Chapter 1: Chapter One: Leaping into the Abyss, No Regrets
"Fang Yuan, surrender the Spring Autumn Cicada peacefully, and I'll grant you a swift end!"
"Old Demon Fang, don't delude yourself into resisting. Today, the righteous factions have united to crush your den of evil. This time, you will meet your end!"
"Fang Yuan, you accursed fiend! To refine the Spring Autumn Cicada, you slaughtered millions. Your crimes are unforgivable and beyond redemption!"
"Demon, three hundred years ago, you violated me, stole my purity, annihilated my entire family, and exterminated my clan. From that moment, I've yearned to devour your flesh and drink your blood! Today, I shall make you wish for death!!"
Fang Yuan, clad in a tattered green robe, with disheveled hair and blood-soaked body, surveyed his surroundings.
The mountain wind made his bloodied robe flutter like a battle flag, producing a chilling sound.
Bright red blood gushed from hundreds of wounds on his body. In a short while, a large pool of blood had formed at his feet.
Surrounded by enemies, there was no way out.
The outcome was certain; today, he would surely die.
Fang Yuan comprehended the situation clearly, but even with death looming, his expression remained unchanged, his demeanor calm.
His gaze was profound and serene, like an ancient, unfathomable well.
The righteous heroes encircling him included venerable leaders of major factions and renowned young heroes. They surrounded Fang Yuan tightly; some roared, some sneered, some narrowed their eyes in vigilance, and some looked on in fear while clutching their wounds.
They dared not strike, wary of Fang Yuan's desperate counterattack.
For three tense hours, they stood in a standoff. As the sun set, its last rays ignited the mountain's evening clouds, turning the sky into a brilliant blaze.
Fang Yuan, who had stood motionless like a statue, slowly turned around.
The crowd stirred and retreated a step in unison.
At this moment, the gray-white stones beneath Fang Yuan's feet were stained dark red with blood. His face, pale from excessive blood loss, suddenly gained a rosy glow from the setting sun.
Gazing at the green mountains and the setting sun, Fang Yuan smiled faintly and said, "Green mountains and setting sun, autumn moon and spring breeze. Truly, morning hair like black silk turns to snow by dusk; right and wrong, success and failure, all turn to nothing."
As he spoke, memories of his past life on Earth surfaced before his eyes.
He was originally a student from China on Earth. By a stroke of fate, he had traveled to this world. After three hundred years of wandering and over two hundred years of dominating the world, five hundred years had passed in the blink of an eye.
Memories buried deep in his heart came alive at this moment, vividly replaying before his eyes.
"Ultimately, I failed," Fang Yuan sighed inwardly, feeling a bit melancholic but without regret.
He had anticipated this outcome and was mentally prepared when he made his choice.
The so-called demonic path means not cultivating good results, killing and committing arson. Heaven and Earth do not tolerate it, and the world is your enemy, yet you still indulge in it.
"If the newly refined Spring Autumn Cicada works, I would still choose to be a demon in my next life!" Thinking this, Fang Yuan couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Old demon, what are you laughing at?"
"Everyone be careful, the demon is about to retaliate!"
"Quickly hand over the Spring Autumn Cicada!!"
The crowd closed in. At this moment, with a loud bang, Fang Yuan self-destructed.
Gentle spring rain quietly nourished Qing Mao Mountain.
It was late at night, and a cool breeze blew through the fine rain.
Qing Mao Mountain was not dark. From the mountainside to the foot, numerous twinkling lights made it look like it was draped in a brilliant light belt.
These lights came from stilt houses. Though not as bright as ten thousand homes, there were thousands.
This was the Gu Yue Village on Qing Mao Mountain, adding a thick human atmosphere to the vast and quiet mountain range.
At the center of Gu Yue Village was a grand and splendid building. At this moment, it was hosting a sacrificial ceremony, making it even more brilliantly lit.
"Ancestors, please bless us. May many talented youths emerge from this Awakening Ceremony to bring new blood and hope to the family!" The middle-aged clan leader of the Gu Yue family, with gray at his temples, wore a solemn white sacrificial robe. Kneeling on the brown floor, he sat upright with hands clasped and eyes closed, praying earnestly.
He faced a tall black altar. The altar had three tiers, offering the ancestral tablets. Copper incense burners on either side wafted curling smoke.
