I never imagined I would die like this. Although it was obvious, given the circumstances, that I would meet my end at some point, I never thought it would be in such a simple yet painful way.

My name is Ling Wei, I'm 21 years old, and I've been labeled as a delinquent since I was 13. I got involved in a conflict between rival gangs where my supposed friend, Feng, stabbed me in the back. The irony is cruel; the "very chaos," as they began to call me, agonizes amidst a chaotic brawl, blood, and scattered bodies. It seems Feng wasn't content with just stabbing me in the back.

"Back to finish the job?" Ling questioned.

"Of course not. You're practically dead already. I prefer to see you die slowly," Feng said.

"Did you come just to have fun watching my death?" Ling teased.

"Yes, but I had a better idea. I'll punch you and let you die without suffering. Just admit that I'm superior, what do you think?" Feng suggested.

"Come to think of it, I won't feed his ego with that," Ling pondered.

"Never!" Ling affirmed.

"Hahaha, I thought you'd say that. So, you'll continue to die slowly," Feng said, a malicious smile on his face.

"See you in hell, Feng," Ling bid farewell.

"Perhaps," Feng replied.

Slowly, Ling loses consciousness. Closing his eyes gradually, his vision darkens until he breathes his last.

At dawn in the Celestial Continent, marked by diverse landscapes, flourishing cities, and wild regions, a complex web of cultivation thrives.

Slowly, Ling Wei awakens in a room in the Primordial Sect, where the golden sunlight dances gently. His gaze travels across the adorned ceiling, recalling the sect's ancestry. The scent of incense lingers in the air, and the cultivation aura saturates the atmosphere.

"Where am I? I shouldn't have died?"

Slowly, Ling sits up in bed and turns to the room's mirror.

"So, I'm in another body. I never thought something like reincarnation could exist."

"Hehehe, I like this long, white hair. Quite stylish," Ling appreciates.

Knock-knock.

A medium-sized old man with gray hair and beard enters through the door.

"So, finally feeling better?"

"Is this old man the previous owner's grandfather? Why can't I remember what happened to the previous owner of this body? Was the death so traumatizing?"

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Yes, I've recovered," Ling responds, now calling himself Long.

"Perfect, get up and come eat something," Long's grandfather invites.

"All right, I'll be there soon," Long replies.

"I'll be waiting," Long's grandfather asserts.

Long gets up and heads to the door, reflecting on the strange yet familiar place.

Arriving at the Dining Hall:

"Sit down and eat. Today is the day you'll try again to obtain your lineage," Long's grandfather says.

"Despite being the third time, don't lose hope. You'll succeed," the grandfather encourages.

"I know. I'm sure I'll succeed, Grandpa," Long affirms.

"So, the owner of this body was useless?"

After eating, Long heads to the sect's door.

"Grandpa, why have you never mentioned why the sect has no disciples?" Long asks.

"This sect was created to only welcome the heirs of the primordial lineages," the grandfather explains.

"And no one possesses any primordial lineage?" Long inquires.

"To this day, there is no record of people with such lineage," Long's grandfather reveals.

"Are these lineages that rare?" Long asks.

"Of course, but that's not the only issue. According to legends, primordial lineages cannot be obtained by humans due to their immense power and extreme potential," Long's grandfather clarifies.

"I understand. So, a human wouldn't be able to withstand such power?" Long asks.

"Probably not," Long's grandfather affirms.

"Well, you better hurry and go try to get your lineage," Long's grandfather advises.

"Right," Long agrees.

"I hope I succeed. I wouldn't want to be useless in this world."

Thus, Long leaves the sect and heads to the city, determined to obtain a lineage.

Walking through the city, Long admires the grandeur and harmony of the paved streets, majestic buildings of celestial architecture, and ancient temples dotting the landscape.

Long arrives in front of the imperial palace, with majestic towers rising like celestial pillars, adorned with golden carvings reflecting the sunlight.

Several people wait in line, including Long. He hears a familiar yet strange voice from behind.

"So, Long, came again?"

Long turns and recognizes his childhood friend, Zhang Ming.

"Of course, I'm sure I'll eventually succeed," Long affirms.

"Never give up. You'll make it," Zhang encourages, with a smile.

"How's the path to obtaining your lineage going?" Long asks.

"It's harder than it seems," Zhang admits.

"Zhang is the heir of the lightning and thunder lineage, with great potential. But whom to trust, even in childhood friends?"

"Looks like you'll have to wait a long time; there are many people ahead of you," Zhang observes.

A familiar yet unpleasant voice interrupts the conversation between Long and Zhang.

"So, the useless one came back to embarrass himself?"

"What are you doing here, Yuan?" Zhang asks, serious.

"I can't miss such a grand event that happens only once a year," Yuan replies, sarcastically.

"Idiot!" Zhang exclaims, serious.

"I'll leave. Goodbye, useless ones," Yuan says, leaving.

"Anyway, don't pay attention to what he said. He's just an idiot," Zhang consoles.

"You're right. Hehehe," Long agrees, with a playful smile.

"Well, I'll leave now, but I'll be cheering for you," Zhang wishes before leaving.

Time passes until, finally, it's Long's turn.

"Finally, I'm exhausted from waiting. It seems lineage in this world is crucial."

In front of him, two imperial guards and a man with a mysterious essence await.

"Come, young one. Approach," the mysterious man invites.

"This man is even stranger than I remember from the times the previous owner of this body tried to get his lineage."

Long approaches, standing face to face with the man. He holds a reddish-black box with strange symbols.

"Perfect. Put your hand on the box, please, young one."

Long extends his hand to the box, and a voice resonates in his mind.

"So, came back to try to get a lineage? It's not the same body, but the soul isn't that useless one's. I imagine you're a reincarnate, aren't you?"

"Who are you? And how do you know who I am?" Long asks.

"Apologies for the lack of manners. I am the guardian of lineages, the one who determines who is worthy of possessing a lineage to initiate their cultivation," the voice responds.

"How do you know who I am?"

"That doesn't matter. I'm not the only one who knows that you're a reincarnate."

"Someone else knows? Who?"

"You'll find out in due time, and it's not for me to reveal."

"I understand. Are you going to grant me a lineage, yes or no?"

"You're very bold

, young one. Despite everything, yes, I will grant a lineage."

"Really?"

"Yes, but don't think it will be easy. You have a long journey ahead in this world."

"I understand. Can I know which lineage I will receive?"

"No. You'll find out in time. Just say that you've been granted the elemental lineage of the earth."

"But why?"

"The lineage you'll receive is beyond human understanding. I regret to inform you that you'll face many difficulties until you master it completely."

"I understand. How will I prove that I obtained the elemental lineage of the earth?"

"Although cultivation in this world is based on lineages, techniques and skills once considered useless were practiced in ancient times. Practice them until the Blood Moon, which will occur in a few months."

"How do I get these techniques?"

"Your grandfather will help with that. Our time is up. Many are still waiting for your lineage."

"Wait, I still have questions."

"Goodbye, young one. Good luck with your new lineage. You'll need it."

After the conversation with the lineage guardian, Long returns to his grandfather's sect, full of doubts about his arrival in this world. Long is about to embark on a long and perilous journey across the five continents.