Starting as the heir of a marquis's mansion, I gained access to a summoning system.

Dongzhou, the Chu family.

The Chu family resides atop Mount Cangwu, shrouded in mist and clouds, resembling a fairyland. As one of the oldest aristocratic families in the Eastern Continent, the Chu family's foundation is unfathomable. Among their ancestors were peak Grandmasters, and there are even legends of celestial beings presiding over them. The cultivation techniques, elixirs, and weapons accumulated over tens of thousands of years are enough to make any power drool.

In this generation, the most dazzling member of the Chu family is Chu Yunxiao.

Yunxiao Pavilion, built at the highest point of Cangwu Mountain, is suspended in mid-air on all sides, with only a winding stone staircase leading up. Standing atop the pavilion, one can watch the sea of ​​clouds surge and hear the rustling of the pines. This is Chu Yunxiao's exclusive cultivation place; without his permission, no one is allowed to set foot here.

At this moment, Chu Yunxiao was practicing his sword on the platform in front of the pavilion.

He was nineteen years old, tall and slender, with shoulders and back as straight as a pine tree. His long blue robe fluttered in the mountain wind, and a long sword hung at his waist—the sword was named "Lingxiao". The scabbard was pure white, with faint cloud patterns flowing around it, and it was clear at a glance that it was no ordinary sword.

His face was as fair as jade, and his eyebrows and eyes were as beautiful as a painting.

He was extremely handsome, but a smile was never seen on his face. A hint of aloofness always lingered between his brows, as if nothing in the world mattered to him.

"Buzz—"

The longsword was drawn from its sheath, its light flashing like a bolt of lightning.

Chu Yunxiao's figure darted erratically on the platform, each movement carrying a unique rhythm. His swordsmanship wasn't about flashy techniques, but rather an extreme simplicity—each strike was clean and crisp, without any superfluous movements.

The sword was thrust out, leaving a white trail in the air that lingered for a long time.

This is the effect of combining the "Cloud Soaring Technique" with the Chu family's ancestral sword technique. The "Cloud Soaring Technique" is a Heaven-rank technique; when used at full power, it can influence celestial phenomena, causing the wind and clouds to change color. The Chu family's sword technique emphasizes the concept of "momentum"—using momentum to overwhelm and defeat the enemy.

Chu Yunxiao has mastered both techniques and his swordsmanship is now seven-tenths of its full potential.

With a single sword strike, the clouds seemed to shatter, its momentum overwhelming.

At the edge of the platform, an elderly man with white hair stood with his hands behind his back, quietly watching Chu Yunxiao practice his swordplay. He was the eldest elder of the Chu family, a Grandmaster at the seventh level, and his status in the Chu family was second only to the patriarch.

The old man looked at it for a while, then nodded slightly, a look of satisfaction in his eyes.

"Young Master," he said, his voice aged yet full of energy.

Chu Yunxiao sheathed his sword and stood still, his breathing calm and composed. He turned around and looked calmly at the old man: "Elder, is there something you need?"

"After the battle in the Azure Realm, the young master's name has spread throughout the Eastern Continent." The old man stroked his beard and smiled. "The name 'Young Master Yunxiao' is now known to everyone. The patriarch asked me to tell the young master that he can now travel the martial world and bring glory to the Chu family."

Chu Yunxiao remained expressionless as he slowly sheathed the Lingxiao Sword.

"Young Master Yunxiao?" He repeated the four words in a low voice, a slight smile playing on his lips—not a smile, but a casual mockery. "It's just an empty title."

The First Elder was taken aback: "Young Master doesn't care?"

"So what if I care? So what if I don't care?" Chu Yunxiao stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the surging sea of ​​clouds in the distance. "What I want is not empty fame, but the ultimate martial arts. Grandmaster, Celestial Being... I want to surpass my ancestors and become the strongest in the Tianxuan Continent."

His voice wasn't loud, but it was as resounding as metal striking stone.

The First Elder watched Chu Yunxiao's retreating figure, feeling both gratified and moved. He was gratified that the Chu family had a worthy successor; he was moved by the fact that this young man's ambition far exceeded ordinary people's imagination.

"It is a blessing for the Chu family that the young master has such ambitions," the First Elder said, cupping his hands. "However, the Eastern Continent is full of geniuses, and under this golden age, the young master has many rivals. As far as I know, Wu Zetian of the Northern Border, Li Tianxing of the Heavenly Demon Sect, and Ye Xingchen, who has recently risen to prominence... are all rivals that the young master cannot ignore."

Chu Yunxiao turned around, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

"Wu Zhao?" he said, "The Pearl of the North, the woman who killed a Grandmaster-level expert with a single strike?"

"Exactly."

"I've heard of it," Chu Yunxiao said calmly. "It's rare for a woman to have such combat power. However—" He changed the subject, his tone carrying an innate arrogance, "Her blade might not be able to withstand my sword."

The Grand Elder did not refute, but simply smiled slightly.

"And there's Li Tianxing of the Heavenly Demon Sect," the Grand Elder continued. "This man cultivates the 'Heavenly Demon Great Art' and has already absorbed the power of several Grandmasters at their peak. His strength is unfathomable. If the young master encounters him, he must be extremely careful."

