Script of Reincarnation

Following the conclusion of the clan meeting, Lu Yang officially assumed the position of the Twelfth Elder of the Lu Family.

Among the numerous elders, he was undoubtedly the youngest by an overwhelming margin.

A twenty-nine year old elder, compared with the others, many of whom had cultivated for nearly a century, he was practically a junior.

Yet, no one questioned his qualifications.

Within the cultivation world, strength had always spoken louder than age.

A Spirit Awakening cultivator naturally possessed the qualifications to become an elder.

However, Lu Yang soon discovered that his responsibilities differed greatly from those of the other elders.

Ordinary elders were usually assigned to oversee one of the family’s main industries, escort important caravans, guard strategic resource points, or remain stationed in various major businesses under the Lu Family’s control.

In short, every elder carried considerable responsibilities.

Lu Yang, on the other hand, carried almost none. Instead, the Family Head personally informed him that his only task was cultivation.

He was not required to leave the family unless absolutely necessary, nor would he be assigned ordinary clan affairs.

Only when directly summoned by one of the Grand Elders, the Great Elder, or the Family Head himself during matters affecting the entire Lu Family would he be expected to act.

Apart from that, he was free.

Many younger disciples and even some elders secretly envied such treatment, however, not a single elder voiced dissatisfaction; everyone understood the reasoning.

The faster Lu Yang became stronger, the greater the benefit to the Lu Family.

Sending their greatest hope to guard businesses or resolve trivial disputes would simply be foolish.

His value far exceeded those mundane responsibilities.

...

Several days later, Lu Yang officially moved into a new residence.

The courtyard was situated deep within the innermost region of the Lu Family estate.

Compared to his previous residence, it appeared much quieter.

Ancient trees surrounded the courtyard, while a small stream slowly flowed past the entrance before disappearing deeper into the mountain.

Very few people passed through this area.

After briefly observing his surroundings, Lu Yang’s Divine Sense quietly spread outward, looking towards a certain direction.

Several hundred meters away was another courtyard hidden amidst the ancient trees.

It was the Supreme Elder’s secluded courtyard.

Lu Yang silently withdrew his Divine Sense.

No wonder the Family Head arranged for him to live here.

Cultivating beside the strongest expert of the Lu Family undoubtedly provided another layer of protection.

Whether intentionally or not, it demonstrated the immense importance the clan attached to him.

...

Inside the cultivation chamber beneath the courtyard.

Lu Yang slowly sat down before opening the jade box given together with his new residence.

Inside rested a thick ancient manual, its cover having already turned somewhat yellow with age.

Several large characters were elegantly written across it.

’Azure Moon Spirit Water Technique.’

Lu Yang calmly picked it up.

The moment his fingers touched the ancient pages, an inexplicable sense of familiarity emerged within his heart, as if he had touched a similar kind of paper before.

He couldn’t help but frown slightly, slowly opening the manual.

The first few pages described the circulation pathways of Blood Qi, methods of tempering the meridians, and techniques for refining Divine Sense.

The more he read, the deeper his frown became.

This feeling...

He had definitely experienced it somewhere before.

Several moments later, Lu Yang suddenly froze, his eyes gradually brightening.

"The Azure Spirit Body Tempering Art..."

The words quietly escaped his lips.

During his previous life in the Azure Spirit Sect, after spending decades accumulating contribution points, he had finally exchanged for one of the sect’s renowned Body Tempering Realm inheritances, the Azure Spirit Body Tempering Art.

Unfortunately, by then, he had already reached the peak of the Ninth Stage of Body Tempering Realm.

He only cultivated it briefly, barely reaching minor achievement before dying during that conspiracy, thus, his mastery of it was extremely limited.

However, having memorized it countless times, and combined with having a Spirit Awakening Realm cultivation now with powerful mental capability, he still clearly remembered every word from that cultivation method.

Comparing both manuals now, although one was for the Body Tempering Realm while the other for the Spirit Awakening Realm, their cultivation concepts, the flow of Blood Qi, and even many underlying principles were astonishingly similar.

Lu Yang carefully turned several more pages, his expression slowly becoming more thoughtful.

"They originate from the same lineage..."

He softly muttered.

Or perhaps, the Azure Spirit Body Tempering Art itself had been derived from the Azure Moon Spirit Water Technique.

This possibility seemed considerably more likely.

After all, cultivation methods generally became more simplified as they spread throughout the cultivation world.

Powerful inheritances gradually fragmented generation after generation, and a complete inheritance eventually became countless incomplete branches.

Perhaps the Azure Spirit Sect had only obtained one such branch.

As for the Lu Family’s founding ancestor, perhaps the inheritance he obtained all those years ago had been considerably more complete, but not much.

Naturally, these were merely Lu Yang’s guesses. The truth had long since disappeared with history.

After thinking briefly, he gently shook his head.

There was no point dwelling upon such matters.

Regardless of their origin, his path had already been decided.

He had cultivated the Golden Vajra Body Tempering Qi and Blood Method, which he considered to be not inferior to the Azure Spirit Body Tempering Art, to absolute perfection and even broken through to the Spirit Awakening Realm.

