rule one

Chapter 1: Isekai

"It's so dark! Where am I? Why can't I see anything?"

Alex Turner was a quiet 17-year-old living in a small town in the Pacific Northwest. While other kids his age spent their weekends partying, gaming, or scrolling through social media, Alex preferred his own company. He watched anime, read novels, and built intricate models in his room, a space that felt more like a sanctuary than a teenager's hangout. He didn't smoke, didn't drink, and didn't have a girlfriend—not that he cared much about any of that.

It was his senior year of high school, and Alex was busy preparing for college. He spent hours studying, aiming for good grades and dreaming about getting into a top engineering program. The pressure was on, but Alex liked the challenge. It gave him a sense of purpose.

Alex's family wasn't wealthy, but they had a deep respect for their history. His father, a practical man with a sentimental streak, loved talking about their ancestors. In the living room, there was an old display cabinet filled with family heirlooms—faded photographs, worn books, and a single porcelain vase. The vase, his father always said, was over 300 years old, brought here by their ancestors when they first settled here. Alex had always rolled his eyes at the story. It sounded like one of those tall tales parents tell to make boring things sound important.

But one morning, as Alex shuffled into the kitchen, still half-asleep, the vase caught his eye. The sunlight coming through the window made its delicate patterns seem almost alive. For the first time, Alex stopped to really look at it. Was it actually that old? He couldn't say, but something about it felt... different, like it didn't quite belong in their ordinary home.

It was just a vase—or so Alex thought. But deep down, a small part of him wondered if his dad's story might hold more truth than he had ever believed.

But today, as Alex glanced at the vase, something felt… off. For a split second, he thought he saw it glowing faintly. He paused, blinking hard and rubbing his sleepy eyes.

"What the heck is going on? Am I seeing things? Ghosts? A magical artifact?" His thoughts spiraled, a mix of fear and curiosity. Then, with a groggy chuckle, he muttered to himself, "Ha… I must've been studying too much. I'm officially losing it."

Still, he couldn't help but steal another glance. The vase sat there, as ordinary as ever, its intricate designs catching the soft morning light. Nothing glowed, shimmered, or moved. He sighed and shook his head.

"Yeah, just a normal vase," he said with a dry laugh. But the thought lingered in the back of his mind, fueled by his love for cultivation novels. "If this really were some kind of magical artifact, it could at least do something cool—like grant me a transmigration! Now that would be interesting."

The idea made him grin. Turning toward the display cabinet, Alex decided to play along with his own ridiculous fantasy.

Laughing, he turned toward the ancestral altar and said,

"Honored ancestors, if you're really watching over me, just let me transmigrate for once!"

He stared wide-eyed at the vase for a moment, but nothing happened. Disappointed, Alex shrugged it off and headed toward the bathroom to brush his teeth and get ready for another day of studying.

As he walked past the altar, something strange happened. The vase, which he had dismissed as unremarkable, began to move in an eerie and inexplicable way.

CRASH!

The vase fell and hit Alex square on the head just as he turned to walk away from the altar, almost as if to prove that his ancestors were indeed watching—and with a mischievous sense of humor at that.

Pain radiated through his skull as darkness clouded his vision. His head spun, and he couldn't hold himself up any longer, collapsing onto the floor.

"I hope this means I can transmigrate…"

That was his final thought before losing consciousness.

Alex didn't know how much time had passed before he finally regained consciousness. As he came to, he realized he was in an extremely tight and dark space. He tried to move, but his body felt weak, and struggling seemed completely useless.

"@$#...#%%!"

Suddenly, Alex heard the voice of a woman—an older woman, judging by the sound. While the age of the speaker didn't matter, what did was the fact that he couldn't understand a single word she said.

Focusing his hearing, Alex caught the sound of hurried, chaotic footsteps around him. "There must be a lot of people nearby," he thought.

The same older woman's voice spoke again, this time sounding more urgent, as if she was rushing someone or something. Before Alex could piece things together, a strange force squeezed him, followed by another force that pushed him forward, shoving him into an even narrower space.

"What the heck is going on?! What kind of situation have I gotten myself into?"

The bizarre and claustrophobic environment overwhelmed Alex, and he couldn't keep his cool any longer. Panic set in as he began trembling with fear. "Oh come on. I don't want to die!"

But before he could process his predicament, the squeezing and pushing began again, sending him further along. This time, fear tightened its grip on Alex as he braced himself for whatever was coming next. Terrified and overwhelmed by the bizarre situation, Alex couldn't keep his composure any longer. Panic and fear coursed through him as he trembled uncontrollably.

"I don't want to die!"

Before he could process anything, the strange forces returned once more, shoving and squeezing him forward. This time, however, he was greeted by light.

As his vision adjusted, Alex found himself face-to-face with a massive older woman, her face covered in sweat but radiating joy. Above her was a wooden ceiling with an unmistakable ancient Chinese architectural style.

Fear crept into Alex's thoughts. "What the heck?! Did I transmigrate into the world of giants? Wait… no, this isn't Alice in Wonderland—that's a Western setting. This is… ancient China? Oh no, oh no, where have I ended up?!"

Desperate for answers, Alex tried to observe his surroundings for clues. But his neck was being firmly supported by the giant woman, making it impossible to turn his head.

Then, without warning, the giant woman smacked him on the butt.

"What the—?! Wait! Wait sister! Why are you hitting me?!" Alex thought frantically, utterly confused and powerless to do anything about it.

"Big sister, can we talk this through calmly? Can you please stop hitting me? And at least explain why you're doing this!" Alex couldn't hold back his sarcastic internal monologue as he mentally screamed at the giant woman.

But then, he noticed something strange. "Wait a second... why am I so small? My arms and legs are short and weak? And why is my skin so red?!"

