Chapter 1: Scorned by the Heavens
Great Yan continent, Skyfall Sect, Divine Palm Mountain
Swoosh, swoosh.
The bustling activity in the Skyfall Sect crackled with anticipation as figures dashed toward the martial arena. Like a swarm of determined insects, they hurriedly made their way, their eyes glimmering with excitement.
Bam!
Amidst the chaotic frenzy, a middle-aged disciple carelessly collided with a red-haired youth moving in the opposite direction. The collision sent the youth sprawling to the ground, his crimson locks scattering like flames.
"Motherfucker! How dare you block your father..." The middle-aged man's curses ignited the air, but his voice fizzled out like a dampened flame as his gaze fell upon the face of the disciple he had inadvertently toppled. It was Falo Reid, a red-haired prodigy who had recently soared to the seventh place among the top 100 outer sect disciples, his potential radiating like a blazing sun.
"How unlucky. I hope he doesn't hold a grudge, or my days are numbered," the middle-aged man mused inwardly, his apologetic smile masking the nervous tremors within him. With a swift motion, he reached out to assist Falo Reid, his eyes pleading for forgiveness.
Falo Reid, however, batted away the middle-aged man's hand with an air of disdain, rising to his feet with a graceful command. Dusting off his robes, he turned to face the middle-aged disciple, his expression chilling as frost.
"What did you call me?" Falo Reid's voice cut through the air like an icy blade, freezing the atmosphere around them.
The middle-aged man's entire body quivered under the weight of Falo Reid's gaze. His breath quickened, and with a desperate bow, he stammered, "N-nothing, young Master Reid. I'm so sorry, my mind was elsewhere. Please forgive this unworthy disciple."
As an average disciple with feeble constitution, provoking someone of Falo Reid's caliber would only invite a lifetime of torment and misery. The middle-aged man knew the consequences too well.
A twisted smile of satisfaction curled on Falo Reid's lips as he observed the middle-aged man's reaction. "I will let you off this time," he declared with a hint of menace in his voice, "but remember, should there be a next time..."
His words trailed off, but the middle-aged man's imagination ran wild with the vivid images of the punishment that awaited him. The dread that settled in his heart was suffocating, like a shadow creeping across his very soul.
With a trembling sigh of relief, the middle-aged disciple bowed deeply. "Thank you, thank you, young Master Falo Reid. This little one will take his leave now," he muttered, his body still bent in a gesture of subservience. With hurried steps, he retreated, eager to escape the icy grasp of Falo Reid's presence.
But fate had a twisted sense of humor.
"Wait!" Falo Reid's commanding voice pierced the air, halting the middle-aged man's escape like a ruthless hunter cornering its prey.
A torrent of curses erupted in the middle-aged man's mind as he cursed his rotten luck. Slowly, he turned around to face Falo Reid, his tone laced with trepidation. "Is there anything else, young Master Reid?"
Falo Reid waved a dismissive hand, his arrogance dripping like poison from his every pore. "Nothing important," he retorted, his voice dripping with condescension. "I'm merely curious. What is transpiring in the outer sect that has everyone scurrying to the martial arena?"
The middle-aged man, caught between relief and renewed anxiety, responded, his words tumbling out in a rush, "Young Master Falo Reid, you are truly dedicated to your cultivation, for you know nothing of the Chronicles of the Jinx of Skyfall."
Falo Reid raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the tantalizing title. His mind raced as he delved into the recesses of his memory, trying to unearth any information related to the sect's history. Alas, his efforts yielded naught.
"What is this about?" Falo Reid inquired with a hint of pride in his voice. "I have secluded myself in cultivation, focused on challenging the top five in the outer sect rankings. Hence, I remain oblivious to the happenings within these walls." He adorned himself with an aloof expression, as if he were untouched by the mundane affairs of the world.
The middle-aged man nodded knowingly, seizing the opportunity to ingratiate himself beneath the shade of Falo Reid's potential. His eyes gleamed with excitement as he began to weave his tale, infusing it with a touch of dramatic flair. "Ah, indeed, young Master, your dedication knows no bounds."
Dismissing Falo Reid's ignorance as a mere stepping stone, the middle-aged man embarked on his narrative, each word dripping with intrigue and mystery. "Everyone is rushing to the martial arena, for today marks the reoccurrence of one of the most legendary events in our sect's history."
