The Falling Star Empire, Green Mountain City.

Atop a mountain peak behind the Dragon Clan's estate, a young man clad in black martial attire, no older than fifteen or sixteen, stared at the golden bead in his palm and let out a deep sigh.

"If you hadn't absorbed ninety percent of my spiritual energy that day, I wouldn’t have awakened only a first-grade Spirit Rune and ended up in this miserable state."

"With my talent, I should have awakened at least a fifth-grade Spirit Rune."

The boy’s name was Long Chen. At fifteen, he had been exceptional since childhood—cultivating at four, sensing qi at six, channeling spiritual energy into his body at eight to embark on the path of a martial artist, and breaking through to the one-star Qi Refining Realm at nine, earning the title of Green Mountain City’s top prodigy. After six more years of relentless training, he reached the nine-star Qi Refining Realm at fifteen, shaking the entire city with his fame.

Yet, just half a month ago, during the clan’s Spirit Rune Awakening Ceremony, he had awakened only a first-grade Spirit Rune, leaving everyone stunned.

After the ceremony, Long Chen became the talk of the town—mocked, ridiculed, and gloated over from all sides.

Even his own clansmen turned cold toward him. For the past two weeks, he had endured endless scorn and disdainful glances.

Those Dragon Clan disciples who once surrounded him with humble reverence now sneered at him without hesitation.

A mountain breeze whispered past as the morning sun rose. Long Chen took a deep breath, tucked away the golden bead, and prepared to resume his training.

"Brother Long Chen!"

Just then, a graceful girl in a flowing, colorful dress approached with light steps, her silky black hair dancing in the wind.

Her delicate features were radiant, and her large, dark eyes sparkled with warmth as she smiled. "Brother Long Chen, so this is where you’ve been hiding! I’ve been looking everywhere for you."

Gazing at the spirited girl before him, Long Chen forced a bitter smile. "Do I still deserve to be called 'Brother Long Chen' by you now?"

Seemingly unsettled by his defeated demeanor, the girl wrinkled her delicate nose and replied with unwavering conviction, "Xue’er believes in you, Brother Long Chen. You’ll definitely become strong again and reclaim your glory."

Long Chen gazed at her, deeply moved. He took a deep breath and instinctively reached out to pat Long Xue'er's head, murmuring softly, "Don't worry, Xue'er. It won't be long before I reclaim the honor that's rightfully mine. And when that day comes, I'll ask your father for your hand in marriage..."

His eyes grew distant, a confident smile playing at the corners of his lips.

"Mm!"

Long Xue'er nodded gently, a fleeting, unreadable glint passing through her eyes. In a sweet, coquettish voice, she said, "Brother Long Chen, there's something I'd like to ask of you..."

"Oh?" Long Chen looked at her, slightly surprised, but without hesitation, he replied, "What is it? If it's within my power, I'll do it!"

"I'm about to break through to the One-Star Qi Gathering Realm, and I was hoping to borrow your Golden Pearl!" Long Xue'er blurted out, then quickly added, "I know the Golden Pearl is your treasure, but this breakthrough is crucial for me—it determines whether I can enter the Profound Heaven Sect. Please, Brother Long Chen, grant me this favor!"

"This..."

Long Chen frowned. The Golden Pearl was his birthright, a companion since the day he was born. It gathered spiritual energy and accelerated his cultivation. For over a decade, it had never left his side. Moreover, the pearl only worked for him—in anyone else's hands, it was little more than an ordinary stone. Many in the Long family had once coveted it, but after failing to unlock its secrets, they had all returned it to him.

"Xue'er, the Golden Pearl won't be of any use to you. How about this—you can cultivate by my side instead? The effect will be the same."

Not wanting to disappoint her, Long Chen proposed a compromise. But to his surprise, Long Xue'er's expression darkened. She slapped his hand away with irritation and snapped, "You won't even lend me a stupid pearl, yet you claim to love me? Seems like you've been lying all along."

"Xue'er, I—"

"Enough! Don't say another word..." Long Xue'er took three steps back, her pretty face twisted in displeasure. "With your mediocre talent, keeping the Golden Pearl is just a waste. Why not hand it over to someone who can actually make use of it?"

"Xue'er... what did you just say?" Long Chen stiffened, stunned by the sudden coldness in her voice.

"Hmph! Don't call me 'Xue'er'—you don't have that right anymore. Hand over the Golden Pearl now, unless... you want me to stop being polite." Having laid her cards on the table, Long Xue'er glared at him, her eyes icy with menace.

Long Chen stared at her, barely recognizing the girl who had once been so dear to him. A pang of sorrow pierced his heart. "Xue'er... have you forgotten? You promised me we'd stay together, always."

"Hmph, how naive of you. I've awakened a fourth-grade spirit pattern—my destiny lies far beyond this backwater Qing Mountain City. And you? You're nothing but an insignificant ant, yet you dare dream of having me? A toad lusting after swan flesh!"

