The Rise of the Fallen Prodigy

The combination of Liam Smith and Orion naturally attracted the attention of countless clan members, and a series of discussions began within the family.

"Hey, look, isn't that Liam Smith? Why is he with the butler?"

"Yes, what is the butler doing with that waste?"

"Could it be that he's done something wrong and is now going to the clan chief to be punished?"

"How could that be? Look, he's chatting and laughing with the butler. He doesn't look like he's going to be punished at all. He's probably going to receive a reward."

"Nonsense. Why would the clan chief give him a reward for no reason?"

"You don't know this. It's said that Liam Smith broke through to the first level of the Refined Gas Realm a month ago."

"Seriously? Is that true or false?"

"It's truer than real gold. The last time I went to the deaconry hall to receive a family task, I met him. He was also there to receive a family task. According to a senior brother in the deaconry hall, he has a cultivation at the first level of the Refined Gas Realm, and he even took on five family tasks at once."

"Yes, I was there at the time too."

"Do you think his talent might have returned?"

"Shh." This sentence caused a series of gasps.

If that were really the case, it would mean that Liam Smith had a chance to reach the peak again. Then those pupils who had once laughed at him would probably be in big trouble.

Many people began to feel a little panicked.

"Hmph, that's just alarmist talk. I've never heard of talent being able to return."

"Exactly. Even if his talent did return, it's impossible for him to improve from the first level of the Refined Gas Realm to the seventh level within a few months. When the family trial comes and he doesn't meet the standard, he'll still be kicked out of the family."

"You're right. It's like a pipe dream to break through to the seventh level of the Refined Gas Realm in just a few months."

"..."

After following Orion for half an hour, they didn't know how many courtyards they had passed through or how many corridors they had walked along. Finally, they stopped in a courtyard filled with flowers and plants.

Directly opposite was a small house with the door closed, and a faint scent of sandalwood wafted out from inside.

Orion stepped forward first and knocked gently on the door.

A somewhat weathered but still dignified voice came from inside the room: "Who is it?"

"It's this old servant." Orion said respectfully.

"Come in."

"Yes." After saying this, Orion pushed open the door and motioned for Liam Smith to follow him in.

Entering the small house, directly in front was a small round table. Above the round table were four neatly arranged armchairs.

In the main seat among the armchairs, behind it was a white wall. In the center of the wall hung an ancient painting.

The painting depicted a middle-aged man wearing a white robe, holding a small cyan cauldron in his right hand. There was a sinister smile on his lips, giving people a strange feeling of being approachable yet unfathomable.

Presumably, this was a portrait of an ancestor of the Smith family.

At this moment, in front of the main seat, an old man dressed in luxurious clothes with white hair stood with his hands behind his back, looking up at the portrait without moving, as if deep in thought.

Needless to say, this old man was the current clan chief of the Smith family, Caspian Smith.

He was also the eldest brother of Theodore Smith. There were only four direct-line pupils left from their generation. Caspian Smith was the eldest brother and thus the clan chief. Charles Smith was the second brother, that is, the First Elder of the Smith family. Cassian Smith was the third brother, the Second Elder. And finally, Theodore Smith, the Third Elder of the Smith family.

According to seniority, Liam Smith should address the Caspian Smith in front of him as great-grandfather.

Although he hadn't seen his face yet, Liam Smith still felt an overwhelming dignity emanating from this great-grandfather, and an aura of a superior naturally exuded from him.

Orion stepped forward and whispered a few words in Caspian Smith's ear, then stepped back and stood aside, remaining silent.

Caspian Smith slowly turned around. He had a standard square face with not a single wrinkle on it, and he had the appearance of an old man with white hair and a youthful complexion.

His eyes, shining with spiritual light, seemed to be able to see through everything in the world. At this moment, he was smiling at Liam Smith, and he somewhat resembled Theodore Smith.

In Liam Smith's memory, he had met Caspian Smith a few times, but the impression wasn't deep. Now, seeing each other again brought back some old memories.

"Liam Smith greets the clan chief." Liam Smith clasped his fists and saluted.

Caspian Smith carefully examined Liam Smith and said with some emotion, "In the blink of an eye, so many years have passed. I didn't expect that little guy back then to have grown so much. He's almost as tall as this old man."

Liam Smith didn't respond at all and just stood there expressionlessly.

Seeing that Liam Smith didn't respond to him, Caspian Smith paused slightly and then said, "This old man knows that you've had a tough time these past five years. The Smith family has indeed treated you unfairly."

"You're being too kind, clan chief. The family has its own considerations, and I understand."

"I didn't expect you, being so young, to be able to understand the family. It's really not easy." Caspian Smith praised.

In his heart, Liam Smith thought: Anyway, the past is past. Not understanding won't change anything, and it's no use bringing it up now that so much time has passed.

Besides, Liam Smith also understood that being born into the Smith family might have been his misfortune, but it had also made him understand the warmth and coldness of human relationships and the fickleness of the world.

