The Rise of a Legend and the Fall of a Genius

Half a month had passed, time flying swiftly.

With half a month of instruction complete, most disciples now possessed a foundational understanding of cultivation. Within the floating island of the Hall of Clarity, the pervasive spiritual energy had propelled the cultivation of many disciples at an astonishing pace.

The Jia-grade disciples, in particular, had almost all broken through their current realms within this brief fortnight.

Several among them were already attempting to liquefy their spiritual energy, a speed that truly left others dumbfounded.

Yet, what truly captivated the disciples of the Hall of Clarity was not the Jia-grade talents, but rather a Yi-grade disciple who had previously been overlooked. This was Ji Xue, the current Imperial Phoenix Maiden, whose compatibility with cultivation techniques was notoriously low, and whose years of arduous practice had only ever brought her to the seventh or eighth layer of Qi Condensation.

Now, however, her cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds; she had astonishingly entered the Foundation Establishment realm overnight! That very night, a steward personally escorted her to meet with the sect’s high-ranking elders.

Once dismissed by countless individuals, she had journeyed to the Xuan Nv Sect to defy her fate and achieve a spectacular breakthrough!

To reach Foundation Establishment in a single night was nothing short of defying all logic!

Nevertheless, it was incredibly inspiring!

In the eyes of those disciples who had been stuck in the mid-to-late stages of Qi Condensation for years, struggling to advance, and who felt their futures dim due to their Yi-grade aptitude, a different kind of light suddenly ignited.

If diligence, perseverance, and unwavering resolve could bring about change, then why not them?

In every corner and crevice of the Hall of Clarity, even by dormitory windows late at night, whispers spread like wildfire after a spring rain. Everyone spoke of the disgraced Imperial Princess—abandoned by the royal family, possessing pitifully low talent, and trapped in Qi Condensation for years without progress—who had now, in a single night, transformed into a legend.

Disciples who had previously cultivated methodically now found themselves unconsciously exerting more effort in their basic spell practice. Those figures, once despondent due to bottlenecks, now harbored a flicker of defiance and stubborn unwillingness to yield in their eyes. Even some who had long since resigned themselves to simply passing their days, having abandoned all hope, felt a renewed spark ignite within them.

“Have you heard? About Imperial Princess Ji Xue… yes, yes, precisely her, the one whose aptitude was rumored to be pitifully low, the one who fell out of favor in the Imperial Capital…”

“Heavens! Foundation Establishment overnight! What an immense stroke of fortune that must be!!!”

“Hush, keep your voice down! They say the high-ranking elders don’t want the details spread, but it’s true! The commotion that night was so massive; many people felt the spiritual energy being drained!”

“Yi-grade… she’s also Yi-grade… What does this mean? It means that when it comes to cultivation, no one knows what the outcome will be until the very end!”

“Stop dreaming; she’s an Imperial Princess, after all…”

“Nonsense! Her compatibility with cultivation techniques was pitifully low, and her cultivation within the sect was never particularly outstanding! This is clearly her own capability… or perhaps, it’s a hidden opportunity within the Xuan Nv Sect that we haven’t discovered!” The speaker’s eyes gleamed with longing, though they quickly dimmed.

That night marked the birth of a legend, and also the downfall of a genius.

“Alas… if only Personal Disciple Lin hadn’t met with misfortune…”

“How much glory would that have brought?”

“Indeed…”

Lin Wan’er, the genius who once brought honor to Yi-grade disciples by single-handedly challenging six or seven Jia-grade disciples, now seemed to have plummeted from the sky, her brilliance no longer visible.

In its place, there was—

“Eating? You still have the appetite to eat?” A voice abruptly rose, attracting everyone’s gaze in the bustling first-floor hall of the Lakeside Pavilion.

A shrill, piercing noise suddenly escalated, tearing through the boisterous clamor of the Lakeside Pavilion’s first floor and instantly drawing the attention of all diners.

Almost the instant the words fell—clatter, crash—

Bowls, plates, and cup lids were violently swept off the table with immense force!

Scalding leftovers and hot soup, mixed with sharp shards of shattered porcelain, splattered like filthy rain. Not only did they create a chaotic mess on the floor, but they also mercilessly splashed over the person seated at the table, drenching them from head to toe!

The soup dripped miserably down their hair and collar, sticky and greasy, bringing with it waves of biting pain.

The one enduring all of this was none other than Lin Wan’er, who had just failed her Foundation Establishment, suffered a realm regression, and plummeted from the clouds into a muddy abyss!

In everyone’s eyes, Lin Wan’er was now a picture of disarray: her clothes were soiled, her hair was messy and stained, and her pale complexion was tinged with the dullness of blood loss.

Her exceptionally weak body swayed slightly under the sudden attack and humiliation, as if it could crumble and collapse at any moment, like the lingering debris in yesterday’s ruins.

