Inside the jungle.
Two figures stood facing each other.
"Kid, with your current talent, you're probably not much worse than your brother. I knew it. Since one Ancestral Awakener appeared, how could his younger brother not even have Bloodline talent? It seems your Ancestral Awakening just happened a bit later."
Qi Ning looked at Lin Sheng, rubbing her smooth chin as she spoke with some emotion.
At this moment, she looked like a young woman in her early twenties, with fair skin all over and delicate features. Anyone who saw her at a glance would probably never guess that she was a genuine God-Form martial artist.
Lin Sheng had long been accustomed to Qi Ning's changing appearance.
Her codename in the Dark Star Organization was Thousand Faces, clearly indicating she was extremely skilled in disguise techniques.
Even now, he didn't know what Qi Ning's true face was. Every time they met, her appearance was vastly different from before.
Upon hearing her words, Lin Sheng's heart stirred, and a hint of doubt appeared on his face.
"Ancestral Awakener?"
He softly murmured the name. This was the first time he had heard it.
"Yes, Ancestral Awakener is a term for a monstrous talent like you. Bloodline potential, to some extent, represents the Aptitude and upper limit of martial cultivation. Those with considerable Bloodline potential generally possess Bloodline talent."
Seeing Lin Sheng's interest, Qi Ning smiled slightly and began to explain.
"These Bloodline talents include effects like increasing strength or speed, or abilities like burrowing into the earth or diving into the sea, depending on one's specific Bloodline talent. Among the outstanding individuals with considerable Bloodline potential, that is, among the top-tier geniuses, a very small number can completely awaken their own Bloodline, thereby gaining an extremely exaggerated increase in power."
She paused here, her gaze falling on Lin Sheng.
"The fact that you, at the Blood Transportation Realm, can achieve what you have now means you have successfully undergone Ancestral Awakening. Otherwise, you absolutely could not have erupted with such power. However, you must remember that although you can unleash extremely powerful strength after awakening your Bloodline, it puts a severe burden on yourself."
A serious expression appeared on Qi Ning's face.
"You are only at the Blood Transportation Realm, but the power you possess after Ancestral Awakening is not weak. There are not many in the Bone Transformation Realm who can pose a threat to you.
Looking at it this way, you should barely be considered a peerless-grade Ancestral Awakener. However, you must be careful not to easily activate your Bloodline for Ancestral Awakening in the future. You are only at the Blood Transportation Realm now. The fact that your Physical Body didn't collapse after completely activating your Bloodline for Ancestral Awakening already shows your Physique is strong."
"If you activate your Bloodline for Ancestral Awakening multiple times, even if your Physical Body doesn't collapse, your spirit will be affected by beastiality, and then there will be no turning back from beast transformation."
"I understand." Qi Ning revealed a lot of information, most of which he had never encountered before. However, feeling the tone of caution in her words, Lin Sheng nodded readily.
He still had some questions. Taking advantage of the opportunity, he simply asked them directly.
"Senior, you just said I could be considered a peerless-grade Ancestral Awakener. Are Ancestral Awakeners also divided into Ranks?"
"That is indeed the case. Although Ancestral Awakeners are extremely rare, Northern Yan has such a large population, so there are naturally distinctions among Ancestral Awakeners."
Qi Ning seemed to have anticipated Lin Sheng's question and spoke frankly.
"Above top-tier Bloodline potential are Ancestral Awakeners. From low to high, they can be judged as Outstanding, Peerless, and World-Shaking. These three Ranks, in addition to the degree of compatibility between oneself and the Bloodline, are mainly divided based on one's ancestral lineage."
"The fact that you can unleash such power and have physical changes after Ancestral Awakening suggests your ancestral lineage should be some kind of dragon-like exotic beast, and its strength should be at the level of a demonic beast."
"So that's how it is."
Hearing this, a look of realization appeared on Lin Sheng's face.
What he had displayed now was indeed similar to an Ancestral Awakener.
"Do you want to go to the Dark Star headquarters? I can take you there. With your talent, maybe you can be favored by one of the Dark Star Envoys. At that time, you'll have struck it rich."
At this moment, Qi Ning suddenly spoke as if she had thought of something.
"Dark Star Envoy..." A hint of interest appeared on Lin Sheng's face, but he quickly shook his head slightly.
"Forget it, I prefer freedom. Let's talk about this another time."
"Alright, in that case, I won't try to persuade you further. Then you be careful yourself in the Congyun Mountains. I still have a lot of things to handle during this time. If you need any help, you can find Huang Quan."
After speaking, without giving Lin Sheng time to reply, Qi Ning's figure suddenly vanished from the spot.
Even with his perception, he didn't sense it.
Clearly, Qi Ning's stealth ability was extremely powerful, and she was likely far from weak even among God-Form martial artists.
