Chapter 2:The Mark of Chaos

Arc 2 - Chapter 2 (Continued): Rebirth in Yueying Continent

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The Mark of Chaos

Ruoyan could feel the changes within her tiny body. The Chaos energy she had absorbed in the womb was still swirling deep inside her, forming a small, embryonic space that had yet to fully stabilize. It was unlike any dantian or storage space—it was an independent realm, something she would need time to shape and control.

But something else startled her.

The midwife, after cleaning her, suddenly gasped.

"Patriarch… Lady Yueying… her back!"

Her mother, Lady Yueying, immediately sat up despite her exhaustion. "What is it? Is something wrong with my daughter?"

The midwife hesitated but carefully turned Ruoyan's tiny body, revealing the faint golden mark glowing on her small back. It wasn't a normal birthmark—it had a strange, intricate design, almost as if ancient runes had been branded into her skin.

The room fell into stunned silence.

Her father's eyes sharpened instantly.

"A sigil…" he murmured, staring at it with an unreadable expression.

Lady Yueying's brows furrowed. "What kind of sigil?"

The midwife, sensing the heavy atmosphere, quickly placed Ruoyan back in her mother's arms and stepped back, trembling slightly.

The golden sigil pulsed once before slowly fading, disappearing as if it had never been there.

But Ruoyan could feel it—it was hers, an imprint of the Chaos energy inside her.

A gift.

A warning.

Her father remained silent for a long moment before turning toward an old steward standing nearby. "Summon the Grand Elder."

The steward bowed. "Yes, Patriarch." He hurried out of the room.

Lady Yueying looked between her husband and her daughter, her arms instinctively tightening around Ruoyan. "Qingfeng, what is that mark?"

Qin Qingfeng's face was unreadable, but there was a rare intensity in his gaze.

"I don't know… But I will find out."

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The Qin Family and Their Legacy

The Qin family was a small but powerful cultivation clan within the middle region of Yueying Continent.

They were not among the legendary sects or great immortal clans, but they were feared and respected for their control over elemental techniques and their ancestral inheritance.

Ruoyan's father, Qin Qingfeng, was the Patriarch, an expert at the Nascent Soul stage, making him one of the strongest figures in their region. Her mother, Lady Yueying, was also a formidable cultivator in her own right.

But despite their strength, Ruoyan could tell from their reactions that her birth was unusual.

She had been born with an unknown sigil—something even her powerful parents had never seen before.

That alone made her stand out.

And in the cultivation world, standing out could be either a blessing or a curse.

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The Arrival of the Grand Elder

Minutes later, an old man dressed in white robes stepped into the chamber.

His eyes were deep, ancient, carrying the weight of centuries of wisdom.

This was Qin Xuan, the Grand Elder of the Qin family and the most knowledgeable expert in the clan. His cultivation base was at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, close to forming his Divine Core.

"Patriarch," he greeted with a respectful nod before his gaze fell upon the newborn in Lady Yueying's arms. His eyes narrowed slightly, sensing something strange about the child.

Qin Qingfeng gestured toward Ruoyan. "Check her."

The Grand Elder stepped closer, extending a hand. A faint golden glow surrounded his palm as he used spiritual sense to examine the infant.

The moment his energy touched Ruoyan, she felt a strange sensation—as if the Chaos energy in her body was resisting the probe.

The Grand Elder's expression suddenly changed.

A deep frown formed on his face as his eyes darkened with realization.

"This child…" he murmured, "has absorbed something… unnatural."

Lady Yueying stiffened. "What do you mean?"

The Grand Elder's gaze lingered on Ruoyan. "I have never seen such energy before, but it is not harmful. If anything… it is ancient. Older than any technique or cultivation art I know."

His expression turned solemn.

"This is not an ordinary child."

Ruoyan remained silent in her mother's arms, inwardly smirking.

Of course, she wasn't ordinary.

She had lived once before and had already begun forming her own world inside her soul.

Her mother's grip tightened protectively. "Is she in danger?"

The Grand Elder was silent for a long moment before shaking his head. "No… but her fate will not be simple. This energy… It is something beyond our knowledge."

Qin Qingfeng exhaled slowly. His sharp gaze remained on his daughter.

After a moment, he finally spoke.

"Then we must protect her."

The Grand Elder nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Until she is strong enough to protect herself, we must keep her unique condition hidden."

Ruoyan mentally scoffed.

There was no need.

She would grow strong on her own.

She would rise.

And one day, this world and beyond would bow before her.

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A Name Fit for Power

"Have you decided on her name?" the Grand Elder asked.

Qin Qingfeng and Lady Yueying exchanged glances.

Then, her mother gently stroked Ruoyan's tiny cheek before whispering:

"Qin Ruoyan."

Her father's deep voice followed.

"The daughter of the Qin family, destined for greatness."

Ruoyan felt a surge of emotion at those words.

She had been given a name.

A name tied to power and fate.

Her new life had officially begun.

