Bloodlines

Chapter Eighteen: Bloodlines

As the challenges concluded, the Sovereign addressed the remaining ten participants, stating, "Now that the challenges are over, a group of guards will accompany you to your respective residences and explain the rules in the Cave of the Fallen Geniuses."

He then turned his attention to Tian Phai and the others and added, "As for you, come with me."

In an instant, a mysterious force enveloped Tian Phai and the group, transporting them to an entirely different location.

Tian Phai sensed an overwhelming power surrounding him, making him feel insignificant. In its presence, the dragon his predecessor had faced seemed no more than an insect.

They found themselves standing beside a pool of crimson liquid resembling blood, which caught their attention.

Ignoring their confusion, the Sovereign spoke, "Welcome to the Ancestral Blood Blessing."

"I don't expect you to understand the significance of the Ancestral Blood Blessing, but even a single drop of this blessing is a tremendous gift. It has the power to restore bloodlines up to the fortieth generation!"

The Sovereign then recalled something and continued, "Oh, I almost forgot. I sealed your memories, so you don't know about your bloodline." He waved his hand, and a gentle light spread across the foreheads of each child.

Touching their foreheads, the children looked at the Sovereign, awaiting his explanation.

"I have unsealed your memories. Once you awaken your bloodline, your ancestral lineage will be revealed," the Sovereign declared.

At this moment, a plain-looking girl named Putong Megui raised her hand, seeking clarification.

The Sovereign allowed her to speak, and she asked, "Why were our memories sealed, Sovereign?"

The Sovereign regarded her with a grandfatherly gaze and replied, "During the first stage of the cave, emotions such as hatred, revenge, and longing for loved ones helped you overcome the tests, but they also limited your ambitions. By sealing those memories, I wanted to assess your personal capabilities without those influences."

Without giving the children a chance to respond, the Sovereign continued, "Now, all of you must enter the Ancestors Blood Pool and remain until your bloodline fully awakens. Don't worry if your bloodline is initially low, as there are ways to elevate it."

He then explained the different grades of bloodline, starting from the lowest—Human grade—and progressing through Profound, Earthly, Heavenly, and Sacred grades, with each grade having its own subdivisions.

Sa Dan, the calmest among the group, spoke up, asking, "What is your bloodline grade, Sovereign?"

The Sovereign appeared surprised for a moment but suppressed his laughter, saying, "Currently, my bloodline is at the Sovereign grade, surpassing even the Sacred grade." He paused, looking at the children, and added, "Don't be disheartened if your bloodline awakens at a lower grade. When my bloodline first awakened, it was only a low-grade Heavenly Bloodline. Now, let's end the conversation and enter the Ancestors Blood Pool."

Following the Sovereign's instructions, the children stepped into the Ancestors Blood Pool one by one.

Upon entry, they felt a slight pressure, and the voice of the Sovereign resounded, "Do not fear. I forgot to mention that as you delve deeper into the pool, the pressure will increase."

Tian Phai experienced a familiar sensation, similar to what he felt when facing the dragon and the Sovereign earlier.

As he ventured deeper into the Ancestors Blood Pool, the feeling intensified until he heard a voice whisper in his ear, "You're fortunate, boy, to find yourself in this place."

"You're the voice I heard before," Tian Phai whispered in response.

Fortunately, no one was around to overhear his words.

"No need to speak aloud, boy. Just communicate within your mind, and I will hear you. Only you can hear me," the voice confirmed.

Tian Phai calmed down and pondered for a moment before asking, "Are you my bloodline?"

"Oh, now you're thinking properly, boy. Seems like you're not entirely dim-witted," the voice replied with a touch of arrogance.

Tian Phai felt a tinge of displeasure at the haughty tone but persisted, "Do all bloodlines possess consciousness like yours?"

"Certainly not, boy. But my existence serves a purpose, which you will discover in due time. For now, focus on reaching the depths of the Ancestors Blood Pool to fully awaken your bloodline. Along the way, I will enlighten you about your bloodline," the voice explained.

"The bloodline you're about to awaken was created by me and is known as the Hegemonic Sun Moon bloodline. In a low-level realm, I was a genius without any bloodline, but through sheer force and effort, I ascended to the pinnacle. My martial arts prowess and the essence of my life culminated in the formidable Hegemonic Sun Moon bloodline you witness today. With this bloodline, I displayed my genius, swiftly surpassing martial realms, and attained glory, wealth, and power. However, my journey eventually met its end, and I died without any of my descendants awakening the bloodline. But now, with your arrival, you have a splendid opportunity to bring the Hegemonic Sun Moon bloodline back into the light."

"Initially, the awakening of the Hegemonic Sun Moon bloodline manifested as a low-grade Heavenly grade. Considering your modest bloodline, I expected nothing more than a Human-grade awakening. However, due to the events and progress you witnessed within the cave, it is possible for you to awaken at a high-grade Profound grade. Moreover, with the aid of the Ancestral Blood Blessing, you may even attain a low-grade Heavenly Race."

As the voice spoke, Tian Phai finally reached the bottom of the Ancestors Blood Pool.

In that moment, Tian Phai's blood surged and boiled within his body.

The voice within Tian Phai whispered, "Let the fun begin!"

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