Before he could wrap his head around the situation, the giant woman's hand came down again, smacking him. This time, Alex couldn't hold back the wave of emotions that surged through him.

He cried.

He cried loudly, uncontrollably, and with a desperation he had never felt before—like a baby who had just been born into a confusing and terrifying world.

"Why is this happening to me?!" Alex thought in between his wailing sobs.

"Elder Jin ! Elder Jin ! Madam has given birth—a healthy baby boy!"

"Really? Hahaha! Where is he? Let me see, let me see!"

As the door to the room opened, a man stepped inside. He wasn't too old, nor too young, but his appearance was strikingly handsome, exuding an aura of authority and righteousness. Clearly a man of great stature, he appeared both anxious and overjoyed. Laughing heartily, he exclaimed,

"My son! Hahaha, you've finally arrived! You had me worried sick!"

"Only your son, is it?" a soft, delicate voice chimed in, though it sounded weak and fatigued. Anyone listening could tell the speaker must be exceptionally beautiful.

"Haha, Serene, of course, he's the son of both of us," the man replied with a bright smile.

"Thank you! Thank you so much! You and our little treasure are my everything! How are you feeling now?"

"Jin, there's no need for thanks between us!" Serene replied warmly.

"Quick, test the baby's potential. And have you thought of a name for him yet?"

"Ah, yes, let's test his aptitude right away!" Jin said eagerly, his excitement making him a little flustered. He quickly regained his composure and began preparing to assess their child.

The man seemed a bit flustered, but quickly composed himself. With a wave of his hand, a ruler materialized out of thin air. The ruler had nine markings, and he placed it gently into Alex's tiny hands.

The ruler began to glow, the light climbing steadily—past the first mark, the second, the third—before stopping at the fourth mark.

The room fell silent.

Both parents, who were key figures of the prestigious Skyshade Sanctum and hailed as geniuses with spiritual alignment scores of eight marks, were momentarily taken aback. Their son's potential, measured at only four marks, placed him in the mid-to-lower range.

The realization hit them like a small blow, but the father quickly broke the silence with a hearty laugh.

"Jin Eryndor! I've decided—his name will be Jin Eryndor! It means 'Limitless,' because he will not let small obstacles stop him from moving forward!"

"That's a wonderful name!" Serene agreed, her face lighting up with a warm and maternal smile.

"Bring our Dori to me," she said, her arms reaching out lovingly.

Jin carefully handed the baby over, his earlier disappointment fading as he watched his wife cradle their son with pride and affection.

The man dared not handle the baby himself, afraid of making a mistake. Understanding his hesitation, the midwife carefully placed Alex—now Jin Eryndor—beside his new mother, Serene.

Alex couldn't understand anything they were saying, as the language was unfamiliar to him. However, when the man earlier placed the glowing ruler into his tiny hands, Alex instantly understood it was meant to measure his innate talent. Seeing the ruler stop at four marks, he felt a slight pang of disappointment, but he quickly comforted himself with a thought:

"Nothing in life is perfect! I've already been reborn into a cultivation world, and I'm not a complete failure. That alone is a blessing! They say cultivation depends on your own effort. How far I go from here will depend on how hard I work. A small setback like this won't dampen my resolve!"

At that moment, Alex wanted to laugh out loud. "Haha! A cultivation world! I'm here at last!"

As he was placed on the bed, something caught his eye—something he had longed for throughout his past life. Milk.

Yes, he was being fed. Without hesitation, Alex eagerly latched on, drinking with pure, unfiltered enthusiasm. It was the first satisfying moment of his new life. When his tiny belly was finally full, a wave of exhaustion washed over him. His eyelids drooped, and before he knew it, he fell into a deep, blissful sleep, the voices of his new parents softly chatting in the background.

Chapter 2: Isekai (2)

Morning came, and the first warm rays of sunlight lit up the Qi Refinement Peak of the Skyshade Sanctum. The peak was surrounded by drifting clouds, dense forests, and a faint aura of spiritual energy. Near the mountaintop stood a newly built house with fresh tiles, spacious rooms, and wide doors that were left open. A red banner with the word "Joy" was pasted in the center of the main entrance.

Inside, three or four mortal servants bustled around, busy with their tasks. Outside, birds hopped on tree branches, happily catching worms for their breakfast. The atmosphere was peaceful and full of joy.

In the distance, thirteen black dots appeared on the horizon, contrasting with the serene beauty of the scene. In just a breath's time, the dots grew closer, revealing thirteen figures flying on swords. These were cultivators—the so-called immortals in the eyes of ordinary people.

The group of thirteen was none other than the Sect Master of Skyshade Sanctum, along with the four Peak Masters and their core disciples.

As they reached the main entrance, they all dismounted from their flying swords and walked toward the house, choosing not to ride directly inside.

Before they even entered, a booming voice rang out,

"Haha! Congratulations to Elder Jin on the birth of his son! Truly a moment of pride and joy!"

It was none other than Sect Master Long Aotian, leading the group with his hearty congratulations.

"Congratulations, congratulations!" the other elders chimed in happily.

"Haha, thank you, Sect Master Long Valen, and all the honored elders. Please, come in!" Jin Valen (father of Jin Eryndor) replied warmly.

"Haha, Elder La, you've arrived early too!" remarked Blanc Sylas, the Alchemy Peak Master and Serene Skyshade's mentor.

"I just got here myself," replied La Tian, the Artifact Refinement Peak Master and Jin Valen's teacher.

"No need to be so formal, Sect Master! Master, come and take a look at the little one!" Serene Skyshade said cheerfully.

"Bright eyes, sharp brows, and delicate features—what a handsome little boy! When he grows up, I bet he'll charm many young ladies! Haha!" joked Elder Summerfield Liora, the Talisman Peak Master.

"I wonder how his potential measures up," Elder Sylvan Ashwood, the Formation Peak Master, asked curiously.