Lu Ping’an, however, let out a sneering chuckle, her expression one of schadenfreude. Leaning forward slightly with her elbows propped on the table, she resembled a venomous snake eyeing its prey. Her gaze brazenly roamed over Lin Wan’er’s disheveled form, her deliberately raised voice filled with malice and venom:

“Hmph! Just look at Her Royal Highness, the Imperial Princess! Now that’s what you call a carp leaping over the dragon gate, ascending to the heavens in a single bound!” She clicked her tongue in an exaggerated manner, as if proclaiming an extraordinary marvel. “Foundation Establishment in one go! Look at that momentum! Look at that grace! Then look at you—tsk tsk tsk…” She drew out the last syllable, her gaze like a poisoned blade, cruelly raking over the haggard figure before her. “How pitiful! You didn’t have the destiny, yet you coveted that opportunity! And what was the result? Not only did you fail to break through, but you also injured yourself severely, even losing all the cultivation you had painstakingly accumulated, didn’t you? You’re nothing but a fraud~ That day, you relied on some secret treasure or pill to maintain appearances, then, fearing exposure in private, you rushed to break through upon your return, and failed, didn’t you?”

“Sister Ping’an, do you even need to ask? It must be so. Otherwise, how could Her Royal Highness achieve Foundation Establishment while he became a dog by the roadside?”

She slammed the table, making the cups and dishes rattle. The feigned pity on her face was instantly replaced by malicious mockery. “Tell us! Have you been ‘working hard’ these past few days? Hoping to reclaim everything you’ve lost, hmm?”

This blatant ridicule and interrogation, like resounding slaps, pierced the noisy Lakeside Pavilion with particular harshness.

Instantly, as if igniting a pre-set fuse, shouts of agreement and condemnation erupted from the surrounding crowd:

“Exactly! Her Royal Highness, the Imperial Princess, possesses boundless fortune and a profound foundation; that’s why she could endure it! Some people should weigh their own worth before shamelessly trying to cling to others and drag them down! They fell head over heels and got bruised—serves them right! Aren’t they afraid of implicating others?” A female disciple, arms crossed, spoke with a sharp voice.

“Oh~ look who it is!” Another female cultivator, clearly part of Lu Ping’an’s close circle, immediately chimed in, pointing at Lin Mo. Her scathing words pierced Lin Mo like daggers. “Isn’t this the one who, relying on a bit of cultivation, injured Sister Ping’an’s friend, tore Sister Ping’an’s clothes, and even forced Sister Ping’an to comply? Ha! Where’s that arrogant swagger you had back then? Now you’re lying here pretending to be pitiful?” She covered her mouth, letting out a dismissive chuckle. “If you ask me, either the world has changed, or he’s simply paying for having bullied others too much in the past!”

Countless gazes, like thorns, mercilessly pricked Lin Wan’er. Among those eyes, there was pity, disdain, and revulsion, but most carried a sense of delighted amusement.

Cultivation was tedious; surely, this grand spectacle served as perfect entertainment.

Lin Mo lowered his head, biting down hard on the soft flesh inside his lower lip until a faint taste of blood filled his mouth, barely suppressing the fury that threatened to consume everything.

Yet, he could only endure.

At present, he possessed no means of retaliation.

“Oh dear, just look at this haggard state!” Lu Ping’an exaggeratedly clicked her tongue, winking at her hangers-on. “Junior Sister Wan’er, I am truly kind-hearted. Considering your severe injuries and our camaraderie as fellow disciples, I specifically sought a favor for you!” She deliberately drew out the word “favor,” her tone practically dripping with malice.

Lin Mo scoffed inwardly, though he managed to conjure a faint smile on his face. He spoke in a hoarse voice: “Many… many thanks for your concern. May I ask… where is this place?”

Lu Ping’an straightened up, arms crossed, her chin raised. She looked down her nose at Lin Mo, her face adorned with a smile of utterly false consideration: “Oh, Junior Sister Wan’er, you’re too modest! It’s a wonderful place, none other than Room Seven in the Bing-Grade Courtyard!”

“How about it? Quiet enough, isn’t it? Absolutely no one will disturb you!” she declared, immediately winking at a nearby follower.

That follower instantly shrieked in feigned surprise and disgust. “Sister Ping’an! You didn’t misspeak, did you? The Bing-Grade Courtyard?! Isn’t that where the lowly chore-doers… the lowest-ranking servants live? It’s damp and dark, I hear it rarely sees sunlight, moldy like a spiritual dead zone, with centipedes and rats scurrying everywhere! To let Junior Sister Wan’er live there? How can this be allowed?!”

Lu Ping’an immediately put on a stern face and reprimanded, “Presumptuous! Do you not understand ‘teaching according to aptitude’ and ‘placing according to need’?”

