Wang Ming stepped back into his room, shutting the door firmly behind him. The soft creak of wood echoed in the silence, a stark contrast to the rising murmurs and cheers from the clan grounds below. He left the windows open, letting the cool evening breeze wash over him as he watched the sun dip below the distant peaks, its golden rays painting the world in hues of crimson and violet.
"A third-grade talent," he murmured, his eyes narrowing as the last sliver of sunlight vanished behind the horizon. "The elders must be beside themselves with excitement. In their eyes, I am now a promising seedling a future elder-level figure of the Wang Clan."
He scoffed, his fingers unconsciously tapping the polished wooden frame of the window. "If it were anyone else, they would be celebrating, dreaming of power and glory. But I have the advantage of foresight."
His mind wandered back to the decade-long nightmare he had lived through in his past life the countless wars, betrayals, and bloody battles that had reshaped the very fabric of the cultivation world.
"Ten years from now," he whispered, his eyes growing colder, "the Chu Clan will rise with terrifying momentum, sweeping through the Wang Clan and the Su Clan like a storm, leaving nothing but ashes in their wake. By then, even the position of an elder will mean nothing. They will all fall, their blood soaking the earth they once ruled."
His lips curled into a bitter smile. "So this fame, this attention... it means nothing to me. I need to milk this clan for every resource it can provide while showing just enough loyalty to avoid suspicion. When the time comes, I will leave without looking back, letting the tide of history swallow them whole."
Yet, as satisfying as this plan sounded, his thoughts turned to a more pressing concern the other figure who had been dragged back in time alongside him. The one whose fate had been intertwined with his in that chaotic, world-ending moment.
"If I retained my memories, that person likely did as well," Wang Ming muttered, his fingers clenching into a fist. "Those present at that time were not mere foot soldiers. They were figures with deep backgrounds, powerful sects, and terrifying means. If that person knows my location where I spend my childhood then he will definitely try to eliminate me at any cost"
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to think calmly. "Fortunately, I still have time. I am currently in the Eastern Plains, far from the Central Plains where most of those pursuers resided. With the isolation period in effect, it will be at least twenty years before they can cross the barriers separating the five great plains. That should give me some breathing room."
Wang Ming's eyes grew sharp, a cold expression appeared on his face and he said. "Still, I cannot afford to be careless. I need to grow stronger, fast. I have to be ready for the day they come for me. If I am to survive this second life, I must be prepared for both the known and the unknown threats."
Just then, a sharp knock echoed from his door, snapping him out of his thoughts. His eyes narrowed slightly, his spiritual sense sweeping over the figure on the other side.
"Who is it?" he called, his tone cold and unyielding, his mind already running through a dozen possible scenarios.