Long Thắng Thiên, a mechanical genius who graduated with honors and had a bright future, was currently in a cheerful mood, having just earned a colossal sum of money.
"Heavens, I wonder if I was your son in my past life?"
As if in response to his words, a streak of light shot across the sky.
"Who's still taking random pictures at this hour? AAA…"
The Huyền Linh Continent, Nam Sơn Minor Kingdom.
On a mountain, a one-horned rhinoceros was relentlessly chasing a young man.
"Hey, Brother One-Horn, I just wanted to borrow the horn on your head for a bit, why do you keep chasing me? Old man, do you have a solution? Speak up quickly, or we'll both be celebrating our death anniversaries on the same day!"
"Stinky brat, I told you not to touch its horn! Who told you not to listen?"
"I clearly didn't touch it."
"Oh, really? You used an entire rock to smash its head!"
This young man was Long Thắng Thiên. Half a month ago, he had been struck by lightning and transmigrated, accidentally entering the body of a young man with the same name. This original youth was the son of a prominent family in the Nam Sơn Minor Kingdom, and his grandfather was a powerful prime minister, influential in court. The current Long Thắng Thiên, 16 years old, had been sent by his family to the mountains to seek a master and learn the Dao, but his physique was too weak due to his indulgence in wine and women. Consequently, he had been sent back to train his body and was expected to return in a year.
On his way down the mountain, he stumbled upon a black bear fighting a one-horned rhinoceros. Having nothing else to do, he lingered to observe and even act as a referee. Unfortunately, he was struck by a palm from the black bear, knocking his soul out of his body. At that very moment, two streaks of light, one black and one yellow, descended from the sky. One of them was Long Thắng Thiên, and the other belonged to a person who called himself Hắc Dịch Immortal King, accompanied by a black cauldron.
"Looks like it's not chasing anymore. It must have been scared off by my divine, handsome, and otherworldly demeanor, haha."
"What do you know? Every spirit beast has its own treasure. If it chases you too far, isn't it afraid of losing it?"
"Oh, so that's how it is."
"I wonder why the black cauldron chose you as its master?"
"This time, I definitely know it's because my character is exceptionally outstanding."
The two of them walked for another half day down the mountain and entered Hà Sơn Town. Long Thắng Thiên first rented a room to rest. Lying on the bed, he pondered the new world. The Huyền Linh Continent was an incredibly vast world. According to Hắc Dịch Immortal King, it was divided into four regions: East, West, South, and North, with a Vô Cục Sea in the middle. The Southern Region alone had several empires, each with several middle kingdoms beneath it, and each middle kingdom, in turn, contained dozens of minor kingdoms.
"Old Dich, how long would it take me to travel across the entire continent?"
"If you reach the Chúa Tể level, you could fly across the Southern Region within 10 years."
"So tell me, for a genius as intelligent as me, how long would it take to reach the Chúa Tể level?"
"According to the cultivation method the black cauldron gave you, if you don't die, you might reach the Chúa Tể level in 1000 years."
Long Thắng Thiên felt a little dizzy after hearing that. What could he still enjoy when he was 1000 years old?
"Isn't there another way?"
"Of course there is. You can yield this body to me, and then you become the soul of this cauldron."
"Consider that I didn't ask."
Long Thắng Thiên had been in this world for over half a month and had gained a general understanding. This continent was unlike Earth; here, strength was revered, making it a paradise for the belligerent. On the continent, there were cultivators, known as *tu sĩ*, who were divided into 8 levels: Sĩ, Úy, Sư, Tướng, Vương, Hoàn, Đế, and Chúa Tể. Each level was further divided into ten stages, from first to tenth. To realize his dream of building a harem, he would need to reach at least the Đế level.
– It seems that on Earth, to win over beauties, you need money, but here, you need strength. My dashing, handsome, mighty, and extraordinary appearance alone isn't enough.
Long Thắng Thiên suddenly thought that this body's physique needed improvement, so he asked.
– Hắc Dịch, how do you suggest I improve my physique?
– Put it in a pot and boil it.
– I mean internally, not externally.
– Add spirit medicine.
– Can't you just say it all at once?
Long Thắng Thiên fell into deep thought. He knew that human lives on this continent were not precious, especially for commoners. Countless people died during each beast tide, so to survive, the only way was to become stronger.
– So, what should I do now?
– Sleep.
– I'm asking about the future.
– You'll know later.
Now, it was important to improve his cultivation. He sat in his room, cultivating the method that the black cauldron had transmitted to him before he entered this body. The cultivation method was divided into two parts: the Heaven-Devouring Art and the Yin-Yang Art.