"Li Tianxing." A cold glint flashed in Chu Yunxiao's eyes. "The Holy Son of the Heavenly Demon Sect, a heretic and evil cultist. If I encounter him, I will surely kill him."

"Young Master, you must not underestimate our enemy..."

"I did not underestimate my opponent," Chu Yunxiao interrupted the Grand Elder, his voice calm as still water. "I am merely stating the facts. Evil cannot prevail over good; this has always been the case."

The elder opened his mouth, but ultimately swallowed back the words that were about to come out.

He knew Chu Yunxiao's temperament—this young man never listened to anyone's advice. His pride was innate, but it was also built upon his strength.

"So be it," the elder thought to himself. "Young people always have to experience some setbacks to grow. I hope that when the young master meets Li Tianxing, he can still maintain this confidence."

Chu Yunxiao drew the Lingxiao Sword again, its tip pointing towards the sky.

"Elder, if there's nothing else, I'm going to continue practicing my swordsmanship."

"This old man takes his leave."

The Grand Elder turned and walked slowly down the stone steps. After taking several dozen steps, he couldn't help but look back—

On the platform, Chu Yunxiao stood tall and straight, his long sword pointing to the sky.

His green robe fluttered in the wind, its sleeves billowing.

The sea of ​​clouds surged beneath his feet, and the sunlight bathed him in gold. At that moment, he seemed not to be a person, but a sword planted between heaven and earth.

The elder shook his head and turned to leave.

"This child..." he murmured softly, "will be famous throughout the world sooner or later."

Southern Continent, the Azure Realm.

Half a year ago, news of the opening of the Azure Realm spread throughout the Eastern Continent. This is an ancient, guarded ruin, said to contain countless treasures, and possibly even fragments of Heavenly Rank cultivation techniques.

Countless talented individuals flocked in, all wanting a piece of the pie.

Within this secret realm, danger lurks everywhere.

Restrictions, monsters, traps... any of these could be deadly. But the most dangerous thing is never these inanimate objects—it is people.

Chu Yunxiao entered the secret realm alone.

He had no followers, no companions, only the Lingxiao Sword.

Deep within the secret realm, before an ancient palace, seven peak Grandmaster-level experts blocked his path. They came from different factions: some were scions of noble families, some were elders of sects, and some were rogue cultivators. But at this moment, they were united with only one goal—to kill Chu Yunxiao and seize the treasures on his body.

"Chu Yunxiao," said the man in his forties, who was holding a long spear and exuding a chilling aura, "hand over what you obtained in the secret realm, and we may spare your life."

Chu Yunxiao glanced at him, his gaze as cold as if he were looking at a dead man.

"Get out of the way."

"What did you say?" The middle-aged man's expression changed.

"I said, move aside." Chu Yunxiao repeated, his voice still calm, yet carrying an undeniable authority. "I don't want to waste my time on you."

The seven peak grandmasters exchanged a glance, their eyes flashing with anger.

"Arrogant!" another elder roared. "Do you think you're a Grandmaster? With the seven of us joining forces, even a Grandmaster in the early stages would have to think twice!"

"Seven people?" Chu Yunxiao's lips curled up slightly, but there was no warmth in his smile. "That's fine. It saves me the trouble of searching for them one by one."

Before the words were even finished, the sword flashed.

No one saw how he drew his sword. All they saw was a flash of white light, and the middle-aged man at the front, holding a spear, clutched his throat, blood gushing from between his fingers.

His eyes widened, and he opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

Then, he collapsed to the ground.

A single sword strike to the throat.

The remaining six people's expressions changed drastically.

"Attack together!" the old man shouted, taking the lead in making his move.

Six peak-level grandmasters attacked simultaneously, their true energy pouring down like a torrential storm. Fists, palms, knives, swords, spears, and staffs—six different weapons, six different techniques—were interwoven into an impenetrable killing net.

Chu Yunxiao advanced instead of retreating.

His figure moved erratically amidst the six attackers, like a butterfly flitting among flowers, or a crane soaring through the clouds. The Lingxiao Sword in his hand transformed into a streak of light, each strike precise to the millimeter.

With a single sword strike, a long saber was severed in two.

One sword pierced through a palm.

With a single sword strike, half of the spear shaft was sliced ​​off.

After the three sword strikes, three of the six men were dead, and the remaining three were all wounded and pale-faced.

"You...you're not a peak Grandmaster..." The old man clutched his severed arm, his voice trembling, "You're...a half-step Grandmaster?"

Chu Yunxiao did not answer.

He raised the Lingxiao Sword, its tip aimed at the old man's throat.

"I've said it before, I don't want to waste my time."

A flash of sword light.

The old man's head flew into the air, and blood gushed out like a fountain.

The remaining two turned and fled, even throwing away their weapons.

Chu Yunxiao did not give chase.

He sheathed his sword, turned and walked into the depths of the palace, his steps unhurried, as if he had just done something insignificant.

After that battle, the name "Young Master Yunxiao" resounded throughout the Eastern Continent.

Some say he is already the strongest among the younger generation in the Eastern Continent, some say he is only one opportunity away from becoming a Grandmaster, and others say his goal is to challenge the older generation of powerhouses and prove the glory of the Chu family.

Chu Yunxiao neither confirmed nor denied these claims.

He simply continued his spiritual practice.

Aiming for the peak.