"Spiritual affinity: four marks," Jin Valen replied, sounding a bit reserved.

"Talent isn't everything. Hard work and effort are what really count," said Elder Magnus Victor, the Sword Peak Master, in his usual calm and serious tone.

"Haha, with the resources of our Skyshade Sanctum, even four marks can lead to greatness. By the way, has the little one been named yet?" Sect Master Long Valen asked, changing the subject to lighten the mood.

"His name is Jin Eryndor," Jin Valen announced proudly.

"A wonderful name! Truly excellent!" The elders all nodded in agreement, their approval clear.

"Alright, everyone, let's give gifts to the little one!" Sect Master Long Valen announced with a smile.

In mortal customs, giving gifts to newborns was a way to bless them for health and growth. However, in the Skyshade Sanctum, receiving gifts from all the elders wasn't just tradition—it was a testament to Jin Valen's reputation and standing within the sect.

Baby Dori (Jin Eryndor), with his wide, curious eyes, suddenly found himself showered with gift pouches. Back on Earth, Alex (now Dori) remembered how money from red envelopes would always end up in his parents' hands, leaving him with nothing. He figured it wouldn't be much different here. But selling cuteness cost him nothing, so he flashed a big smile, waving his chubby little fists and grabbing at the small gift bags.

"What a clever little one! He's not afraid of strangers at all! Haha, he's sure to grow up into a pillar of our sect!" Sect Master Long Valen praised warmly.

"Thank you, Sect Master, for your kind blessings," Serene Skyshade replied with a gentle smile.

"Bring out all the Monkey Wine!" Jin Valen said cheerfully, instructing the servants.

"Excellent, excellent! It's been so long since I've had a taste of Monkey Wine!" Elder Summerfield Liora laughed in delight.

Monkey Wine was a rare spirit brewed by spirit monkeys living around Skyshade Mountain. The main ingredient was spiritual fruits, and only the Monkey King had the complete recipe to make the wine. While most spirit monkeys only knew how to brew one or two variations, the Monkey King's wine was legendary.

There had even been cases where cultivators tried to capture the Monkey King and extract the recipe using soul-searching techniques. However, the Monkey King's resistance was fierce, and its recipe seemed to be a form of inherited memory, making it impossible to extract. On one occasion, a cultivator pushed too far, and the Monkey King attempted to self-destruct its demon core, forcing the cultivator to retreat bitterly.

After repeated failures, no one dared to attempt soul-searching on the Monkey King again, and the legendary Monkey Wine became a highly coveted delicacy that only a few could enjoy.

As soon as the Monkey Wine was served, its rich aroma filled the air, accompanied by the enticing smell of various delicacies. The elders couldn't help but salivate as they eagerly took their seats. The grand feast, filled with laughter and lively chatter, lasted from morning until noon.

Meanwhile, the center of attention, baby Dori (Jin Eryndor), felt more like an outsider. Alex, now in his infant form, was overwhelmed with frustration—he couldn't understand a word of what anyone was saying. While everyone else enjoyed lively conversations, he could only sit there like a passerby, adding to his sense of helplessness.

Despite his annoyance, Alex began to reflect on his situation. It was undeniable—he had truly transmigrated into another world. He realized he needed to adapt quickly to his new identity if he wanted to survive in this unfamiliar land. Fortunately, being a high school senior from Earth, his worldview wasn't rigid, and his ability to accept new realities was strong, making the transition less overwhelming.

The silver lining was the status of his new parents. Both his father and mother held significant positions in this cultivation world, providing him with a powerful foundation in a place fraught with danger.

As for his old life, Alex wasn't overly worried. His family back on Earth had two sons, and with his younger brother to care for their parents, he could focus on thriving in this new world. His priority now was simple—live well and make the most of his new life.

With a newfound purpose for his life, Alex (now Eryndor) felt clarity wash over him. A turbulent world of cultivation and adventure awaited him, and he was ready to face it head-on.

"Oh, right! How could I forget? Don't most transmigrators get some kind of system? Haha! If I had a system, reaching the pinnacle of life would just be a matter of thought. I could crush enemies, pull off cool moves, and watch the beauties harem around me. Where's my system?!"

Excited at the thought, Alex's mind buzzed with anticipation. He called out internally:

"System?" – No response.

"Attribute interface?" – Still no response.

"Open sesame?" – Silence.

His excitement began to waver as he realized… there was nothing. No system, no interface, no miraculous voice guiding him. Just silence.

After trying dozens of different methods, Alex's enthusiasm quickly turned into frustration. He was forced to accept the grim reality—he didn't have a system.

"A transmigration without a system… can this even be called a good transmigration?!" he thought bitterly. At that moment, he wanted to shout: "Damn it! Great System, where the heck are you?!"

"This is ridiculous! Did I activate it the wrong way? Or did I start in some kind of hard mode? Maybe I have to shout 'System' out loud to make it work? But I can't even talk yet!"

With countless questions swirling in his mind, Alex felt a deep sense of helplessness and frustration.

"What rotten luck! Am I doomed to fail from the start? Wait… that vase! In cultivation novels, wouldn't the artifact that knocked me out transmigrate with me? It should've been part of the deal! Where's the vase? Vase, are you here?!"

Clinging to this last shred of hope, Alex frantically searched for a way to turn things around. But as he feared, the vase was nowhere to be found.

"No system, no vase—why is my life so hard?!" he lamented internally.

"Baby Dori just wanted a system to show off and soar to the top of life, but no, Baby Dori got nothing! At least my parents aren't weak nobodies. If they were, I'd really be stuck in hell mode with no way to fight back!"

