Ryan Bennett was born possessing everything a mortal could ever wish for.

A noble birth, unmatched good looks, immense wealth...

But when he was just learning to walk, he discovered that this world did not belong to mortals.

Demons, ghosts, and spirits; riding the wind; the path to immortality...

Unsurprisingly, Ryan Bennett set out on the road to seek eternal life.

A sage once said:

"In the wilds of the Nine Domains, the Great Void leaves no trace.

Cultivation is like walking through a long night without a lamp, or crossing a raging river with no bridge.

We cultivators must act with careful deliberation, and in all things, 'follow the heart.'"

Ryan Bennett kept this teaching in mind, and from then on, followed his heart in all things, doing as he pleased...

Sage: "Wait, it's 'follow the heart,' not 'kill whoever you want.' Why can't you understand this, child?"

Volume One: Cry of the Young Phoenix

Chapter One: Entering the Capital

Awakening of Insects.

Lightning twisted like wild pythons, shattering the gloomy sea of clouds and turning the earth into rivers and marshes.

Amidst the raging thunder and sudden rain, a black oil-paper umbrella drifted past the water gate of Linhe District in the capital, carried by a small covered boat.

On both banks of the river, the wind and rain teased three thousand willows throughout the city.

Ryan Bennett stood at the bow of the boat, gazing at the uneven, scattered buildings of the capital, feeling that the scene before him was much like the "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" painting in his memory.

Seventeen years had passed since he came to this world, and his memories of the past were already blurred, but Ryan Bennett could be sure that this was not the world of elegant scholars he once knew.

This was Donghua City, the capital of the Great Dan Dynasty.

Seventeen years ago, Ryan Bennett was born in Qinghe County of the Great Dan Dynasty, the legitimate son of the local landowning Zuo family—immensely wealthy, with thousands of acres of fertile land. He had been lucky enough to be born into a good life.

When he first arrived here, Ryan Bennett thought he could spend this life as the foolish son of a rich family, enjoying endless pleasures without a care in the world. But when he was just learning to walk, he discovered that this world was different.

The people here were formidable; the outstanding ones could fly through the sky, move mountains and seas. The animals were extraordinary as well—tales of foxes repaying kindness and spirits taking human form were widely told.

Though Ryan Bennett had never seen such wonders himself, he could glimpse the mysteries and vastness of this world from the scattered words in ancient texts.

Having lived two lives, how could Ryan Bennett not wish to soar ninety thousand miles high and see the true face of this world from the mountaintop?

Unfortunately, though he was born with great wealth, he was fated with blocked meridians, making him an ordinary person in this extraordinary world.

This trip to the capital was only because his looks were too outstanding, and he had been summoned to compete for the position of the princess's consort.

Born with no worries, yet with the path to immortality before him and no way to enter.

Ryan Bennett did not know whether his birth was a blessing or a curse.

As these thoughts passed, the covered boat docked by the street.

Ryan Bennett withdrew from his musings, flicked his fingers, tossed a silver ingot to the boatman, and stepped onto the stone-paved street of Linhe District.

The boatman caught the silver, surprised and flattered:

"Young master, that's too much."

"It's a reward for you."

Ryan Bennett waved his hand casually and walked straight into the rain.

Clutching the silver, the boatman’s eyes were full of gratitude. Just as he was about to push the boat away from the shore, he suddenly heard a splash from the bank, followed by a woman's startled cry.

Looking up, he saw a young woman in a simple dress and hairpin standing at the entrance of a tavern, holding a wooden basin, her eyes full of panic.

Mist swirled on the street, and Ryan Bennett, who had only taken a few steps, stood frozen in the fog.

The boatman was taken aback—he hadn't expected this handsome young master to get into trouble so quickly. Fearing a conflict, he hurried to smooth things over:

"Mr. Foster, the young master just arrived in the capital, and you splash him with bathwater? If you want to greet such a handsome young man, this isn't the way to do it."

At these words, the customers in the tea and wine shops burst into laughter.

Ryan Bennett raised his umbrella to shield his head and glanced toward the tavern.

A yellowed wine banner hung outside, bearing only the character '汤'.

The young woman with the wooden basin stood under the eaves, simply dressed but clean, her collar bulging, her face as fair as tofu. Her wide, anxious eyes added a unique charm.

However, she seemed rather feisty. Hearing the boatman's teasing, she immediately glared back:

"What nonsense are you talking? Didn't you see it was an accident?"

After speaking, the young woman looked at Ryan Bennett, her eyes apologetic:

"Young master, I'm truly sorry. The rain is so heavy, I thought no one was on the street. This is hot water for brewing wine, not bathwater."

Hot water?

That’s even worse than bathwater.

Ryan Bennett looked at the white mist on the ground. He wanted to scold her, but seeing she was just a woman, he thought better of it and said:

"Be more careful next time. If you had splashed an ordinary woman or child, it could have disfigured them on the spot."

"Young master, your lesson is right."

The young woman nodded awkwardly, then looked up to see the young man before her. He wore a tea-green long robe, a double-fish pendant at his waist, long hair tied with a black ribbon, sword-like brows, starry eyes, a high nose bridge, and a handsome, upright face. A green-sheathed sword hung at his side—he was so handsome he could bring down a kingdom.

But just now, when he moved his umbrella to block the water, his cheek and brocade robe had gotten quite wet.

The young woman blinked, feeling guilty for turning such a handsome young man into a drowned rat. Embarrassed, she spoke again:

"Young master, why don't you come inside? I'll find a towel for you to dry off."