Qin Kingdom
Flying Bird City
In the bustling heart of Flying Bird City, the Qin Kingdom's foremost commercial hub, stood a magnificent mansion gleaming in silver and gold.
This mansion is the residence of the Yang Clan, one of the five great merchant families that dominated trade within the Qin Kingdom.
Inside one of the mansion's lavish rooms, a five-year-old girl sat quietly, dressed in a luxurious purple gown as she savored a plate of sweet fruits by herself.
Her personal maid stood quietly at her side, prepared to serve the young girl at a moment's notice.
The young girl was Yang Mei, the third young lady of the illustrious Yang Clan.
Her long black hair fell to her shoulders, framing large black eyes, a cute face, and a fair complexion. Her delicate features carried an innocent charm, yet there was a quiet intelligence hidden within her gaze. Soft, rosy lips curved slightly as if she were perpetually on the verge of a smile, and her small, figure gave her the appearance of a porcelain doll—fragile, refined, and effortlessly endearing.
As Mei indulged in her sweet fruits, her thoughts meandered far and wide, drifting from the quiet luxury of the room to memories of her past life. Her face grew emotionless as she recalled those memories.
'Back in Russia, I was born an orphan and grew up in an orphanage. To survive, I joined a gang and worked relentlessly to earn the gang leader's appreciation.'
'It took years to earn his trust, and with the charm I possessed at the time, I eventually succeeded in seducing him.'
'After years of carefully building my reputation and standing beside the gang leader, my moment finally arrived. I poisoned him without hesitation, and when he died, I claimed my place as the new gang leader.'
Mei took another bite of the sweet fruit, her thoughts inevitably returning to the moment of her death in her previous life. Her eyes turned icy cold as the memory replayed itself. Only after a long pause did she release a heavy sigh.
'My death in the gang war was cruel and violent, but this rebirth made it feel like fate had finally compensated me.'
A cruel, subtle smirk crossed her face, unnoticed by her personal maid who stood beside her.
'I never cared about anyone in my old gang. They were nothing but pawns I used to make money. Whether they lived or died meant nothing to me.'
A faint smile curved Mei's lips as she continued eating. She then turned to her maid and said,
"Rong, I want some sweet juice."
After hearing Mei's order, Rong cupped her fist respectfully and left the room to prepare a sweet juice for her.
After Rong left the room, Mei rose from her seat, approached the nearby mirror, and gazed ar her own reflection.
A small smile spread across her face as she spoke loudly to herself.
"What brings me the greatest happiness in this life is that I am no longer an orphan. Even though my new mother passed away giving birth to me, I finally have a family, and I will cherish this life with all my heart."
"I may not know exactly what my new father expects of me, but I will do everything I can to live up to his expectations."
"However, I must remain cautious. I cannot allow anyone to discover that this is my second life."
"For now, I'll act like a spoiled little girl so I don't arouse my family's suspicion."
Five minutes later, Rong arrived, carrying a cup of sweet juice. Mei eagerly took it and drank, a contented smile forming as she savored every drop.
_______
In the afternoon
In the dining hall
Mei arrived at the dining hall, where her entire family was waiting for her.
At the center of the dining table sat a striking middle-aged man, his spiky black hair meticulously styled to frame a sharply defined, handsome face. His dark, piercing eyes seemed to survey the room with a quiet intensity, while his sharply arched eyebrows lent him an air of authority and intellect.
The contrast of his fair skin against the dark hair accentuated his striking features, and his lean, muscular physique hinted at a life disciplined by strength and precision.
Every movement he made—whether the subtle shift of a hand or the slow, deliberate way he leaned back in his chair—exuded confidence and control, drawing the eyes of everyone present without the need for a word. Even the soft lighting of the dining hall seemed to bend subtly around him, highlighting the aura of command and quiet magnetism that made it impossible to look away.
The man's name is Yang Bo. He is Mei's new father and the current patriarch of the Yang clan.
At his side sat his two wives, Yang Yue and Ma Jing, both radiating an unmistakable air of nobility.
Both Yang Yue and Ma Jing, strikingly beautiful middle-aged women, sat gracefully beside their husband.
Yang Yue possessed a face that seemed sculpted by an artist, radiating a rare and timeless elegance. Her perfectly arched eyebrows framed large, sapphire-blue eyes that sparkled with intelligence and a hint of mischief, drawing the gaze of anyone who looked her way. Her nose was finely shaped, delicate yet distinct, complementing the soft curve of her high cheekbones. Her lips, the color of ripe cherries, held a natural fullness that seemed to invite a smile or a whisper of amusement.
