Chapter 2: The Once-Promising Genius, Xiao Chen

Chapter 2: The Once-Promising Genius, Xiao Chen

In the Sword Dao Academy, within a secluded courtyard of the outer sect—

A young man with a forlorn expression sat in the yard, gazing up at the sky. His bright eyes were filled with confusion and loss.

This young man was none other than Xiao Chen, the leading senior disciple of the Sword Dao Academy—the first prodigy the academy had seen in a hundred years.

In just half a year, after the outer sect's grand competition, he would have been able to enter the inner sect and become a true core disciple of the Sword Dao Academy.

But all of that had vanished like a dream half a month ago.

A month ago, in order to obtain a Five-Colored Ice Lotus, he engaged in a fierce battle with the beast guarding it.

Though he managed to claim the Ice Lotus, he suffered grave injuries. His dantian was destroyed, making it impossible for him to cultivate ever again—he had become a complete cripple.

In an instant, he fell from the clouds into the abyss.

Those junior brothers and sisters who once followed him around now distanced themselves without hesitation.

The ones who used to flatter and curry favor with him began kicking him while he was down—if not mocking him with cold sarcasm, then beating him outright.

But what hurt him the most wasn't becoming a cripple.

It was that after going through untold hardships to bring the Five-Colored Ice Lotus back to Wendao Academy, he handed it over to his fiancée, Qin Rou.

Yet less than a month after receiving it, Qin Rou's attitude completely changed.

She said an elder from the inner sect had taken notice of her, and she would soon become a true inner disciple.

Xiao Chen, now a cripple, no longer deserved her.

She then had the Qin family annul their engagement with him.

Upon receiving this news yesterday, Xiao Chen collapsed and fainted.

And this morning, another blow struck—Wendao Academy decided to expel him and had already notified his mother to come take him home.

Thinking of his mother made Xiao Chen feel as if a knife were piercing his heart.

He was born in the secular Kingdom of Da Liang, in the residence of the Third Prince.

His mother was only a concubine of the Third Prince. Xiao Chen was her only child, and she had poured all her love and energy into raising him.

One could say he was her entire world.

When he left Da Liang, Xiao Chen had made a solemn vow to his mother: that he would become someone truly great and come back to take her away from the prince's residence, so she could live a good life.

But now, after just over two years at Wendao Academy, he had failed to keep his promise.

Whenever he thought of his mother's reluctant yet proud gaze at their parting—

Xiao Chen would feel an overwhelming urge to end his own life. How could he still face his mother now?

Rather than live on in humiliation and disgrace, wouldn't it be better to end it all?

He slowly raised his hand, ready to strike his own forehead—

Just then, a familiar voice came from outside the courtyard.

"Chen'er, Mother has good news to tell you."

Xiao Chen's raised hand froze in mid-air upon hearing that voice.

He turned to look toward the courtyard entrance and saw his haggard-looking mother standing there, tears in her eyes, forcing a faint smile.

Thud!

Xiao Chen dropped to his knees and said, "Mother, your son has failed you and caused you to suffer."

Concubine Xiao quickly stepped forward and helped him up. "Mother hasn't suffered. As long as you're alive and well, I'm at ease."

No matter how strong Xiao Chen was inside, hearing those words made his eyes immediately well up.

All the pain and humiliation he had endured over the past days erupted in that moment.

Yet he held back his tears with all his might. He couldn't let his mother worry for him anymore.

"Thank you, Mother."

As the saying goes: the bond between mother and son is heart-deep.

How could Concubine Xiao not sense the sorrow in her son's heart? She hurriedly said, "Chen'er, don't be disheartened. Mother came today to tell you— you can still stay at Wendao Academy and continue your cultivation."

"How is that possible?"

Xiao Chen's face was full of confusion.

His mother was merely a concubine of the Third Prince of Da Liang. Even if the Emperor of Da Liang himself intervened, there was no way he could force Wendao Academy to keep him.

Compared to Wendao Academy, the tiny secular kingdom of Da Liang wasn't even worth mentioning.

Concubine Xiao said, "Have you heard of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute? Their chief is willing to take you as his disciple, and I've already agreed on your behalf."

"Miscellaneous Dao Institute…"

The confusion on Xiao Chen's face faded, replaced by acceptance.

At this point, the only place in Wendao Academy still willing to offer him a place was the Miscellaneous Dao Institute, which had neither renowned teachers nor notable students.

But once he entered the Miscellaneous Dao Institute, it meant that for the rest of his life, he would amount to nothing more than a mediocre person.

Though his life might no longer be in danger, there was no hope of cultivating again.

Seeing her son remain silent, Concubine Xiao continued to encourage him, "Chen'er, Mother believes you won't be defeated by just a little setback. As long as you can stay at Wendao Academy, there will come a day when you can rise again."

Looking into his mother's hopeful eyes, Xiao Chen naturally didn't want to disappoint her.

"Mother is right. I can still rise again. I'm willing to join the Miscellaneous Dao Institute."

"Good, good! I'll go invite the chief of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute right away."

As she spoke, Concubine Xiao wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. Her heart, which had been hanging by a thread, finally began to ease upon seeing her son still had the will to fight.

Xiao Chen said, "Mother, let me come with you to greet the chief of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute."

"Alright."

The mother and son walked together out of the small courtyard.

Chu Feng stood just outside the secluded residence, gazing up at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle with a handsome, confident smile on his face.

As the sound of footsteps approached, the figures of Madam Xiao and Xiao Chen came into view.

When Chu Feng saw them, his lips curled into a slight smile. He hadn't expected Madam Xiao to move so quickly.

Xiao Chen stepped in front of Chu Feng and gave a slight bow. "Student Xiao Chen greets Chief Chu."

"No need for formalities."

Just as Chief Chu finished speaking, Xiao Chen suddenly dropped to his knees with a thud.

"Please, Chief, I beg you to take me as your disciple!"

Xiao Chen spoke with resolute determination.

Chief Chu hadn't expected this kid to make his decision so quickly—truly, the mark of a man with the template of a novel protagonist.

He reached out and helped Xiao Chen to his feet. "Very well. I accept you as my disciple. From today onward, you are my disciple and the chief senior disciple of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute."

"Thank you, Master."

Xiao Chen didn't think too much about becoming the chief disciple of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute. All he wanted was to remain at Wendao Academy and grasp even the slimmest chance at survival.

[ Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully taking a disciple. Reward: ten years of cultivation and ten years of lifespan. ]

As the voice faded, Chief Chu felt a surge of powerful spiritual energy flooding his body.

In an instant, he felt warm all over, filled with strength from head to toe.

It felt amazing!

The smile on Chief Chu's face grew even brighter, and his gaze toward Xiao Chen became much more appreciative.

Xiao Chen, unnerved by the way Chief Chu was looking at him, asked instinctively, "Master, what should we do now?"

Chief Chu immediately reined in his smile and said, "Now I'll take you to the academic records office to transfer your registration. I want everyone to know that Xiao Chen is my disciple.

From now on, I've got your back. No one will dare step on you again."

Hearing this, Xiao Chen felt a warmth in his heart. After suffering so much humiliation lately, Chief Chu's words stirred something deep within him. In his heart, he silently vowed: From now on, I will treat my master with the utmost loyalty, without a single word of defiance!

"Thank you, Master. From this day on, Xiao Chen's life belongs to you!"

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