Liu Baijian felt his reincarnation skills were absolutely top-tier in this lifetime. Born into the Liu family—the most ancient, prestigious, and formidable lineage in the cultivation world, renowned for their mastery of the Artifact Dao—he was a true heir of generations of cultivators. Aside from his father dying young and his mother’s identity remaining unknown, and the fact that the Liu family had always produced only one heir per generation, leaving him and his grandfather as the sole surviving members, there were no other issues.

His grandfather, Liu Yanzhen, was the foremost Artifact Dao master in the Guiyuan Realm, his Mahayana cultivation mere steps away from ascension—utterly formidable. He doted on Liu Baijian immensely. Though fatherless and motherless, Liu Yanzhen had never neglected him since childhood. Out of pity for his early loss of parents, he showered him with even greater affection. There was only one drawback.

With the Liu family having only one heir per generation, only Liu Yanzhen and Liu Baijian—grandfather and grandson—remained. Naturally, Liu Baijian became the sole heir to the Liu family’s Artifact Dao legacy. Yet Liu Baijian himself showed no interest in the ancestral Artifact Dao, even harboring some resistance toward it. Liu Yanzhen, however, was resolute and strict in his teaching, insisting that Liu Baijian inherit the family’s Artifact Dao legacy.

On this matter alone, the doting grandfather never relented, maintaining an ironclad stance.

From childhood, the phrase Liu Yanzhen repeated most often to him was: “Baijian, our Liu family’s Artifact Dao traces back to ancient times, spanning ten thousand years. This legacy was passed down by our ancestors. As descendants and inheritors, we absolutely must not let this tradition die out!”

Every time he heard this, Liu Baijian couldn’t help but roll his eyes inwardly, thinking, “Give me a break. What era is this to be clinging to such ancient traditions?”

Later, he realized they were cultivating immortality after all. If such unscientific, feudal superstitions could become reality, what could he possibly say?

Trying to lecture his old-fashioned grandfather about modern human rights in a world of immortal cultivation was practically asking for a beating. So, from childhood onward, Liu Baijian had endured his fair share of beatings from his grandfather.

“Baijian, you can’t just ignore the Artifact Dao passed down by our ancestors and neglect your practice. Our Liu family has always had only one heir per generation. You are the sole successor for the next generation. If you don’t inherit this tradition…” Liu Yanzhen sighed as he watched Liu Baijian lying on the sun-drenched lawn. The boy had draped the ancestral text, The Nine Classics of Artifact Dao, over his face to block the glaring sunlight, his eyes half-closed as he dozed.

Caught slacking off, Liu Baijian maintained his sun-dried fish pose, utterly motionless as if truly a desiccated fish. “What happens?” The youth’s crisp voice emerged from beneath the Nine Scriptures of Artifact Dao.

“You’ll die,” Liu Yanzhen replied solemnly.

“…” Liu Baijian.

Hearing this, Liu Baijian immediately pulled the “Nine Classics of Artifact Dao” from his face. He sat up abruptly, shot Liu Yanzhen a sidelong glance, and asked, “Grandpa, are you serious?”

Liu Yanzhen replied earnestly, “Of course. When have I ever lied to you?”

“Hmph—”

At this, Liu Baijian immediately snorted coldly, his face brimming with scorn as he stared at Liu Yanzhen, who was spouting nonsense again. The meaning in his eyes was crystal clear: What do you think? Old geezer! You should say when you haven’t lied to me!

Unfazed by his grandson’s contempt, Liu Yanzhen continued, “You’d be beaten to death by the ancient ancestors who descended to the Immortal Realm.”

“…Are you serious?”

Liu Baijian stared at him speechless. This was getting ridiculous!

“Ancestors who’ve ascended to the Immortal Realm can still come down and beat me?” Liu Baijian declared with utter confidence. “If they can, let them come! I’ll be waiting.”

Hearing his reckless, arrogant words, Liu Yanzhen shook his head silently, thinking: He’s still too young.

“In any case, remember this: the Li family’s Artifact Dao is being passed down to you. Cultivate diligently—no half-hearted efforts or slacking off. If this lineage breaks with you, just you wait!” Liu Yanzhen glared at him warningly.

