"Is that all you can do?" The Patriarch called back without turning, his voice carrying easily over the whistling mountain winds. "Come now, this is pathetic. Pick up the pace! We must reach the cave before sunset."
"Yes, Great Patriarch," Lin Tian responded through gritted teeth, forcing his legs to move faster.
The Patriarch merely smiled, effortlessly using a burst of Qigong to accelerate further up the treacherous path.
I'm trying, you bastard, I'm trying, Lin Tian thought bitterly. God damn it, my whole body feels like it's going to break.
His mind drifted back to two days ago, when everything had taken an unexpected turn. After the meeting with Elder Jin, Lin Tian had spent days meticulously preparing his explanations, refining his new cultivation technique, and anticipating a rigorous interrogation from the Patriarch upon his return. He had readied himself for skepticism, for accusations, perhaps even for some form of punishment if his explanations were found wanting.
What he hadn't prepared for was indifference.
When the Patriarch had finally returned, he hadn't asked Lin Tian a single question about his breakthrough or Elder Zhou's publication. There had been no interrogation, no demands for demonstration, nothing. Instead, the Patriarch had simply appeared at Lin Tian's door at dawn and said, "Prepare. We leave in an hour."
"Great Patriarch," Lin Tian had responded, confused but maintaining his respectful demeanor. "What do you mean? Where are we going?"
"We must go to the Great Spirit Cave of Malling Mountain," the Patriarch had replied, his expression revealing nothing.
"But I don't quite understand—"
"We are going into seclusion training, Lin Tian," the Patriarch had cut him off. "And I'll be the one training you."
In that moment, Lin Tian had felt a conflicting rush of emotions—elation at being personally trained by the Patriarch, confusion at the sudden decision, and deep suspicion about the timing. Now, dragging himself up the punishing incline with what felt like half a mountain on his back, elation had long since faded, leaving only frustration and anger.
A familiar figure had appeared beside him just before their departure, moving with characteristic grace.
"Sorry, Young Master," Lin Feng had said quietly. "I wish I could help, but the Patriarch clearly wished for me not to come or help."
The Patriarch had overheard and turned to Lin Feng with a calm expression—none of the usual mockery he reserved for Lin Tian. "You know what you must do, no?"
"Yes, Great Lord," Lin Feng replied with a bow, his tone serious. "Elder Mei already filled me in. Me and the rest of the 'Shadows' will start this evening."
"Good," the Patriarch said simply, before turning back to the path.
Lin Tian's analytical mind immediately began working. The 'Shadows'? That sounds like an organized group. And if they're being deployed while the Patriarch is away with me, something significant must have occurred. A mistake or problem must have arisen—and it must be big to deploy supreme peak cultivators to fix it.
"Move faster, boy!" the Patriarch called back again, snapping Lin Tian back to the present. "The cave's energy is strongest at sunset. Miss that window, and we've wasted a day!"
Lin Tian gritted his teeth and forced more Qi into his straining limbs. The new circulation pattern he'd developed gave him more efficient energy flow, but even that had its limits against such physical demands.
After what seemed like an eternity of climbing, the path finally began to level out. Lin Tian's legs trembled with exhaustion, but relief surged through him as the Patriarch finally stopped at the mouth of a vast cave entrance. Setting down his burden with a grateful sigh, Lin Tian straightened up and was immediately struck silent by the vista before him.
The cave mouth opened onto a plateau that offered a breathtaking view of the mountains beyond. Mist curled around distant peaks that seemed to pierce the heavens themselves, while ethereal lights danced across the valley below. But what truly caught his attention was the cave itself—its entrance adorned with intricate carvings that seemed to shift and change when viewed from different angles, glowing with a soft inner light that pulsed like a heartbeat.
"Well," the Patriarch said, gesturing grandly at the view, "welcome to Malling Mountain. Or, to properly introduce it—" he paused dramatically, "—the Graveyard of the Immortals."
Lin Tian, who had been admiring the magnificent sight, paused and turned sharply. "What?"
The Patriarch raised an eyebrow. "What? It's just as you've heard." He studied Lin Tian's confused expression. "Wait, have you never heard of Malling Mountain?"
Lin Tian shifted uncomfortably. "Well, I didn't really focus on geographical knowledge all that much..."
The Patriarch sighed deeply. "I see." He crossed his arms, looking somewhat disappointed. "Well, do you at least know why it's called the Graveyard of the Immortals?"
Lin Tian pondered for a moment. "I'm assuming... immortals died here?"
The Patriarch stared at him flatly. "Now I know you aren't that bright, but is this really the only answer you have?"
I'm not that dumb, you bastard, Lin Tian thought irritably. Out loud, he said, "Well, I assume this has something to do with the current conflicts between immortals and deities, no?"
The Patriarch's eyes widened slightly. "Wow, you might not be as dumb as I thought."
"Thanks, Great Patriarch," Lin Tian replied dryly, bowing to hide his annoyed expression.