"Come, let's sit and talk." Caspian Smith took the lead in sitting down in front of the small round table.

"Thank you, clan chief." Although Liam Smith wasn't very fond of the clan chief, he still made sure to show proper etiquette.

The two of them sat opposite each other.

Caspian Smith inquired with concern, "How have you been recently?"

"I'm fine. Don't bother worrying about me, clan chief." Liam Smith said coldly.

"Don't keep calling me clan chief. There's no one else here now. Just call me great-grandfather." Caspian Smith smiled, looking very kind.

Liam Smith knew that Caspian Smith was trying to get closer to him. If it were an ordinary pupil, they would have been overjoyed. But for Liam Smith, he simply couldn't accept this so-called kindness.

This was Liam Smith's consistent way of dealing with people. What was bad was bad. Even if it suddenly became good one day, there would still be an eternal scar left, which would never disappear no matter what.

His tone became serious. "I don't dare to overstep my bounds."

With just this short sentence, Caspian Smith was stunned for a moment. He hadn't expected that Liam Smith would directly reject the olive branch he had extended. His face suddenly became complicated.

Orion beside him also widened his eyes in disbelief. Liam Smith not giving him face had already surprised him a little, but now he couldn't believe that Liam Smith was also not giving the clan chief face. It couldn't even be described as audacious anymore.

You must know that Caspian Smith was the clan chief of the Smith family, holding great power. For many years, he hadn't stooped to speaking to someone like this, especially a younger generation.

Suddenly, the atmosphere in the room became extremely oppressive, and the three of them could even hear each other's heartbeats.

Caspian Smith had lived for decades after all and had seen all kinds of situations.

After a while, his face returned to normal, and he said indifferently, "In that case, I won't force you."

"Thank you, clan chief."

Orion, on the other hand, didn't understand. In his opinion, this was undoubtedly an opportunity for Liam Smith. Even if his talent had returned, according to the current situation, he would still inevitably end up being expelled from the Smith family.

And the only person in the entire Smith family who could change this outcome was the clan chief. Liam Smith was undoubtedly pushing himself to a dead end.

Moreover, if Caspian Smith was really willing to help, then his status in the Smith family would naturally rise. High-level cultivation methods, high-level martial arts, and even all cultivation resources would follow.

Liam Smith had rejected an opportunity that all the family pupils longed for.

Caspian Smith paused and then said, "The butler told me that you were injured while on a family task this time. How about letting this old man take your pulse?"

Liam Smith forced a smile and said, "It's just a minor injury. How could I dare to trouble the clan chief? I'll be able to recover after resting for a few days when I get back."

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere at the scene became even more oppressive. Although Liam Smith's rejection was relatively euphemistic, a rejection was still a rejection. In the eyes of Caspian Smith and Orion, nature was the same.

As the clan chief of the Smith family, he was also considered a top figure in the Silvermoon Valley, holding a high position and great power, and had always been able to do as he pleased.

But now, being rejected twice in a row by a younger generation in one day, anyone would be dissatisfied.

Caspian Smith's face suddenly became serious, and he stared intently at Liam Smith. He wanted to know where this young man in front of him got the courage to reject him again and again.

Liam Smith remained as calm as ever, and there was no sign of anything unusual on his face.

Orion couldn't help but worry about him. Now he even suspected that there was something wrong with Liam Smith's mental state.

Caspian Smith didn't show any anger, but his eyes were a bit complicated, and it was hard to tell what he was thinking.

"In that case, forget it. But if your injury worsens, you can come to me at any time."

"Thank you for your kindness, clan chief. I will keep it in mind."

Next, Caspian Smith changed the subject. "You've been living in a stone house for five years. The hardships you've endured must be beyond what ordinary people can imagine."

Liam Smith shrugged his shoulders and said, "After a long time, I've gradually gotten used to it."

Whether you're used to it or not is one thing, but there's a lack of spiritual energy there, which is not good for cultivation. It's better to change to a different place as soon as possible."

A glint of spiritual light flashed in Liam Smith's eyes, and he said, "I don't understand what you mean, clan chief."

Caspian Smith clapped his hands and laughed, staring at Liam Smith and asking, "This old man intends to let you move back to the Breeze Courtyard. What do you think?"

"Move back to the Breeze Courtyard?" Liam Smith was a bit surprised.

That was where his parents used to live. It was also one of the few good places in the Smith family and where he had lived five years ago.

Looking at the way Caspian Smith was staring at him, Liam Smith knew that if he continued to reject, there was a good chance that Caspian Smith would really get angry, which would definitely be disadvantageous to him.

But Liam Smith also understood that Caspian Smith wouldn't be so kind to him for no reason. Besides valuing his returning talent, he also wanted to use the Breeze Courtyard to ease the long-standing resentment between Liam Smith and the family.

Liam Smith missed the Breeze Courtyard very much. If he could get it back, it would be a way to comfort the spirits of his parents in heaven. But accepting the Breeze Courtyard meant that he would owe the Smith family more in the future.

For a moment, Liam Smith fell into deep thought.