Jin Mo woke up to the first light of dawn, his routine firmly ingrained after two years of disciplined training. After taking a refreshing shower, he changed into his training attire and headed out. His days had fallen into a structured rhythm: mornings spent training with Sir Cedric, afternoons hunting with Serena, nights training with Chol Mo and Geol Mo, and finally, deep, restful sleep. It was a peaceful, fulfilling life, one that allowed Jin Mo to grow both in body and mind.
Time passed in the blink of an eye, and now, at four years old, Jin Mo had changed drastically. His physique had become well-defined for his age, his endurance and strength honed through relentless training. But more importantly, his mind had grown sharper, his understanding of the world expanding each day. He was no longer just an innocent child but a boy with a keen awareness of his surroundings, his family, and the land they called home.
Over the past two years, Jin Mo had come to learn a great deal about the continent of Ryuzen and the Mo family's place within it. The Ryuzen continent was vast, divided into regions controlled by powerful factions, each vying for influence and survival in a world shaped by conflict. At the heart of it stood three great clans and the five great sects, entrusted with the sacred duty of guarding the borders of the continent against external threats and ensuring the delicate balance of power within Ryuzen remained unbroken.
The Three Great Clans:
Mo Clan (West) – Jin Mo's own clan resided on the western side of Ryuzen, a barren land dominated by the Ironwood Jungle. The Mo Clan protected the border from demonic cultivators who occasionally launched attacks from the Devil's Domain.
Fang Clan (East) – Located in the eastern jungles, the Fang Clan was tasked with guarding the border against Beasthiem, a kingdom of beastmen. Though a peace treaty was in place, beast attacks remained frequent.
Wolf Clan (North) – Situated in the frigid northern lands covered in snow, the Wolf Clan defended the continent from the warriors of Valkyria, barbaric raiders who attacked for resources every few months.
To maintain security, many warriors, soldiers, and family members were stationed at the borders. Jin Mo's eldest brother, Ethan Mo, and second eldest brother, Dorian Mo, were often sent to the west to gain battle experience and accumulate contributions for the patriarch seat.
The Five Great Sects
Beyond the Three noble clans, Ryuzen's martial prowess was upheld by five legendary sects, each mastering a distinct path of cultivation and warfare.
1️⃣ Mount Hua Sect 🌸
Motto: "Like Blossoms in the Wind, Our Swords Dance."
Sect Type: Elegant Swordsmanship, Internal Qi Cultivation
Location: Western Ryuzen, near the Emperor's palace
Sect Leader: Grandmaster Feng Yuhua (The Peach Blossom Sword Immortal)
Symbol: A peach blossom carried by the wind
The Mount Hua Sect was famed for its refined and artistic sword techniques. Their swordplay resembled falling blossoms—beautiful yet unpredictable. Their mastery of Qi refinement allowed them to wield their blades with speed and precision unmatched by others.
2️⃣ Crimson Lotus Sect🔥
Motto: "From Ashes, We Rise."
Sect Type: Fire & Body Cultivation
Location: Eastern Ryuzen, near the Emperor's palace
Sect Leader: Flame Monarch Yan Luoyun
Symbol: A blazing lotus engulfed in crimson flames
Practitioners of the Crimson Lotus Sect believed in the Dao of Fire—pain, destruction, and rebirth. Their warriors cultivated their bodies through extreme trials, forging themselves into living flames.
3️⃣ Drifting Cloud Sect🌬️
Motto: "Like the Clouds, We Move Unseen."
Sect Type: Speed, Lightness Techniques, Assassination
Location: Southern Ryuzen, near the Emperor
Sect Leader: Cloud Phantom Qing Wuying
Symbol: A white cloud dispersing into mist
The Drifting Cloud Sect specialized in stealth, movement, blade arts and illusionary combat. Their assassins could vanish mid-battle, moving faster than the eye could follow.
4️⃣ Kontong Sect ⚔️
Motto: "A Spear that Strikes the Waves, A Wall that Protects the Land."
Sect Type: Spearmanship, Defensive Martial Arts
Location: Southern Border, defending against sea invasions
Sect Leader: Iron Spear Warlord Zhao Han
Symbol: A silver spear piercing through ocean waves
The Kontong Sect stood as Ryuzen's shield against naval invaders. Their warriors were disciplined, wielding spears with devastating precision.
5️⃣ Mount Kunlun Sect ❄️
Motto: "As Cold as Ice, As Unshakable as the Mountains."
Sect Type: Ice Arts, Yin Energy, Exclusively Female Sect
Location: Northern Ryuzen, deep within Mount Kunlun
Sect Leader: Frost Empress Bai Xueyin
Symbol: A frozen lotus atop a snowy mountain
The Mount Kunlun Sect, an all-female sect, mastered the art of ice cultivation. Their warriors were elegant yet ruthless, embodying the unyielding nature of winter.
As Jin Mo absorbed the weight of this knowledge, he realized the true scale of the world he had been reborn into. The path ahead would be treacherous, but he was ready.
The Mo Siblings
Jin Mo had spent the past two years observing his siblings, each of whom possessed unique traits and ambitions:
Maximus Mo – A relentless warrior who trained constantly. He was Serena's biological brother and preferred hand-to-hand combat over swordplay, despite the clan's tradition. He had an imposing presence, his every movement radiating strength, and often gave Jin Mo pointers when they crossed paths.
