Chapter 7: Schemes Between Children, Second Stage of Body Tempering Realm

Spring passed into autumn, and autumn passed into winter.

In the blink of an eye, an entire year had quietly gone by.

The Lu Family estate remained as prosperous as ever, with streams of servants and cultivators moving throughout the enormous clan grounds daily.

Yet compared to before, one name now carried far greater weight among the younger generation.

Lu Yang.

The once unknown mortal branch child had gradually become a figure impossible to ignore within the Lu Family.

Even after an entire year, the matter of him stepping into the Body Tempering Realm within merely two weeks was still occasionally mentioned by clan members in private.

After all, such talent was simply too monstrous.

And during this year, Lu Yang had not disappointed the expectations placed upon him.

Within the quiet courtyard surrounded by bamboo trees, faint crimson Blood Qi slowly circulated beneath a child’s skin.

Lu Yang sat cross-legged atop a meditation mat silently, his breathing long and steady.

Compared to a year ago, his features had become noticeably more refined. Although still childish, there was already a calmness within his eyes completely inconsistent with his age.

The Blood Qi slowly flowed according to the circulation route of the Golden Vajra Body Tempering Qi and Blood Method as it strengthened his flesh, skin, muscles, and bones.

Moments later, Lu Yang slowly opened his eyes.

A faint light flashed within them before disappearing once more.

"Still slightly lacking..."

After a year of cultivation, he was already approaching the peak of the First Stage of Body Tempering Realm, only half a step away from entering the Second Stage.

Such speed was already enough to shock countless people.

Even Lu Shan had sighed repeatedly, claiming that Lu Yang’s future achievements would likely far surpass everyone else’s expectations.

Yet Lu Yang himself was not entirely satisfied.

Because he knew very clearly that with his experience from his previous life, his cultivation speed could have been even faster.

At the very least, reaching the Second Stage of Body Tempering Realm by now would not have been too difficult.

However, Lu Yang did not dare expose too much.

Talent and comprehension could be explained.

But certain things absolutely could not, for example, the combat arts and cultivation experiences from his previous life.

Although he had only been an outer disciple of the Azure Spirit Sect in his previous life, the techniques he came into contact with still far exceeded the standards of ordinary Body Tempering Realm cultivators.

If he displayed abilities completely inconsistent with his age and experience, even the clan elders might become suspicious.

Thus, throughout this entire year, Lu Yang had only cultivated the combat art and movement technique distributed by the Lu Family after advancing into the Body Tempering Realm.

The Flowing Cloud Steps and Shattering Bone Palm, both common Body Tempering Realm martial techniques within the clan.

Enough to explain his strength reasonably while not appearing too abnormal.

Lu Yang slowly took in a deep breath before exhaling.

Cultivation was never something that could be rushed recklessly.

Just as his thoughts reached this point...

Lu Yang’s eyes suddenly narrowed slightly.

A faint sense of danger surged within his heart almost instinctively.

Without hesitation, Lu Yang abruptly leaned sideways.

*Boom!*

A heavy sound suddenly echoed within the courtyard.

Where Lu Yang had been meditating moments earlier, a massive stone nearly as tall as him was now embedded deeply into the ground.

Cracks spread across the floor instantly, dust scattering everywhere.

Lu Yang slowly straightened his body before looking toward the stone calmly.

Several crooked words had been carved forcefully onto its surface.

"Know your limits, mortal branch ant."

The courtyard gradually fell silent once more.

Lu Yang merely stared at the stone quietly without speaking.

There was no anger within his expression, no surprise, as if he had already expected something like this long ago.

A few breaths later, hurried footsteps suddenly sounded outside.

The courtyard gates were pushed open violently.

Guard Zhou rushed in rapidly, his expression serious and vigilant.

The moment his eyes landed on the massive stone, his face instantly darkened.

"Killing intent through hidden force..."

His gaze swept across the surroundings sharply before stopping on Lu Yang.

"Young master, are you injured?"

Lu Yang shook his head lightly, "I’m fine."

Guard Zhou’s expression eased slightly, but the coldness within his eyes remained.

"This subordinate will immediately report this matter to the Law Enforcement Hall. Someone dared attack a clan genius within the inner clan grounds. This is no small matter."

However, Lu Yang shook his head once more.

"No need."

Guard Zhou froze slightly, "No need?"

