The Azure Dragon Sect's city shimmered under the midday sun like a jade dragon coiled upon the mountains. The streets pulsed with spiritual energy, their ancient stone surfaces embedded with spirit veins that glowed faintly beneath the feet of passing cultivators. Lin Feng walked alongside his companions, the weight of the silver-ranked jade badge warm against his chest. It was more than mere identification—it was a symbol of his place in the cultivation world, a stepping stone on his path to surpassing even the heavens themselves.
Long Tian led the group with the confidence of one destined for greatness. His golden aura of luck shimmered around him like a protective mantle, visible even to Lin Feng's untrained spiritual senses. The three beauties who accompanied him—Su Wan'er with her mature allure, Bai Luoyan with her innocent loli appearance, and Xia Qingyue with her dejected posture—formed a protective circle around him that would have made any ordinary man envious.
The protagonist's halo shines brighter than the noonday sun, Lin Feng mused. He attracts loyal followers and beautiful women like a celestial magnet. But I have already begun to weaken his fortune. Xia Qingyue's downfall has created the first crack in his perfect facade.
As they approached the Celestial Pavilion—a magnificent structure that seemed to float above the city on clouds of spiritual energy—Lin Feng noticed subtle changes in his companions. Su Wan'er straightened her cultivation robes and ran a hand through her brown hair, ensuring every strand was in place. Bai Luoyan adjusted the small white shield on her back, polishing its surface until it gleamed like polished pearl. Even Xia Qingyue, despite her tear-streaked face, made an effort to compose herself, wiping away the evidence of her distress.
They're preparing for their encounter with Hua Lingwei, Lin Feng realized. This celebration is more than mere revelry—it's a strategic alliance waiting to be forged.
The Celestial Pavilion lived up to its name. Its towers reached toward the heavens, their tips disappearing into misty clouds that glowed with spiritual light. Spirit flowers bloomed along its walls, their petals shimmering with elemental energy. The very air hummed with power, making Lin Feng's meridians tingle with anticipation.
Long Tian secured the Moonlight Room—a private chamber reserved for noble guests—with ease, his natural charisma winning over the attendants despite his young age. As they waited for Hua Lingwei's arrival, he gathered his companions.
"This celebration marks our first true success as a cultivation team," he declared, his voice resonating with the confidence of a future sect leader. "From today forward, we will rise through the ranks together. Our names will echo through the realms as we achieve immortality and defy the heavens themselves."
Xia Qingyue flinched at his words, her hands twisting in the fabric of her robes. She had tried to speak earlier about the spider mission, about the inexplicable failure that had nearly cost them their lives, but Long Tian had silenced her with a look.
The protagonist's hero personality is firmly in control, Lin Feng observed. He forgives easily but remembers everything. Xia Qingyue's position in his heart continues to weaken with each passing moment.
As if summoned by their thoughts, Hua Lingwei arrived. Her entrance was like a gentle breeze carrying the scent of plum blossoms—subtle yet impossible to ignore. Her jet-black hair flowed like a midnight river down to the floor, her face round as the moon, and her skin white as the purest jade. She moved with a grace that defied cultivation realms, each step causing spiritual energy to swirl around her like jealous lovers.
Lin Feng felt his breath catch. Another disaster-level beauty. The Heavenly Dao itself seems to favor Long Tian, placing exquisite maidens in his path wherever he goes.
The other girls immediately sensed the threat. Su Wan'er's lips thinned into a line, Bai Luoyan's hand tightened on her shield, and even Xia Qingyue straightened from her dejected posture, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. Their alliance, fragile though it was, tightened reflexively.
Long Tian, seemingly oblivious to the tension, approached Hua Lingwei with confidence. "It's our honor, Lady Hua Lingwei. Your presence graces our humble celebration."
Hua Lingwei smiled warmly. "The honor is mine, Young Master Long. I've heard much about your team's bravery. Defeating a spider queen's nest as newly graduated disciples speaks of exceptional talent."
As they settled into the Moonlight Room, Lin Feng observed the dynamics between his companions. Long Tian took the seat of honor, Hua Lingwei by his side. Su Wan'er and Bai Luoyan flanked them, their positions carefully chosen to maintain proximity to Long Tian. Xia Qingyue sat furthest away, near the door, as if her place among them had already been diminished.
