You promised yourself to be a caged bird, but you became the supreme young master?

The Great Qi Dynasty, Qinghe City.

In the outer courtyard of the Lu clan's territory, hundreds of teenagers gathered in the martial arts arena within the vast courtyard.

"Where have I been brought here?! Is this still in China?"

Standing among hundreds of teenagers, Lu Heng, dressed in coarse linen clothes, looked around with a sense of helplessness.

The memories flooding his mind brought him back to his senses, and he quickly realized a fact.

That is... he time-traveled!

While he found it hard to accept, the clear and vivid memories of the other world in his mind kept challenging his understanding.

Tell him that he is no longer in the original world, but has come to an unprecedented other world!

There are truly extraordinary and saintly cultivators in this world!

Riding the winds of the heavens, he travels to the North Sea in the morning and to Cangwu in the evening, transcending the world and living a carefree and immortal life.

These miraculous wonders, which existed only in fantasy in my previous life, are real in this world, except for the possibility of immortality.

The Lu family, from which he was born in this life, is a powerful cultivation family renowned for its innate talent, the "Eye of Emptiness."

This should have been a lucky thing, but unfortunately the family was divided into the main family and the branch family.

In order to solidify the absolute position of the main family, the main family would use a spell called "Bird in a Cage" to control all the branch family members.

This is treating people like they're Japanese!

Oh, it seems that's indeed the case!

Lu Heng silently complained to himself.

And now he is on the [Awakening Ritual] that the Lu clan uses to awaken their bloodline!

The hundreds of teenagers present were all members of a branch of the Lu family.

Before the hundreds of quiet, unassuming youths, stood a middle-aged man with blue eyes, dressed in white, and bearing a blue mark between his brows, who stood with his hands behind his back. The man spoke righteously.

"My illustrious Lu clan has endured for a thousand years without decline."

It is an honor for all of you to be members of the Lu family…

Your birth is a blessing from your family…

Now, the family will give you another chance to change your destiny.

Remember... the family has no use for useless people who can't cultivate! Don't let the family down.

The middle-aged man with blue eyes paused noticeably before speaking the last sentence with a cruel undertone.

Listening to the obviously formulaic speech of the middle-aged man with blue eyes from below the stage, Lu Heng, who couldn't hold back any longer, couldn't help but lower his head slightly and roll his eyes.

The blue caged bird mark between his eyebrows indicates that the middle-aged man with blue eyes is merely a branch member of the Lu family.

Saying such things is truly absurd.

But the problem is...

Why are quite a few of the teenagers around me showing expressions of agreement?

"And what was the meaning of the last sentence spoken by that middle-aged man with blue eyes?"

Lu Heng did not forget the special tone of the middle-aged man with blue eyes when he said the last sentence, as well as the subtle feeling that was hard to describe.

"Remember... the family has no use for useless people who can't cultivate. Don't let the family down."

As the memories were completely integrated, Lu Heng froze the moment he recalled this point.

As a family of cultivators, the Lu family still has ordinary people who lack cultivation aptitude and have not embarked on the path of cultivation.

However, ordinary people without the aptitude for spiritual cultivation have no offspring and will die at the age of twenty.

Even if they have offspring, they can only live to be thirty years old at most.

His parents in this life were like that.

And it was definitely not a normal death in terms of lifespan.

and so…

The truth is obvious.

But it's also very cruel.

"Will I die if I don't cultivate?" Lu Heng muttered to himself.

Is this a hint from the middle-aged man with blue eyes?

He is now inevitably feeling irritable.

Having just arrived in this world, he originally thought that the existence of the cruel spell "Caged Bird" was the limit of his current predicament.

I didn't expect there to be such an expert!

Although this life was a free gift, Lu Heng absolutely did not want to die inexplicably.

Led by the middle-aged man with blue eyes, hundreds of young men from the Lu family branch arrived at a huge white crystal with intricate and mysterious patterns in the training ground.

