C8 Memories of the past

Feng Zhentian was a mere fifteen years old when calamity struck. His family had been decimated, and he found himself pursued by enemies, ultimately plummeting into a valley. By some stroke of luck, he survived the fall, but with no food in sight, starvation loomed. In desperation, he consumed a peculiar fruit that nearly killed him. Miraculously, this fruit transformed Feng Zhentian from a talentless youth into a prodigious genius.

Years later, as the revered Wind Monarch, Feng Zhentian encountered the same fruit once more. Only then did he learn it was the perilous Fruit of the Netherworld, a fruit that thrived under harsh conditions and was laced with lethal poison. A single bite could sever the tendons of a cultivator or even lead to their demise.

Feng Zhentian's quest was not a return to his roots but a search for the Fruit of the Netherworld. He was aware that in a year's time, his family would face annihilation at the hands of a coalition from Maple Falling Town. The catalyst for this impending doom was the Feng family's discovery of a precious sword, which caught the attention of the Soong family. Together with two other major families, they conspired to eradicate the Feng lineage completely.

In the midst of this tragedy, Feng Zhentian realized the true extent of his father's love. His father, who had always been harsh, had fought valiantly against a dozen Qi Sea Stage masters to create an escape opportunity for his son. In his final moments, he succumbed to exhaustion, revealing to Feng Zhentian that his sternness was not born out of indifference but out of a desire to see him succeed, even if it meant sacrificing his own life.

When Feng Zhentian's powers finally awakened, he sought vengeance, only to find Maple Falling Town in ruins. A mysterious group of formidable experts had laid waste to the town, sparing no one. Feng Zhentian, who had just returned, was immediately targeted. At that time, he was not yet the exalted Wind Monarch, but a ninth-level Qi Sea Stage cultivator, fighting for his life.

Upon encountering Feng Zhentian, a group of assailants launched a collective attack. Undaunted, Feng Zhentian engaged in battle, but it soon became clear he was outmatched. After sustaining severe injuries, he narrowly managed to flee.

In his escape, Feng Zhentian sought refuge in a house, only to discover it belonged to Ms. Wang, who was faring far worse than she is today. At that time, Ms. Wang was married to Soong Yu, the lascivious and cowardly grandson of Vice Dean Soong. Soong Yu, who exploited his grandfather's status to act with impunity, ultimately met his end at the hands of these very assailants.

Ms. Wang, upon finding the gravely wounded Feng Zhentian, took him into hiding. Tragically, she would later endure brutal treatment. Though Feng Zhentian's life was spared, Ms. Wang had perished. In her final moments, she seemed to descend into madness, savagely slaughtering those who pursued her.

It was only later that Feng Zhentian learned of Ms. Wang's unique constitution, known as the Withering Blossom. This rare condition could awaken immense power amidst profound sorrow, but at the cost of the individual's life essence.

Feng Zhentian silently vowed to prevent Ms. Wang from ever triggering the Withering Blossom again, determined to ensure her happiness in life.

"Sugar figures! Get your sugar figures here!" A hawker's call interrupted his thoughts. Narrowing his eyes, Feng Zhentian observed the elderly vendor with keen interest.