Ever since that day, Feng Zian had noticed a profound change in his ninth brother.
The boy still greeted him with the same bright smile every time, yet whenever Feng Zian stood near him, an inexplicable chill settled over his body. It was as though invisible walls had closed in, trapping him in helpless dread.
From that very day onward, the ninth young master displayed a talent that stunned the entire marquis residence. In just one month, he advanced from the third layer of Spirit Awakening to the ninth layer—an ascent so rapid it seemed almost unnatural.
Even the long-silent ancestral figure of the residence, the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas, was roused from seclusion. He personally took the boy under his wing for direct guidance.
Feng Zian sighed to himself. "I only wanted Ninth Brother to enjoy a carefree childhood. I can't think of anywhere I might have offended him."
After careful reflection, he found nothing and finally relaxed.
…
Inside a resplendent palace hall, Su Chen stood beside an old man clad in purple robes.
The elder's hair was snow-white, his appearance frail with age, yet the vital energy coursing through him surged like an endless, raging river. Merely sitting there, he seemed to occupy the very center of heaven and earth, radiating overwhelming divine might.
This was the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas—one of the ten strongest figures in the Heavenly Wind Kingdom. A powerhouse at the sixth layer of the Spirit Soul realm.
"Spirit Soul realm… so this is what a Spirit Soul expert feels like. A marquis-level figure—practically no different from an immortal. If I had faced someone at this level in my previous life, a single glare would have killed me."
Su Chen's heart trembled. This was the closest he had ever come to a Spirit Soul cultivator. He had heard that upon reaching the Spirit Soul realm, one cultivated the power of the divine soul—an existence fundamentally distinct from anything below it.
Time and again, when the Heavenly Wind Kingdom teetered on the brink of collapse, it was these Spirit Soul powerhouses who turned the tide.
"Not bad at all. This level of aptitude has appeared only once before in the entire recorded history of our Heavenly Wind Kingdom!"
A delighted smile spread across the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas' face.
He had heard rumors that the current useless family head had produced a ninth son with astonishing talent, but he had paid it little mind.
Then, two months earlier, word reached him that the boy had suddenly awakened, leaping from the third layer of Spirit Awakening to the ninth in a single month.
Regret gnawed at the old marquis. He should have brought the child to his side much sooner. This boy was clearly a blessing upon his own bloodline!
Four precious years of such talent had been squandered. Had those years not been wasted, the child might already have shattered every cultivation record in the kingdom.
"Thank you for the praise, Grandfather Jinghai," Su Chen said.
His small frame tilted upward, large eyes sparkling and innocent. The sight made the old marquis' fondness grow even deeper.
"But Grandfather Jinghai," Su Chen continued, curiosity shining in his gaze, "who was the number-one genius recorded in the Heavenly Wind Kingdom's history?"
He was genuinely interested. In this life, his cultivation talent held every promise of breaking through to the Spirit Soul realm.
Yet even so, compared to the true monsters chronicled in the kingdom's annals, he paled in comparison. Take the man before him—the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas, already at the sixth layer of Spirit Soul. Su Chen doubted he could reach that height even if he cultivated until his dying breath.
His current speed stemmed from two advantages: the experience of walking the path twice in his previous life, and the Burning Spirit Secret Art recorded in the Spirit Communion King's manual—a technique that burned away lifespan in exchange for explosive short-term progress.
In his former life, breaking through to the Spirit Sea should have granted him three hundred years of life. After using the Burning Spirit Secret Art, that lifespan shrank to only two hundred.
The drawbacks were severe—it devoured potential and lifespan alike—but Su Chen no longer cared. In this life, he harbored only one thought: Every single member of the Feng clan must die.
With such overwhelming advantages—and at such a terrible cost—his cultivation speed was undoubtedly unparalleled. At least within the Heavenly Wind Kingdom, he believed no one could match it. Yet now he had just heard that someone else had once been even more monstrous.
The Marquis of Pacifying the Seas narrowed his eyes and chuckled. "That is a legend. It is said that the very founding of our Heavenly Wind Kingdom is tied to him. Our Feng clan's Grand Ancestor befriended that mythical figure, and together they overthrew the previous dynasty to establish the Heavenly Wind Kingdom. Even the Grand Ancestor once admitted that his own cultivation fell far short of that man's. He said that standing before him was like a fish in a pond gazing up at the boundless sky."
Su Chen's eyes flickered. A kingdom's founding ancestor was undoubtedly a legendary figure, yet he had spoken of himself in such humble terms.
"Is that lord still in seclusion somewhere within our Heavenly Wind Kingdom?" Su Chen asked curiously.
The old marquis shook his head. "After helping the Grand Ancestor establish the kingdom, that mythical figure set out alone into the wider world. No word of him has been heard since."
Su Chen blinked, a surge of delight rising in his heart. A being of that caliber was no longer in the Heavenly Wind Kingdom. Heaven itself was aiding him! On his face, though, he let his expression droop as though deeply disappointed.
The Marquis of Pacifying the Seas laughed and scolded him fondly. "You little rascal, don't tell me you're actually scheming to challenge that myth? Are you saying this old man's cultivation isn't enough to guide you anymore?"
Su Chen hurriedly shook his head. "Grandfather Jinghai ranks as the number-one powerhouse in the Heavenly Wind Kingdom in Chen'er's heart—the kingdom's pillar, the greatest man alive, and the foremost warrior of our Feng clan!"
The old marquis grinned so widely his mouth nearly reached his ears. "Still as smooth-tongued as ever. I'm nowhere near as grand as you make me out to be."
Seizing the moment, Su Chen pressed gently. "Then who exactly was that mythical man who helped the Grand Ancestor found the kingdom?"
In an excellent mood, the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas shared the secret with him. "That mythical figure… his name was Li Shenhua! He was the divinely favored one of the Li family!"
…
Five years passed in the blink of an eye.
Under the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas' personal tutelage, Su Chen's cultivation soared. He soon reached the first layer of Spirit Vein.
A fourteen-year-old at the first layer of Spirit Vein—such a feat would shock anyone who heard it.
That year, after careful consideration, the old marquis decided to send Su Chen to the Heavenly Wind Martial Mansion for further tempering.
Within the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas' branch of the family, Su Chen had long since become the undisputed young lord—often the "young" part was dropped altogether. All the overt and hidden forces of the marquis residence answered directly to him.
In this life, his useless father was nothing more than a figurehead. To the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas, Su Chen was the true heir.
Returning once more to the royal capital, Su Chen felt a tide of emotions. In this life, both his status and his talent stood at the pinnacle of the Heavenly Wind Kingdom. If he chose to slow down and walk this path carefully, he might live a fulfilling existence.
Unfortunately…
He closed his eyes, and the scenes from his previous life flooded back.
Outside a luxurious carriage, heavy snow fell in thick goose-feather flakes.
"Young Marquis, we have arrived at the Heavenly Wind Martial Mansion."
The steward stood respectfully outside the carriage, speaking in a low voice as though afraid to disturb him.
Su Chen stepped slowly out.
