Chapter 23: Fallen Genius

  Seven days had passed since the talent testing ceremony, and news of Su Jian's rare talent and Su Tianhao's complete failure had already spread throughout Oakwood City.

  In the busy marketplace during the morning rush, merchants and customers alike buzzed with gossip as they conducted their daily business.

  "Did you hear? The Su family's young genius turned out to be a complete cripple who can't cultivate at all!" a middle-aged merchant whispered excitedly to his neighbor.

  "Of course I heard! Everyone in the city has been talking about nothing else for seven days straight," his companion replied.

  "Tsk, tsk," an elderly woman shook her head as she examined vegetables at a nearby stall. "Who would have thought that such an outstanding young man was actually worthless trash? All that intelligence for nothing!"

  The conversations continued in this manner throughout every corner of the city.

  ---

  Meanwhile, in a certain room on the second floor of the Su family's main residence, a very different scene was unfolding.

  "It's been one week since the test took place. You can't continue to starve yourself, Young Master," Xie Ling's voice carried deep concern as she approached the motionless figure seated by the window.

  However, Su Tianhao remained silent, his head lowered and his hands clasped tightly in his lap. In just seven days, his appearance had changed dramatically. His face had grown pale and gaunt, while his previously neat hair now fell loose and messy down his back. The elegant young master who had commanded respect throughout the city had vanished, replaced by someone who looked broken and defeated.

  "Young Master! You're going to hurt yourself this way!" Xie Ling's voice rose with desperation. "Your Uncle Yuan is right—it's not over! With your intelligence, you can become a great scholar in the future! Please think about it—would your Senior Sister Mei want to see you like this?"

  At the mention of Su Mei's name, Su Tianhao's body trembled slightly.

  "Why..." his voice came out as a cracked whisper. "Why... why did this happen to me?"

  Su Tianhao finally raised his head and turned to face Xie Ling, his golden eyes now red and swollen with unshed tears.

  Xie Ling felt her heart break seeing his expression. Without hesitation, she moved closer and pulled him into a warm embrace, sitting with him in comforting silence as he struggled with his shattered world.

  But their peaceful moment was suddenly shattered by a loud sound at the door.

  Bam!

  The door slammed open with violent force, and two figures entered the room.

  Xie Ling immediately jumped to her feet in alarm, but her expression shifted to recognition as she saw who had entered.

  "Second Elder! Young Master Jian!" she greeted with a hasty bow.

  "Relax," Su Liang said with a cold smile that didn't reach his eyes. "We didn't come here for you."

  Su Jian stepped forward with confident strides, a mocking smirk spreading across his face. "Well, well, if it isn't my useless brother, crying in the arms of a woman," he said with disdain.

  His voice carried both contempt and hidden jealousy. 'How can trash like you have such a beautiful attendant while I'm stuck with old Madam Niu?'

  Su Tianhao glanced at Su Jian and quickly wiped away his tears, straightening his shoulders. He would not appear weak before his enemies—never!

  "Greetings, Uncle Liang," Su Tianhao said softly but steadily. "If I may ask, why are you here?"

  "Hmph! Who's your uncle?" Su Liang snorted with disgust. "Trash like you can never be my nephew."

  The words cut sharper than any blade. Su Tianhao could still remember this same person praising him enthusiastically for his contributions to the family, but in just a few days, all of that had been forgotten.

  'Talent really is everything,' Su Tianhao thought bitterly. 'Without cultivation ability, I'm no different than a worthless orphan in his eyes.'

  Xie Ling stood to the side with pain clearly written on her face.

  "Just tell me why you're here," Su Tianhao said with a straight face, his previous anxiety vanishing and being replaced by an eerie calm. The current him didn't fear anything anymore.

  Su Liang was taken aback by the sudden change in behavior. "Su Tianhao, you have awakened no talent for cultivation—something that has never happened in the history of our family. Don't you think you're no longer qualified to live in the main residence?"

  Su Tianhao looked at him without any change in expression, as if he had already expected this outcome. "Just get straight to the point."

  "This—" Su Liang found himself speechless. Shouldn't the boy be afraid or at least show some concern?

  But before Su Liang could speak again, Su Jian stepped forward and shouted, "He's saying trash like you isn't worthy to live in the main residence! You should get the hell out!"

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  Su Tianhao's unnatural calmness irritated him deeply. He had followed his uncle here expecting to see a pathetic, broken Su Tianhao begging for mercy.

  Su Tianhao glanced dismissively at Su Jian before turning back to Su Liang. "Is Father aware of this decision?" he asked.

  Being ignored so completely, Su Jian gritted his teeth in rage, his face flushing red.

