Luotian didn't even realize he was daydreaming until he suddenly snapped back to reality. He found Yue'er leaning in so close that her face filled his entire vision, her eyes searching his with deep concern.
In his surprise, his new bloodline reacted on its own. A faint, hidden light shimmered in his eyes as CRONOS activated another feature. Clear information flickered across his mind:
///// Introducing new feature [Bloodline Sensing]: Focus on a person to identify their cultivation level, bloodline and ability.
///// Level: Seven Fangs
///// Bloodline: Thousand Illusion Aurora Peacock
///// [Illusion Clone]: The user can create an illusion clone at the cost of Theríon. The higher the level of the clone, the more Theríon it costs. Creating a clone at the same level as the user will cost their maximum Theríon capacity.
Woah! How convenient! Luotian exclaimed inwardly, quickly blinking to mask the glow in his eyes.
Normally, identifying another person's strength was a guessing game. While you could usually sense someone's aura, many cultivators used artifacts or hidden skills to mask their true power. To see through such a disguise usually required rare items or decades of experience. But with CRONOS triggering at a mere thought, Luotian could see the truth with a single glance.
Identifying a bloodline was even harder. It usually required deep knowledge of colors, pressure, and the "pulse" of a person's energy. Even as a reincarnator with a lifetime of experience, Luotian usually needed to see someone actually use their power before he could name it.
Now, the system did the work for him before they even stirred their energy. He could pinpoint an exact bloodline and its secret techniques while the target was standing perfectly still.
And that wasn't the end of it. Even if someone could identify a bloodline, getting detailed information about its specific abilities was an entirely different challenge.
Bloodline abilities were the one thing no treasure or knowledge could reveal. They were secrets hidden deep within the essence of a cultivator, locked away from prying eyes. To learn about someone's bloodline ability, one would typically have to ask the bloodline owner directly, relying on their willingness to share—an unlikely prospect in a world where strength and secrecy often determined survival.
Certain items and techniques could forcibly extract memories from cultivators, but at a terrible cost. They tore through the subject's mind and soul, causing unbearable agony. More often than not, the victim died, their consciousness damaged beyond repair.
For those who sought less brutal means, psychological manipulation or brainwashing offered another path. These methods, while less physically harmful, were no less heinous. By tampering with an individual's free will, the perpetrator could coerce the victim into divulging their deepest secrets. However, such techniques were widely condemned, labeled as unorthodox and vile by the cultivation world's moral standards.
Both approaches—whether violent or insidious—were strictly forbidden by the norms of the cultivation world. Their use was met with universal scorn, and their practitioners were branded as deviants, unworthy of the title of cultivator. Because of this, records detailing bloodline abilities were deemed forbidden knowledge, relegated to dark corners where few dared to tread.
Anyone caught reading such records openly faced harsh punishment, as the very act was seen as an affront to the sacred bond between cultivators and their bloodlines.
This strict taboo left the world in ignorance. Outside their own abilities, most cultivators had little to no knowledge about bloodline powers. Even scholars and researchers, who dedicated their lives to unraveling the mysteries of Theríon, could only speculate. The scarcity of verified information created an air of mystique around bloodline abilities, making them one of the most enigmatic aspects of cultivation.
Yet Luotian could obtain this information without torture, without causing harm, and without the target even knowing. CRONOS had given him access to secrets that other cultivators guarded so closely.
With this new feature, Luotian could anticipate an opponent's moves and plan counters suited to their abilities. Even against a complete stranger, he would have information that could turn the tide of a fight.
Combined with his experience, that knowledge would help him decide how to approach a fight before his opponent had even made a move.
You're next, Wuji, Luotian thought, starting to have some fun with the situation as he shifted his gaze toward his friend.
Since he had spent centuries with Mei Yue'er in his previous life, he already knew her bloodline and abilities inside and out. His curiosity now turned to Sun Wuji. What was the "slacker" of their group actually hiding?
The system responded instantly:
///// Six Fangs Blitz Stone Titan Monkey
///// [Stone Transformation]: Transform the user's body to stone, boosting attack and defense, while the user's speed will decrease proportionally to the extent of the transformation.
Blitz Stone Titan Monkey? Luotian's internal voice sharpened with surprise. Isn't that a bloodline from the Ape Immortal Clan's side branch?
