Sword Rises in Caomiao Village

In the vast land of the Central Plains, there is a mountain range called Qingyun.

Within this mountain range, clouds and mist coil, rainbow bridges arch, waterfalls cascade like the Milky Way from the nine heavens, mountains and rivers reflect the rosy glow of the sun and moon, and immortal cranes and mystical beasts roam freely. It is a place of spiritual essence and breathtaking beauty, exuding an undeniable aura of immortality.

Even more renowned throughout the land is the immortal cultivation sect nestled within this mountain range, one of the foremost righteous sects of the current era: the Qingyun Sect.

At this moment, as the sky begins to lighten, a figure streaks across the clouds, sword in hand, whistling through the mountain winds. The figure finally lands before a grand and magnificent Daoist hall, exchanging a slight nod with a few gatekeeping disciples before quickly entering.

Passing through the hall's entrance, the air within is filled with a gentle spiritual energy. Above the main hall, the divine tablets of several Qingyun Sect ancestors are enshrined. Seated in the main chamber are seven individuals clad in Daoist robes. Presiding at the center is the Qingyun Sect Leader, Dao Xuan Zhenren, flanked by the six Peak Lords of the sect, including one female Daoist master.

"Disciple Song Daren greets the Sect Leader, Master, and all esteemed Masters!"

Song Daren steps forward and respectfully bows to the Sect Leader and the assembled Peak Lords.

"There is no need for such formality."

Sect Leader Dao Xuan Zhenren of the Qingyun Sect waves his hand, gently lifting Song Daren, and then looks at him seriously, asking, "We are already aware of the incident at Caomiao Village. Did your investigation uncover the situation?"

"Reporting to the Sect Leader, this disciple rushed to Caomiao Village as soon as possible, but it was still too late. By the time I arrived, only the tragic scene of Caomiao Village remained. Of the several hundred lives in the village, apart from three children and one villager who had gone mad, no one else survived."

Song Daren's face contorts with bitterness as he truthfully recounts the situation at Caomiao Village to the Sect Leader.

"Alas!"

Dao Xuan Zhenren sighs softly, then surveys the individuals present before speaking with remorse, "As the righteous path, we should aid all living beings. To think that such a brutal act of slaughter against mortal lives would occur within the domain of our Qingyun Sect is a cause for deep shame!"

The Peak Lords listen, their faces etched with self-reproach, while Song Daren feels an even greater burden of guilt. He had rushed to Caomiao Village the moment he received the news, yet he was still unable to save those innocent lives. It was a lamentable irony to possess such cultivation and yet be so helpless.

"Senior Brother, fate is unavoidable. The villagers of Caomiao Village were destined for this calamity. We need not blame ourselves excessively."

Cang Song, seated to Dao Xuan Zhenren's left, offers words of counsel.

"Enough, enough. It has come to this. Daren, you did your best. The departed are gone, and the living must carry on. Where are the survivors now?"

Dao Xuan Zhenren composes himself and looks at Song Daren, asking.

"This disciple has brought them back. Aside from the one villager who is now in a daze, two of the three children have fallen unconscious and have not yet woken. One child remains awake, and they have all been arranged in the side hall."

Song Daren replies.

"One child is still awake?"

Hearing this, Dao Xuan Zhenren shows a slight surprise. He then ponders for a moment before saying, "Have someone bring him here. Let us see if there is anything we can do for him."

A Daoist disciple, signaled, departs to bring the awake child to the main hall.

Not long after, the disciple brings a young boy into the hall.

Everyone looks at him. The boy is handsome and refined, with a childlike innocence that belies a profound calmness.

As the others size him up, the young boy stands calmly at the hall's entrance, his curious eyes examining them all. He appears to be contemplating their identities, showing no fear whatsoever in the grand and solemn hall.

This observation strikes the cultivators present with surprise.

Normally, there is a vast chasm between mortals and cultivators.

Therefore, mortals invariably regard cultivators with reverence and awe, especially when entering a hall of cultivators. Under such pressure, they would have long since prostrated themselves in worship.

Yet, this child, facing them all, maintains a composure that shows not the slightest hint of fear.

His ability to meet their gazes without any apparent pressure signifies a state of mind that transcends countless others.

"This child seems rather extraordinary."

Dao Xuan Zhenren observes the boy for a moment before speaking to the Peak Lords beside him.

"I can see that as well."

Tian Buyi, the Peak Lord of Great Bamboo Peak, nods in agreement with Dao Xuan Zhenren's assessment. He then looks at the child and says, "His heart is like a calm lake, showing no fear. Such a disposition is truly a good foundation for cultivation."

"Child, what is your name? Whose child were you in Caomiao Village?"

Master Shui Yue, the only female among the Peak Lords, addresses the boy. Her usually cool voice is now tinged with a rare gentleness.

"Immortal Elder Sister, my name is Su Changqing. I have been an orphan since childhood and had no home in Caomiao Village. I lived in a dilapidated temple at the edge of the village. The old physician there took me in as a herb-gathering apprentice, and I would exchange the herbs I found on the mountain for food and clothing."

"Yesterday, I went up the mountain to gather herbs. I never expected that upon returning to the village, I would witness the disaster. I wanted to flee and ran into this Immortal Master Daren, and then I came here."

Su Changqing bows slightly and truthfully recounts his situation.

What Su Changqing doesn't mention is that the original host had already died in the Caomiao Village disaster. He is now a transmigator from another world, who woke up one day to find himself in this world.

Upon opening his eyes, he saw the tragic scene of Caomiao Village and then encountered Song Daren, who brought him back to the Qingyun Sect.

From this information, Su Changqing realized he had transmigrated into a novel world, and this novel happened to be one he had read.

As Su Changqing finishes speaking, everyone is even more astonished, their surprise mingled with pity.

It is difficult to grow up as an orphan, and to survive such a calamity is a testament to either innate misfortune or a natural gift for survival.

Perhaps it is precisely because he grew up alone that the hardships he encountered tempered his disposition, forging his calm and collected demeanor.

"Changqing, we are aware of the incident at Caomiao Village. For such an event to occur within the domain of our Qingyun Sect, we, as immortal masters, bear no small responsibility."

"Therefore, we wish to make amends. What is it that you desire?"

Dao Xuan Zhenren considers for a moment, then fixes his gaze on Su Changqing, continuing, "If you wish to return to the mortal world, the Qingyun Sect can ensure you a lifetime of wealth and honor. If you wish to stay here, the Qingyun Sect can accept you as a disciple, allowing you to seek the Dao and cultivate immortality. Or..."

As Dao Xuan Zhenren speaks, the Peak Lords instantly understand his meaning and turn their curious gazes to Su Changqing, eager to see his choice.

At this moment, a voice sounded in Su Changqing's mind.

[Ding!]

[Congratulations to the host for successfully transmigrating to a Xianxia world. Upon successfully joining the Qingyun Sect, you will activate the Myriad Dao Heaven-Defying Comprehension System. With Unrivaled Insight, you will comprehend all laws and achieve the supreme Great Dao!]

A system?!

Having read countless web novels in his past life, Su Changqing naturally knew what this meant. It was the essential cheat, the golden finger, of a transmigrator, and this Unrivaled Insight system sounded extraordinary.

Unrivaled Insight, comprehend all laws, achieve the supreme Great Dao!

There was no reason to hesitate. Of course, he would choose to join the Qingyun Sect and activate the system.