Her long, graceful legs added to her commanding presence, accentuating her curvaceous, feminine figure that moved with effortless poise.
Her blond hair, carefully styled into an elegant bun, shimmered like spun gold under the light, completing an appearance that was as refined as it was captivating. Even in stillness, Yang Yue exuded a magnetic charm—a blend of delicate beauty and powerful presence that left an unforgettable impression on all who encountered her.
Ma Jing had a charming, almost doll-like round face, with large, luminous green eyes that seemed to sparkle with warm.
Her gracefully arched eyebrows framed her eyes perfectly, giving her expressions a natural elegance, while her small, tender lips curved into a soft, inviting smile.
Her skin was flawlessly smooth, glowing with a gentle warmth that made her seem almost ethereal. Long, crimson hair cascaded down her back in a sleek ponytail, catching the light with every subtle movement, and accentuating the graceful lines of her neck and shoulders.
Her figure was curvaceous and distinctly feminine, with gentle contours that hinted at both strength and softness, exuding an understated allure that drew attention without the need for extravagance. Even her posture and the way she moved seemed deliberate, as if each gesture were carefully arranged to radiate poise and charm.
Seated beside Yang Yue were her three sons: Yang De, Yang Fu, and Yang Gong.
Yang De, the first young master of the Yang clan, was only thirteen, yet he already carried the unmistakable aura of his father's legacy.
He is spitting image of his father, Yang Bo, inheriting not just his striking features but also the natural authority that seemed to radiate from him.
His spiky black hair framed a face marked by sharp, determined eyebrows and piercing black eyes that seemed to see everything around him, reflecting a keen intelligence and an early sense of responsibility.
His physique was strong and muscular, sculpted with the promise of a warrior, and moved with the same confident grace that his father possessed.
Even in his youthful frame, there was an air of command—an unspoken declaration that he was the heir to the Yang clan.
Every gesture, every glance, hinted at a boy who would one day grow into a man capable of leading and protecting his family with unwavering resolve.
Next to Yang De sat Yang Fu, the second young master of the Yang family, an 11-year-old boy.
He bore an uncanny resemblance to his mother. Golden locks of hair cascaded around his delicate features, framing piercing blue eyes. His fair skin and lean, toned physique spoke of both refinement and quiet strength. Though his temperament differed from that of his elder brother, he exuded the same noble aura that defined the Yang family.
Next to him sat Yang Gong, the third young master of the Yang family. He was an 8-year-old boy who bore a striking blend of features from both Yang Yue and Yang Bo.
He had long, jet-black hair neatly tied into a sleek ponytail that swayed slightly with his movements. His large, striking blue eyes shone with a quiet intensity, contrasting sharply against his fair, smooth skin. His lean, wiry physique hinted at agility rather than brute strength, giving him a graceful, almost ethereal presence. Every feature, from the sharp line of his jaw to the subtle curve of his shoulders, suggested someone both refined and alert, a figure whose appearance lingered in the mind long after he had passed by.
Next Ma Jing sat her two daughters Yang Yun, and Yang Yan.
Yang Yan, is the first young lady of the Yang clan, she is an adorable 8-year-old girl who bears a striking resemblance to her mother.
She had long, flowing crimson hair that cascaded down her back like a waterfall, catching the light with every subtle movement.
Her large, vivid green eyes sparkled with a lively curiosity, framed by delicate, gracefully arched eyebrows. Her face was irresistibly cute, with soft, smooth skin and features that radiated both innocence and charm.
She wore a luxurious dress of pink and white, adorned with intricate lace and shimmering embroidery, the fabric flowing elegantly around her as if designed to highlight her cuteness.
Next to her sat Yang Yun, the second young lady of the Yang family, who was seven years old girl.
She had an adorable, heart-shaped face that radiated innocence and charm.
Her long, silky black hair cascaded down her back in gentle waves, contrasting beautifully with her striking green eyes, which sparkled with curiosity.
She was dressed in an elegant red gown that flowed gracefully around her, the rich fabric shimmering subtly with each of her movements, lending her an air of nobility.
Every detail of her appearance seemed meticulously curated, from the gentle blush that colored her cheeks to the effortless grace in her posture and movements, radiating an aura of delicate, innocent charm.
After greeting her family, Mei took her seat beside Yang Yun and began eating lunch with them.
Yang Bo looked softly at Mei and asked.
