At home, the Lord gazed at Eli Shan with a perplexed expression. "Why haven't you reached even the Qi Gathering realm?"

Eli Shan hesitated, unsure of how to respond. He couldn't exactly say that he could cultivate in the outer universe but not here, could he? Carefully choosing his words, he finally replied, "Father, I can absorb the Qi of nature, but I can't contain it in my dantian."

The Lord's eyes widened in astonishment. "You cannot contain Qi in your dantian?"

Eli Shan nodded solemnly. "Yes, Father."

The Lord abruptly placed a finger on Eli Shan's forehead, examining his spiritual roots. "There is no problem with the spiritual root," he murmured. "Then why can't his dantian retain the Qi of nature?"

After a moment of contemplation, the Lord looked at Eli Shan and suggested, "Why don't you join the Sword Sect?"

"Sword Sect? What is that?" Eli Shan asked, confusion evident in his voice.

Seeing Eli Shan's confusion, the Lord explained, "The Sword Sect is one of the top ten sects in this world. They focus solely on the way of the sword and don't concern themselves much with cultivation realms. It should be the perfect place for you to improve yourself, and you might find a way to cultivate your realm there."

Hearing this, Eli Shan jumped up with excitement. He could finally venture out and discover more about this world—wasn't that the purpose of his reincarnation?

"I want to go, Father," Eli Shan said, his eyes alight with excitement.

The Lord smiled and nodded. "Then go and pack your bag. We don't have much time; this is the season for big clans to recruit talents."

"Okay, Father." Eli Shan dashed to his room, and within moments, he returned, a bag slung over his shoulder, his clothes changed, and a sword in hand. "Let's go, Father."

The Lord and Luise smiled, touched by their son's enthusiasm. The Lord placed a gentle hand on Eli Shan's shoulder. "Eli Shan, remember never to reveal your cultivation status to anyone. Even though the Sword Sect doesn't focus on cultivation, they might think of you as worthless if they find out you have none. Cultivation matters, no matter how strong you become; without it, you can't truly reach your potential."

Eli Shan nodded seriously. "I understand, Father."

The Lord smiled, his eyes gleaming with a mix of pride and mystery, as he handed Eli Shan a ring. The band was a shimmering silver, intricate runes etched along its surface, glowing faintly in the dim light. "This is a spatial ring to store your belongings," he said, his voice tinged with mystery. "And it has a special feature as well: it can conceal your cultivation level from others."

Eli Shan's eyes widened in awe as he accepted the ring, feeling its weight and the faint hum of power emanating from it. His curiosity was piqued, and he couldn't help but wonder about its origins. "How did Father acquire something so rare? Even as an Origin Realm cultivator, I've never encountered anything like this," he thought, his eyes filled with a mix of admiration and disbelief.

Eli Shan couldn't truly grasp the full extent of his father's identity. Was his father incredibly powerful, or was it that their formidable ancestor left them with a legacy of unique items and cultivation techniques? These questions swirled in his mind, but he knew better than to dwell on them.

After an emotional farewell, filled with heartfelt tears and embraces, he bid his mother goodbye. The memory of her tear-streaked face and the warmth of her hug lingered as he turned to face his journey ahead.

Eli Shan and his father soared across the sky on a swift sword, streaking through the heavens with lightning speed. Below them, villages, rivers, and forests blurred into a mosaic of vibrant life. After nine days and nights of continuous flight, a formidable mountain finally came into view, its peak piercing the very heart of the sky. The air around it bristled with intense sword qi, so dense and potent that ordinary people dared not to approach.

The Lord smiled at the sight of the mountain. "That's the place you have to go."

Eli Shan nodded, his eyes fixed on the majestic peak. A manic smile spread across his face as he felt the powerful sword intent emanating from the mountain. "I can feel the strong sword intent even from so far away," he murmured, a mix of excitement and determination lighting up his eyes.

After a few breaths, they finally landed at the foot of the mountain peak. Eli Shan and his father walked a bit further and saw a crowd gathered near the entrance gate of the sect. Each person clutched a sword, eager to enter.

