Another Expert? The Fallen Genius Xu Qing
Qin Wangchuan truly never expected that this Imperial Dynasty would produce Crouching Dragon and Fledgling Phoenix.
"Then let me see what's going on with you."
[Year 2]
Although you are young, you already show great promise.
When you were two years old, ordinary children were still babbling, but you were already able to write the word "Tao" on rice paper with a pen and ink. Although your writing was immature, there was a hint of spiritual charm in it, which attracted the admiration of the elders in the mansion.
And what's even more surprising is--
One day, while playing alone in the Library Pavilion, you unconsciously opened the Lineage's secret manual, the "Star Record." Your little hand rested on the page, and the Spirit Veins within your body glowed faintly, as if resonating with the cultivation technique.
The old servant guarding the Library Pavilion was so startled that he dropped his teacup and hurriedly reported to his Patriarch.
From then on, everyone in the Xu Clan knew—
Young Master Xu Qing is truly a genius!
[Year 3]
At the age of three, you seemed to draw upon the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, and all your peers regarded you as an idol.
[Year 4]
The mother gave birth to another daughter.
That day, the sky above the Xu Clan was ablaze with rosy light, and Spirit Crane carrying flowers arrived, circling for three days without leaving. The father stood outside the delivery room, a rare sight of gentle light on his face, and bestowed a name upon his little sister—
"Xu Ruoxuan."
You lie beside the cradle, gazing at this exquisitely beautiful little bundle of joy.
She suddenly grabbed your finger, giggled, and her eyes curved like crescent moons.
You casually made a vow. "I'm the strongest! Brother will protect you."
[Year 5]
While playing outside the Imperial City, you accidentally stumbled into a hidden place— the Immortal Bone Treasure Land.
The moment you stepped into this sacred land, a Remnant Soul suddenly entered your body. "Little one, I'll borrow your body for a bit!"
Your cultivation has been completely devoured, leaving you a cripple.
[Year 6]
You fell from grace, a genius fallen from Mortal World, and suffered endless scorn.
Your cousins have stolen your Cultivation Resources, and your servants treat you coldly.
Only your parents and your younger sister Xu Ruoxuan, always believed in you. "There's still light in your eyes, brother."
[Year 7]
You began to explore unconventional paths, specializing in formations and Dao of Alchemy.
In the stillness of the night, the Remnant Soul within him would sneer, "Without Spiritual Power, all of this is in vain!"
"If you know what's good for you, you'll offer me your body."
You learned that you were not possessed because of a [Mystic Soul Jade Pendant] that your mother brought back from her travels in the Secret Realm. This item can suppress the Divine Soul and protect your Spiritual Platform from destruction.
Even so, you are still afflicted every day.
You know perfectly well that there is a great demon within you, and you must not give up.
So you diligently studied alchemical texts, used the most basic medicinal herbs to refine "Pseudo Spirit Pill" for sale, and then purchased materials to repair formations.
[Year 8]
After being questioned repeatedly by your father, you finally told him the reason why you had lost all your cultivation.
While heartbroken, the father also thought of a solution. He set aside his dignity as the Patriarch and visited powerful figures everywhere, offering generous gifts to beg them to save you.
However, the Remnant Soul within you is too powerful; these so-called strong individuals simply cannot detect it.
Over time, some people thought you were just making a fuss over nothing, but only your father always believed you.
But the Lineage began to feel dissatisfied.
[Year 9]
That year, the mother went out to try her luck at the Secret Realm place where she had obtained the jade pendant, hoping to find a solution.
[Year 13]
On the day your mother returned, you saw her stagger into the mansion, her robes torn, and blood still dripping from the corner of her mouth.
She stroked your face, her voice hoarse, "Qing'er... Mother is so sorry..."
Tears mingled with blood as they dripped down. "I couldn't find anything that could help you..."
He fainted before he could finish speaking.
You kept reassuring your mother that it was good she was back, and that you yourself didn't care.
Focused on dealing with your mother, you didn't notice the increasingly determined look in your father's eyes.
[Year 14]
The mother remains unconscious.
Your father knocked on your door that night and talked to you for a long time.
Sensing something was wrong, you hurriedly tried to dissuade him, saying, "That Immortal Bone Treasure Land is extremely dangerous. If I'm crippled, so be it. Father, please don't take the risk!"
Your father gently stroked your head and said softly, "Don't worry, I'm not that stupid."
The next morning, the steward rushed in to report that the Patriarch, along with several trusted confidants, had vanished without a trace overnight.
You know perfectly well that your father most likely wanted to get into the Immortal Bone Treasure Land for your own sake.