Servants brought forth delicacies infused with spiritual energy—moon petal wine that shimmered like liquid starlight, spirit peach pastries that glowed with inner fire, and golden rice that had been cultivated in the purest spirit springs. Each bite carried cultivation benefits, strengthening meridians and purifying Qi.
Long Tian raised his cup. "To our future! May we climb the cultivation path together and reach the pinnacle of power!"
The others echoed his toast, their voices filled with excitement and ambition. Only Xia Qingyue remained silent, staring into her cup as if seeking answers in the swirling liquid.
She's retreating further within herself, Lin Feng noted. The poison of doubt I planted has taken root, and with each passing moment, her connection to Long Tian weakens.
As the evening progressed, Long Tian recounted their battle against the spider queen, embellishing their victory while carefully omitting Xia Qingyue's failure. Su Wan'er and Bai Luoyan added their own accounts, their words painting a picture of teamwork and loyalty. Xia Qingyue sat quietly, her face pale, her hands trembling slightly as she tried to maintain her composure.
Hua Lingwei listened with rapt attention, her eyes occasionally lingering on Long Tian with an expression Lin Feng recognized all too well. She's already captivated by his protagonist aura. Another piece falls into place.
"I've never met cultivators so young who could accomplish such feats," Hua Lingwei said, her voice smooth as honey. "The Mission Hall could use talented individuals like yourselves. Perhaps we could discuss opportunities for advancement?"
Long Tian's eyes gleamed with ambition. "We would be honored to serve the Mission Hall in any capacity, Lady Hua Lingwei."
Lin Feng watched the exchange with interest. The protagonist's luck continues to favor him. Powerful allies are drawn to him like moths to a flame. But I have already begun to sever his connections.
As the moon rose high in the sky, casting silver light through the paper windows, Lin Feng made his excuse. "I regret that I must depart early. The spider queen's venom contained a rare poison that has settled in my meridians. I must seek an antidote before it causes permanent damage."
Long Tian frowned with concern. "Is it serious? Perhaps I should accompany you."
Lin Feng waved off the suggestion. "No need to trouble yourself. This is a minor setback, and I have connections among the alchemists who can help. Besides," he added with a meaningful glance at Hua Lingwei, "your presence is more important here. Lady Hua Lingwei won't wait for one junior cultivator's health concerns."
After some discussion, the group reluctantly agreed to Lin Feng's request. As they prepared to return to their residence, he slipped away quietly, his heart pounding with anticipation.
By tomorrow morning, I will have claimed the Void Emperor's inheritance. Long Tian's first major opportunity will become my stepping stone to power.
The Alchemist's Quarter was a labyrinth of narrow streets filled with the mingled scents of rare herbs, spiritual catalysts, and experimental concoctions. Shops with signs bearing alchemical symbols lined both sides of the road, their doors often hidden behind curtains of spiritual mist that prevented outsiders from seeing within.
Lin Feng navigated these streets with the confidence of someone who had studied their layout in advance. He had spent his first days in this new world carefully mapping resources and connections, knowing that information was power in the cultivation world.
He entered a modest shop with a sign reading "Old Man Li's Panacea Hall." The interior was cluttered with shelves holding countless jars and bottles, their contents glowing with various colors. Behind the counter stood an elderly man with a long white beard, his eyes sharp despite his advanced age.
"Ah, young Lin Feng," the old man greeted without looking up from his current task—a delicate process of grinding moonpetal stamens into a fine powder. "I sensed your approach through the shop's protective formation. What brings you here today?"
Lin Feng bowed respectfully. "Master Li, I seek materials for a journey into the Verdant Forest. I've heard rumors of a hidden cave containing ancient cultivation resources."
The old man's hands stilled. He slowly looked up, his eyes narrowing with sudden intensity. "The Verdant Forest is no place for a young cultivator who has just reached the third level of Qi Condensation. Many experts in Foundation Establishment have entered those woods and never returned."
Lin Feng smiled enigmatically. "I have received a map to a specific location—one that promises rewards worthy of the risk."
Master Li studied him for a long moment before nodding slowly. "I see. Fate has woven an interesting thread for you, young man. Many have sought the Void Emperor's resting place, but none have succeeded. Perhaps the Heavenly Dao has chosen you for this task."