Alec Mo – A scholar and strategist who preferred books over battle but still maintained strong martial skills. He had an almost obsessive love for history and war tactics, often seen scribbling in his notebooks. He once tested Jin Mo with a strategy game, only to be amused when the younger brother nearly outmaneuvered him.
Vivian Mo – A cunning and opportunistic individual who only engaged in conversations when there was something to gain. She is Ronan's biological sister. She was exceptionally charming when she wanted to be, effortlessly bending situations to her advantage. Jin Mo often caught her observing family interactions with a calculating gaze.
Ronan Mo – A competitive sibling who frequently challenged Jin Mo, though Jin Mo always refused, preferring to keep a low profile. Ronan's temper was quick to flare, but he respected strength above all. He never forgot a loss and constantly sought to improve himself.
Zara Mo – A stealthy fighter known for her speed and precision. She rarely spoke, keeping to herself, but Jin Mo noticed how she always seemed to be watching. She moved with the silence of a shadow and had a particular fondness for daggers.
Kai Mo – The most athletic of the siblings, full of energy. He was the only one, aside from Serena, whom Jin Mo considered somewhat normal. Though they once played together often, Kai had become busier with training. Despite that, he still found time to tease Jin Mo, playfully ruffling his hair whenever they met.
Liam Mo – A brilliant strategist with the potential to become a great general. He was either studying or assisting in border defenses. He rarely spoke to Jin Mo but acknowledged his presence with a firm nod whenever they passed each other.
Serena Mo – The sibling Jin Mo felt closest to. She had taken care of him, protected him, and guided him through the challenges of their family. She often took him hunting, teaching him patience and survival skills. Their bond had deepened over the years, with Serena occasionally sneaking Jin Mo out to see the night sky from a high cliff, where they would talk about their dreams and aspirations.
Well both Ethan and Dorian were always busy so we didn't talked much.
Though the Mo Clan was anything but ordinary, Jin Mo had grown fond of it.
As Jin Mo practiced in his room, there was a knock at the door.
"Young Master, it's me," came a familiar voice.
A small smile played on Jin Mo's lips. His mastery of Qi had advanced to the point where he could recognize individuals by the signature of their energy.
"Come in," he replied.
Kyra entered, her movements graceful and poised as always. "Good morning, Young Master!" she greeted cheerfully.
"Good morning, Kyra," Jin Mo replied, his tone warm but curious.
(Over these two years, I've realized something: my mother, Kyra, and many others in this family are far more than they appear. Their strength… it's not ordinary.)
He activated Soul Perception to examine Kyra. The familiar interface appeared in his mind:
Status
I. User Info
Name: Kyra
Level: ???
Race: Human
Class: Maid
Body: ???
Realm: ???
Titles: Loyal Servant, Shadow's Queen, (+3 more)
Health: ???
Qi: ???
II. Stats
Stamina (STA): ???
Qi (QI): ???
Strength (STR): ???
Agility (AGI): ???
Vitality (VIT): ???
Intelligence (INT): ???
Perception (PER): ???
Luck (LCK): ???
III. Abilities
Active Abilities: ???
Passive Abilities: ???
IV. Unique Abilities
???
Ding!
Skill level low. Upgrade the skill to access further details.
(She's still too powerful for me to uncover her full strength.)
Kyra tilted her head. "Young Master? Is something wrong?"
Jin Mo smiled. "No, it's nothing."
Kyra nodded, unfazed. "Your mother is calling for you."
"Alright, let's go," Jin Mo said, standing up.
Upon arriving at his mother's chamber, Jin Mo knocked politely. "Mother, it's me."
"Come in," came her familiar voice.
He entered with a bright smile. "Good morning, Mother."
Seated gracefully by the window, mom returned his smile. "Good morning, my dear."
Jin Mo's curiosity got the better of him, and he once again activated Soul Perception to gauge his mother's power:
Status
I. User Info
Name: Lian Mo
Level: ???
Race: Human
Class: Matriarch of the Mo Clan
Body: ???
Realm: ???
Titles: Matriarch of Grace, Guardian of the Serpent Legacy, (+8 more)
Health: ???
Qi: ???
II. Stats
Stamina (STA): ???
Qi (QI): ???
Strength (STR): ???
Agility (AGI): ???
Vitality (VIT): ???
Intelligence (INT): ???
Perception (PER): ???
Luck (LCK): ???
III. Abilities
Active Abilities: ???
Passive Abilities: ???
IV. Unique Abilities
???
(Even Mother's true strength is hidden from me. This family is truly extraordinary.)
Mom's smile deepened. "I have good news."
Jin Mo's eyes lit up. "What is it?"
"Your father is returning tomorrow," she said warmly.
His face brightened. "Really? I finally get to meet Father?"
She nodded. "And there's more. Your fifth birthday is soon, marking your coming-of-age ceremony. At five, children officially begin cultivating."
Jin Mo's excitement bubbled over. "So I can start cultivating soon?"
Mom laughed softly. "Yes, my dear. After your birthday, everything will begin."
Jin Mo grinned. "Thank you, Mother!"
Kyra and mom watched me with warmth in their eyes, knowing that this was only the beginning of his extraordinary journey.