The family of the Martial King, Xiao Family.
After traveling for several hours, Lin Fei and Xiao Yuchen arrived back at the Xiao residence. Being a family descended from a Martial King, the territories and resources they controlled were vast, likely even surpassing those of the Ancient Origin Sect.
In essence, the families of Martial Kings were akin to individual sects. However, while sects mainly recruited disciples from the outside world, the families of Martial Kings were different. They had no disciples, only descendants who carried the bloodline. Thus, the Xiao family held their bloodline descendants in high regard.
It wasn't necessarily true that stronger parents would produce offspring with stronger bloodlines. Achieving the rank of a Martial King was the only way to pass down a heritage bloodline. The descendants with Martial King's bloodlines were entirely a matter of probability. It was quite common for ordinary descendants of the Xiao family to suddenly have children who awakened the bloodline.
The Xiao family's approach was straightforward. They didn't need to recruit outsiders. They encouraged early marriages among their descendants, especially those with no martial talent, to ensure the continuation of the lineage. The number of offspring one had would even be recorded and used as a criterion for resource allocation. The more offspring produced, the more rewards from the Xiao family.
Ordinary mortals, with their limited lifespans, spent most of their years trying to produce as many descendants as possible. Their only task was to have many children.
Over time, almost everyone in the territories controlled by the Xiao family bore the Xiao surname. But even among the Xiao family members, there were differences in status. Those who awakened their bloodlines would see a massive elevation in their social standing, akin to ascending to the heavens in one step.
For those in the Xiao family who had already awakened their bloodlines, marriage was no longer a pressing issue. The most crucial task was to continue cultivating their awakened bloodlines, aiming to achieve the rank of Martial Sovereign, or even Martial King!
As Lin Fei followed behind Xiao Yuchen, they encountered many members of the Xiao family.
"Greetings, Martial Sovereign!"
Being a Martial Sovereign, Xiao Yuchen held a high status within the family. Everyone who met her would bow respectfully.
"Sovereign Lin, would you like to rest first and visit the Martial King Tower tomorrow?" Xiao Yuchen asked Lin Fei.
"We are both Martial Sovereigns. Why would we need to rest?" Lin Fei responded, "Let's head straight to the Martial King Tower. I want to obtain the Gravity Domain as soon as possible."
Lin Fei shook his head. He didn't need any rest. The journey was trivial for any Martial Sovereign.
"Alright, let's head directly to the Martial King Tower," Xiao Yuchen agreed. She led the way, and they flew straight to the tower.
From a distance, Lin Fei could see the tower. It wasn't particularly tall, having only eight levels. However, this eight-story tower was the core of the Xiao family.
Throughout the journey, Lin Fei felt at least ten pairs of eyes observing him. Most of them likely belonged to other Martial Sovereigns, and some were immensely powerful ones at that. Were it not for Xiao Yuchen leading the way, Lin Fei felt sure that a few of them would have confronted him.
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Soon, they stood at the base of the Martial King Tower, where few people ventured. Only Martial Sovereigns could approach it.
"Aurora Sovereign, you're back at the Martial King Tower," an elderly man with white hair and a beard commented calmly from outside the tower. "Do you plan to attempt it again? Last time, you failed at the very first level. Now, with two Divine Abilities under your belt, you can only attempt the second level."
Xiao Yuchen replied, "Elder, it's not me who wishes to attempt the tower this time. I've invited a friend to try it. According to our family rules, as long as the criteria are met, we, the family's Martial Sovereigns, can invite another Martial Sovereign to attempt the tower on our behalf."
Elder cast a glance at Lin Fei. With a slight smile, he said, "Of course, as long as he meets the basic criteria. But remember, even if you invite someone else, you can only try each level once."
Xiao Yuchen clenched her teeth and said, "I've made up my mind. I want Sovereign Lin to attempt a level for me."
"Very well. Let your Martial Sovereign friend come forward." Elder nodded.
Xiao Yuchen whispered to Lin Fei, "Sovereign Lin, remember our agreement. If you clear the first level, after I return from the Blood Pool, I'll give you the scripture for the Divine Ability: Gravity Domain."
Lin Fei didn't reply and walked towards Elder. The elder eyed him without any significant change in demeanor and said, "Please release your Life Wheel."
With a "boom," Lin Fei unleashed his Life Wheel. A massive Life Wheel emerged behind him, radiating an immense glow. That glow represented a Divine Ability. He had one Divine Ability.
"Hmm? One Divine Ability, yet such overwhelming pressure." Elder's expression tightened slightly.
The Life Wheel was fundamental to a Martial Sovereign. Its strength was determined by the power of its Divine Ability. The stronger the Divine Ability, the more imposing the Life Wheel.
Lin Fei had only one Divine Ability, but when he released his Life Wheel, four or five of the Martial Sovereigns outside the Martial King Tower felt an oppressive weight, as if a mountain had settled on their backs. Clearly, this was the pressure exerted by Lin Fei's Life Wheel.
For a moment, these Martial Sovereigns were taken aback, their eyes filled with astonishment.
"Who is this man? Only one Divine Ability, but so formidable?"
"He's the Martial Sovereign Aurora invited to attempt the Martial King Tower on her behalf."
"But, Martial Sovereigns at our level are usually not as strong as us. Our Martial Sovereigns are basically top-tier. Who could possibly surpass us from the Martial King lineage?"
"I'm not sure, but if Aurora Sovereign invited him, he must be very strong."
"However, whether he can pass the first level of the Martial King Tower remains to be seen."
"The Martial King Tower is incredibly difficult to overcome."
Many of the Xiao family's Martial Sovereigns concurred, shaking their heads. They were well aware of the challenges the tower posed. Inside the tower lay the Blood Pool. Conquering the tower granted one access to this pool, which increased the chances of awakening the Martial King bloodline.
While the Xiao family would love for everyone to have access to the Blood Pool, establishing such pools wasn't easy. Resources couldn't be distributed evenly. Hence, only the best had the privilege of using the Blood Pool.
As to why the Xiao family allowed their members to invite other Martial Sovereigns to attempt the tower, it was likely tied to their method of nurturing the next generation.
"Alright, with one Divine Ability, you may enter the first level of the Martial King Tower. Remember, if you meet a formidable opponent, concede immediately. Otherwise, you might die," Elder cautioned Lin Fei.
Lin Fei nodded in acknowledgment. He then took a step forward, directly entering the first level of the Martial King Tower.
Elder glanced at Lin Fei and then at Aurora Sovereign. Shaking his head slightly, he remarked, "Aurora Sovereign, you should be very clear. Sovereign Lin's Divine Ability may be powerful, but it's impossible for him to conquer the first level of the Martial King Tower. You're wasting an opportunity."
Facing the Elder's well-intentioned advice, Xiao Yuchen revealed a mysterious smile. "Elder, if I weren't confident, why would I have invited Sovereign Lin to attempt the Martial King Tower? My invitation wasn't because of his Divine Ability."
"Other than his Divine Ability, does Sovereign Lin have another means?"
"Of course. Although our Martial King lineage is strong, there are always bigger fish in the sea. Many Martial Sovereigns outside our family might be on par with, or even surpass us."
Xiao Yuchen exuded unwavering confidence, making Elder and the other Martial Sovereigns even more curious. With only one Divine Ability, what other methods could Lin Fei have that would inspire such confidence in Xiao Yuchen?