Great Zhou Kingdom.

Capital: Chang'an City.

"Hey! Come take a look... isn't that Geordie Blackwell?"

"My goodness, it *is* him!"

"He disappeared a year ago, then his life lamp went out—didn't the entire Blackwell family go into chaos? Everyone thought he was dead!"

"Yeah, I heard he might've wandered into Demon Burial Abyss!"

"Hiss... Demon Burial Abyss? That's a one-way trip to death, a place where no one ever returns alive!"

"Then how is he back here? Wait, could it be... are we seeing a ghost in broad daylight?"

"No, that's definitely not a ghost. But did you notice? There's no trace of spiritual energy on him... could it be... he's lost all his cultivation?"

...

Inside the Great Zhou Academy, murmurs and gasps filled the air as a tall, sharp-featured young man strode calmly through the gates. His face remained cold and impassive, yet the utter absence of power radiating from him sent shockwaves through the gathered crowd.

Whispers turned into clamorous disbelief. Word spread like wildfire, and soon onlookers swarmed the area to catch a glimpse of the man who could once silence an entire room with his mere presence.

It was him—the Geordie Blackwell they all spoke of in awe.

The genius who once reached the Sky Martial Realm at just twenty years old, a feat even family patriarchs of a century or two couldn’t dream of achieving. A name once synonymous with glory—now a hushed scandal. Named by the Great Zhou King after the city of 'Chang'an,' Geordie Blackwell once stood unrivaled, casting his shadow over an entire generation. Yet, a year ago, he mysteriously vanished, his life lantern extinguished. Everyone assumed he was dead.

But unexpectedly, he returned today.

"One year... or a century?" Geordie murmured under his breath, his steps steady as he walked forward.

His gaze shifted calmly, no longer bearing the youthful naivety of twenty-one, but a faint, worn sense of experience.

Ahead, a tall, graceful girl appeared in his view. Her striking beauty, at once delicate and arresting, seemed to mesmerize with every subtle sway and expression she made.

Seeing her, Geordie walked toward her without hesitation.

The crowd stirred immediately.

"Isn't that Grace Goodman, the famously divine beauty of Great Zhou? Looks like Blackwell’s still smitten. First thing back, and he’s already going straight for her."

"Of course. I mean, back then, it was said that countless women were infatuated with him. But he only had eyes for Grace Goodman, treating her with unmatched care and devotion."

"I hear he showered her with rare treasures and priceless gifts, practically worshipping her."

... As the murmurs grew louder around him, Geordie Blackwell stepped forward, now standing before Grace Goodman.

“Geordie... Geordie, you... you’re alive?” Grace’s stunning face contorted with a mix of disbelief and complexity as she blurted out her words.

But when she sensed Geordie’s complete lack of cultivation, a glimmer of disappointment crossed her eyes, mingled with disdain—and perhaps, a hint of relief.

“Well, it’s good you’re back. Even though you’ve lost your cultivation, the Blackwell family values you highly. You’ll still live comfortably as their young master,” Grace said, her tone cold as her gaze locked onto Geordie’s dark, star-like eyes. She added, “But don’t come looking for me anymore. You and I, we’re done.”

“Ha! Who would’ve thought? The so-called prodigy of a year ago has fallen to this. A useless nobody!” mocked Sophie Everhart, another striking beauty who stood beside Grace. Her eyes gleamed with scorn, her words dripping with sarcasm.

“My Grace has reached the first level of Earth Martial Realm—what could a waste like you possibly offer her now?”

“Sophie, that’s enough.” Grace’s gaze shifted to Sophie, then back to Geordie. Her expression carried a faint trace of superiority as she looked down at him, stone-faced."Geordie Blackwell, did you hear me? From now on, stop bothering me. We have nothing to do with each other anymore.

Besides... our engagement should've ended the moment your life soul lamp shattered a year ago!

Now that you’re back, find a chance to come to my house and formally break it off."

Grace Goodman said, turning to pull Sophie Everhart away.

To her, Geordie Blackwell, now reduced to nothing but a powerless wreck, was no longer worth a second glance.

"Wait a moment."

Geordie, who had been silent up until now, finally spoke.

"What’s this? Still hoping to hold onto her? Geordie, give up already. Grace is a woman well beyond your reach now," Sophie snapped back haughtily.

The crowd erupted into murmurs.

"Wow, Grace Goodman doesn’t even want to waste words with Geordie."

"Shows you how cold-hearted she is. Heard she’s caught the attention of a young master from one of the Holy Land's top families. It’s all about climbing higher now."

"Unbelievable. Wasn’t Geordie always doting on her? Showering her with spirit herbs, pills, stones, weapons—you name it—to boost her growth in the academy?"

"Heh, guess this is what they call, ‘ditch the one who helped when you make it big.’" The murmurs around her made Grace Goodman briefly uneasy, but her expression quickly turned calm and indifferent.

In this world, strength rules.

A man without power is nothing—worthless, not even worth using.

As Grace mulled over this, Geordie Blackwell’s voice broke through, cold and steady.

“You want the engagement canceled? Fine. Three days from now, I’ll come to your house and make it official.”

“What… what did you say?” Grace froze, staring at him as if she’d misheard.

To her, Geordie should have reacted like before—desperate, clinging—but instead, he was calm, not bothered at all.

Before she could process it, Geordie spoke again.

“And when I came looking for you, it wasn’t to reminisce. I want back the space ring I gave you.”

Geordie’s detached gaze swept over the sword in her hand, the treasures draped on her body, from ornaments to talismans.

“Obviously, since the engagement’s ending, anything I gave you with marriage in mind—Sky-tier Snow Maiden Sword, Earth-tier Snow Feather Garment, the Universe Jade Bracelet, Frosted Heart Necklace—return every single item.”

He listed them one by one in an icy tone, leaving the crowd utterly stunned.

Around them, mouths hung open as the list grew, eyes wide in disbelief.Geordie Blackwell paused for a dozen breaths, then continued, “And the three million spirit stones I gave to your father as an engagement gift—also under the condition of marriage!

Three days later, I’ll head over personally. I expect him to return it all in full!”

After speaking, he stretched out his hand with a calm expression. “Hand over the spirit treasures on you first.”

The crowd was dead silent. All eyes fixated on the two of them in shock.

Grace Goodman’s chest heaved violently as she glared at Geordie, anger spreading through her entire body like wildfire.

In her mind, she screamed with frustration: All of that was given to me!

It’s mine now!

Why should I return it to you?!

“Geordie Blackwell, what do you mean by this?”

Before Grace could respond, Sophie Everhart, standing beside her, snapped angrily, “Are you even a man? You gave those things away and now you want them back?”

Geordie cast her a cold glance and said flatly, “Shut up. This has nothing to do with you. Say one more word, and I’ll smash your mouth.”