In the Southern Continent, there lies a nation called the Celestial Pearl Country.
In the Jiang Mansion of Cyan Moon City, the capital of the Celestial Pearl Country, the guards were on high alert, and a grim, murderous air hung over the estate.
A stunningly beautiful woman stood there, her brows as fine as a painting and her eyes like tranquil autumn pools. But as she gazed toward the main hall of the Jiang Mansion, her look was as sharp as a razor's edge.
With a few graceful sways of her willow-like waist, she crossed more than ten meters in an instant, appearing inside the hall.
"How is Chen'Er now?"
Before she even came to a stop, her voice had already landed. A gust of wind stirred the candlelight, making her robes flutter.
A crowd of people already stood in the hall, but the woman's gaze was fixed solely on the jade bed in the center. A storm of complex emotions flashed through her eyes in an instant—worry, heartache, resentment, and a murderous intent all tangled together.
A young man lay on the white jade bed, his eyes shut tight. His face was pale, and his breath was as faint as a silk thread.
"His Qi Sea is shattered and his Spirit Veins are completely severed. We may be able to save his life, but he will never be able to cultivate again!"
This verdict came from Zhang the Half-Immortal, the most famous Spirit Doctor in Cyan Moon City, after he had diagnosed the young man.
Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed.
Zhang the Half-Immortal was said to be able to determine life and death with a single word, so no one present doubted his diagnosis.
The problem was, the young man on the bed was Jiang Jichen, the most brilliant cultivator of the Jiang Family's current generation!
He had started cultivating at five, opened his Qi Sea at seven, and manifested his first Spirit Vein at eight. Now, at only fifteen, he had already condensed seven Spirit Veins, becoming the youngest Seventh-level Mortal Warrior in Cyan Moon City.
He was seen as the hope of the Jiang Family, and all the other disciples of the family paled in comparison.
Yet, this genius had been ruined. The official story was that he had suffered a Demon Possession while practicing his techniques, collapsing in his Cultivation Room. By the time he was found, he was already in this condition.
Of course, this conclusion—that it was Demon Possession from his practice—also came from the Spirit Doctor, Zhang the Half-Immortal.
"Since Ling'Er has returned, there's nothing left for us to do here. We'll take our leave."
Jiang Qingyun, the Second Elder of the Jiang Family, said indifferently. Then, without waiting for the beautiful Jiang Ling'Er to respond, he turned and left.
"I won't disturb Chen'Er's rest either. Farewell."
The Jiang Family's Grand Elder, Jiang Qingshan, also began to depart.
In just a moment, all four Jiang Family Elders had left one after another, leaving only Jiang Ling'Er and Zhang the Half-Immortal in the hall.
"Immortal Zhang, is there any hope for Chen'Er?"
Jiang Ling'Er had managed to temporarily calm the storm of emotions inside her, knowing that saving Jiang Jichen's life was the most important thing right now.
"I have already given Young Master Chen a Spirit Extension Pill. Whether he pulls through or not will depend on his own fortune. If he can awaken within three days, his life will be saved. As for cultivation... you can forget about it. That is all I have to say. Miss Ling'Er, farewell."
Zhang the Half-Immortal rose and took his leave.
In the hall, only Jiang Ling'Er remained, her face etched with worry and sorrow. The candles flickered, casting their light on the unconscious young man on the jade bed.
Jiang Ling'Er's slender, pale fingers caressed Jiang Jichen's ashen face. She let out a soft sigh and whispered, "If Zhang the Half-Immortal or those people knew that you never even practiced the Jiang Family's top-tier Foundation Establishment Technique, the *Ten Thousand Spirits Return to the Sea Technique*... If they knew you became Cyan Moon City's youngest Seventh-level Mortal Warrior relying solely on the *Spirit Condensation Technique*, I wonder what they would think? The *Ten Thousand Spirits Return to the Sea Technique* may be the Jiang Mansion's best Foundation Establishment Technique, but it's incredibly difficult and fraught with peril. The slightest misstep could lead to Demon Possession. But the *Spirit Condensation Technique* is the safest, most stable basic technique in the world. How could you possibly have suffered Demon Possession from that?"
"Chen'Er, your aunt knows this was a conspiracy, but what can I do? In our branch of the family, it's just the two of us. If you don't find the strength to pull through, who else can we rely on?
