Ignoring the envious whispers around him, Lu Shen couldn't suppress his excitement. He had awakened a top-grade bloodline, and to make it even better, he had gained a powerful bloodline ability, "Inferno Strike." No matter what others said, he understood the true potential of his own strength.
Meanwhile, Tangsu Ming clenched his fists. He knew that anyone who awakened a top-grade bloodline would receive immense attention from teachers and students. Lu Shen would be showered with resources from the academy, and if he registered with the Warrior Association, he would gain even more privileges.
"If he stands in my way during the graduation exams…" The thought made Tangsu Ming's gaze darken with hatred.
Just then, Lu Shen felt a strange stir in his sea of consciousness, an unsettling sensation that he couldn't quite grasp. Though puzzled, he stepped down from the awakening platform, trying to shake off the feeling.
Tangsu Ming glared at him, his emotions festering. The more he watched Lu Shen bask in admiration, the more his fury grew. Everyone knew how he had obtained his top-grade bloodline, through his family's influence. But Lu Shen had earned his through pure potential. That fact alone made the students flock to Lu Shen's side, and it infuriated Tangsu Ming.
Sensing the intense hostility directed at him, Lu Shen instinctively tensed. When he turned toward the source, he met Tangsu Ming's cold, hateful glare. Confusion flickered in Lu Shen's eyes.
He had done nothing to provoke him,
so why was Tangsu Ming acting like this?
Shaking his head, Lu Shen dismissed the thought and turned his attention back to the other students.
"Next."
"Low."
"Low."
"Low."
"Middle."
After a while, almost all students in Class B had awakened their bloodlines.
"Superior-grade Thunder Dragon."
A sudden announcement caught everyone off guard, including Lu Shen, because it was about the Thunder Dragon, a bloodline more powerful than the normal types.
"What...?!"
"Oh my gosh, someone actually got a Legendary Dragon bloodline!"
"Who is she?!"
"Don't you know? That mysterious girl who transferred last week!" Song Su whispered in awe.
"Why haven't we seen her before?"
"No idea, but she's from an mysterious background and rarely shows up at the academy."
Lu Shen turned his gaze toward the source of the commotion.
A girl stood calmly.
She had a cute face, long legs and a well defined figure. Her clear black silver hair floated around her face, making her incredibly beautiful, as an aura of nobility surrounding her.
She must come from a powerful family.
Thought appear in Lu Shen mind.
After all, the Dragon bloodline wasn't something ordinary people possessed. Those who awakened it were either born into extraordinary lineage or from powerful clan.
Damn, if she were on Blue Star, she'd be an idol.
He thought. He had never seen such an devating beauty in both his lives. Even among his classmates, she stood above them all.
The vice principal's face become red with excitement. "Good! Good! Haha… Finally, someone with a superior-grade bloodline in Northern High! Haha! What's your name, girl?"
"Feng Yue" she replied coldly.
"Feng… Oh." The vice principal hesitated for a moment as if recalling something and felt pity. "Anyway, Teacher Tang, arrange for Feng Yue to join the elite class as well."
"Yes, sir."
Hearing this, Lu Shen felt even more certain that, Feng Yue was no ordinary girl.
Tangsu Ming's eyes twitched.
Another rival for the top spot?
First Lu Shen, now her?
Damn it!
However, He frowned in confusion.
Why would someone from such a powerful family enroll in Northern High.
When she could attend any top academy in Azure Cloud Stronghold?
....
The awakening test continued, and soon all students had completed their assessments.
Out of thirty-five students, twenty had low-grade bloodlines, twelve had middle-grade bloodlines and only two, Lu Shen and Tangsu Ming had top-grade bloodlines.
Feng Yue, the mysterious transfer student, she had the only superior-grade bloodline. No one awakened an Superior-grade Bloodline because it was very hard to find in low level stronghold.
This situation shows the difficulty for ordinary individuals to get a top grade bloodline, as only wealthy individuals can guarantee to gain such high grade bloodline and some low level student were even crying as they knew that they didn't have any future.
After a while, Teacher Tang stepped forward with an announcement.
"Graduation is in one month. Top-grade and superior-grade bloodline will be placed in the elite class. Low-grade students will receive low Yellow-rank techniques, middle-grade will get mid Yellow-rank techniques, and top and superior-grade students will receive top Yellow and low Black-rank techniques."
He continued, explaining the classifications of bloodline refinement cultivation techniques: Yellow, Black, Earth, and Heaven, each with low, middle and top level. Yellow rank being lowest heaven being highest rank technique. Students were free to acquire techniques from the academy's technique hall.
Each grade had low, middle, and top levels. Students were free to acquire techniques from the academy's Technique Hall, but Northern High only offered Yellow and Black-rank techniques. Anything higher was out of reach, even in Azure Cloud Stronghold, Heaven-rank techniques were very rare.
Teacher Tang then explain the nine bloodline warrior realms:
Refinement Realm
Integration Realm
Spirit Core Realm
Avatar Condensing Realm
True Spirit Realm
Fusion Realm
Transformation Realm
Mythical Realm
Rebirth Realm
"Class dismissed. Return to the academy on Sunday" Teacher Tang announced before leaving with the vice principal.
As Lu Shen prepared to leave, a chilling voice stopped him.
"Don't get too proud, trash. I will be the one to take first place for Northern High. And if anyone dares to help this trash, I'll make sure they regret it for the rest of their lives."
Tangsu Ming's murderously stare at Lu Shen before left with his lackeys trailing behind him.
Gulp.
