As Wuji lay in his bed, recovering from the grueling battle with the Beast King, a sense of restless energy gnawed at him. His body was confined, but his mind was far from idle. Every day that passed without training felt like an opportunity slipping away. But rather than wallow in frustration, he decided to turn this forced rest into an advantage. If he couldn't train his body, he would train his mind.

Wuji had always been a scholar at heart, even before his reincarnation. The thirst for knowledge never left him, and now, in this world of Qi cultivation and mystical forces, it was stronger than ever. He realized that in order to survive and thrive in the world of cultivation, it wasn't enough to have strength and skill. He needed to understand the full scope of the world he lived in—the politics, the power structures, the unseen rules that governed everything.

For the first time since his reincarnation, Wuji dedicated himself fully to learning about the political landscape of this world.

He began his research by gathering books from the village elder's personal collection. The village of Celestial Harmony was small, but the elder, Old Bai, had lived a long life and had accumulated a modest library of texts. Many were ancient and weathered, but they provided valuable insight into the world beyond the village's borders.

The Golden Lotus Dynasty—the name of the empire Wuji found himself living in—was vast, stretching across the land like a golden river, its tendrils flowing into every city and village under its rule. The dynasty was named after the golden lotus flower, a symbol of purity, power, and prosperity, revered for its ability to rise from the murkiest waters untainted. Wuji found the symbolism ironic, given what he was beginning to uncover about the ruling class.

Celestial Harmony, the village Wuji and his friends called home, lay under the jurisdiction of a minor city called Green Willow City. Green Willow City was one of several small urban centers scattered across the region, each governed by local lords who answered to the ruling family of the Golden Lotus Dynasty. Above Green Willow City lay a web of more significant cities, trade routes, and power hubs, all of which fed into the grand capital, Silverbrook City.

Wuji meticulously mapped out the region in his mind, sketching rough diagrams on whatever scraps of parchment he could find. His engineering background came to life as he drew detailed maps of the area, identifying key locations—mountains rich with rare minerals, forests teeming with beasts, and rivers that provided vital resources to the surrounding villages. He analyzed the geography with the same precision he once used in designing experiments, calculating the strategic importance of each area. Some places were clearly ideal for controlling resources or trade routes, while others were dangerous wildernesses where only the brave or foolish ventured.

He began to see the region as a vast, interlocking machine, with different parts working together—or against each other—to maintain the delicate balance of power. And at the center of that machine were the noble families.

The aristocratic families were the true power behind the dynasty. While the Golden Lotus Emperor sat on the throne, it was the nobles who controlled the land, the armies, and the resources. Wuji learned of several prominent families who held sway over the region. The Li family, renowned for their vast wealth and mercantile empire, controlled much of the trade in the northern cities. The Zhao family, known for their martial prowess, held military command in the southern regions. The Xu family, who were deeply entrenched in politics, with members serving as advisors to the emperor himself. Then there was the Qin Family known for their vast and secretive information-gathering network.

Each family had its own domain, its own resources, and its own secrets. Wuji could sense that there was more to these families than what was written in the books. They didn't just hold power—they manipulated it. There were rumors of backroom deals, covert alliances, and betrayals that ran deeper than any history text would admit. Through bits of local gossip and overheard conversations, Wuji pieced together a darker picture.

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The aristocrats might present themselves as paragons of virtue, but many of them were involved in less savory dealings. Corruption ran rampant, with lower-class nobles and even commoners being manipulated to serve the interests of the ruling class. Taxes were levied unfairly, and resources were diverted from the villages to line the pockets of the elite. In the eyes of the common people, the nobility were gods, untouchable and all-powerful, but Wuji saw them as humans—flawed, scheming, and often cruel.

What interested him most, however, was the connection between the nobles and Qi cultivation. The noble families, particularly the more powerful ones, guarded the secrets of Qi cultivation fiercely. Many believed that only the aristocracy had access to the cultivation techniques necessary to achieve true power, but Wuji discovered that this wasn't entirely true. While the nobles did control many of the cultivation resources, there were still rogue cultivators—people outside the established system who had managed to gain power on their own. Some of them were former members of noble families, cast out for political reasons. Others were wanderers who had stumbled upon ancient techniques in the wilderness or learned from forgotten sects.

Rogue cultivators were dangerous, not only because they operated outside the laws of the dynasty but also because they were unpredictable. Some were noble heroes, helping the common folk, while others were ruthless bandits, using their power to terrorize the weak. Wuji found their existence fascinating. In many ways, they represented a rebellion against the established order, a reminder that power didn't always come from bloodlines or wealth.

Wuji's research also led him to learn more about the sects, the mystical organizations that stood apart from the noble families. While the aristocrats held sway over the mortal world, the sects were the true gatekeepers of cultivation. There were many sects scattered across the dynasty, each with its own philosophy, techniques, and resources. Some were small, secluded groups that rarely interacted with the outside world, while others were vast and influential, with disciples spread throughout the region.

The most prestigious of these sects, Wuji learned, was the Azure Cloud Sect. It was said that the Azure Cloud Sect stood above all others, its disciples considered the finest cultivators in the land. Many noble families sought to marry their children into the sect, hoping to secure powerful alliances. Other notable sects included the Iron Mountain Sect, known for its fierce warriors, and the Celestial Pill Sect, famed for its healers and alchemists.

The sect exams were held every ten years, a grand event that drew hopefuls from all over the dynasty. For many commoners, the exams were their only chance to rise above their station. Wuji knew that in just two years, the next exam would take place in Silverbrook City, the capital of the region. It was the culmination of everything he had been preparing for since he regained his memories.

But now, with a better understanding of the world's political landscape, Wuji realized that entering a sect wasn't just about strength or talent. It was about positioning oneself within the complex web of alliances, rivalries, and power plays. Knowing who to trust, who to align with, and who to avoid would be just as crucial as wielding a sword or mastering Qi.

For weeks, Wuji pored over maps, scrolls, and accounts from travelers. He listened carefully to the conversations of merchants passing through Celestial Harmony, picking up bits and pieces of information about the outside world. He spoke with Old Bai and other village elders, asking subtle questions about the region's history and its ties to the dynasty.

He learned that the world was not as simple as it seemed. Beneath the surface, hidden currents of power and influence shaped everything, and Wuji was determined to understand it all. He began to sketch out a plan in his mind—a way to navigate the political and social landscape while pursuing his path as a cultivator.

One day, after weeks of studying and analyzing the world around him, Wuji sat in his room, staring at the map he had drawn. His mind was buzzing with thoughts of power, cultivation, and strategy. He had learned so much about the Golden Lotus Dynasty, the noble families, and the sects. But something was still missing.

He had never truly experienced the world outside of Celestial Harmony.

The sect exams were still two years away, but Wuji felt an urgency in his heart. He needed to see the world for himself, to feel the pulse of the cities, to understand the people, and to witness the cultivation sects firsthand. Books and maps could only take him so far. To truly prepare for the future, he needed to experience it.

With that thought, Wuji made up his mind. He would set out on a journey, not only to gather more information but also to see the world he had studied for so long. It was time to step beyond the village and immerse himself in the world of cultivation. Silverbrook City awaited him in two years, but before that, the world was vast, and Wuji was ready to explore it.

And with that decision, Wuji's new path was set.