Yan Zi sat in the dim corner of the library, the faint smell of old parchment wafting around him. His fingers were pressed against his temples as he racked his brain, thinking of a way to get the book. After what felt like an eternity, he let out a long sigh, his breath stirring the dust motes in the air.
"This is hopeless," he muttered to himself.
Suddenly, a shadow loomed over him, stretching across the floor. Startled, Yan Zi raised his head to see who it was, only to be met with a familiar, smug face.
It was Yan Ming.
Yan Ming was one of the so-called "geniuses" of the Yan Clan, a prodigious youth with a reputation for arrogance and cruelty. At 18 years old, he was already at the 5-star level of the Qi Gathering Realm, his cultivation touted as the future pride of the clan. He had an athletic build, with long black hair tied into a neat ponytail and sharp features that gave him a fox-like appearance. His piercing green eyes sparkled with disdain wherever they landed, and today, they were fixed on Yan Zi.
---
"Yan Zi," Yan Ming sneered, crossing his arms and tilting his head in mock pity. "We all knew you were the talentless trash of our clan. But today…" He trailed off, letting out an exaggerated laugh. "Today, we've learned something even more amusing! Turns out, your family is also the poorest in the clan. Can't even rent a book, huh?"
A few other disciples, who had been lurking nearby, erupted into laughter, pointing fingers and snickering.
Yan Ming stepped closer, his tone dripping with arrogance. "How about this? I'll rent the book for you. But in return," he smirked, pausing for dramatic effect, "you'll have to call me 'Young Master.' How's that, huh?"
The laughter around them grew louder. One disciple even doubled over, clutching his stomach.
Yan Zi clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms. He felt a surge of anger rising, but he forced himself to stay calm. This wasn't worth it. He wasn't going to stoop to Yan Ming's level. Taking a deep breath, he grabbed the book from the table and turned away without saying a word.
"Tsk, running away, huh?" Yan Ming called after him. "Pathetic as always."
Ignoring him, Yan Zi walked toward the library's exit, his mind swirling with frustration. Just as he was about to step out, the librarian's raspy voice echoed behind him.
"Wait, boy!"
---
Yan Zi froze in his tracks and turned around slowly. "What is it?" he asked, trying to keep the irritation out of his voice.
The librarian, an old man with a hunched back and a face lined like a crumpled scroll, waved him over. "You want the book, don't you?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity.
Yan Zi sighed. "I already told you. I don't have the spirit stones to pay for it."
The librarian raised an eyebrow and leaned closer, his crooked nose nearly touching Yan Zi's face. "Who said I wanted spirit stones?"
Yan Zi blinked in confusion. "Huh? Then… what do you want?"
The librarian's expression turned sly, and a strange grin spread across his face. "Your pendant," he said simply, pointing to the small trinket hanging around Yan Zi's neck.
Yan Zi's eyes widened in shock. "My pendant?!" he stammered, taking a step back. He clutched the pendant protectively, his face turning red. "No! No way! This… this pendant is special to me! I've had it since I was a baby. I can't just give it away!"
The librarian's grin grew wider. "Then no book for you," he said with a shrug, turning his back.
"Wait, wait!" Yan Zi protested, his mind racing. He needed that book. But this pendant…
His hand instinctively touched the pendant, and as if in response, it gave off a faint silver glow before returning to its dull, ordinary appearance. The librarian's eyes narrowed, the sparkle of greed flashing within them.
"You don't understand!" Yan Zi argued. "This pendant is—"
"Brat!" the librarian interrupted, throwing up his hands. "What are you thinking?! Do you think I'm some kind of pervert trying to rob you of your virtue? Hah!" He scoffed loudly, crossing his arms. "You're not even worth stealing from. I want the pendant, not you!"
Yan Zi flushed bright red. "Wh—who said I thought that?! I wasn't thinking that at all!"
The librarian rolled his eyes. "Tsk. Stop wasting my time. If you want the book, give me the pendant. You can take the book and keep it forever. No need to return it. Deal?"
Yan Zi hesitated, his mind torn. The pendant had always been with him, a memento of his mysterious past. But that book… it might be the key to his future. He stared at the dark crystal embedded in the pendant. It had always felt special, as if it held some kind of hidden power.
The librarian smirked, watching Yan Zi's internal struggle. "Tick-tock, boy. I don't have all day."
Finally, with a deep sigh, Yan Zi made his decision. "Fine," he muttered, reluctantly pulling the pendant off and handing it over.