"Well, yes, you are correct," the Patriarch continued, turning to gaze out at the misty mountains. "This is called the Graveyard of the Immortals due to a war that happened years ago. Have you heard of the Great Heavenly War?"
"I've heard of it, but didn't go too in depth on it," Lin Tian admitted. "I didn't get access to that information back in the sect."
"Well, you wouldn't," the Patriarch nodded. "Most people have only heard of it, but it was a war between immortal cultivators and gods—or deities, if you prefer."
The Patriarch's expression grew distant, as if peering back through centuries. "The cultivation world has always recognized two fundamentally different paths to transcend mortality: the way of the Immortal Cultivator and the path of Divinity. Though both achieve unimaginable power and eternal life, they stand opposed in philosophy and practice."
He began to pace slowly in front of the cave entrance, his voice taking on the cadence of a seasoned lecturer. "Immortal Cultivators are individuals who, through personal cultivation and refinement, ascend beyond mortal limitations. They rely on their own efforts, discipline, and understanding to climb the ladder of cultivation."
Lin Tian listened attentively, recognizing that despite the Patriarch's often infuriating manner, the information was valuable.
"Their foundation is built upon Spirit Force—refined over millennia through meditation, battle experience, and insight," the Patriarch continued. "They draw power directly from the natural world and their own accumulated spiritual energy. Their authority stems from personal achievement rather than worship."
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The Patriarch gestured toward the cave. "Through their cultivation method, they establish their personal internal world, a domain where they are absolute. Within this space, they can manipulate reality according to their will."
He turned back to Lin Tian. "Deities, on the other hand, derive their power from belief, worship, and the collective consciousness of mortals. Their legends and stories fuel their divinity, creating a symbiotic relationship with their followers."
"So they're dependent on worship," Lin Tian observed.
"Precisely," the Patriarch nodded approvingly. "Their foundation is built upon Divine Essence—accumulated through worship, sacrifice, and the propagation of their legends. Gods harness the power of faith and belief. The more followers they have, the more powerful they become. However, this creates a dependency that immortal cultivators avoid."
Lin Tian frowned thoughtfully. "But then why would they fight? If their paths are so different, couldn't they coexist?"
The Patriarch laughed bitterly. "You would think so, wouldn't you? But power rarely allows for peaceful coexistence. Deities saw the independence of immortal cultivators as a threat to their dominion. Immortals viewed the gods' reliance on mortal worship as a fundamental weakness."
He gestured toward the magnificent but somehow somber landscape. "This mountain range was once the site of a battle that lasted for seven days and seven nights. Hundreds of immortals made their last stand here against a coalition of lesser deities. The clash of their powers carved out these valleys, raised these peaks, and—" he pointed to the glowing cave entrance, "—created anomalies like this Spirit Cave."
Lin Tian stared at the cave with new appreciation. "And the immortals lost?"
"They were outnumbered," the Patriarch said quietly. "But they took many deities with them. The aftermath weakened both sides so severely that a truce was called—a truce that has held, more or less, until recent times."
Lin Tian caught the implication. "Recent times? You mean the balance is shifting again?"
The Patriarch's eyes gleamed with approval. "Perhaps you really aren't as slow as you appear, Lin Tian." Before the young man could retort, he continued, "Yes, the balance is shifting.
He walked to the cave entrance, placing his hand on one of the glowing carvings. "The Spirit Cave of Malling Mountain exists in a space between the mortal realm and the higher planes. The energy here is... peculiar. It resonates with both Spirit Force and Divine Essence, making it uniquely suited for certain types of cultivation."
Lin Tian frowned. "What exactly is an 'inner world'? I've heard the term mentioned in ancient texts, but they were always vague."
The Patriarch's lips curved into a small smile. "Mmm."
Without warning, the air around them darkened. Lin Tian felt a sudden pressure, as if the very fabric of reality was being compressed. Darkness enveloped them completely—not the darkness of night, but a perfect void that seemed to consume light itself.
Then, just as suddenly, a new world bloomed into existence.
They stood on a vast plain beneath a crimson sky where meteors rained down continuously, leaving trails of fire across the heavens. The ground beneath their feet was dark and slick with what appeared to be blood, pooling in rivulets that flowed toward a distant, massive structure that resembled a fortress made of bone and shadow.
"Welcome to my inner world," the Patriarch said, his voice somehow deeper and more resonant in this realm. "Every cultivator who reaches a certain level creates an internal domain that reflects their essence, their understanding of the Dao, and their personal journey."
Lin Tian stared in awe at the blood-soaked landscape, the raining meteors, the bone fortress that seemed to grow organically from the horizon. "This is... inside you?"
"It is me," the Patriarch corrected. "And yet it is also separate. A place where my will is law, where I can retreat to cultivate, to recover, or—" he gestured, and a meteor changed course mid-flight, striking the ground near their feet with pinpoint precision, "—to prepare for battle."
Lin Tian took a step back, eyes wide with confusion. "Wait a minute. If this is your inner world, why is it... outside? Why are we standing in it?"