Beyond the carriage waited a crowd of instructors and students from the Heavenly Wind Martial Mansion. All eyes turned curiously toward the opulent vehicle. There he was—the number-one genius of the Heavenly Wind Kingdom! Like Quote ReplyReport Reactions:Skyo, Axes, DivyanshKundu and 91 others
From that day onward, Su Chen began his studies at the Heavenly Wind Martial Mansion. As the foremost martial institution in the Heavenly Wind Kingdom, its heritage spoke for itself. Its founder, like the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas, ranked among the kingdom's ten greatest powerhouses. Every student here was exceptional without exception: all carried the blood of the kingdom's most exalted noble houses.
"Young Marquis, Young Master Feng Hongyu has sent an invitation requesting your presence at his banquet."
A refined and gentle-looking young woman stood at Su Chen's side, speaking with quiet respect as she presented the card.
Su Chen glanced at the invitation in her hand. Even the distinctive metallic embossing on its surface was worth a fortune. In his mind rose the details of Feng Hongyu's background: a genius of the main branch who had broken through to the first layer of Spirit Vein at only seventeen years old.
Su Chen accepted the invitation without comment.
The woman said nothing further. She had been personally assigned by the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas to attend to Su Chen three years earlier and had long since come to understand his temperament. She suspected the young marquis had developed an interest in the gathering.
Once she withdrew, Su Chen toyed idly with the invitation and let out a soft sigh. His grandfather, the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas, truly doted on him. Several Spirit Sea realm experts shadowed him day and night for protection. It was done out of genuine care.
Yet it also meant Su Chen could not slip away to revisit the places of his previous life or retrieve the Spirit Communion manual buried in the earth.
For the time being, those things remained out of reach.
Fortunately, the translated version of the Spirit Communion technique he had memorized in his former life was sufficient to carry him all the way to the Spirit Sea realm in this one.
Su Chen set the invitation aside. He had no particular interest in Feng Hongyu himself, nor was he simply going for the spectacle.
He intended to use the occasion to assess the kingdom's most outstanding younger generation—to see whether any of them posed a real threat to his plans, or whether some might be worth recruiting once his great undertaking began.
And, incidentally, to determine whether any "old acquaintances" had left behind sons.
…
Five days later.
Inside an opulent residence, throngs of young elites had gathered. Any one of them, if set loose in the outside world, would have caused a sensation.
The blood of the kingdom's most honored lineages flowed through their veins. A magnificent carriage drawn by nine winged horses drew to a halt before the gates, drawing countless admiring glances.
Each steed was strikingly beautiful, their silver coats gleaming like masterwork sculptures. More astonishing still, every single one possessed the strength of the Spirit Vein realm—a rare and exotic breed of spirit beast.
"It's the young marquis of the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas!"
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. They were all geniuses. Yet the youth inside that carriage surpassed them in both talent and nobility of blood.
At that moment, within the grand hall of the residence, mist drifted lazily through the air, and rosy clouds seemed to glow from within, creating the illusion of an immortal paradise on earth. Twenty figures sat scattered among the seats, conversing with easy warmth and laughter.
"Young Marquis of the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas has arrived!"
At the servant's announcement, every head in the hall turned in unison toward the entrance.
A youth with cool, indifferent features and an air of innate nobility stepped slowly into the palace. His gaze swept the room once.
Su Chen spotted several descendants of his old enemies without betraying any emotion. He moved to the seat of honor and sat down calmly.
Feng Hongyu's face lit up the moment he saw him. "Cousin, my royal father speaks of you every day, painting you as some celestial being descended to earth. Now that I see you in person, his praise doesn't do you justice. No wonder you occupy his thoughts so constantly."
Feng Hongyu was the forty-third son of the current Heavenly Wind King and one of his father's favorites. By addressing Su Chen as "cousin," he deliberately sought to close the distance between them.
Su Chen lifted his eyes briefly. "I am grateful for His Majesty's and Your Highness's regard."
The words were polite, yet his face remained utterly expressionless—cold as a block of ice.
Feng Hongyu paid the chill no mind. Geniuses were entitled to a measure of arrogance, especially one whom even the old monsters of the main branch praised without reservation. He was confident he could eventually win the boy over and bring him into his fold.
The banquet proceeded with flowing wine and lively conversation. Su Chen made the acquaintance of many young heirs from the kingdom's great houses—each descended from ancestors whose martial achievements rang through history.
Among them was one he thought of day and night, the object of his deepest hatred. The commander of the Black Tortoise Army, renowned throughout the Heavenly Wind Kingdom as the Marquis of Black Tortoise.
Yu Zhengde's son!
Su Chen lowered his gaze. Murderous intent filled his eyes.
"So the old bastard finally managed to sire a son after a lifetime of daughters."
He wondered whether heaven had delivered this gift on purpose. What would it do to Yu Zhengde to watch his most precious son die right before his eyes?
Not yet. His position in this life was far too valuable, and he had already spent an enormous number of Reverse Fate Points. Throwing it all away to take one of Yu Zhengde's descendants down with him would be an unacceptable loss.
By the time the banquet ended, Su Chen appeared as though nothing at all had happened.
…
Three years passed in the blink of an eye.
In that time, Su Chen's cultivation advanced to the seventh layer of Spirit Vein. He was now sixteen. Over those years, he had befriended countless geniuses and powerful figures across the Heavenly Wind Kingdom. Anyone with eyes could see that his future was limitless.
That reality filled his older brothers—and his utterly useless father—with burning jealousy. As long as Su Chen remained in the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas' branch, they would never see the light of day.
"Brother Feng Chen."
A clear, bright voice rang out. A girl of fifteen or sixteen entered with a radiant smile. Even at her young age, her beauty already had the power to topple cities and ruin kingdoms.
Princess Huai'an—hailed as the foremost beauty of her generation in the Heavenly Wind Kingdom. She was the daughter the current king cherished above all others. And in this life, she was Su Chen's fiancée.
Beyond Princess Huai'an, his grandfather the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas had arranged betrothals with numerous daughters of high nobility, all in hopes that Su Chen would spread his branches wide.
"So it's Huai'an."
Su Chen concealed the hatred in his eyes, lifted his gaze, and spoke indifferently.
Princess Huai'an fluttered over and produced an armful of treasures—pills, cultivation manuals, spirit artifacts.
"Brother Feng Chen is competing in the Martial Dao Grand Tournament tomorrow. These will surely be useful to you!"
She pushed the pile toward him. Her large, watery eyes curved into playful crescents, full of lively charm. If outsiders saw the kingdom's number-one beauty behaving this way toward a man, countless young elites would have their hearts shattered on the spot.
Su Chen's expression flickered with genuine surprise when he saw the items. Among them were priceless treasures, including several fourth-grade pills. It looked as though she had raided half the royal treasury.
He gently pushed everything back toward her. "Even without these things, I would still be the foremost genius of the Heavenly Wind Kingdom. If your royal father discovers you've taken so many valuables from the palace at once, the consequences could be severe."
Princess Huai'an shook her head vigorously. "Father loves me too much. He would never punish me."
She pushed the items back toward him again, cheeks puffed out like an adorable, stubborn kitten.
"Brother Feng Chen, these are gifts. You have to accept them."
Su Chen sighed helplessly and finally took them.
Princess Huai'an beamed with joy.