Lu Yang looked toward the cracked stone quietly.

"The elders can restrain the main line descendants openly because of my talent, but they cannot completely eliminate every little trick in the dark."

His voice remained calm and steady.

"If this matter grows too large, it may instead force some people into desperation."

Guard Zhou’s expression changed slightly.

He looked at the child before him with faint astonishment.

Such words...

Were truly difficult to imagine coming from a six year old child.

Most children encountering something like this would either cry in fear or angrily demand punishment.

Yet Lu Yang remained incomparably calm from beginning to end, as if he did not care at all.

Lu Yang naturally noticed the subtle change in Guard Zhou’s gaze, but he did not explain anything.

After all, in his eyes, this truly was nothing worth caring about.

Petty schemes between children, that was all.

Compared to the struggles of his previous life, these little tricks were hardly worth mentioning.

Back then, he had experienced true despair.

Competing with countless outer disciples for resources, being humiliated by stronger cultivators, risking his life repeatedly merely for a slim chance at survival.

Compared to those years...

A childish warning stone was nothing worth mentioning.

Guard Zhou hesitated momentarily before finally nodding slowly. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"This subordinate understands."

Although he still felt uneasy inwardly, he ultimately respected Lu Yang’s decision.

Soon after, servants entered the courtyard and removed the massive stone silently.

The damaged ground was repaired quickly as if nothing had happened.

And Lu Yang continued cultivating as usual afterward.

It seemed as if nothing had changed.

Time quietly flowed onward once more.

Winter gradually melted away, replaced by the warmth of spring.

No one disturbed Lu Yang again after that incident.

Less than three months remained until Lu Yang would turn seven years old.

Within the silent courtyard, dense Blood Qi fluctuations suddenly surged outward from the bed violently.

A faint crimson aura circulated around Lu Yang’s body like flowing mist.

His small frame trembled slightly as muscles, bones, and flesh underwent another round of strengthening beneath the nourishment of Blood Qi.

The sensation was both painful and exhilarating, like countless warm currents flowing repeatedly throughout his limbs and organs.

Moments later, the aura slowly stabilized.

Lu Yang slowly opened his eyes.

Second Stage of Body Tempering Realm, success!

He quietly lowered his head, looking at his own small hands.

Compared to before, the skin now carried faint toughness beneath its surface.

The strength hidden within this child body had also risen by an entirely new level.

Lu Yang slowly stood up.

As he moved, his gaze landed on the black wooden table nearby.

The corner of the table was slightly protruding outward after being damaged accidentally by him a few days ago.

Lu Yang extended his hand casually before gripping the protruding wooden edge lightly.

Then, he exerted slightly more force.

*Crack!*

The hard black wood instantly shattered into fragments within his palm.

Wood splinters scattered onto the ground silently.

Lu Yang lowered his gaze toward his hand quietly.

If an ordinary adult stood before him now, he could likely knock them unconscious with a single punch.

This was the disparity between mortals and cultivators.

Even merely the Second Stage of Body Tempering Realm already far surpassed ordinary human limits.

And this...

Was only the very beginning of cultivation.

Lu Yang slowly clenched his fist.

Feeling the strength coursing through his body, a complicated emotion gradually surfaced within his heart.

Familiar, yet unfamiliar.

In his previous life, he had once walked this exact same path step by step with immense difficulty.

Back then, every breakthrough had required risking his life repeatedly for scarce cultivation resources.

Every advancement had been accompanied by caution, fear, and careful consideration.

But now, he possessed talent, resources, protection, and experience far beyond his former self.

The road beneath his feet had become incomparably smoother.

Yet because of that, Lu Yang understood even more clearly how terrifying the cultivation world truly was.

Talent could only determine one’s starting point, not the final outcome.

Too many geniuses had died halfway through their journey.

Too many monstrous talents had ultimately become stepping stones for others.

Only those who survived to the end were qualified to speak proudly of destiny and talent.

The evening breeze slowly swept through the courtyard, causing the bamboo leaves to rustle softly.

Lu Yang stood there quietly for a long time.

Then, he slowly loosened his clenched fist, his gaze gradually became calm once more.

With the Script of Reincarnation in his hands, no matter how many dangers lay ahead...

He would still continue walking this path.

Step by step, without stopping.

Until he finally saw the ultimate scenery at the end of cultivation.