Chapter 1: Born a Sword Maniac
“From today onward, you shall be the Sect Master of the Clear Sky Sect. From now on, take good care of your junior brothers and sisters.”
After leaving behind those words, the former Sect Master, Lin Xunfeng, turned and departed without hesitation. His back faced his disciples, and on that face, which looked no older than thirty, was an expression filled with unwavering resolve.
Walking down along the mountain path, Lin Xunfeng’s azure robes fluttered lightly in the wind, exuding the air of a free-spirited wanderer of the martial world.
It was already dusk. The crimson glow of the sunset dyed the sky, and the distant ridges of the mountains looked as though they were lined with threads of fire. The setting sun was both beautiful and sorrowful.
Standing before the mountain gate, Li Qingqiu’s face was full of indignation. He had tried his best to persuade his Master, but the latter refused to listen, insisting on going down the mountain to seek immortality.
As the eldest disciple of the Clear Sky Sect, Li Qingqiu was only sixteen. His six junior brothers and sisters were even younger—the youngest was barely ten.
Leaving him to raise them… wasn’t that ruining his life?
He, too, wanted to roam the world with a sword in hand and live freely. He had long grown tired of the idle days atop this mountain. He even found himself missing the days of his past life—playing intense shooting games at home, then lying on the sofa scrolling through short videos when he was exhausted.
“Master! If I ruin the Clear Sky Sect, don’t blame me!”
Li Qingqiu shouted loudly, his slightly childish voice echoing through the mountains. Lin Xunfeng, who had already reached the edge of the forest, merely raised his hand slightly without turning around.
A small hand suddenly reached out and tugged at the hem of Li Qingqiu’s robe. He turned his head and saw his youngest junior sister, Li Sijin, timidly looking up at him. “Senior Brother… will you abandon us too?”
Li Qingqiu’s anger instantly dissipated. He glanced around—aside from that annoying third junior brother, Jiang Zhaoxia, all his other junior brothers and sisters were watching him with anxious or worried expressions.
He suddenly felt the weight of responsibility pressing down upon him.
But this wasn’t the kind of transmigration life he wanted!
Just then, lines of glowing text appeared before his eyes:
【You have become the leader of a sect for the first time. Dao Lineage activated. Beginning to assess the Clear Sky Sect.】
【Assessment successful. Starting evaluation of Clear Sky Sect.】
【Evaluation complete. Rank: Unclassified.】
【As you have become a sect leader for the first time, you have obtained one Fate Selection and one Dao Lineage Inheritance reward.】
Li Qingqiu froze as he read the prompts, thinking he was hallucinating. Yet after rubbing his eyes, the text remained.
He glanced around—none of his junior brothers or sisters seemed to notice anything.
Could it be… his cheat had finally awakened?
Li Qingqiu’s heart raced. He wondered if he could hide the text. The moment he thought about it, the words vanished. When he wanted to see them again, they reappeared.
That confirmed it—this wasn’t an illusion.
Having lived two lifetimes, Li Qingqiu’s mental fortitude far surpassed that of an ordinary sixteen-year-old. He immediately said, “What I said earlier was just out of anger at Master. Since Master wishes to leave, then let him go. From now on, we’ll rely on each other.”
Upon hearing this, his junior brothers and sisters broke into smiles. They depended more on Li Qingqiu than on Lin Xunfeng, since their Master had often been away from the sect. Most of the time, Li Qingqiu made the decisions. Except for Jiang Zhaoxia, all the others clung to him closely.
After comforting them for a while, Li Qingqiu could hardly wait to return to his room to examine that mysterious Dao Lineage prompt.
“Yuchun, go cook. Dongyue, keep an eye on Man’er, Sifeng, and Sijin.”
After giving out instructions, Li Qingqiu turned and hurried into the courtyard.
Despite its grand-sounding name, the Clear Sky Sect only had eight people—and now, with Lin Xunfeng gone, seven remained. The sect had only three courtyards: one for Lin Xunfeng’s cultivation, one for the disciples’ lodging, and one for storage.
As the eldest disciple, Li Qingqiu had his own small room, much to the envy of his juniors.
Sitting on his bed, Li Qingqiu wondered how to access his Dao Lineage. Suddenly, a translucent panel appeared before him, filled with lines of text:
【Sect: Clear Sky Sect (Rename available)】
【Sect Master: Li Qingqiu】
【Number of Disciples (View details): 7】
【Evaluation Rank: Unclassified (View development details)】
【Protective Formation: None】
【Guardian Beast: None】
【Available Fate Selections: 1】
【Available Inheritance Rewards: 1】
Li Qingqiu felt as though he were playing a game. In his previous life, he had loved cultivation-themed mobile games, so his curiosity toward this Dao Lineage system grew immensely.
He decided to open the disciple list first. Instantly, the panel shifted, displaying seven portraits with names beside them—including his own.
They were listed by seniority: Li Qingqiu, Zhang Yuchun, Jiang Zhaoxia, Li Dongyue, Wu Man’er, Li Sifeng, and Li Sijin.
All seven of them were orphans Lin Xunfeng had brought up the mountain. Their backgrounds varied, but Lin Xunfeng had never spoken of their pasts. However, Li Qingqiu, who retained memories from a previous life, knew his own origins clearly.
Even though Lin Xunfeng had left, he had no intention of seeking out his biological parents. In his heart, that connection was long severed.
