Chapter 5: The Heavenly Growth System

Lying in his crib, Liang Chen took a deep breath and called upon the system in his mind.

System.

At once, a translucent screen flickered into existence before his eyes, hovering just within his line of sight.

──〔 Heavenly Growth System 〕──

Name: Liang Chen

Level: 1

EXP: 0/10

Liang Chen frowned. That's it?

No stats. No skills. No flashy features. Just his name, level, and a small EXP bar.

He furrowed his brows. Heavenly Growth System? The name sounded impressive, but from what he could see, it didn't look particularly grand. How was he supposed to grow with this?

As he pondered the question, the screen flickered. New text appeared beneath his EXP bar.

───〔 Ways to Gain EXP 〕───

• Painting (+1 EXP)

• Playing music (+1 EXP)

• Reading (+1 EXP)

• Meditating (+1 EXP)

Liang Chen blinked once. Then twice.

What?

He read the list again just to make sure he wasn't seeing things. Painting? Playing music? Reading? Meditating?

That's how I level up?

He had expected something more… conventional. Fighting, training, absorbing spiritual energy—something related to power. But instead, the system wanted him to become some kind of scholar or artist?

Liang Chen's mouth twitched. "You've got to be kidding me," he thought bitterly.

This was a cultivation world. He had seen soldiers training earlier, people wielding swords and spears with overwhelming force. The strong ruled, and the weak were trampled.

And yet, his so-called Heavenly Growth System wanted him to sit around painting and playing music?

Am I supposed to kill my enemies with a flute solo?

For the first time since his rebirth, Liang Chen genuinely questioned whether the heavens were playing a joke on him.

Frustration welled up inside him. I can't even sit up properly, let alone paint or play music! How was he supposed to do any of this when he was still a baby?

The frustration built and built, and before he knew it, the emotions bubbled over. His tiny body trembled, and to his horror—he cried.

The soft wails filled the room, startling even himself.

The maid, who had been standing nearby, immediately turned at the sound. Her eyes widened in surprise before she quickly stepped forward and picked him up, gently cradling him in her arms.

"Oh, little master, what's wrong?" she murmured, rocking him slightly. "You don't cry much… Are you hungry? Uncomfortable?"

Liang Chen wanted to scream. No! I'm frustrated because my so-called "growth" system is ridiculous! But all that came out was more pitiful cries.

The maid sighed and patted his back, trying to soothe him.

Meanwhile, Liang Chen buried his face into her shoulder, his thoughts a mess. How am I supposed to survive in this world when my only path to power involves playing instruments and painting?

Eventually, the embarrassment of crying took over his frustration, and he forced himself to calm down. His sobs quieted, his breathing evened out, and the maid, satisfied that he was fine, gently placed him back into his cradle.

As soon as he was settled, Liang Chen immediately pushed the entire incident out of his mind. That never happened. He wasn't going to acknowledge it.

Instead, he focused back on the system.

He wanted to check out the information of this world. That was most important. 

System, show me details about this world.

To his relief, the screen changed once more.

───〔 World Information 〕───

Name: Tianxuan Realm

Main Powers:

• The Imperial Court: Ruled by the Tianlong Emperor, governing all major territories.

• The Four Great Clans: The Liang, Yuwen, Bai, and Qin clans, each holding immense influence.

• The Three Sacred Sects: The strongest cultivation sects that train the most talented individuals.

Cultivation Levels:

• Qi Condensation

• Foundation Establishment

• Core Formation

(…Further information locked until progress is made.)

Liang Chen narrowed his eyes.

Locked?

So the system wasn't going to give him everything right away. He had to level up first.

He wasn't surprised. The system reminded him of a game. In games, higher-level areas and knowledge were often locked behind progression. It made sense that this system worked the same way.

Still, seeing it firsthand was frustrating.

One thing was clear—his family, the Liang Clan, was one of the four great clans. That meant they were important. Very important.

The realization made his chest tighten.

His parents had already spoken about court struggles. There were enemies watching them, waiting for an opportunity to strike.

And right now… his only path to power was through painting and playing music.

Liang Chen sighed internally. This is going to be a long journey.

Lying in his cradle, Liang Chen stared at the floating system screen. Now that he knew he was in a world called the Tianxuan Realm, he needed more details—especially about the Four Great Clans. His family was one of them, which meant knowing their position and rivals was crucial.

System, tell me about the Four Great Clans. 

The text on the translucent screen shifted, displaying new information.

───〔 The Four Great Clans 〕───

1. Liang Clan

• Known as: The Shield of the Empire

• Founded by: Liang Wushuang, a legendary general who served the first Tianlong Emperor.

• Current Head: Liang Jian

• Specialty: Military might, battlefield strategy, and spiritual land ownership.

• Strengths: Controls the largest military force among the clans; possesses ancestral land rich in spiritual energy, making it ideal for cultivation.

• Weaknesses: Stronger in warfare than in court politics; constantly targeted by rivals due to their land's resources.

Liang Chen narrowed his eyes. His father, Liang Jian, led a clan built on military power. I remember the system saying that he used to be a general before becoming a duke. Their land alone made them a huge target.

