Inside the Main Hall
The Emperor of the Liyang Ancient Kingdom stared at Lin Yuan in astonishment.
What had he just heard?
Extreme Frost Heavenly Sovereign and Northern Yin Heavenly Sovereign, two ancient Heavenly Sovereigns, had been completely captured and left behind by Lin Yuan in the Black Jade Nest?
And Lin Yuan was asking if keeping the main combat bodies of Heavenly Sovereigns was worth a million?
"I was just lucky. Extreme Frost Heavenly Sovereign and Northern Yin Heavenly Sovereign didn't know my strength, so they dared to go deep," Lin Yuan said.
This was the truth.
If Chiyang Heavenly Sovereign was still guarding the Black Jade Nest, Extreme Frost Heavenly Sovereign and Northern Yin Heavenly Sovereign, even if they had ideas about the Black Jade Nest, wouldn't have been able to sneak in so easily, let alone penetrate deeply into it.
Lin Yuan was able to capture the two Heavenly Sovereigns due to two reasons: first, his own strength countered them; and second, the opponents were careless.
Additionally, there was the factor that the two Heavenly Sovereigns didn't dare to delay. They were worried about reinforcements arriving, so they decisively annihilated their physical bodies and souls.
"That's not what I'm asking," the Emperor of the Liyang Ancient Kingdom stared at Lin Yuan with surprise. "You managed to capture Extreme Frost and Northern Yin by yourself?"
After speaking, the Emperor probed, "Have you stepped into the Heavenly Sovereign rank?"
He knew that the Black Jade Nest's defensive array made it difficult to keep Heavenly Sovereign rank Strongest Ones, let alone two Heavenly Sovereigns sneaking in together.
"More or less." Lin Yuan nodded.
Since he was there to discuss this matter, he was prepared to reveal some of his strength.
The Imperial Family's Heavenly Sovereign rank was different from regular Heavenly Sovereigns. This was because the path taken by the Imperial Family was fundamentally different from that of normal evolvers.
The Imperial Family focused on excavating their ancestral bloodline, while evolvers comprehended the laws of the great Dao of Heaven and Earth.
The so-called Imperial Family Heavenly Sovereign bottleneck referred to the fact that the ancestral bloodlines of the current six ancient kingdoms were all restricted to the peak of Great Sovereign, unable to advance to Heavenly Sovereign by continuously excavating the power of their bloodline.
Although Great Sovereigns of the Imperial Family could step into the Heavenly Sovereign rank by comprehending the laws of the great Dao of Heaven and Earth, such Heavenly Sovereigns were no different from other Heavenly Sovereigns; they weren't unique to the Imperial Family.
Simply put, the core Imperial Family members of the six ancient kingdoms all yearned to excavate their ancestral bloodlines to the Heavenly Sovereign rank.
"More or less?"
A surging wave rose in the heart of the Liyang Ancient Kingdom's Emperor.
Lin Yuan's "more or less" was the lifelong goal pursued by many core Imperial Family members of the Liyang Ancient Kingdom.
Many core Imperial Family members had paid unknown prices to break the bloodline shackles.
"I had some gains recently." Lin Yuan raised his right hand and slightly activated the power of the divine ability, Sunborn Genesis.
This divine ability originated from the depths of his bloodline and was tempered through the martial arts evolution path, likely coming from one of the Liyang Ancestor's innate abilities.
With this divine ability, Lin Yuan could fully explain his excavation of the bloodline.
In fact, this was true. With the superiority of the martial arts evolution path, Lin Yuan's degree of development of the Liyang Ancestor's bloodline was absolutely far ahead of the Liyang Imperial Family.
"Indeed, it's the ancestral aura..."
The Emperor of the Liyang Ancient Kingdom looked at the Liyang Origin that Lin Yuan had condensed, his expression complex.
He could clearly feel that the Liyang Origin was filled with a rich ancestral aura.
"Milky Way... Thank you."
The Emperor of the Liyang Ancient Kingdom looked at Lin Yuan and said seriously, "You've shown us hope for a path forward."