Turning his focus to the two guards standing beside the entrance gate, Eli Shan noticed their imposing presence. Their cultivation levels were at the ninth stage of the Zun realm. "So strong..." Eli Shan whispered, marveling at the true power of the sect. Even the guards here were formidable, and the sword sect likely didn't even need guards, as no one would dare to cause trouble in this place. This realization struck him hard—these guards were likely to be among the weakest disciples of this sword mountain!

Eli Shan slowly turned to his father, his eyes wide and filled with incredulity, practically screaming, "You said I didn't need a cultivation realm here! But, even the weakest of them are in the Zun realm! How am I supposed to enter the sect?"

His father, maintaining a perfectly straight face, hummed a little tune and casually examined the distant landscape, as if the conversation was of no concern to him.

Eli Shan's jaw dropped. "Father?" he said, his voice a mix of disbelief and frustration. "Did you really think I'd just waltz in there with a charming smile and they'd hand me their sect's disciple token?"

His father finally turned, a sly grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Well, you do have a rather winning smile, son."

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Eli Shan slapped his forehead. "I wonder what will happen if they ask me to show them my true cultivation."

His father chuckled. "You don't have to worry about that, kid. Just show them your true swordsmanship and flash your handsome smile at some of your senior sisters. I'm sure they'll accept you instantly. Hahaha."

Eli Shan shook his head with a bitter smile, but his father's lightheartedness brought warmth to his heart. If joining the sect made his father happy, he would do it—even if it meant using his true power to threaten the sect master!

Coming out of his thoughts, Eli Shan looked around at the other candidates. Many strong individuals were present, some even in the Origin realm. He also noticed many older men accompanying younger people, likely their disciples or relatives.

However, it was not only Eli Shan who was observing the people here; even they had been doing the same. Some people spotted their worn clothes and sneered, assuming they were just country bumpkins. One of them, a young man with an air of arrogance, commented loudly, "Huh? Some country bumpkins are trying to get into the sword sect as well?"

"Oh, it's Young Master Yu Wen."

"Even Young Master Yu Wen is here for the exam. I'm sure he'll be the strongest candidate."

"I heard he was the champion of last year's swords event, personally invited by an outer elder of the Sword Sect."

Everyone started to talk about Yu Wen, making sure the main character knew who was offending him.

Eli Shan just glanced at Yu Wen, who was in the Zun realm, and then ignored him.

Maybe for others, he was someone strong, but if Eli Shan got serious, even this whole universe together could not save this guy.

In simple terms, he was just an ant to Eli Shan.

If he tried to bite, Eli Shan could just slap him to death.

Ignoring the murmurs, Eli Shan found a place at the side and began walking there, his mind focused on the path ahead.

The Lord watched his son's calm demeanor and smiled proudly. His son had become mature!

When Yu Wen saw Eli Shan ignoring him and walking aside, his anger flared. "You're smart enough to know your place. Country bumpkins should stay far from us, or you might spread some disease."

Eli Shan ignored the taunts, his gaze fixed ahead. To him, Yu Wen's words were nothing more than the meaningless barks of a stray dog. But as he continued walking, a particular insult made him halt abruptly, his blood boiling with fury.

"Is that man your father? Qi Gathering realm? I can't believe you dare to come here with an ant—"

Before Yu Wen could finish, Eli Shan vanished, disappearing like a wisp of smoke.

"Huh? Where did he go?" Yu Wen muttered, bewildered.

A heartbeat later, a vise-like grip clamped down on Yu Wen's shoulder, sending a wave of unimaginable pain coursing through his body.

"Crack."

"Aaaaaah!"

Yu Wen screamed as his shoulder shattered, the bones turning to dust under the pressure. He collapsed to his knees, the pain overwhelming him.

"I will kill you—Aaaahh!" His threat was cut short as his other shoulder suffered the same fate, reducing the bones to fragments.

Through his tears and agony, Yu Wen's eyes met Eli Shan's cold, indifferent gaze. In that moment, he felt like an ant before a god, utterly insignificant and powerless.

Yu Wen gulped, his mind reeling with a single, terrifying thought: "He's a monster!"

He had thought to impress the elders of the Sword Sect, and Eli Shan looked like the perfect target. However, now it was clear that he had made a grave mistake.

