A world so breathtakingly beautiful that anyone who loved nature would fall in love with it at first sight.
Verdant mountains, crystal-clear air, and rivers so mesmerizing they could steal anyone's heart.
But as they say,
"The more beautiful something is, the more dangerous it tends to be."
This was a world where people established their supremacy solely through cultivation and strength.
For those without power, this land was nothing short of hell.
One small mistake could cost you your life—here, strength was the only law.
Blood Phoenix Empire The Thorne Family Villa
In a grand chamber, a young man suddenly woke up with a sharp cry—
"Ahhhhhhh!"
Hearing his scream, a woman rushed into the room in panic.
Before Adrian Thorne could even understand what was happening, she wrapped him tightly in her arms.
At first, Adrian was too dazed to comprehend anything, but when he heard her sweet, melodious voice, his attention finally shifted to her.
With a trembling voice, Selena Thorne exclaimed:
"My son… Adrian, you've finally regained consciousness. Thank the heavens—you've opened your eyes."
Adrian stared at her in bewilderment.
Why is this woman calling me her son? he wondered.
He looked around—this place was completely unfamiliar.
Struggling free from her embrace, he spoke softly:
"Who are you? And how did I end up here? I…I was in an accident…."
Before he could finish, a searing pain exploded inside his skull.
His vision turned white for an instant, and he collapsed, unconscious once more.
Seeing Adrian faint again, Selena quickly caught him and gently laid him on the bed.
Her face had turned pale with worry.
Has my son…lost his memories? she thought in dread.
Without wasting another moment, she hurried out of the room.
As soon as she stepped into the corridor, she saw Adrian's father—Victor Thorne—striding toward the door.
Victor fixed her with a steady gaze and asked:
"Has Adrian regained consciousness?"
Selena nodded faintly:
"He woke up… but it seems he doesn't remember anything…."
Victor's expression hardened:
"That worthless boy is probably pretending—just to avoid our questions."
Selena looked at him with sadness in her eyes and replied:
"Worthless or not, that doesn't matter…he is still our son. With time, everything will be alright."
Victor's voice turned cold, tinged with contempt:
"He's not worthy of being called my son. You know what he's been like ever since he found out he couldn't cultivate…how he started behaving."
Selena Thorne remained silent for a moment.
She knew very well that her son had changed ever since the day he learned he couldn't cultivate.
His behavior had grown erratic, angry… distant.
But how could a mother blame a child for something so cruel—being denied a future in a world where power was everything?
Finally, she spoke, her voice soft but firm:
"Why don't you request a pill from the Alchemy Guild… one that could heal his cultivation roots? If his foundation could be restored, Adrian might begin cultivating again."
Victor Thorne paused, then let out a deep sigh. His tone was heavy, laced with frustration:
"Do you think I haven't tried? When that old witch tried to destroy Adrian's roots… she damaged his Dantian far more than we realized. Unless we find a Saint-grade pill, nothing can repair that damage."
Selena's eyes filled with rage at those words.
Even after a year, she remembered clearly the day Elder Yu from the Martial Cultivation Sect had framed her son, and under false accusations, damaged his core—the very essence of his cultivation.
That incident still haunted her like a festering wound.
Her voice shook with pain and urgency:
"Forget all that right now—call the physician immediately! Adrian has lost consciousness again. That blow to his head... it may have damaged his memory."
Victor's expression changed. The coldness in his eyes was replaced with concern. Without saying another word, he turned and stormed out to summon the physician.
Within minutes, the family's trusted doctor arrived.
He examined Adrian thoroughly—checking his pulse, his eyes, and the bruise on his head.
After a tense silence, he finally spoke:
"Given the depth of the injury, there's a strong chance that his memory has been affected. But we'll only know for sure when he regains consciousness again."
Selena felt the ground beneath her feet give way. Her knees weakened, and tears welled up in her eyes. She whispered through trembling lips:
"What has happened to our family...? First that tragedy at the sect, and now this… Who cast such a curse on our lives?"
Victor's jaw clenched as anger surged through his veins. His voice was filled with fury:
"Everyone is searching for the bastard who dared attack Adrian. The moment I find him—I'll personally crush him."