I was just making up techniques… how did all of you become Emperors? Chapter 2: The Once-Promising Genius, Xiao Chen

Chapter 2: The Once-Promising Genius, Xiao Chen

Deep within the outer sect of the Sword Dao Academy, a young man sat in a quiet, lonely courtyard. His eyes, once bright and sharp, were now clouded with a sense of profound loss as he stared aimlessly at the sky.

This youth was Xiao Chen, the premier senior disciple of the Sword Dao Academy and a talent the institution hadn't seen in a century.

Had everything gone according to plan, he would have ascended to the status of a true core disciple in the inner sect following the upcoming grand competition in six months.

However, that future had shattered like glass just two weeks ago.

A month prior, Xiao Chen had entered a brutal struggle against a guardian beast to secure a Five-Colored Ice Lotus.

He had successfully retrieved the treasure, but the cost was devastating. His Dantian was utterly ruined during the fight, stripping him of the ability to ever practice Cultivation again. He had been reduced to a mere cripple.

In a heartbeat, he had plummeted from the heights of glory into a dark void.

The junior brothers and sisters who once followed his every move abandoned him instantly.

Those who used to shower him with flattery were now the first to strike while he was down, mocking him with biting words or even physically assaulting him.

Yet, the loss of his strength wasn't the most painful blow.

The true betrayal came from his fiancée, Qin Rou. He had endured life-threatening danger to bring her that Five-Colored Ice Lotus at the academy.

But her heart turned cold less than a month after she received his gift.

Claiming that an inner sect Elder had taken an interest in her, she announced her imminent promotion to the inner sect.

To her, a cripple like Xiao Chen was no longer a worthy match.

Consequently, the Qin family officially dissolved their engagement with him.

Xiao Chen had lost consciousness from the shock of the news yesterday.

And this morning, the final hammer fell: the academy had issued an expulsion notice and summoned his mother to take him away.

The thought of his mother felt like a blade twisting in his chest.

He hailed from the secular Kingdom of Da Liang, born in the residence of the Third Prince.

His mother was merely a concubine, and she had invested every ounce of her hope and love into him. He was her entire world.

Upon leaving for the academy, Xiao Chen had given her a sacred promise: he would become a powerful figure and rescue her from the prince's manor so she could finally know comfort.

But after only two years at the academy, that vow lay in ruins.

Remembering the mixture of sorrow and pride in her eyes when they said goodbye made him want to end his own life. How could he face her like this?

Instead of enduring a life of shame and mockery, he wondered if it was better to simply die.

He began to lift his hand, intending to strike his own forehead and end his misery—

Suddenly, a familiar voice drifted in from the courtyard entrance.

"Chen'er, I have wonderful news for you."

Xiao Chen’s hand stopped mid-motion at the sound of that voice.

He turned toward the gate and saw his weary mother standing there. Despite the tears in her eyes, she forced a small, hopeful smile.

Thud!

Xiao Chen collapsed to his knees. "Mother, your son is a failure. I have only brought you suffering."

Concubine Xiao rushed to his side and pulled him up. "I haven't suffered at all. As long as you are safe and healthy, I am content."

Despite his internal resolve, those words caused Xiao Chen’s eyes to fill with tears.

The agony and disgrace of the past weeks surged within him.

Still, he fought to keep his tears from falling, unwilling to add to his mother's burdens.

"Thank you, Mother."

The connection between a mother and her child is profound.

Concubine Xiao could clearly see the grief in his soul. She spoke quickly, "Chen'er, do not lose heart. I am here to tell you that you can stay at the academy and continue your journey as a cultivator."

"How can that be?"

Xiao Chen looked at her with pure bewilderment.

His mother was just a concubine to a prince. Even the ruler of Da Liang lacked the influence to force the academy to keep a student.

To a powerhouse like the academy, a small secular kingdom like Da Liang was insignificant.

Concubine Xiao explained, "Have you heard of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute? Their leader is willing to accept you as his pupil, and I have already given him my word."

"The Miscellaneous Dao Institute..."

The confusion on Xiao Chen’s face turned into a look of quiet resignation.

It made sense; only a place like the Miscellaneous Dao Institute—famed for having no great masters or talented students—would take him in now.

Joining them meant accepting a life of mediocrity.

He might be safe, but the hope of regaining his path to power was virtually nonexistent.

Seeing his silence, Concubine Xiao urged him on, "Chen'er, I know a single setback won't break you. If you stay at the academy, there is always a chance for a comeback."

Looking at the hope shining in her eyes, Xiao Chen couldn't bring himself to crush her spirit.

"You are right, Mother. I can rise again. I will join the Miscellaneous Dao Institute."

"Wonderful! I will go get the head of the institute immediately."

Concubine Xiao wiped her eyes as she spoke. The heavy weight on her heart lightened seeing that her son still possessed the will to live.

Xiao Chen added, "Mother, let me go with you to meet him."

"Very well."

Together, the two walked out of the secluded yard.

Chu Feng was waiting just outside, looking up at the sky with a confident, dashing smile on his face.

As he heard them approaching, he saw the figures of Madam Xiao and her son.

A small grin played on Chu Feng’s lips. He was impressed by how quickly Madam Xiao had handled things.

Xiao Chen stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Student Xiao Chen greets Chief Chu."

"There is no need for such ceremony."

As soon as Chu Feng spoke, Xiao Chen suddenly dropped to his knees with a heavy thud.

"Please, Chief, I beg you to take me as your disciple!"

His voice was filled with a desperate, iron-clad resolve.

Chu Feng was surprised by the boy's decisiveness—he truly had the temperament of a protagonist from a legend.

He reached out and pulled Xiao Chen up. "Very well. I accept. From this moment on, you are my student and the head disciple of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute."

"Thank you, Master."

Xiao Chen didn't care about titles. He only cared about staying at the academy to find even the smallest path forward.

[ Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully recruiting a disciple. Reward: Ten years of cultivation and ten years of lifespan. ]

As the notification faded, a torrent of potent spiritual energy surged through Chu Feng’s body.

He felt a sudden warmth and an incredible sense of power throughout his entire being.

It was a magnificent sensation!

Chu Feng’s smile widened, and he looked at Xiao Chen with even greater approval.

Feeling a bit unsettled by his new Master's intense gaze, Xiao Chen asked, "Master, what are our next steps?"

Chu Feng composed himself and replied, "We are going to the records office to fix your registration. I want everyone to be aware that you are under my protection."

"From now on, I have your back. Nobody will look down on you again."

A wave of warmth filled Xiao Chen’s chest. After the cruelty he had faced, Chu Feng’s words moved him deeply. He made a silent vow to himself:

"Thank you, Master. From this day forward, my life is yours!"