Proposal

When the first rays of sunlight broke in the morning, Alm and Bruno quietly returned to their rooms. The intriguing and surprising discovery of the clan's secrets had adrenaline overpowering fatigue. However, when they sat down on the bed, their massive, corpulent body practically collapsed from exhaustion.

Only two hours of deep sleep passed before they were awakened by the petite maid. The aroma of food roused them fully, their insatiable and persistent hunger ever-present. They tried to ignore it, but when the scent wafted into their nostrils, it became impossible to control.

They devoured an impressive amount of food in record time, but now they were no longer surprised, knowing that it had worsened due to the bloodline having awakened slightly thanks to the system.

"We slept hardly at all, but with the vitality brought by the bloodline, I don't feel any issues," commented Bruno.

"This time, it's much worse. Before, it seemed like we were just unsatisfied. Now, it's as if we haven't eaten anything... that infernal hunger of this fat bastard," replied Alm, clearly affected.

"The issue must be what we're eating. Normal food doesn't have any effect anymore. We have to look for something different. The Behemoth is one of the most primal beasts possible. Maybe eating ore filled with natural Qi is possible?" pondered Bruno.

"We're still human; this bloodline doesn't represent even ten percent of our bodies. It won't work," replied Alm, thinking seriously. 

Bruno pondered a bit. "In the beginning of the universe, there should only be the purest Qi and laws. According to the stories, the Behemoth is the primordial divine beast. Perhaps mystical herbs or more natural things are a way..."

Alm then cut off Bruno's words, saying, "Or the life and death energy of living beings."

"Don't be... hmm... the runes of that formation have this energy," replied Bruno, recalling the feeling from the formation.

Alm had his concerns, though. "Stealing that won't be easy; we don't even have the cultivation for it. I vote for poisoning all the clan cultivators to death, then absorbing their cultivations and fleeing with everything. Think about it. We know plenty of poisons; it shouldn't be hard to create a satisfying mixture."

"There are endless ways that don't involve killing everyone and everything. Don't be an idiot."

"Cowardly bastard, getting in and out of the formation at the entrance was easy. But removing the seventeen spiritual locks within the main formation and escaping with that cultivation is impossible," Alm said furiously.

Bruno didn't care about Alm's complaints. "If we had help like in that other universe... or maybe..." It was then that he remembered something. "You might not have read it, but I analyzed that spiritual technique we gained, the 'Soul Sealing Technique.' The system said it was at the medium level, and it really is equivalent to a technique of the divine realm."

"The lower level is probably something a mortal or ascending planet would have. The medium level is on par with a divine planet. It has 'Soul' in the name, but I'm not sure if it actually uses the mind or soul to do this. Doesn't matter. In short, this technique has great potential; it can seal any type of Qi or energy, as long as it's not entirely physical," Bruno explained calmly.

Alm didn't see where Bruno was coming from. "Why does that matter? We're terrible at it. It would take decades or even hundreds of years of study to fully use it."

Bruno had an idea. "Alone, it will be difficult, but we can find allies, no?"

"What? We've been betrayed more than once, don't you remember? This time, I refuse. I'll rely only on my own power," Alm said, leaving no room for discussion.

"To have reliable allies, we should build an equal relationship. But it will be difficult..." Bruno considered the options. "How about having a disciple?" 

"Disciple..." Memories and strange feelings passed through Alm, but Bruno equally felt everything he felt and remembered, becoming slightly shocked.

Alm immediately remembered the happy and short time he had with his wife. Soon, the pregnancy came, and the dream of seeing that child being born and growing up. A child was something very close to a disciple.

'It seems I hit the nail on the head this time,' Bruno thought, not letting Alm hear. Then he remembered the similar reaction Alm had inside the library and became even more certain.

"Ruri's clan and nation were known for having incredible saber users. I'm not sure, but it seems they are also rare cultivators who use the soul or mind. She's still young and innocent; her future must be bleak without our help. We both stand to gain," Bruno said, trying to convince him.

Alm's face turned weird. "So you truly are a lolicon."

Bruno clenched his fists, incredulous, but he held back his dissatisfaction since he wanted to convince Alm.

Surprisingly, though, Alm didn't completely reject the idea. "The slave seal the patriarch placed doesn't allow her to do anything against him or disobey any order. How do you intend to use her?"

Bruno thought about it and gave an idea. "The Soul Sealing Technique is very complex, but if she has even a modicum of talent, she should be able to seal a part of her own soul in the early stages of understanding it. Sealing just the slave rune won't trigger a reaction the patriarch would notice. What do you think?"

"That's if she's capable. Then... hmm... I have some ideas. This could really work," said Alm with a sinister smile.

"Here you go again with your bloodthirsty ideas. If she's capable, at higher levels, it should be possible to do something with the seventeen seals of the formation. They are made of Qi, after all," Bruno replied.

Both had now reached an agreement. It was a tranquil morning, with the golden rays of the sun streaming through the bedroom windows. The young maid, Ruri, returned after clearing away all the dishes; her job was to serve and accompany her master throughout the day.

Denil always ate as much as he could and then headed out of the clan to the nearby town. Within the clan, he was treated with disdain and rigidity, but outside, Denil was a true Young Master of the Divinestone clan. His reputation was still as terrible as it was in the clan, probably even worse. However, no one would dare to touch a direct descendant from the clan.

Ruri, who had been his personal maid for a few months, was already familiar with his routine. However, in recent days, things have changed completely. He had a look that was sometimes profound, sometimes bloodthirsty, and he would stay in his room looking pensive for various days straight. He had even gone to the library to read before!

It was then, as she returned to the room, that she saw her master gazing at her gently. He was seated near the window, where the sunlight illuminated his face softly, revealing traces of weariness and deep thought. She sensed that something was about to happen. And then she heard the words that she would never forget in her entire life, words that would change everything forever.

"Ruri, we have a proposal."