Chapter 1: Yang Kai

*Sigh*

Exhaling heavily, the handsome young man found himself captivated by his surroundings, his gaze absorbing every intricate detail with newfound intensity. His shiny black hair was elegantly tied behind his back, accentuating the refined poise of his youthful face, while his strong physique stood as proof of his disciplined training.

An ocean of sheer perfection stood before him, a sight so breathtakingly beautiful that it elicited a deep sense of joy within the handsome man as he surveyed the breathtaking display before him. The architectural marvel before him boasted a complexity that was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Its roof extended gracefully from every angle, meticulously designed to shield the structure from even the slightest drizzle, preserving its natural splendor unmarred.

Enveloped in an ethereal mist, the building exuded an ancient charm, seamlessly blending into its natural surroundings as if time itself had sculpted it into existence. Standing sentinel at the grand entryway were majestic eastern dragon statues, guarding this breathtaking sight for all eternity.

As emotions surged within him, a symphony of admiration, reverence, and profound appreciation resonated deep within his being, embracing the harmonious convergence of artistry and nature. With each purposeful step towards the towering pavilion, its imposing presence seemed to magnify, casting a shadow over even the grandest structures of his clan.

Drawing closer to the regal entrance, his eyes fell upon a sizable sign hanging prominently, eliciting a deep breath that seemed to ignite at the beginning of an extraordinary adventure. Emblazoned on the sign in bold letters were the words that marked the threshold of his destiny: |High Heaven Pavilion|

"I still can't believe the fact that I was reborn as Yang Kai, the protagonist of 'Martial Peak' who had reached what the title of his journey was named, not to mention the fact that I was finally able to come to this place after my rebirth twelve years ago," he murmured, his mind retracing the winding path that led him to this moment.

The journey had been far from smooth for him. Despite being the ninth young master of the esteemed Yang family, his status failed to shield him from the weight of their disdain and insults due to his near-nonexistent talent in cultivation—a trait he acquired at birth due to a genetic defect that prevented him from cultivating.

The privileges and benefits that should have been bestowed upon him by the family were few, and he would have even faced expulsion from the clan if it weren't for his father holding the position of the fourth master within the family.

As he gazed into the distance, memories flooded his mind, etching the arduous years deep within his consciousness. One poignant memory was the rejection he endured when the elder halls of his clan denied him access to the Dragon Transformation Pond, despite his father's impassioned pleas for him to receive healing from his genetic defect.

His destiny would have closely mirrored the original if not for the artificial intelligence embedded within his soul, capable of analyzing information at the host's command. It could weave complex simulations and astute deductions through every sensory experience of Yang Kai, leveraging its exceptional storage capabilities to optimize techniques and perform numerous other tasks once enough data was collected.

Aware of this advantage, Yang Kai devised a unique approach: focusing on training his physical body since he couldn't cultivate yet. His idea was further refined with the assistance of his artificial intelligence. Once it had gathered enough data from the numerous books he had received from his father—focused on body training—it could craft a regimen tailored specifically to him.

This perfect training regimen was carefully designed to optimize efficiency while safeguarding his growth and well-being. Given that his body was still in the period of growth, he was adamant about not disrupting the process.

During those formative years, when he felt powerless and at the mercy of fate's whims, Yang Kai dedicated himself to a rigorous routine of fundamental exercises. With each punch, kick, push-up, and other exercises, he could feel his body transforming, forging strength and flexibility that surpassed the realms of ordinary mortals, marking vast improvement in his martial arts skills.

This synergistic bond between man and machine propelled him beyond the limitations of the average person, guiding him toward unprecedented heights of strength and prowess.

While training, Yang Kai delved into a vast collection of cultivation and martial techniques that he had requested his father to procure for him. His purpose was to allow his A.I. companion to record and store them, and to continuously enhance them as updated data became available.

Though he had upgraded martial and cultivation techniques, such as methods to accelerate the absorption of Worldly Qi and martial techniques that enhanced the power of his attacks using specific meridian pathways, he refrained from practicing or employing these techniques.

The reason being was that he sought to safeguard them from potential theft by the elder halls of his clan, recognizing their immeasurable value. Also, he was determined to embark on their practice only when they could be executed to near perfection, desiring an unshakable foundation that would propel him to the pinnacle, even if the plot failed to offer him any assistance, given his reincarnated status.

It was only upon his arrival at the High Heaven Pavilion that he deemed it fitting to employ his techniques, both for refining his physical body using the Worldly Qi and harnessing Qi within himself to begin his cultivation. Having meticulously studied the wealth of knowledge contained within the books he had acquired, he had honed his technique to a level nearing the limits of what his A.I. could provide.

However, he encountered a frustrating obstacle—despite his father's efforts, he could not find a technique to cultivate his soul, an elusive and rare art within this confined realm due to the limitations of cultivation allowed in this small world. Thus, he decided that he would attempt to find it once he began his journey at High Heaven Pavilion.

His thoughts were interrupted when he heard a yell, "Brats, line up!" yelled a young man in his twenties, positioned atop a small tower just outside the pavilion. From his elevated vantage point, he cast an authoritative gaze upon the gathering below, as though he were the sovereign of their universe, which made Yang Kai secretly chuckle to himself at such a display.

Once he was done mocking the young man standing at the tower, Yang Kai surmised that this area must be designated for rookie training to instill the basics. The majority of teenagers present lacked noble lineage, unlike those fortunate enough to have received familial tutelage, meaning these individuals were likely unfamiliar with the intricacies of cultivation and its associated disciplines.

Lost in his thoughts, Yang Kai observed as the adolescents obediently arranged themselves into a line, with those from esteemed backgrounds at the forefront and the commoners gravitating towards the rear.

Unconsciously, he found himself striding towards the front, instinctively assuming his place due to the previous announcement in the clan. Lost in his musings, he failed to catch any verbal instruction, only realizing the collective gaze directed towards him when he looked up.

Standing at the front of the line, Yang Kai gradually comprehended the peculiar gazes directed his way. It dawned on him that his attire did not befit that of a young master, a stark contrast to the customary outfits donned by others present beside him.

This discrepancy stemmed from the Yang family's ten-year rule, mandating that their young masters spend a decade growing up in other sects, bereft of the clan's protection. Once the stipulated period elapsed, the renowned Inheritance War ensued, wherein the young masters competed fervently for the esteemed title of the family's next patriarch.

Despite belonging to the illustrious and influential Yang family, considered one of the Eight Great Families in the Central Capital of the Great Han Dynasty, they were derisively dubbed the "Cuckoo Yang" Family. This moniker arose due to the absence of guardians accompanying their young masters during their ventures, a practice distinct from other families who prioritized safeguarding their heirs.

While Yang Kai comprehended the reason behind the lingering stares, he paid them no heed. Despite the powerful backgrounds boasted by the other individuals, he knew that they would refrain from taking any action against him within the sect, as it would only lead to dire consequences for themselves, at least for now. Presently, he did not believe they would attempt anything untoward, as they had also not adapted to the new place.

Once the senior figure atop the small tower concluded his discourse on the pertinent rules and minor details, the meeting swiftly drew to a close. Additionally, he imparted crucial information regarding the acquisition of cultivation techniques, enabling eager individuals to commence their cultivation journeys without delay.