Ye Chen felt like throwing up.

He had once been the undisputed genius of the Qingcheng Ye Family. Seven years prior, he had broken through to the Profound Spirit Realm, a dazzling feat that set him apart, making him an untouchable star in the eyes of Qingcheng's cultivators.

But then, overnight, his cultivation had plummeted. An eerie power clung to him, a vortex that devoured every trace of spiritual energy he tried to cultivate.

Even the Ye Family Old Ancestor had examined his condition, but to no avail; the elder, a Quasi-Emperor, had been helpless. This eerie power, even in its slightest manifestation, sent shivers down the Old Ancestor's spine.

Ye Chen's body had become a bottomless pit. The Old Ancestor had once attempted to infuse him with spiritual energy, but even the might of a Quasi-Emperor wasn't enough to fill the void. That strange force within Ye Chen commanded the Old Ancestor's profound awe. A Quasi-Emperor couldn't solve it; what hope did anyone else have?

Perhaps there was one last resort… unless a true Great Emperor was willing to intervene for Ye Chen. But even the combined heritage of the entire Ye Family wouldn't be enough to sway a Great Emperor. And even if it could, the Old Ancestor wouldn't agree. How could the fate of the Ye Family hinge on such an uncertain future? Ye Chen sighed silently, the thought a heavy burden.

“Where did this eerie power come from?” he murmured, a flicker of defiance burning in his eyes. “Why did it erupt seven years ago, out of nowhere?”

Seven years! He’d once been a prodigy, breaking through minor realms monthly. Yet for seven years, he’d been stuck at Qi Refining Stage Three. “Is this… is this really my destiny?” His hands clenched into white-knuckled fists, nails digging deep into his palms until blood welled up.

He refused to accept it! His life wasn’t meant for this. Since childhood, he had vowed to stand at the pinnacle of cultivation, looking down upon all living beings. To be struck down before even reaching the Profound King realm felt like a cruel joke.

Despite years of cold stares and cutting remarks, his faith hadn’t wavered. Instead, a burning ember of hope had grown in his heart. He would recover! He had to! Ye Chen lifted his gaze to the sky, his eyes blazing with renewed resolve. He would continue to cultivate!

Seven days from now was the Ye Family’s grand assembly. And the Grand Elder’s son, Ye Liangchen, had issued a challenge for the position of Young Master! According to family rules, he couldn’t refuse. Ye Liangchen was already a Grand Profound King, while Ye Chen was still stuck in Qi Refining. He didn't want to lose! He couldn't afford to lose!

Ye Chen knew his father, the Patriarch, had shouldered immense pressure for him these past seven years. But with time, and the elders’ combined demands, even his father was reaching his breaking point.

The taunts and sneers echoed in Ye Chen’s mind. “How can a good-for-nothing be our Ye Family’s Young Master?” “Times change! If Ye Chen weren’t the Patriarch’s son, but from a branch family, he’d have been expelled long ago.” “Everyone has their moment in the sun, but don’t dwell on the past forever! Seven years, and Ye Chen still hasn’t woken up, still clinging to the delusion of being a ‘genius’?” Each word pierced his heart, clinging to him like a venomous cloud.

A moment later, Ye Chen reined in his thoughts. Seven days! That’s all he had. He pulled a pile of mid-grade spirit stones from his storage ring, arranged them before him, and began circulating his spiritual arts. But it was useless! Utterly useless! The spirit stones dwindled, yet his spiritual energy remained stagnant. This accursed power!

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door. A grey-robed man slowly entered, careful not to startle Ye Chen. He watched his son, a bitter expression on his face, shaking his head slightly. This was Ye Chen’s father, the Ye Family Patriarch. He had witnessed Ye Chen’s struggles these past years, and it pained him deeply, but he was helpless.

Soon, Ye Chen slowly opened his eyes. Just as expected, his spiritual energy hadn’t grown an inch. The Patriarch shook his head almost imperceptibly, a fresh pang of heartache seizing him.

Seeing his father’s expression, a ripple of unease stirred within Ye Chen. Had even his father begun to doubt his recovery? Ye Chen gathered the spirit stones, his gaze firm as he looked at the Patriarch. “Father, I still have time. I’ll win the Young Master challenge in seven days!”

At that, the Patriarch offered a bitter smile. Ye Chen was still in Qi Refining, while Ye Liangchen was already a late-stage Grand Profound King! Reaching Grand Profound King in seven days? Even if the eerie power was resolved, surpassing Ye Liangchen in a week was nothing short of a pipe dream!

The Patriarch didn’t want to burden Ye Chen with more pressure. Perhaps, after losing the Young Master position in seven days, Ye Chen might finally find some peace. Thinking this, the Patriarch hesitated, wondering whether to bring up Nangong Baixue. Who would have thought that at this crucial juncture, Ye Chen’s fiancée, Nangong Baixue, would choose the family assembly to annul their engagement? Would Ye Chen be able to withstand such a blow?

Ye Chen frowned slightly, knowing exactly what his father was about to say. “Father, if Nangong Baixue wants to annul the engagement, then let her!”

An annulment! If the Young Master challenge was the first mountain weighing down on him, then this annulment was the second. It was the epitome of losing power and being treated worse than a dog! Back when he hadn’t fallen, Nangong Baixue had often visited the Ye Family, cultivating alongside him. They were inseparable, and Ye Chen had believed their bond would last forever. He never imagined… that once it was confirmed he couldn’t recover, Nangong Baixue would be the first to abandon him. Any affection he once held for her had long since vanished, replaced by a burning hatred!