Feeling a mix of frustration and exhaustion, Alex sighed inwardly. His thoughts gradually quieted, and, wrapped in the warm embrace of his new mother, he drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 3: Flaunting Style

It had been a week since Alex arrived in this new world. His daily routine was as simple as it was boring—drink milk and sleep. Hungry? Eat. Tired? Sleep. He felt like a little puppy being pampered endlessly. Alex was on the verge of being bored out of his mind.

Thankfully, yesterday his mother had taken him out for a trip, riding her flying sword. Well, it wasn't exactly for him; she had errands to run at the Alchemy Peak and decided to bring him along.

For the first time in this life, Alex experienced the thrill of flying. It was an exhilarating sensation that almost made him want to shout:

"Mommmmmmm, take me fly high and let me flaunt my style!"

Of course, that was just a fantasy, as a one-week-old baby could only manage some incoherent cooing sounds.

When they arrived at the Alchemy Peak, a strong medicinal fragrance hit Alex immediately, especially as they entered the pill refining room. He could barely take it all in when his attention was drawn to a young woman standing before them.

She was about 1.7 meters tall, with an oval face, delicate features, and large, expressive eyes. Her thin, slightly arched eyebrows gave her an air of innocence. What stood out most, however, was her rather "impressive assets," which seemed ready to burst out of her robes. Alex was certain that, aside from his mother, this was the most dazzling young lady he'd encountered in this world so far.

"Master, you've arrived! Little Eryndor is so adorable!" the young woman exclaimed with a respectful bow to his mother, her sweet voice filled with admiration.

"Seraphine, I won't be coming to the Medicinal Forge as often for a while. You'll be in charge here—don't slack off. Pill refining requires constant practice to maintain your skills," Serene instructed firmly.

"Master, I understand. Don't you already know how diligent I am?" Easton Seraphine replied with a confident smile.

"Good! I'm reassured when you're handling things. Alright, I'll take my leave now. Make time to visit and play with Dori," Serene said, glancing at her baby with a warm smile.

"Yes, Master!" Seraphine responded with enthusiasm, her gaze falling on baby Dori. His sparkling eyes and adorable appearance made her heart melt.

"Dori just gets cuter and cuter! I have to finish refining these pills quickly so I can go play with him!" Seraphine thought to herself, her determination renewed by the little bundle of joy.

After everything was settled at the Medicinal Forge, Eryndor was once again carried home by his mother on her flying sword. As they soared through the air, he couldn't help but notice something fascinating: women in this world rarely used makeup like those on Earth. Instead, their natural beauty was enhanced by the spiritual energy saturating their environment, giving them an ethereal and otherworldly charm—a true immortal aura.

Their vitality and allure far surpassed the celebrities he used to see back on Earth. Celebrities only cozied up to wealthy patrons, leaving otakus like Eryndor to admire from afar. But here, in this world, beauties were as plentiful as clouds, and wealth wasn't the key. All he needed was strength.

"With power, picking up girls is no longer a pipe dream!" Eryndor thought, grinning foolishly at the idea. But his daydream quickly turned bitter. "Ugh, this world is so unfair. Right now, I'm just a little baby—how long will it take before I can flaunt my strength, slap some faces, and charm the girls? This is going to be a long road."

Putting his ambitions aside, Eryndor focused on a more immediate problem: learning the language. Over the past week, he'd seen the written characters of this world. They weren't simplified Chinese characters but a different kind of pictographic script. However, the architecture and people bore an uncanny resemblance to the cultivation dramas he used to watch.

Learning the script presented a big challenge. As a one-week-old baby, he couldn't even speak yet, managing only incoherent baby sounds like "aah" and "gah." Despite his best efforts to mimic his mother's speech, his progress was dismal, leaving him frustrated.

"Fate is messing with me!" he thought, covering his imaginary face in embarrassment.

Since learning to speak seemed hopeless for now, Eryndor decided to focus on physical development instead. Lying in his crib, he made a point of waving his tiny arms and legs, trying to exercise as much as possible to build strength. On Earth, babies typically started sitting up and crawling around 4–7 months, but Eryndor couldn't wait that long. In this world, with its spiritual energy and immortal practices, he was sure he could grow faster.

In the evenings, his father would return home, and the whole family would have dinner together. Well, his parents had dinner while he nursed. Every time Eryndor fed in front of his father, he noticed the man's envious gaze, as though Eryndor had stolen something precious. To this, Eryndor could only chuckle internally.

Despite being cultivators, both his father and mother led a simple, warm family life in the evenings. They ate together, relaxed, and all slept on the same bed. Eryndor, nestled between them, found it fascinating that his parents could lie perfectly still all night without shifting. "So this is the discipline of cultivators," he thought with a mix of amazement and amusement.

As the days passed, Eryndor began to feel the genuine warmth of familial love from his parents. His liveliness and intelligence made him a favorite of his mother, Serene Skyshade, who adored his playful antics. He rarely cried or fussed, and his knack for "selling cuteness" made her dot on him even more. She could spend the entire day playing with him without tiring, her maternal instincts overflowing.

Three weeks flew by, and Eryndor had noticeably grown. He was chubbier and more adorable than ever, his arms and legs sporting rolls of baby fat. He ate well, slept well, and lived a life that was, quite literally, the epitome of bliss in an immortal world. Since Eryndor was just a week old, Serene Skyshade had dressed him in a protective magical armor designed for infants. It kept him warm in winter, cool in summer, and shielded him from dirt and grime, making the weather and environment practically irrelevant to him.

The nursemaids often complained that caring for babies was hard work—always dealing with unexpected crying and sudden messes. However, Eryndor was an exception. Whenever he needed to relieve himself, he would start whimpering, and Serene would immediately understand his needs. The silent understanding between mother and son meant he had never soiled his diapers even once since birth.

