Chapter Two: Awakening to Five Hundred Years in Reverse

Legend has it that a River of Time exists in this world, supporting its flow. By harnessing the power of the Spring Autumn Cicada, one can reverse the flow and return to the past.

Opinions on this legend vary widely. Many do not believe it; some are skeptical.

Almost no one truly believes it.

Because every time the Spring Autumn Cicada is used, a life must be sacrificed, offering one's entire body and cultivation as fuel.

The price is exorbitant, and even more unbearable is the uncertainty—one may give up their life without knowing the outcome.

Even those who obtain the Spring Autumn Cicada dare not use it recklessly.

What if the legend is false, merely a ruse?

If Fang Yuan had not been cornered, he would not have used it so soon.

But now, Fang Yuan believed it utterly.

The undeniable fact lay before him. He had indeed been reborn!

"It's a pity about this great Gu. It took immense effort and the slaughter of tens of thousands to create it, arousing the wrath of heaven and earth, and immense hardship..." Fang Yuan sighed inwardly. Although he had been reborn, the Spring Autumn Cicada had not come along.

Humans are the spirit of all creatures, and Gu are the essence of heaven and earth.

There are countless types of Gu, each bizarre and unique. Some Gu disappear after one or two uses, while others can be used repeatedly if not overused.

The Spring Autumn Cicada might be a consumable Gu that could only be used once.

"But even if it's gone, I can refine another one. If I could do it in my previous life, why not in this one?" After his regret, Fang Yuan's heart swelled with ambition.

Being reborn was already an enormous gain; the loss of the Spring Autumn Cicada was acceptable.

Moreover, he still had a treasure: the memory and experience of five hundred years.

Within his memory lay countless treasures, yet to be discovered. There were significant events he could easily manipulate, historical milestones he could foresee, and countless figures, some of whom had not even been born yet. There were also five hundred years of arduous cultivation and rich combat experience.

With these, he held the upper hand and could dominate the world again, perhaps even surpassing his previous achievements.

"So, how should I proceed..." Fang Yuan, extremely rational, quickly collected his emotions and contemplated the rainy night outside the window.

Thinking about it, he felt overwhelmed.

After a moment, his brow furrowed deeper.

Five hundred years was a long time. Ignoring the vague, forgotten memories, even the known treasure locations and opportunities were either thousands of miles apart or required specific timing to access.

"The key is cultivation. Right now, my sea of primeval essence is unopened. I haven't even started on the path of a Gu Master, essentially just a mortal! I must cultivate quickly, increase my strength, and seize opportunities before history unfolds."

Many hidden treasures require a certain level of cultivation to utilize, or else they become burdens, attracting unwanted attention.

The first challenge before Fang Yuan was cultivation.

He needed to elevate his cultivation swiftly. Moving at a leisurely pace like in his previous life would be too slow.

"To enhance my cultivation rapidly, I must leverage the family's resources. In my current state, I have no ability to navigate the treacherous mountains. Even an ordinary boar could take my life. Reaching the third rank of Gu Master would give me basic self-defense, enabling me to traverse this world."

Through the eyes of a demon lord honed over five hundred years, Qing Mao Mountain seemed incredibly small, and the Gu Yue Village felt like a cage.

However, a cage that confined freedom also often represented safety.

"Hmph, for now, I'll stretch my wings within this cage. Once I reach the third rank of Gu Master, I'll leave this barren land. Fortunately, tomorrow is the Awakening Ceremony, and shortly after, I can begin my journey as a Gu Master."

Thinking of the Awakening Ceremony, memories long buried surfaced in Fang Yuan's mind.

"Talent..." He sneered, looking out the window.

At this moment, the door opened gently, and a boy walked in.

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

The boy was thin, slightly shorter than Fang Yuan, and bore a striking resemblance to him.

Fang Yuan turned to look at the boy, a complex expression flashing across his face.

"It's you, my twin brother." He raised an eyebrow slightly, his expression returning to its usual coldness.

Fang Zheng lowered his head, staring at his toes – his signature move: "I saw your window was open and wanted to close it quietly. Tomorrow is the Awakening Ceremony, brother. If you stay up too late, uncle and aunt will worry."

He was not surprised by Fang Yuan's coldness; his brother had always been like this.

Sometimes he thought perhaps geniuses were just different. Although he bore a striking resemblance to his brother, he felt as insignificant as an ant.

Born from the same womb, why was the world so unfair? His brother had diamond-like talent, while he was as ordinary as a stone.

Everyone around him always referred to him as "Fang Yuan's brother."

His uncle and aunt constantly urged him to learn from his brother.

Even he sometimes looked in the mirror and felt disgusted by his face.

These thoughts had been with him for many years, accumulating in his heart like a heavy stone, making Fang Zheng's head hang lower and his speech more reticent.

"Worry..." Thinking of his uncle and aunt, Fang Yuan sneered silently.

He remembered clearly how his parents had died on a family mission, leaving him and his brother orphans at the age of three.

His uncle and aunt had taken them in, but only to seize their parents' inheritance and treat them harshly.

As a transmigrator, he had planned to lie low, but life's hardships forced him to display extraordinary "talents."

The so-called genius was merely a mature soul's rationality and a few timeless Tang and Song poems from Earth.

This little display of skill was already deemed miraculous, attracting widespread attention. Under external pressure, young Fang Yuan had to adopt a cold demeanor to protect himself and minimize the risk of exposure.

Over time, coldness became his habitual expression.

This way, his uncle and aunt couldn't mistreat him and his brother anymore. As he grew older and his prospects brightened, his treatment improved.

But this wasn't out of love; it was an investment.

Ridiculously, his brother remained oblivious to the truth, not only deceived by their uncle and aunt but also harboring resentment toward Fang Yuan. Despite his current obedient appearance, Fang Zheng had targeted, troubled, and suppressed his elder brother many times after being identified with A-grade talent and receiving strong family support.

As for Fang Yuan's talent...

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

Fate loved playing jokes.

Twin brothers, the elder with only C-grade talent, enjoyed the title of genius for over ten years. The younger, obscure, had A-grade talent.

The results of the Awakening Ceremony shocked the family, reversing the brothers' statuses and treatment.

The younger brother soared like a dragon, while the elder brother fell like a phoenix.

Subsequently, there were multiple instances of trouble from his brother, cold stares from his uncle and aunt, and the family's scorn.

Hatred?

Fang Yuan had hated in his past life. He hated his lack of talent, the family's heartlessness, and the unfairness of fate.

But now, with five hundred years of life experience, he reexamined this period and felt no resentment.

What was there to hate?

Considering it from their perspective, he could understand his brother, his uncle and aunt, and those righteous enemies who besieged him five hundred years later.

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

Moreover, everyone has their ambitions. Competing for opportunities, suppressing and killing each other, what's incomprehensible about that?

Five hundred years of experience had long made him see through it all. His heart only pursued the path to immortality.

Anyone who blocked this pursuit, no matter who they were, it was simply a matter of life or death.

His ambition was too great. Stepping on this path meant becoming an enemy of the world, destined to walk alone and face endless killing.

This was the realization condensed from five hundred years of life.

"Revenge is not my plan; the path of a demon never compromises." Thinking this, Fang Yuan couldn't help but smile. He turned to his brother, gave him a cold glance, and said, "You may leave."

Fang Zheng felt a shiver in his heart, sensing that his brother's gaze was as sharp as an ice blade, seemingly piercing into his deepest thoughts.

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

"See you tomorrow, brother." Not daring to say more, Fang Zheng slowly closed the door and retreated.