As the ceremony ended, students began talking among themselves.
Those who had shown talent were excited, speaking eagerly about the upcoming competition and their future prospects. Others, whose results were mediocre, wore worried expressions, quietly discussing what might come next. Meanwhile, those who had failed completely started making their way home in silence.
Amidst all this, Bai Xiao stood quietly in a corner, half-hidden from view.
Just then, a slightly chubby boy walked over and spoke in a cheerful tone,
"Brother Bai, you really don't need to overthink this."
Bai Xiao looked at him, let out a long sigh, and replied with a wry, half-mocking, half-bitter smile,
"Fatty, not everyone is like you—a rich second-generation heir. You know my family's situation. Things only improved a little after my sister got recruited into the Great Martial Hall."
Hearing this, the chubby boy frowned slightly and protested,
"Brother Bai, how many times do I have to tell you? Don't call me Fatty—my name is Li Ming! And stop worrying so much. Even if you can't become a martial artist, you can always come work at my company."
With that, Li Ming and Bai Xiao turned and began heading home.As Bai Xiao and Li Ming stepped out of the school gates, a sudden flash of lightning struck from the sky, hitting Bai Xiao directly.
Everything went black.
When Bai Xiao regained a trace of awareness, he found himself standing inside a mysterious mansion. In his hand, he discovered a strange bead filled with countless ancient techniques and heavenly treasures. Confused, he tried to keep his eyes open—but darkness claimed him again.
When he next opened his eyes, he found himself lying in a hospital room. Nearby, he saw his mother and father speaking with a doctor.
"The patient's condition has stabilized," the doctor said reassuringly. "He should regain full consciousness soon—you don't need to worry."
"Thank you, doctor," Bai Xiao's father replied gratefully.
"Little Bai is awake!" his mother exclaimed with relief, tears welling in her eyes.
Hearing this, both the doctor and Bai Xiao's father turned to look at him. After briefly checking Bai Xiao's state, the doctor spoke again,
"The patient is completely fine now. Once the paperwork is done, you can take him home."
Joy lit up his parents' faces. Bai Xiao's father stepped out of the room with the doctor to handle the discharge forms.
"Mother… how long have I been here?" Bai Xiao asked softly.
His mother smiled through tearful eyes,
"When lightning struck you, Li Ming rushed you to the hospital and called us immediately. It has been two days since then."
"Two days?" Bai Xiao repeated in surprise.
She nodded,
"Yes, you've been unconscious for two days. Your father and I were terribly worried."
Just then, the door opened, and Bai Xiao's father stepped back in.
"Everything's done," he said. "We can take Bai Xiao home now."
Soon, the Bai family left the hospital and made their way back to their residence.
The scene shifted, revealing a modest villa where the Bai family lived. After arriving home, Bai Xiao went straight to his room.
He lay down on his bed and closed his eyes—but as soon as he did, he found himself in a completely different space. Floating before him was the same bead he had seen in his vision.
"Where… where am I? And why is this bead here? Wasn't this just a dream?" Bai Xiao thought, bewildered.
Drawn by curiosity, he stepped closer and reached out to touch it. As his fingers brushed against the bead, a sudden flash of light blinded him—and in an instant, countless streams of information poured into his mind.
"What?! This bead… it holds the inheritance of a powerful being!" Bai Xiao gasped, his eyes snapping open in shock.
Heart pounding, he closed his eyes once more, forcing himself back into that strange space—determined to uncover its secrets.