The path of the fallen Immortal

Xu Wuyan opened his dry eyes. The night before, he had been lost in an endless stream of plans, his mind tirelessly weaving strategies and possibilities. He had allowed himself only two hours of sleep. This body, still untouched by cultivation, was frail and untempered, leaving him enveloped in fatigue and exhaustion. Yet, with 600 years of experience etched into his soul, he had long since mastered a profound sense of stillness. A little fatigue, a touch of exhaustion—such things were meaningless to him.

Xu Wuyan quickly tossed aside the bed covers and rose to his feet. He moved to the window and pushed it open, welcoming the crisp spring rain. The fresh scent of damp earth filled his lungs, bringing a sense of renewal. Just as he was savoring the moment, a gentle voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Master Xu Wuyan, you are already awake. The water is warm. Come, I will help you wash up. "

Xu Wuyan gazed at Mei Lin, his servant, who stood before him. Her features were unremarkable, yet she carried herself with poise, adorned in fine attire that accentuated her youthful and innocent demeanor. She wore elegant red robes with long sleeves and trousers, her hair styled in an intricate pearl-like design.

As Xu Wuyan prepared, Mei Lin presented him with warm water to wash his face. He reached for a willow twig and some ice salt, methodically using them to whiten his teeth, each motion deliberate and refined.

Afterward, she helped him dress, making sure to brush against him as she adjusted his clothes. Her plump chest gently pressed against his arm and body, but Xu Wuyan remained expressionless. Not a single flicker of emotion passed through him, his heart as calm as ever, completely unaffected by her actions.

"You should withdraw," Xu Wuyan said coldly, his tone unwavering.

Mei Lin opened her mouth several times, but only managed to mutter a single word. "Ok."

Xu Wuyan's eyes narrowed as he regarded Mei Lin with wariness. His mistrust wasn't just for her, but also for his uncle and aunt. After all, in his previous life, when he awakened his C-grade talent, they had immediately turned their backs on him. Worse yet, they had conspired against him, further cementing his distrust in those who once claimed to care for him.

Lin Hao arrived just in time to see Mei Lin standing beside Xu Wuyan. A surge of envy and jealousy swelled within him. Though Lin Hao also had a servant, she was a fat, unattractive woman, and nothing compared to Mei Lin's elegance. Moreover, it was well known throughout the household that Xu Wuyan had the favor of their uncle and aunt—something Lin Hao could never seem to obtain.

"If only Mei Lin could speak to me like that one day..." Lin Hao pondered, his thoughts clouded by bitterness.

Though there was a clear divide between masters and servants, Lin Hao never dared to belittle Mei Lin. This was because Mei Lin's mother, known as Madam Zhou, served directly under Aunt Mei Hua. As the one in charge of managing all the household affairs, Madam Zhou had gained Aunt Mei Hua's absolute trust, and with that came considerable authority, making her position one of great influence.

Xu Wuyan turned to Lin Hao, his voice neutral. "Are you ready?"

Lin Hao stood by the doorway, his eyes cast downward, fixated on his toes. He muttered a soft "hn" in response. Unbeknownst to Xu Wuyan, his little brother had been awake since the fourth watch, anxiety preventing him from drifting back to sleep. As a result, dark circles now framed his eyes.

Xu Wuyan nodded, his expression unreadable. In his past life, he may have misunderstood his little brother's thoughts, but now, he understood them all too well. However, he saw no point in explicitly acknowledging this, so he simply instructed indifferently, "Then let's go."

As the two brothers departed, they encountered numerous young travelers, mostly in pairs or small groups, all seemingly headed in the same direction. Whispers and murmurs trailed behind them.

"Look, there go the brothers," snippets of conversation drifted over.

"That's Xu Wuyan in front," someone emphasized. "He's the one rumored to have the highest chance of awakening a Rank talent."

"He's just as the rumors describe – expressionless, yet exuding confidence, as if oblivious to onlookers," another voice added, laced with envy and admiration.

A mocking snort echoed through the air. "You'd have to be on his level to pull off that kind of attitude!"

Lin Hao's expression remained impassive, his ears tuned to the familiar whispers. He trailed behind Xu Wuyan, his footsteps quiet on the dawn-lit path.

As morning broke, Xu Wuyan's shadow stretched out, casting a dark silhouette across Lin Hao's face. Yet, despite the growing light, Lin Hao felt an oppressive presence closing in around him – a presence that emanated from his own brother.

A sense of hopelessness settled in, weighing heavily on Lin Hao's chest. It was as if he was forever trapped in Xu Wuyan's shadow, unable to escape the suffocating grip of his brother's dominance.

Xu Wuyan's gaze remained steady, his heart harboring a cold, mirthless smile as he listened to the murmurs surrounding them. The whispers were like autumn winds rustling through leaves – insignificant.

He recalled the aftermath of his talent's revelation: the harsh criticism, the condescending stares, and the icy indifference. His little brother, Lin Hao, walked behind him, his breathing growing increasingly despondent. Xu Wuyan's 600 years of experience had honed his perception, allowing him to discern even the subtlest emotions.

His thoughts drifted to his aunt and uncle, their actions now clear in his mind. They had cleverly manipulated events, sending Mei Lin to monitor him while leaving Lin Hao with an elderly caregiver. The disparity in their treatment was deliberate, designed to sow discord and destroy the bond between the brothers.

Life's troubles were abundant, but their distribution was far from even. Xu Wuyan's first life had been marked by inexperience, and his little brother, Lin Hao, had been excessively naive.

This vulnerability had allowed their aunt and uncle to successfully sow discord. However, with the Awakening Trials on the horizon, Xu Wuyan saw an opportunity to alter the course of events.

Armed with the wisdom and cunning garnered from his demonic path, he was determined to defy the entrenched practices. He could assert his dominance over Lin Hao, bending him to his will.

Moreover, he could claim Mei Lin for himself, adding her to his personal harem. As for his aunt, uncle, and the clan Elders, Xu Wuyan was confident in his ability to outmaneuver them, employing his vast repertoire of schemes to achieve his goals.

He could crush his little brother's spirit and claim Mei Lin for his own. As for his aunt, uncle, and the clan Elders, he could outmaneuver them with countless schemes.

But I don't want to do things that way… Xu Wuyan mused to himself. So what if Lin Hao was his own brother?Abandoning him would be no different than abandoning anyone else.

Xu Wuyan's previous life was marked by ruthlessness, evident in his willingness to torture his own son for 9 days to refine a larva. This brutal act demonstrated his capacity for cruelty, and what's more, he felt no guilt or remorse for his actions. His emotional numbness to the suffering he inflicted on others, including his own flesh and blood, left little doubt that he would hesitate to harm or kill his own brother, Lin Hao, if it suited his purposes.

As for Mei Lin, her beauty was meaningless without a loyal heart. She'd be nothing more than a tool. Accept her into his harem? She wasn't worthy.

And as for his aunt, uncle, and the clan Elders? They were all just fleeting travelers in life. Why bother scheming against them? Hehe. As long as they didn't get in his way, they could indulge in their own trivial pursuits. Crushing them would be beneath him.