The Exiled Youth of the Martial Residence

In the Tianhuang city, at the Outer Courtyard of the Chen Clan, there lied a training ground.

Under the scorching sun, a young man was relentlessly perspiring as he stroke the wooden stakes.

"Chen Feng is still practicing, but it's a pity that no matter how hard he tries, he can never regain a trace of vitality. Now, he's nothing more than an utter scum," remarked one onlooker.

"Indeed, what good is effort? His meridians are damaged, and even the family's resources can't heal him. For the rest of his life, he'll be nothing more than an ordinary man, struggling to get by," another chimed in.

Many people gathered in the shade, and their gazes toward Chen Feng were filled with mockery.

This young man, Chen Feng, was once hailed as the unparalleled genius of the Chen Clan. He began martial training at five, reached the initial stage of meridian cultivation at eight, the middle stage at ten, and the late stage at twelve. By fifteen, he achieved a perfect meridian cultivation, just half a step away from becoming a Blood Shifting realm powerhouse.

With unsurpassed talent, he was acclaimed as the number one prodigy in the city of Tianhuang.

However, that was a year ago.

A year ago, Chen Feng, the astonishing genius, defied all expectations and was granted the opportunity to participate in the trials of the eight major martial residences. These residences were renowned sanctuaries of martial arts, places coveted by countless warriors.

It was during those trials that Chen Feng's fall from grace began. For some unknown reason, his meridians were damaged, and he was expelled from the eight major martial residences. He returned to the Chen Clan in disgrace, and even the elder who accompanied him lost his life!

"Heh, perhaps he committed some unforgivable sin, so the heavens have stripped him of everything," speculated one person.

"Shh, keep your voice down. Even though Chen Feng has fallen on hard times, he still enjoys the favor of the Inner Courtyard. He carries the title of the young master. Be careful not to provoke him, or he might teach you a lesson."

"You call him the young master? He's nothing but a waste. It won't be long before he's stripped of that title. Without this protection, I doubt he'll survive in the Outer Courtyard."

"Young Master?" The reminded young man intentionally raised his voice, as if afraid Chen Feng wouldn't hear, "Hehe, a useless person, and he still dares to claim the position of Young Master? I don't think it'll be long before this useless person is stripped of that title. Without it, I wonder how he'll survive in the Outer Courtyard!"

The man said with a disdainful huff. In the past, Chen Feng was admired by everyone, and even the Inner Courtyard elders treated him with great respect. But now...

At that momemt, Chen Feng stopped his cultivation.

"My physical body has been refined enough. It should be able to withstand that type of cultivation. As long as I can practice that technique, I will undoubtedly return to the peak and even have the chance to reach the legendary Fate Palace realm!"

Ignoring the mockery of the crowd, he took a brief respite, exhaled softly, and walked away.

In one year, Chen Feng had witnessed such scenes for somany times. Perhaps, in his former self, he had been the one looked up to and admired, so now, it was only natural that people sought to trample on him to regain their lost self-esteem.

However, as he was about to leave the training ground, a young man in a gray crescent robe hurried over and approached him directly.

Seeing this young man, many Outer Courtyard disciples looked at him with admiration. They wished they could get closer, making a strong impression on this Inner Courtyard disciple.

"That's Chen Han, the senior from the Inner Courtyard!"

"My goodness, Chen Han, an Inner Courtyard senior, has come to our Outer Courtyard! You should know that any Inner Courtyard disciple starts their cultivation with a perfect meridian, which means these experts are not much weaker than Chen Feng at his peak!"

These Outer Courtyard disciples were quick to speak, looking at the gray-robed youth with adoration. Several female disciples even tried to attract his attention.

The Chen Clan was divided into inner and Outer Courtyards, where the Inner Courtyard housed all the elite disciples, and the Outer Courtyard was like the menial peak, home to disciples with average talents. That meant that these disciples had no hope of ever becoming the strong. Thus, upon encountering an Inner Courtyard disciple, many of them hoped to use this opportunity to rise to greater heights.

"He's going to Chen Feng."

Suddenly, someone exclaimed, and the crowd had a mixed reaction. While they didn't know what was happening, a sense of schadenfreude was evident on their faces.

"Are you Chen Feng?" Chen Han asked, his voice dripping with disdain and contempt, as if merely summoning Chen Feng was a disgrace.

"Yes, I am. May I inquire about the purpose of your visit, senior?" Chen Feng furrowed his brow and asked.

"The Inner Courtyard elders have summoned you. You should go." Chen Han urged impatiently and added, "Scum." His tone was filled with scorn and contempt, as if summoning Chen Feng was an embarrassment to him.

"The Inner Courtyard elders..."

Upon hearing this, Chen Feng's expression changed. He silently clenched his fists. The Inner Courtyard was finally making a move on him. He couldn't help but wonder how they would treat him.

He sighed. After a year of experiencing the ups and downs of life, Chen Feng wouldn’take it as that the Inner Courtyard elders' summoned him because they found an attempt to help him recover.

"I hope that Senior Brother will lead the way," Chen Feng said, taking a deep breath.

"Hmph, what makes you think I should lead you? I'm only responsible for the summons. Coming to find you is already a huge favor. Go away; I don't want to see you again," Chen Han retorted impatiently.

"You..." Chen Feng clenched his teeth, his tone growing darker.

"What's the matter? You're not satisfied?" Chen Han raised an eyebrow, looking down on Chen Feng as if he were insignificant. "Scum, just a scum. You really think you're the former peerless genius? Now you're completely useless. Hah, when you meet the elders, you won't know how you'll end up. Go on; I don't want to dirty my hands." He waved his hand as if shooing away a pest.

"Chen Han..." Chen Feng gritted his teeth. He had never gotten along with this person in the past, but at that time, he was the pride of the Chen family, enjoying a high status and the recognition of his peers.

"What is it?" Chen Han looked at Chen Feng with disdain.

“Fortune is fickle. Don't underestimate a broke young man. Chen Han, just you wait. One day, I will return to the Inner Courtyard, and all of you will bow your heads!" Chen Feng's fists creaked as he spoke. He turned and walked away, paying no more attention to Chen Han.

"Heh, a scum still dares to defy destiny?"

"Your meridians are damaged. Even if you spent an eternity in Tianhuang City, it's impossible to heal. From now on, you’re just a scum! The number one expert in the Chen Family is destined to be Chen Feitian, our big brother. You're not qualified!" Chen Han jeered, indifferent.

...

Leaving the training ground, Chen Feng headed straight for the Inner Courtyard meeting hall. The Chen family was divided into an inner and Outer Courtyard. Since the disappearance of the previous courtyard master and the death of the head elder, the Outer Courtyard had lost its qualifications to participate in the Chen family's meetings.

The meeting hall was located in the center of the Inner Courtyard.

Along the way, many Inner Courtyard disciples pointed at and gossiped about Chen Feng, some even openly ridiculed him, not caring if he could hear.

"Isn't this the scum Chen Feng?"

"Haha, with damaged meridians, he still has the face to appear in the Inner Courtyard. If I were him, I'd have committed suicide long ago. He's truly a scum with no backbone!"

"Shh, I heard that today, our big brother, Chen Feitian, has returned in great strength and is already half a step into the Blood Shifting realm... It seems like things won't go well for Chen Feng this time..."

The surrounding people talked in hushed tones, but Chen Feng could clearly hear everything with his heightened senses. He remained unfazed, walking toward the meeting hall. Such scenes had become commonplace for him.

...