Chapter 1
"Fang Yuan, hand over the Spring-Autumn Cicada quietly and I'll give you a quick death!"
"Old bastard Fang, stop trying to resist! Today all the righteous factions have allied just to destroy your demon lair. This place is already surrounded with inescapable nets—this time you will definitely be beheaded!"
"Fang Yuan, you damned demon! Just because you wanted to refine the Spring-Autumn Cicada, you went and slaughtered thousands. You've committed too many unforgivable sins!"
"Demon! 300 years ago, you humiliated me, took my purity, killed my entire family and exterminated nine generations. From that moment, I've hated you with a burning passion! Today, I want you dead!"
…
Fang Yuan wore dark green robes that were torn into shreds. His hair was disheveled and his entire body was covered in blood. He looked around.
The blood-soaked robes fluttered slightly in the mountain breeze like a war flag.
Fresh blood flowed from the many wounds on his body. Just by standing there for a short moment, Fang Yuan had already formed a large pool of blood beneath his feet.
Enemies surrounded him on all sides; there was no escape left.
It was a foregone conclusion that he would die here.
Fang Yuan clearly understood his situation, but even in the face of death, his expression did not change—it was calm.
His gaze was clear, his eyes like deep pools of water in a well, so deep they seemed bottomless.
The major righteous factions surrounding him were not only experienced elders, but also young and talented heroes. Around the heavily encircled Fang Yuan, some roared, some sneered; some eyes shone with light, while others clutched their wounds and watched with fear.
No one moved; everyone was wary of Fang Yuan's final attack.
For six hours, this tense moment lasted until evening fell, the sun casting its rays across the mountainside. At that moment, it was as if the place was on fire.
Fang Yuan, who had been silent like a statue the whole time, slowly turned his body.
The group of warriors was instantly alarmed and all took a large step back.
By now, the gray rock beneath Fang Yuan's feet had long been stained deep red. Due to massive blood loss, his face had turned pale as death; in the afterglow of the sunset, he suddenly seemed to shine.
Looking at the setting sun, Fang Yuan lightly laughed.
"The sun sets beyond the blue mountain, the autumn moon with the spring wind. Morning is like hair, night is like snow; whether you succeed or fail, when you look back, nothing remains."
As he said this, memories of his previous life on Earth surfaced before his eyes.
He had originally been a Chinese scholar on Earth who had accidentally come to this world. He endured a hard life for 300 years and lived another 200; more than 500 years of his life had passed in the blink of an eye.
So many memories buried deep in his heart began to revive, coming to life before him.
"I failed in the end." Fang Yuan sighed inwardly, but there was no regret.
This final outcome was something he had expected. When he made his decision at the beginning, he had already prepared for it.
To be a demon is to be merciless and cruel, a killer and destroyer. There is no place in heaven or earth for such a being—to become the enemy of the world and face the consequences.
"If the Spring-Autumn Cicada I've just refined works, I'll still be a demon in my next life!" With this thought, Fang Yuan couldn't help but laugh.
"Evil demon, what are you laughing at?!"
"Everyone be careful, the demon is about to make his final attack!"
"Hurry and hand over the Spring-Autumn Cicada!!"
The group of warlords charged forward; at that moment, with a loud explosion, Fang Yuan was engulfed in a surge of blinding energy.
…
Spring rain quietly fell over Qing Mao Mountain.
It was already late at night, a gentle breeze blowing along with the light rain.
Yet Qing Mao Mountain was not covered in darkness; from the mountainside to the foot, dozens of tiny lights shone like a bright ribbon.
These lights came from large buildings. Though they couldn't be called ten thousand lights, there were still several thousand.
Situated on the mountain was Gu Yue Village, adding a rich touch of human civilization to the vast, lonely mountain.
At the center of Gu Yue Village stood a magnificent pavilion. A grand ceremony was being held at this moment, and the lights were brighter than ever, radiating glory.
"Ancestors, please bless us! We pray that this ceremony will bring many youths of outstanding talent and intelligence, bringing fresh blood and hope to their families!"
The Gu Yue clan leader appeared middle-aged, his sideburns graying. Dressed in white ceremonial robes, he knelt on the yellow-brown ground, his back straight, hands clasped, eyes tightly shut as he prayed sincerely.
He faced a large black case; it had three layers, each holding ancestral memorial tablets. Copper incense burners stood on both sides, smoke rising.
Behind him were more than ten people kneeling in the same way. They wore loose white ceremonial clothing—these were clan elders, important members with great authority.
After the prayers, the clan leader bent forward, placing both hands on the ground and kowtowing. As his forehead struck the ground, soft thuds could be heard.
Behind him, the elders followed solemnly.
The hall filled with the dull sound of heads hitting the ground.
When the ceremony ended, the crowd slowly rose and quietly exited the sacred hall.
In the corridor, sighs of relief could be heard, and the atmosphere relaxed. Conversations gradually began.
"Time passes too quickly—another year has gone by in the blink of an eye."
"The last ceremony feels like it was just yesterday."
"Tomorrow is the start of the annual ceremony. I wonder what new talents will appear this year?"
"Ah, I hope some outstanding youths emerge. The Gu Yue clan hasn't seen a genius in three years."
"True. Bai Village and Xiong Village have both produced talented geniuses recently. Especially Bai Ning Bing from the Bai clan—his natural talent is terrifying."
At the mention of Bai Ning Bing, the elders' faces grew concerned.
In just two years of training, he had already reached Rank 3 Gu Master.
Among the younger generation, he could be called the most outstanding. Even the older generation felt pressure from his rise.
In time, he would inevitably become a pillar of the Bai clan.
"But this year's participants still give us hope."
"You're right. From Fang Zhi's line, a young genius has appeared. He could speak at three months, walk at four. At five, he could recite poetry—exceptionally intelligent and talented. Unfortunately, his parents died early, and he's now raised by his uncle and aunt."
"Yes, wise at a young age and full of ambition. His works 'Jiang Jing Jiu', 'Yong Mei', and 'Jiang Cheng Zi'—what a genius!"
The Gu Yue clan leader, walking last, overheard this and immediately knew they were talking about Gu Yue Fang Yuan.
As clan leader, it was natural to pay attention to outstanding youths—and Fang Yuan was the most eye-catching among them.
Experience showed that children with exceptional early traits often had high cultivation talent.
"If this child shows Grade A potential, he might even rival Bai Ning Bing…" the clan leader thought, smiling faintly.
He then coughed lightly and addressed the elders:
"It's late. Rest well tonight so you'll have enough energy for tomorrow's ceremony."
The elders exchanged glances, understanding the deeper meaning.
Every year, they fiercely competed for talented youths.
Especially Fang Yuan—if he truly had Grade A potential, raising him could secure a hundred years of prosperity.
"But remember—compete fairly. No schemes that harm clan unity," the leader warned.
The elders agreed and dispersed.
Soon, the corridor fell silent.
Standing by the window, the clan leader looked over the village. Though late, many lights were still on—tomorrow's ceremony stirred excitement and tension.
"These are the clan's hopes for the future," he sighed.
At that same moment, a pair of clear eyes watched those same lights.
"Gu Yue Village… 500 years ago?! It seems the Spring-Autumn Cicada really worked…"
Fang Yuan stood by the window, letting the rain hit him.
The Spring-Autumn Cicada could reverse time—ranked seventh among the Ten Mystical Gu.
Its power: rebirth.
"I've been reborn… back to 500 years ago!"
He looked at his young, pale hands and slowly clenched them.
The sound of rain filled his ears. He closed his eyes, then opened them again.
"500 years of experience… it really feels like a dream."
But he knew clearly—
This was no dream.
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