Her younger sister, Ruoxuan, was sobbing softly beside her.
The Remnant Soul within him let out a piercing laugh, "Hahaha... another one going to their death!"
[Year 15]
After much hesitation, you still did not follow your father into the Immortal Bone Treasure Land.
Your mother is critically ill, and your younger sister is still young. You know perfectly well that all you can do now is wait.
[Year 16]
That year you finally achieved some mastery of formations and even made connections with the Crown Prince.
The future is promising.
[Year 17]
The Crown Prince has secretly entrusted you with the management of his Mystic Sound Pavilion.
Your eldest uncle is eager to take over the position of Patriarch, but fortunately, you have the Crown Prince's backing, so you don't need to worry for now.
He could only pray silently in his heart. "Father, please come back soon!"
[Year 18]
The Crown Prince severed his own realm and ascended the Ascension Path to his death.
You suddenly lost your support.
"Is it because of the Crown Prince again?" Qin Wangchuan clicked his tongue twice as he watched this scene. "You've really gotten yourself into trouble."
"Ah, I am the one who created the Celestial Person."
"That's all."
[Year 19]
The eldest uncle ascended to the position of Patriarch.
In order to win over other Lineage, he forcibly betrothed his younger sister to the Young Master of the Fan Clan, which is also one of the six major Lineage.
This man has a terrible reputation and is known for collecting and exploiting women.
You knelt in the Ancestral Hall for three days and three nights, begging your uncle to retract his decision.
What I got in return was a brutal beating. "You piece of trash, how dare you point fingers at me?"
[Year 20]
That year, my father still hadn't returned.
On the eve of her wedding, the younger sister, dressed in red, cried and said, "Brother... I'm scared..."
You comforted her and told her not to be afraid.
On the wedding day, the Fan Clan's wedding procession was filled with the sounds of gongs and drums, and red silk was laid out all along the long street.
You single-handedly blocked the entire Fan Clan, while the surrounding guests pointed and whispered, their laughter echoing throughout the room.
"Isn't this that good-for-nothing from the Xu Clan?"
"What, trying to block our way?"
You turn a deaf ear, simply close your eyes and concentrate, letting your consciousness sink into the depths of your Sea of Consciousness.
"Old man," you stared at the churning Black Mist, "How about we make a deal?"
The Remnant Soul let out a hoarse laugh, "Finally figured it out?"
"As long as you protect my sister and mother," you said, emphasizing each word, "My body is yours."
"Make a deal."
In an instant, a monstrous black aura erupted from your body! The world suddenly changed color, dark clouds loomed overhead, as if the end of the world had arrived.
The Fan Clan's wedding procession was at the forefront.
Those cultivators who were just laughing and joking didn't even have time to scream before they turned into dried-up corpses.
Blood flowed backwards like a river, surging into your body and becoming nourishment for your Remnant Soul.
Once the Remnant Soul becomes stronger, its first instinct is to devour you.
The control over one's body has been completely taken away.
You watched helplessly as you uncontrollably raised your hand, and a beam of black light shot straight towards the Xu Clan mansion—
"No! You promised!" you roared in your Sea of Consciousness.
The Remnant Soul's cold laughter echoed in your ears, "Fool. Everyone knows I don't keep my promises!"
"If it's a vow made by the Great Dao, then I must be somewhat wary. You only have yourself to blame for being too weak."
A deafening roar came from the direction of the Xu residence, and flames shot into the sky.
You watch in despair as your sister's red makeup is consumed by flames, and your mother's figure appears and disappears in the sea of fire...
When all was silent, the Remnant Soul sighed contentedly, "What a perfect body..."
Your last conscious thought floats in the void, watching the Remnant Soul control your body, and you let out a long howl towards the sky.
Deep within the Imperial City, several terrifying auras suddenly awakened—
"What kind of monster is this?!"
A golden palm print descended from the heavens, and the Remnant Soul's expression changed drastically.
The Black Mist surged wildly, forcing you to hastily manipulate your body to escape.
But the golden light followed like a shadow, turning the surrounding area for miles into a cage.
"Trying to leave?"
A cold snort echoed from the void, and the palm print suddenly accelerated.
The Remnant Soul let out a shrill scream, forced to redirect all its Devil Qi to resist.
The instant the two forces collided—
You see your body turn to dust in the golden light.
"No! I finally managed to..."
The roar of the Remnant Soul abruptly ceased.
As the last wisp of Black Mist was cleansed by the golden light, you heard the call of your loved ones echoing from the void:
"Son..."
"Elder brother..."
Darkness gently swallowed you.
You are dead.