At this, Ye Chen asked, “Father, Nangong Baixue will definitely be at the family assembly in seven days, won’t she?” The Patriarch nodded. “The Nangong family will likely attend. Nangong Baixue will come too, but they plan to arrive after the main assembly.” “Heh.” Ye Chen offered a self-deprecating smile. So Nangong Baixue believed he was destined to lose, didn’t she? So much so that she couldn’t even bear to watch his battle!

Silence hung heavy in the air. For a moment, father and son simply stared at each other, unspoken words filling the painful void. Silence, in this instance, spoke volumes.

Suddenly, Ye Chen spoke. “Father, if I lose the Young Master challenge in seven days, I will leave the Ye Family.” The Patriarch was shocked. “Chen’er, why?” Ye Chen smiled bitterly. “I want to go out and seek trials, find my own destiny. I refuse to believe that in the vastness of the Southern Barrens, there isn’t a single soul who can resolve this eerie power!”

Tears welled in the Patriarch’s eyes. How could he possibly let his Qi Refining son leave the Ye Family alone? But he knew Ye Chen; once his son made up his mind, there was no stopping him. With a heavy heart, the Patriarch gently patted Ye Chen’s shoulder. “Alright.”

“Chen’er, it’s been too long since we’ve shared a meal. Let’s eat together tonight.” Ye Chen considered it, then nodded. “Alright.” Soon, the Patriarch instructed the servants to prepare a sumptuous feast. Spiritual chicken, spiritual rabbit… the table groaned under the weight of the dishes. Alas, Ye Chen had no appetite.

The Patriarch didn’t press him. He poured drink after drink for himself, indulging in the spiritual wine. Ye Chen tried to stop him. “Father, please, no more.” But the Patriarch continued, glass after glass. By the end, he was tearfully sobbing, thoroughly drunk. Ye Chen’s heart suddenly ached. He had never seen his father cry! In that moment, he finally understood the immense pressure his father had endured. Because of him, his father had faced constant ostracization from the branch families. The thought made Ye Chen’s body tremble, and clear tears streamed down his face. “Father…” His voice broke, choked with sobs. He realized he had been too selfish all these years, never truly considering his father’s feelings. Blurred memories began to sharpen in his mind… For seven years, at every family assembly, his father had feigned cheerfulness. He looked at his father now and was shocked to see that, without him realizing, his father’s temples were streaked with frost, his hair riddled with white. Ye Chen’s heart twisted. He knew his father had done so much for him behind the scenes. But what could he do for his father? Perhaps leaving the Ye Family would ease his father’s burden.

Then, the Patriarch slowly lifted his head, a dazed look in his eyes. He grasped Ye Chen’s hand, stroking it gently. “Chen’er, no matter what, you will always be my pride.” Tears streamed down Ye Chen’s face, leaving him speechless. The Patriarch sighed, as if remembering something, and slowly said, “Chen’er, all these years, I’ve never spoken of your mother. Now, I will tell you.” “Buzz!” Ye Chen’s mind went blank. His mother!

The Patriarch began, “Your mother comes from a hegemonic force in the Southern Barrens, the Yao Family.” Ye Chen frowned slightly. “The Yao Family!” The Patriarch’s eyes filled with nostalgia. “Your mother was the Saintess of the Yao Family. We met in a secret realm once, and we spent an unforgettable time together.”

“Later, your mother left.” “A year passed, and then a mysterious figure in black robes brought me a baby.” “That baby was you.” “The jade pendant on your chest? That’s from your mother!” Ye Chen was utterly stunned. He never imagined his mother came from the Yao Family. He touched the jade pendant on his chest, a wave of warmth spreading through him.

The Patriarch continued, “But that mysterious figure warned me never to seek out your mother in the Yao Family. Otherwise, not only would you perish, but our entire Ye Family would face annihilation!” Ye Chen was aghast. The Patriarch shook his head. “I tried to ask the mysterious figure for more details, but he seemed gravely injured! After delivering his message, he simply… dissipated into the heavens and earth.” Ye Chen was dumbstruck, a tempest brewing in his heart. Such a secret! All this time, not just him, but the entire Ye Family had believed his mother was long dead! His father had even endured punishment from the Old Ancestor without ever revealing the truth about his mother.

With these words, the Patriarch seemed to finally unburden himself. He slumped forward, collapsing onto the table, completely unconscious. Looking at his drunken father, Ye Chen’s face was a mask of bitterness. He helped his father up and guided him towards his private chambers.

Unbeknownst to them, night had fallen. On his way, he encountered the Grand Elder’s son, Ye Liangchen, flanked by dozens of richly dressed youths, all casting scornful glances at Ye Chen. Ye Liangchen sneered. “Ye Chen, your time is running out. In seven days, I will enter the Profound Emperor realm!”

As his words hung in the air, the youths behind Ye Liangchen erupted in mocking laughter. “Heh heh. At the family assembly in seven days, someone’s going to make a fool of himself.” “Good thing Nangong Baixue won’t have to witness this trash’s battle herself, or our Ye Family’s face would be utterly shamed by this good-for-nothing.” “Hah, the former genius is now worse than a mere servant disciple of the Ye Family. If it were me, I’d just find a block of tofu and smash my head against it.” Each taunt made Ye Chen’s breath catch, a pain akin to a thousand insects gnawing at his flesh. He yearned to rush forward and fight these disciples. But he held back. Without looking back, Ye Chen continued to support his father, slowly fading into the distance.

Under the cloak of night. Outside the Ye Family gates. Lu Xuan, wrapped in a mysterious black cloak, moved with an arcane energy that rendered him utterly invisible. He strode directly through the Ye Family entrance. The guards at the gate remained completely oblivious to his presence.