The moon shone like a silver disk, with countless stars scattered across the sky. At the summit of the cliff, Linxi lay on the grass, his mouth holding onto a stalk of green grass as he gently chewed, allowing its subtle bitterness to spread throughout his mouth. He raised his somewhat pale palm and held it in front of him, gazing through the gaps between his fingers at the enormous silver moon overhead. "Ah..." recalling the afternoon's test, Linxi sighed deeply and lazily withdrew his hand, resting both hands behind his head, his eyes slightly blurred with thought. "Fifteen years now..." a soft murmur unexpectedly escaped from the young man’s lips, as though it had no end. In Linxi’s heart, there existed a secret known only to himself: he was not originally from this world. In fact, his soul belonged not to this realm but to a blue planet called Earth. As for how and why he had come here—this extraordinary journey—he could not explain at first. Yet after living on the continent for some time, he gradually realized: he had transcended through a miraculous journey of passage. As he grew older, his understanding of this land deepened. The continent was known as the Battle Qi Continent. Unlike typical fantasy novels with various magical schools, here, Battle Qi was the sole dominant force. Through generations of dedicated cultivation, Battle Qi had reached its peak, and over time, it even spread throughout ordinary villages and towns—becoming deeply intertwined with daily life. As a result, Battle Qi's importance on this continent became utterly indispensable. Due to its continuous evolution, countless distinct methods of cultivating Battle Qi had branched off from the core tradition. Just as one might say that every hand has different strengths, these various cultivation techniques naturally varied in quality—some superior, others less so. The Battle Qi Continent categorized cultivation techniques into four ranks—Heaven, Earth, Azure, and Yellow—ranked from highest to lowest. Each rank was further divided into three levels: Initial, Intermediate, and Senior. The strength of a cultivator’s technique directly determined their future potential. For instance, someone practicing an Azure-level Intermediate technique would naturally outperform a peer mastering a Yellow-level Senior technique. On this continent, strength is evaluated based on three criteria. First and foremost, one's personal power—the most fundamental factor. Should a person possess only the level of a One-Star Battle Master, even if they practice a rare Heaven-level technique, they would still struggle to defeat someone cultivating a Yellow-level technique. Secondly, the quality of one’s technique matters greatly. Among peers of equal rank, those with a more advanced technique will immediately demonstrate clear advantages during competition. Thirdly, there is a specialized skill known as "Battle Technique" (or simply "Technique"). By definition, Battle Techniques are unique skills that harness and manifest Battle Qi. These techniques themselves come in four ranks—Heaven, Earth, Azure, and Yellow—as well. There are countless such techniques on the continent, but most of the widely taught ones remain at the Yellow-level rank. To master a more advanced technique, one must typically join a sect or attend one of the continent's major Battle Qi academies. Of course, some individuals gain access to ancient techniques through fortunate encounters—passed down from predecessors—often accompanied by their own complementary techniques. When such techniques work in synergy, they produce significantly enhanced power. Together, these three factors enable a clear determination of who is stronger or weaker. In general, possessing a higher-ranked technique offers undeniable long-term advantages. Yet senior-level techniques are rarely accessible to ordinary people. Among the common populace, techniques are mostly limited to Yellow-rank level. Some prominent families or mid-sized sects may offer Azure-level methods—for example, the most elite technique at Linxi’s family—the "Kangli Nu Ganzhi," a Wind-type technique at Azure Intermediate rank—which is only accessible to the clan's elders. Beyond Azure lies Earth-level techniques—advanced enough that they are typically held by exceptional powers and major empires. As for Heaven-level techniques, these have not been seen on the continent for over several centuries. Theoretically speaking, acquiring senior-level techniques is a near-impossible task for ordinary individuals. Yet it is far from absolute. The continent spans vast distances, with numerous ethnic groups—northward, there are strong, powerfully built tribes capable of merging their souls with beast spirits; in the south, there exist highly intelligent high-tier beast clans; and further, there are renowned dark-origin peoples known for their enigmatic and ruthless nature. Given