Somewhere in the infinite void, a small mortal soul traversed this sea of nothingness, guided by a massive attraction emanating from a gigantic universe floating in the same void through which the small soul moved quickly. After a long period of time, the mortal soul collided with the membrane of this universe and, mysteriously, passed through it without any problem. Upon entering this world, the soul experienced a vast range of sensations as it felt the fullness of this universe, known as the 33 heavens. This state did not last long, for the laws governing this world detected such a wandering mortal soul after entering the 33 heavens. An absolute power descended upon it and sent it into the cycle of samsara...
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[15 years later...]
In the Seven Profound Valleys, there was a gigantic mountain, whose peak was the Absolute Sword Peak, the center of the Seven Profound Valleys Sword Faction. With the Absolute Sword Peak as the center, there were also 12 smaller peaks around it, circling like a constellation.
In the high and thick clouds surrounding the peak, there was a majestic and grand main hall. The exterior of the main hall was covered with hundreds of feet of blue stone tiles. In the middle of these tiles was an enormous 200-foot sword piercing the ground.
Although this giant sword was just a sculpted statue, it was entirely made of darksteel and weighed hundreds of thousands of jins. If there truly were a giant capable of pulling this sword from the ground, it could indeed be used to massacre enemies.
Under this great sword, the Sword Faction Sovereign stood with his hands crossed behind his back. He was looking at two young men, one 18 and the other 15 years old, in front of him. His eyebrows arched upward like scimitars, and his aura was impressive.
"Jiang Baoyun!"
"During the last Martial Meeting , you were defeated by Acacia Faction's Ouyang Ming. Now, after three years, Ouyang Ming has already reached the peak of Pulse Condensation. He will be your greatest opponent."
Jiang Baoyun was silent for a moment, then he said, "Ouyang Ming is not my greatest opponent."
He turned to the younger one beside him and said, "It will be Haoren."
Jiang Haoren looked at Jiang Baoyun with a slight smile. "Elder brother, there's no need for that, after all, we are from the same faction."
"We are from the same faction, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't face each other," said Jiang Baoyun. "You are younger than me and Jiang Lanjian, but you are already equivalent to us."
Before Jiang Haoren could respond, the Sword Faction Sovereign spoke. "No matter what, you two are destined to be among the top three in the competition!"
"I couldn't help but notice Lanjian's absence, Father," Jiang Haoren said in sequence.
"Jiang Lanjian is in seclusion for the Martial Meeting. Despite being one of the three geniuses of our faction, he is still a bit behind in talent."
"The other factions will have no chance of a great performance in this Martial Meeting; we will claim the entire Top 3!" said Jiang Baoyun, looking at Jiang Wuji, the Sword Faction Sovereign.
"Haha! Well said! You truly are my son! So, during this Martial Meeting, I have only one expectation – you will secure the first and second places!!"
"Yes, Father!" the two responded simultaneously.
******
[Hours later...]
Jiang Haoren pondered for a moment in meditation. It has been fifteen years since he reincarnated into this world, so strange and familiar at the same time. He never would have imagined that upon dying, he would be reborn in the Martial World, the world of a novel he was a great fan of in his previous life.
Reborn as a member of the Jiang family, the most powerful family of the seven profound valleys and founder of the sword faction. Born blessed with considerable talent, allowing him to stand out throughout the sect, with talent similar to that of his elder brother—Jiang Baoyun.
Well, none of that matters now, the Martial Meeting will start soon, and he will appear!
Jiang Haoren's eyes opened, and he stood up, drew his sword, and delivered a powerful slash into the void!
Zoom!
A sharp buzzing arose as the sword's energy cut through the air relentlessly. A tremendous pressure fell upon the room's space before the effects of the sword's energy dissipated.
'My skills are already at the limit I can reach—utilizing my natural talent. I'm just a bit stronger than Jiang Baoyun, and if I remember correctly, Lin Ming defeated him and secured the first place in the Martial Meeting.'
Since reincarnating, Jiang Haoren has tried as much as possible to cultivate diligently, striving day after day. Reaching the peak of pulse condensation at 15 years old is his current limit.
'Lin Ming will appear,' thought Jiang Haoren. He doesn't have great confidence in beating Lin Ming, the protagonist of this world. 'I will just be a stepping stone for him to rise to greater paths.'
The rest of the seven deep valleys don't matter, the seven factions—Sword, Acacia, Zither, Formation, Refiner, Mirage, and Puppet—I only need to worry about the members of the Acacia and Puppet factions, besides my own. 'The only thing that matters is that the Sword Faction stays in the top 3, and if everything follows the book, one of us—Jiang Baoyun, Jiang Lanjian, and I, will be on the podium. Lanjian is the least likely among us.'
"Is it already time to go to Profound Sky City?" Haoren said to Jiang Lanjian, who had just arrived. It was in the city where the Martial Meeting took place every three years. Jiang Lanjian nodded. "The master is already waiting for us."
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