Yet a faint pang of guilt stirred in Su Chen's heart.
"To scheme against such a young girl like this… If she ever learned the truth, she would surely hate me to the bone."
Before him, the smile never left Princess Huai'an's face. She shone like moonlight trapped in endless darkness. Like Quote ReplyReport Reactions:Skyo, Axes, DivyanshKundu and 91 others
The next day marked the Heavenly Wind Kingdom's Martial Dao Grand Tournament. Geniuses from every sect had gathered, making this one of the most talent-rich editions in nearly a century.
Unfortunately for them, a monster had appeared this time. Even those who had reached the third layer of Spirit Vein stood no chance. The gulf between the third layer and the seventh layer of Spirit Vein was simply too vast.
Su Chen did not even need to move his body. With a single strike, he sent his opponent flying in defeat. He then entered the Spirit Pool for cultivation and advanced once more, breaking through to the eighth layer of Spirit Vein. His path in this life proceeded without the slightest hindrance.
Su Chen spent another year cultivating at the Heavenly Wind Martial Mansion, finally reaching the ninth layer of Spirit Vein before graduating. He became the youngest graduate in the history of the Heavenly Wind Martial Mansion.
After leaving the mansion, Su Chen did not return directly to the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas' residence. Instead, he set out first for the Heavenly Wave Sect. His stated reason was to verify and refine his martial techniques.
Thus, accompanied by his maidservant, guards, and steward, Su Chen proceeded grandly toward the Heavenly Wave Sect.
…
Half a month later, inside the Heavenly Wave Sect.
"May I ask what business brings the young marquis to our Heavenly Wave Sect?"
The sect master of the Heavenly Wave Sect regarded the youthful figure before him with extreme caution. This visitor's status far outranked that of the entire sect.
Su Chen spoke calmly. "I wish to cultivate here at the Heavenly Wave Sect for half a year. This is my token of sincerity. I hope Sect Master Yang will grant permission."
He presented a jade box.
The sect master opened it just a crack. His expression changed dramatically. He snapped it shut at once and broke into a wide smile. "If it is the young marquis who requests it, then of course it can be arranged."
He hesitated, however, a trace of reluctance appearing on his face.
Su Chen gave a soft laugh. "Rest assured, Senior Yang. I have no intention of coveting your sect's core techniques, nor will I enter any restricted areas."
At those words, the sect master's smile returned in full force, and he readily agreed. Once inside the Heavenly Wave Sect, Su Chen's claim of "verifying martial techniques" was nothing more than an excuse. What he truly wanted was to see an old acquaintance.
A month later, his guards finally relaxed their vigilance. At Su Chen's request, they allowed him to wander freely within the sect grounds. And so he found the place where his old acquaintance now resided.
Deep within Bamboo Peak.
Seeing Li Qingyue again, Su Chen found her greatly aged. He still remembered her from his first life—the proud, unyielding demeanor she wore when she came to break off the engagement.
Now, before him stood only a solitary old woman who spent her days in the company of bamboo groves. Nearly two hundred years had passed. Even many of the events from his previous life had begun to blur in Su Chen's memory.
"Young marquis… do you know this old woman?"
Li Qingyue looked puzzled. The gaze the youth directed at her carried a faint sense of familiarity, as though he were looking upon someone long absent.
Su Chen nodded. "Though we have never met, Senior Li, I have often heard tales of your deeds."
Li Qingyue gave a self-deprecating smile. "What deeds could this old woman possibly have? They are likely nothing more than old stories twisted and embellished by others for amusement."
Su Chen fell silent for a moment.
She was right. The tale of her breaking off the engagement had long ago been spun into popular storybooks that sold briskly. Unfortunately, the protagonist had never risen to fame as those tales predicted, nor had he ever forced Li Qingyue to regret her choice.
He was not the protagonist, and she was not the heroine.
Su Chen feigned curiosity. "Senior Li, may I ask why you went to break off the engagement back then?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Li Qingyue's eyes. She had not expected this high-born young marquis to show such interest in old gossip.
She sighed softly.
In her younger years, she would never have spoken of it. But now she was old. After the great battle years ago, her remaining lifespan could be counted in years rather than decades. Memories once hazy had grown painfully clear in recent times, coiling tightly around her heart. Perhaps it would not be so bad to have one more listener.
Li Qingyue smiled faintly. "Since the young marquis is so interested in my story, allow this old woman to recount those dusty old events for you."
Su Chen poured two cups of tea and placed one before each of them. He sat in silence, listening attentively.
"All the tragedy that followed began because I was far too naive in my youth. The boy to whom I was once betrothed was merely the son of a minor clan's patriarch. Like you, young marquis, his name carried the character 'Chen,' though he was nowhere near as exceptional as you are."
Su Chen's cheek twitched. He quickly lifted his cup and took a sip to steady himself.
After the casual compliment, Li Qingyue continued. "At that time, my master had taken a special interest in me and believed I had the potential to reach far greater heights in cultivation. I was young, proud, and convinced that the world was filled with countless heroes. How could Li Qingyue possibly settle down in a small clan, marrying and raising children? Though I was born a woman, I harbored the ambition to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with every genius under heaven."
A reminiscent smile touched her face as she recalled her younger self. She had never regretted entering the Heavenly Wave Sect, nor had she ever regretted breaking the engagement.
Su Chen remained silent. In his first life, he truly had not been worthy of her. Their families had only been old acquaintances; he and Li Qingyue had shared a pleasant enough relationship, but nothing more—no one-sided devotion on either side. It was only later, after the broken engagement, that he had let the familiar script cloud his judgment.
Su Chen asked quietly, "Was that the only reason Senior Li went to annul the engagement back then?"
Li Qingyue paused at the question. After a long moment, she answered in a hoarse voice, "Yes… and no. Had he truly been my husband, I would have accepted it. But I could not accept him as my fiancé. From childhood, my parents, my clan—everyone—told me I was destined to marry into his family and become his wife. Yet I was born hating the idea that my fate should be decided by others."
Su Chen was taken aback. He had never imagined this was the true reason behind her decision.
Noticing his surprise, Li Qingyue gave a small laugh. "The young marquis finds it unexpected, doesn't he? The storybooks all claim I abandoned my fiancé for the sake of ambition—and in truth, I did exactly that. If that is how you see it, young marquis, you would not be wrong."
Su Chen nodded seriously. In his first life, that had been exactly what he believed. He continued, "Senior Li has remained unmarried your entire life. Have you ever regretted breaking off the engagement?"
This time, it was Li Qingyue's turn to freeze. For an instant, it seemed she saw another figure seated across from her—a blurred silhouette from memory—asking her the very same question.
A long silence passed before she returned to the present. The face before her was unfamiliar, not the one from her recollections.
"Regret… perhaps. There have been moments when I wondered whether, had I not broken the engagement, my life might have taken a different path. The road of cultivation is lonely beyond measure. I have met many geniuses along the way, yet none ever stirred the same feeling I once had.
"Had I not ended it, would he still have been hunted down and killed by his enemies? Would his entire clan have been exterminated…?"
Throughout her life, she had pursued ambitions greater than most men, carving her way out of obscurity until she became an elder of the Heavenly Wave Sect.
Did she regret it?
