Chapter 1: Revival
The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the ruins of what was once the illustrious Wang Family estate. Broken pillars and charred remnants of buildings were all that remained, telling the tale of a once-proud lineage brought to its knees by baseless accusations.
Wang Li, now a wanderer, moved silently through the wreckage. The air was thick with the stench of betrayal, and the memories of his family’s sacrifice weighed heavily on his shoulders. He kept his appearance ordinary, dressing like a mortal and concealing his formidable spiritual energy, an art he had mastered to avoid detection by the ever-watchful eyes of the righteous sects.
As he wandered through the desolation, Wang Li couldn’t shake the image of his cousin, Wang Xiangyi, forced into servitude as a maid for Ye Fan. The beautiful and once carefree Wang Xiangyi reduced to a mere pawn in Ye Fan’s twisted game fueled the fire of Wang Li’s resolve.
The world, now under the control of the five righteous sects, held no comfort for Wang Li. He moved from city to city, blending seamlessly with the mortals, his true power hidden beneath layers of concealment. The pursuit of truth became his sole purpose, a flame burning deep within him.
In one of the bustling cultivation cities, Wang Li found himself in a dimly lit tavern, seeking information. The air was thick with the scent of alcohol and the low hum of hushed conversations. Wang Li, cloaked in a simple robe, approached the bar where a burly bartender polished a glass with a cloth.
“Looking for something, stranger?” the bartender grunted, eyeing Wang Li with suspicion.
Wang Li nodded, “Information. Anything about the Wang Family and the rumors of demonic ties.”
The bartender raised an eyebrow, sizing up Wang Li. “You’re a brave one, asking about the Wang Family around here. But if you’re willing to pay, I might have a lead.”
A silver coin exchanged hands, and the bartender leaned in, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “There’s a shady news agency nearby. They’ve got their hands in all sorts of dirty business. Might know more about the Wang Family’s fall from grace.”
Wang Li’s eyes gleamed with anticipation. The bartender’s information led him to the dark underbelly of the city, where shadows whispered secrets and alleyways hid forbidden dealings. After a series of tense encounters, he stood before the entrance of the news agency.
Inside, Wang Li confronted the lead reporter, a man with a crooked smile and ink-stained fingers. The confrontation was intense, filled with Wang Li’s probing questions and the reporter’s futile attempts to evade them.
It was in this gritty room that Wang Li unearthed the shocking truth. Ye Fan, his once righteous comrade, had orchestrated the entire downfall of the Wang Family. The revelation hit Wang Li like a thunderbolt, and a deep, unsettling anger simmered beneath his calm exterior.
But it wasn’t just about the fall of the Wang Family. It was personal.
In the flickering candlelight, Wang Li’s memories flashed back to Ye Fan’s subtle glances, the hidden desires for his cousin Wang Xiangyi and his fiance Xia Qingwu. The web of deception spun by Ye Fan was not just about eliminating a rival family but removing obstacles to his twisted romantic pursuits.
Rage ignited within Wang Li, a tempest threatening to consume him. “Ye Fan orchestrated all this to satisfy his sick obsessions,” he muttered through gritted teeth, clenching his fists.
Enraged, Wang Li left the news agency, his mind racing with thoughts of revenge.
The path ahead was clear, and his determination unwavering. He had to confront Ye Fan, expose his deceit, and avenge his family.
However, fate had other plans. Wang Li’s movements did not go unnoticed. The local authorities, entangled in Ye Fan’s web of influence, were alerted to his presence. As he reached the outskirts of the city, a group of cultivators surrounded him, their expressions stern.
“You’re wanted for questioning,” the leader declared, eyeing Wang Li with suspicion.
Wang Li’s eyes narrowed, his mind racing. In a swift and calculated move, he unleashed a concealed array of talismans, momentarily blinding his pursuers. Seizing the opportunity, he sprinted within the crowded areas of the city to hide amongst the crowd.
The pursuing cultivators, temporarily disoriented, regained their composure and pursued him with newfound determination.
It didn’t take long before these cultivators managed to reach Wang Li, which caused a huge battle to occur. And it was in this battle that Wang Li lost his life.
It was then that a mystic force acted.
A faint silhouette of a human appeared. Upon the arrival of this faint silhouette, the time itself seemed to have paused for all life in this world.
“Interesting. So it is on this day that my entire bloodline has been purged from the world. That’s rather distressing. Let’s see who he is,” the silhouette murmured as he observed Wang Li with a discerning gaze.
“…So, he is one of the individuals who has been stepped on by one of the protagonists of this generation. To think that my last one of my bloodline has been killed by a protagonist leaves a bit of bad taste in my mouth. Well, since I have already arrived, I guess I will help him a little. If he is capable enough, he will be able to use this power to rise to the top.”
The illusionary silhouette gently touched Wang Li’s forehead.
In that suspended moment, an overwhelming surge of energy coursing through Wang Li’s body. Wang Li’s soul that was about to pass on remained within his body as he was revived by this illusionary silhouette. His injuries mended and a newfound strength enveloped him.
The Heavenly Dao had fused with him, leaving behind a unique ability that pulsed with potential.
As his consciousness returned in full force, Wang Li rose to his feet, his eyes now clear and focused.
“Now, what’s this power I’ve gained?” Wang Li questioned the empty air, his voice filled with a mixture of awe and determination.
The illusionary silhouette lingered for a moment longer, observing Wang Li with an inscrutable gaze, before dissipating into the unseen energies of the world.
Wang Li surveyed his surroundings, realizing he was in the wilderness outside of the Yunmengze City.
‘Absorbing Yin Energy to stimulate Yang Energy,’ he thought, recalling the words of the illusionary figure. ‘This might just be the edge I need.’
As he pondered the implications of his newfound power, memories of Ye Fan’s ruthlessness flooded his mind. The image of his grandfather and granduncle, both formidable Nascent Soul cultivators, falling to Ye Fan’s might despite the vast cultivation gap fueled a deep-seated anger.
‘Even at the peak of the Core Formation Realm, Ye Fan’s combat prowess surpassed that of Nascent Soul cultivators. I have to train hard if I want to defeat him.’
Wang Li, now filled with a renewed sense of purpose, set forth from this wilderness.
