The path of the fallen Immortal

Legend has it that there is a Luminous Water flowing around the planet's orbit, a mystical current said to hold the power to traverse time. It was whispered that one could use the Chrono Larva to travel through these currents and return to their past. Some believed, others half-believed and half-doubted, but in the end, there were no believers.

This was because the use of the Chrono Larva required the user to offer their life, all of their cultivation, and everything they had achieved. Even then, the chances of success were abysmally low. No one could guarantee the larva would even activate after their death. If Xu Wuyan had any other choice, he would never have resorted to using it.

"It's a pity to use such a rare larva like this," Xu Wuyan murmured, his voice low and filled with an inexplicable regret. His gaze swept over the faint moonlight spilling into the room, his heart heavy with a sigh.

To refine the Chrono Larva, he had massacred entire clans, wiped out villages, and even turned his own sect into a blood-soaked ruin. The screams, the hatred, and the curses of countless people still echoed faintly in his memories. It was the price he willingly paid to forge the forbidden larva, a tool that could rewrite fate itself.

Even though he had been reborn, the Chrono Larva had not followed him back. Its purpose had been fulfilled—its power spent in tearing apart the laws of time to give him this second chance.

"All that effort, all those sacrifices, for just one use," Xu Wuyan thought, a trace of sorrow flickering in his eyes. But his lips curled into a faint smile, one devoid of warmth.

"Even so, I do not regret it. The heavens may be cruel, but I am far crueler. This time, I will rise again and surpass even the limits of this world."

Xu Wuyan turned his gaze back to the mist-shrouded mountains beyond the village, his hands clenched tightly behind his back. This rebirth was not a blessing but an opportunity—a chance to walk the path of immortality once more, no matter how many lives he had to trample to succeed.

Humans were intelligent, but Arcane Larvae were the refined essence of heaven and earth, manifestations of the world's most primal forces.

There were countless types of larvae in the world, each with unique abilities and limitations. Some could be used twice or thrice before their energy was exhausted, while others were reusable, their power replenished with time and resources. But the Chrono Larva, it seemed, was a one-time expendeble larva.

Even though the Chrono Larva hadn't come back with him, Xu Wuyan's lips curled into a faint smirk. "I can always refine it again," he muttered, his voice laced with unshakable confidence. The loss of the Chrono Larva was regrettable, but it wasn't the end.

In his heart, a spark of inspiration ignited. The true treasure of this rebirth wasn't the larva—it was his memories, the knowledge and experiences of his past life. He had walked the path of cultivation for 600 years, amassed countless secrets, and witnessed the rise and fall of great powers.

"With what I know, I can recreate the Chrono Larva, but more than that, I can change everything. The treasures I missed, the opportunities I overlooked... this time, I will claim them all."

Xu Wuyan's eyes gleamed with a sharp, determined light. His memories were worth more than any larva or artifact. They were his foundation, a guide to reshape his destiny and seize control of the future.

Standing by the window, he gazed at the simple mountain village beneath the starlit sky. A faint wind rustled the trees, and the scent of earth and life filled the air.

"This place... 600 years ago. I've truly returned to the beginning."

"The most crucial thing right now is establishing my cultivation foundation. My Primordial Sea is still sealed, and I haven't even taken the first step toward becoming a Larvae Master. I'm still just an ordinary human! But that won't stop me. It's time to start cultivating with all my might, to quickly build my strength and surpass the limitations of the past. Only by doing so can I carve my own path and outpace those who came before me. I won't waste any more time."

"To quickly improve my cultivation, I'll need to borrow aid from my clan's resources," Xu Wuyan thought, his gaze narrowing as he assessed his current circumstances. "With my current situation, there's no way I can shuttle back and forth between these mountains. Even a simple wild beast could end my life as I am now."

The thought irritated him, but he knew the truth couldn't be ignored. His rebirth had stripped him of the power he once wielded, leaving him vulnerable in a world teeming with dangers.

"If I can reach the Third Level of Arcane Larva Cultivation, I'll have the basic ability to protect myself," he mused, his fingers tapping lightly on the wooden table. "With that strength, I'll be able to travel farther and handle the harsh conditions out there."

He turned his gaze to the humble village beyond his window. Though it was peaceful now, Xu Wuyan understood the cruel reality of the cultivation world. Without strength, peace was an illusion—a fleeting dream shattered the moment danger struck.

"I need to act quickly. Time is my enemy, but also my greatest weapon. The resources of this clan may be meager, but they will suffice for my immediate needs. After that, I'll seek out the opportunities I missed in my past life. This time, I won't squander them."

Xu Wuyan's eyes glinted coldly as he resolved to set his plans into motion. This rebirth was his second chance, and he would not waste a single moment.

Right at this moment, the door to his room creaked open, and a boy stepped inside. He had long black hair that flowed down his back and a pair of striking grey eyes that seemed to shimmer in the faint light. His features were delicate yet charming, carrying a youthful innocence that made him both cute and handsome.

The boy looked at Xu Wuyan and called out in a soft, concerned voice, "Brother, why don't you shut the windows? You might get cold. Uncle and Aunt would be angry if they saw this."

Xu Wuyan turned his gaze toward the boy, his expression unreadable. The innocence and care in the boy's tone stirred something faint within him, a feeling he had long forgotten—if it ever existed at all.

"I'm not seeking revenge on my own terms. The demonic path naturally has no room for compromises." Thinking this, Xu Wuyan couldn't help but smile faintly. He turned his gaze toward the trembling boy in front of him, his expression calm but chilling.

Facing the child who called him "brother," he spoke with a tone as sharp and cold as a blade slicing through frost. "You should go back."

The boy, Lin Hao, felt his heart tremble violently, a sense of terror surging inexplicably within him. His older brother's gaze seemed to pierce straight through him, as though it could strip away his very soul and lay bare his darkest, most secret thoughts.

Under such scrutiny, Lin Hao felt like a delicate, crumbling leaf, fragile and exposed, his every weakness and fear visible to Xu Wuyan's all-seeing eyes.

"Then... see you tomorrow, big brother,"Lin Hao stammered, not daring to say more. Slowly, he shut the door and retreated, his steps hurried but silent.

Xu Wuyan stood still, his gaze lingering on the closed door...

In his previous life, Xu Wuyan was pampered by his uncle and aunt, while his brother was ruthlessly exploited. However, when they awakened to their innate talents, the truth was revealed: his little brother possessed exceptional A-grade talent, whereas Xu Wuyan's abilities were merely C-grade.