidst men!" my grandfather's unwavering resolve pressed forward, despite the anguish clearly visible in my visage.

As he continued with the tales of the daring exploits of his fabled 'Xin' lineage, his grin resembled that of a... child boasting to his friends about his courageous mischief.

Amidst his anecdotes, I realised that my pleas were mere whispers lost in the wind.

'This family of mine seems to harbor a collection of reckless psychos! Even in my previous life, the most impulsive of individuals refrained from undertaking three paths at once, yet these guys have turned it into a family tradition!' I complained internally with a mixture of disbelief and exasperation.

 

"Understood," I responded, my face akin to that of an individual who had anticipated indulging in a succulent A5 wagyu steak, only to be presented with an unappetizing, tough, and utterly tasteless strip of leather.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Rraaaaaaaagh!!"

On that fateful day, the anguished cries of a young boy reverberated across the amethyst peak of the Xin family estate. These chilling screams originated from a grand palace made with exotic materials situated at the pinnacle of the mountain. Outside the palace gates, a troubled expression marred the face of a woman who quivered with every piercing scream that shattered the air at calculated intervals. This woman was none other than Lei Qiang, the devoted Dharma protector entrusted with the task of overseeing the owner of these ceaseless cries.

...

Within the expansive confines of the palace, a chamber of significant proportions held a central pool of water. This room, adorned with an intricate web of formations and arrays, that seemed to pulsate with mystical energies. At its heart was Jianyu, writhing and screaming in the throes of agony.

"Stop it! YOU OLD BASTA- AARRRGHHH!"

"Tsk, tsk! Such irreverence towards one's elders." Xin Dongyang remarked with a smirk as he intensified the array's power, causing Jianyu's anguished screams to resound even more forcefully throughout the palace.

...

Hours later, the screams abruptly ceased. The palace doors creaked open, revealing Lei Qiang's anxious expression as she hurried inside. Rushing to her young master's side, she found him unconscious within the pool.

"Young master!"

Her voice trembled with concern.

"Let him soak in the medicinal bath for an incense worth of time and then lay him in his bed." Xin Dongyang's authoritative voice came seemingly from all directions.

"Y-yes!"

...

A few hours earlier...

"Yu'er, this shall be the body refinement manual you will practice from now on." Grandfather's voice held a tone of solemnity as he handed me the cultivation manual.

"The Five Elemental Rejuvenation Body Arts..."

I mumbled as my eyes skimmed through the contents of the manual.

"Huh?! What's with this five-element refinement section?"

My eyebrows furrowed as I encountered a certain passage in the cultivation manual.

"And what, might I ask, do you want know about?"

Grandfather inquired with a knowing smile.

"Destroying a part of my own body and then mending it through a medicinal bath to infuse elemental qi into my physique! The nightmarish pain from this process would be unimaginable, and it could potentially lead to hidden injuries and dangers!"

"Your concerns are unwarranted."

"But—"

"No need to worry about it."

"However—"

"No need to worry about it."

Confronted by the unsettlingly eerie smile adorning my grandfather's face, a chilling realization dawned on me.

"NOOOOO!"

My scream resounded, encapsulating my sheer terror.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Upon the lofty expanse of Xin Family's Amethyst Peak, a figure, seemingly a mere ten years of age, moved with fluid grace, wielding a sword as if engaged in an enchanting dance. His every motion painted an illusory river along his blade, an ethereal symphony of steel.

Adorned in black garments embellished with azure dragon embroidery, this youthful individual possessed abyssal black hair and amethyst eyes that radiated a mystifying allure.

*Slash sound

With a final movement, I wiped away the sweat that clung to my brow, marking the completion of yet another intense sword practice. Three laborious years had passed—years fraught with pain and determination—since the day of the pivotal ceremony. Over this time, I had undertaken the demanding pursuit of body refinement arts(unwillingly), a path I had pursued with a reluctance that barely masked my true feelings. The foundational framework of this technique was laid by my grandfather and afterward enriched by my own contributions. Although it remained a work in progress, it far surpassed many others in effectiveness.

Drawn from the essences of the dao of life and water, this practice had infused my body with remarkable vitality. Curiously, my once-cute features now possessed an enhanced allure, and my skin boasted an uncanny silky texture. Coupled with well-defined musculature, I found myself pondering whether this technique was more akin to an art of beautification rather than body refinement.

Beyond the realm of physical refinement, I also delved into the voluminous manuals of our sect. With diligence and unwavering focus, I sought to unravel the core concepts underlying various techniques. I immersed myself in the profound discussions on dao, shared wisdom passed down through generations.

Throughout these three years, my grandfather and I forged a comprehensive spiritual cultivation manual, spanning from initiation to the peak of core formation. Yet, the realm of qi cultivation remained an uncharted territory, a path I anticipated would be paved with ease, given my legacy as a former grand elder from a distinguished sect. But such expectations were shattered, as reality came crashing in.

While the fundamental nature of the Myriad Dao retained its consistency, the spiritual qi had changed. In my previous world, spiritual qi manifested with an harsh tenacity, requiring intricate finesse to control.

But now, it emanated a more benevolent essence, akin to an affectionate partner offering unswerving support. In metaphorical terms, the transition resembled the shift from a tsundere's scornful demeanor of kicking your ass to a devoted spouse's nurturing care. While my analogy might be an exaggeration, the shift remained undeniable.

