Xiao Chen, the Prodigy of Days Past

In a secluded residence in the Sword Dao Institute's outer court.

A dejected young man sat in the courtyard, looking up at the sky, his bright eyes full of confusion.

This young man was Xiao Chen, the Sword Dao Institute's chief disciple and its greatest prodigy in a hundred years.

After the outer court competition in half a year, he would have been able to enter the inner court and become a true disciple of the Sword Dao Institute.

But half a month ago, all of it had vanished like a bubble.

A month ago, he had fought a great battle with the demonic beast guarding a Five-Colored Ice Lotus in order to claim it.

Although he had obtained the lotus, he had also suffered grievous injuries. His dantian had been destroyed, leaving him unable to continue cultivating and utterly crippled.

In an instant, he had fallen from the clouds into the abyss.

The junior brothers and sisters who used to follow him had immediately cut ties with him.

Those who had once fawned over him had also begun kicking him while he was down, subjecting him to either mockery or punches and kicks every day.

What pained him most was not becoming a cripple.

It was that he had endured countless hardships to bring the Five-Colored Ice Lotus back to the Dao-Seeking Academy and give it to his fiancée, Qin Rou.

Yet less than a month after receiving the Five-Colored Ice Lotus, Qin Rou had abruptly turned her back on him.

She said an inner court elder had taken a liking to her and that she would soon become a true disciple of the inner court.

A cripple like Xiao Chen was simply not worthy of her.

She had also had the Qin Clan break off her engagement to Xiao Chen.

When Xiao Chen received the news yesterday, he had fainted on the spot.

When he woke up this morning, more terrible news had come: the Dao-Seeking Academy was expelling him and had already sent word for his mother to come and fetch him.

At the thought of his mother, Xiao Chen's heart felt as though it were being cut by knives.

He had been born in the Third Prince's residence in the mortal Great Liang Kingdom.

His mother was only a secondary consort of the Third Prince. He was her only child, and she had poured all the effort of her life into raising him.

It could be said that he was now everything to his mother.

When Xiao Chen left Great Liang, he had solemnly promised his mother that he would become a remarkable figure and take her away from the prince's residence to live a good life.

Yet after little more than two years at the Dao-Seeking Academy, he had failed to keep his word.

Whenever he thought of the reluctance and comfort in his mother's eyes when they parted,

Xiao Chen felt like killing himself. How could he possibly face his mother now?

Rather than cling to a miserable existence in this world and suffer humiliation, he might as well end what remained of his life.

He slowly raised his hand, about to strike his own face.

A familiar voice came from outside the courtyard gate.

"Chen'er, Mother has good news for you."

When Xiao Chen heard that voice, his raised hand stopped in midair.

He turned toward the courtyard gate and saw his haggard mother standing there, tears in her eyes and a forced smile on her face.

Thud!

Xiao Chen fell to his knees and said to his mother, "Mother, your son has been unfilial. I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused you."

Consort Xiao hurried forward and helped her son up. "It's no trouble for Mother. As long as you're alive and well, I can rest easy."

No matter how strong Xiao Chen was inside, his eyes instantly grew wet at his mother's words.

All the grievances he had suffered these past days came bursting forth at that moment.

But he still fought back his tears. He could not let his mother worry about him anymore.

"Thank you, Mother."

As the saying went, a mother and son's hearts were connected.

How could Consort Xiao fail to sense the grievances in her son's heart? She quickly said, "Chen'er, don't be upset. Mother came today to tell you that you can still stay at the Dao-Seeking Academy and cultivate."

"How is that possible?"

Xiao Chen looked puzzled.

His mother was merely a secondary consort of Great Liang's Third Prince. Even the emperor of Great Liang could not force the Dao-Seeking Academy to let him stay.

Compared to the Dao-Seeking Academy, a mere mortal dynasty like Great Liang was not worth mentioning.

Consort Xiao said, "Have you heard of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute? Its head is willing to take you as his disciple. Mother has already agreed."

"The Miscellaneous Dao Institute."

The confusion on Xiao Chen's face disappeared, replaced by understanding.

The only place at the Dao-Seeking Academy willing to offer him a place now was the Miscellaneous Dao Institute, which had neither renowned teachers nor students.

But if he joined the Miscellaneous Dao Institute, he would only be able to live out his life as an unremarkable man.

Even if his life was safe, he could forget about cultivating again.

Seeing that her son said nothing, Consort Xiao continued to encourage him. "Chen'er, Mother believes you won't be brought down by this little setback. As long as you stay at the Dao-Seeking Academy, the day will come when you can stand up again."

Looking at the hope in his mother's eyes, Xiao Chen naturally did not want to disappoint her.

"You're right, Mother. I can still stand up again. I'm willing to join the Miscellaneous Dao Institute."

"Good, good. I'll go and invite the head of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute in right now."

As Consort Xiao spoke, she wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes. Her son still had the will to fight, and her anxious heart was nearly at ease.

Xiao Chen said, "Mother, I'll go with you to welcome the head of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute."

"Mm."

Mother and son walked out of the courtyard together.

Chu Feng stood outside the residence, gazing up at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle, a handsome curve on his lips.

As footsteps sounded, Madam Xiao and Xiao Chen appeared in his field of vision.

The corners of his mouth lifted slightly when he saw them. He had not expected Madam Xiao to act so quickly.

Xiao Chen walked up to Chu Feng and bowed slightly. "Student Xiao Chen pays his respects to Head Chu."

"No need for formalities."

Chu Feng had barely finished speaking when he saw Xiao Chen fall to his knees with a thud.

"Please, Head, you must take me as your disciple!"

Xiao Chen spoke with a look of determination.

Chu Feng had not expected the boy to make his decision so quickly. He truly was a man with the template of a novel protagonist.

He raised a hand and helped Xiao Chen up. "Good. I'll take you as my disciple. From today onward, you are my disciple and the chief disciple of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute."

"Thank you, Master."

Xiao Chen did not give much thought to becoming the chief disciple of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute. What he needed to do was stay at the Dao-Seeking Academy and fight for a sliver of hope.

"Ding! Congratulations, Host, on successfully taking a disciple. Host is rewarded with ten years of cultivation and ten years of lifespan."

As soon as the voice fell silent, Chu Feng felt a powerful surge of spiritual power flow into his body.

In an instant, he felt warm inside, and his entire body was filled with strength.

That feels good!

The smile on Chu Feng's face grew even brighter, and the sight of Xiao Chen became especially pleasing to him.

Chu Feng's gaze made Xiao Chen a little uneasy, and he asked instinctively, "Master, what should we do now?"

Chu Feng then restrained his smile and said, "I'll take you to the student records office now to complete the transfer procedures, so everyone knows that you, Xiao Chen, are my disciple.

"From now on, you're under my protection. No one is allowed to trample on you."

Xiao Chen felt a warmth in his heart at those words. He had endured more than enough scorn these past days, and Chu Feng's concern made him secretly swear, From now on, I'll hold Master above all else, without a word of dissent!

"Thank you, Master. From now on, Xiao Chen's life belongs to you!"