"Hey, isn't that the third son of the Chu Clan of Hong City?"
"I heard that that piece of trash has only had his marriage annulled days ago. Don't know how true that is."
"Of course it's true! You know who Moonlight Fairy is, right? Why would she take a liking to this piece of trash?"
"Hey, Brother Chu, I heard that the Unyielding Sword Celestial Sect had given you the 'Celestial Swordsman Recruitment Order' before. Boy, you've been pompous enough to not bat an eye on it."
"So, why are you lowering yourself and coming here now then, eh?"
…
The booth was filled with people out to watch what all that ruckus was about.
The disciple who was tasked with registering his information was eyeing that young man with a ridiculing look in his eyes.
He didn't stop the others around him from ridiculing and snickering at that young man, looking very amused and seemed to be enjoying the atmosphere instead.
That young man who stood before him had once been an unparalleled genius and was very renowned.
"So, you're Chu Xiaolian? The third son of the Chu Clan of Hong City then?"
"I am."
"Heh, you're indeed as renowned as one could be. So, what brought you here today to the Unyielding Sword Celestial Sect?"
"To join the sect."
"Well, well, well, what makes you think that our sect is fit for a genius like you, Sir Chu? You wouldn't have rejected the 'Celestial Swordsman Recruitment Order' back then otherwise."
"I have recovered from my injuries."
"Oh, so what? Have you found the reason why you've gone astray and was unable to train back then?"
"No, I didn't find it."
"In that case, what makes you think that you could guarantee that something like that wouldn't happen again?"
"I…"
"Go home. You failed to grasp onto the celestial fate back then, and it's no longer yours."
…
Those words were polite yet very, very pointed. It had practically killed that man without drawing blood.
The others around them laughed and jeered even harder as soon as the disciple tasked with registration was done saying that.
It sounded as if the harder they stepped on that young man; the higher their own status would become.
Or rather, they thought that Chu Xiaolian had gotten on the bad of the sect for having rejected their recruitment offer in the first place.
Those people were actually taking sides by ridiculing that young man.
The way they saw it, the harder they ridiculed that young man that day, the steadier their status would be in the sect in the days to come.
People wouldn't usually pity the fallen, and that was just how it worked.
"Damn it!"
"This is just too much."
Chu Xiaolian swore that he had never been as ridiculed as he was on that day.
As someone born with top-grade Fire Spiritual Root, he had once been like a superstar in Taicang Residence.
He managed to establish his foundation at the age of 12, becoming a cut above his peers.
Those from the Taicang Residence capable of being more accomplished than he was were few and far between.
Even that eldest disciple of the sect had only been able to win from a more renowned family.
As far as talents went, he knew for a fact that he was every bit above the others.
Due precisely to that, when the sect issued him a 'Celestial Swordsman Recruitment Order,' extending an offer for him to become an inner disciple, he rejected the offer right away.
The way he saw it, he needed to be taken in as a true disciple of the sect.
He deemed that he would be lowering his worth otherwise.
That was indeed the truth. Chu Xiaolian, due to his talents of having a top-grade Fire Spiritual Root, was indeed completely worth becoming a true disciple.
The elders of the sect discussed the case briefly and had decided to make an exception for Chu Xiaolian, giving him a status upgrade.
Yet, that year was when the accident happened.
For some reason, his training had gone astray and caused his foundations to collapse. All of his powers were gone before long as well.
It took mere days for his powers to retreat to Spiritual Qi Refinement level three. Regardless of how hard he worked at it, he was unable to restore his level of training.
At the very beginning, the sect sent formidable ones to treat his condition in Hong City.
Yet, despite having Reverent Nascent Soul Cultivators taking on his case, they were still unable to find the specific reason as to why Chu Xiaolian's training had gone astray.
The only thing that they could confirm was that Chu Xiaolian was rendered a disabled person.
The true disciple slot that had initially been reserved for him was put aside because of that, awaiting further inspection into his case.
That was three years ago.
