Section 2: Awakening 500 Years in the Past

In the legends of this world, there exists a River of Time, sustaining the flow and progression of the universe. Utilizing the power of the Spring Autumn Cicada, one can swim against this current and return to the past.

Regarding this legend, opinions among the people are varied and diverse. Many do not believe in it, while some are skeptical yet curious.

Almost no one truly believes.

This is because every use of the Spring Autumn Cicada requires the sacrifice of one's life, offering up their entire being and all their cultivation as the driving force.

Such a price is exceedingly steep, and what makes it even more unacceptable is the uncertainty of the outcome after paying with one's life.

Even if someone acquires the Spring Autumn Cicada, they would not dare to use it recklessly.

What if the rumors are false, merely a deception?

Smith wouldn't have used it so readily if he hadn't been driven into a corner.

But now, he wholeheartedly believes.

The irrefutable fact laid before him left no room for doubt: he had indeed been reborn!

"It's a pity to lose such a precious Gu. It took so much effort to obtain it, slaughtering hundreds of thousands, incurring the wrath of heaven and the resentment of people... But now it's gone," Smith thought with a sigh. Though he had been reborn, the Spring Autumn Cicada had not come with him.

Humans are considered the most intelligent beings, while Gu are the essence of heaven and earth.

There are countless varieties of Gu, each with its own peculiarities. Some Gu can only be used once or a few times before they dissipate completely. Others, if not overused, can be reused repeatedly.

Perhaps the Spring Autumn Cicada was one of those single-use Gu.

"But even if it's gone, I can always refine another one. If I could do it in my past life, why not in this one?" Following this thought, a wave of ambition and determination surged in Smith's heart.

His rebirth justified the loss of the Spring Autumn Cicada.

Moreover, he still possessed a treasure, something far more valuable: his five hundred years of memories and experience.

In his memory lay countless treasures yet to be discovered, great events that allowed him to grasp the pulse of history easily, numerous figures - some reclusive seniors, some brilliant talents, some not yet born. There were also the heavy experiences of his five hundred years of arduous cultivation, rich in combat experience.

With these, he undoubtedly held the advantage and foresight. As long as he played his cards right, reigning supreme once again and even surpassing his past achievements was not just possible but likely.

"So, how should I proceed..." Smith collected his thoughts, gazing out into the rainy night, contemplating deeply.

The more he thought, the more complex it seemed.

After a moment of contemplation, his brows furrowed deeply.

Five hundred years was a lengthy span. Forgetting some memories was inevitable, and even remembered treasures and opportunities were often either thousands of miles away or accessible only at specific times.

"The key issue is cultivation. Right now, my energy sea is unopened, and I haven't even started on the path of a Gu Master. I'm practically a mortal! I must cultivate as soon as possible, increasing my power and seizing opportunities before history unfolds to reap the greatest benefits."

Many secret treasures were unattainable without sufficient cultivation, becoming burdens rather than assets.

The first challenge Smith faced was his cultivation level.

He must quickly elevate his cultivation; proceeding as slowly as in his previous life would be too late.

"To rapidly increase my cultivation, I need to leverage the resources of the clan. In my current state, I have no ability to traverse the perilous mountains; even an ordinary wild boar could end my life. Once I reach the third stage of Gu Master, I'll have the basic ability to defend myself and travel through this world."

From the perspective of a demonic giant honed over five hundred years, Qingmao Mountain seemed minuscule, and the Ancient Moon Clan, a cage.

But while the cage restricted freedom, its sturdy walls also represented a certain safety.

"Hmph, for a short time, I will struggle within this cage. Once I attain the third stage of a Gu Master, I'll leave this backwater place. Fortunately, tomorrow is the Awakening Ceremony, and soon after, I can officially start my cultivation as a Gu Master."

The thought of the Awakening Ceremony brought long-buried memories to the surface of Smith's mind.

"Qualifications, huh..." He chuckled coldly, gazing out the window.

Just then, the door was gently pushed open, and a young boy entered.

"Brother, why are you standing by the window in the rain?"

The boy was slender and slightly shorter than Smith, bearing a striking resemblance to him.

Smith turned and looked at the boy, his face flashing a complex expression.