This unique trait only made Serene adore him even more. She often praised Eryndor's intelligence to Jin Valen, who, of course, had no real idea how much effort went into caring for a newborn. He could only respond proudly:

"Isn't it obvious? Look who his father is! Of course, my son is smarter than most."

Of course, Jin Valen's proud response was met with nothing more than a dismissive eye-roll from Serene Skyshade.

That same morning, Eryndor saw the young woman he had previously met at the Medicinal Forge. Although he couldn't understand the conversation at the time, the familiarity and age gap between the two hinted that she was likely one of Serene's disciples.

Easton Seraphine had joined the Skyshade Sanctum at a young age, apprenticing under Serene. Her talent was decent—average in combat but exceptional in alchemy. Her diligent and meticulous approach to refining pills, combined with her ability to endure tedious work, made her stand out. Recognizing her potential, Serene had taken Seraphine as her personal core disciple, elevating her status within the sect.

"Master, I've finished refining my latest batch of pills and came to visit you and Eryndor," Easton Seraphine said with a cheerful smile, bowing respectfully.

"Take a seat. Is your cultivation progressing smoothly?" Serene asked with a gentle smile.

"Not really. Lately, I've been focused on refining pills, so I've put my cultivation on hold. Besides, I've been stuck at the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment for quite some time. What I need now is an opportunity or some good fortune to break through," Seraphine admitted with a lighthearted laugh.

Her cultivation progress relied heavily on medicinal pills, leaving her combat abilities severely lacking. She could barely hold her own against a first-layer Foundation Establishment disciple from the Sword Peak, let alone fight on par with others. Nevertheless, her alchemy skills were highly sought after, and the pills she produced were eagerly snapped up by her fellow disciples.

Despite her shortcomings in combat, Seraphine had earned her place in the sect through her unmatched talent in alchemy—a skill that made her indispensable to those around her.

"Don't forget to focus on your cultivation," Serene gently reminded her. "Even alchemy depends on your cultivation level. By the way, Eryndor has been very well-behaved. Why don't you try holding him? Just make sure to support his neck with one hand and cradle him with the other."

Easton Seraphine's eyes lit up with excitement as she walked over to the crib. Seeing Eryndor's cute, chubby face and playful expression, she couldn't resist gently picking him up.

Eryndor, being cooperative, didn't fuss or resist. Instead, he laughed and giggled happily, as if to say,

"Look how adorable Baby Dori am! Come on, hug me, love me!"

This made Seraphine's heart melt. Holding him close, she felt a wave of affection for the little baby. His cheerful demeanor and bright smile had completely won her over.

"Hehe, young lady, you invited me, if I don't take advantage of it, I'm not Alex"

Alex secretly laughed in his heart, seeing Seraphine kissing and fondling his cheeks, Alex quickly touched her chest.

At first, Seraphine didn't pay much attention, thinking that it was just a child accidentally touching hers and she continued to play with him, but the strange feeling became more and more obvious, a tingling sensation quickly spread from her chest, making her blush slightly. Seeing this, Alex couldn't help but increase the intensity of the kneading and massaging. Seraphine's hands began to tremble slightly, her face reddening to her ears, as a young girl, she had never experienced this before. Although it was just on the outside of her shirt, the feeling was extremely real, she began to gasp, unable to help but let out an "Ummm" sound.

Immediately after, she regretted it, feeling so embarrassed she wanted to disappear. Quickly turning to her master, Serene Skyshade, she heard her say softly, "Ah, the little one must be hungry again. Seraphine, give Eryndor back to me."

Seraphine, feeling like she'd been granted a reprieve, gently handed Eryndor over to Serene. Eryndor, ever cooperative, nestled comfortably back into his mother's arms, as if the earlier incident was merely an innocent attempt to ask for milk.

Eryndor knew exactly when to press and when to let go, playing the game like a pro. "Hehe, young ladies, just wait. Little Master has arrived, and soon you'll all be defeated by my unbeatable cuteness."

A sly grin flashed across Eryndor's tiny face as he chuckled inwardly, plotting his playful conquests.

Chapter 4: Innocent Charm and Adorable Mischief

"I'd love to play with little Eryndor again, but after what happened, I feel too embarrassed. I'll come back tomorrow," Easton Seraphine thought as she hurriedly stepped out of her master Serene Skyshade's residence. Her heart was still racing, like a startled deer, and she took a deep breath to calm herself. Summoning her flying sword, she soared back to the Medicinal Peak.

The next day, as Serene was taking Eryndor out to enjoy the early morning sunlight, Easton Seraphine arrived, her steps quick and purposeful as she entered through the door.

"Greetings, Master," she said, bowing respectfully.

"Ah, you're here," Serene replied with a smile. "Why don't you take Eryndor for a little while? Walk him around and let him soak in the morning sun. Bring him back in about the time it takes to burn an incense stick. I'll return to my room for now."

With that, Serene gently handed Eryndor over to Seraphine and turned to leave.

Seraphine carefully held Eryndor in her arms, her eyes softening as she looked at the adorable little one. It seemed like another day full of surprises was just about to begin. Alex saw Seraphine and had a bad idea, his big eyes narrowed and he giggled, showing off his cuteness. Seraphine was indeed tricked by this, her eyes sparkled as she looked at Alex. The two of them started to stroll around the mansion, Seraphine walked very slowly and leisurely. Alex's hands started to act dishonest, at first he only touched her chest to see how she would react, seeing Seraphine acting as if she didn't notice, he boldly started to grope. 

Seraphine couldn't help but furrow her brows slightly as she looked at Eryndor. "Little Eryndor, are you hungry already? Should I take you back to Master now, or should we continue walking for a bit?"

Being innocent and pure-hearted, she had no idea about the mischief brewing in Eryndor's mind. Taking his playful demeanor at face value, she continued her stroll with him in her arms.