By now, Long Xue'er's last shred of patience had worn thin. She turned her head slightly and called out, "Lu Hong, come out!"

"Lu Hong?" The name sent a chill down Long Chen's spine, an ominous premonition taking root.

Footsteps crunched on dry leaves as a young man in a fitted purple martial robe emerged from behind a tree. His gaze swept over Long Chen with undisguised arrogance. "So Xue'er tells me that golden orb of yours is a congenital treasure? The one that gathers spiritual energy?" he drawled.

Casually draping an arm around Long Xue'er's slender waist, Lu Hong smirked as the girl tilted her chin up. "You probably don't know this, Long Chen," she said, lips curling, "but Lu Hong is now an outer disciple of the Profound Heaven Sect. He returned specifically for our betrothal—and he's arranged for my direct admission without entrance trials."

"What?"

White-hot fury exploded through Long Chen's veins, scorching every nerve ending. His vision tinted crimson.

"Long Xue'er!"

The name tore from his throat like a battle cry. His knuckles cracked audibly as fists clenched, tendons standing out like whipcords. The sheer intensity of his glare made Long Xue'er instinctively retreat half a step.

"Let me handle this." Lu Hong gave her shoulder a patronizing pat before turning dismissive eyes on the seething Long Chen. "Using something Xue'er fancies as an engagement gift seems rather fitting, don't you think? So, boy—hand over that golden orb."

"Go to hell!"

With a ground-shaking stomp that kicked up a dust cloud, Long Chen launched forward like a human cannonball. His punch carried enough force to ripple the air, a phantom ape's silhouette materializing behind him in a surge of wild spiritual energy.

"Qing Mountain City's so-called top genius?" Lu Hong sneered, unimpressed. "This is all you've got?"

As Long Chen's fist came hurtling toward him, Lu Hong merely shook his head with an air of indifference. A surge of formidable spiritual energy erupted from his body, sweeping toward Long Chen like an invisible tide. With a resounding *thud*, Long Chen was sent flying backward, blood spewing from his mouth.

"Spiritual Energy Externalization... Sixth Star Qi Gathering Realm?"

Feeling the oppressive aura radiating from Lu Hong, Long Chen sucked in a sharp breath. Lu Hong was only four years his senior. Two years ago, he had barely passed the Tianxuan Sect's entrance trials with his peak Ninth Star Qi Refining Realm cultivation. Yet in just two short years, he had broken through an entire major realm—such terrifying progress was unheard of.

"I'll say it one last time—hand it over."

Having effortlessly crippled Long Chen with a single strike, Lu Hong's gaze remained indifferent, as if he had merely swatted away a fly. He casually flicked his sleeve, his tone chillingly dismissive.

"In your dreams!" Long Chen spat through bloodied lips as he struggled to his feet.

"Hmph!"

Lu Hong's eyes narrowed, and in the blink of an eye, his palm shot forward like lightning. A crushing wave of force surged forth, slamming mercilessly into Long Chen's chest.

*Cough!*

Long Chen's body was flung backward like a ragdoll, blood gushing from his mouth and staining his robes crimson. Despite his battered state, his eyes remained locked onto Lu Hong, burning with unbridled killing intent.

"I *really* don't like the way you're looking at me."

Irritated by Long Chen's murderous glare, Lu Hong's expression darkened. An even more terrifying surge of spiritual energy gathered in his palm as he raised his hand for a final, devastating strike—one that could shatter even solid stone, let alone a human body.

"Don't kill him! The Grand Elder is his grandfather!"

At the last possible moment, Long Xue'er's voice rang out.

Hearing her words, Lu Hong smirked faintly, though his palm still hovered in the air, the killing intent lingering but restrained.

Long Xue'er approached slowly, looking down at Long Chen with icy detachment. "The Golden Pearl will be mine," she declared flatly. "You have one day to decide. Tomorrow at this hour, I expect it in my hands."

She paused, her gaze lingering on his battered form—blood gushing from his wounds, his breath shallow and labored. "And remember," she added, her voice dripping with menace, "just because I spared your life today doesn't mean I won't end it tomorrow."

With a disdainful snort, she turned on her heel and strode away, Lu Hong following in her wake like a shadow.

Long Chen's vision swam as he watched their retreating figures, his fists clenched so tightly his nails drew blood. "Long Xue'er... Lu Hong..." he rasped through gritted teeth, each word a vow forged in fury. "I swear upon my very soul—this debt of blood will be repaid."

The mountain wind howled around him, carrying away his fading strength. As darkness crept into the edges of his sight, he felt warmth seeping from his body into the cold earth. Just before unconsciousness claimed him, a glimmer of gold seemed to burst from his chest—a fleeting radiance swallowed by the encroaching void.