Time flowed like a quiet river.
In the blink of an eye, a full year passed since Li Qingyun first entered the Azure Sky Academy for Nobles. He had grown visibly—not just in height and bearing, but in temperament. While still only five years old, he carried the aura of a disciplined young noble, refined in every movement, every gesture.
Unlike cultivation sects that trained warriors, the Azure Sky Academy catered to the heirs of noble families. Here, children were shaped into future lords, ministers, scholars, and strategists. The curriculum focused on the Six Arts of nobility, alongside foundational knowledge in politics, etiquette, and rhetoric.
It is also for the children of families to make friends with one another so that they will have someone in the future to rely on and have better influence in the future.
.....
Each morning, students practiced the ancient art of calligraphy. Under the watchful gaze of Master Wen, they dipped their brushes into inkstones and copied classical texts onto silk parchment.
Li Qingyun took naturally to the brush. His strokes were balanced and fluid—his control absolute. Within two months, he had already mastered Regular Script, and by the end of the year, he was capable of writing in Running Script and even Semi-Cursive. His characters had strength yet grace, like iron wrapped in velvet.
> "Calligraphy is the mirror of the mind," Master Wen once said. "And this child's mind is frighteningly clear."
.....
Twice a week, they gathered in the garden pavilion where soft wind mingled with the plucking of strings. The guqin—a seven-stringed zither—was said to calm the heart and elevate one's spirit.
At first, the strings cut into Qingyun's fingers. But by the fourth month, he could play the ancient melody "Flowing Water" with near-professional skill. His touch was light and deliberate, producing a sound that soothed even the instructors.
> "He plays as though he's lived many lives," one tutor whispered.
The guqin became a regular part of Qingyun's routine, not because he needed the prestige, but because the melodies gave him peace and clarity—ideal for organizing his thoughts and planning long-term.
.....
Traditional painting was more than just depicting scenery. It demanded control over breath, qi, and intent. Landscape, bird-and-flower, and figure painting were all part of the curriculum.
Qingyun's landscapes were tranquil, filled with silent mountains and misty rivers. His bird paintings had vitality, each feather drawn with precision. Though he never saw himself as an artist, his understanding of perspective and emotion helped him channel subtlety into his brushwork.
....
This was perhaps the most rigorous training. Under Lady Mu, a severe instructor with a bamboo stick and a sharp tongue, they learned everything from formal greetings to tea ceremonies, from seating protocols at banquets to conversation during court sessions.
Qingyun memorized fifteen forms of bowing, dozens of classical greetings, and the seating arrangements for at least six different social occasions.
He learned how to properly address dukes, scholars, generals, and imperial envoys. Even how to host or receive foreign dignitaries without causing diplomatic offense.
When Lady Mu declared at the end of term that he could accompany her to a real banquet without embarrassing himself, it was the highest praise she had given any student.
.....
These classes were less frequent but more intense. Rhetoric involved debate, persuasion, and critical thinking. They debated fictional scenarios—some involving court politics, others military decisions.
Qingyun never raised his voice during these debates, yet his words always struck hardest. His calm tone, confident posture, and piercing logic earned him admiration from even older students.
In strategy class, they studied basic battlefield formations, historical wars, and political maneuvering.
Qingyun once offered a solution to a fictitious civil rebellion that stunned the instructor into silence.
> "He may never need to take the field himself," the instructor said privately, "but should this child grow into a statesman, the empire will change."
.....
By the end of the year, Li Qingyun's name was no longer just associated with his family's wealth.
He had become something of a legend among his peers. Not because of arrogance, nor violence—but because of his unshakable composure, silent strength, and rapid mastery of everything he touched.
Those who had tried to pick fights with him early on now avoided provoking him. Not because he retaliated harshly—he didn't. But because it was clear: you couldn't touch someone like Li Qingyun.
He spent his spare time reading the classics, listening to debates between scholars, and quietly meditating on the lessons of each day.
The Jade Body Tempering Scripture, which had finished cultivating itself ,left a remarkable impact on his body. Though not obvious to the eye, his bones had become denser, his muscles stronger and more flexible. He could lift weights older boys struggled with and run longer without tiring. His reaction speed was simply unnatural for his age.
> "I've laid the groundwork," Qingyun often thought during his night meditations. "I've mastered all the etiquette, refined my composure, and hardened my body. All that remains... is my awakening."
...
The Meridian Awakening Ceremony
It was now early spring, and the Azure Sky Academy was preparing for one of its most important annual events: the Meridian Awakening Ceremony.
Every child of noble blood underwent this ritual around the age of six. The process would determine how many spiritual meridians one possessed and what type of spiritual constitution they had. It was the decisive moment that shaped one's cultivation path.
Some children would awaken with three meridians, the minimum required for entry into proper cultivation. Others might awaken five, seven, or if heaven truly smiled upon them—nine meridians.
Nine meridians signified a Heaven-Tier Constitution, something that happened perhaps once in a generation.
Li Qingyun, however, had no delusions.
> "I won't beg the heavens for fortune. What I've built with my own hands matters more. If the heavens are kind, I'll accept it. If not, I will make my own fate."
His parents, Li Tianyang and Lin Meiyu, had been preparing for this moment for months. His robes for the ceremony had been custom-stitched, his pathway cleared, and even his nutrition adjusted in subtle ways to ensure optimal condition.
The day before the awakening, he stood at the threshold of his room, gazing at the courtyard under the stars.
> "No more tests. No more social polish. Tomorrow... I begin my real journey. Once I know what I can cultivate, I will devote myself entirely. No more distractions. No more detours."
> "The body has been forged. The mind has been honed. The soul is ready. Now it's time to see... what the heavens have in store for me."
---
[System Interface]
[Host]: Li Qingyun
[Realm]: —
[Slots Available]: 1 (Second slot can be unlocked for 50 points)
[Techniques cultivating: None]
[Cultivated Technique]: Jade Body Tempering Scripture (Rank 1, Supreme Grade) – Perfected
[Energy]: 19