Lin Feng's eyes widened in surprise. "You know of this place?"
The old man chuckled. "I have lived in this city for three hundred years, young cultivator. There are few secrets that escape my notice. The Void Emperor was a supreme expert who mastered all elements—fire, water, earth, wind, lightning, and even the rare space and time attributes. His inheritance is said to contain a divine treasure that can absorb the luck of others and convert it into cultivation resources."
He turned to a hidden cabinet behind the counter, retrieving several items. "Take these. The spirit-storing pouch will hold your supplies. The talismans of protection will shield you from low-level spirit beasts. And this—" he placed a small jade vial on the counter—"contains purified dew from the Celestial Lotus Pond. Drink it when you enter the cave; it will cleanse your meridians and prepare your body to accept the inheritance."
"How much do I owe you, Master Li?" Lin Feng asked.
The old man shook his head. "Consider it an investment in your future. If you succeed where others have failed, remember Old Man Li when you stand at the pinnacle of cultivation."
Lin Feng bowed deeply, accepting the items. "Your kindness will not be forgotten."
As he left the shop, the old man's voice followed him. "Beware the blue-haired girl, young Lin Feng. Her heart is divided, and her fate is tangled with yours in ways you cannot yet see."
Lin Feng paused at the doorway, considering the warning. Xia Qingyue? What could she possibly do to threaten my plans?
Shaking off the thought, he continued on his way, gathering the remaining supplies he would need for his journey. By nightfall, his backpack was filled with rations, medicine, and essential cultivation tools. He had also purchased a set of recording orbs—magical artifacts that could capture scenes and sounds when activated with spiritual energy.
These will be useful, he thought with a smile. When I claim the Void Emperor's inheritance, I'll have proof of my achievements. And if Xia Qingyue continues to be a problem...well, these orbs can record other things as well.
The moon hung high in the sky as Lin Feng left the city gates, using his wind attribute cultivation to mask his footsteps. He moved swiftly but carefully, avoiding the patrol routes of the city guards. The Verdant Forest lay two days' journey to the east, but with his increased cultivation base and stamina, he could cover the distance in half that time.
As he walked, he reflected on the events that had brought him to this point. The chaotic transmigration from his Earthly life as a successful businessman to this cultivation world had been both terrifying and exhilarating. He had expected a system or divine guide to assist him, but finding himself truly on his own had strengthened his resolve.
I have no cheat abilities, no divine blessings, he thought. Only my thirty years of strategic thinking and the advantage of knowing what a true protagonist looks like. Long Tian's golden aura of luck is visible to my awakened senses—a tangible manifestation of the Heavenly Dao's favor.
He recalled the scene at the Mission Hall, where Long Tian had effortlessly attracted the attention of not one but two disaster-level beauties. Hua Xiran and Hua Lingwei—daughters of the Mission Hall master—had both shown interest in him, despite already knowing about his three companions.
The protagonist's halo is too powerful, Lin Feng mused. He attracts beauty and opportunity like a magnet. But I have already begun to weaken his luck. Xia Qingyue's downfall during the spider mission has created the first crack in his perfect facade.
As he entered the forest's edge, the spiritual energy grew denser, flowing through the ancient trees like invisible rivers. The moonlight filtered through the canopy in silver shafts, illuminating spirit herbs that glowed faintly in the darkness. This was no ordinary woodland but a cultivation ground where the boundaries between the mortal and immortal realms grew thin.
Lin Feng activated one of his recording orbs, capturing the mystical atmosphere. This will serve as proof of my journey. When I return with the Void Emperor's inheritance, no one will doubt my accomplishments.
He consulted the map from the intercepted message, adjusting his course deeper into the forest. The path grew increasingly difficult, with steep ravines and treacherous terrain that would have slowed an ordinary traveler. But Lin Feng's cultivation base allowed him to leap across gaps and scale cliffs with ease.
As dawn approached on the second day, he reached a clearing marked by three ancient stone pillars arranged in a triangular formation. According to the map, the cave entrance lay hidden beneath these pillars, protected by a spatial formation that made it invisible to ordinary eyes.