You once told me that when you grew up, you would protect me. You said you would become the strongest person in the world, that you would shatter the heavens, pluck the stars from the sky, and take me with you to roam the Star Sea. So, I believe in you. I will stay right here with you, silently waiting for you to come back."
...
Overnight, the news that Jiang Jichen had become a cripple whose life hung by a thread spread throughout Cyan Moon City.
"Did you hear? Cyan Moon City's youngest Seventh-level Mortal Warrior suffered Demon Possession while cultivating! He's a cripple now and can never practice again!"
"Practice? It's a question of whether he'll even survive."
"Heh, a genius has fallen. Doesn't that mean the Four Beauties of Qingcheng, who are engaged to him, are doomed to be widows before they even marry?"
"You haven't heard? Representatives from the four beauties' families went to the Jiang Mansion this morning. Word is, they're there to break off the engagements!"
"Jiang Jichen, Cyan Moon City's number one young genius, was engaged to the prized daughters of the Mun, Fang, Luo, and He families. He could have had all four beauties—a blessing of romance that would have been the talk of the town. What a pity..."
Discussions like this erupted all over Cyan Moon City. Meanwhile, visitors had arrived at the main Jiang Family residence: representatives from the Mun, Fang, Luo, and He families. The Jiang Family's Grand Elder, Jiang Qingshan, received them personally, accompanied by the other three Elders from the branch mansions.
Although the Jiang Family was one of the four Great Families of Cyan Moon City, it had been in decline ever since the previous Patriarch, Jiang Qingfeng—Jiang Jichen's father—disappeared thirteen years ago. Now, they were only slightly more powerful than first-rate Noble Families like the Mun, Fang, Luo, and He.
"I'm sure the Grand Elder has guessed the purpose of our visit. My young miss feels she is unworthy of Young Master Jiang Jichen and wishes to voluntarily dissolve the engagement. Of course, since we are the ones initiating this, we will offer appropriate compensation to express the Mun Family's apologies."
"This is the list of compensation. Please, have a look, Grand Elder."
The Mun Family's Chief Steward, Mun Tong, spoke first and presented a golden registry.
Before Grand Elder Jiang Qingshan could even speak,
the Chief Stewards of the Fang, Luo, and He families also put forth their requests to dissolve the engagements, passing their own compensation lists to the various Jiang Family Elders.
The four families had come together, and though their words were polite, they carried an undercurrent of threat. This should have been a great humiliation, and the expressions of the Jiang Family Elders turned ugly.
However, when they saw the four compensation lists, a flicker of delight crossed their faces. The items listed had clearly tempted them.
'These are all cultivation resources they desperately need. They have no choice but to accept!'
Seeing the change in the Jiang Elders' expressions, the Chief Stewards of the four families all sneered inwardly.
No one spoke. All eyes fell upon the Grand Elder, waiting for his decision. It was clear from their gazes that they were filled with anticipation.
The current Patriarch of the Jiang Family was in seclusion, so the Grand Elder presided over all matters. His expression was as still as water, but he finally nodded. "It shall be as you wish."
Hearing the Grand Elder's words, a mocking smile flashed across the faces of the four Chief Stewards. They then rose and departed.
"I remember when the previous Patriarch was still here... How glorious the Jiang Family was then. They were the ones who came to our door, begging for an engagement with Jichen. And now..."
Third Elder Jiang Qingsong sighed as he spoke.
"Third Brother, what's the use of saying all that? Heh, times have changed. That brat Jichen is now the shame of the Jiang Family. As for these four compensation lists, the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Mansions can each draw one at random."
Second Elder Jiang Qingyun spoke with a cold snort.
"What about the Fifth Mansion?"
Fourth Elder Jiang Qinghe asked, frowning.
The Jiang Family was composed of Five Mansions, and Jiang Jichen belonged to the Fifth.
The Grand Elder, who had been silent until now, finally spoke in a deep voice. "Ever since our Fifth Brother disappeared, the Fifth Mansion has existed in name only. That being the case, we might as well give its resources to the Jiang Family disciples from the other mansions who actually need them. From now on, aside from daily necessities, all of the Fifth Mansion's cultivation resources will be divided evenly among the other four. As for these broken engagements, Jichen is a cripple now. The marriage contracts with these four families were already null and void in practice. It's better to use this situation to gain some benefits for the Jiang Family. Everything I do is for the good of the family!"
