The sun had set long ago on the horizon, but the great hall of the Violet Sect was still bustling with activity. In the era of the Great Desolation, time was a precious commodity, and no cultivator could afford to waste a single moment.

In the center of the hall stood a young man, his long black hair tied back in a neat ponytail. His name was Jiang Wei, and he was a disciple of the Violet Sect, one of the most prestigious sects in the cultivation world. Jiang Wei had just reached the third level of Qi Condensation, and he was eager to continue his journey up the path of cultivation.

Around him stood his fellow disciples, all of them dressed in the violet robes that marked them as members of the Violet Sect. They were a diverse group, hailing from all corners of the cultivation world, but they all shared the same goal: to become the strongest cultivators they could be.

Jiang Wei looked around at his comrades, taking in their various expressions of determination and focus. He knew that each and every one of them had their own struggles and obstacles to overcome on their path to enlightenment.

Suddenly, the air in the hall shifted, and a hush fell over the crowd. The Violet Sect's Grand Elder, a wise and powerful cultivator known as Wu Ji, had entered the room.

"Disciples of the Violet Sect," Wu Ji's voice boomed through the hall, "I am pleased to see so many of you gathered here tonight. It is a testament to your dedication to the path of cultivation."

Jiang Wei bowed respectfully, along with the rest of the disciples.

"Tonight," Wu Ji continued, "we will be holding a special competition. The winner will have the honor of being mentored personally by me, and will receive a rare and valuable cultivation technique."

Jiang Wei's heart skipped a beat. This was an opportunity he could not afford to miss. He had always admired Wu Ji's wisdom and strength, and to have the chance to learn from him directly was a dream come true.

The competition began, and the disciples were pitted against each other in a series of increasingly difficult trials. Jiang Wei faced opponent after opponent, his body and mind pushed to their limits.

Finally, he found himself face to face with his toughest challenge yet: a tall, muscular cultivator named Zhou Jian. Zhou Jian was known for his incredible strength and lightning-fast reflexes, and he had already defeated several other disciples with ease.

Jiang Wei took a deep breath and steadied himself. He knew that this was his chance to prove his worth as a cultivator.

The two men charged at each other, their fists flying. Jiang Wei could feel the sweat pouring down his face as he dodged and weaved, trying to land a blow on his opponent.

Finally, he saw his opening. Zhou Jian had left himself open for just a split second, and Jiang Wei took advantage, delivering a swift kick to his opponent's side.

Zhou Jian stumbled backwards, his face contorted in pain. Jiang Wei knew that he had won.

As the crowd cheered and Wu Ji approached him, Jiang Wei felt a surge of pride and satisfaction. He had proved himself as a true cultivator, and he knew that this was only the beginning of his journey.

From that day forward, Jiang Wei trained even harder, striving to reach ever higher stairs on the path of cultivation. And with the guidance of Wu Ji, he knew that nothing was impossible.

Jiang Wei spent the next few years under Wu Ji's tutelage, learning everything he could about cultivation and the world around him. He discovered new techniques and pushed himself to new heights of strength and power, and he even formed close friendships with some of his fellow disciples.

One of those friendships turned into something more when Jiang Wei met a beautiful and talented cultivator named Li Mei. She was a member of the Azure Sect, a rival to the Violet Sect, but that didn't stop Jiang Wei from falling in love with her.

They trained together, sparring and sharing insights into their respective sects' techniques. Over time, their relationship deepened, and they became inseparable.

But their happiness was short-lived. One day, Li Mei was taken captive by a rogue cultivator who wanted to use her as leverage against the Azure Sect. Jiang Wei was beside himself with grief and anger, but he knew that he had to act quickly if he wanted to save her.

He journeyed into the mountains where Li Mei was being held, fighting his way through hordes of bandits and monsters to reach her. When he finally arrived, he found Li Mei battered and bruised, but still alive.

Together, they fought their way back to civilization, overcoming every obstacle that stood in their way. And when they returned, her father took her away.

After Jiang Wei's victory in the competition, he was taken in as a disciple of the Violet Sect. The sect was known for its strict adherence to tradition and its focus on discipline and martial prowess. Jiang Wei was initially intimidated by the elders of the sect, who were all powerful cultivators with years of experience and wisdom. But he was determined to prove himself worthy of their teachings.

