Boundless Legacy Chapter 3: The First Crush of Despair

CHAPTER THREE: THE FIRST CRUSH OF DESPAIR

The day Shen Chen understood fully was the day his cousin, Shen Hao, advanced to the Qi Condensation Realm.

Shen Hao was a year older than Shen Chen, a boy of nine with sharp features and eyes that glead with ambition. He had always been the golden child of the Shen Clan, a prodigy whose talent was praised by everyone who saw him.

Shen Chen watched from the sidelines as Shen Hao stood in the center of the training ground, his body surrounded by a faint shimr of spiritual energy. The clan elders were there, their faces beaming with pride. Shen Hao's father, Shen Tian's brother, was practically glowing with satisfaction.

"Congratulations, Hao," the clan patriarch said, his voice resonant with approval. "You have made the clan proud."

Shen Hao smiled, his eyes scanning the crowd. They landed on Shen Chen, and the smile widened—but it was not a kind smile. It was a smirk of triumph.

Later that day, Shen Hao approached Shen Chen in the courtyard. The other children had gone inside, but Shen Chen had remained, staring blankly at the training ground.

"Chen," Shen Hao said, his voice dripping with false friendliness. "I saw you watching. Did you enjoy the show?"

Shen Chen looked at his cousin, his face expressionless. "Congratulations," he said flatly. "I'm sure you'll go far."

Shen Hao laughed. "I will go far. But you..." He shook his head, a look of mock pity on his face. "You will never go anywhere. You are a waste of the Shen Clan's resources. A waste of your father's expectations. A waste of space."

Shen Chen's hands clenched into fists at his sides, but he said nothing. What could he say? His cousin was right.

"I heard your father is already planning to send you away," Shen Hao continued, his voice becoming crueler. "To a minor branch, perhaps, or to a sect for mortals. Sowhere you won't embarrass the family."

Shen Chen felt sothing inside him break. He had known, of course. He had heard the whispers, the conversations that stopped when he entered the room. His father had been speaking to the clan elders about finding a "suitable placent" for him.

"Go away, Hao," Shen Chen said, his voice barely a whisper.

Shen Hao laughed again and walked away, his triumph complete.

Shen Chen stood in the courtyard for a long ti, watching the sun set over the Jade Dragon Mountains. The sky turned orange, then red, then purple. The spiritual energy of the mountains humd around him, a constant reminder of what he could never have.

He had never felt more alone.

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