She turned, her expression shifting as if by magic to one of “earnest instruction,” and spoke to Lin Mo with “profound sincerity”: “Junior Sister Wan’er, don’t listen to her nonsense. The Bing-Grade Courtyard’s environment may be a bit rustic, but it’s the best place to temper one’s state of mind! Think about it, what do you need most right now? Not superficial spiritual energy, but peace of mind! Rest and recuperation! Stay far away from those excellent senior and junior sisters whose cultivation is progressing and whose futures are bright. Keep your distance, so you won’t feel distressed seeing them and hinder your recovery! That place is secluded and quiet, perfect for you! Senior Sister Qiu has truly considered everything meticulously for your sake; her intentions are genuinely benevolent!”

As these words, which twisted right and wrong and aimed to crush one’s spirit, left her lips, her followers couldn’t help but snicker crudely, their eyes filled with disdain and the pleasure of watching a spectacle.

Lin Mo’s fingernails, hidden within his sleeves, dug deeply into his palms!

Suppressing the churning rage and murderous intent within his heart, he had to amplify this humiliating posture even further.

He lowered his eyelids, his long lashes trembling violently, and his body couldn’t help but shiver slightly, betraying the immense pain and humiliation he felt inside.

After a long moment, he finally managed to force out a few words from his throat, a slight catch in his voice, almost like a sob: “Then, then truly, thank you…”

“That’s more like it!” Lu Ping’an nodded in satisfaction, her smile blooming like a chrysanthemum, making her appear even uglier, her voice growing sharper. “Junior Sister Wan’er, Senior Sister Qiu is very busy, so if you’re this considerate, she’ll be very pleased!”

A blossoming venomous flower. She immediately changed her expression, waving her hand impatiently. “Alright, stop dawdling in this wretched place; it’s bad luck just looking at it! You lot, what are you waiting for? Quickly help Junior Sister Wan’er move! Move swiftly; don’t delay Junior Sister’s precious time to recuperate in her ‘new home’!” She deliberately emphasized the words “new home.”

The two female disciples who had been singled out immediately stepped forward, their faces etched with disdain, and seized Lin Mo. Without an ounce of respect, they virtually dragged the weak and powerless “Lin Wan’er” from her seat, as if she were a corpse.

“I’d like to see which of you dares?!”

A single sharp reprimand instantly halted their actions.

A tempest of searing heat, carrying a regal suppression, instantly seized every inch of air in the Lakeside Pavilion like a tangible colossal palm! The boisterous chatter, the clatter of bowls and chopsticks, all ceased abruptly, as if time itself had frozen. All eyes turned in terror towards the entrance.

“Presumptuous!” A clear, sharp cry, imbued with supreme majesty and icy fury, tore through the suffocating silence like a thunderclap in a tornado!

Slowly, it lifted—

Outside the door, the blazing celestial light outlined a slender yet upright figure. Her dark hair stirred without a breeze, and her skirt billowed like a blooming fiery lotus.

It was the legendary Imperial Princess, who had just successfully entered Foundation Establishment and was personally escorted away by the high-ranking elders—

“My Imperial Princess’s person, you—are you even worthy of touching them?!”

Before her words had fully fallen—

Screech—! A clear, dominant phoenix cry seemed to descend from the nine heavens!

Above her palm, a sphere of pure, dazzling, fiery-gold flames, swirling with a violent vortex, instantly coalesced! Like a nascent, blazing sun, its terrifying heat made the tables and chairs throughout the hall groan with cracking sounds! The air warped and shimmered, and nearby diners scrambled backward in a panicked retreat!

The fireball shot forth! Tearing through the air!

“No—!”

Lu Ping’an and her cohorts were utterly terrified, screaming piercingly as they shoved each other, stumbling and collapsing onto the ground. In their pupils, only the ever-enlarging, destructive fiery light remained, threatening to incinerate their very souls!

However!

Just as the fireball was about to touch Lu Ping’an’s face, a mere instant before it could even singe the wisps of hair on her forehead—

Swish!

The flames, which seemed capable of incinerating steel, now vanished into thin air like an ephemeral dream.

Precise control over fire! Appearing and disappearing at will!

The entire hall fell into a stunned, deathly silence!

Ji Xue stepped into the Lakeside Pavilion.

Beneath her feet, a crimson fire ring, condensed like molten lava, silently spread outwards, precisely encircling Lu Ping’an and her paralyzed companions on the ground!

Flames licked the air, and a terrifying restraining force pressed them firmly to the spot, rendering them immobile, their screams trapped in their throats!

She gazed down disdainfully at the ant-like figures, her icy breath seemingly carrying the scorching heat that could incinerate all things:

“Touching my person… are you trying to die?”