Cultivation System: Rise of the First Patriarch

That evening, a grand banquet was held inside the royal palace.

The magnificent hall was brightly illuminated, with musicians performing soft melodies while servants continuously served exquisite dishes and fine wine.

The king personally sat beside Ling Tianyou, treating him as an honored guest.

Around them, the young disciples from the Thousand Sword Sect quietly enjoyed the feast, maintaining the composure expected of disciples from a great sect.

After several rounds of drinks, the king finally voiced the question that had been on his mind.

"Young Master Ling."

"What brings you to our kingdom?"

"I doubt someone of your status would travel all the way to the Western Continent without a reason."

Ling Tianyou gently set down his wine cup.

"I did come here for a personal matter."

"But that isn't my only purpose."

He glanced at the junior brothers and sisters seated nearby.

"My master instructed me to bring them out of the sect."

"They've cultivated within the Thousand Sword Sect for many years."

"Now, they need genuine battle experience."

"Cultivation without tempering oneself in life-and-death combat is nothing more than empty strength."

He looked toward the king.

"The monsters of the Western Continent are suitable opponents for them."

Hearing this, the king's eyes lit up.

"If that is the case, then our kingdom truly welcomes your arrival."

He let out a helpless sigh.

"Our border regions have suffered from monster attacks for many years."

"Every harvest season, the monsters invade the farmlands, destroying crops and taking countless lives."

"Our soldiers can barely hold them back."

"It has become one of this kingdom's greatest troubles."

Ling Tianyou nodded calmly.

"Then we'll begin there."

"My junior brothers and sisters will gain the battle experience they need, while your kingdom will be rid of the monster infestation."

"It is beneficial for both sides."

The king immediately stood and raised his wine cup.

"On behalf of my kingdom..."

"I thank the Thousand Sword Sect for extending its aid."

After reaching an agreement, Ling Tianyou reached into his robe and calmly took out a golden parchment. Ancient runes were faintly engraved across its surface, and the moment it appeared, a subtle spiritual aura spread throughout the banquet hall.

He then placed an inkstone and brush on the table.

The king looked at the parchment in confusion.

"Young Master Ling..."

"What is that?"

Ling Tianyou answered calmly.

"A contract."

The king's expression changed slightly.

A distant memory surfaced in his mind.

When he was still a prince, his late father had once warned him about such contracts.

His father had said that whenever an immortal cultivator willingly helped a mortal kingdom, they would often establish a formal agreement.

It was not merely an agreement between two parties...

It was a contract acknowledged by Heaven itself.

The king slowly inhaled.

"So... this is that legendary contract..."

Ling Tianyou nodded.

"The Thousand Sword Sect does not interfere in mortal affairs without reason."

"If we help your kingdom eliminate the monsters, your kingdom must also fulfill its obligations."

"Once both sides honor the agreement, the contract will be completed."

The king respectfully asked,

"May I ask... why do immortal cultivators value such contracts?"

Ling Tianyou looked at the golden parchment before replying,

"Because every fulfilled contract earns merit."

"Merit is invisible, yet it is recognized by the Heavenly Dao."

"For ordinary cultivators, it may not seem important."

"But for those pursuing the highest realms..."

"It can become an invaluable blessing."

He paused briefly before continuing.

"When the day comes for an immortal to ascend and face the Heavenly Tribulation..."

"Those blessed with great merit are said to receive Heaven's favor."

"The tribulation may weaken, or fortune may protect them at a crucial moment."

"Many senior experts believe that accumulating merit greatly increases the chances of surviving the Heavenly Tribulation."

The banquet hall fell silent.

The king finally understood why even mighty cultivators were willing to aid mortal kingdoms.

It was never because they coveted mortal wealth or authority.

What they sought...

Was the invisible merit recognized only by Heaven.

Now...

Ling Tianyou dipped the brush into the ink before writing several lines onto the golden parchment.

Each stroke emitted a faint spiritual glow, as though the words themselves had been acknowledged by Heaven.

After finishing, he gently pushed the contract toward the king.

"The contents are simple."

"The Thousand Sword Sect will dispatch its disciples to eliminate the monsters threatening your kingdom."

"In return, your kingdom will provide accurate information regarding every known monster nest, including their locations and any intelligence your scouts have gathered."

The king carefully read through every line.

After confirming there were no unreasonable demands, he nodded without hesitation.

"This kingdom agrees."

