Jian Yu, the Reborn Sovereign.

Chapter 2

Shen Qing sat up slowly, testing the limits of his frail body. His limbs felt like lead, but the more he moved, the more his muscles remembered how to function. The cold seeped into his bones, but he was determined not to show weakness—not even to this servant.

Li Fu quickly approached, offering support. "Please, Young Master, do not strain yourself. Your body is still recovering."

Shen Qing waved him off, his gaze steady. "I'm not as weak as you think. I need to see the estate. Take me around."

Li Fu hesitated, worry etched in the lines of his weathered face. "But... your health..."

"Now," Shen Qing commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument. Even in this weakened state, the authority in his voice was unmistakable.

Li Fu swallowed hard and nodded. "Yes, Young Master. As you wish."

With Li Fu's assistance, Shen Qing managed to stand. The world wavered for a moment, but he steadied himself, his eyes narrowing in determination. He took in his appearance in the dusty mirror: a pale, almost ghostly face stared back at him, framed by long, inky black hair that fell in disarray. His eyes, however, were sharp, a deep crimson hue that hinted at the curse lying dormant within him.

This body was indeed weak, but Shen Qing saw potential in it. The curse was not just a burden—it was a source of power, waiting to be unlocked. He would have to cultivate diligently, not just to survive, but to thrive in this dangerous world.

Li Fu led him through the manor, a once-grand estate now in ruins. The halls were dim, the walls cracked and crumbling. Dust clung to every surface, and the air was thick with the scent of decay. The estate had clearly seen better days.

"After your father passed," Li Fu explained as they walked, "the family's fortunes declined rapidly. The curse... it took its toll on everything—wealth, power, and even the land itself. The townsfolk believe the estate is haunted, and they avoid it like the plague."

Shen Qing listened quietly, his mind already formulating plans. This estate would be his base of operations, the place where he would rebuild his power. But first, he needed resources—both human and material.

"Are there any loyal retainers left?" Shen Qing asked, glancing at Li Fu.

"A few," Li Fu replied, his voice tinged with sorrow. "But many fled when they believed the curse would claim you as well. The few that remain are those with nowhere else to go, or those who truly believed in your father's vision."

"Gather them," Shen Qing ordered. "I want to see who is left, and what they can offer. We'll begin rebuilding the estate immediately."

Li Fu's eyes widened in surprise at Shen Qing's determination. This was not the weak, frail boy he had cared for all these years. There was a new fire in his eyes, one that Li Fu hadn't seen since the days of the old master.

"Yes, Young Master," Li Fu said, bowing deeply. "I will gather them at once."

As Li Fu hurried away to carry out his orders, Shen Qing stepped outside into the cold, biting wind. The estate grounds were vast, but overgrown with weeds and tangled vines. The once-beautiful gardens were now a wild, untamed wilderness.

But Shen Qing saw potential in this place. With the right cultivation, the land could be restored, the curse contained, and his power regained.

As he stood there, staring out over the neglected grounds, a faint memory from his past life surfaced. It was of his old palace, a grand and magnificent place that had been the envy of all realms. But that palace had been built on deception and betrayal. Here, Shen Qing would build something different—something truly his own.

He closed his eyes, feeling the wind against his face. This world was filled with dangers—demonic beasts, treacherous cultivators, and dark curses. But he had faced greater threats before, and he had been Sovereign for a reason.

This time, he would not be betrayed. This time, he would not be defeated.

And those who sought to challenge him would soon learn that the Sovereign of the Celestial Realm was far from powerless.

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