Birds chirped overhead, flapping their wings as they soared across the open skies. There were no walls, no limits—only boundless freedom.

Some hovered with pride, while others perched on the branches near the edge of a cliff, gazing down.

Below, under the scorching sun, groups of young men and women stood within large circles drawn on the ground. These had been carefully prepared by the elders of the Dou Zhi Sect—a powerful sect known throughout the region.

Today was the sect’s entrance examination, and countless youths had gathered, some even from faraway towns, all hoping for a chance to change their fate.

Elegant girls stepped into the formation designated for them, their faces lit with excitement and anticipation. Their sparkling eyes and bright smiles filled the air with energy.

Standing before the crowd was a middle-aged man with a long beard, gently stroking it as he swept his gaze across the young hopefuls.

Then, with a loud and clear voice, he declared, “If you can pass all three trials, you will be officially accepted as outer disciples of the Dou Zhi Sect!”

This man was Elder Qin Chen, one of the sect's instructors. Despite the wrinkles on his face, his posture remained upright and imposing—like a man half his age.

Meanwhile, somewhere in the crowd, a young man suddenly opened his eyes wide and looked around in confusion.

“Where... am I?” he muttered.

His name was Zhi Xuan.

Elder Qin continued, pointing to the towering mountain behind him. “The first trial is simple—climb that staircase. But beware: with every step you take, your body will grow heavier and your Spirit Qi will weaken.”

“Don’t worry,” he added with a sly grin. “This first test isn’t too hard. But as for the second one... Let’s just say you’ll walk away with a few gruesome injuries, hahaha!”

His laughter boomed across the clearing.

Behind him, another elder—Elder Lin—sighed quietly. “And this man is supposed to be an instructor? What was the Sect Leader thinking?”

The sound of Elder Qin’s laughter reached Zhi Xuan’s ears, who was still standing at the back, completely lost.

“What is going on? Are they filming a fantasy drama or something?” Zhi Xuan looked around, trying to spot a camera crew. “Where the hell are the cameras?”

Elder Qin raised his voice again, “The third trial will test your combat abilities. You’ll be facing off against wild beasts. And don’t take them lightly—they might be at the peak of the Xuan Qi Realm.”

That sentence instantly stirred panic in the participants. Some began to sweat, others swallowed hard. But none backed down—they were determined to pass.

Zhi Xuan, on the other hand, simply stood still, trying to process everything.

He glanced sideways... and froze.

Across from him stood a stunningly beautiful woman.

“Who is she...? Do we even have actresses that gorgeous in my country?” he wondered.

Her flowing white hair fell elegantly down her back, and her crimson eyes radiated power and nobility. Zhi Xuan found himself unable to look away.

He stared at her for what felt like an eternity—until Elder Qin snapped him out of it with one final announcement.

“If you pass all the trials, you’ll be welcomed into the sect as official outer disciples!”

Zhi Xuan’s eyes widened again. “Dou Zhi Sect...? Wait a second. Isn’t that the name of a sect in my favorite novel—Zhen Lin Feng? Are they seriously filming a live-action adaptation?”

As the entrance to the trial opened, the participants began to move forward—including Zhi Xuan and the mysterious white-haired girl.

They were greeted by an absurdly long staircase climbing up the mountainside.

Zhi Xuan hesitated. “This staircase... Can I really make it up there?”

Taking a deep breath, he stepped onto the first step.

At first, everything felt normal. But by the eighth step, his legs were trembling and his body felt as if it were being crushed.

“What the... Is this a gravity field? No, that can’t be real... This is supposed to be just a shoot, right? Why am I even going through with this?”

He turned to go back.

“Forget it. I shouldn’t have come here to begin with—”

But before he could finish that thought, he lost his balance and fell, his knees slamming into the stone steps.

“Why... Why does my body feel even heavier now?” he groaned, struggling to stand. “This isn’t a set. This... This isn’t a shoot at all!”

Looking back, he saw the others already far ahead, unfazed.

“This... This is real. This is really a cultivation world’s trial ground!”

Zhi Xuan’s mind reeled.