Behind him, more than a dozen people also knelt. Wearing wide white sacrificial robes, they were the clan elders and leaders, holding authority in various areas.
After praying, the Gu Yue clan leader was the first to bow, spreading his hands flat on the floor and knocking his forehead lightly on the brown floor.
The elders behind him, with solemn expressions, silently followed suit.
For a while, the ancestral hall was filled with the soft sound of foreheads knocking on the floor.
After the ceremony, everyone slowly rose from the floor and quietly walked out of the solemn hall.
In the corridor, the elders silently breathed a sigh of relief, the atmosphere relaxing.
Discussions gradually arose.
"Time flies so fast. In the blink of an eye, another year has passed."
"Last year's Awakening Ceremony feels like it happened just yesterday, still vivid in my mind."
"Tomorrow is the annual Awakening Ceremony. I wonder what kind of new talents will emerge this year?"
"Sigh, I hope we have some with A-grade talent. Our Gu Yue family hasn't seen such a genius in three years."
"Indeed, the Bai family and the Xiong family have produced geniuses in recent years. Especially Bai Ning Bing from the Bai family, his talent is truly terrifying."
Upon hearing the name Bai Ning Bing, a layer of worry appeared on the faces of the elders.
His talent was outstanding, reaching the third rank of Gu Master in just two short years. Among the younger generation, he was unparalleled. Even the older generation felt the pressure from this rising star.
Given time, he would undoubtedly become the pillar of the Bai family, at least a strong individual in his own right. No one doubted this.
"But there's still hope among the youths participating in this year's Awakening Ceremony."
"That's right. From the Fang lineage, there's a talented boy. He spoke at three months, walked at four months. By five, he could compose poetry, exceptionally intelligent and talented. Unfortunately, he lost his parents early and is now raised by his uncle and aunt."
"Yes, he's precocious and ambitious. I've heard of his works like 'Toasting to the Moon,' 'Ode to the Plum,' and 'Song of the River City.' Truly a genius!"
The Gu Yue clan leader was the last to leave the ancestral hall. Closing the door slowly, he heard the elders discussing.
He immediately knew they were talking about a boy named Gu Yue Fang Yuan.
As the clan leader, he naturally paid attention to outstanding and prominent youths, and Gu Yue Fang Yuan was the most remarkable among the juniors.
Experience showed that those who were exceptionally intelligent or unusually strong from a young age often had excellent cultivation potential.
"If this boy is tested with A-grade talent and well cultivated, he could rival Bai Ning Bing. Even if it's B-grade, he could still become a pillar of the Gu Yue family. With such early wisdom, the possibility of B-grade is low; it's highly likely to be A-grade." This thought brought a smile to the clan leader's lips.
He then coughed lightly and said to the elders, "Everyone, it's getting late. Please rest well tonight and conserve your energy for tomorrow's Awakening Ceremony."
The elders were slightly taken aback, looking at each other with a hint of vigilance.
The clan leader's words were subtle, but everyone understood.
Every year, the elders fought fiercely for these talented juniors, often leaving with bruises and wounds.
It's time to rest well and prepare for tomorrow's competition.
Especially for Gu Yue Fang Yuan, the possibility of him having A-grade talent was very high. Additionally, his parents had passed away, leaving him and his brother as the only orphans of the Fang lineage. If they could bring him into their faction and cultivate him well, it could ensure their faction's prosperity for a hundred years!
"But let me be clear, the competition should be fair and aboveboard. No underhanded tactics that harm the family's unity. Please keep this in mind, elders!" The clan leader sternly warned.
"Of course, of course."
"We will keep it in mind."
"Then, I'll take my leave. Clan leader, please stay."
The elders, each with their own thoughts, dispersed one by one.
Soon, the long corridor became quiet. The spring rain and wind blew through the windows. The clan leader took a gentle step to the window.
Immediately, the fresh and moist mountain air filled his lungs, refreshing his mind.
From the third floor of the pavilion, the clan leader overlooked most of Gu Yue Village.
At this late hour, many houses still had lights on, different from usual.
Tomorrow was the Awakening Ceremony, concerning everyone's interests. An atmosphere of excitement and tension enveloped the villagers' hearts, making it hard for many to sleep.
"This is the hope of the family's future." Looking at the twinkling lights, the clan leader sighed deeply.
