The Su Clan estate stretched over several acres—pavilions, training fields, medicinal gardens, armories, and ancestral halls woven together like a miniature city.
Once, the original Su Chen had walked this place with timid steps, head lowered, always avoiding trouble.
But this Su Chen walked differently.
Calm.
Steady.
Eyes sharp with newfound purpose.
As he crossed the garden bridge, servants glanced his way. Some looked confused.
Others surprised. A few even whispered behind him.
"Why does Young Master Su look… different today?"
"He seems… taller? No, no—more confident!"
"Impossible. The useless young master? Confident?"
Su Chen ignored them.
He had bigger problems.
Someone had already tried to kill him once.
They would try again.
The Gathering Hall of Elders
Today was the continuation of the clan meeting—interrupted earlier when he fainted from poison.
The Su Clan's hall was a grand structure with towering crimson pillars, carved dragons wrapping along the ceiling beams, and massive jade statues of ancestors at the far end. Inside, elders and inner disciples were already gathered.
As Su Chen stepped in, murmurs rippled across the hall.
"He's awake?"
"But he collapsed only an hour ago…"
"Is he pretending to be fine?"
"I thought he was dead."
Even the presiding elder's eyes widened.
"Su Chen, are you capable of continuing the meeting?"
"Yes, Elder," Su Chen replied steadily.
He walked to his designated seat—the lowest-ranked among the main-line young masters, positioned near the hall's corner.
But even as he sat, his presence felt somehow… less insignificant.
Su Rong sat a few rows ahead, spine straight, pretending to be composed.
Su Chen's gaze brushed over him once, emotionless but sharp like a blade.
Su Rong's fingers twitched.
Good, Su Chen thought. He should be nervous.
The presiding elder cleared his throat.
"Since everyone is present, we resume the matter of the annual Sect Selection Trials."
Instantly, the hall filled with animated voices.
The upcoming trials were important—young talents from all major clans would compete for entrance into the grand cultivation sects of Greenwind Province. For many, it was the only chance to gain resources, status, and a future.
The elder continued, "Five young masters and ten branch disciples will represent our clan."
He began reading names.
Su Chen listened quietly—until…
"Su Rong."
The hall clapped politely.
Su Rong wore a humble smile, but his eyes flashed triumph.
"And finally…" the elder glanced down. "…Su Chen."
Silence.
A few stifled laughs.
Some openly scoffed.
"Why include him?"
"He can't even condense qi properly!"
"A waste of a slot."
"He will embarrass the clan."
Su Rong turned with a pitying smile.
"How fortunate for you, Brother Chen.
Try not to faint during the trials as well."
Su Chen's jaw tightened—but he didn't respond.
He didn't need to.
Because this time, he wasn't the same "useless young master" they remembered.
A Smiling Snake
After the meeting ended, Su Rong hurried to walk beside him.
"You truly surprised me, Brother Chen," he said with false warmth.
"To think you recovered so quickly. You must have strong vitality."
Su Chen smiled faintly.
Su Rong flinched.
"Indeed. I feel better than ever."
They stopped at the entrance archway.
Su Rong leaned closer, voice dropping.
"You know," he said with casual malice, "if you don't want to suffer humiliation in the sect trials… you can give up your spot to me."
Ah.
So that was the real goal.
He didn't want Su Chen dead out of hatred—
He wanted Su Chen's slot for the sect trials.
"After all," Su Rong continued, "you have no talent.
You're just occupying a position you don't deserve."
Su Chen watched him quietly.
Every word from Su Rong was soaked in arrogance, not realizing Su Chen already knew everything—including the poison he had used.
"Thank you for your suggestion," Su Chen said.
Su Rong smirked.
"But I'll keep the slot."
For the first time, Su Rong's expression froze.
"…What did you say?"
"You heard me."
"Do you dare defy me?"
Su Chen stepped closer until their faces were inches apart.
His voice was soft.
"Try something again, cousin. I dare you."
Su Rong's smirk shattered.
He stepped back instinctively.
"You… you're not acting like yourself today."
"No," Su Chen agreed.
"I'm not."
He turned and walked away, leaving Su Rong speechless.
A Lonely Courtyard
Su Chen returned to the remote courtyard assigned to him—the poorest living quarters among the main-line young masters. Old wooden fences, damaged training dummies, weeds creeping between tiles.
A place abandoned by hope.
But for Su Chen, it was fine. He needed solitude.
He sat cross-legged inside the room, steadying his breath.
"First, I need to test cultivation in this body."
The original owner was stuck at Body Tempering Stage 9, unable to break into Qi Refining, the most basic realm for proper cultivation.
"Let's see…"
He circulated the weak strands of qi inside him.
The energy flow was rough, unstable—
but not hopeless.
With effort, he guided the qi pathways, adjusting as he absorbed spiritual energy from the air.
The qi in this world was richer, almost intoxicating. His body tingled.
Minutes became half an hour.
Sweat dripped down his neck.
His breathing deepened—
Until—
BOOM!
A dull explosion echoed inside his meridians.
The barrier shattered.
A wave of warmth washed over him.
Su Chen's eyes snapped open.
Qi Refining – Level 1.
A breakthrough.
So fast…
So easy?
No.
It wasn't luck.
It was his ability.
The moment his qi circulated, his Object Truth Vision had activated subtly—
showing him the weaknesses and inefficiencies in his meridian flow.
Allowing him to adjust perfectly.
A normal cultivator needed years.
He did it in thirty minutes.
Su Chen couldn't help a small smile.
"If I use this ability properly… I can leap realms faster than anyone."
A Knock on the Door
As he wiped sweat from his brow, a gentle knock echoed.
"Brother Chen?"
It was Su Fen, the only cousin who treated the original Su Chen kindly. A kind-hearted girl with a timid voice.
"May I come in?
"Of course," Su Chen replied.
She entered nervously, holding a small tray of medicine.
"I heard you fainted earlier," she said. "I brought you some recovery pills."
Su Chen touched the porcelain bottle.
FLASH!
Medicine Bottle
Content: Mid-grade Vitality Pills
Age: 2 years
Purity: 84%
Harmful Additives: None
Intent of Giver: Genuine concern
Su Chen's shoulders relaxed slightly.
"Thank you," he said. "I appreciate it."
Su Fen nodded shyly.
Then—
She hesitated.
Her eyes darted nervously.
"B-Brother Chen… I overheard something at the meeting."
Her voice trembled.
"You need to be careful. Someone… I think someone wants to harm you."
Su Chen smiled gently.
"Yes," he said softly. "I know."
"You know?!" She gasped. "T-Then—"
"It's fine. I can handle myself now."
He didn't elaborate—but seeing the calm determination in his eyes, Su Fen slowly nodded.
"Then… please be safe."
She bowed and left.
As the door closed, Su Chen exhaled.
All right.
He had broken through.
He had a deadly ability.
He had regained control of his fate.
Now came the next challenge:
The Sect Selection Trials—where he would meet Ling Xue for the first time.
A faint wind rustled through the courtyard as the sun dipped below the horizon.
Su Chen stood, eyes sharp.
"This world thinks I'm weak.
A nobody.
Trash."
His fingers clenched into a fist.
"I'll show them all how wrong they are."
He walked toward the training field as night fell—
A lone figure stepping into a future written not by fate…
but by his own hands.