It was said in legend that a River of Time existed in this world. It sustained the flow and passage of time itself. By using the power of the Spring-Autumn Cicada, one could travel upstream and return to the past.
There had always been many conflicting opinions about this mythical tale. Many people did not believe it, and others were skeptical of its truth.
Very few dared to truly believe.
Because every time the Spring-Autumn Cicada was used, one had to pay with their life—using their entire body and cultivation as the driving force to activate its power.
Such a price was simply too great. What people could not accept even more was that after sacrificing their life, they still would not know what the result would be.
Thus, even if someone possessed the Spring-Autumn Cicada, they would not dare to use it recklessly. What if the rumors were false? What if it was all just a scam?
If Fang Yuan had not been pushed into such a desperate situation, he would not have used it so quickly either. But now, he was completely convinced—the truth had been placed right before his eyes, undeniable.
He had truly been reborn!
It was just a pity… From the beginning, I wasted an absurd amount of effort, slaughtering hundreds of thousands, angering even the heavens and drawing the vengeance of all people. I endured endless suffering and trials just to finally refine this Gu… Fang Yuan thought with a sigh. Even though he had been reborn, the Spring-Autumn Cicada had not come with him.
Humans were the greatest among all living beings, but Gu were the essence of heaven and earth.
Gu existed in countless strange and mysterious forms—too many to count. Some Gu would completely dissipate after being used once, twice, or a few times. Others could be reused repeatedly, as long as they were not pushed beyond their limits.
As for the Spring-Autumn Cicada, it was likely one of those that could only be used once before disappearing forever.
"But even if it's gone, I can refine another one. I did it in my previous life—why can't I do it again in this life?"
After setting aside his regret, Fang Yuan's heart surged with ambition and determination.
Being able to be reborn made the loss of the Spring-Autumn Cicada completely acceptable.
Besides, he still possessed something incredibly valuable.
His 500 years of memories and experience.
Within those memories were countless hidden treasures and precious opportunities that had yet to be discovered at this point in time. He knew the course of history and could grasp major events and turning points. There were innumerable figures—hidden masters, future geniuses, and even people who had not yet been born.
He also possessed 500 years of cultivation knowledge and battle experience.
With all this, he held an overwhelming advantage. With proper planning and execution, he could seize opportunities ahead of everyone else and surpass all limits.
"So… how should I proceed?" Fang Yuan quickly calmed himself and began thinking as he looked out at the night rain.
But the more he thought, the more complicated it became. After a while, his brows furrowed deeply.
Five hundred years was simply too long. Many memories were already blurred. Even recalling exact locations of hidden treasures or specific events required effort—and most of them were far away or only accessible at certain times.
"The most important thing right now is cultivation."
"At present, I haven't even opened my primordial sea. I haven't stepped onto the path of a Gu Master—I'm just a mortal."
"I must cultivate as quickly as possible, catch up to history, and seize opportunities with the greatest advantage."
Without sufficient strength, many opportunities would simply be courting death.
The biggest problem before Fang Yuan now was cultivation.
He had to raise his foundation as fast as possible. If he followed the same slow pace as in his previous life, it would be far too late.
"To cultivate quickly, I must rely on the clan's resources. In my current state, I don't even have the ability to safely travel through the mountains. Even an ordinary wild boar could kill me."
"If I can reach Rank 3 Gu Master, I'll have the ability to protect myself and leave this mountain."
To someone with 500 years of experience in the demonic path, Qing Mao Mountain was far too small. Gu Yue Village felt like a cage.
But while a cage restricted freedom, its sturdy bars also provided safety.
"For now, I'll remain in this cage. Once I reach Rank 3, I can leave."
"Fortunately, tomorrow is the Awakening Ceremony."
When he thought of it, long-buried memories resurfaced.
"Talent, huh…" he sneered softly, staring out the window.
At that moment, the door to his room creaked open, and a young boy walked in.
"Brother, why are you standing by the window in the rain?"
The boy was thin, slightly shorter than Fang Yuan, and looked very similar to him.
Fang Yuan turned and looked at him, a complex expression flashing briefly across his face.
"So it's you… my twin brother."
His expression quickly returned to cold indifference.
The boy lowered his head, staring at his toes—his usual posture.
"Brother, I saw your window was open, so I came to close it. Tomorrow is the Awakening Ceremony. It's so late, and you're still not sleeping. If uncle and aunt knew, they'd be worried."
Fang Zheng was not surprised by Fang Yuan's coldness. His brother had always been like this. Sometimes, he thought that perhaps geniuses were just different from ordinary people.
Even though they shared the same face, Fang Zheng felt as insignificant as an ant in comparison.
Born at the same time, from the same womb—yet why were the heavens so unfair?
His brother was gifted with brilliance, while he himself was as ordinary as a stone.
Everyone always referred to him as "Fang Yuan's younger brother." His aunt and uncle constantly told him to learn from his brother.
Sometimes, when he looked in the mirror, he even felt disgusted with himself.
These feelings had built up over the years, weighing heavily on his heart. His head lowered more and more, and he became increasingly silent.
"Worried…" Fang Yuan let out a silent laugh.
He clearly remembered how his parents had died during a clan mission when he was just three. He and his brother had become orphans.
Under the excuse of raising them, their aunt and uncle seized their inheritance while treating them harshly.
At first, Fang Yuan had planned to live quietly and hide his abilities. But life was too difficult, forcing him to reveal some of his talents.
Those so-called talents were simply the result of a mature mind and some poetry from Earth.
This gained him attention—and pressure.
To protect himself, he adopted a cold, indifferent demeanor. Over time, it became natural.
His aunt and uncle's treatment improved, but it wasn't love—it was investment.
Meanwhile, his younger brother never saw the truth.
In Fang Yuan's memories, once Fang Zheng was discovered to have Grade A talent, the clan nurtured him heavily. All his suppressed resentment and jealousy erupted, and he repeatedly targeted Fang Yuan.
As for Fang Yuan himself—his talent was only Grade C.
Fate had a cruel sense of humor.
The "genius" elder brother turned out mediocre, while the overlooked younger brother became extraordinary.
After the Awakening Ceremony, everything reversed.
The younger brother rose like a dragon; the elder fell like a phoenix.
Did Fang Yuan hate it?
In his previous life, yes.
But now, after 500 years, his heart was calm.
What was the point of hatred?
The strong devoured the weak—this was the rule of the world.
Everyone pursued their ambitions.
After 500 years, Fang Yuan had long understood this.
His only goal was immortality.
Anyone who stood in his way—he would kill.
"The demonic path makes no compromises."
He laughed lightly and glanced at his brother.
"You can leave."
Fang Zheng trembled under his gaze, feeling as if those eyes pierced straight into his soul.
"Then… I'll see you tomorrow."
He quickly left, closing the door behind him.
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