C6 Bloodline Upgrade
Xu Ming fixed his gaze on the guards of the Lee and Huo families, his expression unflinching. "To avoid shaming yourself, refrain from shaming others first. Understand?"
Lee Qiuya seemed to have no sense of occasion, blurting out her words regardless of the time or place, resulting in nothing short of outright humiliation. Was it intentional? Xu Ming was convinced that it was, that she aimed to make him uncomfortable.
And there was his fiancée, who hadn't uttered a single word in his defense. Even as he found himself in an awkward predicament, she merely looked on, her eyes faintly signaling approval of Lee Qiuya's remarks.
Xu Ming had the urge to declare that he wasn't in the business of pleasing women, especially those not yet his. After all, he had lived two lifetimes and was far from a naïve youth.
With a turn of his heel, he walked away from the two young women, once the dream of every youth in Four-direction City, now the subjects of his disdain.
"Heh, Fourth Young Master Xu's bark is certainly worse than his bite," someone remarked.
As Xu Ming was about to depart, the crowd made way for a thirty-year-old man surrounded by a group of followers.
"Young Master Mo!"
Some in the crowd visibly tensed and stepped back, though they didn't leave.
Young Master Mo, Mo Hu, the son of Mo Tiancheng, leader of the Coiling Dragon Gang, was known for his peak Martial Disciple strength and his merciless nature, making him a formidable figure in Four-direction City.
With Mo Hu's arrival, there was a sense that Xu Ming was about to be humiliated, potentially bringing shame upon the Xu family. Regardless of Xu Ming's standing, he was still one of their own, and any embarrassment he suffered would reflect poorly on them.
"Ladies, I am Mo Hu, a name I'm sure you're familiar with. This poor fellow hesitates to splurge on his fiancée simply because he's penniless, a complete waste. But I, foolishly rich as I am, would like to offer each of you a Rank Four Spirit Beast Inner Core. Please, do not decline my gift."
With that, Mo Hu extended his hand, grasping two Wood Attribute Rank Four Spirit Beast Inner Cores. He signaled to his associate, who swiftly brushed his hand, revealing a dazzling heap of gold coins, "This should more than suffice."
Over a thousand gold coins!
The stall owner's face shifted uneasily. Who would dare accept Mo Hu's money? And this was Coiling Dragon Gang territory, no less! As he hesitated, Mo Hu's smile broadened, "Business is all about money, and I'm not short on cash~"
"Right, Fourth Young Master Xu? I'm giving a gift to your fiancée; surely you wouldn't refuse~"
Mo Hu radiated smug satisfaction, exuding a gentlemanly charm with a grand flourish.
Xu Ming remained unfazed, watching Huo Siyan and the other woman shake their heads in refusal. He barked, "Foolish girls, this is a gift from Young Master Mo. The man's a simpleton with more money than sense, fond of lavishing gifts on others. We might as well accept it. Aren't we supposed to be gathering some wealth for our future home?"
The onlookers, previously amused, now watched Xu Ming, curious to see his response.
Mo Hu was essentially slapping himself in the face. He'd given a gift meant for Xu Ming's fiancée. Wouldn't Xu Ming feel jealous, humiliated?
But Xu Ming's retort was a slap right back.
By scolding Huo Siyan and her companion, he asserted his authority as the future husband. Accepting the Spirit Beast Inner Core was about securing assets for their future.
Moreover, he bluntly echoed Mo Hu's own words, turning them into a scathing mockery. When Mo Hu said it, it was self-deprecating, a display of grace. But from Xu Ming's lips, it was pure sarcasm.
He was indeed a fool, freely handing out his wealth.
Even Huo Siyan and Lee Qiuya took a few more glances at Xu Ming. The man who once seemed timid and reticent was now deft with words, cleverly turning the tables on Mo Hu.
"Hey~" Mo Hu sneered, "Fourth Young Master Xu, enough with the smooth talk. Show us something substantial. Keep being useless, and your fiancée might just run off with someone else."
"Enough!"
Xu Ming turned on his heel and strode away, hands clasped behind his back. His business here was concluded.
Mo Hu's anger flared, "What are you implying, Miss Huo? What's so great about that loser? I'm the Young Lord of the Coiling Dragon Gang. Since we're neither married nor engaged, why can't we be together?"
"Mo Hu, are you seeking to antagonize both the Huo family and the Extreme Martial Sect?" His voice echoed through the marketplace, audible to nearly everyone.
People began to understand that this young woman was not merely the treasured daughter of the Huo family, nor just a top talent, but also the specially nurtured successor of the Extreme Martial Sect Master—a future leader of the sole sect in the Purple Cloud Empire, the most powerful in the entire Eastern Continent. The Coiling Dragon Gang, in comparison, was as insignificant as an earthworm to a dragon when measured against the might of the Extreme Martial Sect.
What happened next was unknown to Xu Ming, but he was certain Mo Hu's face must have swollen beyond recognition.
"Absolutely thrilling~"
Xu Ming couldn't help but revel in the satisfaction. Mo Hu was a fool, not only falling into the pit he dug for himself but also the one Xu Ming had prepared. Mo Hu was a character Xu Ming knew all too well—moderately talented but insufferably arrogant and thoughtless.
"Heh~ The more they scorn me now, the greater their shock will be later. But for now, I need to rapidly enhance my Gene Point and alter my bloodline to boost my strength as soon as possible. After all, in this world, might makes right."
Without further delay, Xu Ming hastened back to the Xu family farmstead at top speed, intent on improving his bloodline now that he had secured the Spirit Beast Inner Core.
