A Knife from the Start [Cultivation]

Ji Cheng opened his eyes to find himself the lowest of the low in the cultivation world.

His spiritual roots were mixed, he belonged to no sect, and all he had was a broken blade.

Others transmigrated with a golden finger. From the start, he was playing on nightmare difficulty.

But so what?

If the Heavenly Dao is unjust, then let his blade be his proof. He'll carve a path through blood!

No resources?

Then he'll fight for them! Take them! Climb over mountains of corpses and seas of blood!

No backer?

Then he'll hone himself into the sharpest blade and cut down every obstacle!

*

Everyone was waiting to see him die in some forgotten corner.

Until

That day, Chen Ling witnessed the birth of a madman with his own eyes.

His robe was soaked in blood, his bones broken and muscles torn, yet he still stood with his blade in hand and killed a cultivator one minor realm above him.

Chen Ling lowered his sword, a glimmer of interest in his eyes. "Interesting."

"I hope you're still standing when we meet again."

Later, everyone in the cultivation world knew that sword prodigy Chen Ling was cold and aloof, yet he alone regarded that reckless blade cultivator differently.

Ji Cheng: "What happened to that aloof, untouchable beauty? Why are you always chasing after me?!"

Chen Ling: "Get stronger, and then we can discuss the Dao."

From a lowly nobody to the Blade Venerable, every step Ji Cheng takes proves to the Heavenly Dao that the Great Dao is merciless, and only the blade can bear witness!

Weren't you supposed to be a cold and noble prodigy from a prestigious sect? Why do you keep staring at me?

My sword-cultivator senior brother is waiting for me to kill my way out again today!

The underdog's rise from rogue cultivator to demon lord (not really)!

*

Reader's Guide:

One: A ruthless, unhinged blade-cultivator bottom × a cold, gifted sword-cultivator top. From the start, he's got a blade, and he'll get the rest of his gear by hacking it out of people.

Two: Also known as: The Blade Cultivator Is Killing His Way Out Again Today / What's Your Problem with Blade Cultivators? / Ascending Through the Way of Slaughter: My Blade Is My Dao / The Greatest Blade Cultivator.

Three: A long, million-word cultivation progression fantasy packed with thrills. Don't expect much logic; I just want to write a fun power fantasy.

Four: Cultivation realms: Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, and Spirit Transformation.

Theme: Rising from humble beginnings.