The Heaven-Devouring Art absorbs the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, and spiritual objects to increase spiritual energy. The cultivation method is divided into 12 layers, each layer having an auxiliary skill.
The Yin-Yang Demonic Art is divided into 2 parts. Part 1 absorbs the opponent's cultivation power and converts it into one's own body, similar to the Star Absorbing Great Art. Part 2 is used for dual cultivation, which can either drain or enhance the opponent's spiritual power depending on one's mood.
– Old Yi, why haven't I entered the first layer of the Heaven-Devouring Art after half a month?
– Why don't you guess?
– How would I know? If I knew, I wouldn't need to ask you.
– Firstly, your foundation is poor, and your qi and blood are weak, which is a sign of excessive indulgence in wine and women.
– That was the previous owner, not me, the current one.
– Secondly, the spiritual energy here is too weak.
– So where should I go to find more spiritual energy?
– You've asked the right person. Remember, back in the day, I followed my master all over the world; there was no place we didn't visit, nothing I didn't know.
– Stop, I know you're incredibly knowledgeable. Just get to the point.
– Lc, dp, ld.
– What the hell are you talking about?
– Spirit realms, immortal caves, spirit medicine.
– Ugh, you don't need to be *that* concise. I haven't heard of spirit realms, and I haven't encountered immortal caves. So, let's go with spirit medicine. It seems I need to quickly return to find some help.
The next morning, Long Thắng Thiên decided to set off for Namdu. First, he had to get used to his new identity, then find resources for cultivation. Fortunately, this body shared the same passions as him, hehe. Just then, the coachman announced.
– Young master, Namdu is just ahead.
– We're here already?
Long Thắng Thiên looked towards the towering city gate, his eyes aching.
– Is this a city or a mountain?
– What do you know? During every beast tide, if there weren't such tall walls, how could they defend themselves?
– Old Yi, didn't you say that in small kingdoms, the boss spiritual beasts are only general-level?
– That's right, so what?
– So in an empire, how do they build walls against lord-level spiritual beasts?
– Lord-level spiritual beasts can fly through the sky and burrow through the earth. Can you build walls against that?
Long Thắng Thiên waited for a moment, but hearing nothing from Hắc Dịch Immortal King, he had to hold back.
– Old Yi, I know you're knowledgeable in everything from astronomy to geography, and you're handsome, charming, and elegant, but can you just say it all at once?
– Empires use formations.
After that, the carriage arrived at the Long Residence. Long Thắng Thiên observed for a moment, noticing the two majestic golden characters "Long Residence" in front. Below were two jet-black wooden doors, exuding an ancient aura. He was moved, wondering how much he could get if he pried them off and sold them. Just then, two people walked out from the residence's gate.
– Stop, who are you people? Why are you stopping your carriage here? Do you even know where this is?
Long Thắng Thiên sat in the car, thinking to himself, *Did this fellow only learn how to ask questions before school?* He stepped out of the car, his voice full of an almost defiant arrogance, as if looking down on the world, and said.
"Don't you recognize this young master?"
"Ah, it's the Young Master! Please come in while I go inform the others."
Indeed, the feeling wasn't bad at all.
"Master, Madam, the Young Master has returned."
As Long Thắng Thiên stepped in, he saw several people coming out of the manor. Prominent among them was a lady wearing a purple long gown, with a well-rounded figure, hair styled in a high bun, porcelain skin, and a face exuding warmth and approachability that made those facing her feel at ease. Behind her were several maids.
"Tian'er, was your journey arduous? Was there any danger? Were you injured?..."
Long Thắng Thiên was certain that the two fellows from earlier were sent by this person. Looking at the lady before him, full of concern, Long Thắng Thiên remembered his mother on Earth, wondering how she was doing now.
"Tian'er, are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Mother, there's nothing to worry about."
"Alright, first come inside so Mother can nourish you back to health."
From within a jumble of memories, Long Thắng Thiên recalled that this mother was named Dongfang Fengyi, the eldest young lady of the Dongfang clan, one of the great clans in Nandou, along with the Long, Chen, and Li clans.
"Mother, where is Father?"
"Why are you suddenly so concerned about him today?"
Seeing his mother's suspicious gaze, Long Thắng Thiên's heart skipped a beat.
"It's nothing big, it's just that I wasn't chosen to enter the immortal sect."
"You call something like that 'nothing big,' you rascal! Don't worry, your father and grandfather have gone to the palace for some business. Actually, he probably already guessed you failed and won't be angry."
"Mother truly understands Father best."
Dongfang Fengyi's smile brightened as she said.
"You go back to your room first. I'll have someone bring food to you later."