He had more questions but decided to move on first.

2. Yuwen Clan

• Known as: The Shadow Hand

• Founded by: Yuwen Zhi, a strategist and spymaster who rose to power through manipulation.

• Current Head: Yuwen Hong

• Specialty: Espionage, assassination, and political maneuvering.

• Strengths: Holds influence in the Imperial Court, has elite assassins and informants spread throughout the empire.

• Weaknesses: Lacks military strength, relies on alliances and schemes to maintain power.

Additional Note:

• The Yuwen Clan is the primary reason the Emperor is wary of the Four Great Clans. Their growing influence and opposition to the throne have forced the Emperor to keep all powerful families in check, including the Liang, Bai, and Qin Clans.

• As a result, the entire noble structure has become unstable, with increased political tension and distrust spreading throughout the Imperial Court.

Liang Chen scoffed internally.

So, because of one clan's ambitions, everyone has to suffer?

The Emperor couldn't tell friend from foe, so instead of targeting only the Yuwen Clan, he distrusted all the great clans. That meant even his own family, the Liang Clan, was under scrutiny—even though they weren't opposing the emperor, like the Yuwen Clan.

Liang Chen thought back to the conversation between his parents the day before. His mother had said that the Yuwen Clan hadn't made a move in a year, which meant they were scheming something big. Meanwhile, his father had to walk on eggshells in court because the Emperor was already wary of their growing influence.

And all of this because the Yuwen Clan couldn't be satisfied with what they had.

Greedy bastards.

They're also bold enough to challenge the emperor and the Liang Family. 

3. Bai Clan

• Known as: The Pillar of Wisdom

• Founded by: Bai Xuan, a scholar and alchemist known for his vast knowledge.

• Current Head: Bai Sheng

• Specialty: Medicine, alchemy, and scholarly pursuits.

• Strengths: Produces the best alchemists, doctors, and scholars; has a monopoly on rare medicinal resources.

• Weaknesses: Lacks military power and direct political influence; relies on trade and alliances to maintain status.

Liang Chen tilted his head. The Bai Clan didn't seem like an immediate threat. If anything, they sounded like a neutral force—one that could be an ally or an enemy, depending on the situation.

4. Qin Clan

• Known as: The Imperial Blade

• Founded by: Qin Yan, a sword saint who once rivaled the Imperial Family in strength.

• Current Head: Qin Wuyi

• Specialty: Swordsmanship and elite cultivators.

• Strengths: Has the strongest individual fighters; many of their warriors serve as the Emperor's personal guards.

• Weaknesses: Arrogant and prideful; maintains strict neutrality, but individual members can be swayed.

Liang Chen let out a slow breath. The Qin Clan sounded terrifying. While they might not have political power like the Yuwen Clan or military strength like his own family, they had raw combat strength. If their warriors served the Emperor, then they were untouchable.

For now.

───

Liang Chen stared into space. 

His mind was racing.

The Liang Clan is strong, but so are the other clans. 

The Yuwen Clan wanted their land and was also a threat to the Emperor. The Bai Clan could go either way. And the Qin Clan? He wasn't sure, but they were too powerful to ignore.

Even if he was just a baby, he needed to grow quickly.

Even if his system wanted him to paint and play music for now… he would make it work.

Somehow. I won't suffer for the actions of other people. 

Liang Chen took a deep breath, pushing his irritation aside for now. The Yuwen Clan and their ambitions were a problem for the future—he was still a baby, after all. He needed to understand the world before he could even think about changing anything.

"System, show me information about the Three Sacred Sects."

The system responded flashed, displaying the information before him.

The Three Sacred Sects

1. Celestial Lotus Sect

• A religious sect that believes in a divine god who grants cultivation abilities to his followers.

• Unlike other sects, they use faith-based methods to cultivate, relying on prayers, rituals, and divine blessings rather than traditional techniques.

• If one fails to reach Foundation Establishment by age 10, they are often sent to the Celestial Lotus Sect, as it is said to provide a final path to cultivation.

• However, the sect holds an absolute doctrine—if one does not believe in their god, they will be forsaken for eternity, even in death.

• Many fear this sect, as abandoning one's faith after joining is said to bring eternal misfortune.

• The current leader, High Priestess Yun Xue, is said to have the ability to hear the voice of their god and deliver divine messages.

Liang Chen stared at the description of the Celestial Lotus Sect in shock.

A god that grants cultivation? And if you don't believe, you're forsaken even after death?

That… was terrifying.

People only joined this sect if they had no other choice—if they were too weak to cultivate normally. He could see why not many willingly went there. Even if they helped the weak cultivate, the idea of being forsaken for eternity was enough to drive people away.

Do people actually hear this god? Or is it just something their leaders claim?

He had no way of knowing, but one thing was clear—he had no intention of ever stepping foot in that sect.

2. Blazing Sun Sect

• A sect dedicated to spiritual body enlightenment.

• Instead of focusing on energy-based cultivation, they believe that the body is the key to true power.