One of the elders who took an interest in Jiang Wei's progress was a woman named Mei Ling. She was renowned for her beauty, with pitch-black hair that shone like jade and eyes as deep and dark as the night sky. Mei Ling was also a skilled cultivator, and she took Jiang Wei under her wing, teaching him the secrets of the Violet Sect's techniques and the mysteries of the Dao.

As Jiang Wei trained under Mei Ling's watchful eye, he began to notice that something was amiss in the Violet Sect. Wu Ji, one of the other elders, had fallen gravely ill, and there were whispers of corruption and disarray within the sect's ranks. But Jiang Wei did his best to focus on his training, determined to become a powerful cultivator like Mei Ling and the other elders.

It wasn't until Wu Ji's death that the full extent of the corruption became clear. The elder had been poisoned by a rival sect, and the Violet Sect was in shambles. Mei Ling tried to keep the sect together, but it was too late. One by one, the elders fell, until only she and a handful of disciples remained.

Jiang Wei did his best to help Mei Ling and the other survivors, using the special technique he had obtained in the competition to bolster their strength and keep them safe. But even with his help, the Violet Sect was in chaos. The survivors were forced to flee, leaving behind the once-great sect in ruins.

As they journeyed across the land, Mei Ling and Jiang Wei grew closer. Their shared experiences had forged a deep bond between them, and Jiang Wei found himself drawn to Mei Ling's beauty and wisdom. But he knew that their path was uncertain, and he didn't want to burden her with his feelings until they had found a new home and a new purpose.

Together, Mei Ling and Jiang Wei wandered the land, searching for a new place to call home and a new sect to join. But no matter where they went, they found only danger and corruption. And as Wu Ji's poison continued to spread, Jiang Wei knew that time was running out. They had to find a new sect soon, or risk being lost forever in the chaos of the world of cultivation.

Jiang Wei and Mei Ling continued their journey, wandering the land and searching for a new sect that could offer them sanctuary from the dangers that surrounded them. But as they traveled, they were hounded by assassins and mercenaries, hired by the Azure Sect, who blamed the Violet Sect for Wu Ji's death.

As they fought to survive against the assassins, Jiang Wei discovered that his old lover, Qianyu, was now a member of the Azure Sect. He was shocked and deeply conflicted, torn between his loyalty to Mei Ling and his lingering feelings for Qianyu who was known as Lei Mi before her adoption under her sect uncle Qian Yun.

Qianyu was emotional and distraught, feeling betrayed by Jiang Wei's choice to join the Violet Sect and blaming him for Wu Ji's death. She had been convinced by her sect to seek revenge against the Violet Sect, and now she regretted it deeply.

Despite the danger and the emotional turmoil, Jiang Wei and Mei Ling pressed on, determined to find a new sect that could help them cure Mei Ling's poison before it ruined her cultivation entirely. They finally came across a sect known as the Golden Lotus, which was renowned for its healing techniques and its commitment to justice and righteousness.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

With no other options left, they threw themselves at the mercy of the Golden Lotus, hoping that they would be accepted as disciples and given the chance to start anew. The sect's leader, a wise and powerful cultivator named Master Wei, was impressed by Jiang Wei's skill and Mei Ling's determination, and he accepted them into the sect without hesitation.

As they settled into their new lives at the Golden Lotus, Jiang Wei and Mei Ling found themselves growing closer than ever before. But they also knew that danger still lurked around every corner, and that the Azure Sect would stop at nothing to get their revenge. With Qianyu still out there, and the poison still eating away at Mei Ling's cultivation, they knew that their struggles were far from over. But they were determined to face whatever challenges lay ahead, together.

As Jiang Wei and Mei Ling's legend grew, they encountered a young master named Buji Tian. He was widely considered one of the most talented cultivators of his generation, and he was not shy about flaunting his skills.

Buji Tian challenged Jiang Wei to a sparring match, and Jiang Wei eagerly accepted. But to his shock and dismay, he found that Buji Tian was right - he wasn't actually that talented. He had simply been lucky in his battles, and he had a lot to learn if he wanted to keep up with the true masters of cultivation.