the continent’s immense size and diversity, many unnamed, solitary masters remain unheralded throughout history. When these individuals pass away—often with a quiet, reserved demeanor—they sometimes entrust their lifelong discoveries to hidden corners of the land, waiting for someone destined to discover them. On this continent, it is said: "If one falls from a cliff and lands in a cave, do not panic. Simply walk forward a few steps—you might become a champion!" This saying holds true. Over the past millennium, countless stories have emerged where individuals achieved greatness through sheer luck. As a result, such tales have shaped expectations—many now believe that fortune favors those who stumble upon hidden paths. With a soft sigh, Linxi lifted his palm and gently stroked a black ring on his finger—a simple, ancient artifact crafted from an unknown material, adorned with faint, blurred patterns. It had been his mother’s only gift when she passed away, worn continuously since he was four years old. This cherished relic now held deep emotional significance for him. "Over the past few years," he murmured, "I have truly let down my mother's expectations." Taking a long breath, Linxi turned toward the dark forest and offered his father a warm smile. "Father, are you here?" Though his Battle Qi was only at the Third Segment level, Linxi’s soul sensitivity far surpassed that of even a Five-Star Battle Master—he had sensed subtle movements in the woods as soon as he spoke of his mother. "Hmm," came a man's warm, concerned laugh after a pause. "It’s quite late now. How are you still here?" A gentle swaying of branches revealed an elderly man stepping out—his face bright with kindness, his gaze fixed on his son standing beneath the moonlight. Dressed in elegant gray robes, he moved with regal grace and bearing, his broad eyebrows adding to his dignified presence. He was Linxi’s father—the current clan leader of the Xiao family—and a Five-Star Battle Master named Xiao Zhan. "Father," Linxi smiled even wider, "you haven’t rested yet?" Ever since birth, this man had shown boundless affection for him—his care only intensified after Linxi's recent struggles. Such unwavering devotion made it easy for Linxi to call him "Father." "Yes, I’m still reflecting on the afternoon’s examination," Xiao Zhan stepped forward and smiled. "Hmm," Linxi shook his head with a composed smile, "there’s not much to think about—it was just as expected." "Ah…" observing his son's still youthful, refined features, Xiao Zhan sighed deeply before pausing and saying softly, "Inxi, are you now fifteen?" "Yes, Father." "In one year," he continued with a gentle chuckle, "the adult ceremony should be held—wouldn’t that be the next milestone?" "That’s correct, Father. Just one year away!" Linxi gently tightened his grip on his palm, speaking calmly. The adult ceremony symbolized more than just an occasion—it marked a critical transition in life. Upon successfully completing it, if Linxi failed to demonstrate cultivation potential, he would lose eligibility for entry into the Battle Qi Hall to seek advanced techniques and instead be assigned to manage routine affairs across various family holdings—this was strictly regulated by clan law. Even though his father held leadership position, this rule remained unchangeable. Indeed, any cultivator who did not become a Battle Master by age twenty-five would no longer be recognized by the clan. "I’m sorry, Inxi," Xiao Zhan said with a touch of regret, "if, in one year’s time, your Battle Qi fails to reach the Seventh Segment level, then I will have to assign you to family operations—after all, this clan does not rest on my single authority alone. Those senior elders are always ready to point out where I might falter." "Father," Linxi smiled reassuringly, "I will strive hard. By next year, I will surely reach the Seventh Segment level!" "One year to advance from Third to Seventh Segment?" Xiao Zhan chuckled. "In past years, that may have been possible—but now? It seems almost impossible." Though he comforted his father with words, Linxi felt a deep sense of self-mockery within himself. Fully aware of Linxi’s current condition, Xiao Zhan only nodded and sighed—understanding how daunting such an achievement truly was. He then gently tapped Linxi’s head before saying, "It's late now. Go rest. Tomorrow, there will be honored guests at the clan. Don’t forget your duties." "Guests? Who exactly?" Linxi asked curiously. "The details will be revealed tomorrow," Xiao Zhan said, grinning as he turned to leave, leaving Linxi with a feeling of both anticipation and resignation. "Rest well, Father," Linxi murmured, stroking the ancient black ring on his finger. At that very moment—just as he looked up—the dark ring suddenly glowed with an extremely faint, eerie radiance. The light flickered briefly before vanishing, unnoticed by anyone present.