Chapter 3: Body Refinement

Changyang Xiangtian looked at his short and small body, sighed inwardly, and his expression was filled with complexity. In the past year, these scenes in his mind had appeared countless times. Now, when he thought about it, it seemed as if these events had happened just yesterday, the memories were so clear, as if deeply etched into his soul, impossible to forget. Now, he had long understood that his previous life was Jianchen, who, after death, had reincarnated with his soul and memories.

Since Jianchen retained his previous life's memories from the moment of his birth, he had already learned the language here shortly after birth. He then understood, through the conversations of others, the nature of the family he was born into. At the same time, he realized that this world was not the one he had originally lived in, but a completely new world, one that Jianchen had never heard of before.

The vast mansion where Jianchen lived was called Changyang Mansion. Changyang Mansion was one of the four major families in Luor City, holding a significant position in the entire city. His father was the head of Changyang Mansion, named Changyang Ba, and his mother, named Bi Yuntian, was the fourth concubine of Changyang Ba, not the main wife. Despite this, his mother's status in Changyang Mansion was not low, due to her identity as a Light Saint.

Although Jianchen did not fully understand what a Light Saint was, he knew that because of her identity as a Light Saint, his mother held a very high status in Changyang Mansion and was respected by many.

Jianchen himself was the fourth young master of Changyang Mansion, with a very noble identity. Above him, he had two older brothers and one older sister: his eldest brother Changyang Hu, his second sister Changyang Mingyue, and his third brother Changyang Ke. They were all born to different mothers but shared the same father. Apart from his eldest brother Changyang Hu, Jianchen had met his second sister Changyang Mingyue and third brother Changyang Ke a few times. They were all children not much older than Jianchen. The oldest, his second sister, was just four years old, three years older than Jianchen, while his third brother Changyang Ke was two years older, just three years old. Besides them, there were many other children of the direct lineage in Changyang Mansion.

At this moment, an elderly man dressed as a steward came behind Jianchen and said in a gentle voice, "Fourth Young Master, it's getting late. Lady has called for you to return."

Hearing this, Jianchen suddenly came back to his senses. Looking at the sky, he realized it was already dusk, a sign that night was approaching. Unconsciously, Jianchen had stood there for the entire afternoon. He nodded slightly and said, "I know, Uncle Chang. I'll return right away."

This man, whom Jianchen called Uncle Chang, was the steward of Changyang Mansion. He managed almost all the daily affairs of Changyang Mansion and held a high position. Despite being just a steward, Uncle Chang did not show respect to anyone in Changyang Mansion, his status almost on par with the head of the family, Changyang Ba.

A smile appeared on Uncle Chang's face, and his gaze towards Jianchen was filled with hope. At less than half a year old, Jianchen could walk on his own without support, and by the eighth month, he could speak clearly and communicate normally with others. These two achievements alone had already earned Jianchen the reputation of a genius in Changyang Mansion, making him the most anticipated person in the family.

In the evening, Jianchen accompanied his mother, Bi Yuntian, to the dining hall for dinner. The dining hall they used was a special one, reserved only for the head of Changyang Mansion, his biological children, and his concubines.

When Jianchen and Bi Yuntian arrived at the dining hall, three beautiful women in their twenties were already seated at the round table. Besides them, there were two children who looked not much older than Jianchen, a boy and a girl. The boy, who looked about three or four years old, was plump and white, sitting quietly on a bench. He was the third son of the head of Changyang Mansion and the third young master, Changyang Ke.

As soon as he saw Jianchen enter, Changyang Ke's small eyes were filled with hostility, a clear sign of his prejudice against Jianchen.

Although the four women, including Jianchen's mother, noticed the hostility in Changyang Ke's eyes, they did not pay much attention. To them, it was just a matter of children playing, nothing serious.

The other little girl, about four or five years old, had two small braids on her head, bright eyes full of mischief, and a shallow smile with two dimples, making her very cute. From her youthful appearance, it was almost certain that she would grow up to be a beauty. She was the second child of the head of Changyang Mansion and the second young lady, Changyang Mingyue, the only daughter among the four children of the head of Changyang Mansion.

"Fourth Brother, you're here! Come and sit down!" Seeing Jianchen enter, Changyang Mingyue's smile became even brighter, and she waved her hand to beckon him.

Jianchen nodded slightly at Changyang Mingyue, acknowledging her, and then followed his mother to sit down at the two empty seats at the round table.

