The Descent of the Martial King

Liu Qingcheng left, and only then did Chu Yan breathe a sigh of relief. He looked up at the starry sky, with millions of stars twinkling above, but his gaze stayed fixed on just one.

This particular star shone brightly, seemingly the most radiant among countless stars. It was called the "Celestial King," and Chu Yan had engraved it into his memory, as if it were a permanent mark, always reminding him.

"Mother, soon I'll come to save you."

Leaving the guest room, Chu Yan walked to the center of the Liu family’s main hall. In front of the hall stood a pair of stone lions, each with a pearl in its mouth, exuding a commanding presence. Chu Yan stood between them, lowering his head and counting the bricks beneath his feet.

"Mother said once that these twin lions align with the Celestial Radiant Star and channel vital energy here. Ten steps north, then ten steps east, until I reach the third sycamore tree on the left—the star formation will break. Let’s give it a try."

Recalling the precise movements Qin Ruomeng had taught him, Chu Yan started channeling energy in sync with the stone lions. If anyone had witnessed him, they'd be stunned: he took just one step forward after channeling his energy, and already left a deep footprint on the glazed tiles beneath, which were designed to resist attacks from even the strongest below the Dust Realm. Yet Chu Yan, at the mere first level of the Mortal Realm, could leave an imprint?

But this was just the beginning. With his second step, the tiles shattered, splintering into fragments.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

With each step, a tile cracked. Of course, Chu Yan was also struggling—drenched in sweat, his simple clothes soaked through as he bore the weight of thousands of pounds. It was unimaginable how, at the first level of the Mortal Realm, he could endure the immense pressure of the Celestial Radiant Star Formation. Still, he pushed forward. Although by the tenth step, his knees buckled, and he fell heavily, splitting another tile.

"The Celestial Radiant Star Formation... truly formidable!" He clenched his fists. Despite the pain, a hint of a smile appeared on his lips, a spark of excitement.

As the pressure of the Celestial Radiant Star Formation intensified, a flame ignited within his dantian, growing hotter under the pressure, making Chu Yan’s entire body flush as if he were engulfed in fire. After a rest, he stood up at the tenth step, took a deep breath, and continued ten more steps eastward. He glimpsed three sycamore trees to his left and fixed his eyes on the third one, a grin appearing on his face.

"This is it, beneath this tree." He pushed forward, shattering tile after tile as he finally reached the base of the third sycamore. Underneath, he channeled all his energy into the tree.

With a rumbling sound, the soil beneath started to swirl, and a golden Netherstone rose from the earth. Clutching it, Chu Yan's heart raced. He felt the stone’s energy, like a small serpent slithering within him. Closing his eyes, he followed this energy as it coursed through him, soon finding himself in a dark, chaotic realm.

The air was filled with yin energy, and countless runes floated across the sky. At the center stood a nine-layered profound tower, bound by thick, black chains. This wasn’t Chu Yan’s first visit here, but in the past, this space was unbearably dark and frigid, and no matter how hard he tried, he could never open the stone doors of the nine-layered profound tower. But this time was different—the power of the Netherstone felt like a key to unlock the seal.

"For years, all the vital energy I've cultivated, my life energy and starlight, have been suppressed by this tower. Now, I can finally unlock it." He raised his hand, pressing the Netherstone against the tower.

A loud boom resounded within him as the iron chains began to tremble, as if an ancient dragon was awakening. Then, with a crack, the first chain broke. The winds grew stronger, and one by one, the chains disintegrated into powder as the once-dull tower began to glow.

Chu Yan watched the transformation of the nine-layered tower, excitement building. Golden winds now swirled around him as the tower's doors finally opened a sliver. But the strain on his body was immense—his skin cracked, and the impurities in his blood were forced out. Not long after, he had become a blood-stained figure beneath the sycamore tree.

"Just endure this final stage, and once I succeed, I will transform. Ten years of suffering have built my resilience; this pain is nothing, Chu Yan, hold on!" he roared, his eyes reddening.

Time blurred as the sky began to brighten, and members of the Chu family gradually awoke. Outside the main hall, several Chu family disciples gathered, whispering.

"Look, who is that, covered in blood?"

"I've seen him before; isn’t he Sister Qingcheng's fiancé? But why is he here?"

“What? That’s Chu Yan? He looks terrible! Is he… dead?”

“Better dead—then Sister Qingcheng won’t have to marry this beggar and tarnish her name.”

"Wait, he's moving! He's alive!" a few young girls murmured timidly.

At that moment, Chu Yan's eyelids twitched as he slowly regained consciousness, suddenly opening his eyes. Without acknowledging anyone around him, he jumped to his feet. He leapt over a meter high, landing and immediately focusing. Inside his dantian, he saw a radiant nine-layered tower, all chains shattered.

"I succeeded?" He was overjoyed. Without a care for the curious looks, he turned, throwing his arms around the slender figure nearest him, exclaiming, "I did it! I finally succeeded!"

"He’s gone mad!" Everyone screamed and fled.

Unbothered, Chu Yan thought, from today on, he was no longer a "waste," but a newly awakened genius. The nine-layered profound tower held cosmic secrets, and he had finally unlocked them. One day, he would rise to the heavens and rescue his mother.

Suddenly he noticed the figure in his arms—a young girl. "Wait, why didn’t you run?"

"Young Master, I’m the maid assigned to you by the Master… I have nowhere to go,” she replied, slightly hurt.

"Oh, a maid? That's convenient. I’ve just awakened, and I do need someone to help." He eyed her thin figure and tattered clothes.

"Why are you dressed so poorly? The other servants look at least neat, if not rich. But your clothes…?”

"Because, Young Master, I have no parents, and the Liu family has raised me, so one set of clothes is enough," she said, lowering her head.

Sympathy flickered in his eyes—not that he was overly compassionate, but her situation mirrored his own.

"You’re my maid now, so you need better clothes. In the Liu household, my maid should live more lavishly than the ladies themselves. Go to the accounting room later, get fifty taels, and buy us some new clothes. Also, get me some herbs."

"I can buy them myself?" she asked, surprised.

"Of course! And get something pretty. Actually, just get a dress like the one Liu Qingcheng wore yesterday. If you need more money, just ask," Chu Yan instructed.

Sweetly surprised, she thought, “This ‘worthless’ son-in-law isn’t so bad after all. He’s rather kind.”

"Yes, Master!" she replied. Taking a pen, Chu Yan jotted down a list of herbs. Having just unsealed the tower, he needed to replenish his strength. As he wrote, he caught the unpleasant odor coming from him—his body covered in blood and grime.

“No wonder they all ran—it’s unbearable,” he chuckled, exhilarated, as he knew the impurities had been expelled. Like a dragon shedding its scales, he was reborn.

"Prepare my bathwater, Bao'er," he called. After setting up a tub of warm water, Chu Yan smiled, ready to wash away his past and start anew.