Eli Shan extended his hand, and a sword materialized in his grip, summoned from his spatial ring. He held the blade to Yu Wen's neck, his voice low and menacing. "I think I need to teach you some manners in place of your parents."

Just as the words left his mouth, a heavy hand landed on his shoulder.

"You think you're qualified to teach my son?" The voice was calm but carried an unmistakable menace, radiating the powerful aura of an Origin realm cultivator.

"Father!" Yu Wen cried out, desperation lacing his voice. "Please save me, Father!"

Yu Wen's father felt his heartache at his son's plea. "You little brat, let Yu Wen go, and I'll spare your family and your dog's life. I'll just give you the same pain you've given my son and cripple your cultivation. Then you're free to leave."

Eli Shan tightened his grip on the sword, leaning in to whisper in Yu Wen's ear, loud enough for his father to hear, "Do you think only you have a father?" He smiled wickedly before shouting, "Father! An old man wants to cripple me! Please save me!"

The moment the words left his mouth, a powerful presence descended upon the area. Yu Wen's father felt a hand clamp down on his shoulder, the weight like a mountain, threatening to crush him where he stood.

"Don't you dare touch my son. And don't meddle in the fights of the younger generation," the Lord commanded, his voice calm, yet ominously powerful.

Boom!

The ground around Yu Wen's father erupted in a shower of debris, spiderweb cracks radiating outward with explosive force as he was driven to his knees by the overwhelming pressure. His eyes widened in terror, every breath a struggle under the Lord's immense aura. His consciousness flickered, the sheer force of the Lord's single hand was too much for him to bear.

"Father!!!" Yu Wen cried out, his voice filled with despair. But there was nothing he could do. All of this was happening because of his arrogance.

The Lord stood motionless, a figure of unyielding authority, as Yu Wen's father slumped to the ground, unconscious. Eli Shan remained poised, his sword still at Yu Wen's neck, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

Everyone looked on, jaws dropped, stunned into silence. In that moment, it became clear that crossing these two was a grave mistake.

"Who are these two people?"

"They're monsters."

"They took down the strongest candidate and his father, the master of a nearby sect, in seconds!"

As the crowd murmured in shock, the Lord addressed Eli Shan. "Son, that kid is yours. Do whatever you see fit."

Eli Shan nodded, his gaze piercing Yu Wen's soul. His eyes were cold and murderous, reflecting the young man's fear and desperation. Though, after three measured breaths, Eli Shan sighed, making a final decision. "You should be glad that my father taught me to be merciful. However, the next time I hear something about my family, I won't show any mercy," he said, his voice icy. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed Yu Wen next to his unconscious father, the young man landing with a heavy thud.

The Lord smiled with pride. "My son has grown mature, hasn't he?"

Eli Shan scratched the back of his head and smiled sheepishly. "Thanks for helping me, Father."

The Lord shook his head, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. "I don't think you needed my help, did you?"

Eli Shan shook his head. "My hand was full with that guy, I couldn't have fought against his father as well. It's you, father, who saved me."

The Lord smiled, shaking his head.

Everyone around looked at them with reverence. In this world, power was everything. Demonstrating power was the key to earning acknowledgment and respect from others.

That's why Yu Wen had been showing off. He wanted to be acknowledged not only by the elders but by everyone present. Though now, he wouldn't be able to show his face anymore. In this world, those with true ability didn't need to flaunt it; others would recognize and respect their power naturally.

As everyone discussed the fight that had just happened, their attention turned toward the entrance gate at the sound of the guards' voices.

"Greetings, Senior Brother," the guards bowed.

Everyone turned toward the entrance gate and saw a handsome young man exuding an intimidating aura walk out with a slight smile on his face. He nodded at the disciples, saying, "Stand straight. You don't have to bow before me every time."

The disciples straightened up, their faces lighting up with admiration from receiving a reply from this young man.

The crowd exchanged glances, then looked back at the young man. Although they didn't know who he was, the behavior of the other disciples made it clear that he was not someone to be trifled with.

Even the Lord sized up this newcomer with a hint of intrigue. He turned to Eli Shan and remarked, "This person is strong and talented."