The librarian snatched it up eagerly, his eyes gleaming as he examined the crystal. "Hah! Good boy," he said with a chuckle, handing the book over without a second glance.
Yan Zi grabbed the book and turned to leave, muttering under his breath, "Why do I feel like I've been scammed…"
As he walked away, the librarian's voice followed him, barely above a whisper. "Heh, idiot boy. This pendant is worth thousands of spirit stones—no, tens of thousands! Maybe even more if I auction it. That old book? Worthless junk!"
The old man laughed quietly to himself, holding the pendant up to the light. "A real treasure, this is…"
Meanwhile, Yan Zi disappeared into the distance, clutching the massive book to his chest. For a moment, he hesitated and glanced back, a strange feeling tugging at his heart. But then he shook his head and continued on, determined to unlock whatever secrets the book held.
Yan Zi returned home, his footsteps heavy but his resolve unwavering. Entering his small, modest room, he sat on the edge of his bed and placed the old book on his lap. He stared at it for a long moment, his fingers tracing the faded title on the cover.
"Advanced Alchemy," he whispered to himself. A faint smile crossed his lips, but it didn't reach his eyes. He clenched his fist, a mix of determination and frustration brewing within.
"I know the basics of alchemy," he muttered, opening the book and flipping through its pages. "But starting today, I'll master the advanced techniques. All this effort, all this humiliation—none of it will be in vain. I'll find a cure for my broken cultivation core. I'll gain the power to prove my worth. I won't let anyone look down on me again."
His voice grew softer as his thoughts wandered. "All the people close to me… they've walked away. But I won't give up."
The moon climbed high into the night sky, casting its pale light through the window. After hours of pouring over the book, Yan Zi rubbed his tired eyes. Just then, the creak of a door broke the silence.
"Zi'er," his mother's gentle voice called out as she stepped into the room, carrying a bowl of soup. She sat down beside him, her face lined with worry.
"What's this?" she asked, her eyes falling on the book.
Yan Zi closed the book and looked at her. "This is an advanced alchemy book I got. I'm going to use it to find a cure for my cultivation core."
His mother's eyes widened in alarm. She placed the bowl on the bedside table and gripped his hands. "Zi'er, how did you get the money to borrow this book? You know our branch family isn't wealthy. Tell me you didn't…!"
Yan Zi shook his head quickly. "Don't worry, Mother. I didn't do anything dishonorable. I swear on my life that I wouldn't do anything to bring you shame or harm."
His mother sighed in relief, but the lines on her face deepened with sadness. She turned her gaze to the floor, avoiding her son's eyes.
"Mother," Yan Zi asked, his voice gentle but firm, "is there something you're not telling me? Every time I see you, there's this hidden sadness on your face. Please, I need to know."
His mother hesitated, her fingers trembling slightly as she clasped her hands together. "Zi'er," she began softly, her voice tinged with pain, "there's something I've kept from you for a long time. It's about your cultivation… and the day everything changed."
Yan Zi straightened, his heart pounding. "What do you mean?"
Yan Zi's mother's expression grew heavier as she continued, her fingers trembling slightly as she recounted the past.
"Sixteen years ago," she began, her voice laden with emotion, "your father and I set out on what we thought was a simple journey—a task assigned to us by the clan. We were to deliver an important letter to your grandfather in Featherfall City. At that time, I had just reached the 1-star of the Core Formation Realm, and your father had already reached the 9-star of the Core Formation Realm, a level many dream of but never attain."
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she spoke. "Your father was proud of his strength, proud to protect his family. We had only been married for a year, and you were our precious little boy. Just an infant, unaware of the world's dangers. We believed we were prepared for anything, but fate…" She sighed deeply, her hands gripping her lap tightly. "Fate had other plans."
Yan Zi listened intently, his heart clenching as he imagined his parents' perilous journey.
"The road to Featherfall City was long, and the fastest route took us through the Primordial Wilds, a place notorious for its dangers. Beasts roamed freely, and the terrain was treacherous. But your father was confident. He believed his strength would be enough to safeguard us. I trusted him, and together, we pressed forward."
Her voice wavered as she reached the darker parts of the tale. "For the first part of the journey, everything was calm. But as we delved deeper into the wilds, the air grew heavy with an ominous presence. The stillness was unnerving, and then… they came."
"Bandits," Yan Zi murmured, his brows furrowing.
She nodded, her expression grim. "They emerged from the shadows—at least two dozen of them, armed and ruthless. Their eyes glinted with greed as they demanded everything we had. Your father stood tall, shielding us. His qi flared, a testament to his mastery of the Core Formation Realm, and he fought valiantly. But even the strongest can falter against overwhelming numbers.
