Within his residence, Mu Yan was completely absorbed in cultivation.
He sat cross-legged upon a cushion crafted from an array of rare and precious materials, adopting a meditative posture as waves of formidable energy surged from within him, pouring into the surroundings.
Blazing flames erupted from his body, transforming him into a living inferno radiating an unbearable heat.
Mu Yan continuously changed his hand seals, drawing torrents of celestial energy into his form.
"Flame God Art!"
With a clear cry, the spiritual essence in the air rushed madly toward him. After being tempered by the flames surrounding him, it became incomparably refined.
With the synergy of his Flame Spirit Sacred Body and the imperial-level cultivation technique Flame God Art, his speed of progress was nothing short of astounding.
In just ten days, he had advanced from the seventh level of the Foundation Establishment stage to the third level of the Core Formation stage—an astonishing feat by any standard.
Such cultivation speed would be considered monstrous in any realm.
Even the favored sons and daughters of the greatest powers of the Archaic World could scarcely achieve such progress.
As he pushed himself further, Mu Yan's aura erupted once more—he had broken through to the fourth level of the Core Formation stage!
"I've finally broken through!"
He exhaled a long breath of impure air, barely able to believe the boundless strength coursing through his veins.
"This Flame Spirit Sacred Body… it's truly terrifying! Paired with an imperial technique, I'm unstoppable!"
He once thought meeting Old Li and receiving his guidance was the luckiest thing that had ever happened to him.
But now he understood—joining Kunlun Holy Land was the true blessing of his lifetime.
His master had transformed his physique and gifted him an imperial-level cultivation art.
Such a profound grace could never be repaid.
"I was once the laughingstock—a so-called waste. But now, I will become the genius all must look up to! Everything the Mu Clan ever did to humiliate me… I will reclaim it all!"
Memories of the ridicule he suffered in his clan made his fists clench and his breath quicken with rage.
Without delay, he made his way to the great hall to request an audience with Ye Chen.
"Master, your disciple has a request. Today happens to be the day of the Mu Clan's Grand Competition. I wish to return and wash away every shred of the humiliation I once endured. I humbly ask for your permission!"
Mu Yan respectfully bowed, his voice resolute.
He had once been the Mu Clan's brightest star—their hope for the future. All had revered him.
Until the day his cultivation regressed mysteriously and he became unable to absorb spiritual energy. Everything he drew in vanished like water into the sea.
From a celebrated prodigy, he became a laughingstock, the target of open mockery.
Those who once bowed before him now delighted in trampling him underfoot.
Utterly disheartened, Mu Yan had fled, determined to rediscover the path of cultivation.
Not long after, the dormant remnant soul within him—Old Li—awoke.
Only then did he realize the cause of his regression: Old Li had been absorbing his energy to sustain himself!
Back then, he had vowed that once his talent returned, he would storm back to the Mu Clan and silence every voice that had mocked him.
Now, as a disciple of Kunlun Holy Land, his strength had grown by leaps and bounds. With the power of the fourth-level Core Formation stage, he could dominate the competition effortlessly.
Ye Chen listened calmly, and in his mind, the system chimed.
Ding! Mission triggered: First disciple Mu Yan seeks to reclaim his honor. Rewards will be issued based on mission performance.
This piqued Ye Chen's interest—so even this could trigger a reward?
Judging by the description, the quality of the reward would depend entirely on how thoroughly Mu Yan completed the task.
"Go then, my disciple. But remember—you're the First Disciple of Kunlun Holy Land, my personal disciple."
"Whatever you do, have no fear. Kunlun stands behind you."
Mu Yan trembled, deeply moved. "Thank you, Master. I swear I will not bring shame to our sect!"
"Elder Zhang the Fourth, accompany Mu Yan on this journey."
With that, Ye Chen's figure dissolved into the void.
Having received permission, Elder Zhang and Mu Yan descended the mountain together.
. . .
At that moment, the Mu Clan estate was bustling with excitement.
The once-in-a-decade Grand Competition was underway.
Everyone in the clan was abuzz, debating who would claim the top spot this year.
"I think Mu Tingting is the strongest. She's our pride and the second-ranked genius!"
"You said it yourself—second-ranked. The top spot still belongs to Brother Mu Kun!"
"Indeed, Mu Kun's strength leaves little room for debate. He's the undisputed number one!"
In the spacious clan courtyard, several young cultivators passionately discussed their favorites.
Both Mu Tingting and Mu Kun were exceptional talents.
Mu Tingting had reached the fifth level of the Foundation Establishment stage, while Mu Kun had soared to the sixth—a fearsome level rarely matched by young elites in neighboring clans.
Just then, someone hesitantly muttered, "Shouldn't the true number one still be Mu Yan…?"
At the mention of that name, the lively atmosphere fell into awkward silence. Faces stiffened.
The speaker realized their blunder and quickly shrank into the crowd, hiding.
After a long pause, someone sighed. "Mu Yan… yes, he was brilliant. Reached Foundation Establishment years ago. If nothing had gone wrong, he'd be at the seventh, maybe even eighth level by now."
He had once been universally acknowledged as a prodigy.
Now, he was a forgotten disgrace.
"Hmph. That was in the past. Since he left the clan, there's been no word—he's probably long dead in some godforsaken corner."
"If you're crippled, why not live quietly? Running off to die was just pathetic—laughable, even!"
The group mocked the fallen genius without hesitation, as if belittling him elevated their own worth.
Their laughter was cut short by a cold, clear voice: "Enough! Even if Mu Yan fell from grace, he once served the clan with distinction. You will not speak of him this way again."
The young men turned to see a striking girl in crimson, her figure accentuated by a tightly bound sash.
It was Mu Tingting.
"Heh… just idle chatter, of course. We won't mention it again."
They chuckled awkwardly and quickly dispersed.
Mu Tingting held considerable sway in the clan—none of them dared offend her.
As her gaze left them, her thoughts drifted to a slender young figure of the past.
Back then, he was radiant—so brilliant that she could only follow behind him in awe.
But things had changed.
The prodigy had fallen. The world had moved on.
That youth no longer had the right to stand before her.