The Villain's Second Chance

The sky above Wushian burned crimson.

Thunder rolled across the heavens as countless cultivators watched the battle that would determine the fate of the world.

Floating above the shattered battlefield, Ren Jushang stood alone.

His once-pristine black robes were torn beyond recognition, stained with blood. His sword trembled in his hand as his cold silver eyes stared at the smiling young man before him.

The so-called Child of Destiny.

The hero everyone adored.

The man who had taken everything from him.

Ren Jushang laughed bitterly.

"So... even after reaching the Sovereign Realm... I still lose?"

The hero smiled gently.

"You were never meant to win."

Those words pierced deeper than any sword.

Never meant to win.

Indeed.

Since the beginning, fate had never been on his side.

He had been born as the heir of the mighty Ren Family, blessed with talent that astonished the world. On his sixteenth birthday, he summoned a Divine Phoenix, a creature hailed as one of the strongest summons in generations.

Yet within months, that same summon abandoned him.

"I choose someone stronger."

Those had been its final words before it broke their contract and willingly became the protagonist's companion.

The world mocked him for not being able to keep his summon.

His enemies laughed at him , rejoicing in his humiliation.

Even his allies questioned whether he had ever deserved such a powerful summon.

Despite the humiliation, Ren Jushang refused to surrender. He cultivated relentlessly, climbed through countless realms, survived life-and-death trials, and forged his own strength.

Still...

No matter how hard he fought...

No matter how much stronger he became...

The protagonist always won.

Miracles happened.

Enemies betrayed him at the perfect moment.

Treasures appeared before the hero whenever he needed them.

Even the heavens themselves seemed determined to keep Ren Jushang from victory.

The hero raised his glowing sword.

"It is over."

A beam of heavenly light descended.

Ren Jushang closed his eyes.

"So this... is fate."

BOOM!

The world dissolved into blinding white.

...

Drip.

Drip.

The sound of water echoed softly.

Ren Jushang slowly opened his eyes.

He blinked.

An ornate wooden ceiling greeted him.

The familiar scent of sandalwood filled the room.

His heartbeat quickened.

"No..."

He shot upright.

"This room..."

It was his bedroom.

Inside the Ren Family Manor.

Exactly as it had been ten years ago.

A hurried knock came from outside.

"Young Master!"

A servant's anxious voice sounded.

"The elders are waiting."

"It is time for your summoning ceremony."

Ren Jushang froze.

His pupils shrank.

"...The summoning ceremony?"

He rushed toward the bronze mirror.

Looking back at him was a sixteen-year-old youth.

Smooth skin.

Sharp silver eyes.

Long black hair tied neatly behind him.

He touched his own face with trembling fingers.

"I..."

"I've returned..."

A laugh escaped his lips.

Then another.

Soon, the room echoed with uncontrollable laughter.

"Hahaha..."

"Heaven..."

"You finally made one mistake."

His eyes gradually became ice-cold.

This time...

He would never trust anyone so easily again.

After changing into ceremonial robes embroidered with silver dragons, Ren Jushang left his room.

The servants immediately lowered their heads.

"Greetings, Young Master."

He simply nodded.

Everything looked exactly as he remembered.

The winding corridors.

The lotus ponds.

The ancient spirit trees.

Every familiar sight reminded him of his previous life—and of all he had lost.

Soon, he reached the grand plaza.

Thousands of family members had gathered.

At the centre stood a magnificent jade formation that glowed with ancient runes.

Today...

Every sixteen-year-old descendant of the Ren Family would summon their lifelong companion.

Upon noticing him, whispers spread through the crowd.

"The Young Master's finally here."

"They say he'll summon something extraordinary."

"Of course. He's Ren Jushang."

His expression remained unreadable.

The Grand Elder smiled warmly.

"Jushang."

"Step forward."

Ren Jushang obeyed.

The Grand Elder raised both hands.

"The ceremony begins!"

Golden light erupted from the formation.

One by one, young cultivators stepped forward to summon their companions.

Spirit Wolves.

Flame Lions.

Storm Eagles.

Even a rare Crystal Unicorn.

Elders of the Ren Family smiled happily at the various great summons that the new generation had summoned.

Cheers erupted throughout the plaza.

Finally...

The Grand Elder called,

"Ren Jushang."

Silence descended.

Everyone watched with anticipation wondering what the famous talented Young Master would summon.

Ren Jushang stepped into the formation.

He knew exactly what would happen next.

The light enveloped him.

A massive golden magic circle appeared above the sky.

A majestic Divine Phoenix descended amidst blazing flames.

Gasps echoed throughout the plaza.

"A Divine Phoenix!"

"As expected of the Young Master"

"What incredible luck!"

The phoenix landed gracefully before Ren Jushang.

Its golden eyes studied him for a long moment.

Then...

Just as before...

It turned away.

Its gaze shifted toward a distant mountain.

"I refuse."

The phoenix's voice rang throughout the heavens.

"I have sensed another."

"Someone more worthy."

Without waiting for anyone's response...

It spread its wings...

And flew away.

Complete silence filled the plaza.

Every face froze in disbelief.

Exactly as it had happened in his previous life.

Some elders looked horrified.

Others looked embarrassed.

Many disciples tried to hide their laughter.

Ren Jushang merely watched the disappearing phoenix with emotionless eyes.

"...Good."

He had not wanted it anyway.

He slowly raised one hand.

Ignoring the stunned crowd, he bit his fingertip.

Drops of blood fell onto the summoning formation.

The ancient runes suddenly changed.

Their golden glow turned pitch black.

The heavens darkened.

Cold wind swept across Wushian.

The Grand Elder's face paled as he realised what Ren Jushang was about to do.

"W-Wait!"

"That's the Forbidden Second Summoning!"

"You'll destroy your Soul Gate!"

Ren Jushang ignored every warning.

His voice echoed calmly across the silent plaza.

"If fate wishes to abandon me once more..."

"Then I shall summon something that even fate cannot control."

Black lightning split the heavens.

The sky cracked.

Something ancient...

Something impossibly terrifying...

Opened its eyes beyond the void.

And smiled.

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