A few hours later.
Su Kang had finally processed all his memories—both from his current life and his past life on Earth.
He felt as if he had lived two completely different lives, and now, those memories overlapped, making everything feel surreal.
Yet, the reality was clear—Arya was dead. No amount of regret or sorrow could change that.
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm. His family would be fine. His father worked in the government sector, which meant stability for his family.
His younger siblings would take care of their parents. They would grieve, but life would move on.
Just as he had to move on.
And his first step was to find the mysterious object—the one he had encountered in his past life.
"I need to find it as soon as possible," Su Kang muttered to himself, his eyes flashing with determination.
"Only that object can explain this time travel and soul transfer."
In his previous life, during an adventure in a secret realm, he had stumbled upon something strange—an artifact unlike anything he had ever seen.
It had given him an odd sensation, something he couldn't explain at the time. Now, looking back with the knowledge of his reincarnation, he suspected that the object was far more significant than he had realized.
And more importantly, he had a strong feeling that it was the same object that had brought him to this world.
But a lingering doubt remained—was it still there?
He had no idea if the object still exists in that secret realm during this timeline, or not.
"I have to prepare carefully," Su Kang thought, his mind racing with possibilities.
"If I rush in unprepared, I might never get another chance."
As he sifted through his memories, another realization dawned upon him—Li Fang was not just an ordinary cultivator.
Back on Earth, Su Kang used to read novels in his free time. And now, when he looked at Li Fang's life, he couldn't help but draw parallels to those fictional protagonists.
Yes. The term "child of destiny" was absolutely fitting for Li Fang.
Li Fang hailed from Qin City, a place where the Li family once held great influence. His father, Li Xiao, had been a rising genius of his generation, and his mother had been one of the top beauties of her era.
However, fate had other plans.
Twenty years ago, Li Xiao disappeared in the Hundred Beast Mountain Range under mysterious circumstances. Without him, the Li family began to decline, suffering setback after setback.
Li Xiao had made many enemies in his prime. When news of his disappearance spread, these enemies wasted no time, secretly pressuring the Li family from all sides.
The once-mighty Li family struggled under this weight. Tensions rose, and resentment brewed within. As a result, some members turned their frustration toward Li Fang and his mother.
Li Fang's childhood was filled with cruelty, discrimination, and hardship. The people who should have been his family became his tormentors. But there were still a few who sympathized with them and offered support.
Then, at the age of twelve, everything changed.
Li Fang began cultivating earlier than most—an anomaly in itself. The usual starting age for cultivation was around fourteen or fifteen, yet he defied expectations. And not just that—his talent was monstrous.
The moment the world saw his potential, fear spread.
The rival families that had oppressed the Li family began to panic. They saw Li Fang as a threat, someone who could restore the Li family's glory. If that happened, their own influence would be at risk.
Thus, they began their schemes. Assassins were sent, traps were laid, and conflicts were instigated.
But Li Fang survived.
No, more than that—he thrived.
Each setback only made him stronger. Each attempt on his life only pushed him forward. Bloodshed followed him like a shadow. Even his own Li family members weren't spared.
In the end, the Li family, once a mid-sized powerhouse, was reduced to a small but terrifyingly strong force. Those who survived the internal strife had no choice but to acknowledge Li Fang as their leader.
And this pattern continued.
Again and again.
Li Fang's life was nothing short of a story—one filled with struggles, betrayals, and victories.
And Su Kang had been foolish enough to be part of it.
"I was a complete idiot," Su Kang thought bitterly.
In his past life, he had genuinely considered Li Fang a friend, even a brother. He had supported him, helped him cultivate, and even convinced his own family to share their resources with him.
And what had Li Fang done?
He had used the Su family's reputation as a shield to start countless conflicts.
The Su family was one of the major powerhouses of Jiang State. Second only to the Qingyun Sect, they possessed deep foundations.
Their ancestor was at the peak of the Pill Formation stage, while his father was also a Pill Formation cultivator.
The Qingyun Sect, in comparison, had five Pill Formation cultivators, multiple Foundation Building cultivation families, and thousands of disciples.
The Su family's rise had been steady. They had never actively sought trouble or provoked powerful enemies. Their reputation was one of stability and strength.
And Li Fang had exploited it to the fullest.
Su Kang himself was a recognized genius. He had begun cultivation at twelve, and now, at twenty-four, he had already reached the Pill Formation stage.
He was supposed to be the most outstanding talent of Jiang State's younger generation.
Until Li Fang took that title.
At just twenty, Li Fang had also reached the Pill Formation stage.
Su Kang wasn't jealous. But he was frustrated.
Why?
Because Li Fang was someone who got offended over everything.
Even during their missions together, he would pick fights over the smallest slights. If someone in an inn called him a bastard, he would turn the place upside down.
"Protagonists are always easily offended," Su Kang muttered to himself, shaking his head.
Stepping out of his room, Su Kang took a deep breath. He needed to clear his mind.
The courtyard was spacious and filled with lush greenery. Various trees provided shade, while a large pond—eighty meters long and fifty meters wide—lay at its center.
Fragrant lotuses floated on the water, their petals swaying gently. Small golden and red fish darted through the pond, their movements graceful and serene.
This place was familiar. It was home.
And yet, to Su Kang, it felt like a lifetime since he had last been here.
Memories of his past life made everything feel distant. Even though he had seen his family yesterday, he now felt as if he hadn't seen them in years.
He hurried toward his parents' courtyard.
"I wish to see my parents," he informed a servant upon arrival.
"Young master, your father is cultivating, but Madam is free. She has asked you to wait in the tea room," a maid replied.
"Alright," Su Kang nodded.
He entered the tea room and sat down, observing the surroundings.
Moments later, a graceful woman walked in, two attendants following behind her.
His mother.
Her warm smile was something he had longed for. Yet, at the same time, it brought back painful memories.
In his past life, she had smiled at him in the same way before her tragic end.
To prevent herself from being defiled by demonic cultivators, she had self-destructed her core—choosing death in order to buy his father time to save him.
His heart turned cold at the thought.
He would never let that happen again.
She sat beside him, studying his expression. "What's wrong, my child? You look troubled."
"Nothing, Mother," Su Kang said. "I was thinking about a past discussion."
His mother narrowed her eyes. "What discussion?"
Taking a deep breath, Su Kang met her gaze.
"Mother, I've changed my mind. I will not be going to the Central Plains."
His mother's eyes widened in shock.
He had fought so hard for this decision before.
Now, hearing him suddenly change his mind—she was completely stunned.