Chapter 1: The yin Body

The vast starry domain, the Ask Immortal Sect.

Zhang Yujun was one of the contemporary Holy Sons of the Immortal Sect. At merely sixteen years of age, he had already reached the Foundation Establishment realm, and the sect’s higher-ups placed great expectations on him. He was the most dazzling genius among his peers, worthy of being called a peerless heaven’s pride.

“What heaven’s pride? They’re just a bunch of lucky fools favored by the heavens’ fortune.”

Zhang Yujun sat upright in the treasure hall, paying no mind to the flattery from his subordinates.

He possessed an Innate Dao Body.

Though it had not yet been confirmed which type, any Dao Body that manifested before the Foundation Establishment realm was, without exception, a top-tier one.

“Holy Son, you’re being far too modest.”

A woman named Chi Yan smiled from the side.

“The outside world says your current achievements all rely on your Dao Body, but we’ve all seen your hard work with our own eyes. The Dao Body’s effects only truly come into play after Foundation Establishment. For you to achieve it at sixteen already ranks you in the top three in the Immortal Sect’s history.”

“It’s still not enough.”

Zhang Yujun merely shook his head.

“My father is the Lord of the Azure Nether Hall, and my elder brother is the foremost Holy Son in the Nascent Soul realm. If I wish to provide them any meaningful assistance, I must redouble my efforts—excel in everything, be first in all things.”

“You don’t need to put so much pressure on yourself.”

A trace of heartache flickered in Chi Yan’s eyes. As a Nascent Soul expert, she had accompanied Zhang Yujun since childhood. In a certain sense, she treated him like her own younger brother.

“…”

Zhang Yujun fell silent, a flickering light dancing in his eyes.

Of course he wanted to rest.

But shortly after arriving in this world, he had come to understand its true nature.

The law of the jungle.

Truth always belonged to the strong.

If one did not strive proactively, one would only end up as food on someone else’s plate.

His mother, Qing Miaozu, had taught him this lesson with her life.

“Foundation Establishment is merely the beginning. The Ask Immortal Sect is the overlord ruling this starry expanse. My starting point is already high enough—I absolutely cannot waste this opportunity.”

“Once Father finishes compiling the information on my Dao Body, I can choose my primary cultivation method accordingly.”

Before Foundation Establishment, all disciples of the Ask Immortal Sect cultivated the “Immortal Sect Introductory True Scripture”—the best foundational technique, allowing seamless transition to another method without any loss.

“Holy Son, this is the promotion list for the branch sect disciples this month.”

Time passed, and a maid entered the treasure hall, respectfully presenting a list. Chi Yan took it and glanced over the contents.

Though Zhang Yujun was only in Foundation Establishment, his status as Holy Son granted him access to all sorts of information.

“Holy Son, the quality of this batch is about the same as previous ones, but there’s one person who warrants attention.”

Chi Yan’s expression had been casual, but upon spotting a certain name, her gaze grew serious.

“Foundation Establishment realm?”

Zhang Yujun pondered for a moment.

“Indeed. The branch sects’ purpose is to select outstanding disciples from the Immortal Sect’s star domain—normally, those sent to the main sect are in Qi Refining. This time, however, there’s an extra one in Foundation Establishment.”

Chi Yan paused, then added,

“Twenty years old, achieved Foundation Establishment, and while still in Qi Refining, slew a Golden Core realm demon.”

Zhang Yujun had shown little emotional fluctuation until he heard about slaying a Golden Core demon. He frowned in thought.

“That snake demon that escaped from Senior Brother Li’s hands?”

“Yes.”

Chi Yan confirmed.

“Though the snake demon was at the end of its rope back then, for him to kill a great Golden Core demon with a Qi Refining body… that can truly be called a heaven-defying feat.”

“Indeed.”

Zhang Yujun fell silent for a moment, acknowledging the point.

Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core—each major realm gap was like an insurmountable chasm.

Even he knew he could not have accomplished such a thing in Qi Refining.

“What’s his name?”

“Chen Zhao.”

Chi Yan said seriously.

In the Heavenly Universe’s Hundred Lands, a man clad in the white robes of the Immortal Sect stood atop a small mountain peak. His aura was steady and composed as he gazed at the endless horizon, marveling at the sect’s methods.

This vast, boundless world was merely one of the grotto-heavens the Immortal Sect used internally to temper ordinary disciples.

“The Ask Immortal Sect—truly the foremost orthodox sect beneath the stars. Its reputation is well-deserved.”

Recalling all he had seen and heard along the way, the faint pride Chen Zhao had felt upon achieving Foundation Establishment vanished without a trace.

“Brother Chen, what are you thinking about? Is there anything you’re having trouble adjusting to?”

Behind him, another disciple promoted from a branch sect asked.

“I just feel like I’ve been a frog at the bottom of a well all this time.”

Chen Zhao gazed into the distance.