"I watched him fight, his blade flashing as he held them off, but he was taking too many hits. Blood stained his robes, and his breathing grew labored. In that moment, he turned to me and shouted, 'Run! Take Zi'er and go!' His voice was commanding, leaving no room for argument."
Her hands trembled as she recalled the moment. "I didn't want to leave him, but I had no choice. Holding you tightly, I ran. My heart was breaking, but I knew I had to protect you."
Yan Zi clenched his fists, anger simmering in his chest at the thought of his parents enduring such hardships.
"I ran as fast as I could, but the wilds were merciless. That's when it appeared—a beast. A creature more fearsome than anything I had ever seen, its aura alone suffocating. It was at least equivalent to a Core Formation Realm practitioner, and it pursued us relentlessly. I felt its breath on my back, its roars shaking the earth beneath my feet."
Her voice broke, and she took a deep breath to steady herself. "I was desperate. Then, through the dense trees, I saw it—a cave hidden in the shadows. Without hesitation, I darted inside, clutching you close. The beast stopped at the entrance, as though something inside the cave repelled it."
Yan Zi leaned forward, his eyes wide with anticipation. "What was in the cave, Mother?"
"At first, it seemed like an ordinary cave, but as I ventured deeper, I saw something… extraordinary. An ancient inscription etched into the stone wall, glowing faintly with a golden light. Its energy was overwhelming, almost divine. It felt as if it were alive, pulsating with power."
She paused, her voice trembling. "I approached it cautiously, drawn by an unexplainable force. The moment I stepped closer, the glow intensified, and the inscription flared with blinding light. Golden energy surged through the cave, enveloping us completely. I shielded you as best as I could, but the power was too much. I lost consciousness."
Yan Zi's heart pounded in his chest. "And when you woke up?"
Her gaze darkened. "The inscription was gone, as though it had never existed. The cave was silent, and the golden light had vanished. Your father found us there. He had somehow survived the bandits, though he was gravely injured. His cultivation foundation had been damaged beyond repair. He never advanced past the 9-star of the Core Formation Realm after that day."
Her hands clenched into fists. "But the worst was yet to come. When we returned to Featherfall City, we realized something was wrong with you. You were unnaturally quiet, and when we sought the help of alchemists and healers, they discovered the truth. Your cultivation core had been destroyed, shattered by the golden energy in that cave."
Her voice cracked as tears rolled down her cheeks. "We tried everything, Zi'er. We visited the most skilled alchemists, sought out ancient remedies, and begged for help from anyone who would listen. But no one could repair your core. It was as if the energy from the inscription had erased it completely."
Yan Zi sat in silence, his mind reeling. The weight of her words pressed down on him like a heavy stone.
"Eventually, we returned to the clan, hoping its vast resources could help us. But even there, our efforts were in vain. Your father and I have carried this guilt ever since. We failed to protect you, and we've watched you suffer for something that wasn't your fault."
Tears streamed down her face, and her voice broke with emotion. "Zi'er, I am so sorry. I've hated myself every day for what happened. If only I had been stronger—"
"Stop, Mother." Yan Zi's voice was firm, though his own heart ached. He reached out, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You and Father did everything you could. You sacrificed so much for me. I don't blame you, not for a moment."
She looked at him, her eyes filled with sorrow and gratitude. "Zi'er…"
"I will find a way, Mother," he said, his voice resolute. "I will uncover the truth about that cave, and I will fix my core. No matter how hard the journey, I won't give up. For you, for Father, and for myself. I promise you."
They sat together in silence, the room heavy with emotion. Though the past was filled with pain, Yan Zi's determination burned brighter than ever.
That night, after his mother left, Yan Zi lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Sleep didn't come easily. His mind replayed his mother's story, the mysterious cave, the inscription, the golden energy.
By the time morning arrived, he had made up his mind. He would uncover the truth about his past, no matter what it took.
As the first rays of sunlight filtered through his window, Yan Zi stepped outside to clear his thoughts. The crisp morning air filled his lungs, and he let out a long sigh.
His attention was drawn to a commotion nearby—a group of disciples gathered in a tight circle, their voices buzzing with alarm. Curiosity piqued, Yan Zi walked over to see what was happening.
His heart skipped a beat when he saw the body lying in the center of the group. It was the librarian who had sold him the book.
Yan Zi froze, his thoughts racing. What had happened? Was this somehow connected to him?
And then, the questions began to swirl in his mind, unanswered and ominous.