From Lin Yuan, the Emperor of the Liyang Ancient Kingdom saw the possibility of breaking the Imperial Family's bloodline bottleneck; at least it wasn't a dead end.
"Actually, I can publicly announce my method for excavating ancestral bloodlines..." Lin Yuan thought for a moment and stated his ultimate goal.
He awakened the divine ability, Sunborn Genesis, through the martial arts evolution path.
Therefore, the method for excavating ancestral bloodlines was naturally the martial arts evolution path.
In the Chaos, spreading one's own evolution path helped form stable "anchors" and "beacons," which were beneficial for breaking through the time loop.
Therefore, in the past, whenever Lin Yuan arrived in a transmigration world, he would generally spread his own evolution path in the later stages.
And in this Source World, Lin Yuan also planned to try spreading his own evolution path. The entry point would be the excavation of his ancestral bloodline.
The martial arts evolution path indeed had this capability.
In the Chaos, the spread of many branches of martial arts evolution was entrusted to the Myriad Dao Pavilion.
And Lin Yuan had no intention of giving up on this Source World either.
The level of the Source World was by no means inferior to the Chaos.
A great domain of the Liyang Ancient Kingdom might not be as vast in area as a void domain in the Chaos.
However, the number of living beings it contained was no less than the latter.
Once the branches of the martial arts evolution path spread in such a life-rich world, the help to Lin Yuan would be no less than spreading it in the Chaos.
"Method for excavating bloodlines?"
The Emperor of the Liyang Ancient Kingdom's pupils slightly contracted.
Normal evolvers comprehending the laws of the great Dao of Heaven and Earth still had discernible traces and methods to follow, but excavating their ancestral bloodlines? That relied more on one's own talent.
"Is there really a way to deeply excavate the bloodline?"
The Emperor of the Liyang Ancient Kingdom's tone was rather eager.
If Lin Yuan breaking the Heavenly Sovereign bottleneck only showed these Imperial Family members that bloodline excavation was not a dead end and still had the potential to reach the Heavenly Sovereign rank.
Then now, if what Lin Yuan said was true, it would have an unprecedented impact on the entire Imperial Family of the Liyang Ancient Kingdom.
"I can try to summarize it," Lin Yuan looked at the Emperor of the Liyang Ancient Kingdom and suddenly said, "But I have one condition."
"What condition?"
The Emperor of the Liyang Ancient Kingdom immediately said, "As long as it doesn't violate the Ancestor's will, I can agree."
"I hope that the method I ultimately summarize for excavating ancestral bloodlines can be spread throughout the Liyang Ancient Kingdom, not just limited to the Imperial Family," Lin Yuan stated.
The more living beings who cultivated the martial arts evolution branches, the more stable Lin Yuan's anchors and beacons would be. Therefore, he naturally didn't want the spread of martial arts to be limited to a certain area.
"No problem."
The Emperor of the Liyang Ancient Kingdom agreed without hesitation.
There was no loss in this matter. As for living beings outside the Imperial Family benefiting from it? If they excavated their bloodline to the Imperial Family level, they would become part of the Liyang Ancient Kingdom's Imperial Family.
"Milky Way, if your method is truly useful, then your rewards will certainly not be small," the Emperor of the Liyang Ancient Kingdom said solemnly.
"Mmm."
Lin Yuan nodded. Spreading his martial arts evolution path branches was already beneficial for his own breakthrough of the time loop; even without, he would do it.
Of course, it would be even better with rewards.
"I estimate I'll need some time to prepare."
Lin Yuan said. The rules and great Dao operation of this Source World were completely different from the Chaos. The martial arts evolution path branches needed many adjustments from Lin Yuan to fully adapt to this world.
Especially since Lin Yuan planned to "do as the locals do" and increase the martial arts evolution path branches' excavation of bloodline potential, so as to better adapt to this world.
"Alright."
The Emperor of the Liyang Ancient Kingdom seemed to think of something. "Regarding Extreme Frost Heavenly Sovereign and Northern Yin Heavenly Sovereign..."
"These are their personal weapons." Lin Yuan immediately took out several weapons to prove that he had completely captured the main combat bodies of these two Heavenly Sovereigns.
"Done."
