In legend, there exists a River of Time in this world, supporting the flow of its existence. By harnessing the power of the Spring-Autumn Cicada, one can swim against the current and return to the past.
Opinions about this rumor are mixed among the people. Many do not believe it, while some are skeptical.
Almost no one is truly convinced.
This is because each use of the Spring-Autumn Cicada requires the sacrifice of one's life, offering up the entire body and all cultivation as the driving force.
The cost is simply too high, and what's even more unacceptable is that even after sacrificing one's life, the outcome remains uncertain.
Even if someone obtains the Spring-Autumn Cicada, they dare not use it recklessly out of boredom.
What if the rumor is false, just a hoax?
If Fang Yuan hadn't been driven to desperation, he wouldn't have used it so quickly.
But now, Fang Yuan is completely convinced.
Because the undeniable truth is right before his eyes, irrefutable. He has indeed been reborn!
"It's just a pity about this wonderful Gu. Back then, it took a tremendous effort, slaughtering tens of thousands, incurring the wrath of heaven and man, and enduring countless hardships to refine it..." Fang Yuan sighed inwardly. Although he was reborn, the Spring-Autumn Cicada did not accompany him.
Humans are the spirits of all things, Gu are the essence of heaven and earth.
Gu come in countless strange forms. Some can be used once or twice before dissipating completely, while others can be reused as long as they are not overused.
Perhaps the Spring-Autumn Cicada is a consumable Gu that can only be used once.
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"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 the regret, a surge of ambition and pride rose in Fang Yuan's heart.
Being able to be reborn, the loss of the Spring-Autumn Cicada is entirely acceptable.
Moreover, he still possesses a treasure, not left with nothing.
This treasure is his five hundred years of memories and experience.
His memory holds countless treasures that have yet to be discovered. It contains major events, allowing him to easily grasp the threads of history. It holds countless figures, some are reclusive seniors, some are extraordinary talents, and some have not even been born yet. It also contains the heavy experiences of five hundred years of bitter cultivation and rich battle experience.
With these, he undoubtedly holds the advantage and the initiative. As long as he plays his cards right, dominating the mortal world and reviving the grandeur of a formidable demon is entirely possible, even advancing further to reach higher realms!
"So how should I proceed..." Fang Yuan, ever rational, quickly collected his emotions and began contemplating in the face of the night rain outside the window.
Thinking about it, he felt overwhelmed.
After pondering for a moment, his brows furrowed deeper.
Five hundred years is indeed a long time. Not to mention the memories that have become vague and forgotten. Even the treasures and Immortal's Fortuitous Encounters he remembers, though many, are either separated by vast distances or require specific timing to access.
"The key is still cultivation. My Primal Sea is not yet opened, and I haven't embarked on the path of a Gu Master, essentially still a mortal! I must cultivate quickly, increase my cultivation, and seize the initiative before history unfolds to gain as much advantage as possible."
Moreover, many hidden treasures cannot be utilized without sufficient cultivation. They would be more of a liability, a Crime of Possessing Treasure.
The first challenge facing Fang Yuan is cultivation.
He must quickly improve his cultivation. If he progresses as slowly as in his previous life, the opportunity will be long gone.
"To quickly enhance my cultivation, I must rely on the family's resources. In my current state, I have no ability to traverse the perilous mountains, where even an ordinary wild boar could take my life. If I can reach the level of a Rank Three Gu Master, I will have the basic ability to protect myself and travel through this world."
From the perspective of a demonic giant honed over five hundred years, this Green Reed Mountain is indeed too small, and Gu Yue Village feels more like a cage.
However, while the cage restricts freedom, a sturdy prison often represents a certain safety.
"Hmph, for the time being, I'll make do with this cage. Once I advance to Rank Three as a Gu Master, I'll leave this impoverished place. Fortunately, tomorrow is the Aperture Opening Ceremony, and soon after, I can officially begin my cultivation as a Gu Master."
Thinking of the Aperture Opening Ceremony, long-buried memories surfaced in Fang Yuan's mind.
"Aptitude, huh..." Looking out the window, he couldn't help but let out three cold laughs.
At that moment, the door was gently pushed open, and a young boy entered.