Eryndor, seeing her relaxed attitude, decided to take full advantage, his tiny hands exploring further. Before long, Seraphine's face began to flush again. Feeling increasingly flustered, she quickly turned back and hurried to return Eryndor to Serene Skyshade. Sensing her change of course, Eryndor immediately stopped his antics, switching to an obedient and innocent "good baby" act.

"Master, I think Eryndor might be hungry again," Seraphine said, handing him over with an embarrassed expression.

"Really? I just fed him not too long ago," Serene replied, taking Eryndor with a skeptical look.

Feeding him again, Serene found that Eryndor wasn't actually hungry. He squirmed and rolled around, refusing to drink the milk. Eventually, Serene gave up with a resigned sigh and handed him back to Seraphine.

"Eryndor is a very smart little one. When he's truly hungry, he'll fuss to let me know. Most of the time, he's just a little too energetic and likes to play around!" Serene said with a soft smile, leaving Seraphine feeling both amused and charmed by the lively baby in her arms.

"I understand, Master," Easton Seraphine said with a slight blush, carefully taking Eryndor and sitting on a nearby chair to play with him.

Eryndor decided not to tease her any further—for now. He knew the importance of striking a balance, knowing when to push and when to hold back to ensure the fun lasted longer. However, he couldn't help but think to himself, "This Easton Seraphine truly has the saying right—big chest, no brains. Even my own mother, Serene, who's already a mother, has a chest size that's just about the same as hers, maybe even slightly smaller. If Seraphine ever becomes a mother one day… I can't even imagine how big that will be!"

There's an old saying, "A chest isn't just fat; it carries many of men's dreams." Eryndor fully agreed with this sentiment, nodding inwardly with a smirk.

Time passed quickly, and life for Eryndor continued as usual—eating when he should, sleeping when he needed, and teasing when it was appropriate. Now, at one month and two weeks old, he had begun to make significant progress in his development. Beyond exercising by wiggling around in his crib, he had started babbling simple sounds.

Currently, he was practicing the word "Serene," a name he often heard during the evenings when his father, Jin Valen, called out "Serene" repeatedly to his mother, Serene Skyshade. The repetition had etched the word deeply into Eryndor's mind, and he was determined to master it.

At first, Serene didn't pay much attention, thinking Eryndor was just babbling like most infants. But when she noticed him consistently saying "Serene" instead of random baby sounds like "aah" or "gah," her surprise turned into joy.

Cradling him in her arms, she exclaimed happily, "Eryndor, my little treasure, are you calling for Mother? Mama ?"

Serene Skyshade gently and lovingly asked Eryndor again, her tone filled with affection. But her efforts were sadly zero to none—Eryndor couldn't actually understand her words.

"nah… nah…" Eryndor repeated the word over and over, determined to practice it until it was ingrained in his memory. Once he had it mastered, he planned to switch to a new word—"se."

Serene, captivated by Eryndor's attempts, watched him with eager fascination. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she decided to test him further.

"Say 'Mama,'" she encouraged, leaning in closer to observe his reaction. Her gaze fixed on him, filled with both anticipation and delight.

Eryndor, feeling increasingly uncomfortable under Serene's unrelenting gaze, stopped his attempts and fell silent. "Did I say 'Serene' wrong somehow? Could it be, that 'Serene' a bad word? No, that can't be right. Father uses it all the time when talking to Mother. Then why is she staring at me like that? Better play it safe and not say anything until I understand what's going on. "

With his plan decided, Eryndor switched to silent mode, but Serene wasn't letting up. She continued to stare at him intently, her curiosity undeterred.

"Mother, could you not do this? Why are you staring at me so much? It's really unsettling, you know! I was just trying to say 'Serene' that's all. What did I do wrong? Even if I made a mistake, shouldn't you forgive me just this once? Could we just talk it out instead of taking any drastic measures?" Eryndor thought in frustration, his mind racing with imagined scenarios as he felt the pressure of her gaze.

The situation was getting worse, so Eryndor decided to play his ultimate card: wide, innocent eyes and cheerful giggles. Serene Skyshade, seeing this, rolled her eyes playfully. She pointed to herself and said one word: "Mama."

Eryndor's eyes lit up. "Wait, it's that simple? Why didn't you do this earlier? If you just show me the words, I could learn a hundred of them!" he thought, feeling excited. Without hesitation, he looked at Serene and called out clearly, "Mama."

Serene froze, as if struck by lightning. After a moment, a tear slid down her cheek as she pulled Eryndor into a tight hug, kissing his chubby, round cheeks with pure joy. Then, pointing to herself again, she repeated, "Mama."

Eryndor, ever cooperative and eager to please, called out "Mama" three more times in quick succession. His soft, babyish voice was so sweet and endearing that it melted Serene's heart, making her laugh and cry with pure joy.

His charming, innocent tone was utterly irresistible, the kind that made people want to hear more and never stop. Unable to contain her excitement, Serene took out a talisman, whispered something to it, and the talisman burned up in mid-air.

Seeing this, Eryndor's eyes lit up. "Is this what they call a 'sound transmission talisman' in those cultivation novels?" Sure enough, his guess was spot on.

Within a few breaths, a flying sword streaked into the house, carrying none other than Jin Valen.

"Serene, is it true? Can Eryndor really talk now?" Jin Valen asked, his voice filled with both excitement and disbelief.

"Do you think I'd lie to you?" Serene Skyshade said with a mock angry expression. Jin Valen immediately backed down and admitted his mistake, looking a bit sheepish.

Serene pointed at Jin and said, "Dada"

Eryndor, not missing a beat, repeated "Dada" in his sweet, babyish voice three times in a row.

"Hahaha! Eryndor is truly a genius! Only one month and two weeks old, and he's already calling us father and mother. His future is truely limitless!" Jin Valen laughed heartily, his heart brimming with pride and joy.

