"I need wind-attribute Divine Ability." Lin Fei declared, "All the Wind Dao Divine Abilities shall merge with my Wind Dao Bloodline. The bloodline is unending, and you will be eternal!"
Upon entering the Xiao family's Divine Ability Tower, Lin Fei did not hesitate and immediately began integrating numerous Divine Abilities.
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh."
Beams of light entered Lin Fei's body. Each beam represented a wind-attributed Divine Ability. The Xiao family, being descendants of Martial Kings, had an enormous collection of Divine Abilities. Thus, Lin Fei could freely integrate a vast number of them. One by one, the Divine Abilities continuously merged with Lin Fei's Grand Yin Wind Dao Bloodline.
Simultaneously, Lin Fei's Grand Yin Wind Dao Bloodline was rapidly advancing in its cultivation progress. 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%... It was visibly increasing at a rapid pace. Suddenly, Lin Fei trembled. His Grand Yin Wind Dao Bloodline advanced from mastery to transcendence. But this wasn't enough for Lin Fei. He continued to integrate Wind Dao Divine Abilities, aiming to perfect his Grand Yin Wind Dao Bloodline.
...
Inside the city of the Xiao family, a man in black robes leisurely strolled the streets. He gazed at the distant Xiao residence and then looked around, shaking his head slightly.
"The Xiao family, still the same, stagnant like a pool of still water. At the rate they're awakening their bloodline's Divine Abilities, they'll never birth another Martial King in their lifetime. It's such a pity. I once shone brilliantly and was immensely talented, initially seen as a Martial King seed. However, due to a minor mistake, I was expelled from the Xiao family. Such foolishness! Now, I've returned to claim what's rightfully mine."
The man in the gray robe showed a faint smile. With one step, he arrived directly at the Xiao residence.
"Halt, unauthorized personnel cannot enter the Xiao family grounds!" A guard from the Xiao family stepped up to stop him.
"Bang."
With a casual wave of his hand and a faint smile on his face, the Xiao family guard instantly exploded into a mist of blood. The man reached out, drawing the guard's bloodline essence into his body. He closed his eyes, savoring the feeling. "Such a familiar sensation, the bloodline of the Xiao family. Since the Xiao family once stopped me, I'll start with them now to reclaim everything."
Continuing forward, he was challenged, "Who are you?"
"Bang."
Any Xiao family members he encountered, whether ordinary family members or Martial Saints and Martial Sovereigns, instantly exploded, turning into mists of blood. In a short time, the entire Xiao family area was filled with the scent of blood.
Such a commotion couldn't possibly go unnoticed by the Xiao family.
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh."
One by one, Martial Sovereigns flew out, positioning themselves in front of the man in the black robe.
The man in the black robe had ceased his advance. He observed the figures before him with great interest. Most of the silhouettes were unfamiliar to him, with only one or two resonating with recognition.
"Who are you? Why have you trespassed upon the Xiao household, committing such a grave act of slaughter?"
The Martial Sovereign of the Xiao clan posed the question with a tone of grave authority. The Xiao clan wasn't known for their amiability. But this robed man, his presence was both regal and eerily enigmatic. His methods of execution were beyond comprehension; with a mere flick of his finger, whether it be a Martial Saint or a Martial Sovereign, they would combust instantly.
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Such power made even the Xiao clan's Martial Sovereign tread with utmost caution.
"Has it been over eight hundred years and none recognize me?" the cloaked figure mused coldly. "It's disappointing that in all these centuries, only a handful of Martial Sovereigns have emerged from the Xiao clan."
The man in the black robe shook his head, his gaze growing colder.
"Wait! Eight hundred years ago... You're Xiao Tianling!" exclaimed an ancient Martial Sovereign, eyes widened in disbelief, his gaze fixated intently on the robed figure.
"At last, someone remembers," the figure, identified as Xiao Tianling, said indifferently. "But I do not recognize you."