After clearing his throat, the middle-aged man with blue eyes spoke again.

"The Awakening Ritual is a ritual of heaven and earth, which can draw upon the power of heaven and earth and awaken the power of one's bloodline."

As members of my Lu clan, you can all awaken the power of your bloodline.

Those with exceptional bloodline power will resonate with this awakening crystal.

You'd better watch yourselves.

As the middle-aged man with blue eyes finished speaking.

The patterns on the huge white crystal suddenly shone brightly.

Hundreds of teenagers, who knew about the event in advance, took turns coming to the giant crystal to receive its light.

But the middle-aged man with blue eyes standing to the side shook his head, yet his gaze held an air of utter self-righteousness…

Of the hundreds of teenagers present, only three were able to make the white crystal change.

"Okay, that's enough for today."

Go to the Internal Affairs Hall and get a copy of "Basic Body Refinement Method".

Let's meet here again tomorrow.

The middle-aged man with blue eyes waved his hand casually and then turned and left.

As if it were an urgent matter, they were unwilling to waste any time.

"It seems my bloodline power isn't particularly outstanding."

They've all ended up splitting up.

Unless there's a genetic mutation or atavism, it would be strange if someone could stand out from the crowd.

Taking a deep breath and then slowly exhaling, Lu Heng, who had anticipated this and was not particularly disappointed, raised his palm and stared at the white lines on his hand.

Only then did he realize that he had not only traveled to another world, but his body had also become younger.

What surprised him, however, was...

A black mark composed of strange characters appeared on the back of his hand.

"The mark of a caged bird?!" Lu Heng couldn't help but think of that at first, but then he rejected the guess.

The markings on caged birds are not like this in color and shape, and they are only located between the eyebrows, not on the back of the hand.

The blue mark between the eyebrows of the middle-aged man with blue eyes was the mark of the caged bird.

Moreover, the prerequisite for being branded with the Caged Bird Mark is awakening the Lu Clan's innate family bloodline talent, [Eye of Emptiness].

and so…

What is this?

Lu Heng was certain that there was nothing related to the black mark in his memories of this life…

Press your hand on the black mark and apply pressure slowly.

To Lu Heng's disappointment, he was also relieved that the black mark did not react at all.

After a moment's thought, I realized that I was currently unable to understand the mysterious black marks that had appeared out of nowhere.

Lu Heng focused his attention on what was to come.

"Cultivation?" Lu Heng murmured to himself, temporarily casting aside his suppressed emotions as his heart surged with excitement.

Being born into the Lu family, a family of caged birds, his only advantage at present is the ability to access cultivation.

Monopolies exist in every world, and in the case of cultivation, which is of paramount importance and capable of changing one's destiny, monopolies are especially severe.

If one comes from an ordinary background, even with exceptional talent, one must rely on luck to embark on the path of cultivation.

After the middle-aged man with blue eyes left, the many teenagers standing nearby also showed excited expressions, and those who knew each other started discussing it.

They were all teenagers, and even though they came from a family that had separated from the Caged Birds, they still retained some of their youthful spirit.

However, Lu Heng didn't know any of these people well because of his aloof nature in this life, so he was happy to relax.

After the middle-aged man with blue eyes left, he was led by several servants who were standing outside the martial arts arena.

Hundreds of young members of the branch family went to the Lu clan's internal affairs hall one after another to receive a copy of "Basic Body Refining Method".

Facing the many young men before him, some bewildered, some trembling, and some full of expectation, the steward of the Internal Affairs Hall, dressed in a plain gray robe, stroked his beard with one hand and pointed to a cultivation manual placed in the center of the Internal Affairs Hall with the other, and spoke.

"The Void Refining Qi Method is the innate cultivation method of my Lu clan."

Even when placed within the Qi Refining Method, it would be ranked among the top-grade!

You should respect it properly. If it's placed outside the family compound, you wouldn't even have the right to glance at it.

The "Basic Body Refining Method" that you will be practicing next is the only body refining method promoted by my Great Qi in the Body Refining Secret Realm.