On his way, Xu Ming caught sight of the Xu family's third elder, leading a group of the family's powerhouses atop White Cloud Beasts, speeding past like lightning.
"It seems that even in our remote village, word of Xu Yang's disappearance has reached the third elder," Xu Ming mused. "The village is off-limits without the Patriarch's command. I wonder if the third elder has received such an order."
Xu Ming curled his lip dismissively. "Without the Patriarch's direct command, no one is allowed to approach or set foot on the farm. I wonder if the third elder has received such an order."
The third elder wielded immense power within the Xu family. Aside from Xu Yang, his other grandsons possessed God Grade Bloodlines and exceptional talents, overshadowing the younger generation of the family head. Moreover, the third elder was actively scheming to have his third son succeed the current Patriarch.
Even a less promising grandson could play a crucial role in the future. Xu Yang, having advanced to Martial Dao Grade Seven, was eligible to be part of the family's core. It was the third elder who had pushed for the rule that anyone reaching Martial Dao Grade Seven before turning eighteen could join the Xu Family Inner Court.
"Go check it out. I hope you'll delve deeper into the study of the animal droppings in the forest," Xu Ming said, utterly unconcerned. He knew this issue wouldn't cast any suspicion on him.
"I just wonder if the news of me defeating Xu Yang has been kept under wraps. Otherwise, the upcoming annual test might not be as surprising," he mused. Although he felt a twinge of regret, Xu Ming raised no objections. Secrets were hard to keep, and walls had ears; the inner court would inevitably learn of this sooner or later. Whether they found out now or later hardly mattered.
As expected, when Xu Ming returned to the farm, he saw the third elder and his entourage hastily exiting. They barely acknowledged Xu Ming, giving him a fleeting, indifferent glance before striding away.
"The third elder has come in person. It looks like Young Master Xu Yang is in serious trouble," someone remarked.
"Young Master Xu Yang has a history of disappearing; he's done it more than once. He'll probably be found soon," another added.
"That's not necessarily true. In the past, he was only gone for half a day, but this time it's been a whole day and night," a third person pointed out.
The farm buzzed with speculation about Xu Yang, but no other topic surfaced. Xu Ming watched the third elder's departure with scorn and headed toward the Manor Lord's residence. Upon his arrival, he heard the Manor Lord's anxious voice, "This is bad. I fear Young Master Xu Yang is really in trouble. Not long ago, he mentioned that the third elder's birthday was approaching and that he wanted to prepare a gift. He even persuaded me to arrange for a few people to accompany him to the forest. If nothing unexpected has happened, Young Master Xu Yang has likely ventured into the forest indeed."
The entire farm was abuzz with discussions about Xu Yang's predicament, yet no one mentioned anything else. Xu Ming cast a disdainful glance in the direction the third elder had left and made his way to the Manor Lord's residence. As he approached the entrance, the Manor Lord's anxious voice reached him: "This is bad. I fear that Young Master Xu Yang is more likely to be dead than alive. Not long ago, Young Master Xu Yang mentioned that the third elder's birthday was approaching and he wanted to prepare a birthday gift. He even pestered me to arrange for some people to accompany him to the forest. It's very likely that he actually went into the forest."
Xu Ming realized that the situation was playing out perfectly, making it increasingly difficult for anyone to suspect him. He paid no mind to the others' anxiety, completed his duties, and suggested relocating his mother's grave to the farm. The Manor Lord readily agreed, and after Xu Ming took a leave to oversee the relocation, he set out on his travels, planning to return for the annual test.
The Manor Lord had only a moment's hesitation before consenting. With Young Master Xu Yang missing and presumed dead, the farm's hopes for special consideration from the Xu Family Inner Court now rested solely on Xu Ming. The Manor Lord even cautioned Xu Ming to take care, and advanced him half a year's wages.
Back at his Fence Yard, Xu Ming eagerly took out the Spirit Beast Inner Core. He looked at the egg-sized core with some hesitation, thinking, "The Spirit Beast Inner Core is incredibly hard; it's impossible to break it apart and swallow it, and cooking it is out of the question."
Xu Yang knew that as long as the inner membrane remained intact, the core would retain its energy, even if left untouched for a century. However, the prospect of swallowing it was daunting.
"For the sake of acquiring Gene Points, I must give it my all."
He put the egg-sized Spirit Beast Inner Core in his mouth, and with the help of his Spiritual Energy and Vital Spirit, he managed to swallow it effortlessly.
"Devouring a Grade One Spirit Beast Inner Core, no Beast Soul, 11 Gene Points."
"Devour a Grade One Spirit Beast Inner Core and obtain 10 Gene Points."
"Devour a Grade One Spirit Beast Inner Core and obtain 9 Gene Points."
...
"Devour a Grade One Spirit Beast Inner Core and obtain 6 Gene Points."
...
"Devour a Grade One Spirit Beast Inner Core and obtain 3 Gene Points."
...
"Sixty-six Gene Points!"
Xu Ming's eyes snapped open, his heart surging with excitement as the last traces of worry vanished.
Xu Ming's eyes snapped open, a surge of excitement flooding his heart as the last shred of worry finally dissipated. The power within the Spirit Beast Inner Core was fierce and couldn't be directly absorbed. It required the specialized concoctions of a Bloodline Master to be refined into pills that could either enhance one's strength or improve their bloodline before consumption. Otherwise, as past incidents had shown, ingesting it directly could lead to the violent energy shattering one's meridians and dantian, or even causing the body to explode and result in death!
Thankfully, the system was formidable. While the Spirit Beast Inner Core didn't bolster Xu Ming's strength, it was fully converted into Gene Points. Each additional Gene Point provided the potential to elevate the Bloodline Level by one!