“Brother Chen, you’ll get used to it. You arrived a bit later, so you missed a major event from some time ago.”

“What event?”

Curiosity shone in Chen Zhao’s eyes.

“The son of the Azure Nether Hall Lord, Zhang Yujun, achieved Foundation Establishment at just sixteen years old—ranking in the top three in the Immortal Sect’s history.”

A trace of envy appeared on the disciple’s face. He was twenty-five this year, yet still in Qi Refining.

“Sixteen years old…”

Chen Zhao sighed lightly, feeling the pressure.

“I wonder how he cultivates…”

Chen Zhao knew full well that reaching Foundation Establishment at sixteen could not be explained by talent alone—it was inextricably linked to Zhang Yujun’s own diligence.

Azure Nether Hall.

Having completed his daily cultivation tasks, Zhang Yujun headed straight to the Azure Nether Hall. The guards outside recognized him and released the outer restrictions.

Entering the hall, Zhang Yujun immediately saw the tall figure standing in the center.

A middle-aged man with a long beard, clad in azure robes.

At first glance, he seemed an ordinary person. But upon focusing one’s divine sense, one would find themselves gazing up at a chaotic azure sky—consciousness sinking, unable to extricate itself.

“This disciple greets the Hall Lord.”

Zhang Yujun cupped his hands in salute.

“Jun’er, no need for formalities.”

A complex emotion flickered in Zhang Qizheng’s eyes. The more obedient and outstanding Zhang Yujun appeared, the deeper the guilt in his heart grew.

If Qing Miao were still here…

“Jun’er, you’ve suffered.”

He could not help but speak.

“Father?”

Zhang Yujun looked up in confusion. Seeing the sorrow in Zhang Qizheng’s eyes, he understood everything.

Zhang Yujun paused, then slowly said,

“Neither Mother nor I harbor the slightest blame toward you.”

“But in the end, it was because of me…”

Zhang Qizheng opened his mouth, yet found no words.

“Enough, Father. You know the circumstances back then—it was not your fault.”

Zhang Yujun continued,

“Afterward, you personally slew the enemy and avenged Mother. If she were still here, she certainly wouldn’t want you trapped in this matter.”

Zhang Qizheng was silent for a long while before nodding.

“Jun’er, you’re right.”

He sighed, stepping out of those emotions. This had become a heart demon for him—if he could not overcome it, his realm would stagnate. It was his own issue; he should not drag Jun’er into it.

Adjusting his mindset, Zhang Qizheng turned to the matter at hand—namely, the type of Zhang Yujun’s Dao Body.

Zhang Yujun sensed his father’s gaze growing increasingly peculiar.

“Hall Lord, what are you thinking?”

At these words, Zhang Qizheng could not resist examining Zhang Yujun once more before finally speaking.

“Jun’er, we’ve deduced the type of your Dao Body. But—you must prepare yourself mentally.”

Zhang Yujun was stunned.

“Am I… not a top-tier Dao Body?”

If not, all his future cultivation plans would have to be scrapped and rewritten.

Zhang Qizheng shook his head.

“It is a top-tier Dao Body—one of the very strongest, in fact.”

Zhang Yujun was puzzled.

“Then why…?”

Zhang Qizheng first sighed, then gave a bitter smile.

“Among the countless Dao Bodies in the void, the strongest sequence is the Innate Five Tai, followed by Innate Yin-Yang… Your Dao Body falls under Innate Yin-Yang, but it is Innate Taiyin.”

Zhang Yujun murmured to himself,

“Innate Taiyin?”

An ominous premonition already stirred within him.

Zhang Qizheng nodded.

“Correct. Innate Taiyin is a legendary Dao Body even across the endless void. Our Immortal Sect once produced an Innate Taiyang Dao Body bearer—I’m sure you’ve heard his title: Dao Venerable Blazing Sun. So, Jun’er, you need not worry about your Dao Body’s future potential.”

Zhang Yujun’s expression remained unchanged.

He looked down at his hands—smooth and delicate, utterly unlike those a man should possess.

Once, he had thought nothing of it. Now, it filled him with dread.

Observing his son’s face, Zhang Qizheng could only lament the whims of fate.

For Taiyin to appear in Jun’er—was this fortune, or misfortune?

“Jun’er, you’ve already realized it. Once a Dao Body awakens, its effects persist continuously. Even if you do nothing, heavenly transformations will occur. All we can do now is accept the reality.”

Zhang Qizheng said gravely.

“I…”

Zhang Yujun raised his head, his face filled with bewilderment and helplessness.

Zhang Qizheng stepped forward and took the initiative to pull Zhang Yujun into an embrace.

“Don’t worry. No matter what happens, Father will shield you. At worst, I’ll simply gain a daughter, and your elder brother will gain a little sister.”

The Azure Nether Hall Lord—stern and aloof in the eyes of outsiders—could not hide his emotions in this moment, sighing softly.