I am the Dao Ancestor

Days passed since Ling Hao had successfully completed his first mission and earned a storage ring, but his thirst for knowledge only grew. As he immersed himself in daily training under his master's guidance, one thought occupied his mind: the history of the Azure Sky Sect and the legendary Dao Ancestor mentioned in the old records.

"Master must know something," Ling Hao mused one evening as he practiced his sword forms in the peach orchard. "But she hasn't mentioned anything directly."

The following morning, after his routine training, Ling Hao approached Yue Ling. She was, as usual, lounging under a peach tree with her jug of wine. The sunlight glinted off her untidy hair, and the faint breeze carried the scent of peach blossoms.

"Master," Ling Hao began, his voice laced with curiosity, "I'd like to learn more about the history of the Azure Sky Sect. Is there a place where I can find the sect's records?"

Yue Ling raised an eyebrow, her jug halfway to her lips. "The sect's history? Finally interested in something other than sword training?"

"Yes, Master," Ling Hao said earnestly.

Yue Ling smirked. "If you're so curious, go to the Celestial Record Pavilion. That's where the sect keeps its records. Just remember, brat—be respectful. Those old scholars running the place might not like a nosy peach blossom disciple stirring up the dust on their scrolls."

Ling Hao bowed deeply. "Thank you, Master. I'll head there now."

---

Mounting his flying sword, Ling Hao soared into the skies, the cool wind rushing past him. Below, the grand peaks of the Azure Sky Sect spread like a painting, bathed in the golden light of morning. Soon, he arrived at the Celestial Record Pavilion, a magnificent structure built of polished jade, glowing softly with protective formations.

Disciples lingered outside the pavilion, their murmured conversations blending into the tranquil atmosphere. Ling Hao approached a steward at the entrance and bowed politely.

"Ling Hao, disciple of Peach Blossom Peak," he introduced himself. "I wish to study the records."

The steward, a man with a stern expression, gave him a nod. "Behave yourself, and you may enter."

---

Within the pavilion, Ling Hao was greeted by towering shelves filled with ancient scrolls, jade slips, and thick tomes. The air hummed faintly with spiritual energy, carrying the subtle scent of ink and parchment. Moving carefully through the aisles, Ling Hao searched for records about the sect's history.

His search eventually brought him to a section titled Legends and Figures of the Azure Sky Sect. The Dao Ancestor's name appeared frequently in the scrolls he read, each mention shrouded in reverence and mystery.

"One text says he created the Infinite Realms," Ling Hao murmured as he unfurled another scroll. "Another claims he laid the foundations of cultivation itself. But if he was so great, why is he no longer spoken of?"

Frustrated by the cryptic accounts, Ling Hao approached one of the elders overseeing the pavilion. The elder was seated cross-legged in meditation, his snow-white beard and serene expression radiating wisdom.

Ling Hao bowed. "Elder, forgive my interruption. I have a question about the Dao Ancestor."

The elder opened his eyes, his gaze piercing and contemplative. "The Dao Ancestor? What do you wish to know, young one?"

Ling Hao hesitated, then asked, "The records speak of his vast power and role in creating the Infinite Realms. But why is his name so seldom mentioned now? What happened to him?"

The elder's expression turned thoughtful. "The Dao Ancestor is a figure beyond mortal comprehension. It is said that he transcended the bounds of existence itself, disappearing into realms unknown. As for why his name is rarely spoken—it is not forgotten but revered. To utter his name carelessly is seen as disrespectful to his legacy."

The elder paused, his voice growing softer. "And perhaps... his influence is not as absent as you think. Some believe that his presence lingers, shaping the world in ways unseen."

Ling Hao bowed once more, thanking the elder before returning to his studies. Though the elder's words shed some light, they left Ling Hao with even more questions.

---

By the time he returned to Peach Blossom Peak, the sun had dipped below the horizon. Yue Ling, seated under her favorite tree, eyed him with a lazy smirk.

"You're back. So, did you learn anything interesting?"

Ling Hao hesitated, then said, "I read about the Dao Ancestor, Master. The records speak of his greatness, but there's so much that remains unknown. Do you know anything more about him?"

Yue Ling set down her wine jug, her gaze turning uncharacteristically serious. "The Dao Ancestor is not a figure you can understand through scrolls alone. What you read is barely the surface of his legacy. The truth is, even the heavens couldn't contain him. He created everything we know, from the Infinite Realms to the very Dao itself."

Her expression softened slightly. "But remember, Ling Hao, don't lose sight of your own path. Revering a figure like the Dao Ancestor is one thing, but blindly chasing his shadow won't lead you to your own destiny. Focus on your cultivation."

Ling Hao nodded, her words sinking in. "I will, Master."

Yue Ling's smirk returned. "Good. Now stop brooding over old legends and get back to training. Your sword technique still has a hundred flaws I could point out."

---

That night, Ling Hao lay under the stars, letting his thoughts drift. His master's advice resonated, yet he couldn't shake the feeling that the Dao Ancestor's story held a deeper significance.

As sleep claimed him, vivid dreams began to surface—visions of an infinite void filled with shimmering lights, towering mountains, and boundless oceans. At the center of it all stood a solitary figure shrouded in light. His presence exuded an unparalleled majesty, yet his face remained obscured.

The figure turned toward Ling Hao, though no words were spoken. Instead, a wave of overwhelming emotions washed over him: sorrow, determination, and something deeper, like a silent call.

Ling Hao woke abruptly, drenched in sweat. The stars overhead twinkled as if mocking his confusion.

"What was that?" he whispered, his heart pounding.

Though he couldn't explain it, the dream left him with an unsettling feeling, as if some unseen thread tied him to the enigmatic Dao Ancestor. Whatever it meant, Ling Hao knew one thing—his journey was only beginning.