Su Ye wore the Soul Gathering Orb around his wrist, its faint glow pulsing like a quiet heartbeat.
He stood before the grand gates of the Su family.
The towering doors loomed like a mountain, ancient and unyielding, their surface carved with countless marks of time. To the side stood a stone tablet, weathered yet dignified. Upon it were inscribed words that carried the weight of generations:
[When the world bends beneath power, you must ask what you stand for when power is stripped away. To act when it is inconvenient, to endure when it would be easier to yield, to protect without thought of reward, these are the roots of a hero. Do not seek to be remembered, and do not act for the gaze of others. If, in the face of heaven and all its trials, you can keep your word and remain unchanged, then whether your name is known or forgotten, you have already walked the path of true heroism.]
Su Ye's crimson eyes lingered on the words.
Then, without hesitation—
He pushed the gates open.
The heavy doors creaked, echoing like a distant thunder.
Though the words were profound, he felt nothing resonate within him.
A hero?
His fingers tightened slightly.
What hero had come to save his mother?
In the end, strength was all that mattered.
This was a cultivation world, a world where the strong decided right and wrong, life and death.
If he had been stronger…she wouldn't have died.
That was the simple truth.
His gaze sharpened, the last trace of youthful warmth fading away.
He lifted his head and looked at the vast sky above.
One day… I will leave this wretched place and return home.
No matter how long it takes.
But before I do...I must settle this grudge.
Ever since he had been reincarnated to this world, there were countless times where he thought to himself, "Do I want to go back?"
Even though earth was flawed, it allowed him to feel peace. Unlike this world where killing was the norm.
With that goal set, he stepped into the Su family.
Dozens of guards stood in formation, each one radiating a steady aura. Their armor gleamed faintly, their expressions resolute. Every single one of them was at least at the 3rd Step: Solidification Stage, their presence alone enough to suppress ordinary cultivators.
For a normal clan or sect, the guards would at least be at the 2nd Step: Alternative Stage.
In this world, the first 3 steps were about building a foundation and what sort of dao one wanted to pursue.
The 1st step is where many beginners start learning how to utilize their qi.
The 2nd step is where things get real. The cultivator decides for themselves which route they want.
For example, they could pave a way with their sword, or save people to gain merit. This stage is extremely crucial for future cultivation.
Once they have their dao, they can move on to the 3rd step.
On the 3rd step, their dao integrates with their body, soul, and spirit.
Su Ye nodded and looked towards the front.
At their head stood Xiao Lan.
Xiao Lan, dressed in modest green robes, had a slender and petite figure that moved with practiced elegance. Her oval face was soft and youthful, her eyes bright yet gentle, always reflecting concern for those she served.
Her long black hair was tied into a simple bun, secured with a plain hairpin.
"Young master!"
Her eyes lit up at the sight of him, but her smile soon faltered.
Su Ye's expression was devoid of emotion, his crimson eyes now as cold as a frozen abyss. His white hair swayed lightly, yet there was no softness left in him.
The flame mark upon his forehead had deepened in color, twisting faintly like a sinister omen.
A faint black aura lingered around him, unstable and oppressive, as though it could erupt at any moment. He stood there like a demon born from tragedy, no longer seeking warmth, only vengeance.
The cheerful boy she once knew...was gone.
"Young master…you…"
"I'm fine." Su Ye's voice was calm, almost indifferent. He gave a slight gesture. "Lead the way."
Xiao Lan nodded quietly.
No matter how the young master changes...I promised miss I would look after him.
Inside the main hall—
Five figures awaited him.
At the center sat Su Daoxuan. Though he appeared no older than his twenties, his presence was vast and unfathomable. His simple robes concealed a terrifying depth, while the jade ornament at his waist shimmered like a cluster of stars.
To his right sat Su Jingyi, a graceful woman with gentle features and an elegant demeanor. Her calm smile carried a quiet wisdom.
Beside her was Su Yixiao, leaning lazily in his seat, his halberd resting nearby, his sharp eyes still carrying traces of battle.
To the left sat Su Ru's parents.
Shen Wanqing, her mother, possessed a soft and refined beauty, her eyes filled with maternal warmth.