The Patriarch's expression fell as he stared at Lin Tian. "Wow, you really know nothing, huh?"
Can people not even ask questions anymore?, Lin Tian thought irritably. . Out loud, he said, "I apologize for the inconvenience, Great Patriarch. Perhaps you could enlighten me."
The Patriarch sighed deeply. "When you begin truly forming your inner world, you create what's called a 'world space.' This world space is the beginning of your inner world. The stronger you get, the larger and stronger your world space becomes. When you reach a certain level, you can influence reality outside and deploy your inner world."
He gestured at the crimson sky and blood-soaked ground. "Your inner world reflects your worldview—how you perceive and understand the world, and how you intend to live in it."
Lin Tian looked around at the meteors crashing down, the blood flowing in rivulets, and the bone fortress looming in the distance. "Wow, you have an... exquisite view of the world, oh Grand Patriarch."
The Patriarch fixed him with a flat stare. "Stop that."
"Alright," Lin Tian said quickly.
"You normally start developing your inner world at Peak realm or later," the Patriarch continued, "albeit you can't deploy it or get it strong enough until Master realm. However, your inner world progression doesn't fully depend on your cultivation level. As long as you have enough Qi and understanding of who you are and your 'world,' you can make one."
Lin Tian's eyes lit up. "So can I make one?"
"No," the Patriarch said flatly. "You're way too weak."
"But you just said it doesn't fully depend on your cultivation level," Lin Tian protested.
"Yes, I did," the Patriarch nodded, "but like I said, you need an ample amount of Qi for that, something which you lack."
With another gesture, the crimson world vanished, and they were back on the mountain plateau, the sun beginning its descent toward the horizon.
Lin Tian took a moment to absorb this demonstration, then asked the question that had been burning in his mind. "Great Patriarch, why did you decide to bring me here so suddenly? Why this seclusion training now, without any warning?"
The Patriarch studied Lin Tian for a long moment, as if weighing how much to reveal. "This mountain range was one of the major battlegrounds during the Great Heavenly War," he finally said. "It wasn't a defeat for either side, as most histories claim. It was a draw—a bloody stalemate that shocked both factions to their core."
He gestured toward the valley below. "Immortals who were believed to be 'eternal' and deities who were believed to be all-powerful died here in great numbers. Soon it became clear that either force could die at the hands of the other, and both sides knew it. That's why they hate each other so intensely—each represents the existential threat to the other's supposed invulnerability."
"But that doesn't explain why we're here," Lin Tian pressed.
"Doesn't it?" The Patriarch arched an eyebrow. "I was merely curious, Lin Tian. I saw the meridian pattern that you sketched out and wondered: could a true successor of the Lin clan finally exist?"
"What do you mean?" Lin Tian asked.
"I mean," the Patriarch said slowly, "that I wondered if you had finally developed into something worthy of attention, despite being the previous trash of our clan."
Lin Tian tensed. "You must know I lacked any cultivation progress for years, and I have no plans to become the next Patriarch."
The Patriarch looked at him and sighed deeply. "I figured as much. If you were ambitious for the position, you would have been wary of all this attention. Getting this much notice puts you a step ahead of your siblings, which makes you a target, not a contender."
He turned to face Lin Tian fully. "But to answer your question directly: I was merely curious, Lin Tian. My bastard son had changed his ways and become an overnight icon. That would make anyone curious, no?"
"But I brought you here to test your limits," the Patriarch continued, "to see how much you've truly changed and can change. Call this my little experiment."
The setting sun cast long shadows across the plateau as the Patriarch turned and walked toward the cave entrance. "Come. We have much to do before the night is through."
Lin Tian stood motionless for a moment, stunned by the blunt confession and the implications it carried. This wasn't just training—it was an evaluation. A test. And perhaps, in some way, a belated acknowledgment of his existence.
"We have three months until you return to the Celestial Dragon Sect," the Patriarch said suddenly, turning back to face Lin Tian. "And I intend for you to reach Peak realm before then."
Lin Tian's eyes widened. . Has the patriarch gone insane?
"It seems that you are ready for the challenge," the Patriarch nodded, interpreting Lin Tian's shocked expression as determination.
"No, no, no," Lin Tian sputtered, abandoning his usual calculated demeanor. "PEAK in THREE months? That's near impossible!"
The Patriarch simply smiled. "Not with the right methods."
How do his kids deal with him? Lin Tian thought desperately. . God, I just want to go home and be left alone. Is it that hard?
With a deep breath, he grabbed his supplies and followed the Patriarch into the glowing cave, leaving the fading daylight behind. As he walked, his mind quickly calculated the implications of everything he'd learned today. The deployment of the "Shadows," the Patriarch's personal training, the looming three-month deadline—all pieces of a puzzle he was only beginning to glimpse.
Whatever game the Patriarch is playing, Lin Tian thought with imperial calculation that had served him well in his previous life, I need to be very careful about my next moves.