  Hearing Su Tianhao's question, Su Liang straightened his posture. "It was a collective decision by the council. It would damage our family's reputation if we allowed you to continue living here. However, we haven't forgotten your past contributions. You may still remain within the family as an ordinary disciple. You're free to choose any of the courtyards in the disciples' quarters."

  "So that's how it is," Su Tianhao murmured softly, processing this calmly. "There's no need for me to stay in the disciples' quarters. I'll move to Fei Wu Quarter instead."

  "You want to stay in Fei Wu Quarter?" Su Liang asked with raised eyebrows.

  Fei Wu Quarter was an abandoned area within the family estate located at the very edge of the compound. The courtyards there had been neglected for years, with no current inhabitants.

  "Hahaha! That's perfect! At least you know your place—the perfect location for trash like you!" Su Jian said with a disdainful laugh.

  Su Tianhao glanced at Su Jian with growing irritation. "Just shut up."

  Su Jian exploded with fury. "Trash! How dare you tell me to shut up?"

  "What? Do you want to fight me?" Su Tianhao asked with a provoking smile that didn't reach his eyes.

  "You—" Su Jian glared angrily at Su Tianhao, but he didn't dare actually engage in physical combat. Despite his six-star talent awakening, he knew his current limitations—the present Su Tianhao could still defeat him easily in a fight.

  "You don't dare!" Su Tianhao snorted with cold eyes.

  "Just wait! When I become a real cultivator, I'll dare you to fight me then!" Su Jian shouted, his face flushed red with embarrassment.

  "I don't have time for you," Su Tianhao dismissed him entirely and turned back to Su Liang. "Will there be any problems with my choice of residence?"

  "No, if that's your decision, you can head there immediately and pick any courtyard you want. I'll have someone bring your belongings," Su Liang said.

  "Thank you," Su Tianhao nodded and glanced at Xie Ling. "Let's go, Ling Ling."

  Xie Ling nodded and prepared to follow behind him, but just as they were about to leave, Su Jian's voice rang out suddenly.

  "Wait!"

  "What is it?" Su Tianhao glanced at Su Jian with a frown.

  "Who said I was talking to you?" Su Jian scoffed before turning to Xie Ling with a warm smile. "Ling Ling, how about you abandon this trash and come serve me instead?"

  Xie Ling was taken completely off guard. When she glanced at Su Tianhao's reaction, she found herself hesitating.

  "I'm sorry, Young Master Jian, but the Second Young Master has always been so good to me," she said carefully.

  Su Jian's brows furrowed as he glanced hatefully at Su Tianhao before making his offer more attractive. "How about this? Become my personal attendant, and I'll make sure to provide you with cultivation resources to the best of my ability! If you don't believe me, I'm willing to swear on my soul!"

  Su Liang frowned and quickly interjected, "Don't go too far, Jian'er. She's not worth such promises. If you want an attendant, there will be countless girls no less beautiful than her—and more talented too—who would be willing to serve you."

  Su Jian ignored Su Liang's advice and stared intensely at Xie Ling. "What do you say?"

  Xie Ling paused, her breathing becoming rapid as the full weight of the temptation hit her. “If I follow Young Master Jian, not only will my status rise with his, but with the resources he’s promised, it won’t be long before I can break through to the Martial Adept Realm. I might even be able to reach the Martial Core Realm in this lifetime and gain greater longevity and extended youth.”

  With her natural talent, it would normally take her several years to reach the Martial Adept Realm through her own efforts. If she chose to follow Su Tianhao in his current situation, she would receive no resources from the family, and it would be nearly impossible for her to reach the Martial Core Realm in the future. Martial Core experts could live for 180 years—about an entire century more than ordinary people, with the benefit of maintaining their youthful appearance far longer.

  She knew this was an opportunity of a lifetime, even if the only reason Su Jian had chosen her was to make Su Tianhao jealous.

  'If I miss this chance, I might regret it forever,' she thought desperately.

  Noticing her internal struggle, Su Tianhao glanced at her with understanding eyes and said gently, "It's fine. I won't blame you for whatever choice you make."

  Hearing Su Tianhao's words, Xie Ling felt her heart pierce with overwhelming guilt. The kindness in his voice only made her decision more painful.

  "Young Master, I—" Her words caught in her throat as her eyes grew moist with tears. She quickly fell to her knees and bowed deeply.

  "Thank you for everything you have done for me over the years. I, Xie Ling, will never forget this kindness!"

  After saying that, she stood up and bowed formally to Su Jian. "Xie Ling greets her new Young Master!"

  "Good! You made the right choice!" Su Jian said with satisfaction. "As long as it's within my power, I swear that I, Su Jian, will provide you with whatever resources you need for your cultivation."

  "Thank you, Young Master!" Xie Ling said with her head lowered, trying to hide her tear-streaked face. Her fists clenched tightly. 'I'm sorry, Young Master! I truly am!'

