1 Fallen Genius

Inside the Mu family residence within the Holy Yuan Empire, the Imperial Capital, Tian Ling.

It was twilight, and the surroundings were gradually getting darker. All was quiet.

However, the council hall, which was usually only opened when there were important matters to be discussed, was still brightly lit.

The Mu family elders were all sitting inside the council hall at this moment, and all of them had serious looks on their faces. 

"Mu Linghan has caused huge trouble this time, and he can't be forgiven so easily!" 

"That's right! He's already so ruthless at such a young age, he'll definitely be a disaster in the future! We can't allow him to live anymore!" 

"Second Elder, that's too much, isn't it? How can a thirteen-year-old be considered ruthless? After all, he's still a genius of the Mu family who's only born once every hundred years…"

"A genius? Third Elder, have you forgotten that Mu Linghan has exhausted all the Yuan energy in his body, and even his meridians have been destroyed. He's completely reduced to trash! Even a regular family wouldn't leave such trash alive, let alone let them cause such trouble! He was expelled after killing someone cruelly in the Zhongyuan Secret Realm! Perhaps you are able to bear this shame, Third Elder, but the Mu family cannot!"

"But, Second Elder, don't forget that only a top-tier genius is able to enter a place like the Zhongyuan Secret Realm. Forget about the Mu family, even in the entire Holy Yuan Empire, there hasn't been another genius produced in almost a decade! Moreover, both his parents were killed not long ago while on the frontlines, and they have done a great service to our Mu family. What's more, his twin sister perished in the Zhongyuan Secret Realm! How could we, the Mu family, lay a hand on this child at this juncture in time?!"

"Hmph, he's to blame for his own evil intentions! He needs to be punished severely! In my opinion, beheading him is not over the line!" 

The group of elders was divided into their own groups of opinion, and they exchanged fierce arguments.

After a long time, the old man who was seated at the main seat finally cleared his throat. 

It was just a slight sound, but the room quieted down right away, and everyone present looked over to the old man.

He was the Mu family's patriarch, Mu Zhongtian.

"Feng'er and Xuan'er have already lost their lives. Lan'er was killed in the Zhongyuan Secret Realm, and not even a body could be found. The only one left to carry on this family's lineage is Linghan. Even though he made a tremendous mistake, his crime is not one that calls for death. So, let's send him to the branch family. Whether he lives or dies after that, it all depends on his own destiny."

Once he finished speaking, Mu Zhongtian seemed to age ten years. Receiving news of his son and daughter-in-law's death over the past few days one after another had already dealt a heavy blow to the old man. He never expected that something serious would also have happened on this end.

Everyone present was silent.

Mu Zhongtian's position in the Mu family was highly respected, and although not everyone was satisfied with the verdict, they felt it was not unjust.

"We obey the orders of the patriarch!"

After that day, everyone knew about what had happened to the twins from the Mu family who were known to be extremely gifted. One had died in the secret realm, while the other was deemed to be trash and expelled from the clan.

The one revered and enviable genius had fallen from grace, and it was a sad fate.

***

Three months later, Luo Xi City, Mu Mansion.

On the huge martial arts training ground, there were many young boys and girls gathered there, their faces filled with unconcealed nervous excitement.

Their eyes were all trained in the middle of the martial arts training ground.

A tall, middle-aged man stood there, his hands clasped behind his back with a white stone table beside him.

"In half a month, there will be a family trial. I heard that if you can make it to the top five in the trial, you can enter the Tibetan Scripture Pavilion to select a cultivation manual!" 

"Seriously? Then, maybe I'll have to give it my best! Who knows, maybe I can do it too!" 

"You? Hah! You're not even a Novice, how can you make it to the top five? Don't even dream about it! That's something only a true genius can do!" 

When he heard that, the youth who had been jabbed became upset. Then, he thought of something and sneered.

"A genius? Hehe, that Mu Linghan was a 'genius' too, but now he can't even take one punch from me without falling over!" 

Hearing the words "Mu Linghan", the group abruptly fell silent, then looked in a direction all together. 

A slim young man in black clothes was standing alone, and it looked as though it was soon going to be his turn to take the test.

"Haha! I almost forgot about him! In that case, I'm still stronger than that 'genius'!" 

"So what if he's a genius? Now that his meridians are all destroyed, he's just trash of the trash!" 

"I heard that the patriarch of the clan personally ordered for him to be chased out of the main clan, and in the previous test, he was in the ninth rank, and in the last one he had been brought down to the seventh rank. This time, I wonder if he'll 'advance' further? Haha!" 

Mocking comments and laughter continued to echo through the crowd, and many people looked over in glee, wanting to see the humiliated and embarrassed look on the young man's face. 

However, it seemed as though the young man had not heard any of the words. He was somewhat thin, but that did nothing to hide his handsome features which were calm and unruffled.

He looked as though he was completely unconcerned about everything happening around him.

He slowly reached out his hand to press it on top of the white stone table.

"Hmph, putting up an act."

Many people snickered secretly as they watched.

Above the stone table, lines of red slowly appeared…

"Yuan Energy, Rank 5!" 

After a moment of silence, the crowd burst into laughter!

This guy's cultivation level had really dropped again!

It had only been three months, and he had dropped from Rank 9 to Rank 7, and then down to Rank 5 now! What a fantastic story!

It didn't matter if he wasn't talented in cultivating and was slow to advance, but this guy was going backward! Haha!

The young man seemed deaf to the world around him as he looked at the words hanging in the air. In fact, he had already expected this result in his heart.

