Family (Part 1)

Even Bolan, who had read the original story, felt his blood boil, let alone Linley beside him, whose eyes were already gleaming with excitement.

"I will definitely become a Saint-level expert," Linley said to himself, his heart filled with longing.

And so the days passed in training. Half a year went by. Bolan was assigned to the group of sixteen-year-old youths, while Linley was assigned to the group of ten-year-old children.

Those six months were especially agonizing for Bolan. He only remembered that, in the original story, Linley began awakening his Dragonblood Warrior bloodline at the age of six. But he could not remember exactly when. After all, awakening the Dragonblood Warrior bloodline was like obtaining an entry pass to the ranks of the world's greatest experts.

There was also the path of magic, but in the five-thousand-year history of Dragonblood Warriors, Linley had been the only mage. That path was practically blocked from the start!

Another day passed. After dismissing everyone, Hillman called Bolan and Linley aside. "Young Master Bolan, Young Master Linley, Lord Hogg has something very important to discuss with you today. Hurry home."

Looking at the two heirs of the Baruch Clan before him, Hillman was deeply fond of them.

Although Bolan did not speak much, he was mature beyond his years and exceptionally talented. By now, he was nearly at the threshold of becoming a third-rank warrior. His talent as a warrior was truly remarkable. Linley was slightly less gifted, but he was sensible and very likable.

"Got it, Uncle Hillman," the two boys said. "Father has already mentioned it three times today. I wonder what it could be." Bolan said nothing, but his heart churned like stormy waves, never still for a moment. The day has finally come. That was what Bolan thought.

In the front courtyard of the ancient Baruch Clan manor, the family had just finished dinner. Linley was playing with his younger brother Wharton. Perhaps because of his hair color, white-haired Bolan did not look as approachable as Linley. Though he was only six, his long, slender sword-like eyebrows had already begun to take shape. Thus, Wharton usually did not cling to Bolan much.

"Young Masters Bolan and Linley, your father is looking for you." As he spoke, the old man took Wharton from Linley's arms. He was an old man with a bulbous red nose, the Baruch Clan's steward, Hiri. The entire Baruch Clan had only one steward and no other maids or servants!

Bolan stood and entered the living room with Linley. In that short time, Hogg had changed into a set of luxurious clothes. He seemed to possess the distinctive bearing of an ancient noble, a quality that wealth alone could not cultivate. It required the accumulation of time. How could the Baruch Clan's history of more than five thousand years compare to that of ordinary families?

Hogg rose to his feet then, looking at the two brothers with incomparable excitement in his heart.

"You two, come with me. We're going to the ancestral hall," Hogg said.

Linley looked somewhat surprised. Other than for ancestral rites, they normally never went to the ancestral hall. Leaving the living room, Hogg led the outwardly calm but inwardly excited Bolan and the bewildered Linley toward the rear courtyard.

It was already deep into the night. Outside the ancestral hall, the howling wind never ceased. Inside, there was only a row of candles. Before them stood densely packed memorial tablets. Seeing those tablets, Bolan thought of those ancestors who were still in Hell, and could not help finding it somewhat absurd.

"Today, there are some things to be done. While we're at it, I'll tell you some things about the Baruch Clan," Hogg said as he looked at the two brothers.

The brothers exchanged a glance, both filled with excitement. Bolan knew it concerned the test, while Linley was simply curious.

"Our Baruch Clan has been passed down for five thousand years. Looking across the entire Fenlai Kingdom, you would not find a second family with such a long history," Hogg said excitedly.