The First Heaven… The cursed genius of the Chen clan… The wedding…
Fragments of memories, like sharp blades, pierced through his consciousness, forming a chaotic mosaic of events — from birth to this fateful moment. A kaleidoscope of images, names, and events swirled in his head, but everything seemed blurred and distorted, like a reflection in a shattered mirror.
"What the hell is going on?!" — this thought, like a sharp blade, pierced Chen Ge's mind. He felt panic rising within him, his blood pounding in his temples, and his heart ready to leap out of his chest. Everything around him seemed illusory, unreal, as if he had fallen into a nightmare from which it was impossible to wake up.
Each new fragment of memory only intensified the feeling of unreality of what was happening, creating an increasingly confusing picture. And the more he tried to piece together the fragments of his past, the clearer he understood — he had been drawn into a game whose rules he did not know.
Suddenly, like a lightning strike, the words of the old man from the Prison of Despair flashed in his memory. They echoed in his consciousness, forcing his mind to work with redoubled intensity.
"Did he send me back in time?.." — this thought seemed insane, but too much pointed to its truthfulness. — Wait… I didn't have a fiancée at that time, and I don't know this girl at all… Then…" — his voice trembled with tension as he tried to piece together all the puzzle pieces.
"Reincarnation?" — this thought seemed so incredible that it made his head spin. But the more he thought about it, the more plausible it became. In a world where powerful cultivators and ancient secrets existed, even such a thing seemed possible.
His mind worked frantically, sorting through all the facts known to him, trying to find an explanation for what was happening.
However, to perform reincarnation, one needed power surpassing anything he had ever seen. A strength accessible only to the chosen few who had reached the pinnacle of cultivation.
His own level of development, though considered high, was insignificant compared to the might required for such an act. Only that mysterious old man could have done it…
«So it was the old man's doing…» — Chen Ge's thoughts whirled in a frantic dance. — "Whoever you are, and whatever goals you pursue — one day I will repay you for everything.
Pushing aside heavy thoughts about the mysterious old man and his past life, Chen Ge forced himself to focus on the present. As if shedding a heavy burden from his shoulders, he was finally able to breathe deeply — the obsessive pursuers no longer stood in his way, and new horizons opened up before him.
Past memories unfolded before his inner gaze like an ancient scroll, bestowing invaluable knowledge about the new world. Thanks to these memories, he quickly oriented himself in the situation and realized that he was in the city of Shentou — the majestic center of one of the five powerful empires of the First Heaven.
His new identity turned out to be quite remarkable — he was the only heir to the head of the powerful Chen clan, a young genius who had just turned sixteen.
"How fortunate that I retained the ability to cultivate…" — Chen Ge exhaled with deep relief, feeling tension leaving his body.
In his past life, he had never visited the world of the First Heaven, contemptuously considering it a backwater periphery. However, even from afar, he had a general understanding of the hierarchy of cultivation levels available in this world.
The cultivation system here was built on five fundamental stages, each representing a colossal breakthrough in power and understanding:
Initial Ascension(1) — the foundation upon which all further practice was built.
Illusory Ascension(2) — a stage where power became almost intangible.
Earthly Ascension(3) — the level of control over the material world.
Heavenly Ascension(4) — the divine stage elevating the cultivator towards the heavens.
Ascension of Soul and Body(5) — the highest form of unity between soul and flesh.
Each of these monumental stages was divided into ten minor levels, and currently Chen Ge was at the very beginning of his path, possessing only the fifth level of the Initial Ascension(1). This was such a low position that in a world where only strength was valued, he was considered practically useless.
"Cursed fool!" — Chen Ge cursed mentally, feeling disgust as he realized the full depth of the situation.
Thanks to the preserved memories of the former owner of the body, he finally understood the reason for his deplorable state. It turned out that the previous owner of this body had almost completely neglected cultivation, mindlessly wasting precious time on the meaningless pursuit of a woman for whom he harbored passionate but unrequited love.
Hundreds of blurry images flashed through his consciousness: scenes of desperate pursuits, moments of humiliating rejections, hours wasted in vain. These memories first plunged him into deep bewilderment, and then gave way to bitter despondency. Every detail of the past seemed to be hammered into his consciousness like a nail, demonstrating the full tragedy of the former owner's fate.
How could one lose themselves so completely in feelings as to forget about their own development? This question tormented his mind, making him increasingly despise the frivolity of the previous owner of the body.
"Damn it… My reputation is destroyed to the very foundation…" — Chen Ge thought bitterly, replaying shameful episodes of the past in his memory.
