The Rise of the Fallen Prodigy

Bad luck struck.

Liam Smith, who had been highly anticipated by the entire family, underwent a drastic change overnight. His cultivation no longer advanced, and he completely degenerated into a waste of the Smith family.

The various forces that had specifically come to build relationships with the Smith family also began to turn cold. Aldrich's intention to take on a disciple was naturally dashed, and in the end, he helplessly returned to the imperial capital.

If it weren't for his personal friendship with Caspian Smith, he probably wouldn't have come to the Smith family today.

After understanding everything, although Liam Smith was a bit surprised, a moment later, his heart calmed down again.

The past was in the past. Dwelling on it was just seeking trouble for oneself. Liam Smith understood this truth very well.

He slightly cupped his hands and said humbly, "I never expected things to be like this. No wonder I felt a bit familiar when I first saw Master come in. Unfortunately, I let down Master's favor. I'm really sorry."

Aldrich looked a bit helpless and sighed softly, "All this can only be blamed on the heavens not being kind."

"Indeed," Liam Smith smiled and agreed.

However, he didn't feel sorry for this outcome in his heart. If he had really been taken in as a disciple by Aldrich five years ago, then there wouldn't have been the later matter of him apprenticing to Alistair.

Similarly, perhaps Alistair wouldn't have appeared either.

If he had become Aldrich's disciple, then no matter how hard he tried, he probably wouldn't have been able to surpass Aldrich within a few years or even a dozen or so years. Perhaps he would have been stuck in the fourth Class Pharmacist realm for his entire life.

Before he met Alistair, Liam Smith might have had some yearning for this. But since meeting Alistair, Liam Smith's vision had broadened.

Moreover, Alistair was much stronger than Aldrich. Having him as a master was naturally more perfect.

Furthermore, Alistair had taught him everything without reservation and wholeheartedly helped him.

As for Aldrich, it was uncertain. Usually, a master basically wouldn't teach a disciple everything without reservation. They would more or less hold back a bit. And in a critical moment, they might even betray you.

While he and Alistair shared weal and woe, there was no need to worry about such issues at all.

The most important thing was that Liam Smith had already fallen in love with his current cultivation method. Although Alistair was somewhat "inhumane", he could always gain a lot.

Seeing that Liam Smith didn't show extreme joy or sorrow, Aldrich was a bit puzzled and said, "It seems you don't care about these things at all."

"Since it's a pain, why bring it up again and make myself hurt again?" Liam Smith said indifferently.

Aldrich slapped the table in admiration, "Good, well said. I never expected that at your young age, you would have such thoughts. You're truly the most special young man I've seen in these years."

"Master is joking. I'm just resigned to my fate," Liam Smith said self - deprecatingly.

"Regarding your problem, I'm also powerless," Aldrich sighed, seemingly a bit self - reproachful.

"I understand," Liam Smith replied.

Aldrich looked at Liam Smith deeply and said, "I know your personality. You like to tough it out no matter what happens. But the heavens are too unfair to you. A once - in - a - lifetime genius, yet unable to break through the innate Realm for a lifetime. In this world, it's undoubtedly the most painful thing."

"Uh," Liam Smith didn't expect Aldrich to still be dwelling on what happened to him five years ago.

At this time, Caspian Smith in the main seat showed a mysterious smile and said, "Master Mu, there's no need to feel sorry. Liam Smith broke through to the Refined gas Realm half a year ago."

"How is that possible?" Aldrich looked incredulous and said, "Back then, I carefully examined his body. Although I didn't understand why his cultivation suddenly couldn't progress, it was certain that he was doomed not to reach the Refined gas Realm in this lifetime. How could he have broken through?"

"At first, Liam didn't believe this news either, but it's undoubtedly a fact," Caspian Smith said with a faint smile.

"Could it be that his lost talent has returned?" Aldrich opened his mouth wide and looked at Liam Smith in surprise.

"That's what Liam thought too," Caspian Smith replied.

"Impossible. Such a situation has never occurred in the Liberty Divine Land," Aldrich shook his head vigorously.

As he spoke, he stood up and came to Liam Smith's side, carefully looking him up and down.

Finally, he simply grabbed Liam Smith's wrist, and a wisp of Soul Power directly entered Liam Smith's body.

After a few breaths, Aldrich finally understood that Caspian Smith wasn't lying. Liam Smith had indeed returned to normal, and his Soul Power was even a bit stronger than before.

Aldrich's eyes seemed to be fixed on Liam Smith, and he couldn't look away for a long time.

He murmured to himself, "It's incredible."

Caspian Smith had obviously anticipated Aldrich's reaction, just like when he and many elders first learned about it. There was nothing but incredulity.

"He's already at Refined gas Realm Level Four?" Aldrich was extremely shocked.

"Yes, he just broke through to the Refined gas Realm half a year ago," Theodore Smith quickly added, looking quite proud.

"Half a year ago?" Aldrich murmured, "Did his talent really return?"

Now that he already knew his past relationship with Aldrich, Liam Smith didn't plan to stay any longer. He cupped his hands and saluted Caspian Smith, saying, "Clan leader, if there's nothing else, then your disciple will take his leave first."

"Alright, you..."

"Wait a moment," Aldrich interrupted Caspian Smith's words.