Ordinary families would never have the opportunity to receive such instruction unless they took the imperial military examinations or joined the army.

Therefore, you should be grateful for the kindness of your family and the grace of the Emperor for having the opportunity to obtain cultivation techniques…”

Lu Heng clearly remembered the proud expression and words of the steward from the Internal Affairs Hall.

Also...

"Even the lowest-ranking member of the Lu family will involuntarily straighten his chest when he thinks of the family's glory and great achievements."

Shaking his head, Lu Heng stopped thinking about it and didn't act as adeptly as some of the young men and women present.

Instead of trying to get to know the only three who successfully awakened during the ceremony, he chose to leave alone.

Among hundreds of teenagers, quite a few made the same choice as him.

………………

A damp, musty smell mixed with the slightly pungent smell of charcoal fire in the corner filled my nostrils.

Lu Heng sat upright on a hard bed covered with a coarse cloth mattress, holding a tattered and yellowed book in his hand, in a cramped and old bedroom.

There was a chipped wooden table by the window, with a book on it.

The walls have peeled off in many places, revealing the blue bricks underneath, and a thin layer of white frost has formed on the corners.

"That's outrageous..." Lu Heng exclaimed as he casually put the book down.

The book he just read was a collection of myths and legends.

The content roughly recounts how the last primordial deity in the universe was surrounded and killed by numerous sages, after which the Heavenly Way became abnormal, severing the connection between Heaven and Earth…

Many powerful beings either disappeared without a trace or used their immense strength to create blessed lands and secluded themselves from the world, never interfering in human affairs.

From then on, humanity flourished.

What seems absurd at first glance might actually be a true historical event in this world.

"Is this even human?"

It's truly unbelievable that Lu Heng, who came from a world without magic in his previous life, could change the world with his individual power.

Even in that previous world, humanity's strongest weapon was nothing more than a tickle to the world.

Shaking his head, Lu Heng stopped thinking about it.

Instead, he turned his attention back to the "Basic Body Refinement Method" on the wooden table.

The Basic Body Refinement Method corresponds to the first secret realm of cultivation, the "Body Refinement Secret Realm".

As the steward of the Internal Affairs Hall said, it is the only universally applicable body-refining technique within the Great Qi Dynasty.

It may not be able to achieve overwhelming power in some aspects, but it is the most comprehensive, the most basic, and the most universal.

No body-refining method is more suitable for Foundation Establishment than the Basic Body Refining Method.

Even the main members of the Lu family of Qinghe cultivate the same "Basic Body Refining Method," without any difference.

It's the only fairness on the path to enlightenment.

"Can you do this for ordinary people?"

It seems the imperial courts of this world are not entirely inactive.

Even though he had just arrived in this world, Lu Heng had already begun to experience its cruelty and couldn't help but sigh.

While feeling emotional, Lu Heng, understanding his own situation, reached out and picked up the "Basic Body Refining Method" and slowly opened it.

After quickly glancing at it, Lu Heng couldn't help but frown.

Being able to cultivate the only technique in the Body Refining Secret Realm is indeed a stroke of luck.

But you should know that he is currently in a predicament where he will die if he doesn't cultivate.

The Basic Body Refinement Method is indeed the most universally applicable.

However, even though the difficulty of getting started has been reduced to the extreme.

However, it is not something that ordinary people can cultivate.

In the realm of ordinary martial arts cultivation, there exists a concept of "foundation building in a hundred days."

If one cannot enter the Body Refining Secret Realm and become a martial artist within a hundred days, it can only mean that one has no martial arts aptitude.

A similar statement exists in the Basic Body Refining Method.

However, it's not a hundred days to build a foundation, but a month.

If one cannot master the Qi and Blood Technique and refine Qi and Blood within a month, it can only mean that one lacks the aptitude for cultivation.

As for the consequences of not having the aptitude for cultivation?

Lu Heng pursed his lips.