Perhaps only now, in old age, with no more dreams to chase and with loved ones departing one after another, did she begin to miss those distant days. But the Li Qingyue of back then had never regretted a single choice she made. Like Quote ReplyReport Reactions:Snoozer, Skyo, Axes and 84 others
storm of emotions churned inside Su Chen. He had imagined countless times what it would be like to meet Li Qingyue again. He had never pictured this.
"Out of pity for an old woman on her last legs, I, Su Chen, will let you off the hook this once."
The thought flickered through his mind. Old scores, rights and wrongs—he no longer had the energy to untangle them. All he knew was that one more name would soon vanish from the list of people he once knew.
"Young marquis, do you have any other questions?"
Li Qingyue slowly drained the last of her tea and looked at the youth who had fallen into a daze.
Su Chen stood up. "Thank you, Senior Li, for clearing my doubts. You've changed the impression I had of you."
Li Qingyue smiled gently. "The world's opinion belongs to the world. I only ever wanted to live as myself. Why should I care what others think?"
Su Chen said nothing in reply. He simply bowed and turned to leave, pausing long enough to speak one last sentence.
"As a gesture of gratitude, I swear on the honor of the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas' residence: I will bring Nangong Meng's remains back to the Heavenly Wave Sect for you, Senior."
Li Qingyue's pupils widened. Then she laughed softly. She offered no thanks. She only called after him as he walked away.
"Young marquis."
Su Chen turned back.
Their eyes met.
For a fleeting moment, Li Qingyue saw in this boy the same gaze that had once belonged to a young man from long ago.
A thousand words rose in her heart. In the end, only one came out.
"Please… take care of yourself."
Su Chen gave a small smile. "You as well, Senior Li."
In the rustling bamboo grove, she was once again alone. She walked slowly deeper into the forest.
Row after row of bamboo tablets stood there, each one bearing the name of someone who had once been close to her.
Her only disciple was Nangong Meng. Her revered master. Her parents and kin. And… one more.
A tomb inscribed with the name Su Chen, her former fiancé.
Li Qingyue sat before it and murmured in a low voice.
"Su Chen… I must look quite ridiculous now, don't I? You always said thirty years east of the river, thirty years west. But now… two hundred years have passed. Perhaps I really was wrong. Yet you never came to the Heavenly Wave Sect either. In this world, so many things lie beyond our control—you and I both."
…
Su Chen left the bamboo grove behind. He glanced once more toward the depths where the aged figure had already vanished from sight. He clasped his hands together in a formal salute. Two strands of long hair fell across his forehead.
This journey had served two purposes. One was to settle the lingering grievances of his first life. The other was to give this old acquaintance a proper farewell.
Li Qingyue was dying.
Twenty years earlier, after Jiang Chen and Nangong Meng fell in battle in his previous life, Li Qingyue had charged into the enemy formation alone, determined to retrieve her disciple's body. She had been surrounded and overwhelmed.
Only when Yu Zhengde arrived with reinforcements did she manage to escape with her life. But that day had left her with injuries beyond repair.
Su Chen let out a quiet sigh. Old friends were falling away one after another, like leaves caught in an autumn wind. The grudges of youth no longer mattered. The traces he had left behind in his first life had been quietly erased by the passage of time.
Seven days later, word spread that Li Qingyue had passed away. The Heavenly Wave Sect mourned briefly, then never spoke her name again.
Su Chen felt a weight lift from his heart. Something subtle shifted in his state of mind. The bottleneck at the Spirit Sea realm, which had refused to budge until now, finally showed signs of loosening. He sensed the faint stirrings of an opportunity for a breakthrough.
Rather than leave, he decided to remain at the Heavenly Wave Sect and seize this fleeting chance to see whether he could cross into the Spirit Sea realm.
What was meant to be a half-year stay stretched into a full year. By the end of it, Su Chen was eighteen. The youngest Spirit Sea realm cultivator in the history of the Heavenly Wind Kingdom had been born.
In his previous life, reaching this stage had taken him seventy years. In this life, it had taken only eighteen.
Strictly speaking, not even a full eighteen. None of that mattered anymore. Having broken through to Spirit Sea, the path ahead would be one he must forge alone.
Fortunately, in this life, he had the guidance of the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas—one of the ten strongest figures in the Heavenly Wind Kingdom. He would no longer have to grope blindly through the dark as he had in his earlier lives.
After breaking through to the Spirit Sea realm at the Heavenly Wave Sect, Su Chen paid his final respects at Li Qingyue's grave. Then he left the sect and set out for the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas' residence.
But on the road back, disaster struck. An ambush awaited him.
Fifteen Spirit Sea realm experts moved in. Every one of them was cloaked and masked, their faces hidden, yet the air around them crackled with murderous intent.
"How bold. Who are you? You dare target the young marquis? Aren't you afraid the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas will hold your families accountable?"
The steward shielded Su Chen with his body. The eight Spirit Sea realm guards formed a tight defensive line in front of him. They stared warily at the black-clad figures surrounding them.
Fifteen against eight—the odds were nearly double. The enemy held the clear advantage.
"Heh. Since we came to kill the young marquis, of course, we're not afraid—"
One of the black-cloaked men spoke with smug confidence, as though everything was already decided. Before he could finish, the leader cut him off sharply.
"Enough talk! Strike now and keep the young marquis here. We can't afford delays!"
In an instant, all fifteen attackers surged forward.
The steward intercepted four of them at once. He shouted over his shoulder without turning.
"Young marquis, run! I'll hold them off!"
Su Chen did not hesitate. He unleashed his full Spirit Sea realm aura, killed one black-cloaked man with a single strike, and shot away toward the marquis residence without looking back.
"Damn it! How did he break through to Spirit Sea so quickly?"
One of the attackers froze in shock.
In that split second of hesitation, Su Chen's guards and steward threw their lives on the line to pin down a force twice their size.
"Young marquis… forgive Feng Ding for being unable to serve you any longer. Please… live well!"
A deafening explosion shook the earth like a dragon thrashing beneath the ground.
Su Chen felt the tremor and knew the steward had used his own life to buy him precious time. He did not slow down for even a heartbeat. He flew toward the marquis residence at full speed. If he died here in this life, he would die spitting blood in frustration.
Far behind him, amid the collapsing landscape, three battered figures crawled out of the rubble. Of the fifteen Spirit Sea realm attackers, only three remained alive. Ignoring their grievous wounds, they hurriedly pulled fresh black robes over themselves to conceal their identities once more.
"Chase him! We cannot let him reach the marquis residence!"
The three gritted their teeth, forced every last drop of strength from their bodies, and pursued Su Chen with desperate speed. They absolutely could not allow him to return alive. They absolutely could not. Because this was their one and only chance to kill Su Chen. Like Quote ReplyReport Reactions:Skyo, Axes, DivyanshKundu and 75 others
Su Chen was pursued relentlessly. After four full days and nights of desperate evasion and misdirection, he finally crossed into the territory controlled by the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas' residence.
"Grandfather! Save me—it's Feng Chen!"
Su Chen shouted toward the distant estate with all the strength left in his lungs. In an instant, several terrifying gazes swept out from within the marquis residence. Every one belonged to a Spirit Soul realm powerhouse.
