On the edge of a towering cliff, a lone figure stood motionless against the roaring winds. His silhouette was framed by the fiery hues of the setting sun, his black robes fluttering with an almost ethereal grace.
A black straw hat perched atop his head obscured most of his face, but the faint light revealed just enough to unsettle any who might glance his way.
His jet-black hair, long and flowing, cascaded down his back like a midnight waterfall, tied loosely at the base of his neck to prevent it from becoming a nuisance in the gusts.
Beneath his hat, his face was carved like fine jade—sharp cheekbones, a straight nose, and pale skin that seemed to shimmer in the light. But what stood out the most were his eyes: a deep black so piercing they seemed to peer through the very soul, their quiet intensity made only more striking by his calm, faint smile.
The robes he wore were unlike the gaudy garments worn by most young masters of the cultivation world. His were plain, yet distinct. A deep black that seemed to absorb the surrounding light, bordered with simple silver threads that hinted at sophistication without arrogance.
His black straw hat, a simple piece of travel wear, bore the scars of many miles on the road. He looked like an enigma—a wandering cultivator, unfazed by the chaos of the world.
From the cliff, he gazed down at Everglow City, its sprawling streets and busy markets bathed in the warm glow of lanterns coming alive for the night. It was a city that thrummed with life, yet from up here, it looked like a quiet, flickering flame amidst the vastness of the world. The faint smile on his face widened ever so slightly.
"Finally… I'm home."
The words were soft, almost lost to the wind, but they carried a weight that could not be ignored. For a moment, he stood in silence, letting the scene soak into him before his thoughts began to drift.
He was nineteen years old, on the cusp of turning twenty. Yet, as he looked at Everglow City below, he thought not of his years in this life but of the one before. He wasn't a person who belonged to this world.
No, he was someone who had once been… ordinary. Born in a world where cultivation didn't exist, where no one fought for immortality or wielded heavenly techniques. His previous life had been cut short by an incurable illness—a slow and suffocating end.
But death hadn't been the end for him. By some twist of fate, he had been reborn in this world, in a strange and dramatic way. His earliest memory was of being plucked from a basket and floating on the open ocean. The man who saved him, Shen Yong, the head of the prestigious Shen Clan of the Everglow City, had taken him in and raised him as his own son.
The only clue to his identity? A single name was written on the tag around his neck.
Itachi Uchiha.
Yes, that Itachi Uchiha. At first, the name had sent a chill down his spine, recalling the fictional character he had once admired in his past life. Yet, other than his haunting good looks and the name, he shared no connection to the legendary ninja.
This was not a world of shinobi, nor did he possess any of Itachi's incredible powers. This was a world of cultivation, a world of qi, sects, and the relentless pursuit of immortality.
Shen Yong, though puzzled by the strange name, had allowed him to keep it, hoping that one day he might reconcile with his origins.
But unlike other reincarnators or transmigrators in the stories he'd read back in his old life, he didn't have cheat-like abilities or heaven-defying talents. His cultivation talent was only slightly above average—enough to be called a genius in small cities like Everglow, but not enough to make waves in the wider world. He had to rely on hard work, discipline, and sheer perseverance to make progress. But even that was enough for him, as this life although difficult was truly a blessing.
Years of relentless training had allowed him to reach the Late Foundation Ascension Realm, a respectable level but far from extraordinary. Even so, this was a level that had only been achieved by facing countless life-and-death struggles during his travels.
Now, standing at the edge of his home city once more, he reflected on the path he had walked. A new chapter awaited him—a chance to join one of the prestigious sects that dotted the world, where better resources, techniques, and guidance would await him. But before that, there was one thing he had to do.
"It's good to be back," he murmured, his faint smile turning wistful.
Descending the cliff and entering Everglow City, Itachi walked through the bustling marketplace. The familiar scents of fried dumplings and sweet osmanthus pastries wafted through the air, and merchants barked out prices for their wares. He kept his hat low, allowing himself to blend in among the crowds.
It had been years since his last visit, and many faces he'd once known no longer recognized him. But that was fine; he hadn't come back for the fame.
Arriving at the gates of the Shen Clan Estate, two guards stood stationed at the entrance, yawning as they leaned lazily on their spears.
"Stop!" one barked, straightening up as he noticed the figure approaching. The guards squinted under the dim light of the lanterns, trying to make out the man's face.
Without a word, the traveller removed his hat, allowing the light to illuminate his features.
"It… It's been a while, hasn't it?" the man said softly, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
"Master Itachi!" the guards exclaimed in unison, their previous boredom vanishing in an instant. "You've returned!"
With a nod, Itachi strode past them into the estate.
The Shen Clan Hall was as grand as he remembered. A vast chamber with high, vaulted ceilings, the walls lined with intricate carvings of dragons and phoenixes that symbolized the clan's long legacy.
Red silk banners hung from the rafters, and a long wooden table stretched across the hall, where the clan elders were seated on either side. At the head of the table sat Shen Yong, his adopted father, a man with a commanding presence and an aura that spoke of decades of strongly built cultivation.
"Itachi, my son," Shen Yong greeted warmly, his deep voice resonating through the hall. "It seems you've made great progress during your travels."
Itachi stepped forward, bowing respectfully with his fist cupped in his palm. "Father, it is only thanks to the guidance and support you have given me."
Shen Yong chuckled. "There's no need to be so humble. Without your diligence, such progress would not have been possible. You've even come close to my own level of cultivation, haven't you?"
"To think our Shen Clan would prosper to such a degree," An elder laughed stroking his beard, "It seems us old folks have our work cut out for us."
"That is indeed true." Another elder nodded, "It seems we can rest assured for the future of the clan."
Itachi noticed a few elders squirm at the thought of that, after all, he was an adopted son who still hadn't taken the family name yet, and for him to lead was not something they were looking forward to.
These old geezers really do love politics, Itachi shook his head before responding,
"The outside world has been eye-opening," Itachi responded with a humble smile, "There is so much I've yet to learn."
Shen Yong nodded, "We are blessed to have a talent like you."
"Talking about talent father, where is that brother of mine?" Itachi asked, among the few people who truly loved him in this world aside from his father and a few clan members was his brother, Shen Feng.
But his mischievous and rouge personality had always been a concern for him, and hence he was here to take him away. Itachi believed that his brother needed to be humbled before he went around offending someone he shouldn't.
He had read enough cultivation in his life, that would make his skin crawl at the thought of his family perishing just because the protagonist ego won't allow him to go through a simple journey without bloodshed.
At the mention of his brother, his father's expression turned sour. "If only your younger brother had half your discipline. He's out there causing trouble again... like always."
Itachi's brow furrowed. "So it's safe to say that he hasn't changed much."
"Exactly." Shen Yong shook his head. "If you could somehow discipline him, it would save me no end of headaches."
A faint smirk played on Itachi's lips. "Don't worry, Father. Now that I'm here, I'll straighten him out."
"Good," Shen Yong said with a sigh of relief. "He needs someone to guide him before he drags the entire clan into trouble."
"Forget about your brother..." Shen Yong shook his head, "You've arrived right on time. I believe your 20th birthday is coming, so the clan will throw a celebration for your return and your birthday."
"That isn't necessary father-"
Before Itachi could finish, Shen Yong raised his hands, "The clan hasn't had a proper celebration in years, so think of it as a celebration in your name only, but it's for the clan."
Shen Yong knew the character of his adopted son well by now. He disliked attention and was mature beyond his age, but he still wanted this son of his to act like a kid when he was still young. And the other son to mature even if it was just a bit.
"If you say so, father." Itachi bowed knowing there was no point in refusing it.