“No way... I’ve actually transmigrated into a novel?! This can’t be real!”

“Wait... Dou Zhi Sect... Zhen Lin Feng... This is the world from that cultivation novel I’ve read dozens of times! Over a thousand chapters... I know practically everything!”

A slow grin spread across his face.

“I know all the secrets. I know every plot twist. Doesn’t that mean... I can rise to the top with ease?!”

And with that realization, Zhi Xuan let out a loud laugh.

“Hahaha!”

Unfortunately, the participants ahead of him could hear it clearly—and they all turned back with strange looks.

“Is that guy... okay?”

“Poor guy. Probably lost it already.”

“Looks like he failed before even starting. Can’t even imagine how he’ll face his family with a result like that...”

As they whispered, their expressions full of pity, none of them could guess the truth—

Zhi Xuan wasn’t broken...

He had just awakened to his golden opportunity.

Zhi Xuan suddenly looked up, feeling a gust of wind brushing past him from above.

He saw several figures soaring through the sky, riding flying swords like legendary immortals.

His brow furrowed slightly.

“Those people... they’re not affected by the Gravity Domain at all?”

Touching his chin thoughtfully, he paused for a moment.

After a brief moment of thinking, his eyes lit up with realization.

“The gravity only activates if you step on the staircase directly! Those flying above it? They’re completely untouched!”

Without hesitation, Zhi Xuan jumped off the steps and landed on solid ground with all his strength. He walked straight out of the trial area.

“Just as I thought. The moment I left the steps, the pressure vanished!” he muttered to himself, a sly grin forming on his lips.

Looking ahead, he saw Elder Qin and Elder Lin watching him. Zhi Xuan raised his hand and called out cheerfully,

“Seniors, I surrender!”

The two elders exchanged a glance. After a brief nod between them, Elder Lin said calmly,

“Very well. You may take the test again next year, once you’re stronger.”

Zhi Xuan simply nodded. His gaze drifted toward the white-haired woman from earlier. His smile softened before he turned around and walked away.

…

A few minutes later.

Zhi Xuan arrived at a quiet forest. In front of him was a small lake, only about ten square meters across. But the water shimmered with golden light, as if gold dust had been sprinkled across the surface.

Seeing this, Zhi Xuan smiled faintly.

He stepped forward and soon spotted a cave near the lake.

He’d asked around earlier in the city about the golden lake’s location. But in truth, his goal wasn’t the lake itself.

It was the hidden cave behind it—a place even the most powerful wouldn’t dare dream of finding.

Because deep inside that cave… was a priceless treasure.

A small box filled with eight ancient jade stones.

Zhi Xuan stepped into the cave, walking the same path taken by the original protagonist in Zhen Lin Feng.

It might not be 100% accurate, but it was close enough—and way better than searching blindly.

After several minutes of navigating the cave, a soft golden light appeared at the end of the tunnel.

His eyes widened. He sprinted toward it.

When he arrived, he immediately scanned the area—his eyes darting from corner to corner in a panic.

And then… he saw it.

A small, dust-covered box resting quietly on the ground. Its surface was filthy and worn, but its presence was undeniable.

It was about 20 centimeters tall and 50 centimeters wide.

Zhi Xuan knelt and picked it up. He swallowed hard, then slowly opened the box.

A blinding golden light burst forth, flooding the cave with brilliance.

He shut his eyes instinctively.

Moments later, as the light faded, Zhi Xuan slowly opened his eyes again.

Inside the box were eight jade stones, glowing softly.

“These… these are ancient jade stones from the Great Divine War, hundreds of thousands of years ago,” he whispered in awe.

Then he paused.

Wait… now that I have them, what should I do?

Zhi Xuan realized something important—he didn’t even know how to absorb Spirit Qi. He didn’t know the basics.

“Hmm…”

After some thought, he decided not to rush things.

“I’ll leave the jade here for now. I should return to the city and look for a cultivation manual first.”

Just as he stepped out of the cave and took a few steps near the lake, he tripped on a small rock.

He fell forward, his head landing near the edge of the lake with a loud thud.

“Plak!”