  Su Tianhao glanced at her with indifferent eyes and said calmly, "It's okay. You made your choice, and I respect that. You don't have to worry about me anymore."

  With that, Su Tianhao let out a humorless laugh before walking out of the room, his solitary figure disappearing into the distance.

  Su Liang watched the entire scene unfold with narrowing eyes. He couldn't help but sigh as he observed Su Tianhao's lonely departure, his expression softening slightly. "Too unfortunate, really."

  After Su Tianhao left, Xie Ling's legs gave out completely. She collapsed to her knees and burst into heartbroken tears, the weight of her decision crushing down upon her.

  Meanwhile, Su Tianhao had already made his way out of the main residence. He raised his head high and gazed at the afternoon sun hanging in the clear blue sky.

  "Looks like I'm destined to be alone," he said with a heavy sigh.

  He glanced down at the diamond pendant hanging around his neck—the last remnant of his encounter with Lu Ruyi years ago—and grasped it tightly in his fist.

  "But this isn't the end!" he declared with sudden determination. "I will not give up! Even if I have no talent, I'll keep trying to cultivate, even if it's the last thing I do!"

  Su Tianhao's voice carried newfound resolve as he began walking toward Fei Wu Quarter, where his new life would begin. Despite everything that had happened, he refused to surrender completely to despair.

  The fallen genius would find his own way forward, even if he had to walk that path entirely alone.

  ----

  An entire year had passed since the talent testing ceremony that changed everything. During this time, Su Jian's status within the family had risen to incredible heights, while Su Tianhao had been completely forgotten by most. Throughout his stay in Fei Wu Quarter, he had never once stepped outside its boundaries, choosing instead to remain in self-imposed isolation.

  In the most remote area of the Su family estate lay a quiet and desolate section filled with several abandoned courtyards. The eerie silence of this forgotten place was broken only by the continuous sounds of heavy breathing and fists striking wood with relentless force.

  "Hah!"

  Bam!

  "Hah!"

  Bam!

  The rhythmic sounds echoed from a small courtyard tucked away from the world. The space was simple but functional—a modest wooden house sat beside a small garden, while a massive oak tree dominated the center of the yard. In front of this ancient tree, a young man threw heavy punches against its weathered bark with mechanical precision.

  His upper body was bare, exposing the diamond pendant that still hung around his neck and revealing a well-built chest, defined abs, and refined muscles perfectly proportioned across his frame. His entire figure glistened with sweat, while both fists were wrapped in white cloth to cover the bruises on his knuckles.

  Even as his body screamed in agony, he didn't stop. He continued attacking the tree as if it were his greatest enemy, each strike carrying the weight of accumulated frustration and desperate determination. Deep dent marks covered the tree's surface—a testament to months of this punishing routine.

  His golden eyes blazed with cold resolve, while his sword-like eyebrows furrowed with unwavering focus.

  This was sixteen-year-old Su Tianhao, completely transformed from the boy he had once been. He had grown taller and developed an imposing presence that radiated wild intensity. His long black hair was tied back casually, fluttering in the gentle breeze as he trained.

  During these twelve months of isolation, he had subjected himself to torturous physical training, building his body to its current state. Every night, he had attempted to cultivate spiritual energy with desperate intensity, but despite his efforts, he remained unable to break through to even the 1st level of the Martial Apprentice Realm. Pain had become his constant companion, and the only thing keeping him alive was his stubborn refusal to surrender.

  At that moment, two female servants walked nervously into the courtyard, carrying a tray of food between them.

  "S-Second Young Master," one servant called out with a trembling voice.

  Su Tianhao glanced at them through cold golden eyes. "Place it over there," he said simply, gesturing toward a small wooden stool positioned in front of his humble dwelling.

  The servants nodded quickly and hurried to place the tray where he had indicated before practically fleeing from his presence.

  As they exited his courtyard, one servant turned to her companion and whispered nervously, "The Second Young Master is so frightening."

  "Hmph!" her companion snorted, though her own voice carried a tremor. "He's just worthless trash who has tortured himself for the past year until he's started losing his humanity."

  "What a pity," the first servant sighed sadly. "He used to be such a bright star, an inspiration to everyone who knew him."

  "Well, that's all in the past now," her companion replied with forced cruelty. "If he doesn't stop this reckless behavior, he probably won't live past thirty."

  Meanwhile, back in Su Tianhao's courtyard, his punishing training routine continued for several more minutes before he finally stopped, his entire body trembling with exhaustion.

  Breathing heavily, he walked toward the food tray and sat down beside the wooden stool. He opened the simple bowl to reveal steaming tofu and plain rice—basic sustenance that kept him alive but provided no pleasure. Without ceremony, he grabbed the hot food with his bare hands and began eating rapidly, completely indifferent to the burning sensation on his palms.