• Disciples undergo grueling physical training, tempering their bodies to reach inhuman levels of durability and strength.

• It is said that the greatest warriors from this sect have bodies so strong that even high-level cultivators' swords cannot cut through them.

• Many join this sect to build the perfect body for cultivation, as a stronger body can withstand higher levels of spiritual energy.

• The sect leader, Grandmaster Tie Shan, is known as the "Unbreakable Titan" due to his legendary indestructible physique.

Hmmm. 

So they don't just train in martial arts, but they focus entirely on strengthening their bodies?

He thought back to the soldiers he had seen training earlier. Compared to this sect, those warriors probably seemed fragile.

A body that even a high-level cultivator's sword can't cut through… that's insane.

If they focused on body cultivation, that meant they couldn't rely on ranged techniques as much as normal cultivators. They had to fight up close, relying on brute force and resilience.

I wonder how long it takes to train a body to that level?

It sounded both painful and exhausting, but he had to admit—being physically unbreakable was a tempting thought in such a dangerous world.

3. Thousand Shadows Pavilion (Yin-Yang & Illusionary Cultivation)

• A sect that only allows women to enter.

• Their cultivation relies on harnessing yin and yang energy, which enhances their spiritual power. (Certain information is restricted due to user's age.)

• They are also known for their mastery of illusion techniques that allow them to alter their form and face.

• Because of this, no one outside the sect knows their true identities.

• The Emperor is wary of them and keeps them close, not wanting them as enemies.

Liang Chen furrowed his brows.

Only women? And what does it mean by yin and yang energy exchange?

The system didn't elaborate, and he couldn't access the hidden information.

Is this a bug?

He tried tapping on the blurred text, but the system didn't respond.

Frustrated, he let out a sigh.

Whatever. I'll figure it out when I'm older.

Liang Chen narrowed his eyes as he read more information.

A sect full of people who can change their faces and identities at will?

That was dangerous. If they wanted to, they could be anyone. A noble, a servant, or even a general—no one would ever know.

No wonder the Emperor keeps them close. If they turned against him, they could easily infiltrate the palace.

Even though Liang Chen didn't know much about politics, even he could tell that this sect had immense power in ways different from brute strength.

For now, he had more important things to worry about—like how he was going to start cultivating at all.

Liang Chen took a deep breath before commanding the system.

Show me information about the royal family.

The system flickered for a moment before displaying the details.

Liang Chen watched as the system updated the information once again.

The Royal Family of the Tian Dynasty

• Emperor Tian Sheng – The ruler of the Tian Dynasty. Known to be a cautious and intelligent man, he has ruled for over 30 years with a firm yet unpredictable hand. He fears the growing power of the noble clans, especially the Liang and Yuwen families, and seeks to maintain absolute control over the empire.

• Empress Tian Wei – The current Empress. A woman of mysterious origins, rumored to have ties to one of the great sects. She rarely appears in public. She is also the cousin of Duke Liang Jian, further linking the Liang family to the imperial bloodline. This has only increased the Emperor's suspicion of the Liang family's ambitions.

——————————

Liang Chen frowned as he read the new information.

So my father is the Empress's cousin? No wonder the Emperor is so wary of us.

Even he could see how this was a problem. His family wasn't just powerful in the military—they were now directly linked to the imperial bloodline. If the Emperor was already wary of them before, this only made things worse.

The Liang family really is gaining too much power… No wonder my parents were worried about my safety when I was born.

————————

• Crown Prince Tian Xian – The firstborn son of the Emperor, 16 years old. He is known to be highly talented in cultivation and military strategy. His relationship with the noble clans is uncertain.

• Second Prince Tian Rui – The second son, 12 years old. Unlike his older brother, he has a reputation for being arrogant and reckless, with little patience for diplomacy.

• Third Prince Tian Zhi – The third son, 9 years old. A quiet and observant child, often overshadowed by his older brothers. He has yet to show his talents, making him a mystery to many.

• Fourth Prince Tian Liang – The fourth son, 6 years old. Though still young, he has displayed a sharp mind and a calculating personality. Some officials speculate that he may become the most dangerous of the Emperor's children.

• First Princess Tian Yue – The eldest princess, 10 years old. She is considered a genius among her siblings, having reached Core Formation at the age of 6—an unheard-of feat even among noble children. Due to her overwhelming talent, she is highly favored by the Emperor and the court. Some speculate that she may hold more power than even the Crown Prince in the future.

• Second Princess Tian Mei – The second princess, 4 years old. A delicate and sickly child, rarely seen outside the palace. Despite her frail health, she is deeply loved by the Emperor.

• The Imperial Court – While the Emperor holds supreme power, the court is filled with officials who either support or conspire against him. The balance of power is delicate, and any shift in influence can lead to deadly consequences.

Liang Chen stared at the system screen in shock.

A six-year-old reached Core Formation? That's…I don't even have a word for it!

He had read a few cultivation novels in his past life, and even the protagonists didn't progress that quickly without some heaven-defying treasures or luck.

This is beyond crazy. These people are basically gods in this world.