From Ruin to Invincible

Author: Cedric Thorne

Chapter 1: The Bankrupt Sect

Words : 1961 Updated : Jul 3rd, 2025

"Travis, I've got some good news for you." "What good news, Master?" "Our Azure Hall has shut down." ... On the stone steps of Azure Hall atop Azure Mountain, a hunched old man and a handsome young man stared at each other. There was a long silence. Travis Jauncy finally snapped out of it, his face blank with disbelief. His voice trembled as he spoke, "Master, you must be joking. Our Azure Hall is huge and well-appointed. How could it possibly shut down? Didn't that old beggar come by yesterday and give us fifty bucks?" "You rascal, what can fifty bucks do? Do you think I don't know? You sneaked down the mountain last night to buy food with that money, right?" The old man, Alfred, huffed. The sect could have survived a couple more days with that fifty bucks. "Master, I'm sorry. I'll go hunting right away. I promise." Travis scratched his head awkwardly and was about to leave. "Stop!" But Alfred stopped him, looking serious. "Travis, do you want to leave the mountain?" Seeing the earnest expression on Alfred's face, Travis felt a pang of surprise. Could Alfred see through his thoughts? Indeed, he had long yearned to leave the mountain. Travis had spent ten years here, with only Alfred and the creatures of the forest for company. He hadn't seen another soul in years, especially not a girl. "Master, what are you saying? I'll always stay by your side, take care of you when you're old." Travis scratched his head and said. "You should go down the mountain." Alfred spoke with a calm indifference. "You came up here when you were eighteen. Now it's been ten years. It's time for you to go out and see the world." Ten years ago, Travis was going to school when Alfred randomly took him up the mountain, saying he was born with a cultivation body. In the decade that followed, Alfred subjected him to all sorts of grueling training. Every day before sunrise, Travis trained, hauled water, chopped wood, worked the fields, and picked herbs. He even had to learn all kinds of weird stuff and only got to rest at midnight. Even then, resting just meant more meditation and breathing practice. He had tried to escape countless times, but each time Alfred caught him and beat him up. He almost lost his life a few times. After that, he dared not mention leaving the mountain again. But who would have thought Alfred would now encourage him to leave? "Master, are you serious?" He had to make sure. "I'm not joking. The sect has fallen. You expect me to care for you?" Alfred snapped. Travis was delighted. "Master, are you sure I can leave the mountain?" he asked again. Alfred didn't answer, just let out a long sigh. "I know you hate me. Being cooped up here all these years. It was all for your good." "You were born with a cultivation body, but you started late. I couldn't stand by and watch such potential go to waste." Travis's expression stiffened. He did harbor resentment toward Alfred. If not for Alfred, he might have already graduated from college, found a job, and started a family. "Travis, I'm going to miss you." Alfred suddenly spoke, his eyes moist as he looked at Travis. Travis froze. He'd never seen Alfred like this before. "Master, whatever happened in the past is behind us." Travis shook his head. "Go now. There's nothing much to take from the mountain, just some herbs and a broken sword. If you don't mind, take them with you. Forge your path and don't disgrace me, understood?" Alfred handed him a bag. Travis took it and knelt, bowing his head to the ground several times. "Master, take care!" With that, he didn't look back. He turned and headed down the mountain. Alfred watched him go, a satisfied smile on his face, then slowly closed his eyes. "Go on, go on." Hearing Alfred's murmured words, Travis held back his tears, took a few steps, then suddenly turned back. "Master, wait for me, wait until I..." But before he could finish, he noticed Alfred had closed his eyes, sitting motionless. Alarmed, he rushed over and shook Alfred. "Master, what's wrong? If you want to sleep, go inside, don't catch a chill out here!" No matter how he pleaded. Alfred remained unresponsive. When Travis checked his breathing, he found it had ceased. An autumn breeze blew, and Alfred slumped onto the stone steps, a serene smile on his lips. As if he were merely asleep. Travis just stared at Alfred in silence. Then, without a word, he buried Alfred. He stayed by the grave for a while before finally getting up. "Master, perhaps I hated you before, but not anymore..." He drew the sword Alfred had left him and shot into the sky. If any cultivator had seen it, they'd be shocked that Travis could still use Sword Flight in the Age of Declining. … Half a day later. In the suburbs of Yvenlor, Solvenzia, in front of a house. This was the home Travis had missed for the last ten years—the place where all his childhood memories were made. The house looked rundown but clean, indicating someone lived there. "I'm back, finally back." Standing outside, Travis took in the familiar sight. For the first time in years, his eyes started to tear up. This was a moment he had imagined countless times. The thought of his home had motivated him to endure on the mountain. "Mom, Dad, Lauryn, how are you?" Trying to calm himself, Travis pushed open the old, worn-out door. Stepping inside, everything was the same. "Nothing's changed." Travis exhaled a long breath, calming his emotions. Just as he was about to surprise his family, he suddenly heard a terrified scream inside the house. "Bruno, don't touch me, get out!" "Lauryn, come on, just say yes. You want to go to college. Just sleep with me once, and I'll give you a grand for your tuition." "You jerk, get your filthy hands off me!" Smack! "You bitch, how dare you hit me? You're asking for it!" Hearing the commotion, Travis froze. That voice sounded so much like Lauryn's. Even after ten years, he'd never forget his sister's voice. Was she being bullied? In that instant, rage exploded inside Travis. In the blink of an eye, he was at the door, kicking it wide open. "Who dares lay a hand on my sister? You're dead meat!"

From Ruin to Invincible

Chapter 1: The Bankrupt Sect

Comments (0)