This change rendered most of the techniques I had learned or created in my past life pretty much obsolete, a bitter irony indeed.

'Seriously where's my cheat? I didn't get one in either of my lives!'

The much-anticipated "cheat" I had yearned for in both lives had eluded me. Nevertheless, I adhered to the knowledge I had amassed, funneling it into the refinement of my unique path.

Thanks to my relentless sword dao heart, I achieved the feat of condensing sword qi. The relentless sword dao heart could be seen as a manifestation of my willpower—a sub-physique, one might say. Although sword qi represented the most basic form of sword intent, even the most gifted swordsmen would struggle to achieve this milestone by the age of fourteen...

"I sure am a genius."

Here I stood, a mere eight years old, reaping the benefits of prodigiousness—a testament to the marvels of my vast talent.

 

*SWOOSH*

 

In an instant, the primal instincts of survival surged within me, throwing me into a desperate dodge. A swift movement shifted my stance, saving me from the surprise attack that could have meant my end.

 

Exasperated and annoyed, I shifted to glare at the audacious assailant, none other than the eccentric madman, my own grandfather.

"Has your mind decayed to the point of attempting familicide, old man?"

My retort mirrored the annoyance that simmered within me. However, my grandfather's grin widened, revealing a row of teeth that appeared all too proud of his 'little mischief'.

"You exaggerate, my dear grandson. I was merely evaluating the swiftness of your reflexes!" The madman quipped, his grin unwavering despite my less-than-impressed response.

'This fucke—' alright let's not go that far he's still my grandfather after all,

'This man... Is he trying to raise my blood pressure to stratospheric levels?!'

My inward thoughts were anything but charitable.

Nonetheless, I moderated my tone, "And may I ask what prompted this 'evaluation'?"

"Oh, you see, is it really a crime for a grandfather to visit his sole grandchild?" His nonchalant rebuttal was accompanied by a theatrical sigh as if he were mourning a bygone era of tender familial bonds. One might even be able to hear him mutter, "Back when I was your age..."

However, my patience wore thin.

"Well, you do from today onwards."

"Ah, my dear Yu'er, you've grown so cold. Back then, you were such a paragon of sweetness."

Xin Dongyang made such a sad expression that if I hadn't spent the past years interacting with him, I would have been fooled by this masterful facade.

'Don't fall for his emotional manipulation... He's still the same madman.' I reminded myself internally, although his act was a tad more convincing than usual.

With the pretense discarded, I cut to the heart of the matter.

"Enough of your theatrics. Spit it out. Why are you here at this early hour?"

A theatrical sigh, a moment's pause, and then came his shocking words.

"I came to deliver the news of your betrothal."

The shock that caromed through my system was palpable, immediate, and thoroughly unfiltered.

"What?" My irritated demeanor vanished quicker than a toupee in a hurricane, replaced by a state of pure astonishment.

 

"Indeed. We've decided on a suitable match for you!" He responded with a glint of mischief in his eyes, despite the gravity of the revelation.

"Decided? Without even informing me?!"

The disbelief painted across my expression was undeniable.

"The arrangement isn't set in stone just yet. There will be a meeting in two days, but the bond between the clans is as good as sealed," he clarified with the unshakable shit-eating grin that characterized him.

'This... Is this some another twisted version of familial traditions?' My thoughts churned, attempting to grasp the reality of what was unfolding.

"Haa... So, what's her name?" My sigh carried the weight of hesitant resignation.

"She's none other than Yin Xifeng, the daughter of the Yin family matriarch's fourth daughter. A peerless talent of her generation, and renowned for her beauty," he replied, his enthusiasm almost infectious, though my reservations held sway.

"Ah, one of the three great families..." My contemplative tone underscored the complexity of the situation, my mind delving into the intricate webs of alliances and rivalries that awaited us.

A quizzical look came from my grandfather prompting my explanation.

"Two of the three great families uniting through a marriage alliance will undoubtedly draw the attention of those who wish us ill."

"Ah, worry not, such matters are for us, the adults, to manage. Your concern is misplaced," he retorted, seemingly unfazed by my analysis.

'This man... Is he really that oblivious to the dangers?' My incredulous gaze met his, struggling to understand the enormity of the situation with his seemingly indifferent attitude.

"Regardless, the alliance is crucial for our clan's interests," he continued, oblivious to my unvoiced skepticism.

'So, they are arranging this for me...' The realization doused my skepticism, a warmth settling within my chest—in great contrast to my past lives, where concern from others was often laden with ulterior motives.

"T-thank you..." I muttered, my voice laden with a vulnerability I hadn't anticipated.

A chuckle emanated from my grandfather's lips. "No need to shed tears, you brat!"

"I'm not crying!" I blurted out, my futile attempt at denial hampered by the unexpected dampness that blurred my vision.

Causing burst of hearty laughter erupted from grandfather, echoing through the space between us.

'Perhaps this world, with all its complexities, might not be so bad after all.'

 

------Yin Family, Jade Phoenix Palace------

The gentle tone of a young girl resonated within a spacious chamber, devoid of any other presence.

 

Seated upon her bed, the girl clutched a Jade slate, a device used to store information. A murmur escaped her lips, carrying a hint of emotion.

 

"Two days, hm... In just two days, I'll see you once more."

 

Her words hung in the air, and a meaningful quiet settled as she continued to clutch the Jade slate with increasing intensity.

 

 

"This time, I won't allow you to..."