Groaning, he pushed himself up. But when he glanced into the water—he froze.

His reflection stared back at him.

He slowly reached up and touched his face.

“This… is me?”

He wore a flowing white robe. His skin was flawless and pale like fine jade, his features soft yet noble. His eyes were crimson, with golden pupils—like a sea of blood wrapped in sunlight.

Long, jet-black hair cascaded down his back.

A strong breeze swept through, causing his robe to flutter majestically.

Zhi Xuan stood there, frozen.

Stunned.

When he finally found his voice, his lips trembled.

He bit his lower lip hard, drawing blood—

Then shouted in disbelief,

“Isn’t this... Gu Qingzhou’s face?!”

Gu Qingzhou—an insignificant side character in Zhen Lin Feng.

But that wasn’t what terrified Zhi Xuan.

Gu Qingzhou was a stepping stone—used by the protagonist to obtain a powerful cultivation technique.

The Eighteen Thousand Xianhu Swords—a divine skill that made the protagonist unbeatable across all nine continents!

Zhi Xuan clenched his fists, steadying his breathing.

“I’m not going to follow the novel’s script,” he muttered.

“I refuse to be a stepping stone.”

He stood tall and gazed into the distance.

“For now… I need to get stronger. Fast.”

…

On his way back to the city, Zhi Xuan asked a few people for directions to the Gu Family Estate.

No one found it strange—because very few had ever seen the Gu Family’s eldest young master in person.

But from a distance, a young girl tilted her head in confusion as she watched him.

“What is big brother doing...?” she murmured.

…

Outside the Gu Estate.

Zhi Xuan glanced left and right, then walked toward the front gate.

The two guards standing there instantly smiled and welcomed him inside without hesitation.

Zhi Xuan didn’t know much about Gu Qingzhou—he only appeared for a few chapters in Zhen Lin Feng.

What he did know was this:

Gu Qingzhou was the eldest son of the Gu Family, one of the Four Great Clans in Qingshi City.

He possessed a Sacred Body known as the Body of Calamity.

Ancient records called it the highest-ranked Sacred Body in the entire continent. But even those ancient texts revealed very little about its true nature.

It was rare, powerful… and incredibly dangerous.

Unlike other Sacred Bodies, the Body of Calamity was nearly impossible to cultivate properly.

But if one managed to harness its power—even gaining just one minor breakthrough—it would allow the user to challenge those in far higher realms!

Unfortunately…

Gu Qingzhou, desperate not to fall behind his peers, had forcefully pushed his way to the Peak Xuan Qi Realm by relying on pills.

The result?

A weak, unstable foundation.

His Sacred Body, once brimming with potential, had become almost useless.

Instead of rising above others, he had reduced himself to mediocrity.

He was no different from a cultivator with no special physique at all.

That was the tragic fate of Gu Qingzhou.

But now… Zhi Xuan had taken over this body.

And he had no intention of repeating the same mistake.

At this moment, Zhi Xuan stood before the Gu Clan Pavilion.

This was where the Gu Clan kept all their books—and some of their weapons.

He stepped inside, brushing past the hanging curtain, and found himself in the first-floor hall. Glancing to the side, he saw only eleven Gu Clan members reading silently—four women and seven men.

Zhi Xuan paid them no attention and began walking around the room, scanning the bookshelves in search of cultivation methods.

After some time, he finally found one.

“Dual Cultivation Method?” he muttered aloud. His face turned red instantly, and without a second thought, he tossed the book aside!

“A book like this should be kept in its proper place!”

He sighed in exasperation.

Continuing his search, he soon came across another manual.

“Heaven Shattering Cultivation Technique!”

The title oozed arrogance and overconfidence, prompting Zhi Xuan to let out another sigh, this time with a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.

“Was the creator of this method not afraid of Heavenly Tribulation? What an over-the-top name.”

He shook his head and chuckled softly. “This guy really thought too highly of himself.”

Just then, a voice from the side startled him.

“Watch your mouth! How dare you insult Ancestor Gu Qingshi!”

“Gu Qingshi?” Zhi Xuan turned his head, thoughtful. Isn’t that the name of this city? Could it have been named after this person?

