11: Bloodline Refining! The Ancient Heritage of the Far West
Back in his lair, Di Tian tightly clutched the blood-stained candle dragon jade slip in his claw, his Bloodline surging beneath his scales like boiling magma.
He coiled in the deepest part of his lair, surrounded by the Five Elements spiritual light, as System notifications of new offspring being born continuously echoed in his ears.
“Ding! The 901st offspring has been born, Awakening an Earth Spiritual Root! Obtained 30 Dao cultivation!”
“Ding! The 902nd offspring has been born, triggering Bloodline resonance! Obtained 70 Dao cultivation!”
These notifications were like a hymn to the thriving growth of his clan, yet they couldn't dispel the gloom in Di Tian's heart.
His mind continuously replayed the perilous scene in the Misty Gorge: Xuanxiao Sect's trap, the bones of his mother's clan, and the mysterious candle dragon jade slip—each image was like a heavy hammer striking his heart.
“I must become strong, strong enough to avenge my mother's clan, strong enough to protect this mountain forest and my children,” Di Tian swore to himself, his eyes gleaming with firm resolve.
To quickly refine the Jade Slip and counteract Xuanxiao Sect's tracking, Di Tian decided to risk a Breakthrough of his own Bloodline's limitations.
He took a deep breath, slowly closed his eyes, and sank his Divine Sense deep into his Sea of Consciousness.
There, the Five Elements Yin and Yang fish slowly rotated, emitting a soft glow.
Di Tian guided the spiritual power within his body, carefully approaching the Jade Slip.
The moment his spiritual power touched the Jade Slip, a powerful repulsive force surged like a tide, causing Di Tian's head to throb as if countless steel needles were pricking his brain.
“I cannot give up!”
Di Tian gritted his teeth, mobilizing all his strength to resist the Jade Slip's repulsive force.
His mind conjured his mother's gentle face, remembering her dying wishes; then he saw the innocent eyes of his younglings, their trust and dependence on him.
These images were like guiding lights in the darkness, giving Di Tian infinite strength.
As time passed, Di Tian's efforts gradually bore fruit.
The Jade Slip's repulsive force began to weaken, and wisps of mysterious information flowed into Di Tian's Sea of Consciousness like trickling streams.
He saw the past glory of the Candle Dragon lineage—a powerful clan that controlled the Five Elements and dominated the four seas; he also witnessed the tragic scene of the clan's demise, countless clansmen falling in pools of blood, and his mother escaping with a young him.
Di Tian's heart was filled with grief and indignation, tears unconsciously sliding from the corners of his eyes.
“Ding! Bloodline resonance increased to 90%! Unlocked ‘Candle Dragon Insight’ talent, able to see through hidden Formations and illusions!”
“Ding! The 910th offspring has been born, with a supreme Physique! Obtained 180 Dao cultivation!”
The System notification exploded in his Sea of Consciousness, jolting Di Tian back from his sorrow.
He felt his Bloodline Power continuously strengthening, and the circulation of his Five Elements spiritual power became smoother.
However, the process of refining the Jade Slip was not without its difficulties.
Just as Di Tian was about to completely control the Jade Slip, a powerful backlash suddenly erupted, causing his body to tremble violently and blood to seep from his seven orifices.
“Could it be… am I truly going to fail?” Di Tian's heart flashed with a hint of despair, but it was quickly replaced by an intense will to survive and a desire for revenge.
“No! I cannot die here!” Di Tian roared, activating his newly awakened “Candle Dragon Insight” talent to carefully observe the trajectory of the backlash force.
He discovered that this force resonated with Xuanxiao Sect's tracking curse, forming a complex Restriction.
Di Tian concentrated all his energy, relying on his deep understanding of the Five Elements Power, and began to attempt to break the Restriction.
He manipulated the Five Elements spiritual power, constructing a miniature Five Elements Grand Formation within his body to fiercely contend with the backlash force.
Each clash of spiritual power caused Di Tian immense pain, but he gritted his teeth and persevered.
Finally, after a arduous battle, Di Tian successfully broke the Restriction and completely refined the candle dragon jade slip.
A powerful force surged from the depths of his Sea of Consciousness, spreading throughout Di Tian's entire body.
His form began to change; his golden scales became even more dazzling, the vertical eye on his forehead shone brightly, capable of seeing through all illusions; the Five Elements Divine Beast phantoms behind him also became more solidified, faintly showing signs of devouring the heavens and earth.
“Bloodline Awakening has surpassed 95%! Unlocked ultimate skill ‘Candle Dragon Burns the Heavens’, capable of summoning ancient Candle Dragon fire to incinerate all things!”
“Ding! The 920th offspring has been born, Awakening a complete Five Elements Bloodline! Obtained 350 Dao cultivation!”
Feeling the immense increase in his own strength, Di Tian's heart was filled with joy and pride.
He knew that he was one step closer to his goal of revenge.
But at the same time, he also understood that the path ahead was still fraught with difficulties and dangers.
As a colossal entity in the cultivation world, Xuanxiao Sect's power was deeply entrenched, making revenge no easy feat.
“No matter how many difficulties lie ahead, I will not retreat.” Di Tian looked out at the mountain forest beyond his lair, his gaze as firm as iron.
“I will make Xuanxiao Sect pay for their actions, and I will make the glory of the Candle Dragon lineage shine once more upon this land!”
At this moment, the System notification sounded again:
“Detected host's strength increase, unlocked ‘Extreme West’ map.”
“Hidden quest updated: Go to the Extreme West and explore the ancient Legacy of the Candle Dragon lineage.”
“Quest reward: Bloodline Awakening + 10%, obtain ancient Divine Artifact ‘five elements panlong halberd’.”
Di Tian looked down at the newly born youngling in his arms, who possessed a complete Five Elements Bloodline, and a wave of tenderness surged in his heart.
He gently licked the youngling's head and said, “Child, when Father returns from the Extreme West, I will surely let you live in a safer, more beautiful world.”
Having packed his belongings, Di Tian gathered the elite offspring of his clan and entrusted them with the important task of guarding the lair.
“Everyone must be careful of Xuanxiao Sect's retaliation; I will return very soon.” Di Tian's voice was filled with concern and trust.
Bidding farewell to his clan, Di Tian embarked on his journey to the Extreme West.
Along the way, he endured the elements and encountered countless dangers and challenges.
But with his formidable strength and unwavering belief, he overcame them all.
During his journey, he also continuously received System notifications of new offspring being born, which filled him with immense comfort and further strengthened his resolve to move forward.
“Ding! The 930th offspring has been born, Awakening a Wind Spiritual Root! Obtained 40 Dao cultivation!”
“Ding! The 931st offspring has been born, triggering Bloodline mutation! Obtained 120 Dao cultivation!”
Finally, after enduring countless hardships, Di Tian arrived at the Extreme West.
It was a desolate land, with yellow sand filling the sky, and an ancient, mysterious aura permeating the air.
In the distance, a majestic mountain peak stood between heaven and earth, shimmering with strange light, as if summoning Di Tian's arrival.
“That must be the Legacy land,” Di Tian gazed at the mountain peak, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
He took a deep breath, took large strides, and walked towards the mountain.