The Rise of the Fallen Prodigy

Aldrich's sigh from the bottom of his heart made the members of the Smith family present feel a bit melancholy.

Indeed, five years ago, Liam Smith's talent was obvious to all. He was truly unique in the entire Silvermoon Valley and had every possibility of becoming a master in the Aetheric Pinnacle Realm, or even a peerless master beyond the Aetheric Pinnacle Realm.

Although Nathaniel Smith's natural talent was a bit better than that of an average disciple, compared with Liam Smith, he paled in comparison.

However, that was Liam Smith five years ago. Now, Liam Smith was just seen as a waste by the clan members, and the brilliance he had five years ago was long gone.

Most of the elders present could only sigh.

A few elders cast their glances at Liam Smith behind Theodore Smith, showing a hint of displeasure.

Especially Cassian Smith, whose eyes seemed to be ablaze as he looked at Liam Smith.

Of course, the most unhappy and depressed one was still Nathaniel Smith.

Over the past five years, he had finally managed to stand out from under Liam Smith's shadow and had his own "glory". But he never expected that in Aldrich's words, he was still far behind Liam Smith.

Although he understood that Aldrich was talking about Liam Smith five years ago, now Liam Smith seemed to have regained his talent, and his cultivation speed was far beyond that of an average disciple. This made Nathaniel Smith feel a bit worried.

At the same time, his hatred for Liam Smith deepened once again. He clenched his fists, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

In fact, the most innocent person was Liam Smith. He hadn't said a word or done anything, but he was unexpectedly dragged into the situation for no reason. Suddenly, he became the center of attention.

"Old man, even if you want to praise me, you should do it privately.Now, I'm really depressed because of this.," Liam Smith thought as he glanced at Aldrich sitting in the main seat.

Liam Smith didn't say anything. Facing the gazes of the others, he focused on his own nose and heart, pretending not to see anything. Occasionally, he even pretended to look up at the ceiling.

On the other hand, Theodore Smith seemed a bit excited. He laughed heartily, glanced at Cassian Smith with a long face, and taunted, "Did you hear that? Compared with Liam Smith, Nathaniel Smith is far behind."

Cassian Smith snorted coldly and said, "What's there to be proud of? Master Mu was just talking about Liam Smith five years ago."

"Are the two elders going to continue arguing?" Caspian Smith in the main seat said with a cold tone.

Theodore Smith had been about to say something more, but he had to hold his words back.

Aldrich sighed to himself, "Counting carefully, I haven't seen Liam Smith for five years. I wonder how he's doing now?"

As soon as Aldrich said this, most of the people present were slightly surprised, and even Liam Smith beside him was a bit shocked. He cast his gaze at Aldrich, never expecting that the other person had already met him five years ago.

"Thank you, Master Mu, for your concern. Liam Smith is doing well now," Caspian Smith smiled and said.

Nodding to show he understood, Aldrich sighed again and said, "What a pity."

Caspian Smith also nodded in agreement secretly. If Liam Smith hadn't had that incident five years ago, he would definitely be the number one among the younger generation in the Silvermoon Valley, and the status of the Smith family in the Silvermoon Valley would also rise to become the number one family in the Silvermoon Valley. After all, if a disciple had the potential to become a master in the Aetheric Pinnacle Realm, the prestige of the family would naturally increase.

"Maybe he did something extremely evil that angered the heavens," Nathaniel Smith sneered.

"Hmph." Theodore Smith looked very unhappy and rebuked, "Is it your turn to speak here?"

Theodore Smith's words left Nathaniel Smith speechless. Although Cassian Smith wanted to help, he could only remain silent at this moment.

After all, the family rules of the Smith family were there. As a younger disciple, one had no right to speak at the family assembly. If an elder didn't specifically ask you to speak, it would be regarded as an act of presumption.

Nathaniel Smith didn't want to end up being punished by the family just for a moment of pleasure. That would be a great loss.

"Hehe." Cassian Smith suddenly cast his gaze at Liam Smith and said, "Liam Smith, now everyone is talking about you. Are you still going to keep silent?"

Cassian Smith's purpose was obvious. He wanted Liam Smith to stand up now, and then he could mock him a few times, which could be regarded as revenge on Theodore Smith and venting his anger for both Nathaniel Smith and himself.

"Hmm?" Aldrich's face froze in the main seat, and he asked, "Is Liam Smith here too?"

Seeing the puzzled look in Aldrich's eyes, Caspian Smith naturally nodded and said, "Yes, Liam Smith is standing behind the Third Elder now."

"Oh?" Aldrich turned his head and cast his gaze towards Liam Smith.

Feeling Aldrich's somewhat complicated gaze, Liam Smith still couldn't understand why this guy cared so much about him. After thinking carefully, he really didn't have much impression.

"Liam Smith, why don't you come out and greet Master Mu?" Caspian Smith said in a solemn voice.

"Yes." Liam Smith also wanted to figure out why Aldrich was so interested in him at this moment. Now that the clan leader had given the order, it was a good opportunity for him to speak.

He quickly walked to the middle of the hall, clasped his fists and saluted Aldrich, saying, "Your junior, Liam Smith, greets Master Mu."

