The first ray of light illuminated the horizon, bringing along with it a new day.
Inside the room, a figure could be seen sleeping on the hard bed, covered by nothing but a thin layer of cloth.
The sun's rays shining through the window revealed a young, handsome face, whose pale complexion made him appear sickly. But at the same time, there was a beauty that could not be hidden even by this sickness.
His breathing was weak, almost nonexistent, but it did not seem like death was near him.
In a while, the figure started to stir and woke up from his deep slumber, revealing a pair of bright blue eyes.
Those eyes seemed so alive, so vibrant, as if they could illuminate everything around them, giving everything life. But at the same time, there was a coldness lurking in them that made anyone feel uncomfortable and afraid.
Those eyes held no emotion; they were just like empty pits. As if deep darkness dwelled within, hiding all feelings and emotions.
A pale hand came up, covering his mouth and nose as he coughed several times, gasping for breath.
After calming down, Zhen Yu took another deep breath and got off the bed, grabbing a towel and wiping the sweat off his forehead.
Looking around his room, his eyes narrowed, anger surging inside him. As if there was another person inhabiting his mind, he could hear another voice growling with rage, cursing his own weakness, and demanding revenge for being reduced to this state.
Yet despite this, the young man didn't stop as he walked out of the room, leaving his ruined sanctuary and heading towards a certain destination.
With each step he took, Zhen Yu's breathing became heavier. His footsteps were heavy and slow, as if he were walking through deep mud. But no matter how difficult the task was, he still continued forward.
As he walked, many young men and women, dressed in white robes with light green patterns, noticed his presence.
Each of them were disciples of the Boundless Horizon Sect, cultivators at different stages of their cultivation. Their robes marked their respective status in the sect, as they each wore different designs.
When the young women saw Zhen Yu walking past them, their eyes followed him, their cheeks flushed and lips wet as they stared at his attractive face. Some of them even whispered to each other, giggling and blushing.
"Look, isn't that Zhen Yu, the servant boy? His appearance is so refined. If it weren't for the fact that he is crippled, I would love to be with him."
"Yes, his appearance is indeed attractive. Not even the most handsome disciples in our sect can rival his looks. What a shame... Such a handsome young man is a servant! It's so ridiculous! The world is so unfair."
"Right, the world is really unfair! Why don't you take him as your personal servant? You can order him to do anything you wish, even sleep together with you. How lucky would you be?"
"Shut your mouth! Stop being shameless! Do I look like a loose woman to you?"
While the women were having their idle conversations, the young men looked at the young servant with disdain and disgust.
"Tch, this crippled trash is being so arrogant just by walking out. If he weren't under Elder Xing Mei's protection, I would have beaten him up for daring to appear in front of me!"
"Right! Who does he think he is? Just because he has an attractive face doesn't mean he can show off, acting like he owns the world! Does he have an ounce of shame left in him, to dare step out of his room and mingle with us disciples of the Boundless Horizon Sect?!"
As they saw Zhen Yu getting further away from them, the young men spat on the ground and clicked their tongues in annoyance.
Zhen Yu ignored the heated looks he was getting from the young men and women of the sect and continued to walk, not uttering a single word.
Yet, as he neared his destination, his eyes darkened even more, cold and emotionless.
Soon enough, the young man arrived at the Boundless Horizon Sect's Grand Library.
At this time, the library was open for the disciples to browse the various cultivation manuals and other scriptures available.
It was an imposing and magnificent pagoda made from dark grey stones. The towering edifice was in the shape of a lotus blossom, with each layer getting smaller in size.
Each level of the pagoda had numerous shelves that contained different jade slips, with each of them containing precious cultivation techniques that could drive any loose cultivator mad with desire.
Every disciple was allowed to use their contribution points to obtain cultivation manuals or other valuable materials from the library. The only rule was that they must not reveal any information contained within.
However, for Zhen Yu, who was crippled, none of this mattered anymore. Not even the temptation of the Grand Library was enough to draw his attention as he strode straight towards a certain area, ignoring everyone around him.
When he reached that place, Zhen Yu saw a figure dressed in a black cheongsam with silver patterns seated at a desk, quietly reading an ancient tome, engrossed in its content.
Zhen Yu stopped in his steps and bowed deeply to the person seated behind the desk, who noticed the young man's presence and lifted her head, looking at him.
"Elder Xing, this one greets you," Zhen Yu said, his voice cold and devoid of any emotion.