"It's you, my twin brother," he said, his expression

returning to its usual cold detachment.

Fang Zheng lowered his head, looking at his toes, a signature gesture of his: "I saw your window open and thought I'd come in to close it. Tomorrow is the Awakening Ceremony, and you're still not resting. Uncle and Aunt might worry."

He wasn't surprised by Smith's coldness; his brother had always been like this.

Sometimes, Fang Zheng wondered if geniuses were just inherently different from ordinary people. Despite their strikingly similar appearances, he felt as ordinary as an ant compared to his brilliant brother.

Born from the same womb, yet fate seemed so unfair. Endowing his brother with diamond-like talent, while he was as unremarkable as a pebble.

Everyone always referred to him as "Smith's brother."

Uncle and Aunt often told him to learn from Smith.

Even when he looked at himself in the mirror, he sometimes felt a sense of disgust at his own face!

These thoughts had accumulated over many years, pressing heavily on his heart like a boulder. Over the years, Fang Zheng's head hung lower, and he became more silent and withdrawn.

"Worry..." The thought of his uncle and aunt elicited a silent sneer in Smith's mind.

He remembered clearly that the parents of this body had perished in a clan mission, leaving him and his brother orphans at the age of three.

His uncle and aunt had taken advantage of their guardianship to seize the parents' inheritance and treated him and his brother harshly.

Originally planning to keep a low profile, the harshness of life forced Smith to display his "talents," which were nothing more than the intellect of a mature soul and a few timeless poems from Earth.

Even these small displays of talent were enough to astonish others and garner widespread attention. Under external pressure, a young Smith had no choice but to adopt a cold demeanor as a disguise to protect himself and reduce the risk of exposure.

Over time, coldness became a habitual expression.

As a result, his uncle and aunt no longer dared to treat him and his brother harshly. As he grew older and his prospects seemed brighter, their treatment improved.

But this was not love; it was investment.

Ironically, his brother had not seen the truth of this and harbored resentment towards Smith, deceived by their uncle and aunt. Despite his current obedient demeanor, once his 'A' grade talent was revealed and nurtured by the clan, his hidden hatred and jealousy came to the forefront, causing no small amount of trouble and oppression for Smith, his own brother.

As for Smith's talent...

Heh, it was only 'C' grade at best.

Fate loved its ironies.

Born twins, one brother with only 'C' grade talent enjoyed the reputation of a genius for over a decade. The other, unnoticed, possessed 'A' grade talent.

The results of the Awakening Ceremony were a shock to the clan, completely reversing the brothers' circumstances and treatments.

The brother ascended like a hidden dragon, while Smith fell like a grounded phoenix.

Thereafter came his brother's numerous harassments, cold treatment from their uncle and aunt, and the clan's contempt.

Did he hate them?

In his past life, Smith harbored hatred — hatred for his insufficient talent, the clan's heartlessness, and the injustice of fate.

But now, with the perspective of five hundred years of life experience, he viewed this part of his history with calm detachment, devoid of any hatred.

What was there to hate?

Putting himself in the shoes of his brother, uncle, aunt, and even those righteous enemies who pursued him five hundred years later, he could understand them all.

The law of the jungle, the survival of the fittest, was the essence of this world.

Moreover, everyone had their own ambitions, struggling for a sliver of opportunity. What was there to misunderstand about mutual suppression and conflict?

Five hundred years of experience had given him insight into all of this, leaving only the pursuit of immortality in his heart.

If anyone stood in the way of his pursuit, it was simply a matter of life and death.

His ambitions were too vast. Stepping on this path meant being an enemy of the world, destined to be alone, and facing endless killings.

This was the enlightenment of five hundred years of life.

"Revenge is not my plan, and the path of the demon has no room for compromise." Thinking this, Smith chuckled. He turned back to his brother and said indifferently, "You may leave."

Fang Zheng shuddered, feeling as if Smith's gaze was sharp as an ice blade, piercing through to the depths of his soul.

Under such a gaze, he felt as if he was naked in the snow, with no secrets to hide.

"See you tomorrow, brother," he said, no longer daring to speak more. Fang Zheng slowly closed the door and retreated quietly.