The Rise of the Fallen Prodigy

Seeing Liam Smith remain silent, Caspian Smith's eyes became sharper as he stared intently at Liam Smith.

Orion naturally understood the seriousness of the situation and stepped forward to persuade Liam Smith, saying, "Young Master Liam, this is the clan chief's kind intention. Don't let it go to waste."

His tone was solemn, and the underlying meaning was clear to the three people present.

Liam Smith glanced at the somewhat anxious Orion and then at Caspian Smith opposite him. He had made up his mind.

He stood up and bowed to Caspian Smith, saying, "Thank you, Clan Chief, on behalf of Liam Smith."

Seeing that Liam Smith finally didn't continue to reject him, Caspian Smith's expression gradually softened. "We're all part of the same family. I've already ordered the servants to clean the place. You can move in today."

"I will always remember your kindness, Clan Chief."

Caspian Smith said meaningfully, "We're all descendants of the Smith family, and our common goal is to make the Smith family prosperous."

Liam Smith naturally understood what he meant. Since he had accepted Caspian Smith's "kindness," he also had his own plans in mind. He didn't want to stay any longer.

He clasped his fists slightly and said, "If there's nothing else, Clan Chief, I'll take my leave now."

Caspian Smith waved his hand and said, "All right, you may go. The future of the Smith family depends on your younger generation."

"Yes, I will keep your teachings in mind." After saying this, Liam Smith turned around, opened the door, and left.

Watching Liam Smith disappear outside the courtyard, Orion stepped forward and said, "Clan Chief, he doesn't seem very willing."

Caspian Smith smiled and said, "Anyone would feel the same way. Five years is indeed a long time."

"I was afraid he would continue to reject you just now, Clan Chief."

"He would have done that five years ago, but today he's changed." Caspian Smith's tone changed.

Orion didn't quite understand and asked, "What do you mean, Clan Chief?"

Caspian Smith looked in the direction where Liam Smith had disappeared, as if talking to himself. "The history of five years ago is about to repeat itself. I'm afraid no one in the Silvermoon Valley will be able to overshadow him anymore."

Orion was slightly startled and asked, "Are you so sure, Clan Chief?"

Caspian Smith countered, "Did you notice his eyes?"

"His eyes?" Orion was puzzled. "Is there something wrong with his eyes?"

"That's the look in his eyes from five years ago. That confidence has returned."

"But it seems unlikely that he can break through to the seventh level of the Refined Gas Realm during the family trial."

Caspian Smith raised his hand and said meaningfully, "For him, nothing is impossible. I have a hunch that this little guy is not as simple as we think he is now."

"Oh?" Orion had never heard Caspian Smith praise someone so highly before, and he began to think more highly of Liam Smith.

"Should we send someone to keep an eye on him?"

"No. If he finds out, all our efforts today might be in vain."

"But if he still harbors hatred towards the Smith family, it will be a big problem." Orion worried.

Caspian Smith seemed rather calm and confident. "He won't do anything against the Smith family. Even if he wanted to, the Third Elder wouldn't let him."

Caspian Smith's words suddenly made Orion see the light, and he seemed to remember something.

He nodded and said, "That's right. According to the Third Elder's character, he won't allow anything that endangers the Smith family to happen."

"As long as it's beneficial to the family, I don't care about my status in his heart."

"I was really afraid he would anger you just now, Clan Chief." Orion said with a hint of fear.

"Don't worry. This kid is very smart. He knows how to keep a proper distance." Caspian Smith seemed quite confident about this.

"By the way, did you test him just now, Clan Chief?"

Victor Smith nodded. "He's already at the peak of the first level of the Refined Gas Realm. I'm afraid it won't be long before he breaks through to the second level. I wasn't wrong. His talent has really returned."

"This is truly a miracle."

"Yes, it's really incredible." Victor Smith couldn't figure out why either, so he simply stopped dwelling on it.

He clapped his hands and laughed. "It's worth having a few drinks tonight. Anyway, it's all for the good of the Smith family."

"You're quite right, Clan Chief."

While Caspian Smith and Orion were talking, Liam Smith had already walked half a mile away.

He mumbled to himself, "They're all so cunning. When I was in trouble, not a single one of them was to be seen. Now that I'm on the rise, they all come crawling back with their thick skins."

I wonder what Caspian Smith would do if he heard these words. It's not impossible that he might drag Liam Smith out and give him a good beating.

"Don't be angry. This is the reality." Alistair said leisurely. "Whether it's a sect or a family, their primary goal is always self-interest. They're not entirely wrong in doing so."

Liam Smith suddenly thought of something and asked, "Then why didn't he ask me about my cultivation realm just now?"

"Nonsense. He didn't ask to win your favor and make you feel that their kindness to you isn't because of your cultivation."

"But these things are obvious to everyone."

"Knowing it in your heart and saying it out loud are two different things. You should understand that." Alistair then changed the subject. "However, he did test you."

"When?" Liam Smith was surprised. "Why didn't I know?"

"Your clan chief directly used his soul power. With the huge gap between your cultivation and his, you naturally didn't feel anything." Alistair said mockingly.

"Then does he know that I'm already at the third level of the Refined Gas Realm?"