At the same time, another pair of bright eyes quietly watched the lights, filled with complex emotions.
"Gu Yue Village, this is five hundred years ago?! The Spring Autumn Cicada truly worked..." Fang Yuan's eyes were deep as he stood by the window, letting the wind and rain hit him.
The Spring Autumn Cicada's function was to reverse time. Ranked seventh among the ten great Gu, it was naturally extraordinary.
In short, it meant rebirth.
"I have been reborn using the Spring Autumn Cicada, back to five hundred years ago!" Fang Yuan extended his hand, gazing at his young and somewhat pale palm, then slowly clenched it, feeling the reality.
Listening to the sound of the rain hitting the window, he closed his eyes for a while before opening them again, sighing, "Five hundred years of experiences, it feels like a dream."
But he knew clearly that this was no dream.
Chapter 2: Chapter Two: Awakening to Five Hundred Years in Reverse
Legend has it that a River of Time exists in this world, supporting its flow. By harnessing the power of the Spring Autumn Cicada, one can reverse the flow and return to the past.
Opinions on this legend vary widely. Many do not believe it; some are skeptical.
Almost no one truly believes it.
Because every time the Spring Autumn Cicada is used, a life must be sacrificed, offering one's entire body and cultivation as fuel.
The price is exorbitant, and even more unbearable is the uncertainty—one may give up their life without knowing the outcome.
Even those who obtain the Spring Autumn Cicada dare not use it recklessly.
What if the legend is false, merely a ruse?
If Fang Yuan had not been cornered, he would not have used it so soon.
But now, Fang Yuan believed it utterly.
The undeniable fact lay before him. He had indeed been reborn!
"It's a pity about this great Gu. It took immense effort and the slaughter of tens of thousands to create it, arousing the wrath of heaven and earth, and immense hardship..." Fang Yuan sighed inwardly. Although he had been reborn, the Spring Autumn Cicada had not come along.
Humans are the spirit of all creatures, and Gu are the essence of heaven and earth.
There are countless types of Gu, each bizarre and unique. Some Gu disappear after one or two uses, while others can be used repeatedly if not overused.
The Spring Autumn Cicada might be a consumable Gu that could only be used once.
"But even if it's gone, I can refine another one. If I could do it in my previous life, why not in this one?" After his regret, Fang Yuan's heart swelled with ambition.
Being reborn was already an enormous gain; the loss of the Spring Autumn Cicada was acceptable.
Moreover, he still had a treasure: the memory and experience of five hundred years.
Within his memory lay countless treasures, yet to be discovered. There were significant events he could easily manipulate, historical milestones he could foresee, and countless figures, some of whom had not even been born yet. There were also five hundred years of arduous cultivation and rich combat experience.
With these, he held the upper hand and could dominate the world again, perhaps even surpassing his previous achievements.
"So, how should I proceed..." Fang Yuan, extremely rational, quickly collected his emotions and contemplated the rainy night outside the window.
Thinking about it, he felt overwhelmed.
After a moment, his brow furrowed deeper.
Five hundred years was a long time. Ignoring the vague, forgotten memories, even the known treasure locations and opportunities were either thousands of miles apart or required specific timing to access.
"The key is cultivation. Right now, my sea of primeval essence is unopened. I haven't even started on the path of a Gu Master, essentially just a mortal! I must cultivate quickly, increase my strength, and seize opportunities before history unfolds."
Many hidden treasures require a certain level of cultivation to utilize, or else they become burdens, attracting unwanted attention.
The first challenge before Fang Yuan was cultivation.
He needed to elevate his cultivation swiftly. Moving at a leisurely pace like in his previous life would be too slow.
"To enhance my cultivation rapidly, I must leverage the family's resources. In my current state, I have no ability to navigate the treacherous mountains. Even an ordinary boar could take my life. Reaching the third rank of Gu Master would give me basic self-defense, enabling me to traverse this world."
Through the eyes of a demon lord honed over five hundred years, Qing Mao Mountain seemed incredibly small, and the Gu Yue Village felt like a cage.
However, a cage that confined freedom also often represented safety.
"Hmph, for now, I'll stretch my wings within this cage. Once I reach the third rank of Gu Master, I'll leave this barren land. Fortunately, tomorrow is the Awakening Ceremony, and shortly after, I can begin my journey as a Gu Master."