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The Sleeping Power

Ruoyan's consciousness drifted between wakefulness and sleep as she adjusted to her newborn body. Unlike ordinary babies, her mind remained fully aware, allowing her to observe everything around her while her body slowly adapted to its new existence.

Deep within her soul, the Chaos energy pulsed like a dormant beast, vast yet unformed. It had merged with her very essence, making her more than just a newborn—she was a being infused with the primordial power of creation and destruction.

As time passed, she began to understand something extraordinary:

The Chaos energy within her wasn't just a random occurrence.

It was trying to form something.

Something vast.

Something alive.

Her instincts told her that if she nurtured it properly, it could eventually evolve into a Space World—a personal dimension of infinite growth and potential.

But for now, it was still a seed, buried within her dantian.

And seeds needed time to grow.

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A Father's Silent Observations

From the moment she was born, Qin Qingfeng had been watching her closely.

At first, it was mere curiosity—his daughter had been born under unusual circumstances, after all.

But the more he observed her, the more unsettled he became.

A newborn was supposed to be weak, fragile, and helpless.

Yet, Ruoyan's breathing was steady, her energy signature was unusual, and—most concerning of all—her eyes held too much clarity for an infant.

He never spoke of it, but he often tested her in secret.

Sometimes, he would suddenly release a sliver of killing intent while standing near her crib, just to see if she reacted.

And every time, she remained still.

Too still.

A normal baby would cry, even if they didn't understand why. But Ruoyan? She never flinched.

That alone told him something undeniable.

His daughter was not ordinary.

But was that a blessing… or a curse?

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The Qin Family's Future

Days turned into weeks.

The Qin family estate was vast, filled with sprawling courtyards, training fields, and an ancestral hall that held the lineage records of their bloodline.

Although they were not a top-tier clan in the Yueying Continent, they held enough influence to be respected and feared in their region.

However, power in the cultivation world was always shifting.

There were rumors of great conflicts brewing in the upper continents, whispers of ancient sects moving in the shadows.

And the Qin family?

They were strong, but not untouchable.

This was why Qin Qingfeng's instincts screamed at him to protect his daughter at all costs.

If her abnormality became known, there was no telling what greedy eyes might turn toward their family.

But he wasn't the only one who had noticed Ruoyan's uniqueness.

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The Elder's Hidden Discussion

One evening, while Lady Yueying was tending to Ruoyan, a quiet meeting took place deep within the Qin family's ancestral hall.

Only two figures were present:

Qin Qingfeng, the Patriarch.

Qin Xuan, the Grand Elder.

Both stood before the great stone tablets that recorded the names of their ancestors, their faces shadowed by the dim candlelight.

Qin Xuan was the first to speak.

"She is… different."

Qin Qingfeng nodded, his expression unreadable. "You sensed it too?"

The Grand Elder's gaze darkened. "That child… she carries an energy that should not exist in this world. I have studied ancient texts, but I have found no mention of such a phenomenon."

Silence filled the hall.

Then Qin Qingfeng spoke, his voice slow and deliberate.

"Then we will keep it hidden."

Qin Xuan glanced at him, nodding slightly. "Until she is strong enough to stand on her own."

The decision was made.

No one outside this room would learn the truth.

For now.

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Ruoyan's First Glimpse of Cultivation

Despite being confined to her crib, Ruoyan was already making progress.

Since she was still an infant, she could not absorb spiritual energy in the traditional sense. However, thanks to the Chaos energy inside her, her body was constantly passively refining qi at a terrifying rate.

Even more interesting was how she could sense energy movements around her.

One afternoon, as she lay in her crib, she heard footsteps approaching.

A tall figure entered the room—it was her oldest brother, Qin Zhen.

He was already at the Core Formation stage, a cultivation genius within their family.

At first, he only stared at her in silence. Then, after a moment, he let out a low chuckle.

"Little sister, are you even aware of how special you are?" he murmured, reaching out to gently touch her tiny hand.

His palm radiated a soft golden qi, and the moment their skin met, Ruoyan felt a small spark of energy pass between them.

Instantly, she understood.

This was qi circulation.

He was testing her compatibility.

Ruoyan did not react, but deep inside, she was excited.

'So this is the foundation of cultivation in this world…'

Her tiny fingers curled around his, and for the first time, she made an active decision.

She willed her Chaos energy to respond.

And for a brief moment—just a fraction of a second—a golden ripple pulsed from her fingertips.

Qin Zhen's eyes widened.

His breath caught.

"What was that?" he whispered, frowning slightly.

Ruoyan remained still, feigning innocence.

Qin Zhen pulled his hand back, staring at her thoughtfully before finally smiling.

"...Interesting."

He straightened, giving her one last look before leaving the room.

Ruoyan watched him go, her mind racing.

This world had much to offer.

And she would master it all.

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The Path Ahead

Ruoyan was still an infant.

Her body was weak. Her powers were still forming.

But she knew one thing for certain:

She would not remain weak for long.

She would cultivate, grow, and shape the Chaos energy into something the world had never seen before.

And when the time came…

She would rise.