When his memories first fused and he learned of this, even Ye Chen, who had been a supreme being in his past life, couldn't help but draw a sharp, quiet breath.
A Xiantian expert at thirteen years old. What monstrous talent that must have been.
Generally, even geniuses with decent aptitude wouldn't reach the Xiantian Realm until after the age of twenty, and such individuals were already considered talents that drew the attention of the entire Tian Du Continent.
A Xiantian expert at thirteen... even if not the absolute first in the entire history of the Tian Du Continent, it was probably close.
And this was just the son of a city lord in an ordinary medium-sized kingdom. Without the massive cultivation resources from those ancient holy lands that would make even great kingdoms take notice, he had reached this step through his own efforts. Such talent was absolutely worthy of being called monstrous.
So the former "him" had actually been such a monstrous genius. But why, when he first awakened, had he become Houtian Third Level?
This was the strangest point, one that also puzzled him.
As his memories continued to merge, Ye Chen slowly learned all the reasons. At the age of fourteen, the "him" who had been called the most outstanding genius in the entire Xia Feng Kingdom had once participated in the trial known as the King's Ancient Path—the peak gathering of the Tian Du Continent's younger generation.
This was a trial path that only the most exceptionally talented geniuses were qualified to participate in.
The "Ye Chen" of that time had been qualified. But he encountered a lifelong nemesis, a peerless talent with overwhelming strength, who shattered "Ye Chen's" dantian, abolished his years of hard-earned cultivation, and expelled him from the Ancient Path.
The dantian is the main storage location for a cultivator's power. Once shattered, all cultivation is lost, and it is irreversible. Only the intervention of a legendary Heavenly God or the consumption of an immortal elixir could reverse it.
Unfortunately, the "him" of that time had not been so lucky. His cultivation was almost completely ruined, with only a remnant of power left in his body, leaving him at the mere Houtian Third Level. From then on, he could hardly advance any further.
Thus, "Ye Chen" fell from the glorious altar of genius, never to recover, becoming a cripple pointed at and abandoned by the world.
Such a blow was enough to drive anyone mad. Even with his originally good temperament, "he" could not withstand the blow, sinking into despair from then on, no longer possessing any of the former brilliance of a heaven-favored son.
The recent suicide attempt also had this as part of its cause.
"So there was such a past," Ye Chen sighed, roughly understanding the cause and effect.
Once a peerless genius revered by tens of thousands, he was ambushed on the King's Ancient Path, his cultivation completely ruined, years of effort scattered in a single day, becoming a cripple and sinking into despair.
Moreover, the pointing fingers of the world, the shift from worship and admiration to disdain and scorn, the fall from heaven to hell—he, with his fused memories, could feel the impact of that blow. It was indescribably painful. How many people in the world could endure such a blow?
No wonder the "him" before awakening in this life had sunk into despair.
It was precisely at this time that Yang Yi appeared.
At that time, "Ye Chen" was in inner agony, unable to bear the blow. He had once rushed out like a madman to the shore of the lake outside the city, kneeling and wailing bitterly at the sky, shedding tears of pain, hating heaven for treating him this way.
He was in such anguish he wished for death, wanting to throw himself into the lake to end it all.
Just then, a graceful, lovely figure appeared. Her hair was like a waterfall, delicate and beautiful, dressed in plain white robes, arriving as if a celestial maiden.
Yang Yi appeared. At twenty-six, she was born beautiful and generous, gentle and proper. Though still young, she possessed a mature charm that surpassed her years. She walked slowly to "Ye Chen's" side, gently held him in her arms, comforted him, making his entire dark world light up.
People are often most grateful to those who lend a hand when they are down. Moreover, Ye Chen was ultimately at a youthful age, where emotions first stir. For the beautiful and generous Yang Yi—it was love at first sight!
Even after learning the cause and effect, knowing "Ye Chen" was no longer that brilliant heaven-favored son, Yang Yi showed not the slightest rejection or disgust. On the contrary, she frequently showed concern for "Ye Chen," softly and gently comforting him, telling him not to think too hard, saying that even if the whole world abandoned him, she would not.
The first affection of "Ye Chen's" life in this world sprouted.
The two came together, disregarding idle gossip. This little princess of the Yang family always kept "Ye Chen" in her heart, causing countless young talents in the city to beat their chests in anguish. She became "Ye Chen's" one and only, and they made solemn vows of eternal love.
In the heart of "Ye Chen" at that time, Yang Yi was the most beautiful, the best woman in the world—beautiful, gentle, serene. No woman under heaven could compare to her, not even one ten-thousandth.
In private, "Ye Chen" regarded Yang Yi as his future wife, treating her with every kindness, willing to do anything for her, just to earn a smile from the beauty, nothing more.
The two held hands, fingers tightly interlocked, their sweetness the envy of others.
At that time, "Ye Chen" naively believed it would last a lifetime. Unfortunately, dreams are beautiful, but reality is cruel. Everything was shattered two years later.
