Feng Lin pushed open the doors of the hall with confidence, his cold gaze sweeping over the three members of his family seated around the table.

  His father, the patriarch, was upright and imposing, bearing the weight of the clan on his shoulders despite his relative weakness. His mother, the matriarch, wore a detached expression, though her piercing eyes betrayed a certain curiosity about his sudden intrusion. As for his sister, she remained silent, observing the scene without intervening.

  The atmosphere in the room was heavy, filled with an almost palpable tension. No one welcomed him, and he had expected that. After all, his awakening had been a shock, and his attitude—so different from the Feng Lin of the past—only fueled their distrust.

  Stopping a few steps from the table, he spoke in a calm but firm voice:

  — "I will be leaving for a few days."

  His father furrowed his brows and crossed his arms over his chest.

  — "Leaving? And where exactly do you intend to go?"

  Feng Lin showed no hesitation.

  — "To the city. I need to buy some resources."

  A silence followed his words, quickly broken by his mother’s mocking laughter.

  — "Buying resources? And with what money, exactly?"

  The young man met her gaze without blinking.

  — "There must be some funds left in the clan. I only ask for a small sum."

  The patriarch tapped his finger on the dark wooden table, considering his son's request.

  — "Why this sudden urge to leave? You just woke up after fifteen years in a coma, and now you already want to leave the clan?"

  Feng Lin slightly shrugged.

  — "There is nothing for me here," he replied simply. "I’m not going to waste my time waiting for fate to smile upon me."

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  His mother let out a light chuckle.

  — "At least he understands that he won’t progress here. Maybe he’s not as foolish as we thought."

  The patriarch remained silent for a moment, analyzing his son's words.

  — "Very well. We have few resources, but I can give you a small sum to cover your basic needs. However, don’t expect luxury."

  Feng Lin nodded.

  — "That’s all I ask."

  His father stood up, pulled a pouch from his robe, and tossed it onto the table in front of him.

  — "Here. Make good use of it. But remember—don’t come crawling back if you fail."

  Feng Lin took the pouch in a smooth motion and tucked it into his tunic. He had no intention of failing. Without another word, he turned and left the room, leaving behind the weight of a family that had never truly accepted him.

  Feng Lin walked out of the hall without looking back, his mind already focused on what lay ahead. He had secured a reasonable amount of money—enough to make a few purchases in the city. His first objective was to acquire resources to improve his body and cultivation, but he also needed to familiarize himself with the outside world.

  Leaving the clan’s domain alone wouldn’t be optimal. He no longer knew the city or its current state, and wasting time wandering without guidance didn’t interest him. He needed a guide.

  As he crossed the main courtyard of the Feng Clan, he noticed a young servant carrying sacks of rice. The boy was thin, his worn linen clothes clearly indicating that he lived in poor conditions. His face showed exhaustion, but his eyes remained sharp.

  Feng Lin stopped a few steps away from him.

  — "You."

  The servant flinched and quickly raised his head.

  — "Y-Young Master Feng?"

  — "Do you know the city well?"

  The boy hesitated for a moment before nodding.

  — "Y-Yes, Young Master. I’ve been there several times to deliver goods…"

  — "Perfect. You will accompany me."

  The servant's eyes widened.

  — "M-Me?"

  — "Yes. I need a guide, not a bodyguard. You know the roads, the merchants, and where to find what I’m looking for. That makes you useful."

  The young man seemed uneasy. He glanced around, as if looking for an escape, but finally nodded.

  — "Of course, Young Master."

  Feng Lin showed no impatience, but he noted the servant’s reaction—fear. Not of him, but because in a ruined clan, everyone was on edge.

  — "What’s your name?"

  — "Liang, Young Master."

  — "Good. Prepare yourself quickly—we’re leaving immediately."

  Without another word, Feng Lin resumed walking, Liang following closely behind. His gaze was cold, determined. This trip to the city was only the first step.

  As Feng Lin and Liang advanced along the road leading to the city, the silence was quickly broken by Feng Lin’s calm voice.

  — "Liang, tell me about the city’s situation over the past ten years."

  The servant nodded before answering cautiously:

  — "The city has changed a lot, Young Master. In the past, under the Feng Clan’s influence, it was a prosperous center where our name commanded respect and stability. But after our clan’s fall five hundred years ago, other forces took control. Today, several factions rule the city."

  Feng Lin narrowed his eyes slightly. He had no memory of these factions. In his past life, he had barely cared about such minor groups.

  — "What are these forces?" he asked in a neutral tone.

  Liang took a moment to gather his thoughts before listing them:

  — "The most influential is undoubtedly the Zhao Clan. They control most of the commerce and hold the greatest wealth in the city. After them, there’s the Yun Domain, which possesses a strong military force and often serves as mercenaries for other clans. Then, there’s the Pavilion of a Thousand Lotus, which controls the market for alchemical resources and artifacts."

  Feng Lin nodded silently, taking note of every piece of information.

  — "And is there any faction that could be useful to the Feng Clan?"

  Liang hesitated.

  — "Not really… The Feng Clan is seen as a relic of the past. No one wants to associate with us. Even the smaller factions prefer to avoid any alliance with a fallen clan."

  Feng Lin showed no reaction. He had expected this.

  — "Interesting…" he murmured, looking straight ahead.

  He didn’t need an alliance.

  He only needed an opportunity.