Chapter 2: Sword Art Compiled

【Name: Li Hao】

【Age: 1 year】

【Cultivation Level: Commoner】

【Mastered Arts: None】

【Art Skill Points: 1】

The crisp, clear text before him—this was no ordinary sight. It was the very same Character Panel Li Hao had seen in his past life.

Not in reality, but in a game.

When he’d first arrived in this world, bored and aimless, he’d casually downloaded a light-hearted mobile game from the Remote Leading Store. That panel had been the centerpiece of the game—a whimsical, colorful interface for tracking progress in various leisure arts.

But now, something had changed.

The panel had evolved.

A new field now read Cultivation Level, and the Age and Name sections had updated to reflect his true self—no longer the eternal online alias “Past Winds,” but the real, flesh-and-blood infant he was now.

And at the bottom, Art Skill Points—a term that felt deeply familiar.

Unlike the grind-heavy RPGs and card-collecting games flooding the market, this one was built for relaxation. No combat. No equipment. No monsters. Just pure, joyful leisure: fashion, painting, fishing, chess, sculpture, watching films, playing poker—real, honest-to-goodness poker.

No battles. No leveling through bloodshed.

Instead, every time you improved in a skill, you earned Art Skill Points. Each point directly increased your rank in that art, unlocking new content, new experiences.

And now, somehow, this very system had followed him across the veil of death and rebirth.

Li Hao stared, stunned.

Wait… does this mean I’m supposed to become a full-time artisan? A life of leisure and crafts?

He groaned inwardly.

This was The Ephemeral Realm—a world of war, spirit beasts, and imperial might! What good was painting or chess here?

He wanted combat. He wanted to fight.

…

…

“Report—!”

A shrill military cry shattered the quiet courtyard.

A Li family guard burst through the gate, breathless, dropping to one knee before Xing Wuhou.

“Lord, the Yanbei rebellion has erupted! The Pingcheng King has allied with a Spirit Beast horde, slaughtering Mofeng City and eight surrounding towns. The Emperor Yu has issued the decree—your immediate departure is required to crush the uprising!”

The air froze.

All eyes—those of the Powerful Aristocrats, the Lady-Consorts, the maids and elders—turned to Xing Wuhou.

Li Hao snapped back to reality, blinking in surprise.

Just months since the last war… and now another?

Xing Wuhou’s smile vanished. His face hardened, eyes like frozen lightning. He slowly rose, his gaze locking onto the messenger.

Then, almost imperceptibly, he glanced toward Li Hao’s direction. His wife’s eyes met his.

The coldness in his gaze melted instantly. A flicker of guilt passed through.

“Qingqing,” he said softly, “you stay with Hao'er for his Hundred-Day Celebration. I’ll return swiftly.”

Ji Qingqing’s expression tightened. She turned, gently handing Li Hao to Wu Niang, who held the swaddled infant.

For a moment, Ji Qingqing felt something odd—like the baby was watching her, his tiny eyes filled with quiet sorrow.

She shook her head. Impossible. He’s only months old. He can’t understand separation.

“Mother will return soon,” she whispered, brushing her fingers over Li Hao’s forehead. “Be good.”

But then she turned, resolve hardening in her eyes.

“This journey is dangerous. I’m going with you.”

Xing Wuhou shook his head. “Stay. Hao'er is still too young. He needs you.”

“I am a general,” she insisted, voice firm. “The commander is here. How can I not be?”

Her eyes burned with conviction. “Pingcheng King has been patient for years. He’s been hiding. Now he strikes suddenly. There’s something deeper here. Let me go with you.”

Xing Wuhou studied her—knew her stubbornness all too well. He sighed.

“Fine. Then Hao'er is in your hands, sisters and cousins. We’ll return as soon as we can.”

“Be careful,” said the Elder Lady, stepping forward, worry etched on her face. “Leave him with us. You have nothing to fear.”

“Thank you, elder sister,” Xing Wuhou said with a faint smile.

Then, without another word, he turned and barked:

“Mount horses! Law Character Guard, assemble! We ride at once!”

A military family—disciplined, swift, battle-hardened. Within moments, the couple led their elite guard out of the mansion, vanishing into the night toward the Yanbei frontier.

This was the land of the Li Clan’s long wars—their stronghold, their domain. They knew the terrain, the Spirit Beasts, and their enemy better than anyone.

That was why Ji Qingqing insisted on going.

In the courtyard, surrounded by eyes, she hadn’t said it aloud—but one thought gnawed at her:

Why did the Emperor learn of the rebellion before even we did?

…

…

Early Winter, in Qingzhou City, the first snow of the season fell.

Over a year had passed since Li Hao’s Hundred-Day Celebration. He was now one and a half years old.

His parents still remained in Yanbei—fighting.

Reports from the Li Clan Army hinted at a war that had turned into a protracted stalemate.

Now, in the Mountain and River Courtyard, a small figure stood alone in the snow.

Li Hao, hands clasped behind his back, stood like a miniature adult, gazing up at the swirling white sky.

He wondered—what was his mother doing out there? Was she safe?

The servants and maids had long since stopped reacting.

Though barely a year old, the child was already known throughout the mansion as a prodigy.