It turned out that the so-called solemn vows were all lies. Yang Yi finally revealed her true purpose after two years—the Clear Spirit Pill.
The so-called Clear Spirit Pill was an exceptionally rare treasure pill, obtained by the Ye family at great cost. It was priceless, capable of placing one's body and mind in an ethereal state, having extraordinary use for breaking through realms, especially from Houtian to Xiantian.
It also had miraculous efficacy in curing serious illnesses.
At that time, "Ye Chen" hesitated. This Clear Spirit Pill was crucial. But Yang Yi's lovely little face was covered in tears as she cried to "Ye Chen," saying her mother suffered from a malignant, serious illness, nearing death. Even famous doctors from various places had been helpless. The only recourse now was the Clear Spirit Pill to save her mother. Forced by desperation, she could only turn to "Ye Chen."
She wept like a pear blossom bathed in rain, a beauty's tears that made one's heart tremble. She even said that if her mother died, she couldn't live either, thus pressuring "Ye Chen." She also said that if "Ye Chen" could really bring it, she was willing to marry him immediately.
"Ye Chen," blinded by love, ultimately couldn't withstand the beauty's assault, his head addled by love. In the dead of night, he used his father's name to deceive the guards, secretly stole the Clear Spirit Pill, and delivered it overnight to Yang Yi's hands.
Afterwards, the family naturally flew into a rage. Even though his father was the City Lord of Luo Feng City and the current family head, he couldn't protect him. The Elder Council severely punished "Ye Chen," imprisoning him for half a month, even subjecting him to harsh interrogation and torture, trying to force out the whereabouts of the Clear Spirit Pill. "Ye Chen" refused to speak, no matter what.
Finally, after "Ye Chen" was released, he accidentally learned that Yang Yi's mother wasn't ill at all. It was just that the other party wanted to use it to break through to Xiantian, inciting "Ye Chen" to steal the Clear Spirit Pill from his own family.
From beginning to end, Yang Yi had never truly liked him. It was all a carefully planned scheme, starting from the moment Ye Chen fell from the altar of genius to become a cripple. She approached him solely to obtain this one Clear Spirit Pill.
After learning all this, "Ye Chen" couldn't bear the blow of being deceived by his beloved. In unbearable pain, he returned to the small lake where he first met Yang Yi—the starting point was also the end point. He chose to jump into the lake, ending this relationship and his own life.
This was the entire cause and effect.
After Ye Chen learned this truth, he shook his head and sighed to himself. What a fool. Yang Yi was a little princess with a bright future, held in the palm of everyone's hand. Why would she, for no reason, like a cripple like him, abandoned by the world? Wasn't it obvious?
If one had to blame something, it could only be said that the "him" before awakening was too naive, like a blank sheet of paper, very foolish and innocent, too easily deceived.
But perhaps he should also thank Yang Yi. If not for her, his past life's memories might not have awakened, and perhaps this entire life would have been spent in waste.
The City Lord's estate was large, the largest mansion in Luo Feng City. Led by Huan'er, they passed through layer upon layer of rear courtyards and pavilions, finally stopping outside the solemn guest reception hall.
The hall was very spacious, ornately decorated, resplendent and magnificent. The number of people inside was also considerable. Seated at the very top were Ye Ao and three elders with indifferent expressions. They were the clan's Elders, whose authority was only slightly less than the family head's, possessing considerable power.
Sometimes, certain matters of the Ye family were decided by them.
On the other side, seated on rosewood chairs were three men and one woman, dressed in luxurious clothing, with the character "Yang" embroidered on their chests. Without thinking, one knew these must be members of the Yang family.
Among the three Yang men were two elders and one young man, all important figures of the Yang family. The table beside them was piled high with precious gifts.
On the chair at the very edge, a flower-like young maiden sat gracefully. She wore a red dress, delicate and lovely as a flower. Her exquisite face held a purity mixed with a hint of charm, making her appear delicate and touching, exceptionally outstanding.
The moment he pushed the door open and entered, Ye Chen's gaze fell upon her—Yang Yi!
The one who caused him in this life to attempt suicide for love. Ye Chen would find it hard to forget that face.
Only, compared to the gentle, serene Yang Yi in his memories, the Yang Yi before him seemed much more charming and alluring, faintly possessing a charm that could intoxicate the masses.
Her presence drew the attention of many of the Ye family's younger generation who had come, filled with awe and infatuation.
No wonder she could make the him of this life sink into despair. Such beauty was peerless in all of Luo Feng City. Moreover, her purity mixed with a hint of charm—how could those youths under twenty, with their first stirrings of love, withstand it?
The him before awakening had actually also been attracted by the girl's unusual aura, sinking into despair for her.
At this moment, Ye Ao, his face full of fury, slammed the table and shouted coldly: "Guards! Drive the Yang family members out! Our Ye family does not welcome the Yang family!"