The reason he frowned just now was because…

The Basic Body Refinement Method records the most direct and obvious test of cultivation aptitude.

Those with exceptional talent in cultivation only need to read through the "Basic Body Refining Method" once.

One can sense one's own Qi and blood, and even directly guide one's own Qi and blood, thus directly entering the "Basic Body Refining Method".

It only takes three days to enter the Body Refinement Secret Realm.

He had just carefully and thoroughly read through the "Basic Body Refinement Method," but he felt nothing.

This only shows that while he may have some talent in cultivation, he is definitely not at all top-tier.

Given his current situation, this is certainly not good news.

Now, he has undergone a test of his cultivation talent…

Oh, no, it should be two tests of cultivation aptitude.

The Awakening Ritual is also a test of one's aptitude for cultivation!

Ordinary people only awaken their bloodline, while true geniuses directly awaken their talent.

Having a bloodline doesn't necessarily mean having cultivation aptitude, but having talent, and awakening directly through the [Awakening Ritual], definitely means having excellent cultivation aptitude!

The two cultivation aptitude tests have already shown that he is most likely not a genius in cultivation.

If things go wrong and you fail to refine your body and establish your foundation within a month, entering the Body Refinement Secret Realm will mean facing a life-or-death situation!

For a moment, Lu Heng felt somewhat helpless, but there was nothing else he could do.

Even the introductory training of the Basic Body Refinement Method is the same.

Ordinary people, without superior cultivation talent, cannot sense their own vital energy.

If you don't want to spend a lot of time polishing it, you'll need guidance from beginners.

As expected, the middle-aged man with blue eyes had these young people from different families gather at the martial arts arena the next day to help guide and regulate their qi and blood.

Only by uniformly guiding the flow of Qi and blood can it be easier to intuitively confirm and compare whether a person has the talent and qualification for cultivation.

Thinking about this, Lu Heng realized that he couldn't find anything to do for the time being.

Or rather, there's no need to do it.

He stood up, walked out of the bedroom, and went to his own courtyard.

It was already evening outside.

The courtyard has no scenery; the bluestone path has been worn smooth by time; the old osmanthus tree in the corner has sparse branches that lean outwards; and the dappled sunlight and shadows sway and flicker on the bluestone ground.

The occasional chirping of birds only accentuated the tranquility of the surroundings.

With memories of both lifetimes intertwined, Lu Heng was overwhelmed with emotions and stood there in a daze.

I don't know how much time passed.

The scalding hot back of his hand snapped Lu Heng out of his reverie.

"The back of the hand?!"

Lu Heng instantly regained consciousness.

Isn't this the place where he saw that black mark when he woke up today?

The black mark appeared after he performed the [Awakening Ritual].

Lu Heng had a vague idea about this.

Could this be a special talent he gained after time travel?

The black mark remained unresponsive for a long time.

That's what made him temporarily put aside that thought.

the more you hope, the harder you fall.

Fate's gifts always come with a hidden price tag.

Even now, Lu Heng still has some doubts in his mind.

Why did the black mark, which hadn't reacted at all for half a day, suddenly change now?

Raising his hand, Lu Heng looked closely and discovered that the black characters on the back of his hand were fading away rapidly at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Then it appeared before his eyes.

An intangible essence quickly took shape.

Accompanied by his thoughts, or rather, his cognition.

A panel slowly refreshed before his eyes.

The panel was refreshing rapidly.

Although he couldn't see any substantial information, Lu Heng could sense that the panel was currently performing a log settlement.

The settlement time begins from the moment he travels through time.

The moment yesterday arrived at today, the settlement process on the panel had already quietly begun.

With the settlement completed...

[You have awakened your innate talent "Evolution" (Your awakening has caused a slight ripple in this world 100%)]

"Dark Blue, add some points?!?"

A storm of emotions, like a landslide or a tsunami, surged through Lu Heng's heart.

"I used all my effort, all my talent..."

Dark Blue, add some points!

