Xiao Zhu's eyelids fluttered open, his vision adjusting to the familiar grandeur of the Xiao Family Estate.
He found himself seated upon the grand throne of the Xiao Clan, its intricate carvings of dragons and phoenixes gleaming under the warm sunlight streaming through the high windows.
'I know this place...' Xiao Zhu thought, his gaze sweeping across the chamber. The ornate hall was lined with eight elders seated in two rows, four to his right and four to his left.
Their aged faces bore an air of authority, yet they looked toward him with subtle unease.
Xiao Zhu's attention, however, was drawn not to them but to the glowing crimson panel hovering before his eyes.
[HOST HAS RETURNED TO FIVE YEARS IN THE PAST]
[DELIVERING BASIC GIFT PACK...]
Xiao Zhu blinked, his heart pounding at the words before him. "Elder Ji," he said, his voice calm yet laced with curiosity, "Do you not see this before me?" He gestured to the panel.
The elder on his left furrowed his brows, glancing around uncertainly. "No, Clan Master Zhu," Elder Ji replied, bowing his head slightly.
'It seems only I can see it,' Xiao Zhu thought, his lips curling into a faint smile. The elders exchanged nervous whispers, their doubt clear in their murmurs.
"Has the Clan Master finally lost it?" one elder whispered.
"To forget matters of such importance," another muttered under their breath.
Brushing aside their suspicions, Xiao Zhu refocused his thoughts. 'If this is truly five years in the past…'
His eyes sharpened. "Elder Ji," he began, his tone steady, "what issues are we discussing today?"
Elder Ji hesitated before replying, "Clan Master, we were discussing the ruins discovered near Lu Jin City. It's said they may hold the Saint's Tome."
'The Saint's Tome… In my previous life, that wretched ruin gave me nothing but a scar.' Xiao Zhu's fingers brushed the faint line across his cheek.
He had ventured into the ruin with high hopes, only to leave empty-handed and humiliated.
"This matter requires no further discussion. The Xiao Clan will not participate," Xiao Zhu declared firmly.
"But Clan Master—" Elder Ji began, only to halt mid-sentence as Xiao Zhu's sharp gaze pinned him in place. The elder froze, sweat forming on his brow under the pressure Xiao Zhu exuded.
"Understood, Clan Master," Elder Ji stammered, lowering his head.
Rising from the throne with an air of authority, Xiao Zhu dismissed them with a wave. "You are all dismissed. Leave me."
Once alone in his private study, Xiao Zhu leaned against his desk, his chin resting on his hand as he stared at the notifications.
'A power that defied the cycle of reincarnation itself…' he thought, his mind racing.
[OPENING BASIC GIFT PACK...]
[CALCULATING...]
Xiao Zhu frowned. "Basic gifts? Will they be mere trinkets?" he muttered, suppressing a sigh.
[CONGRATULATIONS!]
[HOST HAS RECEIVED THE PRIMORDIAL CORPSE BLOOD PHYSIQUE]
[HOST HAS RECEIVED MID-GRADE GREEN SPEAR ART: 'HEAVENLY ABIDING RIVER']
[HOST HAS RECEIVED MID-GRADE YELLOW TREASURE: 'ROGUE FORMATION FLAGS']
Xiao Zhu's breath caught. The words before him exceeded his wildest expectations. "A Yellow Grade treasure alone is a fortune, and the Primordial Corpse Blood Physique… what even is that?"
[COMMENCING TRANSFER OF GIFTS...]
Suddenly, a surge of energy erupted within him, his blood boiling as if molten metal coursed through his veins. He clenched his jaw, enduring the excruciating transformation. Beads of sweat dripped from his brow as impurities seeped out of his body, staining the floor.
Panting heavily, Xiao Zhu straightened, wiping his mouth. "These… impurities," he muttered, staring at the blackened filth. "My foundation feels solid, my Qi… condensed. I'm at least three times stronger than before."
His eyes narrowed in thought. "What of the other rewards?"
[HOST MAY RETRIEVE REWARDS FROM MENTAL PALACE]
Intrigued, Xiao Zhu pressed two fingers to his temple, entering his spiritual sea.
The once-clear red expanse was now a swirling vortex of dark purple streaked with crimson. At its center stood a majestic palace, its foundation gleaming with silver and gold.
'My spiritual sea has changed… Is this the influence of the Primordial Corpse Blood Physique?' Xiao Zhu mused.
Hovering toward the palace, he marveled at its pristine structure. "Fewer cracks, polished walls… it's far sturdier than before."
Inside, Xiao Zhu retrieved the treasures: the translucent Rogue Formation Flags with their faintly glowing patterns and the scroll detailing the 'Heavenly Abiding River' spear art.
"A Yellow Grade treasure… it could defend against an King Realm expert," he murmured, admiring the artifact.
There are 9 Realms, each realm higher more terrifying than the last—
Transcendant Realm
True Saint Realm
Saint Realm
Quasi Saint Realm
Emperor Realm --> Great Elder Lu
King Realm --> Xiao Zhu
Golden Core Formation Realm
Innate Realm --> Lin Shutong
Qi Refining Realm
There are also 5 Grades of Artifacts and Treasures from Highest to Least are all Split into Four Stages --> Peak--> High--> Mid--> Low
Heaven Grade
Earth Grade
Purple Grade
Yellow Grade
Green Grade