Lin Feng sat down to rest, drinking from his water skin and eating some spirit-infused rations. He could feel the ambient spiritual energy here was far denser than in the city—a sign that powerful formations still maintained their integrity after countless years.
This is no ordinary hidden cave, he realized. The Void Emperor invested significant resources in protecting his final resting place. Only someone with the proper guidance could find it.
He activated the Celestial Lotus Pond dew, drinking the luminous liquid in one gulp. A cool energy spread through his meridians, cleansing impurities and heightening his spiritual senses. The world around him seemed to sharpen, colors becoming more vibrant, sounds more distinct.
With his enhanced perception, he could now see the subtle fluctuations in space around the stone pillars—a complex formation that bent light and concealed the cave entrance. Following the instructions from the map, he moved in a specific pattern around the pillars, chanting the activation phrase under his breath.
The air shimmered like a heat haze, and suddenly a cave mouth materialized before him, its entrance framed by carved stone dragons whose eyes glowed with protective energy.
Lin Feng took a deep breath. Here begins my true journey on the path of cultivation. No more relying on the protagonist's luck. From this moment forward, I forge my own destiny.
He stepped into the cave, the recording orb in his hand capturing every moment. The darkness swallowed him whole, but his heart burned with anticipation. Whatever treasures or dangers lay within, he would claim them for himself.
The path to becoming the strongest cultivator under the heavens had truly begun.
The cave interior was unlike anything Lin Feng had ever seen. The walls glowed with a soft, ethereal light, revealing intricate carvings that depicted the Void Emperor's life—from his humble beginnings as a rootless orphan to his ascension as a supreme expert who mastered all elements of the universe.
The air hummed with spiritual energy so dense it was almost tangible. Every breath Lin Feng took filled his lungs with power, causing his meridians to expand and his cultivation base to stabilize. He could feel the ambient Qi responding to his presence, swirling around him like curious spirits.
This place has been untouched for centuries, Lin Feng realized. The formations are still intact, the spiritual energy undisturbed. The Void Emperor truly was a supreme expert to create such a sanctuary.
Following the map's directions, Lin Feng navigated through a series of chambers, each more magnificent than the last. He passed through halls filled with spirit herbs that had grown to enormous sizes in the concentrated energy, their leaves shimmering with elemental power. He crossed bridges that spanned bottomless chasms, their surfaces inscribed with protective talismans that glowed when he stepped upon them.
In one chamber, he encountered a guardian formation—a complex array of spiritual energy that tested his comprehension of the Dao. The formation shifted and changed, presenting riddles that required deep understanding of cultivation principles to solve. Lin Feng spent hours meditating before the formation, drawing upon his knowledge from his previous life and the memories of his new body to unravel its mysteries.
The Void Emperor was testing his successors, Lin Feng realized. Only those with true understanding of the Dao could pass this trial.
When the formation finally dissolved, revealing the path forward, Lin Feng felt a profound sense of accomplishment. He had proven himself worthy, not through brute strength but through wisdom and comprehension.
At the heart of the cave, in a chamber that seemed to exist outside of normal space and time, Lin Feng found the Void Emperor's final resting place. A simple stone platform stood in the center of the room, upon which rested three items that glowed with inner light.
The first was a ring—not an ordinary piece of jewelry but a storage ring of incredible capacity. Unlike the common storage rings used by cultivators, this one pulsed with spiritual energy, its surface inscribed with ancient runes that spoke of space manipulation and soul cultivation.
The second item was a lotus flower, its petals shimmering with all the colors of the spectrum. Each petal represented a different element—fire, water, earth, wind, lightning, space, time, life, and death. The lotus floated a few inches above the platform, rotating slowly as if alive.
The third item was a small jade vial containing a liquid that glowed with a deep, crimson light. The vial itself was carved from dragon bone, its surface decorated with scenes of ancient dragons soaring through the heavens.
Lin Feng approached the platform reverently. He understood that these were not mere treasures but tools that could elevate a cultivator to unprecedented heights. The Void Emperor had left his inheritance to a worthy successor, and Lin Feng intended to prove himself that successor.
Taking a deep breath, Lin Feng extended his hand toward the storage ring. As his fingers touched its surface, the ring glowed brightly before shrinking to normal size and slipping onto his right index finger. A surge of spiritual energy flowed through him, connecting his consciousness to the ring's interior space.
