Using his superb sorcery, he gradually won over his advisors through coercion, bribery, and a combination of kindness and intimidation.
Thus, through his meticulous management, he firmly secured his position as crown prince, like an evil behemoth slowly opening its blood-red maw to devour everything.
In the long and relentless river of time, his original name is like a fallen leaf drifting in the torrent of time.
Gradually, it was washed away and became blurred, eventually being completely forgotten in a corner of his memory.
Looking back, in that quiet and secluded Taoist temple hidden among green mountains and clear waters, his fellow disciples always called him "Shouzhuo".
This name, ever since he was old enough to remember, has been like an inescapable shackle, tightly binding him.
Every time he heard it, it annoyed him; the feeling was like having thorns in his back, making him feel uncomfortable all over.
Why was he the one given the name "Shouzhuo" (守拙, meaning "keeping one's way of being simple"), while the eldest brother was honorably called "Wuzhen" (悟真, meaning "enlightened one")?
Deep down, this was not just a simple difference in naming, but irrefutable evidence of his master's deep-rooted favoritism.
He firmly believed that he possessed extraordinary talent and abilities in many areas, far exceeding those of ordinary people.
Whether it's delving into and comprehending the profound and obscure Taoist arts, or understanding the secrets of each rune and the essence of each incantation, he can quickly grasp and master them.
Whether it was dealing with the complex affairs inside or outside the Taoist temple, he always managed to arrange everything in an orderly manner with his unique insights and decisive methods.
Every time he competed with his senior brothers, whether it was in terms of the exquisite application of Taoist arts or the ability to adapt to situations, he felt that he was shining brightly.
Like the brightest star in the night sky, he deserves more recognition and important positions, to become the future leader of the Taoist temple and lead everyone to glory.
However, his master remained as stubborn as a rock, ignoring his outstanding talent and lofty ambitions, and resolutely refusing to hand over the reins of the Taoist temple to him.
This long-term neglect and alienation was like an incredibly sharp dagger, relentlessly piercing his heart time and time again.
This caused the resentment in his heart to grow wildly and uncontrollably in that dark and damp corner, like weeds on a wasteland.
It gradually distorted his originally pure mind, amplifying the dark side deep within him.
Finally, in a conflict that was so intense it was almost out of control, the anger that had been suppressed in his heart for so long erupted like a volcano that had been dormant for a long time.
It surged forth with overwhelming force, completely overwhelming his mind.
Driven by rage, he completely lost his mind, disregarding the years-long bond between master and disciple, and severely injured his master.
At that moment, the peaceful and serene atmosphere in the Taoist temple was instantly shattered, and sounds of astonishment and lamentation rose and fell, echoing in every corner.
Yet, amidst the shocked, angry, and disappointed gazes of the crowd, he displayed a resolute and ruthless demeanor, like a wounded beast that grew ever more ferocious.
He resolutely left the Taoist temple that held countless beautiful dreams, endless disappointment, pain, and despair of his shattered aspirations.
After leaving the Taoist temple, he felt as if he had entered a completely new world, and at the same time, he embarked on a journey to completely break with the past.
After careful consideration, he gave himself a brand new name—Youjin.
The word "幽" (you) is like a deep, dark, and mysterious corner in the depths of his heart, hiding his unknown desires, hatred, and ambitions.
"Jin" signifies that he wants to let go of everything from the past, whether it be the beautiful aspirations for the future or the disappointment and pain after encountering setbacks.
Those people and things that he hated most were like ashes burned to ashes, vanishing into nothingness in the flames.
Since what I dream of cannot be obtained as I wish.
Then let the whole world, along with his raging anger and despair, be reduced to dust.
A small Taoist temple was already as insignificant as an ant in the face of his ever-expanding ambition, which was like a giant maw that could swallow the sky. He didn't even bother to look at it.
His ambition was like a wild horse, galloping wildly across the vast grasslands.
Like an ever-expanding balloon, it started from that small Taoist temple and rapidly expanded to the entire vast country.
He longed to stand at the pinnacle of power, to become a monarch revered by all and subject to the will of all people, so that everyone could live humbly under his will.
Like a puppet on a string, they were manipulated at will, and the whole world was played with in the palm of his hand.
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