The day after Yun Shaoyun’s spar with Luo Feng, he found himself retreating to the quiet of his room. The match had left him in a state of frustration. Despite his recent improvement, the results were still the same: he had lost to Luo Feng in under ten moves. His opponent had been kind enough not to push too hard, but it was clear that Yun Shaoyun was still far from matching Luo Feng’s level.

The feeling of inadequacy gnawed at him, and for the first time since arriving at the Unwavering Sword Sect, Yun Shaoyun found himself questioning his decision to join the sect in the first place. He had hoped to grow, to become stronger—but here he was, just another weak disciple among hundreds.

His mind kept replaying the events of yesterday’s spar. He had improved, he was certain of it. But Luo Feng had been too much for him—too fast, too skilled, too powerful. It wasn’t the first time he’d lost, but something about the fight had unsettled him. There was a bitter taste in his mouth now that he couldn’t shake off. He could feel it, deep within himself—the stirrings of a change. He wasn’t just some average disciple anymore. His bloodline had awakened, and now there was power inside him, power that he couldn’t fully comprehend yet.

The Primordial Chaos Origin Bloodline. His mind couldn’t forget those words, or the strange visions that had flooded his consciousness when the bloodline had been triggered. Images of ancient warriors wielding power that could shatter mountains. Of a time long past, when such power had been the key to dominating entire worlds. He had felt it then, surging through his veins like wildfire, reshaping his body, sharpening his senses.

But Yun Shaoyun wasn’t foolish. Even now, as the memory of his bloodline’s awakening burned in his mind, he knew he had to keep it hidden. The world wasn’t ready for a bloodline like his, and neither were the people of the Unwavering Sword Sect. If they discovered what he had unlocked, he would become a target. Other sects, powerful clans, and even the ruling families of the empire would seek him out. He could already hear their whispers—whispers of power that could make him a weapon in their political games.

So, Yun Shaoyun chose to lay low. For now, at least.

He couldn’t afford to attract attention. He had to be patient, carefully plotting his next move. He had spent the past two years in the sect, training and observing. But now, with the pressure mounting, he knew it was time to learn more about the world he had become a part of. The clans, the sects, the empire—he needed to understand how everything worked if he was going to survive and thrive.

Yun Shaoyun spent the next few days wandering the sect, gathering tidbits of information wherever he could. It wasn’t hard—disciples were always gossiping, always discussing the most important and influential factions in the land. He overheard more than one conversation about the Long Clan, Feng Clan, Ying Clan, Lian Clan, and Hu Clan.

Each of these clans had their own unique strengths, and the competition between them was fierce. They were the powerhouses in the cultivation world, and their influence reached far beyond the walls of the sects.

1. Long Clan:

The Long Clan was one of the oldest and most respected clans in the cultivation world. With roots that went back to the founding days of the Eastern Dragon Empire, the Long Clan had always been synonymous with martial prowess. Their warriors were known for their skill with swords, their strength, and their unparalleled combat abilities. The clan’s leader, Long Tian, was said to have shattered mountains with a single swing of his sword. Yun Shaoyun had heard many rumors about Long Tian’s brutal nature, and it was clear that the clan would stop at nothing to maintain their dominance in the region.

2. Feng Clan:

The Feng Clan was a clan of merchants, but they were no less powerful than any of the others. The clan controlled a vast network of trade routes, from the southern seas to the northern borders. Feng Zhen, the clan leader, was a brilliant strategist and businessman. Under his leadership, the Feng Clan had amassed untold wealth and influence. However, the clan was not without its enemies. Other factions, especially the martial clans, saw the Feng Clan’s wealth as a threat to their own power. The clan was caught in a delicate balancing act—too much wealth and influence could make them a target, but too little and they would lose their status.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

3. Ying Clan:

The Ying Clan was known for their secrecy. They were the masters of espionage, information gathering, and manipulation. The clan’s spies were everywhere—within sects, within royal courts, within every major city. Ying Xia, the current head of the clan, was said to be a shadow in the dark—a master tactician who could maneuver entire armies without ever lifting a finger. The Ying Clan operated from the shadows, pulling strings and weaving plots that only they could see. They were dangerous, and Yun Shaoyun knew he would have to tread carefully around them.

