1. Reigniting the spirit of youth.

Qingyun Sect, one of the three major forces within the territory of Cangyan Kingdom. Within the sect, numerous talents congregate, with disciples numbering up to a hundred thousand. Recently, Qingyun Sect welcomed a joyous occasion and invited strong warriors from all over the world to attend a feast.

Today, Qingyun Sect is bustling with activity as they prepare for the event, with disciples from all gates being called upon to help. However, not far from the banquet hall, there is a young man wearing a rough black servant's uniform, leaning against an ancient tree, coldly observing everything happening before him.

This young man's name is Ye Changkong, a member of the third-rate Ye family of Cangyan Kingdom. Three years ago, he distinguished himself from a hundred similarly-aged peers in the Ye family and obtained the qualification to take the entry exam for Qingyun Sect. However, he unfortunately failed the exam.

Feeling disheartened, upon his return journey home, he chanced upon a spirit fruit. Being naïve and only thinking of presenting it to Qingyun Sect for a chance to join them, he returned to the sect with the fruit, only for it to be confiscated by a gatekeeper who later became the famous Qingyun Sect genius, Chu Yifan.

"Standing at the center of the banquet, being admired by everyone, should have been me!" Ye Changkong was full of resentment as he stared at Chu Yifan who was speaking confidently at the main table, looking radiant in his white attire. In only three years, one mediocre gatekeeper had become Qingyun Sect's most brilliant talent with such speed that only the holy martial fruit could bring.

The holy martial fruit was listed in an ancient book of Qingyun Sect, and was an extremely rare spiritual fruit between heaven and earth. It had the ability to greatly enhance a warrior's martial talent and create an ultimate talent. "I can only blame myself for being too young and foolish then, not knowing the value of the holy martial fruit."

"But Chu Yifan, you went too far. Not only did you fail to show gratitude, but you also wanted to kill me to silence me." "If it weren't for me remaining hidden in the servant's quarters these past three years, along with Miss Lin's protection, I'm afraid I would have been dead a long time ago."

These words were spoken calmly, as if Ye Changkong was recounting a trivial matter. Over the past three years, he had been persecuted and constantly humiliated due to Chu Yifan's suppression. But he persisted in his belief that he was destined for greatness and would one day turn things around.

"For three years, if it weren't for me enduring in the menial chores department and Miss Lin's protection, I would have long been a corpse in the wilderness," said Ye Changkong, his tone cold as if recounting a painful memory.

He had been in the menial chores department for three years, constantly ostracized and humiliated due to Chu Yifan's suppression. He himself did not know how he had endured the past three years. But he firmly believed that he was someone with great opportunities and would one day overturn his situation. Otherwise, he would not have received the Tianwu Divine Fruit after failing the entrance exam of Qingyun Sect three years ago. It was this belief that had kept him going and had led to his mental fortitude far surpassing his peers.

"If I ever get the chance to turn things around, I will demand an explanation from you!" Ye Changkong's eyes lit up with icy hatred. To him, losing an opportunity was equivalent to killing his parents, an enmity he would never forget.

Looking at Chu Yifan on the main stage of the banquet, dressed in white, Ye Changkong couldn't help but want to rush to the stage and expose how Chu Yifan had stolen his opportunity back then. However, he refrained from doing so since he knew it would be an irrational move.

Shaking his head, Ye Changkong calmed himself and slowly stood up. As he did so, a plump figure hurriedly rushed toward him from nearby. It was Zhang Fan, his current manager, who always bullied him and made him do all the dirty work.

"Hey, you, Ye Changkong! I was wondering where you went!" Zhang Fan whipped his leather whip at Ye Changkong as he yelled out fiercely, "Everyone is busy busting their ass, and yet here you are, slacking off. If it weren't for today's celebration, I would have flayed you alive!"

"I've already finished everything you assigned me to do," Ye Changkong grabbed the whip that came at him and glared at Zhang Fan.

Last night, Zhang Fan had ordered him to bring the best spirit fruit wine from the Qingyun Sect cellar up to the main peak of Qingyun. Each of these spirit fruit wines weighed about a hundred pounds, and there were a thousand barrels in total. The distance from the Qingyun main peak's cellar to the banquet venue was seven to eight miles, all of it uphill on a rugged mountain path. If Ye Changkong were an ordinary person, he would have been exhausted or even dead. But being a warrior with a strong physical foundation, he could still barely manage it with much exertion.

"Still talking back to me!" Zhang Fan forcefully pulled the whip out of Ye Changkong's hands, condensed his energy (spiritual power), and whipped it again at Ye Changkong. Although the previous hit was just an ordinary attack, this one utilized spiritual power, and if Ye Changkong dared to receive it with his bare hands, his hand would certainly be torn apart.

Just as Ye Changkong was about to dodge, a green spiritual light ribbon flew from nearby, entangling itself around the whip. A graceful figure slowly floated towards them from the other end of the ribbon and landed between Ye Changkong and Zhang Fan.

"Zhang Fan, I asked him to wait here for me. Any problem?" The girl was tall and slender with beautiful features and a hint of coldness in her voice.

"If I knew it was your order, Senior Sister, I wouldn't have said anything," Zhang Fan immediately replaced his fierce look with a hypocritical smile.

This kind of false flattery wasn't just because the girl was the goddess of all male disciples in Qingyun Sect, but also because she currently held the same status and popularity as Chu Yifan - Lin Yueqing!

"Okay, you can leave now," Lin Yueqing waved her hand, disgusted by Zhang Fan's behavior.

"Miss Lin, you've helped me once again," Ye Changkong couldn't help but smile wryly after Zhang Fan left. Besides the crush he had on her, he was far more grateful to her for how much she had done for him over the past three years. If not for her, those lackeys trying to curry favor with Chu Yifan would have already killed him.