Over the next few months, Jiang Wei threw himself into his training, determined to prove himself and show Buji Tian what he was really made of. He studied harder, practiced longer, and meditated more deeply than ever before, pushing himself to the brink of exhaustion in his quest for enlightenment.

But even as he grew stronger, Jiang Wei never lost sight of the simpler joys in life. He and Li Mei took time to enjoy the small moments together, savoring the taste of a good meal, the sound of the wind in the trees, and the warmth of the sun on their skin.

One day, while they were out enjoying a picnic, they were accosted by a minor bully who coveted Jiang Wei's belongings and thought he was a "paper tiger" who couldn't back up his words with action. Jiang Wei stood up to the bully, drawing on all of his training and experience to defend himself and Li Mei.

In the end, he emerged victorious, and the bully was humbled. But more than that, Jiang Wei learned that true strength came not just from physical power, but from the courage to stand up for oneself and others.

And so he continued on his path, ever upward, seeking to become the greatest cultivator he could be, while never losing sight of the beauty and joy that could be found in the world around him.

Jiang Wei's victory over the bully did not come without consequences. The bully, humiliated and enraged, went to his Foundation Establishment father to demand vengeance. The Lu family was one of the most powerful and wealthy in the land, and their patriarch was not someone to be trifled with.

Days later, Jiang Wei was ambushed by a group of Lu family cultivators while he was out training in the forest. They beat him mercilessly, leaving him for dead before disappearing into the night.

But Jiang Wei did not die. Instead, he lay unconscious and barely breathing, his body battered and broken, until a homeless man stumbled upon him. The man was old and frail, but he had a strange aura about him, one that hinted at great power.

The old man took Jiang Wei under his wing, nursing him back to health and teaching him the secrets of the "Dao of Mediocrity." It was a strange and unconventional form of cultivation, one that focused not on strength and power, but on balance and harmony.

Jiang Wei was skeptical at first, but he soon realized that the old man was a master of this ancient art. Under his tutelage, Jiang Wei learned to cultivate not just his body, but his mind and spirit as well.

As he grew stronger, Jiang Wei realized that the "Dao of Mediocrity" was more than just a set of techniques. It was a philosophy, a way of life that emphasized compassion, humility, and balance. And he knew that it was a path that he could follow for the rest of his days.

Jiang Wei continued to train at the Golden Lotus, refining his cultivation techniques and working hard to improve his skills. But he knew that he had to master the Dao of Mediocrity if he was to stand any chance against the Azure Sect and their assassins.

One day, he received a message from an old man who claimed to be a master of the Dao of Mediocrity. Intrigued, Jiang Wei set out to meet him, eager to learn more about this mysterious technique.

The old man was a powerful cultivator, with a kind face and gentle mannerisms. He welcomed Jiang Wei with open arms and began to teach him the secrets of the Dao of Mediocrity.

At first, the training was simple - basic exercises to improve his physical and spiritual strength. But as Jiang Wei progressed, the old man introduced him to more advanced techniques, pushing him to his limits and testing his resolve.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months, as Jiang Wei trained tirelessly under the old man's tutelage. He mastered new techniques, honed his skills, and pushed himself to be the best cultivator he could be.

Finally, the day came when the old man felt that Jiang Wei had learned everything he could from him. As they said their goodbyes, the old man left Jiang Wei with a cryptic message: "The Divinities watch beyond the veil. Remember this, young cultivator - your path is your own, and you alone must walk it."

With those words ringing in his ears, Jiang Wei returned to the Golden Lotus, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. He knew that he still had much to learn, but he was more determined than ever to become the best cultivator he could be. And with the power of the Dao of Mediocrity at his fingertips, he felt that nothing could stand in his way.

But his past was not so easily forgotten. One day, the Lu family came for him again, led by their patriarch himself. But this time, Jiang Wei was ready. He faced the Foundation Establishment cultivator with a calm and steady gaze, drawing on all of the lessons he had learned in his training.

And to the amazement of all who watched, Jiang Wei emerged victorious. His cultivation may not have been as flashy or powerful as the Lu family's, but it was rooted in something deeper, something more enduring.