Su Linghan, her father, stood tall and steady, his expression firm yet tinged with nervous anticipation.
Su Daoxuan smiled faintly.
"Child, this is our first meeting. I am Su Daoxuan, Patriarch of the Su family." He waved his hand lightly. "Come, greet your family."
Su Ye stepped forward.
He clasped his hands and bowed deeply.
"I am Su Ye. I greet the elders."
"Come, come!"
Shen Wanqing and Su Linghan could no longer hold back. They hurried forward, their composed appearances breaking apart.
Shen Wanqing cupped his face gently, her fingers trembling.
"Child… you've suffered."
Su Ye stiffened slightly at the unfamiliar warmth, but did not pull away.
"…I'm fine."
Su Linghan stood awkwardly beside them, unsure whether to embrace him or simply pat his shoulder.
"N-now that you're back, don't worry! Even if you can't cultivate, your grandfather is here! No one will dare touch you!"
"And me!" Su Yixiao grinned, tossing a peanut into his mouth. "Your uncle is quite famous, you know. If anyone dares trouble you, just say my name and see if they still have the courage to bark!"
Su Jingyi smiled gently.
"I am Su Jingyi, an elder of the Su family. I handle the family's affairs." She paused slightly. "Follow your heart, and do not wrong the innocent. As long as you do that, the Su family will stand behind you."
"Thank you, Elder."
She nodded.
Su Daoxuan set down his teacup, his gaze sharpening.
"I heard you disabled Li Tao's right arm. How?"
Su Ye bowed slightly.
"Replying to the Patriarch…I cannot absorb spiritual qi. However, yesterday, I felt a force within my body. Following instinct, I was able to release this…"
He raised his hand.
A strand of black aura emerged.
It writhed like a living thing.
The moment it appeared—
Everyone felt it.
A faint…distant fear.
Even Su Daoxuan's divine sense halted, unwilling to approach too closely.
"What a strange aura…" he murmured. "I have never seen anything like it."
Su Ye's eyes flickered.
This power came from his soul.
Most likely it came from a mutation when I crossed over. I'm not exactly sure of what it is or what its danger is to me but...
If he could master it—
Revenge would no longer be out of reach.
Su Daoxuan suddenly moved. With a flick of his fingers, a complex formation spread across the courtyard.
"Let us test it."
Su Ye stepped into the formation, black aura coiling around him.
For a brief moment—
The formation flickered.
Then—
It collapsed.
"…!"
Su Linghan's eyes widened in shock.
But Su Daoxuan remained calm.
"Not surprising," Su Daoxuan said lightly. "He survived against Li Tao who's at the 5th Step: Transparent Stage. This aura likely allows him to rival the third, or maybe even the fourth step."
He stepped forward and placed a hand on Su Ye's dantian.
Empty.
Yet instead of disappointment—
His eyes lit up with excitement.
"Fascinating…truly fascinating…"
His scholarly curiosity overtook his composure.
Looks like the Patriarch is a cultivation fanatic… Su Ye thought silently.
"Cough."
Shen Wanqing interrupted, her tone was gentle but firm.
"Patriarch, the boy has just endured a great ordeal."
"But I still have things I want to test..."
Su Daoxuan looked down disappointedly.
Su Jingyi persuaded him. "It's not like he's going anywhere anytime soon. Besides, he needs rest. Anyone would after going through what he did."
Su Daoxuan sighed reluctantly.
"…Very well. Rest well, Su Ye. Tomorrow, I'll test you again."
"Understood, Patriarch."
Shen Wanqing and Su Linghan immediately brightened.
"Come! We'll take you to your mother's room. We've kept everything just as it was."
Su Ye paused.
His gaze lowered slightly.
"…I'll stay there."
"Good, good!"
They led him away, Xiao Lan following closely behind.
After passing through a garden filled with blooming pink and red flowers, they arrived at a quiet courtyard.
Before the door—
Su Ye stopped.
"C-can I enter alone… with Xiao Lan?"
His voice was calm, but his hesitation betrayed him.
Why am I nervous?
"Of course," Shen Wanqing said softly. "Take your time."
Su Ye nodded.
He raised his hand—
—and gently pushed the door open.