The courtyard of the Mo Clan was silent that morning. The sky above Azure Tide Peak was veiled by heavy clouds, and the sea winds whispered against the stone walls. A group of children, no older than twelve, sat cross-legged on the smooth ground, their gazes restless, waiting.
At the center, leaning on a blackwood cane carved with waves, stood Elder Mo Yuan, one of the oldest surviving cultivators of the Mo Clan. His hair was white as snow, but his eyes still carried the sharpness of the ocean tide.
"Children," Elder Mo Yuan's voice was deep, steady, and it rolled through the courtyard like distant thunder. "You carry the blood of the Mo Clan, but do not be deceived. In this world, our clan is not the only power. You must understand this truth now — the cultivation world is not built on fairness, but on strength, bloodlines, and endless struggle."
The children straightened their backs nervously. Some clenched their fists. Others dared not breathe.
"Seven great clans and sects," Elder Mo Yuan continued, "rule the cultivation world. They are the pillars upon which the balance of this era rests. To walk the path of cultivation without knowing their names… is to walk blind into a storm."
He tapped his cane once, and the sound echoed. "Listen well. Forget not a single word."
---
🌑 The Han Clan – Clan of Crimson Veins
"First," Elder Mo Yuan's gaze hardened, "is the Han Clan. Founded by Han Tianlong, the man who bore the Crimson Dragon Vein Blood Mark. They say with one roar, he could split rivers and make mountains tremble. His descendants carved the clan into an iron fortress of power.
The second generation, under Han Jinhai, spread their dominance through blood and marriage, forcing weaker families to bend their knees.
Now, in the third generation, the Han Clan is fractured with ambition. Yet do not mistake internal strife for weakness — even in their quarrels, they are like dragons fighting in the heavens, shaking the earth below."
A boy named Mo Ren, bold for his age, puffed out his chest. "So what if they're dragons? Our Mo Clan has the ocean. Water douses fire and cools blood!"
"Fool," whispered Mo Yuling, a quiet girl, "dragons swim in the sea too… they'd drown us before we touched them."
Elder Mo Yuan's sharp eyes swept over them, silencing their whispers. "Be careful of arrogance. Even the strongest wave bows before the dragon's roar."
---
🔥 The Yan Sect – Sect of Burning Flames
"Second," he said, voice dropping low, "the Yan Sect, also called the Sect of Burning Flames. Founded by Yan Huolie, bearer of the Fire Phoenix Blood Mark. His flames could incinerate entire armies, leaving only ashes.
His disciples of the second generation spread fire cultivation across the land, feared for their cruelty in war.
Now, the third generation follows Sect Master Yan Lie, whose ruthlessness has stained rivers red. Their youths, like Yan Zixuan, wield flame-forged fists said to reduce even spirit beasts to cinders in one strike."
One of the younger children, Mo Liang, shrank back. "Elder… if they can burn even spirit beasts, would one punch burn me to nothing?"
"Without cultivation? Yes," Elder Mo Yuan answered mercilessly. The boy paled, nearly trembling.
Meanwhile, Mo Jia, the eldest among them, lowered her lashes to hide the spark of ambition in her eyes. Fire that burns armies… power like that should belong to me.
---
🌊 The Mo Clan – Clan of Azure Tide
The children straightened with pride, but Elder Mo Yuan's gaze was cold.
"Do not think yourselves exempt. The Mo Clan — our clan — was founded by Mo Canghai, the Ocean Vein Blood Mark bearer. His control of the tides made him invincible on sea and land alike.
The second generation, led by his granddaughter Mo Lanyue, secured our wealth by seizing rivers, ports, and trade routes. That is why merchants bow to us, but do not mistake coin for invulnerability.
Now, in our third generation, our strength lies in both blade and trade. Our disciples are respected — but we are not feared as the Han or Yan. Remember this, children: the waves that nurture can also drown. Grow strong, or even our name will wash away like foam."
Mo Ren's earlier smirk faltered, and he glanced away.
---
🐯 The Liang Sect – Sect of the Iron Beast
"Fourth," Elder Mo Yuan's cane struck the ground, "the Liang Sect, born from Liang Baotian, whose White Tiger Blood Mark turned him into a beast of war.
The second generation made their sect a tide of berserkers, feared by all who met them in battle.
Now, in the third generation, disciples like Liang Qiu and Liang Feiyan fuse beast-taming with cultivation, commanding spirit beasts as weapons of slaughter."
At this, Mo Yuling swallowed hard. "Taming beasts? Elder, if they can command spirit beasts, then… what chance do people like us have?"
Elder Mo Yuan nodded grimly. "That is precisely why one must never meet a Liang disciple without caution. Against man, you fight one. Against them, you fight many."
---
🌌 The Zhao Clan – Clan of the Star Veins
"The Zhao Clan," Elder Mo Yuan's tone grew cautious, "was founded by Zhao Xingyun, who bore the Starlight Blood Mark. With starlight, he read fate itself and cut down enemies before their schemes even began.
The second generation, Zhao Wenyue, built star-observing towers and expanded their astral techniques.
Now, in the third generation, disciples like Zhao Lingxi can vanish into the night sky, unseen until their blades pierce your heart."
A boy whispered nervously, "Elder… if they can vanish into the sky… does that mean they can be anywhere? Watching us?"
The courtyard went cold. Elder Mo Yuan's silence was answer enough.
---
⚡ The Feng Sect – Sect of Heavenly Tempests
"Sixth," he said, his voice rumbling, "the Feng Sect. Founded by Feng Leiyun, bearer of the Thunder Vein Blood Mark. They called him Heaven's Wrath, for lightning obeyed his every strike.
The second generation perfected speed and violence, striking before enemies could even raise their defenses.
Now, the third generation boasts disciples like Feng Tianlei, who moves faster than thought, his blade accompanied only by thunder."
Mo Jia's fingers curled tightly into her robe. Speed faster than thought… such power would let me crush anyone who dares block my path.
But Mo Liang whimpered. "Elder… if lightning strikes before you can see it, doesn't that mean no one can escape?"
Elder Mo Yuan gave him a hard look. "You've finally understood. Lightning leaves no chance to run."
---
🌲 The Qin Clan – Clan of Verdant Roots
"Lastly, the Qin Clan. Do not dismiss them because they are gentle. Founded by Qin Muwu, whose Emerald Vein Blood Mark gave him power over plants and life itself, they have always been healers.
The second generation, Qin Ruyin, created techniques that could restore even shattered meridians. Kings and sect masters came begging for her aid.
Now, in the third generation, their talent Qin Yuelin can heal with one hand and kill with the other, using roots to strangle enemies where they stand."
"Elder…" Mo Yuling whispered faintly, "so even healers are dangerous?"
"Yes," Elder Mo Yuan said with finality. "Sometimes the kindest smile hides the sharpest blade."
---
The courtyard fell silent. The children exchanged nervous glances, their earlier pride now swallowed by fear and awe. Some, like Mo Jia, clenched their teeth with ambition burning in their eyes. Others, like Mo Liang, trembled as if they wished to flee the cultivation path altogether.
Elder Mo Yuan struck his cane once more, the sound like crashing waves.
"Remember this well. The seven great clans and sects are mountains that crush all beneath them. To walk the cultivation path is to climb these mountains, knowing that one misstep will send you falling into death.
Do not grow arrogant because you are Mo Clan. Do not think your bloodline will protect you. Only strength will.
The cultivation world does not forgive weakness. It devours it."