Changyang Xiangtian glanced down at his small, childish body and sighed inwardly, his expression complicated. Over the past year, the scenes in his mind had replayed countless times. Even now, they felt as vivid as if they had happened only yesterday, etched deep into his soul, impossible to forget. He had long since come to terms with the truth: his previous life had been Jian Chen, and after death, his soul and memories had inexplicably reincarnated into this new world.
Having retained his past-life memories from birth, Jian Chen had quickly mastered the language of this world. From the conversations of those around him, he had learned about his new family and realized that this was not the world he had once lived in, but an entirely unfamiliar one he had never heard of before.
The vast mansion he now lived in was called Changyang Mansion—one of the four great clans in Lor City, holding a pivotal position in the region. His father was Changyang Ba, the patriarch of Changyang Mansion, and his mother was Bi Yuntian, the fourth concubine, not the official wife. Even so, his mother's status within the mansion was far from low, for she was a Light Sage Master.
Though Jian Chen did not fully understand what a Light Sage Master was, he could tell that this title granted his mother great respect and high standing in the mansion.
As for himself, he was the Fourth Young Master of Changyang Mansion, born into a noble identity. He had two older brothers and one older sister: eldest brother Changyang Hu, second sister Changyang Mingyue, and third brother Changyang Ke—all half-siblings. Aside from his eldest brother, whom he had not yet met, he had seen Changyang Mingyue and Changyang Ke several times. They were only a few years older than him: his second sister had just turned four, three years his senior, and his third brother was three years old, two years older. There were many other children of the direct bloodline in Changyang Mansion as well.
Just then, an elderly man dressed as a steward walked up behind him and said gently, "Fourth Young Master, it is getting late. Madam is calling for you to return."
Jian Chen snapped back to his senses. Looking up, he saw that the sky was dim, the onset of night approaching. Unknowingly, he had stood there all afternoon. He nodded slightly. "I understand, Uncle Chang. I will return at once."
Uncle Chang was the steward of Changyang Mansion, responsible for nearly all daily affairs. His status was not low; despite being a steward, he did not bow to anyone, standing almost on equal footing with the patriarch Changyang Ba.
Uncle Chang smiled, his eyes filled with expectation when looking at Jian Chen. By the age of six months, the boy had been able to walk without help, and by eight months, he could speak clearly, holding normal conversations. For these two feats alone, Jian Chen was already regarded as a genius in Changyang Mansion, the most anticipated child of the entire clan.
That night, Jian Chen went to the dining hall with his mother Bi Yuntian. They used a private dining chamber, reserved only for the patriarch, his direct children, and his concubines.
When they arrived, three beautiful women in their twenties were already seated at the round table, along with two young children. The boy, plump and quiet, was around three or four years old—Changyang Ke, the Third Young Master of Changyang Mansion.
The moment he saw Jian Chen enter, Changyang Ke's small eyes flashed with hostility and provocation. He clearly held a grudge against the Fourth Young Master.
Even though the four women, including Jian Chen's mother, noticed the hostility, they paid it no mind. To them, it was merely childish squabbling, harmless and trivial.
The little girl was four or five years old, with two small braids and bright, mischievous eyes. A faint smile played on her lips, revealing two lovely dimples. Even at such a young age, it was obvious she would grow into a breathtaking beauty. She was Changyang Mingyue, the Second Miss and only daughter of the patriarch.
"Fourth Brother, you're here! Come sit!" Changyang Mingyue's smile brightened as she waved him over.
Jian Chen nodded slightly in greeting, then followed his mother to two empty seats at the table.
Bi Yuntian looked at her son with loving affection and whispered, "Xiang'er, greet your aunts, your Second Sister, and Third Brother."
Jian Chen had no choice but to obey. "Greetings, First Aunt, Second Aunt, Third Aunt, Second Sister, Third Brother." Ever since he had learned to speak, his mother had joyfully insisted on teaching him basic etiquette. Jian Chen had accepted his fate, thinking When in Rome, do as the Romans do, and offered no resistance. He knew he would grow up in this new world.
When he first arrived, he had struggled fiercely with his identity. Having reincarnated with his past memories, he was still Jian Chen at heart, and he had initially rejected his new identity. But as time passed, he gradually accepted it. Bi Yuntian was his birth mother, after all, and his past-life memories belonged to another world, unrelated to this one. He had buried his old life deep in his mind, ready to embrace this new life with an open heart.
The three women smiled at him. One dressed in luxurious yellow robes said warmly, "Sister Yun, Xiangtian grows more well-behaved by the day. It's hard to believe he's only just one year old. I truly envy you for such a clever son." This was Bai Yushuang, the Second Madam of Changyang Mansion and Changyang Mingyue's mother.
"Indeed, Sister Yun," said the woman beside Jian Chen, her tone calm but kind. "I've grown quite fond of little Xiangtian." She was Yu Fengyan, the Third Madam.
"Xiangtian is the most gifted child I have ever seen," said another woman, exuding noble grace. "Walking at six months, speaking at eight months—no other child his age could do such a thing. I cannot wait for him to turn three and take the Saint Power and potential test. I hope he will surprise us all." This was Linglong, the First Madam of Changyang Mansion.
Just as Linglong finished speaking, a deep, masculine voice rang out: "Yes, I too look forward to the surprise Xiang'er will bring when he takes his Saint Power test at three." A young man near thirty entered the dining hall, exuding the aura of a ruler. He wore a white robe embroidered with golden silk, his black hair falling loosely over his shoulders, giving him an elegant air.
"Husband!"
"Father!"
Everyone at the table stood at once, greeting him. Jian Chen also spoke softly in unison.
This was Changyang Ba, patriarch of Changyang Mansion.
Changyang Ba took an empty seat at the table, a gentle smile on his face as he looked at Jian Chen. "Xiang'er, are you enjoying your time in the mansion?"
Jian Chen nodded lightly. "I am well."
Changyang Ba smiled. "If you grow bored indoors, you may wander outside and see the world."
"I understand, Father," Jian Chen replied quietly.
Watching his son behave so maturely, nothing like a one-year-old infant, Changyang Ba felt a surge of quiet joy.
The family enjoyed a pleasant dinner, which soon came to an end. Afterward, Jian Chen returned alone to his room. Normally, a child his age would sleep with his mother, but Jian Chen had firmly insisted on having his own chamber. His mother had been unable to change his mind and reluctantly agreed.
That night, Jian Chen sat cross-legged on his bed, hands resting palms-up on his knees, assuming the five-heart-facing-sky meditation pose. He silently circulated the first level of the Purple Blue Sword Classic.
The Purple Blue Sword Classic had been the greatest source of Jian Chen's power in his past life, allowing him to dominate the martial world at only twenty-some years old. It was a supreme cultivation manual, containing both profound mental techniques and powerful sword moves.
Jian Chen had found it as a child, when he had accidentally fallen into a pool at the bottom of a ten-thousand-foot cliff while playing in the mountains. Miraculously surviving, he had discovered the manual in a cave. For ten years, he survived on fish and cultivated until he could leap back up the cliff.
He had been an orphan, his parents killed in war, raised by an elderly man. By the time he climbed out of the cliff, a decade had passed. The kind old man was long dead. After paying his respects, the homeless Jian Chen left the village and wandered the martial world alone.
Ever since accepting this new world and his new identity, Jian Chen had begun practicing the Purple Blue Sword Classic. By now, he had been cultivating for more than half a year.