She and Ye Changkong both come from a small town called Luofeng City, and since childhood they have shown extraordinary talents in martial arts, far superior to their peers.

I still remember three years ago when they left Luofeng City together to participate in the entrance examination of Qingyun Sect. It was envied by countless people all the way, like a pair of golden boy and jade girl.

However, in that assessment, Ye Changkong failed and lost all his genius aura, and his cultivation progress was difficult. She, on the other hand, remained outstanding.

Three years ago, they were on the same starting line, but after three years, the gap between them is like heaven and earth.

Even so, Lin Yueqing never alienated him, but rather encouraged him tirelessly.

Her care for him was not out of pity for their shared origin, but because she harbored a fantasy for him!

She hoped that one day he would regain his youthful energy and venture forth with her.

This is an inexplicable feeling between a man and a woman, a beautiful fantasy from her teenage years.

But three years have already worn away this beautiful illusion.

She came today to bid him farewell for the last time.

Because she will also leave Qingyun Sect.

From then on, perhaps like two opposite parallel lines, they will never intersect.

"I have to go. Maybe this is the last time I can help you."

Lin Yueqing turned her gaze, her eyes filled with indescribable affection.

"I know."

Ye Changkong nodded, feeling a little sad. He put on a smile and congratulated her, "Congratulations, Qing'er."

"It's just a pity that without you by my side, I will feel a bit lonely walking the road ahead alone."

Lin Yueqing sighed deeply and looked into the distance.

Ye Changkong could clearly feel the sadness and reluctance in her heart but didn't know how to persuade her to stay.

For a while, both of them fell silent.

As the sun slowly set, the evening glow was as beautiful as fire. The two of them sat quietly in a small green forest, seemingly admiring the scenery, but with heavy hearts.

"Qing'er, I remember you ran over here. The Sect Master and others are searching for you everywhere. We should also leave."

A young man's figure floated down from the sky, breaking the silence between the two. His voice was sneering and condescending as he looked down at Ye Changkong. He seemed to be clothed in a colorful light, like a fairy descending on earth.

"So, this waste is also here?" Chu Yifan's mouth curled up in disdain, as if he was looking at an ant.

When Ye Changkong saw the imposing figure, it was like a million volcanoes erupting within him, and his anger burned. In the past three years, he had been humiliated in the Miscellaneous Duties Hall all because of Chu Yifan's oppression.

Combined with the loss of his opportunity, it was akin to losing his parents. Old and new grievances erupted within him, causing Ye Changkong to lose his rationality.

"Chu Yifan! You despicable and shameless bastard, give me back my chance!"

He couldn't control his emotions, and his face twisted with anger. The veins on his face bulged, and he screamed as he threw a punch towards Chu Yifan.

"Seeking death."

When Chu Yifan's face turned cold, his hair rose, and a terrifying spiritual power emanated from him towards Ye Changkong like a sharp sword. It gave Ye Changkong a clear sense of death.

"Enough!"

Lin Yueqing shouted, releasing a magnificent spiritual power that blocked Chu Yifan's killing intent.

With just a collision of spiritual power, Ye Changkong was knocked back and vomited blood.

"Are you okay?" Lin Yueqing asked, looking at Ye Changkong.

Ye Changkong shook his head, gaze turning cold as he stared at Chu Yifan. He was frighteningly calm.

"You're just a coward hiding behind a woman!"

"I can save you for now, but I can't save you forever!"

Seeing the concern in Lin Yueqing's eyes for Ye Changkong, Chu Yifan became jealous.

After these words were spoken, his figure disappeared from their sight.

As for the threat to Ye Changkong, Chu Yifan didn't even think twice about it.

A humble existence like an ant-hardly worth mentioning-even if he left Qingyun Sect, Chu Yifan could have him killed with ease.

"I also have to go, take care of yourself in the future." Lin Yueqing took a deep breath, trying not to be attached.

She wanted to shine on a broader stage and couldn't stay in Qingyun Sect for him. He didn't want to see her stay in Qingyun Sect just for him.

Watching the graceful figure leaving, Ye Changkong felt a sharp pain in his heart, as if he had lost the most precious thing in his life.

"No, I haven't lost her. She'll come back, and we'll see each other again."

After a moment, the pain in Ye Changkong's eyes vanished, replaced by a blazing light.

If his talent wasn't equal to his peers, then he would put in ten or even a hundred times the effort they did. Someday, he would catch up with her and venture forth onto her broader stage.

"And you, Chu Yifan, just wait. One day, I'll take back everything that belongs to me from you piece by piece..."

...

At nightfall, all the busy disciples returned to their respective mountain gates, exhausted from today's banquet and went to sleep.

Only Ye Changkong sat alone at the mountaintop, cross-legged in deep meditation, feeling the fluctuations of spiritual energy in the air.

A strange handprint formed in front of him, and as he breathed in and out, a faint spiritual light entered his body through his nose and mouth.

However, the spiritual energy was immediately swallowed by a gray-black bead inside his dantian.

This black-gray bead had suddenly appeared in his body three years ago when he picked the Tianwu Spirit Fruit. It had been the culprit hindering his cultivation progress ever since.

"What the hell is this damn bead!" Ye Changkong couldn't help but curse as he saw his hard-won spiritual energy being devoured once more.

Buzz!

As he cursed, the gray-black bead suddenly began to tremble and emitted a misty haze.

The fog swirled around the bead, carrying an eerie power that seemed capable of engulfing people's souls into a vortex.

Ye Changkong lost control of his body and collapsed on the ground.

His consciousness was dragged into the vortex of the grey haze, and he could no longer resist its pull... (To be continued)