Pausing momentarily, he felt Falo Reid's curiosity intensify like an unquenchable flame. With a knowing smile, the middle-aged man continued, drawing Falo Reid deeper into the web of fascination.
"The third grand elder's only son is attempting to break through to the Martial Core Realm once more."
A flicker of surprise danced across Falo Reid's features, his eyes widening with a glimmer of disbelief. "Hmm? Isn't breaking through to the Martial Core Realm a commonplace occurrence? Even some perennial disciples with paltry talent manage to reach that realm. And our Skyfall Sect surely boasts thousands of outer disciples who have attained such a level."
Savoring Falo Reid's reaction, the middle-aged man smiled, relishing the opportunity to stoke the fires of curiosity. "You are correct, Senior. The breakthrough itself holds no particular novelty. Rather, it is the extraordinary phenomenon that accompanies the Jinx of Skyfall's ascent."
Falo Reid's eyes shimmered with heightened interest, his senses sharpened by the enigmatic aura that surrounded the Jinx of Skyfall. "And what might this phenomenon be?"
Leaning in, the middle-aged man whispered, his voice laden with mystery and awe, "He evokes heavenly punishment."
"What!" Falo Reid's voice cracked, a thunderbolt of shock reverberating through the air. His eyes widened, mirroring the lightning that flashed in the sky. "Everyone knows that only those on the cusp of the Grand Celestial Realm can stir the wrath of the heavens."
Nodding sagely, the middle-aged man confirmed, his voice tinged with a hint of fear and anticipation, "
That's what we all thought until an anomaly occurred ten years ago. The third grand elder's son was struck by lightning three times while attempting to break through to the Martial Core Realm. His martial seed was destroyed, his cultivation dissipated, and he nearly died. Fortunately, some elders swiftly gathered and managed to save his life. At that time, he was merely six years old, considered an unrivaled genius destined to bring glory to the entire Skyfall Sect."
"No one knows the reason why he evoked heavenly punishment. Some speculate that the heavens are envious of his talent, while others believe he is the reincarnation of a Demon Lord, tainted with the blood of billions of innocent mortals, and has committed countless unforgivable sins in his past life. Karma is supposedly catching up to him, severing his martial path."
"However, the grand elder's son possesses not only talent but also an extreme level of determination. After recovering, he didn't give up. Instead, he started cultivating from scratch and reached the peak of the Foundation Realm within six months. But when he attempted to break through to the Martial Core Realm, the tribulation clouds gathered once again, striking him three times and dispersing his cultivation."
"Yet, this young master remained resolute. He kept cultivating from scratch after every failed attempt, attempting his breakthrough every six months. He would prepare by using formations or treasures to conceal his aura. But, no matter what precautions he took, thunder would strike each time. Now, every time he attempts his breakthrough, the entire sect gathers, praying for his success. It has been ten years and eighteen attempts so far."
The middle-aged man sighed, having explained the story without taking a breath. The third elder's son's tale was quite tragic, and he secretly wished for his success.
Falo Reid's emotions fluctuated as he listened, unable to fathom someone possessing such peak talent, going from scratch to the brink of breaking through to the Martial Core Realm in just six months. He himself had achieved that milestone after two years of grueling training and expending numerous treasures. Compared to the grand elder's son, his achievement seemed mediocre at best.
He found it incredible that the grand elder's son possessed such unwavering determination, persistently cultivating and attempting his breakthrough eighteen times. The difference between them was immense. How intensely driven was this guy?
The story touched Falo Reid, deepening his interest in this talented young master scorned by the heavens.
Lost in thought, Falo Reid interrupted the middle-aged man sharply, his eyes ablaze. "Did you just say Fairy Linxu will be there? Take me there at once!"
Falo Reid's heart raced at the mention of Fairy Linxu, a beauty capable of toppling cities, was one of the reasons Falo Reid had joined the sect. If he could win her over, with her peerless talent and captivating presence, his future would be secured and paved with ease.
Taken aback by Falo Reid's sudden change of heart, the middle-aged man smiled with knowing understanding. With Falo Reid trailing behind him, they began their journey toward the martial arena.