Even if the Azure Spirit Body Tempering Art truly possessed some extraordinary mysteries, it was impossible for him to re-cultivate everything from the beginning.

Without further hesitation, Lu Yang slowly closed the ancient manual before beginning to comprehend the Azure Moon Spirit Water Technique.

...

Time quietly flowed onward.

Several months passed in the blink of an eye.

Only after personally entering the Spirit Awakening Realm did Lu Yang truly realize how enormous the difference between this realm and Body Tempering Realm actually was.

Cultivation had become much, much more difficult.

During the Body Tempering Realm, he possessed almost every imaginable advantage.

His talent had increased tremendously because of the Script of Reincarnation, and his previous life’s experiences allowed him to avoid countless unnecessary detours.

Even when encountering bottlenecks, they were often problems he had already solved once before.

Most importantly, the Lu Family possessed abundant Body Tempering Realm resources, ranging from medicinal baths, blood refining pills, and body nourishing herbs to various cultivation manuals.

Everything had been readily available.

However, Spirit Awakening Realm was entirely different.

First of all, his previous life’s experiences had ended at this point, and every step forward now belonged to completely unfamiliar territory.

There was no longer anyone more experienced than himself inside his own memories.

Second, Spirit Awakening Realm resources were incomparably precious.

Even the Lu Family, despite fully supporting him, could not endlessly supply such treasures.

After all, he was not the only Spirit Awakening cultivator within the family.

The other elders also required cultivation resources.

Finally, the higher one’s cultivation, the slower the progress naturally became.

This was a law almost impossible to change; even heaven defying geniuses could not completely ignore it.

One afternoon, Lu Yang slowly concluded another cultivation session, his Divine Sense sweeping across his body.

His cultivation had advanced slightly compared with several months earlier, however, it was only slightly.

After silently calculating for several moments, Lu Yang sighed inwardly.

"If this continues, It will probably require another three or four years just to enter the Second Stage of Spirit Awakening Realm."

He looked at the ceiling of the cultivation chamber.

This estimate already assumed uninterrupted cultivation and continuous support from the Lu Family.

Compared to the astonishing speed he displayed throughout the Body Tempering Realm, the difference was almost laughable.

Lu Yang could not help smiling bitterly.

Though slow, it was at least far better than his past life.

At the same time, he also understood another reality.

Although he possessed confidence in defeating virtually any cultivator within the same stage, crossing minor realms was another matter entirely.

He currently knew almost no Spirit Awakening Realm martial techniques.

His greatest advantages still lay in combat experience and his incomparably solid foundation.

Against an ordinary First Stage Spirit Awakening cultivator who had not cultivated any Spirit Awakening Realm martial techniques or combat art, victory was almost guaranteed, and against a peak First Stage Spirit Awakening cultivator, he would probably still win after considerable effort, albeit barely.

But a Second Stage Spirit Awakening cultivator?

Lu Yang slowly shook his head.

It was impossible.

The difference brought by an entire minor realm after entering Spirit Awakening had become much greater than during Body Tempering Realm.

Talent alone possessed limits.

Without corresponding cultivation, suitable martial techniques, or adequate resources, even the greatest genius could not simply ignore reality.

Or at least for now.

This understanding did not discourage Lu Yang, instead, it made his Dao Heart even steadier.

...

Several days later.

A servant quietly entered the courtyard before respectfully bowing.

"Elder Lu."

Lu Yang slowly opened his eyes, "What is it?"

"The Internal Affairs Grand Elder has arrived."

Lu Yang immediately stood up.

"I understand."

Before long, the familiar elderly figure slowly entered the courtyard.

Although considerably older than when Lu Yang first entered the main family over two decades earlier, the Internal Affairs Grand Elder’s eyes remained as energetic as ever.

Seeing Lu Yang, he immediately smiled.

"Haha, Yang’er."

Lu Yang respectfully cupped his fists.

"This junior greets Grand Elder."

The old man waved his hand dismissively.

"No need for all these formalities."

Soon afterward, the two sat opposite one another beneath the courtyard pavilion.

Fresh tea was poured by a maid, the fragrance gradually drifted into the surrounding air.

The Internal Affairs Grand Elder casually asked about Lu Yang’s recent cultivation.

Lu Yang answered honestly.

The conversation gradually shifted towards cultivation experiences and then family affairs as the Internal Affairs Grand Elder sometimes recounted several interesting stories from his youth.

Time passed slowly, and before either of them realized it, the teapot had already become empty.

The Internal Affairs Grand Elder gently placed down his teacup.

For the first time that afternoon, he fell unusually silent.

Lu Yang immediately noticed the subtle change.

Several breaths later, the old man suddenly looked at him.

After hesitating briefly, he coughed lightly.

"Yang’er..."

Lu Yang blinked slightly.

"Grand Elder?"

The Internal Affairs Grand Elder stroked his beard several times before letting out a soft sigh, a bitter smile appearing on his face.

"...Have you ever considered getting married?"