"Mei'er, how was your day?"
Mei looked at her father and smiled at him.
"It was alright, Father, though honestly, it was kind of boring."
Everyone chuckled at her words, and then Yang Bo turned to her and said.
"After lunch, follow me to my office, Mei'er. I have a few things I need to discuss with you."
Mei was confused upon hearing her father's words, but she still nodded obediently.
Once lunch was finished, Mei rose from her seat and trailed her father down hallway toward his office.
______
In Yang Bo's office
Mei sat quietly in the chair before her father's desk. When he finally settled into his seat, he fixed her with a stern look and began to speak.
"Mei'er, from tomorrow onward you will begin learning to read and write under the finest scholar in Flying Bird City. You will also study calligraphy, painting, and noble etiquette. Apply yourself with care and discipline, for you carry the name of the Yang Clan, and all your future actions will reflect upon our family."
Mei nodded her head seriously after hearing Yang Bo's words.
'Being a noble did have its perks, but it was also frustrating. Every action I took reflected upon those I represented, and I knew I would have to be more careful in the future.'
Mei then looked at her father seriously and said.
"I understand father, I promise that I will never disappoint you."
Yang Bo nodded in satisfaction at Mei's reply, a faint smile lingering on his lips. Reaching into his drawer, he retrieved a small wooden box and set it carefully before her.
"Mei, listen carefully. In this world, cultivation is the foundation of everything. Wealth, fame, strength, prestige, and power all stem from it."
Mei was confused upon hearing this and asked.
"Father, wait a moment. What exactly is cultivation? And besides, we are one of the five great merchant families—wealth has never been something we lack."
Yang Bo smiled at her question and slowly began to explain.
"Cultivation is a process that allows one to grow stronger and increase their longevity—but, Mei'er, that is merely the tip of the iceberg; there is far more to cultivation than that"
"Cultivators could live for thousands, or even tens of thousands, of years, depending on their cultivation rank."
"They can even manipulate the elements and bend space itself. Mei'er, after you have learned how to read and write, you are free to visit our book pavilion and read about cultivation as much as you wish. What I have shared today is only a small part of it, my daughter."
Shock rendered Mei momentarily mute; her eyes widened as Yang Bo's explanation sank in.
'Did I end up reincarnating in a magical world? This is… utterly insane.'
After a moment of quiet, Yang Mei allowed a gentle smile to bloom, murmuring softly in her head.
"This new life of mine is turning out to be far more fascinating than I ever imagined. I can't wait to learn everything about cultivation."
Yang Bo chuckled when he saw Mei's expression and her smile; he was very pleased with her.
"Mei'er, regarding your second question: yes, we are one of the top five merchant families and have no shortage of wealth. Your grandfather did very well in growing our businesses, but sadly, he was somewhat short-sighted."
Mei's eyes widened in bewilderment at his words. Yang Bo narrowed his eyes, then continued.
"In our world, the weak are always devoured by the strong. This is how things work, Mei'er—never forget it."
"Your grandfather didn't understand this basic concept, and he ended up dead."
"That day, our Yang family stood on the brink of annihilation. If I had not hired mercenaries to fight back, our clan would have ceased to exist."
"Once I assumed the role of patriarch, I respected the legacy your grandfather left behind, but I began forging a cultivation foundation for the Yang Clan."
"Inside this box is a special stone called a Martial Talent Stone. When you hold it, the stone will change color to reflect the martial talent you possess. Go ahead, give it a try."
Though skeptical of Yang Bo's explanation, Mei nodded her head.
She opened the box and saw a stone about the size of an adult's palm. It looked rather ordinary at first glance.
Mei grabbed the stone from the box, and after a few breaths, it began changing color rapidly.
First, the stone turned red, then blue, followed by purple, orange, yellow, and finally gold.
Yang Bo stood from his seat frozen in shock as he watched the stone turn golden—only for it to develop a black tint moments later.
Yang Bo took a deep breath, steadying his emotions as he remembered the day Mei was born and the extraordinary phenomenon that had lit up the entire sky that night.
'Those golden gates and that melody that night… it was holy. I will never forget it. I always knew Mei'er was a special child, but I cannot let her become conceited.'
He then looked at Mei, giving her a small smile as he spoke.
"You did well, Mei'er. You can go now. Put the stone back in the box, and starting tomorrow, focus on your studies."
Mei smiled and nodded. Carefully placing the Martial Talent Stone back into the box, she turned and left Yang Bo's office.