This is extraordinary, Lin Feng marveled. The storage capacity is beyond anything I've ever heard of. And it nourishes the soul of its owner...this is a treasure worthy of emperors.
Next, Lin Feng focused on the lotus flower. As he reached for it, the petals glowed brighter, each color intensifying until the entire chamber was bathed in multicolored light. The lotus floated toward him, its rotation speeding up until it became a blur of color.
Without hesitation, Lin Feng allowed the lotus to enter his body. It passed through his physical form and settled in the center of his consciousness, where it began to rotate slowly. He felt a strange sensation as if his very being was being remade, his meridians expanding and his comprehension of the elements deepening.
The Luck-Devouring Divine Lotus, Lin Feng realized as knowledge flooded his mind. This is the ultimate cultivation treasure. It can absorb the luck of others and convert it into cultivation resources. With this, I can surpass even the heavens themselves.
The final item—the jade vial containing dragon blood essence—was the most potent of all. The Void Emperor's letter had explained its purpose: to strengthen the bloodline, increase lifespan, and enhance physical capabilities. But it also served another purpose—to strengthen the connection between the cultivator and his companions, sharing the benefits of the strengthened bloodline with those he deemed worthy.
Lin Feng drank the essence in one gulp. The liquid burned through his body like molten metal, searing his meridians and purifying his blood. He felt his muscles strengthening, his bones hardening, his senses sharpening. His vision changed, allowing him to see the luck that surrounded living beings like colorful auras.
With this dragon bloodline, I will live for thousands of years, Lin Feng thought as the transformation completed. I will gather beautiful companions, strong allies, and powerful treasures. And I will use the Luck-Devouring Divine Lotus to steal the destinies of those like Long Tian, converting their heavenly fortune into my own strength.
As the transformation finished, Lin Feng felt a profound change within himself. He was no longer the rootless orphan who had graduated from the Azure Dragon Sect. He was Lin Feng, cultivator of the Void Emperor's inheritance, master of all elements, and thief of destinies.
His cultivation base had already broken through to the fourth level of Qi Condensation, and he could feel the potential for further advancement. The Luck-Devouring Divine Lotus rotated steadily in his consciousness, ready to absorb the luck of others and convert it into pure cultivation energy.
Lin Feng knew what he must do next. He would return to the city, rejoin his companions, and continue his plan to steal Long Tian's harem and destroy his protagonist aura. With the Void Emperor's inheritance, he was no longer dependent on the protagonist's luck for survival. He could forge his own path to power.
But first, he needed to test the full extent of his new abilities. The Verdant Forest was filled with spirit beasts of various levels, perfect for testing his combat skills and elemental comprehension.
Lin Feng left the cave, the entrance sealing behind him as the spatial formation reactivated. The recording orb in his hand captured his triumphant expression as he stepped back into the sunlight.
The path to becoming the strongest cultivator under the heavens has truly begun, Lin Feng thought as he began his journey back to the city. And I will walk this path with my own two feet, without relying on any system or divine blessing.
His eyes gleamed with determination, already calculating his next move against Long Tian and his harem of beauties. The first strike had been landed—Xia Qingyue's downfall during the spider mission had weakened the protagonist's luck. Now, with the Void Emperor's inheritance, Lin Feng was ready to deliver the next blow.
Long Tian, you have no idea what awaits you, Lin Feng thought with a smile that would have chilled the bones of any who saw it. Your heavenly fortune will soon become my stepping stone to immortality. And your beautiful companions...they will call me master before this is over.
The sun was high in the sky as Lin Feng began his journey back to the city, but his mind was already racing ahead to the battles that awaited him there. The cultivation world would soon learn the name of Lin Feng, and it would tremble before his power.
I will become the true protagonist of this story, Lin Feng vowed silently. I will claim these beauties, seize these treasures, and break through the heavens themselves.
The path ahead was long and dangerous, filled with powerful enemies and cunning opponents. But Lin Feng was no longer the same man who had arrived in this world with nothing but his wits and determination. He was now a cultivator with the inheritance of an emperor, the bloodline of a dragon, and the power to steal destinies.
And he would use all of it to reach the pinnacle of power.