Thinking of the Awakening Ceremony, memories long buried surfaced in Fang Yuan's mind.
"Talent..." He sneered, looking out the window.
At this moment, the door opened gently, and a boy walked in.
"Brother, why are you standing in the rain?"
The boy was thin, slightly shorter than Fang Yuan, and bore a striking resemblance to him.
Fang Yuan turned to look at the boy, a complex expression flashing across his face.
"It's you, my twin brother." He raised an eyebrow slightly, his expression returning to its usual coldness.
Fang Zheng lowered his head, staring at his toes – his signature move: "I saw your window was open and wanted to close it quietly. Tomorrow is the Awakening Ceremony, brother. If you stay up too late, uncle and aunt will worry."
He was not surprised by Fang Yuan's coldness; his brother had always been like this.
Sometimes he thought perhaps geniuses were just different. Although he bore a striking resemblance to his brother, he felt as insignificant as an ant.
Born from the same womb, why was the world so unfair? His brother had diamond-like talent, while he was as ordinary as a stone.
Everyone around him always referred to him as "Fang Yuan's brother."
His uncle and aunt constantly urged him to learn from his brother.
Even he sometimes looked in the mirror and felt disgusted by his face.
These thoughts had been with him for many years, accumulating in his heart like a heavy stone, making Fang Zheng's head hang lower and his speech more reticent.
"Worry..." Thinking of his uncle and aunt, Fang Yuan sneered silently.
He remembered clearly how his parents had died on a family mission, leaving him and his brother orphans at the age of three.
His uncle and aunt had taken them in, but only to seize their parents' inheritance and treat them harshly.
As a transmigrator, he had planned to lie low, but life's hardships forced him to display extraordinary "talents."
The so-called genius was merely a mature soul's rationality and a few timeless Tang and Song poems from Earth.
This little display of skill was already deemed miraculous, attracting widespread attention. Under external pressure, young Fang Yuan had to adopt a cold demeanor to protect himself and minimize the risk of exposure.
Over time, coldness became his habitual expression.
This way, his uncle and aunt couldn't mistreat him and his brother anymore. As he grew older and his prospects brightened, his treatment improved.
But this wasn't out of love; it was an investment.
Ridiculously, his brother remained oblivious to the truth, not only deceived by their uncle and aunt but also harboring resentment toward Fang Yuan. Despite his current obedient appearance, Fang Zheng had targeted, troubled, and suppressed his elder brother many times after being identified with A-grade talent and receiving strong family support.
As for Fang Yuan's talent...
Heh, at best, it was only C-grade.
Fate loved playing jokes.
Twin brothers, the elder with only C-grade talent, enjoyed the title of genius for over ten years. The younger, obscure, had A-grade talent.
The results of the Awakening Ceremony shocked the family, reversing the brothers' statuses and treatment.
The younger brother soared like a dragon, while the elder brother fell like a phoenix.
Subsequently, there were multiple instances of trouble from his brother, cold stares from his uncle and aunt, and the family's scorn.
Hatred?
Fang Yuan had hated in his past life. He hated his lack of talent, the family's heartlessness, and the unfairness of fate.
But now, with five hundred years of life experience, he reexamined this period and felt no resentment.
What was there to hate?
Considering it from their perspective, he could understand his brother, his uncle and aunt, and those righteous enemies who besieged him five hundred years later.
The law of the jungle, survival of the fittest, is the essence of this world.
Moreover, everyone has their ambitions. Competing for opportunities, suppressing and killing each other, what's incomprehensible about that?
Five hundred years of experience had long made him see through it all. His heart only pursued the path to immortality.
Anyone who blocked this pursuit, no matter who they were, it was simply a matter of life or death.
His ambition was too great. Stepping on this path meant becoming an enemy of the world, destined to walk alone and face endless killing.
This was the realization condensed from five hundred years of life.
"Revenge is not my plan; the path of a demon never compromises." Thinking this, Fang Yuan couldn't help but smile. He turned to his brother, gave him a cold glance, and said, "You may leave."
Fang Zheng felt a shiver in his heart, sensing that his brother's gaze was as sharp as an ice blade, seemingly piercing into his deepest thoughts.
Under such a gaze, he felt naked in the snow, with no secrets to hide.
"See you tomorrow, brother." Not daring to say more, Fang Zheng slowly closed the door and retreated.
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