Volume 1, Chapter 5: An Outrageous Background

Jiang Mu waited in silence, expectant, as he awaited the rest of Jiang Yuan’s words.

At this moment, his eldest sister, Jiang Qing, spoke up. "Father, are you referring to Third Sister’s place?"

Jiang Yuan nodded. "Given Mu’er’s current circumstances, Yuexuan’s place is the most suitable for him. There, he will be free from outside distractions, allowing him to focus on laying a solid foundation. Once he leaves the sect, he will be ready to venture out into the continent with all of you!"

Jiang Qing nodded, and the other sisters echoed their agreement. Yet, judging by their expressions, it was clear they still wished for Jiang Mu to stay with them instead.

"Xiao Mu, Father is right. Since you have yet to begin your cultivation, Third Sister can teach you from the very start. Once you reach the Heaven-Reaching Realm, you can come find your sisters, and we will take you on a proper tour of this continent!"

"The Heaven-Reaching Realm?!"

Jiang Mu swallowed hard, his face twitching slightly. While he was not well-versed in the specific ranks of cultivators, he knew exactly what kind of existence a powerhouse of the Heaven-Reaching Realm represented. The Lin family had operated for hundreds of years, yet only a few ancestors had ever reached that level, and among the current descendants, not one had achieved such a feat.

Yet, to his eldest sister, the Heaven-Reaching Realm sounded as easy to attain as a simple chore!

For a moment, Jiang Mu felt completely bewildered. He looked at Jiang Yuan, and after a long pause, finally asked the question that had been weighing on his mind all day.

"Father, what exactly is our Jiang family? I was told we were just an ordinary farming family, so how can..."

Jiang Mu trailed off, unable to find the right words. From the scale of the Jiang estate to the aura naturally radiating from the butler, Lin Guandong, and the revelations from his father and sisters throughout the night, he would have to be a fool not to realize that the Jiang family was a colossal powerhouse!

However, hearing his confusion, Jiang Yuan simply smiled softly.

"Mu’er, your strength is not yet sufficient. Knowing these things would be of no benefit to you. You only need to remember one thing: our Jiang family needs to bow to no one, and we are an existence that everyone else must look up to. In the future, you won’t have to concern yourself with anyone’s opinion; just do exactly as you please. No matter what trouble you stir up or what difficulties you encounter, your father and your sisters will be able to smooth it over for you!"

Jiang Mu was left shaken for a long time. Although he had suspected the Jiang family was extraordinary, he had never imagined they were this powerful.

Doesn't that mean... he now possessed the most formidable background in the entire world?

This was simply heaven-defying!

Since his transmigration and rebirth, this was the most astonishing and pleasant surprise Jiang Mu had ever encountered. His heart, which had previously felt deflated due to having no means to change his destiny, was now brimming with a surge of hot-blooded determination.

***

Soon, however, Jiang Mu regained his composure. While having such a background meant that no one would dare look down on him even if he were a good-for-nothing, he understood that a background was merely an external advantage. True strength came from within; a powerful backing was simply a tool to assist him on his path to becoming strong.

Having realized this, Jiang Mu nodded at Jiang Yuan.

"Father, I understand. I am willing to go to Third Sister’s place to cultivate. I will not let you, Mother, or my sisters down!"

*And I will use my own strength to make everyone who looked down on me regret it!*

Of course, he kept that last part to himself.

Surprised by Jiang Mu’s resolve, Jiang Yuan let out a hearty laugh and gave his shoulder a firm pat.

"Good! You are truly my son. Go and do whatever you wish; our family will always be your strongest shield!"

Suddenly recalling something, Jiang Mu asked, "Father, but isn’t Third Sister in seclusion right now? If I go over there at this time, won’t I be disturbing her?"

"You silly boy, she is your own sister—what talk of 'disturbing' is there? Tomorrow, when Xianyun returns, she will take you directly to the sect, and your Third Sister will naturally arrange everything for you!"

Jiang Mu nodded, feeling a wave of anticipation. He had been in this world for over a decade and had grown up hearing legends of cultivators; how could he not be moved? It was only because he was treated poorly at the Lin residence and possessed poor talent that he had been forced to abandon the idea and seek other paths, like earning money for the Lin family.

Now that the opportunity was finally within reach, how could he not be excited?

"Well, it is getting late. You have been in the carriage all day and must be tired. Go and get some rest; you set off early tomorrow morning!" Jiang Yuan looked up at the sky, realizing it was already deep into the night, and prompted them.

The sisters noticed the time and, hearing they had to leave, showed clear reluctance. However, they were not the type to dwell on sentimentality. After bidding Jiang Mu farewell, they left the courtyard.

"Mu’er, this courtyard is the one your mother and I have kept for you. From now on, whenever you come home, this is where you will stay. If there is anything you find uncomfortable, just tell Uncle Dong, and he will see to it that everything is arranged properly."

Jiang Yuan rose with Jiang Su, offering a reminder out of concern that Jiang Mu might not be accustomed to his new surroundings.

Jiang Mu looked around. Although the courtyard wasn't massive, it was far better than anything he had at the Lin residence—even better than the quarters of the family head, Lin Ting. He had absolutely no complaints.

"Thank you, Father, Mother. It is more than enough. I will find Uncle Dong if I need anything."

Knowing the attitude of everyone in the Jiang family toward him, Jiang Mu didn't act coy. He stopped standing on ceremony and truly began to see himself as a part of the family.

"That’s good. Get some rest now; we are heading off as well."

Jiang Mu nodded and watched his parents depart.

He stood in the courtyard for a long time, digesting the shocks of the past half-day, before turning to enter his room.

The interior was not overly luxurious, yet it was far from simple. Potted plants, calligraphy, paintings, tables, and chairs were all there, radiating warmth.

What piqued Jiang Mu’s curiosity most was a crystal-clear, palm-sized bead resting on the table, emitting a faint white light like a night-pearl.

*What is this?*

Jiang Mu reached out, and as his hand touched the bead, it visibly shrank until it was only the size of a thumb.

He scratched his head. Never having seen such a magical object, he reached out to pick it up. The moment he grasped it, the bead vanished.

Suddenly, Jiang Mu felt something appear around his neck. He quickly pulled open his collar to look down.

The bead had turned into a pendant, hanging against his chest. Strands of white energy flowed from the bead into his body. Instantly, Jiang Mu felt an immense sense of comfort, and even his mind grew remarkably tranquil.

*Incredible!*

Jiang Mu’s eyes lit up. He subconsciously grabbed the pendant. It was clearly no ordinary item; his parents must have prepared it specifically for him!

A warm feeling spread through his heart. He didn't tinker with the bead any further; even if he tried to study it, he wouldn't know where to start. It would be better to ask tomorrow.

The bed was already made. With his mind finally at ease, a wave of exhaustion washed over him, and he lay down to sleep.