After turning half a year old, he’d stopped wetting the bed. While other infants wailed and screamed, he’d already begun using simple words—“eat,” “poo”—to signal his needs.

By his first birthday, while others were barely walking, Li Hao was already dashing around the halls. He could point to characters in books and demand the servants read them aloud—teaching himself to read.

Calm. Quiet. Brilliant.

That was how the staff described him.

“Second Lady,” a maid called out, “the Young Master is over here.”

A graceful, elegant woman stepped into the courtyard.

Her eyes narrowed at the sight of Li Hao standing barefoot in the snow.

“How dare you!” she snapped, voice sharp. “How is he left out here in this cold? You’ll freeze him to death!”

The servants flinched, dropping to their knees in terror.

The head steward stammered, “W-We didn’t—He wanted to watch the snow. He told us not to disturb him…”

“He’s a child! What does he know? If he said jump off a cliff, would you?”

The Second Lady—Liu Yuerong—strode forward, scooped Li Hao into her arms, and began brushing snow from his hair.

“Even if he wants to see snow, couldn’t you at least bring an umbrella? And why is he dressed so lightly? Do you want to die?!”

The servants trembled, sweat pouring down their backs.

“Two Mother,” Li Hao said calmly, “don’t blame them. I asked them not to come.”

He was used to it. Since his parents had left, he’d been passed between the various Lady-Consorts, each treating him with care.

Liu Yuerong was gentle in manner, but fierce with her subordinates. If he didn’t speak up, the servants would suffer.

She paused, eyes flickering with surprise at his composed tone.

“Hmph,” she said, softening slightly. “Fine. On Hao'er’s behalf, I’ll forgive you this time. But if I see it again, you’ll taste The Taste of Winter in the Cold Lake.”

She turned to Li Hao, her expression melting into warmth.

“Come, my dear. I’ll take you to eat something sweet. You’re such a little fool—why don’t you dress warmer? Even with the Dragon Blood Jade the Emperor gave you, you could still catch a cold.”

She chattered on, fussing over him as she carried him out.

Li Hao didn’t resist. He was used to it.

Soon, they reached the Water Splendor Courtyard.

Inside, a child of about five years old swung a wooden sword with surprising precision—flourishes of motion, arcs of light, a real sense of rhythm.

That was Li Qianfeng, Liu Yuerong’s only son.

Even at this age, his eyes held a rare focus—sharp, unwavering.

Beside him, a broad-shouldered man in military garb gave quiet guidance, nodding approvingly.

Li Hao recognized him—one of the seven Military Instructors assigned to train Li Qianfeng in swordsmanship.

When Liu Yuerong arrived, the man bowed deeply. His eyes flicked to the child in her arms—Li Hao.

The Qi-Lin Child, the Emperor had named him.

If his talents were tested later, he might rival even this boy.

But the young swordsman didn’t pause.

No distraction. No smile.

He continued, again and again, practicing the same form.

Liu Yuerong didn’t interrupt. She simply nodded to the instructor, then carried Li Hao to a nearby pavilion.

On the table: rare fruits, delicate pastries.

She fed him gently, her eyes fixed on her son’s movements.

Her expression grew distant. Lost in thought.

“Is this truly the finest sword art of the Li Clan?” Li Hao whispered, eyes wide with curiosity.

The Second Lady’s son—rumored to have passed the Bone Measurement test. Exceptional talent.

What will my own bone test reveal?

In the courtyard, Li Qianfeng executed each movement with precision—perfect form, unwavering focus.

The instructor nodded in approval.

But the boy showed no pride.

“Again,” the instructor said.

The boy repeated the form—fluid, practiced, flawless.

Li Hao watched, entranced.

Then—suddenly—a text appeared before his eyes.

“Learned the basics. Record it?”

What?!

Li Hao’s mind raced. Without thinking, he selected Yes.

“Recorded successfully!”

The panel flashed into view:

【Name: Li Hao】

【Age: 1 year】

【Cultivation Level: Commoner】

【Sword Art: Uninitiated (Can be upgraded)】

【Skill: Tide of Sea Without Shore (Uninitiated) [Locked]】

【Mastered Arts: Go Art】

【Go Art: Rank 1 (82/500) (Can be upgraded)】

【Go Manuscript Collection: 0】

【Art Skill Points: 1】

Over the past year, Li Hao had been quietly testing his system.

Too young to act too clever. Too cautious to draw suspicion.

But the Go board in the mansion had been his best tool.

At just six months old, he’d lie on the board, playing against himself—moving pieces, learning patterns.

The maids, delighted that he wasn’t crawling everywhere, thought it was just a toy.

But Li Hao discovered something astonishing:

He could gain Go experience—just like in the game.

No effort. No stress.

Simple, casual games—yet he earned experience points.

From Rank 0 to Rank 1: 100 points.

Rank 1 to 2: 500 points.

If not for the servants watching him—afraid he’d seem too unnatural—Li Hao could’ve easily leveled up further.

But now…

The system had changed.

New fields appeared: Sword Art, Skill.

And that [Locked] tag on the skill?

Li Hao’s heart pounded.

Could sword art be upgraded the same way as Go?

Could I gain points… and unlock mastery?

He didn’t hesitate.

He selected Upgrade.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end