Su Chen's heart jolted. The depth of the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas' hidden strength was truly frightening.
At that moment, an earth-shaking roar thundered across the sky.
"How dare you lay a hand on Chen'er! This old man will scour heaven and earth, turn the entire Heavenly Wind Kingdom upside down—I will make every last one of you villains pay in blood!"
A colossal Spirit Soul manifestation appeared, its single raised hand blotting out the heavens. The three pursuers who had been closing in saw the sight and their faces drained of all color.
It was over.
The old Marquis of Pacifying the Seas had come himself.
In almost the same breath, their eyes turned resolute. They ignited the vital energy within their bodies and chose self-destruction without hesitation. They would rather die than allow the marquis to trace even the faintest clue back to their origins.
But fate was cruel. Two of them detonated at the exact same instant. The shockwave from their mutual explosions swept over the third man. He died as well—but not cleanly.
The Marquis of Pacifying the Seas reached into the fading aftermath and retrieved a shattered jade token. His expression darkened to an extreme.
By then, Su Chen, seeing his grandfather arrive, could hold on no longer. His vital energy was completely spent. He lost consciousness mid-flight and tumbled from the sky. Fortunately, the old marquis reacted swiftly and caught him in his arms.
"Chen'er, no matter who dares to harm you, this grandfather swears he will demand justice on your behalf!"
The marquis' gaze was ice-cold. If he had arrived even a moment later, this grandson on whom he had pinned all his hopes might have died right before his eyes.
…
Half a month passed before Su Chen finally awoke from his coma. Memories of the life-and-death chase flooded back. For a moment, he had even wondered whether his secret of reincarnation had somehow been exposed, drawing such a ferocious assassination attempt.
Fifteen Spirit Sea realm experts… In his previous life, even when surrounded by an entire army, he had never faced so many at once.
"It seems I've been too high-profile in this life. I've made too many forces wary—afraid that I might grow into a monster even more terrifying than the kingdom's Grand Ancestor."
That was the only explanation Su Chen could think of. He still had no idea which powers wanted him dead. But none of that mattered now. The ones who had hunted him were all dead or crippled.
Suddenly, a possibility dawned on him, and a trace of delight crept into his expression. He had been wondering how best to draw the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas into his revenge. Wasn't this the perfect opportunity?
"Chen'er is awake!"
A concerned voice came from outside the door. It was the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas. To ensure no one tried to harm Su Chen while he lay unconscious inside the residence, the old man had stood guard at his bedside the entire time.
Su Chen looked at the tall yet aged figure and tried to rise to bow, but the marquis quickly stopped him.
Left with no choice, Su Chen spoke. "Thank you, Grandfather, for saving my life. If you hadn't arrived in time, your unworthy grandson would already be dead."
At those words, a flash of fury and relief passed through the old man's eyes.
"Chen'er, rest easy. As long as this old man is here, no one will ever harm you within the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas' residence! I have already begun investigating the forces behind those assassins. No matter who they are, they will pay dearly for what they've done!"
Su Chen asked quietly, "Grandfather, have you found any leads yet?"
The marquis' face darkened. He shook his head.
"No matter how deeply I dig, every trail is being erased by some invisible hand. However… on the body of one of them, I found a secret agent jade token belonging to the Azure Wave Kingdom."
Damn it!
Su Chen cursed inwardly: Damn it—again, the Azure Wave Kingdom!
He was not surprised to find Azure Wave Kingdom experts among his pursuers. After all, the two kingdoms had been bitter enemies for generations. But the ones who wanted him dead were definitely not limited to Azure Wave.
Su Chen steadied his breathing and spoke. "Grandfather, have you considered the possibility that someone deliberately planted clues pointing toward the Azure Wave Kingdom?"
The Marquis of Pacifying the Seas' eyes flickered. "Go on."
Su Chen continued evenly. "Grandfather, if I am allowed to grow to my full potential, whose position would be most threatened?"
The old marquis fixed him with a piercing stare. Su Chen met it without flinching.
After a long silence, the marquis finally spoke. "You should understand how serious this matter is. For our marquis residence, even idle speculation could bring catastrophic disaster."
Su Chen replied calmly, "Your grandson understands perfectly. But Grandfather Feng Ding died protecting me—he was also my family. I cannot swallow this grievance."
The marquis did not rebuke him. He only said quietly, "Do you have any evidence?"
Su Chen shook his head. "None at all. But within the kingdom, who else possesses the power to orchestrate something on this scale? Grandfather, you already have your suspicions, don't you? Please, Grandfather, seek justice for me! Grandfather Feng Ding cannot have died for nothing!"
The corners of the marquis' mouth suddenly curved into a wide grin. "This is exactly how a descendant of the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas should be! Rest assured, Chen'er—Feng Ding's death will not go unanswered. This old man will see justice done! As for those useless fools outside—if they weren't carrying my blood, I would have executed them long ago. A pack of spineless good-for-nothings!"
Open fondness shone in the old man's eyes. This grandson truly lived up to his highest expectations—not only blessed with peerless talent, but sharp-minded, perceptive, and decisive.
Su Chen was momentarily stunned by how quickly his grandfather's demeanor had shifted. It seemed the old man had suspected the one in the depths of the palace from the very beginning. Everything just now had been… a test?
The Marquis of Pacifying the Seas gave a mysterious smile. "Are you wondering why this old man has known the true culprit all along yet never gone to demand an accounting?"
Su Chen nodded. He knew very well how deeply this grandfather doted on him.
The marquis sneered coldly. "Even if I stormed the inner palace and confronted the main branch, at most a few insignificant pawns would die. My grandson nearly lost his life. How could the price be so trivial? I want that person to pay in rivers of blood. I want him to understand whether he can bear the consequences of touching my grandson."
Su Chen looked at the domineering aura radiating from his grandfather and asked curiously, "Then how does Grandfather plan to proceed?"
The marquis' gaze turned distant. "Naturally, by making blood flow like rivers. And to make blood flow like rivers… one needs war. This old man intends to force the Heavenly Wind Kingdom and the Azure Wave Kingdom into open conflict. And then…"
He turned to Su Chen with a smile.
"Grandson, which legion do you like? Whichever one you choose, this old man will gift it to you."
Su Chen's pupils contracted sharply. Like Quote ReplyReport Reactions:Skyo, Axes, DivyanshKundu and 82 others
The legion the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas referred to was naturally one of the four great legions currently under the Heavenly Wind King's direct command. The old marquis was actually offering to gift one of them to Su Chen.
The four legions were the Black Armor Army, the Black Abyss Army, the Black Tortoise Army, and the Black Forest Army. In his previous life, although two of them had been lost, the king had swiftly reorganized new forces to replace them. Among them, the Black Tortoise Army was commanded by none other than Yu Zhengde.
Su Chen did not hesitate for a second.
"Grandfather, I want the Black Tortoise Army!"
He had thought it would take decades to make Yu Zhengde pay the price he deserved. He never expected it would happen so soon.
The Marquis of Pacifying the Seas nodded.
"This old man will ensure Yu Zhengde makes the wrong decision at the critical moment. All you need to do, grandson, is seize the opportunity to take command of his troops and place our people from the marquis residence within the Black Tortoise Army."