The elderly sovereign trembled. "Eight centuries ago, I was merely a martial saint. Xiao Tianling, you've returned and you're alive. You should've passed the millennium limit..."
The Martial Sovereign was visibly shaken. He knew of a secretive tale from the Xiao family's past. Xiao Tianling, the clan's Martial Sovereign from eight centuries ago, was heralded as a prodigious talent. He was even regarded as the prime candidate to achieve the title of Martial King.
However, it was a tragic tale, as Xiao Tianling had delved into forbidden arts. He covertly captured Martial Sovereigns from other Martial King families, aiming to extract and integrate their bloodlines to elevate himself.
Such actions epitomized the dark arts.
If he had succeeded, it wouldn't have mattered. Once he achieved the title of Martial King, none could challenge him, and he could have easily left the Xiao clan. But before Xiao Tianling's plan came to fruition, he was discovered by other Martial King families. The Xiao clan prepared to execute him in light of his egregious actions. The act of capturing heirs from other Martial King families and extracting their bloodlines was an unforgivable transgression.
When the Xiao clan prepared to execute Xiao Tianling, they did not expect that he had already prepared a Nascent Soul magic treasure. Its origins were unknown. This magic treasure was single-use, and any martial artist could wield its power. In a brief moment, the heavens shattered, and the earth split. Xiao Tianling was gravely injured, yet he managed to escape.
In the subsequent years, other Martial King families dispatched assassins, but to no avail. As centuries passed, no trace of Xiao Tianling was found. And given that he had exceeded the millennial age limit, his death seemed inevitable. Over time, his name faded from memory.
Yet Xiao Tianling had now returned, very much alive. The millennium limit was a boundary none could elude. It signaled certain death unless one achieved the title of Martial King.
The Martial Sovereign of the Xiao Clan swiftly conveyed all the known information about Xiao Tianling into the ears of the other Martial Sovereigns, explaining the entire situation. For a moment, all the Martial Sovereigns of the Xiao Clan were visibly alarmed.
Xiao Yuchen felt a tumultuous storm raging within her heart. A certain possibility surfaced in her mind, one that was shared by the other Martial Sovereigns as well.
"Xiao Tianling... have you... have you become a Martial King?" Xiao Yuchen hesitantly asked. Even though the idea seemed inconceivable, it was seemingly the only plausible explanation.
With a swift motion, Xiao Tianling shifted his gaze to Xiao Yuchen, giving a slight nod. "Indeed, are you envious?" he remarked. "Back then, I was like a hunted dog, constantly on the run and in hiding, thinking my end was near. But as they say, every cloud has a silver lining. Fate allowed me to survive and stumble upon the bloodline of a king-level exotic beast."
He laughed heartily, "It was a desperate situation, filled with danger. By integrating the bloodline of this king-level exotic beast, I miraculously managed to become a Martial King."
It was as everyone had feared; Xiao Tianling had truly become a Martial King. The revelation weighed heavily on everyone's hearts. Under normal circumstances, the emergence of a Martial King within the Xiao Clan would have been a cause for celebration. But with Xiao Tianling... this might be more of a curse than a blessing.
"Xiao Tianling," began the Martial Sovereign of the Xiao Clan, "Having become a Martial King is your own fortune. But why have you returned to the Xiao Clan, causing so much devastation? Regardless of your path, the blood of the Xiao Clan still runs through your veins."
Xiao Tianling laughed again, "Indeed, I will always remember the Xiao Clan bloodline that flows within me. That's why I have returned. I have perfected one bloodline, and for my second bloodline, I've chosen the one from the Xiao Clan that exists within me. I've come back to harness the Xiao bloodline from all of you, to achieve my second Martial King bloodline. This should be an honor for all of you."
His words sent a wave of shock and horror across the faces of the Xiao Clan members. They realized the sinister truth: Xiao Tianling was here to extract the Martial King bloodline from the Xiao descendants, aiming to complete his second bloodline.