The remaining students swallowed hard. Everyone knew the power of the Tang Clan, second only to the City Lord in Azure Cloud Stronghold. No one wanted to risk provoking Tangsu Ming for Lu Shen's sake. To them, Lu Shen was a dead man walking.
Lu Shen frowned, puzzled.
Didn't we both awaken top-grade bloodlines?
What's his problem?
Unaware of Tangsu Ming's deep-seated insecurities, Lu Shen pushed aside his confusion. Though anger rising in his chest, even so,he took a deep breath and let it go.
He wasn't someone who sought trouble, but if anyone dared to cross him, he would make sure they regretted it.
Lu Shen didn't realize that his top-grade bloodline threatened Tangsu Ming's position in the graduation test.
Even though he was confused and angered by Tangsu Ming's words, Lu Shen shook his head and left the academy. He was someone who cared deeply for his friends. But if anyone tried to mess with him, he wouldn't spare them.
Returning home, Lu Shen had a small meal before preparing for bed.
...
As he opened his eyes again, he found himself standing before three imposing gates, each radiating an overwhelming aura. The first gate was carved with "Low-Level Origin Land" while the second and third gates were shrouded in dense fog. Another gate stood, its name clearly visible:
Star Hall
Why are these gates here?
What lies beyond the ones covered in fog?
And why am I here?
Lu Shen's gaze darted around, but all he could see was an endless black space surrounding him, with only the mysterious gates standing before him.
"Lu Shen, you are standing at the gate to the Origin Land. These gates lead to small worlds separate from the real world" a mysterious voice echoed.
Startled, Lu Shen turned around, searching for the source of the voice, but found nothing. His mind raced, recalling stories of spirits and ghosts from his past life.
Did spirits and ghosts exist in this world too?
Am i going to die?
"A-Are you a ghost? Are you here to possess me?!" His voice cracked with fear.
"No. I am the spirit of the bracelet you saw in your dream."
Lu Shen's eyes widened.
That wasn't a dream?!
"You idiot" the spirit scoffed.
"You Barbarians always think abnormal things as just dreams. Listen carefully. I am the spirit of the Origin Bracelet you acquired yesterday. Now, I am in your sea of consciousness."
Lu Shen's breath sigh relief after listing that.
"So… that feeling I had during the bloodline test…"
"Hah! Do you really think, with that weak body of yours, you could have awakened a top-grade bloodline?" The spirit snorted.
"That was because of me."
Lu Shen: "...."
Cough! Cough!
Lu Shen cleared his throat, he easily accepting the explanation. It made sense after all his frail body shouldn't have been capable of awakening such a powerful bloodline.
No wonder.
"Anyway, thank you for your help, senior." Lu Shen cupped his hands in gratitude.
"Is there anything I can do for you?"
He understood one thing well, in this world, nothing came for free.
"Clever boy. You're weak now, but in the future, you must find treasures that can heal me."
"Yes, senior." Lu Shen nodded firmly. He was a man who always repaid kindness and never forgave those who wronged him.
"Good." The spirit's tone softened slightly.
"Senior" Lu Shen continued, glancing at the fog-covered doors.
"What are these gates for? And why can't I see what's behind the second and third ones?"
"I can take you to the Low-Level Origin Land through this gates" the spirit explained. "But since I am damaged, I can only do limited things for you. My current weakness is due to injuries sustained in that battle."
It sighed before continuing, "The second gate leads to the Mid-Level Origin Land, and the third to the High-Level Origin Land. However, your current strength is too low. Those doors will only reveal themselves once you grow stronger."
Lu Shen took a moment to absorb this information.
It turned out that while he was heading home from his part-time job, the Origin Bracelet spirit had been on the verge of running out of energy. In its search for a compatible host, it had chosen him. To ensure its survival, it had used some of its remaining energy to enhance his talent, granting him a top-level bloodline.
"What's the purpose of Origin Land?" Lu Shen asked, curiosity burning in his eyes.
The spirit chuckled. "The purpose? Ha! In these small worlds, you can fight and devour demon beasts to increase your strength. More importantly, you can refine your bloodline, pushing it to an even higher level."
"Devour bloodlines? How does that work?" Lu Shen asked, his curiosity piqued.
"I have the ability to devour a creature's origin and transfer the absorbed energy to my host, increasing host strength" the spirit explained.
"Additionally, I hold all the inheritance from the man you saw in your dream."
"Most importantly, by defeating demon beasts in the Origin Land and using my ability, you can absorb their pure spiritual energy to enhance your strength and even evolve your bloodline."
Lu Shen's eyes widened as he processed this information. He couldn't believe his luck and getting hit by the Origin Bracelet that day turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The realization made him chuckle.
"Haha! Finally, my chance to be the main character! Hahaha!" Lu Shen grinned from ear to ear, his expression turning into an awkwardly ugly smile.
"...."
The spirit fell silent, utterly speechless at Lu Shen's reaction.
Cough, cough!
"Ahem, so the stronger the creature, the purer the spiritual energy I can absorb?" Lu Shen quickly regained his composure.
"Exactly" the spirit confirmed.
"However, there are risks. Absorbing too much energy requires a strong body, otherwise, you'll explode like a balloon. I suggest you don't get too greedy unless you want to end up killing yourself."
Lu Shen shivered at the thought. "Understood. Then how do I enter the Origin Land?"
"When you decide which level to explore, the Origin Bracelet will transport you to the corresponding area. Time in the Origin Land operates independently of the outside world, when you're inside, time outside will not run."