Fallen Immortal

Dai Zhiqiang fell, face-first, on the snow-covered ground. His seven orifices were bleeding, his core was shattered and his life was slowly fading.

As he struggled for breath, Zhiqiang wondered how he ended up in such a pitiable state. He was a man blessed by the gods. A child gifted with a metal elemental seed by the Ox God himself. A talent revered by many, hailed as an undefeated hero who was at the prime of his life.

Born to a great clan, Dai Zhiqiang's road had been smooth and unhindered. The clan's boundless wealth ensured he would never lack herbs, potions and pills to aid his cultivation. His God-given talents cemented his prestige and earned him a reputation on par with the top geniuses of his generation.

Granted, his breakthroughs were brutal and took longer than those of his peers but Zhiqiang was innately hard-working and more stubborn than anyone. And though he had to suffer excruciating pain with each advancement, Zhiqiang saw it as an opportunity to train his mind and cultivate his Dao heart.

When did he stray? How did he lose his way?

The Dai clan is amongst the most prestigious clans within the continent. Zhiqiang is the only son of the main branch of the family, the clan's young master.

When it was professed that Zhiqiang received the elemental seed bestowed by the Ox God, the clan celebrated his birth and boon for a hundred days. And after his aptitude was tested the patriarch unhesitatingly declared Zhiqiang as the clan's successor.

The Dai clan's future was unwaveringly placed on Zhiqiang's shoulders and as he grew older, the load of his responsibilities became heavier.

Zhiqiang doesn't remember when, exactly, the expectations of those around him became a burden.

At first, he regarded everything as a motivation, an inspiration to do better. But as the eyes of those around him turn from simple respect to fanatical reverence, a seed of doubt unnoticeably sprouted in his heart.

Demons born in the hearts of men are the hardest to detect and vanquish. A cultivator's heart needs to be tranquil, at peace. Once a person starts to lose confidence in himself and question his path, it's over. Countless fail to attain immortality because of the affairs in the mundane world.

The seed of doubt in Zhiqiang's heart had, unfortunately, taken root. He failed his heavenly tribulation and his failure was difficult to swallow.

As he drew a ragged breath, Zhiqiang couldn't help but lament his unexpected weakness. He was faultless in every aspect, except one. But in cultivation even the tiniest flaw could cause a deviation.

The energy of heaven and earth was gradually drained from Zhiqiang's broken body. And as he strained for his final breath, Zhiqiang opened his mouth to scream at the injustice of it all but no sound came out. Even after a long while had passed Zhiqiang only stared sightlessly at the heavily falling snow. There was no sound, only silence.

The end… or is it?