Liam Smith became anxious. If he was really found out to be at the third level of the Refined Gas Realm, he would surely be suspected, and he wouldn't be as free as he is now.

Alistair said indifferently, "Don't worry. His soul power is nothing in front of your master. I created an illusion for him, making him think that you're at the peak of the first level of the Refined Gas Realm."

Liam Smith felt slightly relieved and snorted. "I knew they wouldn't be that kind."

"Stop complaining. Go back and pack up. You're going to move to the Breeze Courtyard."

Hearing Alistair mention the Breeze Courtyard, Liam Smith finally found some comfort. He didn't know what the Breeze Courtyard looked like now and was somewhat looking forward to it.

When he returned to the stone house, there wasn't much for Liam Smith to pack. Presumably, all the daily necessities had already been prepared. He just needed to take his storage bag with him.

If he had known this would happen, he wouldn't have bothered to clean the place so thoroughly. Liam Smith felt a bit frustrated.

In the afternoon, Liam Smith continued to cultivate his Mountain Break Fist. This time, the Mountain Break Fist had played a significant role during the experience. Through continuous actual combat and arduous cultivation, he had now mastered it quite well.

At night, he circulated his cultivation method, restoring his vital energy while treating his injuries.

The next morning, Liam Smith woke up from a night of cultivation. The pain in his body was almost gone, and he couldn't wait to leave the small house and head towards the long-lost Breeze Courtyard along the route he remembered.

He passed through the main hall of the Smith family and walked along three corridors. Finally, he stopped on a quiet white jade stone path.

Looking along the path, more than ten feet away was a separate courtyard. There were no other buildings around it, just paths on both sides.

Standing outside the courtyard, he could clearly see that the white walls had signs of repair. Some white mortar had fallen off the corners of the walls, and the faint smell hadn't completely dissipated.

In the middle of the courtyard wall, which was several feet high, was a red-lacquered gate. On both sides directly opposite the gate were placed a pair of stone-carved ancient beasts. Their faces were ferocious, looking both like tigers and wolves, and they seemed quite fierce. On the gate was a plaque about a foot in size, with the four seal characters "Breeze Courtyard" written on it.

Just looking at the exterior, it was obvious that this place was much better than the stone house. One was in ruins, and the other was resplendent.

This was one of the most important places in his memory.

He stepped over the stone steps of the gate and entered the small courtyard.

A faint fragrance of flowers greeted him. There were several flower beds in the courtyard, planted with various flowers. At the moment, butterflies and bees were gathering nectar, which made people feel somewhat intoxicated.

Next to the flower beds, close to the left side of a side room, was a towering tree. It was estimated to be hundreds of years old. Its branches and leaves were so lush that they were like a cloud covering the sky. The whole courtyard was full of vitality.

At the moment, six girls dressed as maidservants were cleaning around, and an old man with white hair, who seemed to be in charge, was giving instructions beside them.

Seemingly noticing the suddenly appearing Liam Smith, a glint of spiritual light flashed in the old man's eyes, and he stepped forward and asked, "Excuse me, are you Young Master Liam Smith?"

Liam Smith touched his nose and said, "Skip the 'Young Master' part. Just call me Liam Smith."

"This humble servant, Gavin, greets Young Master Liam Smith." As he spoke, the old man knelt down.

When the other maidservants saw the master arrive, they naturally put down their work and knelt on the ground one after another, saying, "Greetings, Young Master Liam Smith."

Liam Smith wasn't used to an old man who could be his grandfather kneeling in front of him. He quickly helped Gavin up and said, "Everyone, get up. Just go on with your work. I'll just take a look around."

"Yes, Young Master Liam Smith."

The group took the order and got up to continue their work.

Gavin followed behind Liam Smith. On the one hand, he was leading the way for the new master, and on the other hand, he was ready to take orders at any time.

In the middle of the flower beds there was a main path paved with green jade stones. At the end of the path was the main building of the courtyard, that is, the main hall.

When he entered the main hall, Liam Smith's eyes lit up. The furnishings in the main hall were the same as they were five years ago, without the slightest change. It was just that all the tables, chairs, and benches had been washed again, and the whole hall looked as if it had been washed with water.

It seemed that Caspian Smith and the others had put in a lot of effort.

He ran his fingers lightly over the furniture, feeling the atmosphere of the past, and Liam Smith felt an indescribable joy.

Behind the main hall were the bedroom and the study. The doors and windows had all been replaced with new ones.

There was also a futon for meditation in the bedroom. An eight-foot-long bed looked so luxurious, and the wardrobe was filled with gorgeous clothes.

On the table were also placed a hundred neatly stacked Soul crystals. Presumably, this was also Caspian Smith's idea.

Liam Smith naturally accepted it without hesitation. As the saying goes, it's better to take it than to let it go to waste.

...

After a thorough inspection, Liam Smith was quite satisfied with the current layout of the Breeze Courtyard.

However, the pressure in his heart increased invisibly. Without sufficient strength, he would sooner or later lose the Breeze Courtyard. Everything now was closely related to his cultivation.

No matter what reason, Liam Smith wouldn't let the history of five years ago repeat itself. He would take back one by one the things he had lost in the past.

Moreover, five years later, his goal was no longer limited to the Smith family, nor to the Silvermoon Valley, or even to the Sunshine Federation...