He turned fully to face the speaker and asked calmly, his right hand placed behind his back, “And who might you be?”

He had been wanting to do this for a while—stand like an old master, exuding superiority, looking down at others with condescension.

Putting one’s hand behind their back was the signature posture of seniors in the cultivation world. Naturally, Zhi Xuan couldn’t resist trying it.

And it felt... fantastic!

The corners of his lips curled into a strange little grin.

The young man across from him frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean? It’s only been a few days, and you’ve already forgotten your cousin’s face?”

“Hm...” Zhi Xuan touched his chin. So he’s Gu Qingzhou’s cousin, huh?

Zhi Xuan smiled.

Seeing that sudden smile, the young man raised an eyebrow. “What’s so funny?”

Zhi Xuan waved his hand casually. “Oh, nothing. I just don’t like wasting my time with trash.”

The young man’s eyes widened in anger. “What did you just say?!”

Zhi Xuan walked out of the Gu Clan Pavilion without turning back. “A bastard like you has no right to lecture me—even if I insulted the Gu Clan’s ancestor. It’s none of your concern. You’re not even worthy of carrying the Gu name. Meanwhile, I am the Young Master of the Gu Clan.”

The man froze, biting back his rage. Damn it! If you weren’t the clan’s Young Master, I would’ve beaten you to a pulp already!

Those who witnessed the scene began whispering and laughing behind the young man’s back.

“Haha! Look at his face turning red. He must be so embarrassed!”

“Serves him right for messing with the Young Master.”

“The Young Master’s words were like a slap across Gu Zheng’s face—hilarious!”

Outside the pavilion...

Zhi Xuan cursed silently. If I had the strength, I wouldn’t let a threat like him roam freely!

Judging by the cousin reference and his features, Zhi Xuan had already guessed the man’s identity—Gu Zheng, one of the Gu Clan’s traitors. He was the one who helped the protagonist break off the engagement between Gu Qingzhou and her fiancé, Li Xiangyue.

Later on, Gu Zheng would become a trusted ally of the protagonist and even his closest friend on his path to greatness.

Naturally, this put Zhi Xuan on high alert.

…

In the courtyard.

Zhi Xuan sat atop a large stone, trying to practice the Heaven Shattering Cultivation Technique.

But he ran into plenty of trouble from the start. He still couldn’t sense any Spirit Qi—not even enough to clear and calm his mind.

Hours passed.

As the sun began to set, he remained in deep concentration, struggling to perceive and control Spirit Qi.

When night finally arrived, Zhi Xuan slowly opened his eyes—only to be greeted by the loud growl of his stomach.

Clutching his belly, he muttered, “I’m starving... Come to think of it, I haven’t eaten anything since noon…”

Just as he stood up, a voice called out to him.

“Big Brother!”

Zhi Xuan turned toward the voice and was stunned.

A beautiful girl, like a fairy descending from the heavens, stood before him.

She looked about seventeen or eighteen years old, with striking crimson eyes and golden pupils, gazing at Zhi Xuan with a serene expression.

She was breathtakingly perfect.

Zhi Xuan was left speechless for a moment.

The girl tilted her head, confused. “What’s wrong?”

Snapping out of his trance, Zhi Xuan coughed lightly and replied in a calm tone, “Nothing.”

He climbed down from the stone and walked toward her as she stood on the path.

“What is it?” he asked.

“I came to get you—it’s time to eat,” she said with a warm smile.

“Oh…”

Zhi Xuan wanted to ask her name—he was truly curious—but he held himself back. It would be strange to ask something so basic, and it might make her suspicious.

…

Inside a small, antique-style room adorned with elegant décor, several valuable items had been placed on display. Even without touching them, Zhi Xuan could faintly feel a mysterious pressure emanating from some of the ornaments in the corners.

A sword, ancient in appearance, hung on the wall right behind where the Gu Clan Head was seated.

And the treasures surrounding him were clearly no ordinary trinkets.

Just a glance made Zhi Xuan feel oppressed—an invisible pressure that made cold sweat form on his brow.