A person at the innate stage walking among mortals would be considered a top expert, but in The Harper Family, even a janitor is at the innate stage.

William Harper walked silently. Although he had played Dragon Realm and experienced cultivation, he understood very little about the mindset of cultivators. In the Dragon Realm, gods and main gods were everywhere within a few years; he had experienced the process of cultivation, but not necessarily the mentality. In this world, cultivation is a long journey. Once you step onto the path of immortality, a thousand years pass like a day. What is it that drives these people to tirelessly pursue the Dao for millennia?

The bustling Xilian City at this moment, in the eyes of cultivators, is nothing but fleeting clouds. A thousand years pass in a flash; the joys and sorrows, the bittersweet flavors of the mortal world, all dissolve in the vast ocean of time, leaving only one person, alone and in tears.

Over such a long span, rather than saying they pursue the Dao of Heaven, it is better to say they pursue their own Dao! Seeking the true path of the self—that is cultivation!

So what is my Dao? William Harper asked himself. Looking at the busy crowds on the street was like watching ants move house. Stepping out of this circle and looking down from above, the perspective is completely different. As Confucius said, “Climbing Mount Dong, one sees Lu as small; climbing Mount Tai, one sees the world as small.” He seemed to realize: my Dao is the path above others, overlooking all living beings! In the words of his mentor, either soar like a dragon through the nine heavens, or stir up storms—this is his true path!

The puzzle that had long bound William Harper's heart was finally solved. What does a new world matter, what does cultivation matter? As long as he wants to do something, he can surpass everyone.

William Harper's state of mind suddenly cleared. The true qi within him seemed to find its destination, rejoicing and surging like a flood through his limbs and meridians. A powerful energy flowed throughout William Harper's body, and part of the true qi, like tiny particles, attached to his muscles and slowly seeped in.

William Harper clenched his fist. Crack! His bones let out a deep, muffled sound.

This was the power of the Lower Xuan Initial Stage!

The first cultivator named the stage after the innate realm as “Xuan,” originally meaning “suspended”—suspended above all beings. It means that when one begins cultivation, one must first transcend the mindset of ordinary people to reach the Xuan stage. Some people muddle through life, unable to break through this realm, and can only remain at the innate stage forever.

From this moment on, William Harper transformed from a martial artist into a cultivator, truly beginning his journey of cultivation.

“Second brother, what are you thinking about?” Henry Harper saw that William Harper seemed distracted and was puzzled. Suddenly, he sensed the powerful aura emanating from William Harper and exclaimed, “Second brother, you broke through?”

Breaking through to the Lower Xuan Stage at sixteen is nothing special in the entire The Harper Family. But for a ninth-generation disciple, it is extremely significant.

“Mm.” William Harper nodded, showing not the slightest joy at advancing. His path had only just begun. He stepped forward, instantly restraining his aura, appearing just as he did at the innate stage, with no sign of his recent breakthrough.

Henry Harper was overjoyed. With second brother breaking through to the Lower Xuan Stage, their status within the sect could greatly improve. But thinking of those three people, Henry Harper's heart sank once again.

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Chapter 5: War God Technique (New book, please recommend!)

“Second brother, we should leave The Harper Family.” Henry Harper said with some worry.

“Leave The Harper Family? Where would we go?” William Harper looked at the young man before him.

“Do you think we might be killed, just like big brother?” Henry Harper's hand was clenched tightly, his fingers pale from the force. His eyes were filled with grief, pain, and hatred, all kinds of emotions twisting his delicate face.

The Outer Eight Branches are eight relatively independent departments within The Harper Family. Even cultivators cannot escape human nature; there is fierce power struggle and competition among the factions, survival of the fittest. In the strength-oriented The Harper Family, if a weak disciple is killed, those in power above are unwilling to investigate the responsibility of those below.

“We have to stay in The Harper Family. If we leave, we'll only die faster. The Harper Family has left a mark on each of us, forbidding disciples from leaving Xilian City. If anyone leaves without orders from above, they will be hunted endlessly. Do you think we could ever leave The Harper Family?” William Harper said expressionlessly.

“Then what should we do?” Henry Harper asked in frustration.

“Endure it. Hide all those thoughts. When we don't have enough strength, even if they beat and scold us, we must smile in return. Once we have enough power, we'll trample them underfoot, never giving them a chance to rise again.” William Harper said. This was William Harper's way of dealing with the world.

“Looks like we can only stay in The Harper Family. But I will definitely avenge big brother. Blood for blood. If not in a year, then in ten; if not in ten, then in twenty. The hatred of a brother's murder cannot coexist under the same sky!” Henry Harper said through gritted teeth.

William Harper was a bit surprised. Henry Harper was only fourteen, yet had such resolve. He had thought Henry Harper would have been scared out of his wits by now. William Harper began to appreciate this younger brother a little more.