Several days later, the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas summoned a trusted Spirit Soul realm confidant to guard Su Chen, then set out alone for the royal capital.
The entire kingdom was shaken. News of the assassination attempt on the young marquis of the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas had already spread like wildfire across the land.
The old marquis had erupted in fury, leaving the whole kingdom on edge. Everyone feared even the slightest connection to the incident. For half a month, the marquis residence had made no visible moves. Now… had they finally uncovered a lead?
Not long after the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas entered the capital, a single piece of news exploded outward. The Azure Wave Kingdom had attempted to assassinate the young marquis of the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas, nearly depriving the Heavenly Wind Kingdom of an unparalleled genius.
In response, the king ordered Marshal Yu Zhengde to lead the Black Tortoise Army in a punitive campaign against the Azure Wave Kingdom. No discussion. No negotiation. Everything happened with shocking suddenness.
…
At the Marquis of Black Tortoise's residence.
Thanks to his overwhelming military achievements in defending the Heavenly Wind Kingdom last time, Yu Zhengde stood second only to the king himself. He wielded immense authority and basked in the height of glory. After finally having a son, that son had now given him a grandson.
Yu Zhengde cradled the fair, chubby little infant in his arms, unable to put him down. He instinctively leaned in closer. His stubble pricked the baby's tender skin, and the child burst into loud wails. The hunched old woman beside him snatched the baby away at once.
"Look at you, you old fool—you've made him cry!"
Yu Zhengde scratched his head sheepishly and gave an embarrassed smile.
"Report—Marquis! Urgent news!"
A guard burst in hurriedly, shattering the warm family moment.
The smile vanished from Yu Zhengde's face, replaced by a chilling, murderous aura that made hearts tremble.
"Speak. What happened?"
The guard spoke quickly. "Marquis, His Majesty has ordered the marshal to lead the Black Tortoise Army in an expedition against the Azure Wave Kingdom!"
A trace of surprise crossed Yu Zhengde's face. As the foremost among the four legion marshals, the king would not deploy him lightly.
The guard continued nervously. "It is because the young marquis of the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas was ambushed by agents of the Azure Wave Kingdom. The Marquis of Pacifying the Seas flew into a rage and personally went to the capital. Afterward, His Majesty agreed to his demand and ordered the marshal to spare no effort in exacting justice for the young marquis."
Yu Zhengde suddenly understood. The recent assassination attempt on the young marquis had caused an enormous stir. He had wondered who could be so audacious.
So it was the Azure Wave Kingdom after all. No wonder it had alarmed the king enough to mobilize him for a full campaign. Though he too held the title of marquis, his status paled in comparison to the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas. His own residence had no Spirit Soul realm experts at all; his title had been granted purely on the strength of turning the tide against the Azure Wave army and saving the kingdom from collapse.
The Marquis of Pacifying the Seas, by contrast, ranked among the ten strongest in the Heavenly Wind Kingdom and carried pure Feng clan blood—his position was incomparably higher.
After the guard withdrew, the old woman finally spoke.
"What is His Majesty thinking? Declaring war on the Azure Wave Kingdom without a word of warning?"
Yu Zhengde played with the infant in his arms and answered casually. "What do you know? That young marquis from the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas is now hailed by the Feng clan as a genius who may one day rival the founding Grand Ancestor. In the future, he might even break through to the Profound Connection realm and become a new king.
"An attempt on such a genius's life has not only enraged the marquis residence—it has surely infuriated every old monster in the Feng clan. Sending troops to demand an explanation from the Azure Wave Kingdom is the most fitting response."
The old woman remained uneasy. "But why send you? His Majesty has clearly begun to grow wary of you."
Yu Zhengde waved a hand dismissively. "You don't understand. This is a sign of trust—His Majesty clearly values me! The Marquis of Black Tortoise residence doesn't even have a single Spirit Soul realm expert. What reason would the king have to fear us? This time, I plan to bring Tianlu along on the campaign. Let him temper himself on the battlefield so he can smoothly take over the marquis residence in the future."
The old woman looked at the husband who had stood by her side through two centuries of storms and hardships. She opened her mouth to say more, but Yu Zhengde cut her off gently.
"You've grown old and worry too much. Even if His Majesty truly intends to act against me, how could I possibly resist? My entire life has been devoted to serving His Majesty. If death comes, I will accept it willingly."
Yu Zhengde smiled.
Hearing those words, the old woman said nothing more. Yet deep in her heart, an unshakable sense of unease lingered.
Soon, the entire Black Tortoise Army mobilized. Marshal Yu Zhengde led the expedition in person.
Su Chen accompanied the force as supervisor. A group of Spirit Sea realm experts shadowed him at all times. Among them stood a silent old man dressed in plain gray robes, his gaze indifferent yet carrying an oppressive spiritual pressure that made breathing difficult for everyone nearby.
A Spirit Soul realm powerhouse.
When Su Chen finally met Yu Zhengde face-to-face, the man greeted him with an ingratiating smile and eagerly introduced his son, the young man named Yu Tianlu.
"Young marquis, we have met before—at the forty-third prince's banquet."
Su Chen gave a faint nod, his expression cool and detached, as though none of it mattered to him. The icy response left both father and son momentarily awkward, but it also eased Yu Zhengde's mind. It seems the young marquis is entirely focused on revenge. If I can help him vent his anger and earn a debt of gratitude, the Yu family could easily flourish for another few centuries!
The vast army marched steadily toward the Azure Wave Kingdom. Although Yu Zhengde had stolen Su Chen's military merits in the previous life and used them to secure his marquis title, he remained a seasoned commander of the Black Tortoise Army. He had fought in countless campaigns large and small, and along the way he made no glaring mistakes. The unprepared Azure Wave Kingdom was caught completely off guard.
Su Chen watched everything unfold in silence, quietly calculating how deeply the army had penetrated enemy territory. If he wanted to ruin Yu Zhengde completely—body and reputation—he could not afford to rush.
Two months later, devastating news arrived.
Yu Zhengde nearly blacked out on the spot. His son had been careless and fallen into an Azure Wave ambush. Yu Tianlu had been captured alive. This was his only son—the child he had gained in old age, on whom he had poured every ounce of care and expectation.
Yu Zhengde wanted to launch an immediate rescue, but the Azure Wave Kingdom delivered their terms: withdraw the Black Tortoise Army at once, and they would return Yu Tianlu unharmed to the Heavenly Wind Kingdom. Otherwise… they would only send back a cold corpse. Like Quote ReplyReport Reactions:Skyo, DivyanshKundu, Axes and 73 others
A light rain pattered steadily outside. The sky hung low and gloomy. Yet to Su Chen, the weather had never felt better.
Yu Zhengde gritted his teeth. The old man's knees buckled, and he dropped heavily before Su Chen in a deep kowtow.
"Young marquis, I beg you—save Tianlu! He is my only son. I cannot stand by and watch him die!"
Yu Zhengde understood perfectly. The decision to retreat or press on did not rest with him. It rested entirely with the young man seated before him.
Su Chen's fingers tapped rhythmically against the arm of his chair—tap, tap, tap—blending with the steady drip of rain outside the tent. Each beat echoed in Yu Zhengde's chest, making his heart rise and fall in time.