The Emperor of the Liyang Ancient Kingdom glanced at them. "A million merits has already been given to you."
"Thank you," Lin Yuan said.
In his mind, he was calculating which treasures, rare items, and inheritances from the treasure vault he should exchange for.
Last time, he had looked at the treasure vault for a long time but only had over ten thousand, so he could only exchange for three Chaos Secret Pattern Diagrams.
"I will demand an explanation from the Xuanyin Ancient Kingdom regarding the two Heavenly Sovereigns infiltrating the Black Jade Nest," the Emperor of the Liyang Ancient Kingdom looked at Lin Yuan and smiled. "If there are any benefits then, they can also be counted as your merits."
Lin Yuan smiled upon hearing this.
Extreme Frost Heavenly Sovereign and Northern Yin Heavenly Sovereign disregarded the unwritten rules and acted without authorization. When the Liyang Ancient Kingdom pursued the matter, the Xuanyin Ancient Kingdom would definitely appease and back down.
How would they appease and back down?
Naturally, by offering benefits.
This meant that the Liyang Ancient Kingdom's acquisition of benefits was partly due to Lin Yuan, so he could naturally receive merits corresponding.
After leaving the Imperial Palace.
Lin Yuan immediately headed towards the treasure vault.
With a million merits in hand, he naturally had to convert it into his own strength as quickly as possible.
During his last browse of the treasure vault, Lin Yuan had his eye on many treasures, rare items, and inheritances.
But ultimately, due to insufficient merits and the urgent need to comprehend Chaos laws at that time, he chose the three Chaos Secret Pattern Diagrams.
Now, with a million merits, the scope of choice was naturally much wider.
Xuanyin Ancient Kingdom, Imperial Capital
Inside a majestic and vast main hall, the Emperor sat on a high throne, with figures standing or sitting below.
Those who could appear in this main hall were at least various enfeoffed kings, or ultimate core Imperial Family members, or Heavenly Sovereigns.
In the various ancient kingdoms, although the Emperor held all power, they still showed sufficient respect to experts at the Heavenly Sovereign rank.
"Extreme Frost, Northern Yin."
The Emperor of the Xuanyin Ancient Kingdom spoke, his eyes faintly reflecting the full moon as he looked down at the two figures standing below.
"Tell me, what happened with the Black Jade Nest?"
The Emperor of the Xuanyin Ancient Kingdom's tone was calm, but the expressions of the Heavenly Sovereigns below subtly changed.
The Emperor was clearly somewhat displeased with Extreme Frost Heavenly Sovereign and Northern Yin Heavenly Sovereign. Showing such an attitude in front of so many Heavenly Sovereigns meant that these two Heavenly Sovereigns had committed a grave error.
"We..."
Extreme Frost Heavenly Sovereign and Northern Yin Heavenly Sovereign exchanged glances. After their negotiation with Lin Yuan broke down, they had proactively informed the Emperor of everything.
The Emperor of the Xuanyin Ancient Kingdom had asked them to wait and see what the Liyang Ancient Kingdom would do.
Now, it seemed that the Liyang Ancient Kingdom had put a lot of pressure on the Emperor.
"Extreme Frost and I infiltrated the Black Jade Nest without authorization, and as a result, our main combat bodies were captured by the guardian..." Northern Yin Heavenly Sovereign sighed inwardly, knowing that punishment was unavoidable.
"Infiltrated the Black Jade Nest?"
"Had their main combat bodies captured?"
The Heavenly Sovereigns and ultimate core Imperial Family members present twitched their mouths.
Heavenly Sovereign rank combat power, acting without authorization against a first-class treasure ground, and being caught in the act—no wonder the Emperor had no good attitude towards the two Heavenly Sovereigns.
"Extreme Frost, Northern Yin, you two were too impulsive. The Black Jade Nest is a first-class treasure ground. How dare you sneak in casually?" a burly Heavenly Sovereign spoke.
He didn't ask why Extreme Frost and Northern Yin infiltrated the Black Jade Nest.
If he had the conditions, he would also want to infiltrate it. After all, the rare treasure black jade was a good treasure; even if he didn't need it himself, he could exchange it with other Heavenly Sovereigns for treasures he needed.