"Brother, why are you standing by the window getting wet?"
The boy was slender, 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 his eyebrows slightly, his expression returning to its usual indifference.
Fang Zheng lowered his head, staring at his toes, his signature move: "I saw your window was open, so I wanted to sneak in and close it. Tomorrow is the Aperture Opening Ceremony, and if Uncle and Aunt-in-law find out you're still up so late, they might worry."
He wasn't surprised by Fang Yuan's indifference, as his brother had always been like this since childhood.
Sometimes he wondered if perhaps geniuses were just different. Although he bore an extremely similar appearance to his brother, he felt as ordinary as an ant.
Born from the same womb, why was heaven so unfair? Bestowing his brother with diamond-like talent, while he was as ordinary as a pebble.
Everyone around him, when mentioning him, would say, "This is Fang Yuan's brother."
Uncle and Aunt-in-law often advised him to learn from his brother.
Even when he looked in the mirror, seeing his own face, he sometimes felt a sense of disgust!
These thoughts had been accumulating for many years, pressing down on his heart like a boulder. Over the years, Fang Zheng's head hung lower and lower, and he became increasingly silent.
"Worry..." Thinking of Uncle and Aunt-in-law, Fang Yuan let out a silent sneer in his heart.
He remembered clearly that his parents had perished in a family mission, leaving him and his brother orphans at the age of three.
Uncle and Aunt-in-law, under the guise of guardianship, had brazenly seized their parents' inheritance and treated him and his brother harshly.
Originally, as a transmigrator, he had planned to bide his time. But the hardships of life forced Fang Yuan to reveal his extraordinary "talent."
The so-called genius was merely the rationality of a mature soul and a few timeless Tang and Song poems from Earth.
Even this small display of skill was enough to astonish people, garnering widespread attention. Under external pressure, young Fang Yuan had no choice but to adopt a cold demeanor to protect himself and reduce the risk of exposure.
Over time, indifference became his habitual expression.
Thus, Uncle and Aunt-in-law could no longer mistreat him and his brother. As he grew older and his future looked promising, their treatment improved accordingly.
But this was not love; it was an investment.
Ridiculously, his brother failed to see this truth, not only deceived by Uncle and Aunt-in-law but also harboring resentment towards him. Despite his current obedient and honest demeanor, after being tested and found to have Grade A Aptitude, receiving strong family support, his hidden hatred and jealousy were unleashed, frequently targeting, harassing, and suppressing his own brother.
As for his own aptitude...
Heh, at best, it was only Grade C.
Fate loves to play jokes.
Twins, with the elder having only Grade C aptitude, yet enjoying the title of genius for over a decade. The younger, unnoticed, actually possessed Grade A talent.
The results of the Aperture Opening left the family astonished and completely reversed the brothers' circumstances and treatment.
The younger brother soared like a dragon, while the elder brother fell like a phoenix.
Afterward, there were many instances of harassment from the younger brother, cold stares from Uncle and Aunt-in-law, and disdain from the clan.
Hatred?
In his previous life, Fang Yuan had hated. He hated his lack of aptitude, the family's ruthlessness, and the unfairness of fate.
But now, with five hundred years of life experience, re-examining this period, his heart remained calm, devoid of any hatred.
What is there to resent?
Thinking from another perspective, he could understand his brother, Uncle and Aunt-in-law, and even 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 own ambitions, all vying for that sliver of opportunity. What's so incomprehensible about mutual suppression and conflict?
Five hundred years of experience had long allowed him to see through it all, with only the path to immortality in his heart.
If anyone stood in the way of his pursuit, regardless of who they were, it would be a matter of life and death.
His ambitions were too grand, and setting foot on this path meant being destined to stand against the world, destined to walk alone, destined to face countless tribulations.
This was the realization forged from five hundred years of life.
"Revenge is not my plan, and the path of a demonic cultivator has never known compromise." With this thought, Fang Yuan couldn't help but smile. He turned back to his brother, giving him a faint glance, and said, "You may leave."
Fang Zheng couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart, sensing that his brother's gaze was as sharp as an icy blade, seemingly piercing through to the depths of his soul.
Under such a gaze, he felt as if he were 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 quietly.
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