“…Grandfather, have you heard the saying, ‘Don’t put all your eggs in one basket’?” Liu Baijian looked at Liu Yanzhen earnestly. “I think putting all our eggs in one basket is too risky. Why not give me a little brother or sister? We could share the burden.” 

So then, if this lineage is so important, why have only one heir? What if he dies young? Wouldn’t that…

Liu Yanzhen’s eyes widened in exasperation. “Your father’s long dead—how could that happen?”

Liu Baijian’s eyes lit up. “Grandpa, I’ve noticed…”

“Stop staring! Go back to your books!” Liu Yanzhen cut him off sharply, knowing that mischief was brewing behind those eyes.

He wanted to say, “Grandpa, I see you’re old but still look young. Even though you’ve lived a thousand years, if you went out claiming to be a twenty-eight-year-old heartthrob, no one would doubt you. You’re strong and vigorous, still going strong in your old age. Having an uncle or aunt for me would be no problem at all…”

But being shut down, Liu Baijian’s expression instantly turned gloomy. He said listlessly, “…Oh.”

After a moment of silence.

“Grandpa, how did my father die?” Liu Baijian asked curiously. He’d never met his father, having grown up relying solely on his grandfather. He was deeply curious about the man he’d never seen—his father, who had died young.

“He was beaten to death by his father-in-law,” Liu Yanzhen replied without lifting an eyelid, his tone tinged with coldness.

“…Are you serious, Grandpa?” Liu Baijian’s mouth twitched as he replied earnestly. Grandpa, you’re telling tall tales again!

“So mark my words, kid. Don’t go around flirting with everyone just because you’re good-looking. Your short-lived father is a warning to you.” Liu Yanzhen warned him coldly.

“…” Liu Baijian.

He desperately wanted to ask if his father had been adopted—was he even his biological son?

But seeing Liu Yanzhen’s icy, unpleasant expression and the ominous aura radiating from him, Liu Baijian wisely kept quiet. Putting on an obedient expression, he picked up the Nine Classics of Artifact Dao he’d carelessly tossed aside and began pretending to read.

━━ 🐈‍⬛ ━━

Liu Baijian didn’t dislike the Artifact Dao. It wasn’t dislike, just disinterest. The so-called Artifact Dao was the union of Artifact and Dao. Separated, they were merely an artifact and Dao.

Forging an artifact was merely creating an artifact.

But imbuing an artifact with spirit, allowing the spirit-infused artifact to attain the Dao—that was the Artifact Dao.

Every artifact born under a Master of the Artifact Dao possesses a spirit. When a spirit artifact attains the Dao, it becomes an Artifact Spirit.

Thus, a Master of the Artifact Dao is one who bestows spirit and life upon artifacts, and repairs their damaged “bodies”—a being that combines the roles of both parent and physician.

To an Artifact Spirit, a Master of the Artifact Dao is a special existence.

Liu Yanzhen often told him, “Artifacts possess spirits. As an Artifact Dao practitioner, one must strictly discipline oneself. The emotions of an Artifact Dao practitioner can be transmitted to the spirit artifacts born from their hands. They are, without a doubt, the ones who exert the greatest influence on Artifact spirits.”

Terrifying!

When Liu Baijian first heard this as a child, he found the idea of a Artifact Dao Master utterly terrifying. Every word, every action, every thought could sway another—or countless other beings. That’s why they must be strict with themselves, maintain noble character, conduct themselves properly, and adhere to the rules. To avoid improper prenatal education from corrupting other babies.

This child was no ordinary child. Spiritual artifacts possessed innate essence; treasure artifacts gave birth to artifact spirits; and when an artifact spirit attained enlightenment, it became a Divine Artifact.

Spiritual artifacts could cleave mountains and split seas; treasure artifacts could effortlessly destroy a city or a nation; Divine Artifacts could annihilate all life within a realm.

Liu Baijian felt the responsibility of an Artifact Dao Master was too immense, too terrifying. His fragile shoulders couldn’t bear such weight; he couldn’t shoulder so much.

Whether it was imbuing objects with sentience, personally forging spirit artifacts, or guiding the awakening of spirit artifacts, Liu Baijian felt none of this was something he could shoulder. He lacked the resolve.

Thus, early on, Liu Baijian had defined his path, choosing his future vocation: a Dao Cultivator.

Do whatever you want, its none of my damn business—don’t disturb this ascending Dao Cultivator!