I Just Inherited My Grandfather's Female Disciples

Sacred Cloud Mountain Range.

It was located on the eastern reaches of the Yuande Continent and had a history that stretched back countless years and was famous throughout the region.

This landmark was under the control of a powerful cultivator named Liu Changsheng, better known as the Heavenly Sword Patriarch.

He founded the Sacred Cloud School, a dominant sect that became one of the most prominent in Yuande Continent.

Through the cloud-covered mountains and across the rivers rich in spiritual energy…

Liu Changsheng sat on the veranda of his manor with his grandson, Liu Ming.

Liu Ming, a lively five-year-old, had short dark-brown hair, bright blue eyes, and a joyful smile on his round face.

He lay on the smooth wooden floor of the veranda, listening intently to his grandfather. To him, Liu Changsheng was a hero, the biggest figure in his life.

His grandfather was just as he pictured him──the epitome of a cultivator.

An elderly man with long white hair, he wore a flowing white robe. His face was gentle and kind, with only a few wrinkles despite his age, and his eyes shone with a piercing light.

Grinning at his grandson, Liu Changsheng said, "Ming Ming, what I'm about to teach you is very important, so listen carefully, okay?"

The little boy nodded with a carefree expression.

The elderly man smiled and continued…

"Cultivation starts with the First Order, known as the Spirit Realm. It has seven major stages: Grotto Spirit, Refined Spirit, Heavenly Grotto-Spirit, Foundation Spirit, Core Spirit, Great-Circle Spirit, and Dao Spirit realms."

He glanced at Liu Ming to ensure he was paying attention, and, as expected, his little angel was fully engaged.

The old man went on…

"By refining the spiritual gifts of heaven and the essence of earth, one can ascend to the Second Order, known as the Body Realm. This realm also has seven major stages, each granting immense physical power. But there's no point in diving too deep into it now. Otherwise, I'd have to teach you about Third Order cultivation, and even your old man doesn't know much about that."

Liu Changsheng chuckled after.

Liu Ming's eyes sparkled with excitement as he showed his toothy smile. "Wow, Grandfather, how long does it take to reach the peak of First Order cultivation? Ten days?" He hoped it was that short so he could achieve it quickly.

Liu Changsheng couldn't help but laugh at his grandson's innocence. "Reaching the peak of First Order cultivation in ten days is unheard of. Even for a genius, it would take three years just to reach the Foundation Spirit Realm!"

Liu Ming tilted his head.

There was a look on his face… like he doubted his grandfather.

"But my body tells me I can reach that in a few minutes."

He spoke with absolute certainty, as if it were an easy feat.

Liu Changsheng, taking his grandson's words seriously, replied, "Then do it."

He never joked about cultivation.

But neither did Liu Ming.

The little boy sat in a meditative position and formed a unique hand seal that immediately catching Liu Changsheng's attention. He had never taught him this, so seeing it was refreshing; it meant the boy had been studying on his own.

Soon, a small aura of spiritual energy began vibrating from Liu Ming's body, producing a calm ringing noise. The spiritual aura steadily increased, and Liu Changsheng could feel the growing pressure of his grandson's spiritual energy.

The elderly man folded his arms and grinned.

"Heh! It seems you have excellent talent for cultivation. I suspected it, but now I have all the confirmation I need. If you continue on this path, perhaps in a few months you'll reach Peak Grotto Spir──!"

His words trailed off as he realized they no longer made sense.

"Wait… you've already broken through the Grotto Spirit Realm?!"

Liu Ming didn't stop his meditation.

Instead, he drew in more spiritual energy like a camel drinking water.

With each passing second, Liu Changsheng's eyes widened further.

"Peak Grotto Spirit?!"

"Refined Spirit Realm?!"

"H-, Heavenly Grotto-Spirit Realm?!"

He jerked forward in shock.

"Ming Ming, you just broke through two realms in succession and stabilized your cultivation base without any bottlenecks!"

The old man's mouth fell open as he squealed like a little girl.

MID HEAVENLY GROTTO-SPIRIT!

With that, the powerful surge of spiritual energy surrounding Liu Ming dissolved, and he exhaled softly. The boy then placed a hand on his chest and sighed, "Grandfather, I'm sorry I couldn't break through to Foundation Spirit."

Instead of congratulating his little angel, Liu Changsheng wept tears of joy. "Oh, my grandson, you are an act of providence. I love you so much~"

Liu Ming held his head in his hands and cried.

"NOOOO! Grandfather's crying, he's disappointed in me!"

━ ◦ ❖ ◦ ━

Thirteen years later.

As a child, Liu Ming showed great promise and people thought he'd become a top genius or a formidable Daoist master.

But reality was different.

Liu Ming was just an ordinary young man leading a very ordinary life.

Every morning, he'd wake up early, before the sun even came up, in his simple cottage on the edge of a quiet village called Clear Water Village. His place was surrounded by fields full of rare herbs.

Despite his good looks and the potential he once had, Liu Ming chose a calm and simple path. He'd start his day with some exercises to balance his energy, doing basic Tai Chi moves. One could even hear leaves rustling and birds chirping softly in the background as he moved. Even though he wasn't aiming to become some super cultivator anymore, Liu Ming still felt connected to the Dao through these routines.

After his exercises, he'd take care of his herb garden.

Clear Water Village might be small and unknown, but the soil was great for growing medicinal plants, thanks to a perfect little climate.

Liu Ming knew more about herbs than anyone around.

He'd carefully look after each plant, checking leaves, trimming stems, and tending to the soil like it was second nature. The smell of herbs like ginseng, goji berries, and lingzhi mushrooms always put his mind at ease.

The villagers trusted him a lot.

They'd often come to him for advice and remedies.

He'd listen to their problems patiently and then offer them simple herbal mixtures that actually worked. Also, his kind words did wonders for them.

"Ahh~ I'm finally finished!"

With a bright smile, Liu Ming dusted his hands, picked up his large basket of herbs, and slung it over his back. Straightening his pale blue jinbei, he started walking back to his small home.

As he walked along the path through tall grasses that reached his shoulders, other villagers greeted him warmly.

"Morning, Liu Ming!"

"Oho~ Liu Ming, how was the harvest this fine morning?!"

"You look as handsome as ever. Haha, you know, you're already of age to marry my precious daughter!"

Liu Ming chuckled nervously and waved at them, continuing his walk through the vast fields.

A small group of women saw him, and literal red hearts sparkled in their eyes.

"EEEEEK~! Isn't that Darling Liu?"

"Wow~ he looks handsome as ever. What I wouldn't give to become his wife."

"He's the most educated and hardworking man in this village. I'm certain he'll become a respected political figure, and we won't be worth his time."

"Shhh! You're always so naive. It's silly to think like that… Yes, he's unbelievably handsome, but it's not like the solution to his problems will just fall from the heavens!"

As if to mock her words, the skies suddenly darkened. Powerful rumbles echoed as lightning flashed through thick, dark clouds. Everyone in Clear Water Village looked up at the sky, sensing an impending storm.

"Hm?" Liu Ming murmured.

Suddenly, the skies tore open, and from a great path of white light carved through the dark clouds, a woman emerged… an Immortal beauty!