As the Lu family retreated, defeated and humiliated, Jiang Wei knew that he had found his true path. He would continue to cultivate, to seek enlightenment and harmony, and to stand up for what he believed in, no matter the cost. And he would do it all in the name of the "Dao of Mediocrity."

As time passed, Jiang Wei continued to refine his skills in the "Dao of Mediocrity," but he also sought to learn more about the world of cultivation beyond his own practice. He heard rumors of a powerful sect hidden in the mountains, one that had mastered the secrets of the "Way of Immortals." Curious and eager to learn, Jiang Wei set out on a journey to find this elusive sect.

It was a treacherous journey, full of dangers and obstacles, but Jiang Wei pressed on, his determination fueled by his desire for knowledge. And finally, after many long months of travel, he arrived at the foot of the mountain where the sect was said to reside.

The sect was unlike anything Jiang Wei had ever seen. The cultivators there were powerful and awe-inspiring, their techniques and abilities far beyond anything he had encountered before. But they were also reclusive and guarded, unwilling to share their secrets with outsiders.

Undeterred, Jiang Wei decided to prove himself to the sect by undertaking their trials of initiation. He fought against fierce beasts, climbed treacherous cliffs, and endured grueling tests of endurance and willpower. And through it all, he never lost sight of his ultimate goal: to become a true cultivator of the "Way of Immortals."

It was a long and arduous journey, but in the end, Jiang Wei emerged victorious. He was accepted into the sect and began to learn their most closely-guarded secrets. He trained day and night, pushing himself to the limits of his abilities and beyond.

But even as he grew stronger and more skilled, he never forgot the lessons he had learned in the "Dao of Mediocrity." He remained humble and compassionate, seeking always to balance his cultivation with his inner spirit.

And as the years passed, Jiang Wei became one of the most respected and powerful cultivators in the land. He was feared by his enemies and admired by his allies, a true master of the "Way of Immortals."

But even as he basked in the glory of his achievements, Jiang Wei knew that his journey was far from over. There were always new challenges to face, new mysteries to uncover, and new heights to climb. And he was ready for them all, armed with the knowledge and strength he had gained through years of cultivation and self-discovery.

Jiang Wei received an urgent message from the sect elders. They were gathering all of the most skilled cultivators to investigate the source of the spatial crack and the disturbance it was causing in the world of cultivation. Jiang Wei knew that this was his chance to prove himself once again.

He journeyed to the distant land where the spatial crack had appeared, accompanied by a small group of fellow cultivators. When they arrived, they found chaos and destruction all around them. The Spiritual beast they had heard about was wreaking havoc on the local villages, leaving a trail of destruction and death in its wake.

Jiang Wei and his companions knew that they had to act quickly. They drew their weapons and prepared to do battle with the beast, but they were no match for its overwhelming power. One by one, they fell to the beast's mighty blows, until only Jiang Wei remained.

But even as the beast closed in for the final blow, Jiang Wei remained calm and centered. He remembered the teachings of the "Dao of Mediocrity" and drew upon his inner strength. With a single stroke of his sword, he cleaved the beast in two, ending its reign of terror.

The victory was bittersweet, however. The spatial crack was still active, and no one knew what other dangers it might bring. Jiang Wei and his companions decided to venture into the crack, hoping to find answers and a way to stop the chaos it was causing.

Inside the crack, they encountered strange and wondrous sights, including powerful spiritual beings and ancient relics. They battled fierce demons and overcame impossible challenges, all in pursuit of their goal.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they came across the source of the spatial crack: a powerful and malevolent force known as the Void Emperor. Jiang Wei knew that he had to act quickly to stop the Void Emperor from wreaking havoc on the world of cultivation.

With all of his strength and skill, Jiang Wei engaged the Void Emperor in a final, epic battle. The two combatants clashed in a flurry of blows, each one determined to emerge victorious.

In the end, it was Jiang Wei who emerged triumphant. He struck the final blow against the Void Emperor, sealing the spatial crack and bringing peace to the world once again.

As he looked out over the land he had saved, Jiang Wei knew that his journey was far from over. But he was ready for whatever lay ahead, armed with the knowledge and strength he had gained through years of cultivation and self-discovery. And he knew that, with his friends and allies by his side, he could face any challenge and emerge victorious.