Chapter 2: The Fallen Genius of Yesteryear

Tianyuan City.

The capital of the Tianyuan Dynasty, a place where noble families stand in great numbers and sects are scattered throughout.

The Ye family is one of the four great families of Tianyuan City, possessing immense power.

"Today is the day of the Ye family's strength assessment, isn't it?"

"That's right. Come to think of it, Ye Qiubai is participating too, right?"

"It’s truly a pity for Ye Qiubai. He once accidentally stumbled into the forbidden grounds of the Sword Saint’s inheritance and was struck by supreme sword qi. Although he managed to save his life, his cultivation was completely lost, his meridians were destroyed, and his talent plummeted."

"Ye Qiubai... once the number one genius of Tianyuan City, now reduced to such a state. It really makes one sigh."

"Indeed... Ye Qiubai’s personality was too upright, and he offended quite a few powerful figures back then. Now that his cultivation is gone, the Ye family has abandoned him. I wonder if he can survive the storm of retaliation coming his way after this assessment..."

"The cause of the past, the fruit of today..."

...

The Ye family.

In front of the ancestral hall.

Many people were gathered beneath a high platform.

On that platform stood a Heaven-Connecting Stone capable of testing one's talent and strength.

"Next, Ye Qiubai!"

In the corner, Ye Qiubai, clutching a sword to his chest, stood up silently and walked slowly toward the Heaven-Connecting Stone.

The surrounding crowd watched him; some sighed with regret, while others wore faces full of mockery.

After all, the higher a person once stood, the more miserable they would fall when they were cast down from the altar.

On the platform sat three people, the leader being the head of the Ye family, Ye Qing, who was also Ye Qiubai’s father.

Watching Ye Qiubai, who held his sword in silence, Ye Qing sighed softly. Why was his son’s fate so rugged?

Beside Ye Qing stood a gorgeously dressed woman with a cold expression, watching the scene with indifference.

Arriving before the Heaven-Connecting Stone.

The elder to the side said with a cold face, "Ye Qiubai, place your hand on the Heaven-Connecting Stone."

Ye Qiubai glanced at the elder, who used to greet him with a smile, then looked up, his gaze falling upon the cold woman. A flash of realization crossed his eyes.

When they were young, they were childhood sweethearts.

They practiced together, explored for treasures together, and ate together.

As they grew up, due to their families being well-matched in social status, a marriage contract was drawn up.

But now, after he had lost all his cultivation, the contract was annulled and the marriage document destroyed.

The little girl from the past had now become so much of a stranger.

Withdrawing his gaze, he placed his hand on the Heaven-Connecting Stone.

Soon, a faint glimmer flickered on the stone.

Seeing this, the elder sneered and announced, "Ye Qiubai, Qi Refining Stage Three, inferior talent."

"As expected. Ye Qiubai must have known it himself, why bother coming here to make a fool of himself?"

"Perhaps he’s used to being a genius and isn't willing to accept being a mortal, so he wanted to try one last time."

"But Ye Qiubai offended so many people before; I’m afraid he won't have an easy life from now on."

"Regardless, from this day forward, there is no place for Ye Qiubai in the Ye family... no, in the entire Tianyuan City."

Above, Ye Qing watched this scene, his face looking extremely grim.

The woman seemed to have known the result all along; she said nothing and turned to leave.

She had come here seemingly only to verify whether Ye Qiubai had truly lost all his cultivation.

Listening to the surrounding mockery, Ye Qiubai couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh.

Yes.

He no longer had a place in the Ye family.

The Ye family was one of the four great families of the Tianyuan Dynasty, a top-tier noble house.

How could they accept a piece of trash who had lost all his cultivation?

If word got out, it would be a disgrace!

Looking at the sword in his arms, he glanced at the back of the departing woman.

Suddenly, as if he had come to a realization, he spoke loudly toward the platform: "Father, I will leave the Ye family today to travel alone. I hope you will agree!"

Staying in the Ye family would only bring endless humiliation, and it would also cause trouble for his father. Rather than that, it would be better to go out and venture on his own; perhaps he might find some opportunity?

Ye Qing naturally understood Ye Qiubai’s thoughts and could only sigh, "Have you... thought this through?"

Ye Qiubai’s eyes were firm as he nodded. Only by going out and seeking opportunities would he have even a sliver of a chance to recover his cultivation!

Although that chance was pitifully small, almost impossible...

Seeing this, Ye Qing could only nod. As the family head, he had no choice; rather than letting his son stay in the Ye family to be humiliated, it was better to let him venture out.

Moreover, how could those elders allow a Ye Qiubai with no cultivation to remain in the Ye family?

Ye Qiubai bowed, turned, and left the Ye family.

...

After exiting Tianyuan City, there was a dense forest.

In the middle of the forest, Ye Qiubai suddenly stopped. Looking at the three men in black before him, he seemed to have guessed it all along. His expression was calm as he smiled, "You've followed me for so long, have you finally lost your patience?"

The grudges formed in the past were finally erupting.

One of them laughed, "Ye Qiubai, if you had known today would come, why act as you did back then?"

Ye Qiubai smiled and said, "Even if time were to turn back, I would still do the same."

As he spoke, Ye Qiubai’s hand was already gripping a jade pendant.

He knew someone would come to hunt him down, but that didn't mean he would be foolish enough to make no preparations!

"However, I would like to ask: who is it that is so impatient to get rid of me?"

He had only just left Tianyuan City and already had assassins following him. Although he no longer held his former status, he was, after all, the son of the Ye family head.

It showed just how much the other party hated him.

The man in black sneered, "What does it matter if you know? You won't have a chance to take revenge anyway. Besides, you've offended so many people over the years, what is the point of asking?"

"That is not necessarily true..."

Ye Qiubai tightened his grip on the jade pendant.

This was the only thing he had brought out from the Sword Saint’s inheritance. It contained a formation; once released, these three would not be able to withstand it.

However, with his current strength, he feared he would not be able to endure the backlash of the formation himself, but he had no other choice now.

"Since that is the case..."

The leader raised his sword and slashed toward Ye Qiubai!

Sword light flickered on the blade, its power sweeping toward Ye Qiubai!

The opponent had no intention of holding back; he struck with full force, seeking a kill in one blow!

Ye Qiubai’s expression tightened. Just as he was about to throw the jade pendant, a figure in green robes appeared before him.

With a single finger extended, the sword landed on the man’s fingertip and could not advance even an inch!

The sword light struck the finger, but it was like a clay ox entering the sea—there was not the slightest movement!

"I can't let you kill him. If he dies, where am I supposed to find a disciple?"

"Who are you?"

The man in black was shocked and immediately withdrew his sword to retreat!

"Me?" The man in green shook his head and tapped his finger repeatedly.

Instantly, a bloody hole appeared in the center of the foreheads of two of the men.

The remaining one stood frozen in place.

The man in green looked at Ye Qiubai behind him and smiled, "For the last one, do you want to ask who wanted to kill you?"