"Impossible. Normally, a martial artist can only enhance their bloodline by absorbing the bloodline power or blood crystals from blood beasts, or through a bloodline master's intervention. But my lightning bloodline…"
A self-growing bloodline?
Qin Chen was stunned by his discovery.
In the world, bloodlines were categorized not only by grades one through nine but also by three tiers: Ordinary, Mysterious, and King.
Even the weakest bloodlines could be strengthened through a bloodline master's aid or by absorbing bloodline power. However, the tier of a bloodline determined its growth potential.
Ordinary bloodlines could reach up to the third grade, making them the most common.
Mysterious bloodlines could ascend to the sixth grade.
King bloodlines had the potential to reach the ninth grade.
Legend spoke of a tier above King—Divine bloodlines. These fabled bloodlines could advance in grade automatically as a martial artist's cultivation grew, without needing blood beast essence or crystals. Yet, such bloodlines were the stuff of myth. In his past life, Qin Chen had only heard whispers of them, never witnessing one himself.
"Could my lightning bloodline be a Divine bloodline?"
Qin Chen's pulse raced, his palms sweaty with excitement.
He didn't know the full extent of a Divine bloodline's power, but historical records suggested their growth and potency far surpassed King bloodlines. Geniuses with Divine bloodlines, if they survived, invariably rose to become pinnacle figures on the continent.
"Whether it's Divine or not, my priority is to boost my cultivation. I've fallen too far behind. Time waits for no one—I must reach late Human Level before the academy exam."
Qin Chen exhaled deeply, his eyes blazing with resolve.
For the next few days, he secluded himself, immersing in cultivation.
The Nine Star God Emperor Technique cycled through his body, completing one circuit after another. With each cycle, the true qi in his twelve meridians grew denser.
The technique's brilliance shone here. Ordinary cultivation methods, after dozens of cycles, would strain the meridians, causing micro-damage that required rest to heal. But the Nine Star God Emperor Technique nourished and repaired the meridians during cultivation, allowing endless practice without harm.
With each session, Qin Chen's true qi thickened.
Finally, the day before the academy exam, a breakthrough came.
Boom!
A muffled roar echoed from his dantian, his body trembling slightly.
Late Human Level achieved!
His qi pool expanded tenfold, transforming from the size of a washbasin to a square meter, brimming with pure, vibrant true qi that surged like a swollen lake.
"Finally, late Human Level," Qin Chen murmured. "Next goal: Earth Level within a month. This pace is still too slow."
If other martial artists heard his thoughts, they'd choke with envy. Breaking from early to late Human Level in a month rivaled a year's progress for some geniuses, yet he called it slow. It was outrageous.
"Still, reaching late Human Level means those hoping to see me fail at the exam will be disappointed."
A cold smile curved Qin Chen's lips as he pictured Zhao Feng's sinister expression.
"I wonder what my strength is now."
Rising, he stepped into the courtyard. It was noon, the house empty—Qin Yuechi rarely returned midday.
Qin Chen eyed a half-man-high, dark boulder in the yard. Shifting his stance, he sprang forward with explosive force.
Crack!
The stone tiles beneath his feet shattered, spiderwebbing outward. Like a bolt of lightning, he reached the boulder, channeling power from his legs to his waist, then his back, shoulders, and finally his right fist, which struck the stone.
Boom!
A thunderous blast rang out. The boulder split, shattering into fist-sized fragments that scattered across the ground.
"This punch carries about twenty horsepower," Qin Chen nodded, satisfied.
Ordinary early Human Level martial artists wielded one horsepower, mid-level five, and late-level ten. Having just broken through to late Human Level, Qin Chen's twenty horsepower was impressive, with room to grow as his cultivation advanced.
"Time to rest and prepare for tomorrow's exam."
Qin Chen changed into clean clothes and meditated in his room, conserving his energy.
Qin Residence, Zhao Feng's Courtyard
"Qin Yong, tomorrow is the Tianxing Academy exam. How's the task I assigned you?" Zhao Feng reclined on an ornate chaise, her eyes glinting with malice.
"Madam, everything is arranged," Qin Yong replied, bowing. "But…"
"But what?"
"The man says your offer is too low. He wants an additional twenty thousand."
"Hmph, give it to him," Zhao Feng said, her eyes narrowing. "As long as that little wretch fails the exam, twenty thousand is nothing."
"Yes, madam." Qin Yong hesitated, then added, "Is it worth expending so much effort on this boy? If Tianxing Academy discovers we bribed their exam proctor, their wrath could endanger the Qin family."
"You think I don't know that?" Zhao Feng snapped, her gaze icy. "Qin Chen carries that old man's bloodline. Even after using Liang Yu's incident to expel him and his mother, if the old man gets stubborn, he could reinstate them. But if Qin Chen fails the exam and is expelled from the academy, it's over. No matter how much the old man wants to help, he'll be powerless."
"I want Qin Yuechi and her son barred from the Qin family forever," Zhao Feng snarled, her face contorting with venom.
Qin Yong nodded, understanding dawning. "I see, madam."
"Go ensure everything is airtight. Money is no object. I want no mistakes. If that boy passes, we're in trouble."
"Mother, why worry?" The door swung open, and Qin Fen strode in, brimming with confidence. "This exam includes the entire academy. Even if Qin Chen awakened his bloodline, I'll crush him in the trials below."