"Master Mu, what's this about?" Caspian Smith asked, a bit puzzled.

After being shocked for a while, Aldrich finally came to his senses.

He turned to Caspian Smith and said, "Clan leader of the Smith family, I have an impertinent request. I hope you'll agree."

"Master, you're being too polite. Just say what you need. As long as our Smith family can do it, we'll do our best," Caspian Smith said earnestly.

Aldrich laughed twice and said, "I never expected that I left the Smith family disappointed five years ago, but five years later, it brings me hope again."

"What do you mean, Master Mu?" A glimmer of light flashed in Caspian Smith's eyes, but he quickly concealed it and pretended to look puzzled. "I really don't understand."

"I plan to take him as my disciple," Aldrich stared at Liam Smith with a somewhat eager look and said solemnly.

This short sentence immediately shocked everyone present.

The scene from five years ago seemed to be happening again.

Many elders of the Smith family showed expressions of joy. They never expected that Aldrich would plan to take Liam Smith as his disciple again. This was obviously good news for the Smith family.

However, Cassian Smith looked extremely aggrieved. Now he felt as if he had eaten a fly. He had originally planned to make Liam Smith come out and be humiliated, but unexpectedly, he had instead helped him.

The chair handle in his right hand was visibly bent a bit under the great force.

Nathaniel Smith behind him was so angry that his teeth were clenched, and his eyes seemed to be spitting fire.

"Liam Smith, your chance to shine has arrived," Xander said to Liam Smith.

"Yes, the future of the Smith family depends on you," another elder nodded in agreement.

"I never expected that after being a waste for five years, he would have such good fortune today," a disciple whispered.

"Who says no? With Master Mu as a backer, he can walk around freely in the Silvermoon Valley in the future," another said.

"Hehe, those who bullied him before should be careful," someone else added.

"I'm so lucky. I never bullied him," one person said.

"..."

"Little master, congratulations," Gideon Wilson said with a big smile, cupping his hands in congratulations.

Theodore Smith also looked beaming at the moment and earnestly said, "Liam Smith, why don't you quickly pay your respects to your master?"

Caspian Smith in the main seat was naturally all smiles.

He glanced at Liam Smith and said with a smile, "Master Mu, Liam can't make the decision on this matter. Although Liam is the head of the family, such matters of accepting a disciple still require the disciples' own consent. After all, a forced melon isn't sweet, right?"

"That's true," Aldrich nodded in agreement. Then he asked Liam Smith with a smile, "Liam Smith, are you willing to be my disciple?"

Before Liam Smith could speak, Theodore Smith spoke up first, "Of course he's willing. Having Master Mu as a master is a blessing that Liam Smith cultivated in his previous life. In the future, please give him more guidance, Master Mu."

Aldrich put his hands behind his back, looking like an expert, and said, "Third Elder, don't worry. Since Liam Smith is my disciple, I will teach him wholeheartedly and impart all my life's knowledge to him."

"That's excellent," Theodore Smith clapped his hands and laughed.

Just when everyone unanimously thought that Liam Smith becoming Aldrich's disciple was about to become a reality and they were all chatting and discussing.

Alistair's voice sounded in Liam Smith's mind, "Hmph, a fourth Class Pharmacist actually has the guts to snatch a disciple from me. He really doesn't know how to live."

"But he's a pharmacist," Liam Smith said excitedly, using Soul Power to transmit his voice.

Although compared to Alistair, Aldrich's cultivation was far behind, Aldrich's identity as a pharmacist was something Alistair couldn't match.

As the noblest profession in the Liberty Divine Land, a pharmacist was undoubtedly dazzling. If he became a pharmacist, wouldn't he have a steady stream of wealth in the future? He wouldn't have to worry about not having Soul crystals anymore.

"What, you brat, do you want to betray your master?" Alistair said harshly, "Beware of being struck by lightning."

"Then it's because Master, you don't know how to refine elixirs," Liam Smith said with a mischievous smile.

"You..." Alistair was hit on the weak point by Liam Smith and couldn't refute for a moment. He just snorted coldly and then fell silent.

While Liam Smith was communicating with Alistair, Theodore Smith seemed to be getting impatient.

He quickly urged, "Liam Smith, what are you still standing there for? Why don't you quickly kowtow and pay your respects to Master Mu?"

"Yeah, little master. Didn't you always want to be a pharmacist since you were a child?" Gideon Wilson said.

"..."

Aldrich raised his hand to stop everyone and said indifferently, "As the clan leader of the Smith family said, let's let Liam Smith decide this matter for himself."

Aldrich looked confident. He glanced at Liam Smith and said indifferently, "Liam Smith, are you willing to be my disciple? Just say what you really think."

After Aldrich finished speaking, he deliberately adjusted the collar of his clothes and had a kind smile on his face.

It seemed that he was already prepared to accept Liam Smith's apprenticeship ceremony.

There was a moment of silence.

Under the focused gazes of everyone, Liam Smith finally spoke -

"I refuse!"

These four short words were like a bolt from the blue, like a thunderclap out of the clear sky.

It stunned everyone present.

Everyone opened their mouths wide and stared at Liam Smith in disbelief.

The atmosphere in the entire hall suddenly froze, as if it had fallen into a deathly silence. Only the slightly heavy breathing of the people could be heard...