Jianchen's mother, Bi Yuntian, looked at him with affection and said softly, "Xiang'er, quickly greet your aunts and your second sister and third brother."

Jianchen, with no choice, looked at the noble-looking women and said, "Greetings to First Aunt, Second Aunt, Third Aunt, Second Sister, and Third Brother." Since learning to speak, Jianchen's mother, Bi Yuntian, had been happy and had also forced him to learn some basic manners. Jianchen, with the attitude of accepting what he could not change, did not resist his mother's suggestions, knowing that he would grow up in this new world.

When he first arrived, Jianchen had struggled with his identity, as he was a reincarnation from his previous life, still retaining his past memories. Despite this, he was still Jianchen. Deep down, he still felt a bit alienated from his current identity. However, as time passed, he gradually accepted his current identity. After all, Bi Yuntian was his birth mother, and although he had mysteriously retained his past memories after death, those memories belonged to another world, unrelated to this one. Now, Jianchen had buried his past memories deep in his mind, planning to accept everything here with an open heart.

The three women all smiled at Jianchen. One of them, dressed in luxurious yellow clothing, said with a smile, "Sister Yuntian, Xiangtian is really becoming more and more sensible. It's hard to imagine that he's just one year old. I really envy you to have such a smart son." This woman in luxurious yellow clothing was the second wife of the head of Changyang Mansion, Bai Yushuang, and the mother of Changyang Mingyue.

"Yes, Sister Yuntian, what Second Sister said is true. I find myself liking Xiangtian more and more." The woman sitting next to Jianchen also smiled, although her gaze towards Jianchen was calm. She was the third wife of Changyang Mansion, Yu Fengyan.

"Xiangtian is indeed the most talented child I have ever seen. He could walk on his own at half a year and speak clearly by eight months, something no other child of the same age can do. I really look forward to his third birthday when he will undergo the Saint Power and potential tests, hoping he will surprise us all." The woman speaking was slightly older, exuding a noble aura. She was the first wife of the head of Changyang Mansion, Linglong.

As Linglong finished speaking, a deep male voice suddenly sounded, "Yes, I also look forward to Xiang'er's third birthday when he will undergo the Saint Power test, hoping he will surprise us all." With these words, a young man in his late twenties entered the dining hall. He exuded an aura of a superior, wearing a white robe with golden embroidery, his black hair casually draped over his shoulders, giving him a graceful appearance.

"Husband!"

"Father!"

Upon seeing the young man, the seven people at the table stood up and greeted him, and Jianchen was no exception, calling out softly.

This young man was the head of Changyang Mansion, Changyang Ba.

Changyang Ba came to an empty seat at the table and sat down, a gentle smile on his face. He looked at Jianchen and said softly, "Xiang'er, are you happy living in the mansion?"

Jianchen nodded slightly and said, "It's fine."

Changyang Ba smiled and continued, "Xiang'er, if you find the mansion a bit dull, go outside and take a walk. It will also give you a chance to see the outside world."

"Understood, Father!" Jianchen said softly.

Seeing how mature and sensible Jianchen was, despite being just one year old, Changyang Ba felt an indescribable joy.

The family dinner was a warm and harmonious affair, and the meal was quickly finished. After dinner, Jianchen returned to his room alone. At his age, he should have slept with his mother, Bi Yuntian, but Jianchen insisted on living in his own room. His mother, Bi Yuntian, could not persuade him otherwise and reluctantly agreed.

At night, Jianchen sat cross-legged on the bed, his hands resting on his knees, palms facing up, in the Five Hearts to Heaven posture, silently practicing the first level of the Purple Green Sword Canon.

The Purple Green Sword Canon was the greatest asset Jianchen had in his previous life, allowing him to dominate the martial world at a young age. This cultivation manual not only contained a profound cultivation method but also powerful sword techniques.

Jianchen discovered the Purple Green Sword Canon by chance when he fell into a deep cliff during a childhood adventure and survived. He found it in a cave after waking up. He lived on fish for ten years, mastering the skills until he could leap over the cliff. Then, he returned to the surface.

Jianchen was an orphan, his parents having died in a war. He was raised by a kind old man. When he returned from the cliff, ten years had passed. The old man who had raised him had already died. After paying his respects, Jianchen left the village and ventured into the world alone.

Since accepting this world and his current identity, Jianchen had started practicing the Purple Green Sword Canon. He had been practicing for more than half a year now.