Almost immediately, a similar image appeared in his mind.

"No, that's not right..."

Looking at the panel in front of him, even though he hadn't touched or delved into it, Lu Heng still inexplicably understood what evolution represented.

The purpose of evolution is not to add points, but to enable him to leapfrog in life level!

………………

Qinghe City, a quiet courtyard.

"Life leap?!" He felt the information in his mind, expressed in the way he could most easily accept.

Lu Heng seemed to be deep in thought.

Having come to the world of cultivation and possessing the memories of this life, the concept of life leap was not unfamiliar to him.

Spiritual practice is the way for life in this world to transcend its limitations!

But now his awakened talent seems to allow him to achieve a leap in life without needing to cultivate.

What difference is there between a leap in life and an advancement in spiritual cultivation?

For a moment, a multitude of questions arose in Lu Heng's mind.

Without much speculation, and knowing he had no right to speak before actually experiencing it, Lu Heng chose to open the panel based on his own understanding.

With a thought, the intangible essence transformed into a tangible panel that appeared before him.

Lu Heng

[12 years old]

Life Rank: None

Cultivation Level: None

[Talent: Void Bloodline (Unawakened)]

[Technique: Basic Body Refinement Method (Beginner Level 0/100)]

Evolution Points: 0/100 (After reaching the maximum value, it cannot be accumulated, but can unlock one life leap)

(Evolution points can only be accumulated through daily settlements)

Am I only 12 years old in this life?

Reaching out to touch his smooth chin, Lu Heng suddenly realized.

Although he possesses all the memories of this life, he has ultimately lived two lives, and his perceptions from the two lives sometimes overlap and sometimes conflict.

For example, when he suddenly came into this world, he had not yet realized that he had gone from a young man in his twenties to a teenager.

Now, it is through the panel that we can truly anchor our understanding.

Lu Heng then excitedly went to a water vat in the courtyard.

The clear water in the jar was still and calm, reflecting his face clearly.

A handsome young man with black hair and dressed in simple clothes was reflected in the water. He was tall and had clean features.

What's most striking are his eyes—a faint blue halo swirling in his pupils, clear yet possessing an unusual liveliness.

Born into the Lu family in this life, although not exactly pampered, life was peaceful and smooth, and I had never suffered any hardship.

Therefore, the boy reflected in the water has a full complexion. Moreover, due to the fusion of the two lives, he has lost some of his melancholy. His eyes and brows are full of youthful spirit, without any trace of hardship or distress.

"What a spirited young man!" Lu Heng couldn't help but exclaim.

………………

Back in the bedroom.

Lu Heng continued to study the panel with great interest.

On the panel, life level and cultivation realm appear in two different columns.

This has already proven that while there may be some connection between life level and cultivation realm, they are not equivalent.

They might not even belong to the same extraordinary system.

However, the final outcome will depend on the first life leap.

As for the evolution points required for life leap, these can only be obtained through daily settlements.

This also made Lu Heng quite concerned.

"Based on my understanding, as long as I am alive, evolution points seem to accumulate continuously for behaviors that have a positive impact on me."

However, if the magnitude is too small, it will be ignored.

Take breathing, for example. It is said that the secret to longevity is to keep breathing and not stop.

However, its positive impact on itself is too slight.

It also cannot generate evolution points that can be counted in the panel.

It's likely that even breathing for an extremely long period of time wouldn't be enough to accumulate even a single evolution point.

The ability to awaken is probably inextricably linked to my breaking free from the mystery of the womb and waking up.

"In a moment of sudden enlightenment, the golden lock was unlocked; only today do I realize who I am."

At the same time, Lu Heng looked at the sentence on his panel log, "Your awakening has stirred up slight ripples in this world," and a vague realization dawned on him.

The acquisition of evolution points may also be inextricably linked to the world!

As for how to obtain more evolution points?

Lu Heng looked at the "Basic Body Refining Method" placed on the table to the side.

Perhaps the answer is right in front of us.