"Indeed, Eryndor is so smart!" Serene agreed, her smile full of motherly pride.

"Oh, I just heard little Eryndor can talk now! Master, let him call me sister too!" exclaimed Easton Seraphine, who had just walked in. Overhearing the commotion, she couldn't contain her excitement and called out eagerly.

Serene Skyshade wasted no time and pointed at Easton Seraphine, saying, "Sister."

Eryndor, ever the cooperative little genius, loudly called out "Sid-der" three times in his sweet, baby voice. Easton was so overjoyed that she clapped her hands and jumped with excitement.

The rest of the day turned into a language marathon for Eryndor. He continuously called out "Father," "Mother," and "Sister" while Jin Valen, full of enthusiasm, carried him around the house. Anything that could be labeled with a one-syllable word was pointed out to him for practice.

Eryndor, quick-witted and eager to learn, absorbed every word with remarkable speed, leaving everyone impressed. By the end of the day, he had learned many new words. Some still needed reinforcement, but Serene happily took him around, pointing out objects and encouraging him to name them.

For the next three days, Eryndor diligently practiced and quickly mastered all the words he had been taught. Soon, he was able to name everything Serene pointed to without any demonstration.

This marked a significant milestone for Eryndor, laying a strong foundation for his future cultivation journey. With his natural intelligence and hunger for knowledge, he was already setting himself apart as someone truly extraordinary.

Chapter 5: The Adorable Parrot: Jin Eryndor

It seemed unstoppable—Serene was brimming with excitement as she carried little Eryndor everywhere, pointing out anything and everything with a one-syllable name for him to learn.

At first, Eryndor had thought he'd mastered everything in just three days, but as Serene expanded their walks to cover a wider area, more objects and words were introduced. Eryndor didn't mind the extra challenge. As long as Serene pointed something out, he would repeat it multiple times, working hard to commit it to memory.

Whether it was due to the layered effects of his transmigrated soul or the natural learning ability of a young child, Eryndor's capacity for absorbing knowledge was remarkable.

For a week, the Skyshade Sanctum witnessed the emergence of a chubby, adorable "parrot" with a babyish voice, carried around by Serene Skyshade as he enthusiastically learned new words.

During these excursions, many inner and outer disciples noticed Serene with Eryndor in her arms. They bowed respectfully from a distance, their gazes inevitably drawn to the round, bubbly baby. Eryndor's cute appearance and charming personality left a lasting impression on everyone who saw him, etching his image deeply into their memories.

At the Skyshade Sanctum Sect, Eryndor was considered something of a rarity. As cultivators advanced to higher realms, it became increasingly very difficult for them to have children. Most inner sect elders had disciples but no direct descendants. Among the entire inner sect, Serene Skyshade and Jin Valen were the only ones with a child, which made Eryndor the center of attention.

Though no one would openly monitor Eryndor's every move, any news related to him spread quickly among the elders through various channels. His presence was subtly but keenly observed.

The Skyshade Sanctum, being a righteous and reputable sect, maintained a virtuous and harmonious atmosphere. Internal disputes and rivalries were rare, and the sect strictly prohibited ruthless infighting. This was a stark contrast to some other sects where chaos reigned, with disciples engaging in treachery, theft, and even violence against one another. The sanctum's orderly environment offered a peaceful foundation for cultivation and growth, making it an ideal place for someone as young and as special as Eryndor.

Spending the whole day outside learning and repeating words left Eryndor feeling a bit tired, especially with his head feeling slightly strained from the effort. At just one month and three weeks old, he had already mastered speaking basic one-syllable words. When his father, Jin Valen, learned about this, he was overjoyed. Excited to see for himself, Jin carried Eryndor around, testing him by pointing at various things. Eryndor didn't disappoint, flawlessly repeating every word with precision. Jin Valen was so delighted with Eryndor's performance that he laughed heartily all evening, unable to stop smiling. The proud father's joy lit up the entire household. 

As the morning came, and a new day began. Little Eryndor, ever the picture of comfort, had slept soundly and woke up only after the sun was already high in the sky. His father, Jin Valen, was nowhere to be seen, likely off at the Artifact Refinement Hall.

After waking up, Eryndor followed his usual routine: washing his face, drinking milk, and getting ready for the day. Once finished, Serene Skyshade carried him to the living room to play.

Easton Seraphine was also there, sitting quietly with a book in her hands. When Eryndor saw the book, his eyes lit up. Struggling a bit in Serene's arms, he reached out and, in his sweet baby voice, called out, "Book… book!"

His enthusiasm for learning continued to shine through, making everyone around him smile.

Serene Skyshade smiled warmly and, with a wave of her hand, retrieved a book from her storage ring and handed it to Eryndor to play with.

"Kids will play with whatever they like," she thought to herself. "But Eryndor's interests seem a little unusual, don't they?"

Eryndor eagerly grabbed the book with his chubby hands and opened it. Of course, he couldn't understand the characters inside, but that didn't stop him from pretending to be fascinated. He stared at the pages with exaggerated enthusiasm, making it look like he was deeply engrossed.

Serene, accustomed to her son's clever antics, pointed to one of the characters she had taught him during their wanderings around the sect the previous day. Eryndor's eyes lit up as he immediately read the character aloud in his sweet, childish voice, giggling happily as if he were having the time of his life.

Serene paused for a moment, furrowing her brow thoughtfully, then pointed to another character and read it out. Eryndor once again repeated it right away, doing his best to commit it to memory.

Eryndor understood that learning characters wasn't just about reading them once—it required repetition and practice. However, he felt confident in his memory and ability to learn quickly. His thoughts were clear and organized, and he suspected this might have something to do with being in a cultivation world, so vastly different from the mundane Earth he came from.

Every word he learned felt like another small step toward mastering the language of this new world. 

