As the stone on the ceremonial pedestal continued to shimmer and shift colors, a wave of tension rippled through the grand hall. Chen stood at the center, his heart pounding as he watched the mystical artifact glow with an intensity that seemed to engulf the room. It was supposed to reveal his potential, his path forward in the cultivation world. Yet as the hues deepened, Chen felt an unsettling surge of energy coursing through his body.
It was exhilarating at first—a flood of strength and vitality unlike anything he had ever experienced. But the sensation quickly shifted, turning into something far more sinister. A sharp, unbearable pain stabbed through him, forcing him to his knees.
"AAARRRGGGHHH!" Chen screamed, his cry reverberating through the chamber. His body trembled uncontrollably as he clutched his chest, the agony consuming him.
"Chen!" Lin, his father, leaped from his seat and rushed toward him.
The gathered spectators gasped in shock. None of Chen's siblings, who had undergone the same ceremony in the past, had ever experienced such a violent reaction. This was unheard of.
Rong, Chen's eldest brother, stood off to the side, his arms crossed. A faint smirk tugged at the corners of his lips. He had always viewed Chen as a disappointment, and now, watching his younger brother falter, a sense of twisted satisfaction swelled within him.
Elder Feng, the overseer of the ceremony, remained stoic. His face betrayed no emotion, though his sharp eyes observed every detail with precision. Around him, other members of the Jian family exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of what to make of the scene unfolding before them.
Chen's vision blurred as the pain intensified. He could barely make out his father's frantic expression as Lin tried to reach him. The last thing Chen saw before darkness consumed him was Rong's cruel grin, etched into his memory like a brand.
---
"AAARRRGGGHHH!"
Chen jolted awake, his body drenched in sweat. He panted heavily, the echoes of his scream fading into the silence of the small room he found himself in. The vivid memory of the excruciating pain lingered in his mind, refusing to let go.
"Where am I?" Chen muttered, his voice hoarse. He glanced around the unfamiliar space, his surroundings gradually coming into focus.
His body was covered in bandages, and a soothing ointment had been applied beneath them. Though his chest was exposed, the pain had subsided into a dull ache. Slowly, his breathing steadied, and his heart began to calm.
The door burst open, and Lin and Xia rushed in. Lin's face was a mix of relief and concern, while Xia's eyes brimmed with worry.
"Chen!" Lin called, moving swiftly to his son's side. He began inspecting Chen, checking him over as if to reassure himself that his son was truly awake and alive.
Xia hurried to sit beside Chen, taking his hand in hers. Her touch was warm, comforting, and familiar.
"Sister Xia," Chen murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. Despite the chaos in his heart, her presence brought a sense of peace.
"Chen, how are you feeling?" Lin asked, his tone steady but heavy with concern. Though Chen appeared stable, Lin needed to be certain his son wasn't hiding any lingering pain or confusion.
Chen met his father's gaze and nodded weakly. "I'm fine, Father," he replied softly.
"Are you sure, Brother?" Xia pressed, her grip on his hand tightening slightly.
Chen managed a faint smile. He placed his other hand gently over hers, trying to reassure her. "I'm fine, Sister Xia," he repeated, this time with a little more strength in his voice.
Xia's worried expression softened, though she continued to hold his hand. Her bond with Chen had always been strong, and she wasn't ready to let go just yet.
Chen turned his attention back to Lin. "Father, what happened after I passed out?"
Lin and Xia exchanged uneasy glances, their hesitation evident. Neither seemed eager to answer the question.
"Chen," Lin began carefully, "your safety is what matters most right now. We can talk about the ceremony later."
Xia quickly added, "Brother, you should focus on recovering. Everything else can wait."
But Chen wasn't convinced. He could see the unspoken truth in their eyes. If they weren't willing to talk about the ceremony, it could only mean one thing: he had failed.
"I failed, didn't I?" Chen said, his voice trembling. Tears welled up in his eyes and spilled down his cheeks.
"Chen—" Lin started, but his words faltered.
"Brother," Xia interjected, trying to comfort him, but her voice broke as well.
The door opened again, and Rong entered the room, followed closely by Lan. Both wore smug expressions, their delight at Chen's misfortune barely concealed.
"Sister Xia," Rong said mockingly, "we should leave now. We're already running late, and coming here was clearly a waste of time."
"Yes, Sister," Lan chimed in, his tone dripping with disdain. "And Father, like I told you before, you've been wasting resources on this trash. He should've been cast aside long ago."
"Brother Rong! Brother Lan!" Xia snapped, her voice filled with anger. "How can you say such things?"
Chen, however, stopped her with a raised hand. "It's okay, Sister," he said quietly. "They're right." He turned to Lin, his tears flowing freely now. "Father, you've done so much for me, but you shouldn't waste any more resources on someone like me. I'm just trash."
The words cut through the room like a blade. Chen stood slowly, his movements stiff and pained. He looked at Rong and Lan, then back at his father.
"Rong, Lan, you're both right. I should leave the family—"
"Chen!" Lin interrupted, his voice firm. "Don't be so hasty. Think this through."
Xia grabbed Chen's hand again, her grip desperate. "Brother, please don't say such things!"
Chen shook his head, his resolve unwavering. "Sister, Father, Brothers—I know all of you have always wanted the best for me. But it's time for us to part ways. If you truly care about me, please don't come after me. If the heavens grant me the chance to prove my worth, I will return."
With that, Chen gently pulled Xia's hand away and walked toward the door.
Xia moved to follow him, but Lan stepped in her path. "Sister, let him go," he said coldly. "It's better this way."
Xia turned to Lin, her eyes pleading for him to stop Chen. But Lin, still reeling from the events of the day, could only stand in silence. Finally, he spoke, his voice barely audible.
"Let him go," Lin said.
The words struck Xia like a blow. She stared at her father in disbelief, but the weight of his decision was clear. Reluctantly, she stepped back, her heart heavy with bitterness.
"Father, we request permission to leave," Rong and Lan said in unison, their smugness now fully on display.
Lin nodded silently, granting their request. Without another word, the brothers turned and left the room, leaving Xia and Lin behind in the oppressive silence.
Chen, now outside the family estate, glanced back one last time. His heart ached, but his determination burned brighter than ever. He clenched his fists, vowing to return one day—not as a failure, but as someone worthy of the Jian name.