4. Lian Clan:

The Lian Clan was a family of alchemists and herbalists, known for their ability to brew elixirs that could enhance cultivation. Their potions were in high demand among sects, especially those focused on martial arts. The patriarch, Lian Shao, was a legendary alchemist who had discovered rare and powerful herbs that allowed him to concoct pills capable of accelerating cultivation. Yun Shaoyun knew that the Lian Clan’s power came not only from their martial strength but also from their control over the cultivation process itself. Whoever controlled the best pills controlled the strongest disciples.

5. Hu Clan:

The Hu Clan was a martial clan, one known for their mastery of beast taming and combat techniques. Hu Yulong, the current leader of the clan, was a ruthless figure who valued strength above all else. The Hu Clan’s warriors fought alongside massive, powerful beasts—creatures that were capable of leveling entire cities. Yun Shaoyun had heard whispers of their ruthless training methods and their brutal warriors. While he admired their power, he also knew that the Hu Clan was not a faction to be trifled with. They would crush anyone who stood in their way.

---

The Top 3 Outer Disciples

Yun Shaoyun had spent the last two years watching the top Outer Disciples of the Unwavering Sword Sect, those who were on the verge of becoming Inner Disciples. Three names were always brought up in conversation: Zhao Lin, Xu Li, and Jiang Mei. These three had outshone their peers, advancing in skill and power at an alarming rate. The competition was fierce, but it was clear that only one of them could claim the coveted position of Inner Disciple.

1. Zhao Lin:

Zhao Lin was the embodiment of martial prowess. At just 14 years old, he had already mastered the sect’s most advanced sword techniques. His strikes were quick and precise, his footwork flawless. He had earned the nickname “The Phantom Sword” because of how fast and elusive he was. Zhao Lin’s rise to the top had been nothing short of meteoric, and many believed that he was destined to become an Inner Disciple. However, Zhao Lin’s arrogance often made him enemies, and his overconfidence was both his strength and his weakness.

2. Xu Li:

Xu Li was quieter than Zhao Lin, but no less formidable. His specialty was defense—he had mastered the art of counter-attacking, and his ability to turn an opponent’s strength against them made him nearly invincible. Xu Li was calm, methodical, and patient, a master of strategy. His rise to the top had been less flashy than Zhao Lin’s, but it was no less impressive. Yun Shaoyun admired Xu Li’s cool-headedness, but he also knew that his methodical nature could be a disadvantage when faced with opponents like Zhao Lin, who preferred to attack first and think later.

3. Jiang Mei:

The only woman among the top three, Jiang Mei was a fierce competitor. She was small in stature but quick as a whip, her reflexes faster than most of her male counterparts. Jiang Mei was known for her unpredictable fighting style, which relied on her ability to keep her opponents guessing. She was a master of close combat, using her agility to outmaneuver her enemies and strike when they least expected it. Many underestimated her because of her size, but those who had fought her knew better. Jiang Mei was a force to be reckoned with.

Yun Shaoyun’s research into the political landscape led him to focus on the Eastern Dragon Empire, the empire in which the Unwavering Sword Sect resided.

The Eastern Dragon Empire was a vast and powerful realm, ruled by the iron-fisted Emperor Zhen Long. Emperor Zhen Long was a figure both feared and revered across the land. His reign had begun with bloodshed, conquering neighboring territories through relentless military campaigns. Under his rule, the Eastern Dragon Empire had expanded its borders, becoming the most dominant force in the region.

Emperor Zhen Long had five princes and three princesses, each holding sway over a portion of the empire. But the true power lay in the constant struggle between the princes, all vying for their father’s throne. It was said that Emperor Zhen Long played them against each other, watching as they fought for supremacy, all the while consolidating his own power. It was a political game as deadly as any martial competition, and Yun Shaoyun knew he had to understand it if he was to navigate the treacherous waters of court politics.

The princes were no ordinary men. They were powerful in their own right, each having their own faction of loyal supporters, including elite warriors, diplomats, and strategists. But it wasn’t just their strength that made them dangerous—it was their ambition.

The princesses, though not as powerful as their brothers, were no less politically significant. They were skilled in diplomacy and often served as peacekeepers between the rival factions within the empire. Many had used marriages to form powerful alliances with neighboring kingdoms or influential sects, strengthening their own positions.

Yun Shaoyun had gathered much information in a short time. The world was vast, and the stakes were higher than he had initially realized. But one thing was clear: he couldn’t afford to be just another disciple. If he wanted to survive and thrive in this dangerous world, he would have to rise above the competition.