The Rise of the Fallen Prodigy

As night fell, the sky was dotted with stars, and the moonlight spilled over the forest filled with withered leaves. A gentle breeze blew, making it feel a bit cold.Liam Smith, who had been unconscious for half a day, finally woke up. He found himself leaning against the base of a big tree, and the pain in his body had lessened considerably.Covering his still slightly painful chest, Liam Smith knew that Alistair must have treated his injuries after he got hurt.At this moment, there was no sign of Alistair around. Presumably, he had gone back to the ancient jade to rest.According to Alistair, everything he did now relied on Soul Power, and the Soul Power he could recover each day was limited. Just using the soul whip and treating Liam Smith's injuries every day required him to rest for a whole night to recover.By the moonlight, Liam Smith noticed that the bloodstains on his body from the day had faded, leaving only a series of blood marks, and there was no major problem.He got up, picked up his clothes beside him, and started to get dressed.He didn't expect that he had been unconscious for half a day. Now he had to hurry back to the Breeze Courtyard, or else his grandfather would lecture him again if he saw him later.He went down the back mountain and headed straight for the Breeze Courtyard.Before he reached the courtyard gate, he saw Gavin waiting there. Gavin was pacing back and forth, shaking his head constantly, looking very anxious."Uncle Gavin, what's wrong?" Liam Smith asked in confusion as he stepped forward.Seeing Liam Smith suddenly appear, a glimmer of joy flashed across Gavin's face. He quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully, saying, "Young Master Liam Smith, you're finally back. This old servant has searched everywhere but couldn't find you. It really worried me to death.""Did something happen?" Liam Smith immediately felt that something was unusual.Gavin nodded and replied, "The Third Elder just came by an hour ago.""Grandpa came?" Liam Smith murmured, his brows furrowing slightly. He continued to ask, "What did Grandpa want with me?""This old servant doesn't know," Gavin shook his head. "But the Third Elder said that if he saw Young Master Liam Smith, he should immediately ask you to go to the main hall.""Go to the main hall?" Liam Smith was a bit puzzled.The main hall of the Smith family was usually empty, with only people in charge of cleaning and guarding it on a daily basis.Unless there was a major event, the clan members would be summoned to gather in the main hall, and generally, only the Elder - level figures in the family would be called. He was just a disciple. Why was he suddenly asked to go to the main hall?Liam Smith couldn't figure it out and asked again, "Did you hear Grandpa mention what the matter was about going to the main hall?""No," Gavin shook his head. "The Third Elder only said that the matter was of great importance. This old servant doesn't know the rest.""Okay, then I'll go to the main hall now."Liam Smith hadn't really expected to get any information from Gavin. He had just asked casually in the hope of getting lucky."Be careful, Young Master Liam Smith," Gavin said with concern."Don't worry," Liam Smith said and then turned and headed for the main hall.Along the way, the lights were bright. Many family disciples were bustling about under the leadership of various Elders. No one dared to be slack. Judging by the situation, it really seemed that something big had happened.Liam Smith quickened his pace a bit.In the main hall, it was as bright as day at the moment. The two rows of seats facing the main seat were almost filled with the powerful and influential people in the family. Theodore Smith was conspicuously among them.At this moment, Theodore Smith also saw Liam Smith appear at the entrance of the main hall. He stood up and greeted, "Liam Smith, come here."Liam Smith didn't dare to be slow. He quickly walked up and respectfully said, "Grandpa."At this time, Liam Smith looked around and saw that Caspian Smith, the family head, was sitting in the main seat. Opposite his grandfather, on the third seat to the left of Caspian Smith, was an old man of similar age to his grandfather, with a wrinkled face and a somewhat gloomy expression.Liam Smith was very familiar with him. He was the Second Elder of the Smith family, Nathaniel Smith's grandfather.At this moment, Nathaniel Smith was also standing behind him, staring at Liam Smith with anger in his eyes.Without Theodore Smith's reminder, Liam Smith stepped forward sideways and bowed slightly to Caspian Smith, saying, "Disciple Liam Smith greets the family head."Caspian Smith smiled faintly and raised his hand, saying, "No need for so many formalities. Stand behind your grandfather for now.""Yes," After the polite exchange, Liam Smith naturally didn't say anything more and stood behind Theodore Smith.At this time, Liam Smith smiled at Gideon Wilson, who was standing behind Theodore Smith, and said, "Uncle Wilson, you're here too?""I couldn't not come when the family summoned. But Young Master, you really surprised me," Gideon Wilson said.Liam Smith knew that Gideon Wilson was talking about the fact that he had reached the Refined Qi Realm.In the past three months, under Alistair's devil training, Liam Smith had also been lucky enough to break through to the Refined Qi Realm, Level Five. But in front of Theodore Smith, he said he was at the Refined Qi Realm, Level Four.Presumably, the whole family knew about it by now, and Gideon Wilson was no exception.Liam Smith gave a dry laugh and didn't continue the conversation.Suddenly, Liam Smith also noticed an old man among the Elder seats. It was Xander, the one he had met in the Martial Arts Hall before. The old man was leaning on his chair, sipping tea.Liam Smith stepped forward