Ron walked alone on the dirt road, leaving behind the village that had been his home for years. He did not look back.
He knew the truth—there was no future for him there.
His body was changing, his bloodline awakening. If he stayed, he would only bring danger to himself and those around him.
He had to become stronger.
Shen Tian's voice echoed in his mind. "Your journey begins now, Ron. Strength is the only thing that matters in this world."
Ron clenched his fists. He would carve his own path.
Ahead, nestled within the mountains, was the Black Moon Sect—a small sect with Foundation Realm elders and a Master Realm sect leader. Not righteous, not truly evil. Just a place to grow stronger.
For now, that was enough.
Entering the Black Moon Sect
The sect's entrance was guarded by two disciples. One of them, a lean young man, sneered. "Another village rat? You think you can just walk in here?"
Before Ron could speak, a voice interrupted.
"Let him in."
A middle-aged man in dark robes stepped forward—his aura steady, his cultivation at the Nascent Soul Realm.
An elder of the Black Moon Sect.
His sharp eyes scanned Ron. "You don't seem ordinary. What's your name?"
"Ron."
The elder nodded. "Very well. You may enter. But remember, the Black Moon Sect does not tolerate the weak."
Ron stepped inside.
The real journey had begun.
Elder Mo gave details about the Sect to Ron and he will start as an Outer Sect Disciple.
Finally Elder Mo showed a small room for Ron to practice. Ron gets 3 Qi refining pills every month. Also he can get more pills if he can complete missions. When elder has gone, Ron slept in the room because he was tired from running from his village to the sect.
Early in the morning Ron woke up and stood silently in the Black Moon Sect's training hall as Elder Mo gazed at him with a sharp expression.
"Before you begin your training, you must understand the path you walk."
Ron remained calm, listening attentively.
The Levels of Cultivation
Elder Mo raised a hand. "Cultivation is the foundation of all power. The path is divided into ten major realms."
He spoke slowly, ensuring Ron understood:
1. Qi Gathering Realm – The beginning of a cultivator's journey. Gathering and refining qi within the body.
2. Foundation Realm – Stabilizing the qi foundation, allowing a cultivator to grow stronger.
3. Nascent Realm – Forming a nascent soul, allowing a cultivator's spirit to develop.
4. Master Realm – Gaining deeper control over qi, a realm that separates the strong from the weak.
5. Grandmaster Realm – Masters of their arts, standing above ordinary cultivators.
6. Enlightenment Realm – True understanding of power and laws.
7. Transcend Realm – Stepping beyond human limits.
8. Emperor Realm – Kings of the cultivation world, each possessing incredible might.
9. Void Realm – Masters of space and destruction.
10. Divine Realm – The peak of known cultivation, yet the true limits remain unknown.
Elder Mo's eyes gleamed. "Beyond the Divine Realm, there are more levels, but you do not need to concern yourself with them now."**
Ron nodded. (So this is the path to power… but my bloodline follows no such rules.)
The Way of the Sword – A Path More Fearsome than Cultivation
Elder Mo's voice became more solemn.
"Cultivation grants power, but true terror lies in swordsmanship."**
He stepped forward, lowering his voice. "Even Divine Realm cultivators fear those who have mastered the sword. Swordsmanship which is harder to cultivate than qi itself. Many powerful cultivators have lived for thousands of years, yet they have not even touched the realm of true sword mastery."
Ron's interest was piqued. He was already on the path of the sword.
Elder Mo continued:
1. Sword User – Basic understanding of sword techniques.
2. Peak Stage (Sword Qi User) – Sword energy is formed, allowing for ranged attacks.
3. Master Stage (Sword Will) – A sword cultivator can impose their will upon their blade, increasing its strength.
4. Grandmaster (Sword Heart) – The sword becomes an extension of oneself, reacting without thought.
5. Body Unification – The swordsman and the sword become one, their movements transcending ordinary limits.
6. Sword Mind – The ability to kill without even drawing the sword. Those who reach this stage obtain a sword domain.
7. Empty Sword – The sword becomes limitless, able to cut through destiny itself.
8. Parallel Sword – A mysterious stage no one has ever reached.
9. Dimensional Sword – A level so incomprehensible that even the strongest elders do not know what it truly means.
Elder Mo's gaze darkened. "Even Divine Realm cultivators have not reached the Sword Mind stage. Do you understand? The path of the sword is the hardest and most terrifying of all."
Take a mission and leave, also there is a competition to be held in some days for outer disciples to become inner disciples.
To be continued in Chapter 4.....