Chapter One: Who Is the Mysterious Man in the Gray Robe?

Blood Feud Origins (Part One): The Dark Turning of Fate

As evening fell, the back mountain of Qingyan was shrouded in gloom. Ink-black clouds hung heavily in the sky, as if ready to collapse at any moment. A sinister aura permeated the forest, and the usual bird songs had vanished without a trace, leaving only a deathly silence.

Li Yuan’s gaze was fixed intently on an orchid blooming halfway up the mountain. Despite the dim light, the flower radiated an enchanting hue, trembling slightly as if silently beckoning him. Filled with joy, he thought of presenting this orchid to his mother. His steps quickened involuntarily as he approached the steep cliff.

At this moment, a nineteen-year-old youth, harboring deep jealousy and resentment toward Li Yuan, watched him ascend. His heart leapt with malicious delight, sensing an opportunity. In his mind, he cursed bitterly, "May the ocean’s queen be mine, and may you perish." Quickly masking his expression, he forced a false smile and hurried forward, feigning concern: “Yuan’er, this cliff is dangerous. Climbing like this could lead to disaster. Don’t worry, I’ll help you. I’ll use these vines to lower you down safely.” Li Yuan, pure and kind-hearted, trusted the youth’s “kindness” without suspicion, his eyes filled with gratitude as he sincerely replied, “Brother, thank you.”

The youth fetched some vines and, while wrapping them around Li Yuan, deliberately left them loose and tied a knot that was easy to come undone. A faint, almost imperceptible cold smile flickered at the corner of his mouth, his inner malice swelling. As Li Yuan was slowly lowered down the cliff, his attention remained fixed on the orchid, utterly unaware of the looming danger.

The Azure Continent, Western Province, Qingyan Village.

Fifteenth day of the fifth month, Year of the Dragon, Yunqi Kingdom.

Night cloaked the world like ink, lightning flashing wildly as silver serpents danced recklessly across the dark veil. Relentless rain poured down, mercilessly drenching this peculiar world.

Beneath the cliff lay a boy clad in simple coarse hemp clothing, blood staining the earth around him, slowly washed away by the rain. Judging by the scene, falling from such a height—over a hundred meters—meant even miraculous elixirs would be powerless to save him.

Yet perhaps miracles do happen. Barely perceptible, the boy’s chest rose and fell faintly, defying death’s claim to return to life.

Against all odds.

Feeling the rain’s cold wash over him, the boy ignored the chill and struggled to sit up.

“Smack.”

He raised his right hand and fiercely slapped his handsome right cheek, then bit his own arm hard. The pain confirmed to him that everything was real, filling his heart with an unprecedented joy.

He had come back to life—not merely surviving disaster but perhaps spared by heaven’s mercy, for his death had been unbearably tragic.

He clearly remembered how he died, his fingers clenching instinctively.

Yet, he seemed unaware that this world was no longer the one he knew; where he would go next remained unknownI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.