Seeing how smart Eryndor was and his eagerness to learn, Serene Skyshade became even more enthusiastic. She fully embraced the role of a dedicated mother, teaching him one character at a time. She took her time, ensuring that after every three characters, they would go back and review them to help Eryndor remember.

Thus, one taught while the other eagerly repeated. By the end of the morning, Eryndor had memorized about 70-80% of what Serene taught him.

At noon, it was time for milk and a nap. In the afternoon, they began reviewing what he had learned earlier. It only took three days for Eryndor to completely memorize all the characters Serene had taught him. Eryndor, wanting to improve his accuracy and memory even further, decided to start writing the characters. By now, he could lie on his stomach, a big improvement from his earlier stage of only lying on his back. Eryndor flipped onto his stomach and reached toward his mother, gesturing and babbling to ask for paper and a brush. His intent was clear—he wanted to start writing.

"What should my first written character be?"Eryndor thought, his mind racing with possibilities. "I've already been acting a bit too extraordinary. Hopefully, I won't draw too much attention to myself. But to learn the language of this world quickly, I need to make an effort and pay the price."

He reasoned that he shouldn't make it seem like he could write effortlessly, as if it came naturally. Instead, he decided to mimic the process of a child imitating adults—an acceptable and believable explanation for his actions.

"Yes, that's it. Kids copy what they see adults do—it's a universal truth. So, my first character should be the first word I learned. That's right, it should be 'Serene'"

Having made up his mind, Eryndor prepared to write his very first word in this new world. 

Eryndor's chubby, underdeveloped hands, full of baby fat, made holding a brush quite challenging. He had no choice but to grip it with all five fingers. The result was shaky and uneven, but the character Serene was still recognizable.

When Serene Skyshade saw that the first word Eryndor chose to write was her name, she was overjoyed. She immediately scooped him up, showering his cheeks with kisses, leaving Eryndor smiling awkwardly, though he couldn't help but chuckle internally.

The rest of the day was devoted entirely to writing practice. Their household had no shortage of paper, and a maid stood nearby to assist. Whenever Eryndor's brush ran out of ink, the maid would promptly take it, reapply ink, and return it to him.

Fueled by enthusiasm, Eryndor continued his writing spree with full energy. His first goal was to write all the characters he had learned so far, and after that, to practice refining his handwriting.

Although his way of holding the brush was clumsy and far from proper, it didn't dampen his excitement. He was fully immersed in his writing journey, determined to improve and master this new skill.

Early the next morning, Eryndor was lying on his stomach in the living room, practicing his writing, when his father returned, flying in on his sword.

"Haha! My dear, look what I've brought back!" Jin Valen called out loudly with a laugh as he entered through the door.

"Jin, what's gotten you so excited?" Serene Skyshade asked, curious about his good mood.

"I went to the Ming Kingdom and spent tens of thousands of gold coins to buy these writings from a famous writing master. With these as examples, Eri will have excellent models to follow and write beautifully," Jin replied, beaming with pride as he pulled out a stack of papers from his storage ring.

Each sheet was adorned with magnificent characters, every stroke elegant and precise, exuding the charm of dragons and phoenixes dancing on the page. The sight left both Serene and Eryndor intrigued. 

The Ming Kingdom was the closest mortal nation to the Skyshade Sanctum, ruled entirely by mortals. It paid tribute to the Skyshade Sanctum and received protection from its cultivators in return. While cultivators didn't interfere in mortal wars, they offered protection against rogue cultivators or other supernatural threats. To ensure this protection, the mortal royal family often paid tribute to major cultivation sects like the Skyshade Sanctum.

Tens of thousands of gold coins might seem like a fortune to mortals, but to cultivators, it was a trivial amount. Cultivators primarily used spirit stones as their currency, not gold. Moreover, as elite members of the sect, both of Eryndor's parents were incredibly wealthy, with fortunes that seemed endless to mortals.

"This is wonderful! With these, Dori can quickly improve his writing skills. Let me find a good spot to hang them up for him to see," Serene Skyshade said happily.

"Make sure to place them where Dori can easily see them," Jin Valen added.

With the calligraphy as a reference, Eryndor no longer had to practice blindly. His writing improved rapidly as he focused on copying the shapes and strokes of the characters from the examples.

By carefully mimicking the elegant forms of the model characters, Eryndor's progress in writing became smoother and faster, showing noticeable improvement in no time.

Some might wonder why Eryndor's parents, or even the Sect Master with their profound cultivation levels, didn't write examples for him themselves. Wouldn't the writing of such experts be even better?

The answer lies in the nature of cultivators' writing—it carries their personal will and style. For a small child like Eryndor, being exposed to such forceful intent could be overwhelming. Even if he managed to endure it, he might be influenced by their will, leading him to lose his own individuality by unconsciously imitating the essence of their Dao.

Cultivation is about pursuing one's own path, the Dao that resonates most with oneself, not blindly copying the Dao of others. Mortal calligraphy, on the other hand, is ideal for this stage. It is beautiful and structured but devoid of the deeper meanings that come with a cultivator's writing. This makes it a perfect model for Eryndor. In the future, as his cultivation grows, his writing will naturally develop its own style and intent. For now, focusing on the form is sufficient for his practice.

Immersed in his writing practice, Eryndor was tireless. The result of a full day of practice was clear—what started as shaky and uneven writing became more stable and legible. His progress was undeniable, and his handwriting was steadily improving. 

In the end, he came to an important conclusion: proper posture, grip, and body positioning are crucial when writing. And of course, fine control over hand movements is the key to achieving precision.

For now, his grip was clumsy—using all five fingers to hold the brush—and his technique was far from correct. However, given his small, underdeveloped hands, this was the only method available to him. He resolved to continue practicing diligently, even with this awkward grip, slowly building his skills step by step with persistence and patience.