He focused on Zhang Yuchun’s portrait, and a new window appeared:
【Name: Zhang Yuchun】
【Gender: Male】
【Age: 15】
【Loyalty (to Sect Master / Sect): 89 / 23 (Max: 100)】
【Cultivation Aptitude: Average】
【Comprehension: Good】
【Fate Traits: Domestic Affairs Comet, Forbearance】
Li Qingqiu raised an eyebrow. His second junior brother’s loyalty to him was 89, but to the sect, only 23?
Did that mean Zhang Yuchun might leave the sect once he grew up?
He checked the details of the Fate Traits next. Domestic Affairs Comet meant a talent for management; Forbearance meant the ability to endure and restrain oneself.
Li Qingqiu found it fascinating—through this panel, he could see every disciple’s aptitude, comprehension, and loyalty. With such a system, managing and nurturing his disciples would be effortless.
Next, he looked at his third junior brother, Jiang Zhaoxia.
When they were younger, Jiang Zhaoxia had been quite attached to him, but over the past two years, he had become rebellious, often clashing with Li Qingqiu—much to the latter’s frustration.
Yet Jiang Zhaoxia’s loyalty surprised him.
His loyalty to Li Qingqiu was 96, even higher than Zhang Yuchun’s—but his loyalty to the sect was only 1. That meant he could betray the sect at any time.
What’s wrong with this kid?
He likes me so much but still argues with me every day?
Then, as he continued reading, Li Qingqiu’s eyes lit up.
【Cultivation Aptitude: Excellent】
【Comprehension: Exceptional】
【Fate Traits: Born Sword Maniac, Hidden Dragon in the Mortal World】
【Born Sword Maniac: A natural sword cultivator with extraordinary understanding and mastery over the way of the sword.】
【Hidden Dragon in the Mortal World: Born under hardship. Upon overcoming destined calamities, one shall transform into a dragon; their fortune shall be unstoppable.】
Good heavens!
That was incredible.
Suddenly, everything made sense. No wonder Jiang Zhaoxia had been resentful these past two years—two years ago, Lin Xunfeng had rewarded Li Qingqiu with a treasured sword.
There were only two swords in the entire sect. Jiang Zhaoxia had asked for it, but Li Qingqiu had refused.
He had only done so out of concern—Jiang Zhaoxia had been just twelve at the time. Giving a deadly weapon to a child was too dangerous.
A Born Sword Maniac, denied a sword… no wonder the boy resented him. Had they not been close, Jiang Zhaoxia might have done anything to claim that blade.
Li Qingqiu’s irritation toward his junior brother instantly vanished, replaced with pity.
Third Junior Brother, I misunderstood you. Don’t worry—one day, I’ll give you a sword worthy of you. You’ll shine brightly for the Clear Sky Sect.
With the Dao Lineage’s aid, Li Qingqiu had fully stepped into the mindset of a sect leader, already thinking long-term.
He continued examining the others. Li Dongyue, Wu Man’er, Li Sifeng, and Li Sijin all had decent loyalty levels, though none surpassed Jiang Zhaoxia.
Their aptitudes were better than Zhang Yuchun’s, but not as impressive as Jiang Zhaoxia’s.
Among them, Wu Man’er’s Fate Trait stood out—Tiger’s Body, Elephant’s Strength.
The boy had been unusually strong since childhood, though his mind was still immature.
The only one that made Li Qingqiu uneasy was his sixth junior brother, Li Sifeng.
Li Sifeng and his younger sister Li Sijin were siblings brought by Lin Xunfeng together.
They hadn’t originally borne the surname Li; Lin Xunfeng had given them the same surname as Li Qingqiu.
At twelve, Li Sifeng was lively and mischievous. Li Qingqiu adored him, always bringing him along in play.
But his Fate Traits were Wolf’s Ambition and Ruthless Means.
The names spoke for themselves—ambitious, insatiable, and willing to do anything to achieve his goals.
If that boy ever set his sights on the Sect Master’s seat… would he one day turn against me?
Yet when Li Qingqiu checked his loyalty, he relaxed a bit.
Li Sifeng’s loyalty to him was 92, though only 40 to the sect. He would simply have to keep an eye on him.
After reviewing all their profiles, Li Qingqiu felt confident—the Clear Sky Sect had great potential.
The only regret was that he couldn’t view his own aptitude and comprehension.
Jiang Zhaoxia could become the sect’s chief combatant, Zhang Yuchun its administrator. He had both brains and brawn.
He couldn’t help but admire Lin Xunfeng’s discernment. The man had met countless orphans during his wanderings, yet chose only these seven. Clearly, he had an eye for talent.
In daily life, Lin Xunfeng had taught them martial arts, but to Li Qingqiu, those were nothing more than basic tricks.
He moved on to the sect’s development tab—it was practically empty, as expected for such a small sect.
Then he focused on his Fate Selection and Dao Lineage Inheritance.
【Fate Selection: Choose one Fate Trait from among your disciples to copy as your own.】
【Inheritance Reward: Randomly obtain a cultivation technique, spell, divine ability, martial art, formation, or miscellaneous knowledge.】
Li Qingqiu’s excitement surged. He finally had people—but nothing to teach them.
Now, with the Dao Lineage’s inheritance, the Clear Sky Sect could truly grow.
He had both a Fate Selection and an Inheritance Reward—enough to begin his rise.
Without hesitation, he clicked on Jiang Zhaoxia’s portrait again, eyes locking onto his Fate Traits.
Junior Brother… your talent is mine now!