"I remember the Black Jade Nest recently changed guardians. Chiyang Heavenly Sovereign was transferred, and Great Sovereign Milky Way took over?"
A sinister-looking man suddenly spoke. He looked at Extreme Frost Heavenly Sovereign and Northern Yin Heavenly Sovereign. "Great Sovereign Milky Way is not a Heavenly Sovereign. How did he capture your main combat bodies?"
Extreme Frost Heavenly Sovereign and Northern Yin Heavenly Sovereign remained silent.
The Emperor of the Xuanyin Ancient Kingdom, sitting on the high throne, spoke, "This is the second matter today: that Great Sovereign Milky Way has probably excavated his ancestral bloodline to the Heavenly Sovereign rank."
Upon hearing this, the main hall immediately fell silent.
The expressions of many Heavenly Sovereigns subtly changed, and even more so for the numerous core Imperial Family members.
Excavating one's bloodline to the Heavenly Sovereign rank was something that had never happened in the six ancient kingdoms before.
"Extreme Frost, Northern Yin, are you sure about this? That Milky Way can capture your main combat bodies, so he must have Heavenly Sovereign rank combat power, but whether that Heavenly Sovereign rank combat power comes from his ancestral bloodline or other aspects..."
Another ancient Heavenly Sovereign spoke.
The Imperial Families of the various ancient kingdoms also had Heavenly Sovereign rank combat power, but here, Heavenly Sovereign referred to a Heavenly Sovereign who had comprehended the second rank of the chaotic evolution of power.
It did not refer to a Heavenly Sovereign who had excavated their ancestral bloodline to the Heavenly Sovereign rank.
There was a fundamental difference between the two.
"The means and abilities that Milky Way used showed no trace of chaotic evolution power," Northern Yin Heavenly Sovereign said.
As a Heavenly Sovereign, he could still distinguish this point.
"Did he use external objects, such as a secret treasure weapon left by the Liyang Ancient Kingdom's Ancestor?" another Heavenly Sovereign inquired.
"No," Extreme Frost Heavenly Sovereign shook his head. "The Black Jade Nest is located at the border. How could the Emperor of the Liyang Ancient Kingdom bestow such a heavy treasure here?"
External objects that could allow a Great Sovereign to exert Heavenly Sovereign combat power were all profound, foundational secret treasure weapons. Even if bestowed upon Great Sovereign Milky Way, it would be for his main body's self-preservation, not for a clone stationed at the border; that would be too risky.
After multiple inquiries and discussions, the Heavenly Sovereigns present generally confirmed that Great Sovereign Milky Way had indeed excavated his bloodline to the Heavenly Sovereign rank.
Extreme Frost Heavenly Sovereign and Northern Yin Heavenly Sovereign felt bitter. Facing the inquiries of numerous Heavenly Sovereigns, they could only answer truthfully, not daring to show any dissatisfaction.
This matter was indeed their fault from the start. Covert actions by Heavenly Sovereign rank individuals were not a secret, and as long as no evidence was caught, they would generally go unnoticed.
However, since their two main combat bodies were captured and their personal weapons could serve as evidence, there was no denying it.
"A Heavenly Sovereign rank ancestral bloodline—that Milky Way is indeed extraordinary."
Several of the most ancient Heavenly Sovereigns in the main hall spoke. Although their tone was admiring, there was little fear or dread.
Even if one's ancestral bloodline was excavated to the Heavenly Sovereign rank and cultivated to the limit, it would at most be slightly stronger than a peak Heavenly Sovereign.
If a full-scale battle broke out between the Xuanyin Ancient Kingdom and the Liyang Ancient Kingdom, the Xuanyin Ancient Kingdom might need to dispatch a few more peak Heavenly Sovereigns to tie down that Milky Way Heavenly Sovereign.
That was all.
He was not an impossible opponent to deal with.
The two ancient kingdoms had been warring for countless years; the addition of a few peak Heavenly Sovereigns would not decide the overall outcome of the situation.
A mere Milky Way Heavenly Sovereign would not affect the overall situation of the two ancient kingdoms...
...
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