Wuji had always claimed he didn't remember his parents or where he came from. But a bloodline that specific didn't just appear out of nowhere. Luotian realized the story behind his friend's past was likely much deeper—and perhaps much more dangerous—than he had ever imagined.
As he processed the information, the room grew quiet. The others watched him uneasily. His azure eyes lingered on each of them, his silent scrutiny making it difficult to tell what he was thinking.
Finally, the Peacock Lord broke the silence. "Tian'er, are you sure you're alright?"
Snapping back to his senses, Luotian quickly replied, "Ah, yes. Everything is fine, Uncle Mei. Just... clearing my head."
"Father, I think we should have the doctor check him one more time," Yue'er urged, her worry clearly not fading. She looked to her father for support.
But before the Peacock Lord could agree, Luotian cut in. "Yue'er, I'm truly fine. In fact, I'd like to travel outside the city alone for a bit." He hopped out of bed and began adjusting his clothes, looking ready to sprint out the door at any second.
"What?!" Yue'er exclaimed, her voice rising in shock. "You were struck by lightning last night! You need rest, not a hike! The idea of you leaving the city right now is ridiculous."
"I said I'm fine," Luotian countered, his voice firm but calm. "I'm just going out to look for an opportunity to force a breakthrough. Don't you want to see me finally move forward?"
Yue'er hesitated. Of course she wanted him to break through his "crippled" state, but her fear for his safety was winning. "But... it's too soon..."
Before the argument could turn into a full-blown fight, the Peacock Lord raised a hand. "Yue'er, if Tian'er says he is fit to travel, then he is fit. However," he added with a knowing smile, "if you are still this worried, you can simply accompany him on his trip."
The Peacock Lord had already read the doctor's report and knew Luotian was in perfect health. He had come mainly to determine whether the lightning strike was an accident or an attack. The boy's explanation had not settled his doubts, but he chose not to press him further.
Besides, the Peacock Lord could sense a change in the young man. His gaze held a focus and purpose the lord hadn't seen before. He would support the boy's resolve and let him follow his own path.
While letting his daughter go back out right after an assassination attempt seemed risky, the Peacock Lord was playing a deeper game. He figured the assassins would see Yue'er traveling openly as an obvious trap and stay far away. To be safe, he planned to secretly send the First Elder to shadow them. With a master watching from the trees, they would be safe even outside the city walls.
"That won't be necessary, Uncle Mei," Luotian said, quickly shaking his head. "Yue'er overexerted herself yesterday and still hasn't fully recovered. She should stay here and rest."
He needed time alone. Exploring his new abilities and explaining his sudden jump in power would be impossible with a babysitter—especially one who knew his "crippled" self as well as Yue'er did.
Without waiting for them to argue, Luotian turned to his brother. "You too, Wuji. You're in better shape than Yue'er, but you still need to get ready for the entrance exam next month. I want both of you to use this time wisely. I promise I'll be fine—I'm going to work as hard as I can to finally trigger my Bloodline Awakening."
His tone grew more serious with every word. Seeing his raw determination, everyone in the room finally relented.
"If that is your wish, then we will take our leave," the Peacock Lord stated, giving a final nod of respect to the boy's resolve. Luotian bowed as the Peacock Lord and the First Elder exited the room.
"Are you really going to be okay on your own, Brother Feng?" Wuji asked, his usual joking voice replaced by genuine concern.
"Don't worry. I won't go far," Luotian reassured him with a smile. "I'll be traveling with some merchants and their bodyguards to see a bit of the world. Who knows? With some luck, I might even find a way to cure my condition for good."
"Alright, then. But..." Wuji trailed off, glancing toward Yue'er. She was currently puffing her cheeks like a steamed bun, her face flushed with a hint of angry red.
"Hmph! Fine! See if I talk to you anymore!" Yue'er scoffed, spinning on her heel and storming out of the room.
Luotian could only sigh as she left. This version of Yue'er was so much younger and more emotional than the woman he had courted in his past life. Still, he couldn't help but chuckle; her childish anger was actually quite endearing.
"She'll be fine once you get back," Wuji joked, trying to lighten the mood. "Just go find that opportunity you mentioned. We'll be waiting for the good news. And by the way—that look in your eyes is even more wicked than before."
"Hehe. Thanks," Luotian laughed.
After leaving the Alchemy Center, the two friends said their goodbyes and headed their separate ways. Luotian was finally alone, and the real work was about to begin.