He picked up the brush and wrote his name beneath Ling Tianyou's signature before pressing the royal seal onto the parchment.

The moment both signatures were completed, the golden contract suddenly emitted a brilliant light.

A faint ripple spread through the banquet hall before disappearing into the heavens.

The contract had been established.

Ling Tianyou smiled faintly and stored the parchment back into his storage ring.

"From this moment onward, the agreement is in effect."

"The Thousand Sword Sect will fulfill its promise."

The king also smiled.

"In that case, tomorrow morning, I shall have my generals deliver every map and report concerning the monster nests within my kingdom."

Ling Tianyou nodded.

"Good."

"The sooner my junior brothers and sisters begin their training..."

"The sooner your people can live without the threat of monsters."

Both parties exchanged respectful nods.

Although the contract appeared to be an ordinary agreement, both understood that once it had been acknowledged by Heaven, neither side could violate it without consequences.

After the contract was establish, the king hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Young Master Ling..."

"There is something I wish to ask."

Ling Tianyou looked at him.

"Go ahead."

The king glanced at the golden parchment that had just disappeared.

"What happens if one of the parties fails to fulfill the contract?"

"What is the penalty?"

Ling Tianyou answered without concealment.

"If an immortal cultivator breaks the contract without a legitimate reason, the merit accumulated through the agreement will be reduced."

"For cultivators pursuing the Great Dao, losing merit is no trivial matter."

He calmly took a sip of wine before continuing.

"In more serious cases..."

"The guilt of breaking one's promise may become a flaw in the Dao Heart."

"It can eventually give birth to an inner demon."

"Once an inner demon takes root, future breakthroughs become far more dangerous."

The king swallowed nervously.

"What about... mortals?"

Ling Tianyou smiled faintly.

"There is no Heavenly punishment for mortals."

"They won't lose merit, nor will Heaven strike them."

The king secretly let out a sigh of relief.

But before he could relax, Ling Tianyou added calmly,

"However, If a mortal deliberately violates the agreement... They will most likely be killed by the immortal cultivator they deceived."

His tone remained calm, as though he were stating an ordinary fact.

"After all, no sect would tolerate being tricked by a mortal kingdom."

The king's smile instantly froze.

A sudden chill ran down his spine.

He immediately realized that although Heaven did not punish mortals for breaking such contracts...

The immortal cultivators certainly could.

He hurriedly cupped his fists.

"Please rest assured, Young Master Ling. My kingdom will never violate the agreement."

Ling Tianyou nodded with satisfaction.

"Good, then I trust our cooperation will proceed smoothly."

. . .

The following morning, the disciples of the Thousand Sword Sect gathered outside the royal palace.

Maps of the surrounding regions had already been prepared by the kingdom, each marking the locations of known monster nests.

Ling Tianyou stood before the group with his hands behind his back.

"You already know your assignments."

"The monsters in this kingdom are only low-ranked."

"They are suitable for tempering your combat experience."

"Remember, don't become overconfident."

"Real battles are far less forgiving than sparring within the sect."

The disciples cupped their fists.

"Yes, Senior Brother!"

Soon, they split into small groups and departed toward their respective destinations.

Watching them leave, Ling Tianyou nodded in satisfaction.

He had no intention of accompanying them.

According to the kingdom's intelligence, the monsters were merely low-level demonic beasts.

Even the weakest disciple among them could handle such opponents without difficulty.

For him to intervene would only rob them of the opportunity to grow.

With nothing else to do, Ling Tianyou decided to stroll through the capital.

The bustling streets were filled with merchants, food stalls, and pedestrians coming and going.

Although he had spent two centuries in the Central Continent, the familiar atmosphere of the Western Continent brought back many old memories.

His gaze drifted toward a nearby food stall.

The aroma of freshly grilled meat filled the air, causing him to smile faintly.

"It has been a long time..."

Just as he was about to walk over—

Bang!

A young boy suddenly crashed into his shoulder.

The boy looked no older than sixteen.

Without even apologizing, he lowered his head and hurried past Ling Tianyou.

Ling Tianyou's eyes narrowed.

The instant they collided...

He clearly felt the pouch hanging from his waist disappear.

"Stop."

His calm voice echoed through the street.

The boy's body stiffened for a brief moment.

Then, without looking back.

He immediately broke into a sprint, weaving through the crowded marketplace in an attempt to escape.

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