The faintest trace of a smile curved Su Chen's lips. He spoke softly.
"I understand how Marquis Black Tortoise feels."
Yu Zhengde's face lit with desperate hope. Could it be—the young marquis was willing to order a withdrawal? But the next words plunged him straight into an abyss.
"Yet I also know that war is no child's game. Countless soldiers of the Heavenly Wind Kingdom have already given their lives. If we retreat so easily now, how could we ever face those who fell?"
Su Chen's tone remained perfectly calm.
"How can the outcome of an entire war hinge on the life or death of one man? Marshal Yu, please return to your post."
With a casual wave of his hand, Su Chen dismissed the kneeling elder, consigning him to his fate.
Without Su Chen's explicit permission, any retreat Yu Zhengde ordered would constitute defiance of the king's command. Everything he had built—rank, honor, power—would vanish overnight. A few carefully chosen words from Su Chen would be enough to brand him a traitor who had defected to the Azure Wave Kingdom.
Yu Zhengde raised his head. He stared at the indifferent youth so close before him and let out a bitter, broken laugh.
"Young marquis… I understand."
One question burned on his tongue, yet he dared not voice it. He wanted to ask: Who was the one who started this war in the first place? But the last shred of reason held his lips sealed.
Yu Zhengde had no memory of how he left the tent. His mind was a chaotic storm. Cold rain struck his face and shoulders. He could only stand there like a trapped, wounded beast, roaring uselessly into the downpour. He was nothing more than a pawn on someone else's board, moved and discarded at will.
Inside the tent, Su Chen sipped his tea leisurely. Behind him, the gray-robed elder snorted with disdain.
"A force without even a single Spirit Soul realm expert is destined to remain a disposable piece on the board. When our Feng clan wishes it, he becomes a marquis second only to the king. When our Feng clan wishes otherwise, he is no more than fish on the chopping block."
Su Chen gave a soft chuckle. This damned world truly embodied the core truth of every xianxia realm.
Strength reigned supreme.
...
When the Azure Wave Kingdom saw that the Heavenly Wind forces had no intention of withdrawing, they dragged Yu Tianlu out to the front lines.
"Father, save me! I don't want to die!"
Yu Tianlu knelt on a high platform. An executioner stood beside him, the broad blade of a great saber resting against the young man's neck. Terror made his whole body tremble uncontrollably.
"Yu Zhengde, withdraw your army at once, and we will return your precious son to you!"
Yu Zhengde's lips turned pale. Tears streamed down his weathered face.
"Tianlu… my son… it isn't that your father doesn't want to save you… It's that I cannot. I dare not."
A piercing pain shot from his clenched fist straight into his heart. His throat worked again and again. After a long moment, he forced out a single hoarse word.
"Kill."
The vast army pressed forward relentlessly. The Azure Wave generals' faces turned ashen.
High on the platform, the executioner received the order. The saber flashed downward.
Yu Tianlu's head tumbled free.
Yu Zhengde's gaze went blank. He stood frozen even as his troops drove the Azure Wave forces back. Only then did he stumble forward like a man sleepwalking. He knelt beside the headless corpse, lifted the severed head, and placed it carefully—again and again—onto the neck where it no longer belonged.
"Please accept my condolences, Marshal Yu."
Su Chen approached and spoke in a flat, emotionless tone.
Yu Zhengde snapped back to awareness. He raised his head and met Su Chen's calm gaze.
In those deep eyes, he saw something towering over him—high above, looking down. There was mockery in them.
Su Chen met the venomous hatred in Yu Zhengde's stare without concern. If the marshal lost control and attacked him in rage, it would take no effort at all to crush the man where he stood. But Yu Zhengde held back.
Su Chen found it faintly disappointing. Still, the game could continue a while longer. There was no need to end it so soon.
Back inside his tent, Yu Zhengde could restrain himself no longer. A mouthful of blood sprayed from his lips. To watch his own child die before his eyes.
A white-haired man sending off a black-haired one. No tragedy in the world could be crueler. He only hoped the campaign would end quickly so he could return home to the Yu family.
Unfortunately, Su Chen had not yet had his fill of amusement. There would be no early withdrawal for Yu Zhengde. He had become nothing more than a hunting dog—moving only as Su Chen directed.
One month later, on a certain day, Yu Zhengde received a mysterious letter. It came from the Azure Wave Kingdom. Yet the handwriting was painfully familiar.
"His Majesty… His Majesty intends to use this opportunity to eliminate that young marquis, Feng Chen!"
Yu Zhengde's eyes widened. He could not be mistaken. The letter had been written by the king himself. Understanding crashed over him like a wave. A genius like Su Chen was a mortal taboo to any ruler. No sovereign could tolerate the rise of an uncontrollable powerhouse right under his nose. Yu Zhengde was to cooperate with the Azure Wave Kingdom, set an ambush and eliminate Su Chen.
Without a second thought, he agreed. He hated the Azure Wave Kingdom, but he hated Su Chen—the one who had stood by and let his son die—even more.
Moreover, he had no other choice. Though he still did not understand why the young marquis insisted on pressing this war so relentlessly, if he made even one mistake now, he would fall into an abyss from which there was no return. He still had a family. He still had a grandson. He could not die here on this battlefield.
…
"Just as the old marquis predicted. That king truly refuses to give up!"
The gray-robed elder following Su Chen let out a cold snort. Under his deliberate attention, every move Yu Zhengde made had been laid bare.
Su Chen sank into thought.
He still won't give up? He had met that fat king before. The man had always smiled at him—warm, amiable. It turned out he was a smiling tiger, hiding a blade behind every grin.
In this life, Su Chen would never let that fat bastard live comfortably.
"Is the king simply this foolish, or is it deliberate?"
The situation felt increasingly murky to Su Chen. If it was pure stupidity, that was one thing. If it was deliberate, then he would have to reassess just how dangerous that king truly was.
Yu Zhengde knew nothing of this. Hatred had blinded him completely. As long as there was even the slimmest chance, he would take the gamble. In the end, the army pushed deep into enemy territory. Yu Zhengde "carelessly" reassigned the guards protecting Su Chen.
The night was dark, the wind high.
A shadowy figure drifted silently into the tent. He was a middle-aged man clad in profound black robes. His hair stood up wildly, white as frost. Vast vital energy surged around him. Merely standing there, he seemed to make the spiritual energy of heaven and earth tremble in response.
"Marquis Purple Lightning… I never expected the Azure Wave Kingdom would actually send you." Like Quote ReplyReport Reactions:Skyo, DivyanshKundu, Axes and 78 others
Inside the tent, Su Chen sat with his hands folded calmly. He showed no trace of surprise at the arrival of a Spirit Soul realm powerhouse.
The gray-robed elder behind him recognized the white-haired man at once and spoke his title aloud. That single sentence sent a violent tremor through Marquis Purple Lightning's heart.
"Not good—I've walked straight into a trap!"
Realizing the danger, the marquis turned to flee on the spot. But the elder's withered hand had already gripped a long spear. A surge of divine soul power erupted.