Thinking this, he had no intention of staying. His figure quickly disappeared into the mountain forest.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
On an inconspicuous low peak.
"Damn it, this damned bastard, how dare he attack us and even kill Elder Meng directly... He's simply unforgivable..."
On Pei Er's thin, shriveled face, his features were squeezed together, full of anger.
"Young Master, that kid is simply ungrateful. It seems we were too lenient with him before."
As he spoke, his gaze fell on Wan Yanbei beside him.
At this moment, Wan Yanbei's face was full of complexity. His gaze was fixed on the dense mountain forest below, wondering what he was thinking. After a long while, he finally spoke.
"We all underestimated this child too much. This child hides very deeply and is absolutely not an ordinary person. This time I misjudged. I didn't expect him to have such strength."
"Yes, Young Master, who would have thought that he, a mere Blood Transportation Realm cultivator, could achieve this step? It's truly somewhat unimaginable. I think this kid is likely disguised by some old expert skilled in disguise techniques."
Pei Er nodded in agreement. He couldn't help but think of the first time he fought with the other party back then. At that time, the other party's strength was very strong, but it was definitely not to such an exaggerated degree.
"Not so." Wan Yanbei shook his head slightly.
"If he were really disguised by some famous expert, with such strength, why would he bother to remain dormant in the Seven Forms Sect all this time, and even expose himself for some Seven Forms Sect remnants?"
"This child's Blood Transportation Realm cultivation should not be fake. The reason he possesses such formidable strength is likely because he is an Ancestral Awakener."
"Ancestral Awakener!!"
Hearing this, Pei Er's eyes widened, his face full of surprise. However, he quickly realized it too.
Although his strength wasn't strong, having followed Wan Yanbei for many years, the secrets he knew were far beyond what ordinary people could compare to, and he naturally knew some information about Ancestral Awakeners.
"I didn't expect this child to be an Ancestral Awakener..."
"That's right, he has probably exceeded the scope of the Outstanding grade."
Wan Yanbei let out a heavy breath, his face full of emotion.
But soon, the emotion dissipated, replaced by a cold smile.
"But so what? I have already notified Elder Tong. It won't be long before Elder Tong should be able to bring Lin Sheng back."
"Elder Tong is back!?"
A look of surprise appeared on Pei Er's face.
"That's right. To be safe, I sent a message to Elder Tong a few days ago, fearing the situation would develop to this point."
"That's great. As expected of Young Master's brilliant foresight. With Elder Tong taking action, no matter how rampant that kid is, he can only obediently surrender."
Hearing Pei Er's flattering words, a smile appeared on Wan Yanbei's face, and the trace of gloom that had lingered in his heart completely dissipated.
"It's even better if this child is an Ancestral Awakener. As long as he can be trained into a Shadow, and after I comprehend the Ninth Stance and merge his Bloodline, my achievements might far exceed expectations, and reaching the Peerless grade won't be a difficult matter..."
"Your subordinate is impressed..." After listening, Pei Er couldn't help but flatter him again.
"Calculating the time, Elder Tong should be back soon."
As Wan Yanbei spoke, he felt a green sword light rapidly approaching from a distance. His eyes lit up, a look of joy appeared on his face, and he clapped his hands together.
"He's back!"
The green sword light was extremely fast, arriving in front of the two in just a few breaths.
However, upon seeing only Elder Tong, both were startled.
Especially Elder Tong, who looked quite disheveled at the moment. The hair ornament neatly tied behind his head was long gone, his entire head of silver hair was singed, and his aura was turbulent, looking like he had suffered a great loss.
"Elder Tong, what happened? What happened?"
Wan Yanbei couldn't help but ask.
"I miscalculated. That kid actually has a God-Form expert behind him, and their strength might even be above mine. They launched a sneak attack on me. If I hadn't reacted quickly, I might have been seriously injured on the spot. Coupled with that kid, the situation was a bit dangerous."
Elder Tong shook his head slightly, a solemn look on his face, seemingly still feeling some lingering fear.
"What... That kid actually has a God-Form expert behind him, and their strength is above yours? How is that possible!!?"
Pei Er couldn't help but exclaim.
Although Wan Yanbei wasn't as flustered, his expression was also quite grim.
After seeing Lin Sheng unleash such formidable strength, he was already shocked. He never expected that the other party actually had a God-Form martial artist backing him.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but clench his fists.
He had never felt so powerless before.
"How could this happen!?" Wan Yanbei muttered.
"This child is very likely a Genius secretly cultivated by some major force. It's best we don't target him in the future."
Elder Tong noticed his expression, sighed, and spoke slowly.
"I understand." Wan Yanbei took a deep breath and responded heavily.
"Young Master, the candidate for the Shadow can be changed. Also, over in the Yunshui Mountains, there's been a lot of commotion, and people from the Imperial Court's Divine Craftsmen Department are in charge. It can basically be confirmed that there should still be a god seed there. In my opinion, we should focus our energy there first and find a way to obtain the god seed."