The span of three years was more than enough to erode a lot of things, and many who were even in the Chu Clan of Hong City went on to talk behind his back.
The Unyielding Sword Celestial Sect had long forgotten the case with Chu Xiaolian and no longer any attention to him.
There were just too many geniuses who perished in the world of cultivators, after all.
Chu Xiaolian was absolutely not an exception.
…
"You don't know how fate works, and it's best not to step on the downtrodden."
"My foundations have recovered, and you best not regret it when I'm able to be somebody as a cultivator."
Chu Xiaolian retorted severely as he looked at that registered disciple.
That disciple snickered and added, "whether your talents have recovered or not, that's not the point. Even if you've recovered, so what?"
"The sect would stay prosperous as ever, and it's not like we're suffering a significant loss with a genius like you around. Get lost already!"
Chu Xiaolian was shaking from fury.
The ridiculing voices around him had gotten increasingly loud. The insult he suffered made him want to howl right away.
Yet, he eventually swallowed it.
He deemed that only the weak and cowardly would shout out of being helpless. The strong would only prove themselves with their deeds instead.
Unyielding Sword Celestial Sect!
You people are indeed one hell of a sect!
I shall remember the insult I've suffered this day!
When I have succeeded in gaining prominence in cultivation, I shall be here to issue a challenge to avenge all that I've suffered on this day!
He swallowed the insult he suffered, getting ready to turn around and leave.
Yet at that moment, a crisp-clear voice was heard from behind, "hold on."
That voice came from the very peak of the Questioning Mind Peak.
Everyone turned their attention to the Ascending Heaven Building in an instant.
The gate slowly opened.
A beautiful figure emerged from within, dressed in green and barefooted. She wore a veil shrouding her face, and her eyes were as bright as the waters in autumn.
That woman slowly hovered from the building, looking exceptionally mystical and mesmerizing.
Her veil had covered almost her entire face, leaving only her eyes exposed.
Yet, those eyes were captivating enough that all who were looking at her were dazed.
Even Chu Xiaolian had momentarily forgotten the insult he suffered, wondering instead just how beautiful the woman would be under that veil of hers.
…
The woman walked gracefully to the disciple in charge of the booth.
Her voice sounded melodic yet was bereft of emotions. "Head over to the Punishment Hall and get 30 whips."
That disciple shuddered and had terrified looks in his eyes, "The second sister, I'm just trying to defend the sect's honor!"
Ye Chengying then nodded, "if it hadn't been such, you would've been expelled."
The disciple tried to argue further, "but…."
Ye Chengying then added calmly, "that is the will of the eldest brother."
"Yes, madam."
That disciple's eyes looked frenzied in worship when he heard that it was their eldest brother who said so.
He took a good look at Chu Xiaolian, leaving the spot on his sword.
Ye Chengying walked up to Chu Xiaolian, and her voice remained cold, "I assume that you would be Chu Xiaolian then?"
The woman was behaving so aloof that it made Chu Xiaolian feel rather uncomfortable.
However, he still nodded. "I am true."
Ye Chengying then added calmly, "our eldest brother would like to see you inside."
The woman's calm voice was heard, causing countless at the peak to be stunned deep down right away.
Does the eldest disciple want to see you personally?
That legendary true disciple, Li Hanguang, is requesting an audience with this piece of trash whose marriage has just been annulled?
It's worth noting that despite the convention having gone for nine days, that eldest disciple still had yet to make an appearance, man.
Not even the building's gate had been opened before.
Yet, right now, he's requesting an audience with this kid here? What's so good about this piece of trash? Why?
Countless pairs of eyes of envy and jealousy were all gathered on Chu Xiaolian.
…
"He would like to see me?"
Chu Xiaolian looked up at that towering Heaven Ascending Building.
Truth be told, he didn't like looking up at someone.
Yet, he would make an exception if that someone in the building were Li Hanguang, the fallen celestial of Taicang.
He would like to see that man instead.