with a smile and bowed respectfully, saying, "Disciple Liam Smith greets Elder Xander. Thank you, Elder, for your guidance before. Liam Smith will never forget it."Although the Mountain Break Fist was nothing to Liam Smith now, gratitude was still gratitude. Liam Smith's principle in life was to return a favor tenfold if someone showed him kindness.Xander glanced at Liam Smith and nodded in approval, saying, "That was just a small favor. But you, little guy, are really good. In just a few months, you've reached the Refined Qi Realm, Level Four. I heard from your grandfather that you're about to break through again, right?""Uh," Liam Smith was a bit speechless. It seemed that his decision not to tell his grandfather the truth before was right."Hurry up and break through. After reaching the Refined Qi Realm, Level Five, you can choose a Martial Art again. By then, a high - level Mortal Rank Martial Art is inevitable," Xander said, winking at Liam Smith as he spoke.This made Liam Smith feel a bit depressed. What was originally a serious matter seemed to be something shady.He coughed dryly, clasped his fists, and said, "Liam Smith thanks the Elder in advance.""Hehe, it's just a small matter," Xander waved his hand. "The time is almost up. You'd better stand behind your grandfather.""What time is almost up?""You'll understand later."Seeing that Xander didn't want to say more, Liam Smith didn't ask further and turned back to Theodore Smith's side.At this time, Cassian Smith on the opposite side looked a bit displeased and snorted coldly, saying, "Didn't the family head say that the younger generation participating this time are all talents of the family? Why are all sorts of people squeezing in?"Obviously, these words were deliberately aimed at Liam Smith.Theodore Smith was not happy when he saw his grandson being taunted. His face darkened, and he said displeasedly, "Who are you talking about?"Cassian Smith sneered twice and said, "I think everyone here knows who I'm talking about. Liam Smith, don't you think so?"The last sentence Cassian Smith said was to Liam Smith, and the sarcasm in his words was obvious."Slap," Theodore Smith slapped the table and stood up, saying, "Are you deliberately looking for trouble?""Third Elder, don't misunderstand. I'm just stating the facts," Cassian Smith said with an evil smile. "It's just a cultivation at the Refined Qi Realm, Level Four. But recently, some people in the family have praised it to the sky. Aren't they afraid of falling and dying if they're not steady?""Cassian Smith, don't go too far," Theodore Smith said word by word."Am I going too far? This Elder is just stating the facts," Cassian Smith slowly took a sip of tea.Theodore Smith narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "Say one more word, and don't blame me for being rude.""Are you threatening me? This Elder really wants to see how your cultivation has been in recent years," Cassian Smith threw the teacup in his hand hard on the table and stood up."Afraid of you? Bring it on," Theodore Smith said, about to step forward."Shut up, both of you," Seeing that the two were about to conflict, Caspian Smith slapped the table and shouted sternly from the main seat.Sure enough, the family head's words worked. The two glared at each other fiercely and then sat down."Today, an honored guest is coming. You two, as the Second Elder and the Third Elder of the Smith family, are about to fight. Where does that leave the face of our Smith family?" Caspian Smith said seriously.Calming down his mood, Theodore Smith took the lead in saying to Caspian Smith, "The family head is right. Fourth brother has learned his lesson."On the other side, Cassian Smith naturally didn't dare to go against Caspian Smith's words. He also clasped his fists and said, "Third brother knows his mistake."Caspian Smith snorted coldly and said, "You're both in your dozens. You still want to fight at every turn. Is this the example you're setting for these younger generations?"Theodore Smith and Cassian Smith both flicked their robes and snorted coldly, not speaking anymore.Caspian Smith paused and then said, "This family head will say it one last time. Today, an honored guest is coming. If anyone causes trouble, don't blame this family head for using the family rules.""Yes," everyone said in unison."Honored guest?" Liam Smith was a bit puzzled. He didn't know what kind of honored guest could make the entire Smith family attach so much importance.And it seemed that the four empty seats on the left and right were reserved for the guests.Of course, this wasn't something Liam Smith needed to worry about. He was more concerned about Theodore Smith.He leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Grandpa, don't be angry. Just think of him as a mad dog."Theodore Smith didn't expect Liam Smith to be so bold as to call the Second Elder of the Smith family a mad dog. But he felt extremely happy in his heart. He nodded and smiled, "You're right.""By the way, Grandpa, who exactly are these people? Why do we, the entire Smith family, have to wait for them here?"As soon as Liam Smith asked this question, Theodore Smith's face became a bit solemn. Just as he was about to speak, he saw a ray of yellow light shooting rapidly into the main hall from outside.Caspian Smith happened to catch it. It was a golden - glowing spiritual tablet. No one knew what was written on it. But after glancing at it, Caspian Smith stood up from the main seat and looked outside the hall with respect.The other Elders of the Smith family also stood up one after another, and all their eyes were cast outside the hall.Immediately, a voice filled with mysterious energy came from outside the main hall, "The messenger from the imperial capital has arrived.""Imperial capital?" Liam Smith murmured, a trace of surprise rising in his heart.