The midnight darkness was suddenly lit as bright as day. Commanders on the ground below saw the flash and immediately understood something was wrong. They shouted in alarm.
"Protect the young marquis!"
If the young marquis died here, none of them stationed nearby would escape punishment.
"It's you—the Master of the Startling Swan Spear! You're still alive!"
One spear, one startling swan. That technique had once dazzled entire eras. It had swept across the surrounding kingdoms unchallenged.
Five hundred years had passed. Most believed the Master of the Startling Swan Spear had long since perished. Yet now he stood alive and well before Marquis Purple Lightning. A Spirit Soul fifth-layer powerhouse!
Marquis Purple Lightning himself was only at the third layer. How could he dare to fight? He wanted nothing more than to escape as quickly as possible. But how could the Master of the Startling Swan Spear allow him to slip away?
"Damn you, Yu Zhengde—you've ruined me! You call this an ordinary Spirit Soul realm cultivator? A plain, unremarkable old man?"
Marquis Purple Lightning cursed furiously as he fled. The Master of the Startling Swan Spear ranked among the top ten strongest in the entire Azure Wave Kingdom!
His voice carried clearly to everyone on the ground below. Their expressions turned to shock and dread. It sounded as though their own Marshal Yu had conspired with the Azure Wave Kingdom to assassinate the young marquis. The thought alone sent chills down their spines. Something massive was about to happen.
Meanwhile, Yu Zhengde sat inside his own tent, smiling to himself. If the young marquis died tonight, he could finally order a retreat and return home. But Marquis Purple Lightning's furious shout shattered his dream.
Yu Zhengde stumbled out of the tent in disbelief. He personally witnessed the familiar gray-robed elder chasing down Marquis Purple Lightning. His mind went blank.
It was over.
In moments, countless soldiers, generals, and guards surrounded Yu Zhengde in a tight ring.
"Yu Zhengde, how dare you collude with the Azure Wave Kingdom to murder the young marquis!"
A sharp rebuke rang out.
The crowd parted at once, opening a path.
Su Chen approached slowly, flanked by two furious guards who glared at Yu Zhengde. When Yu Zhengde saw Su Chen, a thunderclap seemed to explode inside his skull. His legs gave way, and he collapsed to the ground.
Su Chen looked down at him from above.
"Young marquis… this wasn't me! It truly wasn't me! I never conspired with the Azure Wave Kingdom to harm you! This must be their plot to drive a wedge between us!"
Yu Zhengde desperately tried to argue his innocence.
Su Chen's voice was ice-cold.
"Take him away."
The guards surged forward. Yu Zhengde struggled, but they quickly subdued him. With that, command of the Black Tortoise Army passed smoothly into Su Chen's temporary control.
The Master of the Startling Swan Spear soon returned, carrying the severed head of Marquis Purple Lightning.
Su Chen couldn't help but marvel. This man was truly ferocious. Apart from his grandfather—the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas, one of the ten strongest in the Heavenly Wind Kingdom—this gray-robed elder was likely the most powerful figure in the entire residence.
Once he held firm control of the Black Tortoise Army, Su Chen immediately purged its leadership. Every general and officer connected to Yu Zhengde had their cultivation crippled and were thrown into confinement.
Su Chen then led the Black Tortoise Army in a few symbolic victories before ordering a triumphant return to the capital.
As Su Chen returned in triumph to the capital, a single piece of news swept across the Heavenly Wind Kingdom like wildfire.
The commander of the Black Tortoise Army had colluded with the Azure Wave Kingdom in an attempt to assassinate the young marquis of the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas, the kingdom's foremost genius. The plot had nearly claimed the young marquis' life and risked dooming the entire million-strong Black Tortoise Army.
In the end, the young marquis saw through the scheme, turned the tide single-handedly, and forced the Azure Wave Kingdom to sign a series of humiliating treaties, securing a crushing victory.
Decades after her death, Nangong Meng's remains were finally returned to the Heavenly Wave Sect and laid to rest in her ancestral home.
The king was overjoyed. He personally conferred upon Feng (Su) Chen the title of Champion Marquis. A youth receiving a marquis title became an instant legend throughout the Heavenly Wind Kingdom.
From the upper floor of a bustling tavern in the capital, Su Chen gazed down at the streets below. Ever since that day, Yu Zhengde had been branded a traitor who colluded with the Azure Wave Kingdom. Unfortunately for him, he had died quietly in prison long before the sentence could be carried out.
Down below, the once-prestigious Yu family had fallen into disgrace. One after another, they were dragged out as prisoners and beheaded without mercy.
Su Chen watched the scene unfold and let out a soft laugh.
"The cycle of heaven is truly just."
The man who had risen by erasing every trace of his achievements in the previous life was now, in this one, effortlessly reduced to death and the extermination of his entire clan.
"Brother Feng Chen, what are you looking at?"
Feng Huai'an sat beside him in a delicate pink Liuxian skirt, chin propped on her hand. She pouted slightly as she watched him stare out the window instead of at her—the kingdom's number-one beauty.
Su Chen turned back and gave her a gentle smile. "Nothing much. I just saw something that reminded me of old times."
He looked at her softly and said in a low voice, "Huai'an, next year I will marry you. All right?"
At those words, the fair skin of Feng Huai'an's face visibly flushed. She buried her face against the white jade table for a long moment before murmuring, "Brother Feng Chen… you mustn't go back on your word."
Su Chen nodded, a warm smile spreading across his face. "I never will."
That night, after Feng Huai'an returned to the palace, Su Chen let out a quiet sigh. "What a silly girl."
But with the backing of the royal family's identity, there were far more things he could now accomplish.
…
One year passed.
Su Chen's cultivation advanced—albeit slowly—to the second layer of Spirit Sea. In this life, he was now twenty years old. As promised, he married Feng Huai'an.
The entire Marquis of Pacifying the Seas' residence was filled with celebration. The kingdom's foremost beauty had wed. Every drop of wine in the capital's taverns was drained dry that day.
Countless young talents mourned in silence. Yet the groom was the Heavenly Wind Kingdom's brightest genius—too dazzling for anyone to resent.
After the wedding, Su Chen formally assumed full control of the Marquis of Pacifying the Seas' residence. His older brothers, younger siblings, and that useless father of his refused to accept it.
In response, Su Chen stripped them of every shred of authority without hesitation.
Later, while passing through Northwind City on the road, Su Chen quietly vanished. When he reappeared, he stood once more on the soil of his old home.
Dust coated everything.
On the hill behind the rear courtyard, several new gravestones had been erected. Traces of wine and offerings still lingered on them.
"Li Ming?"
Su Chen thought of his childhood friend from the previous life. After all these years, only he would still remember a man named Jiang Chen.
Su Chen did not disturb the offerings. He bowed solemnly, one after another, before the graves of his father Jiang, his mother Jiang, Wang Bailu, and his own children.
"Rest easy. Soon, I will make the entire Feng clan pay the price."
The words were a quiet murmur in his heart.
Following the faint imprint he had left behind in his previous life, Su Chen located the spot where the Spirit Communion manual lay buried. He unearthed it carefully. This was the foundation of his revenge. Like Quote ReplyReport Reactions:Snoozer, Skyo, DivyanshKundu and 78 others