This was the result of his meridians being destroyed. The loss of Yuan Energy was quick because of that, and he already knew this would happen.

He turned around and slowly raised his head.

The noise and chatter around him died down instantly. 

There were some people who had innate aura, and just by standing there in a simple black garb and a pair of indifferent, pitch-black eyes was enough to garner unconscious reverence from the people around them. 

This was the case with Mu Linghan.

He didn't say a single word, and he lifted his feet to leave.

The crowd automatically parted a path for him to walk.

"Hmph, he's just a Rank 5, yet he still dares to be so arrogant! Does he really think he's still the brilliant genius of the Mu family?"

A mocking voice suddenly came and the words spoken were filled with disdain and contempt. 

Mu Linghan paused in his steps, and he looked up to see who it was.

Not far in front of him, a youth stood with his arms crossed over his chest, a look of contempt on his face. 

Mu Ye. 

Seeing it was him, there was a hint of anticipation on the crowd's faces who were watching.

Mu Ye was fourteen years old this year, but he was already in Rank 9 in terms of Yuan Energy levels. He was only one step away from breaking through and becoming a Novice. 

In this Mu Mansion, Mu Ye was also considered to be one of the top few geniuses and was deeply valued. So, it was natural that he was also a proud person.

Mu Ye was already displeased with Mu Linghan from early on. What kind of bullsh*t brilliant genius was he? He was just a Rank 5!

Mu Yu could crush him with one finger!

That Mu Linghan was still in his dream, and that was why he was so arrogant, looking as though no one could compare to him!

He didn't even think about how little value he had now!

Mu Linghan narrowed his eyes slightly. 

Ever since waking up from his coma, Mu Linghan had heard these kinds of words countless times in the past three months. But, this was the first time someone had spoken and cursed at him so publicly. Seriously, this guy was just…

Bored of his life, wasn't he?

Even though Mu Linghan's meridians were completely ruined, this youth in front of him who was not even a Novice yet was not significant in his eyes!

The corners of Mu Linghan's lips curled upwards in a smirk, but there was no glee in his eyes as he said calmly, "At least I was once a genius. As for you… well, you'll never even be one in this lifetime." 

"You!" 

The entire area was dead silent, and everyone looked at Mu Linghan in shock. They obviously had not expected such piercing words to come out from him when he opened his mouth!

But, seriously? Mu Ye was one step away from becoming a Novice, and once he participated in the family trial, he would be able to become even stronger. It was also possible that he would one day take charge of Mu Mansion. 

Mu Linghan's meridians were destroyed, yet he still dared to challenge Mu Yu like this?!

Even if Mu Linghan was the patriarch's grandson, he had been expelled from the main clan a long time ago, so why was he acting in such an unreasonable manner?!

Mu Ye's face was unsightly to look at as it had twisted into a hideous expression.

"Who do you think you are? With the way you are right now, you're not even worthy to lick my shoes!" Mu Ye berated Mu Linghan loudly, his eyes filled with anger. "If you dare, then come and fight me!" 

A Rank 9 fighting against a Rank 5, wasn't the result obvious?

Many people snickered secretly. When Mu Linghan had been a Rank 9 this Mu Ye didn't have the guts to shout these words.

Now, Mu Ye was suddenly bold and confident. 

However, in this world, the strong were respected. Who cared about whether your appearance was beautiful or not? Whoever had the stronger fist was justified. 

But, did Mu Linghan dare to accept this challenge?

Perhaps he would be crippled by just a single punch from Mu Ye…

"Enough! No fighting on the day of the test!" 

A firm, deep voice rang out, and the crowd shuddered, turning around to see who it was. It turned out to be the man who was standing next to the white stone table who had spoken.

The man was Mu Chuan, a genuine Rank 9 Novice!

Seeing how intimidating he looked, the crowd was instantly as quiet as mice.

Even Mu Ye trembled slightly, and swallowed the rest of his words back.

"In half a month, the family trial will be held. Those who can stand out then will be the most outstanding people in the Mu family! The better results one gets, the better resources they will receive. Do you all understand?" 

"Yes!" 

A group of boys and girls instantly became excited after they heard Mu Chuan's words, and their eyes were all bright and glowing with excitement.

A hint of fire flashed in Mu Ye's eyes. This time, he would place first!

As for Mu Linghan…

Mu Ye turned to look over at Mu Linghan who had a calm look on his face, and Mu Ye sneered coldly at him. Then, Mu Ye raised his thumb and abruptly flipped it downward!

"Just wait until the family trial!" Mu Ye mouthed silently, but the shape of his mouth and words were clearly visible.

Any man would feel humiliated by this kind of provocation, Mu Ye didn't believe that Mu Linghan would be able to endure it!

When the time comes, Mu Linghan would be at his mercy!

No one would have imagined that Mu Linghan would merely laugh and reply in the same silent manner, "I'll be waiting."

Then, he turned around and left!

It was like hitting cotton, there was no effect at all, and Mu Ye's heart burned even hotter with rage instead!

He didn't believe that when he beat Mu Linghan to the ground that Mu Linghan could still pretend to be relaxed! Putting on an act like that!

On the other hand, Mu Linghan had already left the complicated gazes of the crowd and had returned to his own residence, which was a small, shabby cabin in a remote corner that almost no one cared about. 

The surroundings fell into silence.

Mu Linghan sat crossed-legged and held his breath with rapt attention.

A teasing, lazy voice suddenly rang out in his ears, "Girl, your speed is too slow. How have you not reached Rank 1 yet?" 

Mu Linghan snapped open his eyes, a brilliant light flashing in them suddenly!