Hearing this, the other Jiang Family Elders, though they inwardly despised the Grand Elder's sanctimonious act, all stood to gain immense benefits, so they naturally didn't object. In fact, a thought struck Second Elder Jiang Qingyun, and he said, "A few days ago, the Feng Family approached me about a marriage alliance. Their Young Master, Feng Tianxing, has taken an interest in Jiang Ling'Er. If we can form an alliance with the Feng Family, the number one Noble Family in the Celestial Wind Country, our Jiang Family might be able to use it to restore our fortunes!"
"Jiang Ling'Er is an Inner Sect Disciple of the Spirit Moon Sect. Her status is not ordinary. We should at least ask for her opinion on this matter."
The Grand Elder spoke after a moment of deliberation.
"Hmph! Why ask for her opinion? As a member of the Jiang Family, she has a duty to consider the family's greater interests!"
A vicious glint flashed in the Second Elder's eyes as he spoke.
The other Elders also nodded, clearly in agreement with the Second Elder.
"The people from the Feng Family of the Celestial Wind Country won't arrive in Cyan Moon City for another three months. We'll discuss this again then."
After the Grand Elder finished speaking, he left. The remaining men glanced at one another before dispersing as well.
...
In the main hall of the Jiang Family's Fifth Mansion, candlelight brightly illuminated Jiang Ling'Er. Her face was a little gaunt, but her beauty remained unparalleled.
She had kept vigil here the entire time. Two days had passed, but Jiang Jichen showed no sign of waking.
"Chen'Er, you have to wake up!"
Jiang Ling'Er held Jiang Jichen's cold hand, pressing it against her own soft, beautiful cheek and rubbing it gently, as if trying to lend it some of her warmth.
She had no idea how many times she had repeated those words. In the silent hall, with no one to hear, perhaps she was only saying them for herself.
Just like all the other times, she saw no miracle. The young man on the bed didn't suddenly open his eyes and give her one of his old, quiet smiles.
But this time, she suddenly felt the fingers pressed against her cheek twitch.
It was a minuscule movement. Had it not been for her own considerable cultivation, how could she possibly have felt it?
"Chen'Er, you're finally awake!"
Jiang Ling'Er called out softly, her eyes brimming with hope.
The young man on the bed slowly opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was a devastatingly beautiful woman he didn't seem to recognize. But in the next moment, a vast fragment of memories flooded his mind.
They were the memories of a life that was not his own—incomplete and fragmented, yet they contained an incredibly deep impression of the woman before him, filling him with a sense of profound familiarity.
The young man's expression was dazed as he processed the memories in his mind that didn't belong to him.
Jiang Ling'Er saw that Jiang Jichen was still disoriented from just waking up and paid it no mind. Instead, she rose and walked to the entrance of the hall. "Xing'Er," she called out, "quickly bring the medicinal soup I had you prepare. The Young Master is awake!"
After a long moment, a small voice replied, "Miss, the mansion was out of a few of the Spirit Medicines... The... the soup couldn't be prepared!"
"Those Spirit Medicines aren't particularly rare. They should be part of the mansion's monthly provisions. If I remember correctly, yesterday was the distribution day for the mansions' monthly supplies."
Jiang Ling'Er kept her voice extremely low, as if afraid of disturbing Jiang Jichen. However, while the young man's body was incredibly weak, his soul was now astonishingly powerful. He could hear the slightest rustle of grass in the wind a hundred meters away, so he naturally overheard the conversation between Jiang Ling'Er and her handmaiden, Xing'Er.
"I went and asked... The Chief Steward said... the Young Master..."
Xing'Er stammered, hesitant and afraid to speak.
"What did he say about the Young Master?"
Jiang Ling'Er's voice was quiet, but it carried an undeniable authority.
Xing'Er finally spoke in a choked, hushed whisper. "The Chief Steward said that... that even if the Young Master wakes up, he's just a cripple who can never cultivate again. He said he doesn't need Spirit Medicines anymore. From now on, the Fifth Mansion's monthly supply will only cover daily necessities... There will be no more Spirit Medicines for cultivation!"
Hearing the conversation outside, fragments of memory surfaced in the young man's mind, making him feel deeply unsettled.
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