"Alright, let's do as Elder Tong suggests."
Wan Yanbei responded softly.
He took one last look at the vast and boundless Congyun Mountains, then turned and left.
...
Time flew like a white steed passing a crevice; two days had passed in the blink of an eye.
Although there were only a few survivors in the Congyun Mountains, what happened there still leaked out, immediately causing a huge uproar throughout the entire Linjiang Prefecture.
Lin Sheng's name was once again pushed to the peak, and his name was known to everyone in the entire Linjiang Prefecture.
Especially the rumors that the Tianxiang Sword Sect suffered heavy losses. Not only did the Sect's Elder, the renowned Wu Xing Sword Shi Hui, die, but even the Sect's Jianzi cultivated for many years, Ouyang Lengshui, also did not come out. The Tianxiang Sword Sect's eight famous swords, Blazing Light and Cold Frost, were all lost.
And the Yuanyang Beast Sect also suffered considerable losses. Although Elder Tian Sanye and Young Master Mu Zhong returned safely, the high-level Spirit Beast they had cultivated for many years did not make it out.
As for the Prefecture Yamen, they also suffered a great loss. More than a dozen Silver Badge Constables were killed or injured, Wei Bo, known as the number one Silver Badge Constable in Linjiang Prefecture, was severely wounded, and the Prefecture Yamen's Genius, Liu Tianci, was severely wounded.
In just one night, besides the Situ Family, the top geniuses of the Linjiang Prefecture, one died and two were injured.
Heavenly Sword Peak.
"Issue the order. Lin Sheng of the Seven Forms Sect is on the kill list. Those who provide information can enter Heavenly Sword Peak for cultivation and will be rewarded with five million taels of silver."
The Tianxiang Sword Sect quickly issued a wanted order. Immediately, all the Sect's experts were dispatched, heading straight for the Congyun Mountains. Even the Tianxiang Sword Sect's Grand Elder, a true God-Form martial artist, personally descended the mountain. One must know that besides the Sect Master, this Grand Elder had not left Sword Peak for ten years.
The Tianxiang Sword Sect's strong reaction undoubtedly confirmed the truth of the rumors.
The Yuanyang Beast Sect and the Prefecture Yamen also closely followed suit, each issuing high-reward bounty orders. Although not as high as the former, they doubled the original bounty amount.
With the top forces of Linjiang Prefecture issuing such high bounties, the number of respondents this time was significantly less than before. Clearly, people were not foolish.
Being able to achieve this step proved that Lin Sheng's strength was extremely terrifying.
Not many people were willing to risk their lives for that illusory and dangerous possibility.
...
Yunshui Mountains.
Bo Peak.
"So only the two of you ran back."
Wan Jianghai's eyes narrowed slightly as he calmly watched Wei Bo and Liu Tianci kneeling before him.
At this moment, both of them still had some burn marks on their bodies and were hanging their heads low.
"Divine Constable, this child's strength far exceeds imagination. He is not someone we can deal with. In my subordinate's opinion, he is very likely an Ancestral Awakener."
After a pause, Wei Bo spoke hurriedly.
"Ancestral Awakener?" Wan Jianghai's narrowed eyes relaxed, and he slapped them both.
Wei Bo and Liu Tianci were sent flying directly, falling heavily to the ground.
"So what if he's an Ancestral Awakener? With so many people, you couldn't even take down a mere Blood Transportation Realm cultivator. It's simply a disgrace to the Imperial Court. If there's a next time, don't blame this Divine Constable for being ruthless. Get out."
After speaking, Wan Jianghai flicked his large sleeve and walked towards Bo Peak, clearly not focusing his main energy on the two of them.
Soon, his figure had reached the vicinity of Bo Peak.
Though called a peak, what stood before them was a massive deep pit. Looking down, it seemed bottomless, extending unknown miles downwards.
Rumble—
Loud noises occasionally came from the deep pit.
Duan Heng stood at the edge of the pit, holding a metal disk in his hand, occasionally frowning and then relaxing, while giving loud commands.
Below, there were dedicated personnel responsible for relaying messages.
"Fifty zhang to the left, release five hundred catties of Divine Fire Bombs..."
"How is it going?"
Wan Jianghai's voice sounded from the side. Duan Heng was startled, but he was already used to his superior's unpredictable appearance. He immediately composed himself and spoke respectfully.
"Divine Constable Wan, things are going much smoother than I imagined. There will be results soon..."
Just as he was speaking, a subordinate rushed up from below, his face full of joy.
"Divine Craftsman Duan, there's a change... The mineral structure below has changed..."
A look of wild joy immediately appeared on Duan Heng's face.
"Divine Constable Wan, we can see the result today..."