The Chen clan, once the pride and power of Shentou city, was now forced to endure humiliation because of its young heir. He had become a byword, a laughingstock mocked not only within the clan but also beyond its borders. Every child in the city knew his story, every gossip relished the details of his failures.
His name had become synonymous with weakness and shame. But even in this situation, there was a single reason why his enemies did not dare to act openly — his father, the majestic patriarch of the Chen clan. This man was not just the strongest warrior of the clan — he was the invincible protector of the entire city, whose power inspired awe even in the bravest of adversaries.
It was the shadow of his father's might that protected him from open contempt and ridicule, from which he could no longer hide. But even this protection could not save his reputation, which had been trampled and humiliated in the eyes of all society.
"Who killed you?" — a sudden thought, like a cold wind, swept through his consciousness, causing Chen Ge to frown sharply.
Reincarnation is possible exclusively in a dead body — such is the unshakable law of heaven, impervious to change or detours. This undeniably proved that the former owner of the body had not simply fallen into unconsciousness — his life had truly ended.
Even the powerful protection of his father could not shield him from ruthless fate. Someone, driven by dark intentions, had desired his death — and achieved it. The reason for this crime was more than obvious.
Today was supposed to be the day of his wedding with Liang Xi Yao — an event that would have turned the entire city upside down. A marriage that became a bone of contention, the cause of envy and hatred for many.
In Chen Ge's memory, Liang Xi Yao appeared as the true pearl of Shentou city — a shining star eclipsing everyone around. Fate had brought them together in the same year of birth, but that was where any similarity between them ended. An abyss separated them, like the distance between heaven and earth.
By the age of sixteen, she had accomplished what seemed impossible — reaching the second level of Illusory Ascension(2). No other peer in Shentou had achieved such a breakthrough, and this accomplishment made the entire city tremble. It was no wonder persistent rumors circulated that powerful clans were conducting a covert struggle to secure her for their ranks.
However, her greatness was not limited to spiritual achievements alone. Nature had endowed her with ethereal beauty, making her the first beauty of Shentou. Her appearance was so perfect that if the Liang clan had decided to announce a search for a groom, the line of suitors would have stretched to the very horizon. Majestic clans, wealthy families, and talented warriors — they all would have dreamed of the honor to call her their spouse.
She was the embodiment of perfection — a rare cultivation gift combined with divine beauty, making her a truly priceless treasure of this world.
And this girl, revered as the most precious pearl of the city, was destined to bind her fate with the most worthless man of her generation — a union that aroused universal bewilderment and indignation.
How many souls were consumed by rage and poisoned by the toxic breath of jealousy! How many hearts were torn apart by despair at the thought of this unequal marriage! No wonder the fate of the former owner of the body turned out to be so sudden — the envy and hatred of many found their embodiment in ruthless retribution.
Someone who harbored sincere, deep love for Liang Xi Yao must have been unable to endure this glaring injustice any longer. His heart, overflowing with suffering and despair, finally found the strength to move from silent torment to decisive action.
Reflecting on this situation, Chen Ge felt a pain beginning to pulse in his temples. Memories of his past life, where women had become the cause of all his misfortunes, surged with renewed force. Back then, because of them, he had been unable to fully enjoy life and had ultimately been forced to hide from the world in a veritable hell.
And now, as if mocking him, fate had granted him a second chance, an opportunity to start anew. Yet once again, he found himself entangled in the whirlpool of female intrigues and problems. Destiny seemed to be taunting him, presenting yet another absurd situation.
"Women truly are the most dangerous creatures in the universe…" — Chen Ge muttered with a bitter smile, rising resolutely from the bed, determined never again to allow any member of the fairer sex to interfere in his life.
Liang Xi Yao was the true embodiment of perfection: a cultivation genius, a peerless beauty, and the genuine pearl of Shentou. The former owner of the body had been obsessed with her, his feelings reaching the brink of madness. However, now that fate had taken a different turn and Chen Ge's soul had occupied this body, his intentions were entirely different.
Chen Ge's first and most important desire was to immediately annul the engagement with Liang Xi Yao. No beauty, no genius talent, not even the status of a one-of-a-kind chosen one could make him change this decision.
"Even if you are as beautiful as the morning dawn and as talented as the sky itself — Chen Ge pondered — even if you are a one-of-a-kind treasure — I don't need these problems. I've had enough of female intrigues and the troubles they bring.
Not a trace remained in his soul of the obsession that had tormented the former owner of the body. Only cold calculation and a firm intention to avoid any problems associated with this brilliant but dangerous connection remained.