A trace of joy flashed in Aldrich's eyes. He carefully examined Liam Smith and said, "Liam Smith? Is it really you?"

Several black lines appeared on Liam Smith's forehead. He thought to himself, "Old man, is there any need to be so surprised? I don't have three heads and six arms. Besides, your appearance makes it easy for people to misunderstand the relationship between us."

After examining him, Aldrich nodded in praise and said, "Good. I didn't expect that after five years, you've grown into a young man. You're handsome and tall. I can hardly recognize you."

Liam Smith was even more confused. Aldrich's words made it seem as if they were very familiar with each other, but Liam Smith really didn't have much impression.

However, the first moment he entered the hall, Liam Smith also felt a bit familiar. Now, Liam Smith's curiosity swelled rapidly, and he was eager to know what connection there was between this Aldrich in front of him and himself.

"Master Mu, your praise is too much. I really don't deserve it," Liam Smith said insincerely.

After the joy of their reunion after a long separation, Aldrich seemed to think of something. His face showed a bit of pity, and he said, "After being apart for five years, have you been doing well these years?"

"Thank you, Master Mu, for your concern. I've been fine here," Liam Smith replied.

"That's good," Aldrich nodded and said in a low voice.

After a pause, he asked again, "Do you still recognize me?"

"Uh, I don't have any impression," Liam Smith said truthfully.

But as soon as he said this, Caspian Smith and Theodore Smith were a bit flustered, as if they were afraid that Aldrich would get angry.

Theodore Smith pretended to be angry and scolded, "Liam Smith, don't talk nonsense. Master Mu has a close relationship with you."

A close relationship? Liam Smith was slightly surprised.

"It doesn't matter," Aldrich seemed very easy to talk to. He smiled and said, "He was young at that time. It's understandable that he might have really forgotten."

"Thank you, Master Mu, for your understanding," Theodore Smith bowed slightly and said.

Liam Smith wasn't stupid either. Even if he really didn't know in his heart, he still had to put on a show on the surface.

So he clasped his fists towards Aldrich and said, "Please forgive me, Master Mu. I'm rather dull. Although I have a bit of an impression in my mind, it's very vague. May I ask, Master Mu, what exactly is the relationship between you and me?"

"I didn't expect you, kid, to have forgotten even me," Aldrich said with a half-smile. "I almost became your master."

"My master?" Liam Smith opened his mouth wide, looking disbelieving.

"Yes," Theodore Smith interrupted. "Five years ago, Master Mu saw that you had excellent talent and intended to choose you as his closed-door disciple. Some of the elixirs you took before were all given by Master Mu."

"Master Mu has shown you a great deal of kindness. You should keep it in mind," Caspian Smith said in a somewhat complicated tone.

Keep it in mind? Kindness? All these lofty words were nothing but words to please Aldrich.

After being slightly shocked for a moment, Liam Smith came back to his senses. The reason why he didn't eventually become Aldrich's disciple was obvious. It was nothing more than that when his cultivation stopped progressing and his talent disappeared completely, he didn't reach the realm that Aldrich had expected.

To put it bluntly, Aldrich's kindness to him in the past was based on his outstanding talent.

No wonder he didn't have much impression of Aldrich. Five years ago, most of those who changed their attitude according to the situation had been deleted from Liam Smith's memory. Moreover, he hadn't seen Aldrich in the past five years and hadn't even heard of him. It was reasonable that he had forgotten.

Now, after hearing what the others said, Liam Smith really remembered -

Five years ago, at the most glorious moment of his life, various forces in the Silvermoon Valley were busy befriending the Smith family. Many powerful people came to get close to him.

Even some forces or individuals outside the Silvermoon Valley who had connections with the Smith family suddenly became very attentive.

Not surprisingly, Aldrich was one of these people.

Liam Smith remembered that at that time, Aldrich had talked with him alone a few times. But at that time, he was only focused on cultivation, and since there were many people visiting him every day, he didn't pay much attention.

He never expected to meet Aldrich again today. Liam Smith also found it hard to believe that Aldrich, a dignified fourth Class Pharmacist, had such a connection with him.

Strictly speaking, Aldrich was an old acquaintance of his.

Although in the end, because of his abnormal talent, Aldrich didn't accept him as a disciple, Liam Smith wouldn't blame him. After all, in that situation, as long as one wasn't out of one's mind, one would choose to stay away from him. He would have done the same thing if he were in Aldrich's position.

Now, Liam Smith also understood the meaning behind Caspian Smith's complicated look. What else could it be but a sigh of regret?

Five years ago, Aldrich was already a fourth Class Pharmacist, which was a powerful ally for the Smith family.

The elders of the Smith family had thought that it was a certainty that Liam Smith would become Aldrich's disciple. And with Liam Smith's talent, if he could receive Aldrich's guidance, his art of refining elixirs alone could reach Aldrich's level, or perhaps even higher.

At that time, the Smith family could definitely be regarded as the number one family in the Silvermoon Valley, and it would also be the most glorious moment in the Smith family's thousands of years of history.

Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned, and this dream eventually came to nothing.