The Supreme God Returns as a Mortal

The First Step

Chapter 7: The First Steps

Five years passed.

Tian Yuan was now seven years old, though he looked even younger. His body was still weak, still malnourished, still incapable of cultivating. But his mind was sharper than ever, and his control over qi was growing.

He had spent the last few years building a reputation. Lin was now a trusted servant in the merchant's household, and Tian Yuan had become known as the "Blessed Boy." People came to him with their ailments, their problems, their desperate pleas. And he helped them.

Not out of generosity. Out of practicality. Each person he helped became a resource, a connection, a stepping stone.

The merchant, a man named Wei, had grown fond of Tian Yuan. He had given the boy access to his library, his storerooms, his network of contacts. Tian Yuan had used this access to learn everything about the city, its politics, its economy, its hidden secrets.

And he had learned something else: there was a cultivation sect nearby.

It was small, insignificant, a backwater sect that most cultivators would sneer at. But it was a sect. And it had resources. Techniques. Knowledge.

Tian Yuan needed those things.

So he went to Wei and made a proposition.

"Master Wei," he said, his voice calm and measured beyond his years. "I would like to enter the cultivation sect."

Wei blinked. "The Yunlan Sect? But you're just a child. And your body... you're not exactly the picture of health, boy."

Tian Yuan smiled. It was a cold smile, a god's smile, ancient and knowing. "I am aware. But I have my gifts. And I have connections. With your support, I could become a valuable asset to the sect. And a valuable asset to you."

Wei considered. Tian Yuan had already made him a fortune with his "blessings." The merchant was not a fool—he knew there was something special about this boy. Something beyond the ordinary.

"Very well," Wei said. "I will make the arrangements. But you owe me, boy. A debt of gratitude."

Tian Yuan nodded. "I will remember."

And he would. He would remember everyone who helped him, everyone who hindered him, everyone who could be useful.

The Supreme God of Ten Thousand Realms had begun his ascent.