A glimmer of the bloodline

The last glow of sunset slowly sank behind the western mountains, and the shadows on the back mountain stretched longer and longer.

Linley gripped the refined-iron shortsword, beads of sweat sliding down his cheeks from his forehead and striking the dry soil, spreading into small, dark marks. He had spent the entire afternoon practicing the techniques Hillman had taught him. His arms ached so badly that he could barely lift them, yet his grip on the hilt remained steady, and the light in his eyes grew brighter.

Hillman stood on a slab of bluestone nearby, his calm gaze resting on the boy.

He could clearly see that Linley's movements had become far smoother than before. His slashes, chops, thrusts, and rising cuts already showed some structure, and the shortsword stirred a sharp whistle of wind as it sliced through the air. The only flaw was that the child's movements lacked a certain force-the soul that only circulating battle qi could give his techniques.

A sixth-level warrior could sense battle qi, then draw upon it to temper the body. But however talented Linley was, he was still only six and a half, with no idea how to reach the power hidden within him.

As Hillman considered how to guide him, the system's cold notification suddenly sounded in his mind:

[Ding! The protected target Linley's swordsmanship fundamentals have met the standard. Side quest triggered: Bloodline Initiation.]

[Quest objective: Within seven days, guide Linley to sense battle qi for the first time and activate a glimmer of his Dragonblood Warrior bloodline.]

[Quest rewards: Eighth-level Warrior Promotion Card, Body Tempering Pill, "Basic Battle Qi Circulation Formula" (optimized version).]

[Failure penalty: The host's cultivation will drop by one level.]

Hillman's heart jolted.

In the original storyline, the awakening of the Dragonblood Warrior bloodline had been a gradual process. It was only around the age of ten that Linley had slowly awakened the dragonblood power within him through repeated battles and training. Now the system demanded that Hillman guide him through it more than three years early. The difficulty went without saying.

But high risks often came with high rewards. That Body Tempering Pill could not only help Linley consolidate his foundation, but also pave the way for his future Bloodline Awakening.

Hillman set his thoughts aside and walked slowly over to Linley. He poured a little water from the Beast-hide Waterskin at his waist and held it to the boy's lips. "Take a break. Don't push yourself so hard."

Linley tilted his head back and drank a mouthful. His throat bobbed twice before he looked at Hillman, panting, his brows slightly furrowed with frustration. "Uncle Hillman, I still can't sense the battle qi you talked about. Am I too stupid?"

Hillman couldn't help chuckling. He reached out and ruffled Linley's messy hair. "Silly boy, how could sensing battle qi be that easy? Even the most gifted need a little luck. You've only practiced for an afternoon. What's the hurry?"

He crouched down to meet Linley's eyes, his voice becoming especially gentle. "Try closing your eyes. Don't think about swordsmanship, and don't deliberately search for battle qi. Just quiet your mind. Feel the direction of the wind and the solid earth beneath your feet. Imagine you're a little beast lying low, becoming one with these mountain woods."

As he spoke, Hillman reached out and gently rested his palm on Linley's shoulder.

An extremely faint strand of seventh-level battle qi slowly flowed from his palm into Linley's body. He had deliberately suppressed it to the utmost. It was as gentle as a stream in spring and would do no harm to Linley's delicate meridians, serving only as a guide.

This was the subtle brilliance of the "Basic Battle Qi Circulation Formula" (optimized version). When others imparted battle qi, they mostly poured it into the recipient, all too easily forcing growth before its time. This optimized method, however, used one's own battle qi as a guide to awaken the potential within the other person.

Linley obediently closed his eyes, his little face full of concentration.

At first, all he could feel was a trace of warmth from his shoulder and the ache in his arm muscles. But as time passed, he gradually relaxed. He stopped fixating on "searching" and truly began to feel-the soft wind brushing his cheeks, the crisp rustle of leaves, and the scent of grass mingled with decaying leaves in the soil.

An unknown amount of time passed. Just as Linley was about to think he would fail again, an extremely faint wisp of warmth suddenly flickered to life deep in his dantian.

It was as fine as gossamer, like a candle flame wavering in the wind that might go out at the slightest lapse of attention. Yet it was truly there, slowly stirring in his dantian and bringing an indescribable warmth.

"I... I can feel it!"

Linley's eyes flew open, astonishingly bright, as though stars had fallen into them. His voice trembled slightly with excitement. "Uncle Hillman, I can feel it! There's something warm in my belly!"

A gratified smile slowly curved Hillman's lips.

It worked.

Just then, the faint wisp of warmth within Linley suddenly leaped. An exceedingly subtle pressure flashed from his body and vanished, so quickly that one might have taken it for an illusion.

But Hillman's heart stirred.

This was a glimmer of the Dragonblood Warrior bloodline!

Sure enough, the system's notifications followed immediately:

[Ding! The protected target Linley has sensed battle qi for the first time. A glimmer of his Dragonblood Warrior bloodline has been activated. Side quest: Bloodline Initiation completed!]

[Quest rating: Excellent.]

[Rewards issued: Eighth-level Warrior Promotion Card used. Host's level raised to eighth-level warrior; Body Tempering Pill placed in storage space; "Basic Battle Qi Circulation Formula" (optimized version) integrated.]

A warm current even more powerful than the one during his previous advancement instantly surged through Hillman's entire body.

He could clearly feel the battle qi within him becoming denser and more substantial. His bones gave faint cracks, as though they had been soaked in warm water, and his meridians widened a little. His strength and speed were both increasing at a rate visible to the naked eye.

An eighth-level warrior!

Hillman clenched his fists, feeling the power surging within him, his heart burning.

With the Magical Beast Tide fast approaching, every increase in strength gave him more confidence in his ability to protect Wushan Town and the Baruch Clan.

"Uncle Hillman?"

Linley's voice pulled Hillman from his thoughts. The boy was looking at him expectantly. "Is that warm thing battle qi? Can I make it stronger?"

"Of course." Hillman stood and patted his shoulder, his tone solemn. "Starting tomorrow, I'll teach you a method for circulating battle qi. As long as you practice diligently, this power will grow stronger and stronger. One day, you'll become one of the most powerful people on this continent."

Linley's eyes instantly shone as brightly as the evening clouds on the horizon.

He tightened his grip on the refined-iron shortsword, its blade reflecting a sharp gleam in the sunset.

Hillman looked at his resolute profile and silently considered his next steps.

The Body Tempering Pill was already in hand. Once a suitable opportunity arose, he would give it to Linley to further strengthen his foundation. As for himself, he also had to make the most of his time to train. The strength of an eighth-level warrior was still far from enough.

After all, the shadow of the Raptor Mage's seizure of the Shadow Diamond and the battle between Saint-level powerhouses had already quietly fallen over Wushan Town.

And the sinister hand of the Radiant Church had never been far away.

The night gradually deepened.

Holding Linley's hand, Hillman headed down the mountain toward Baruch Manor. In the distant town, cooking smoke curled upward, and barking dogs mingled with the playful cries of children, carrying a sense of peace.

As Hillman looked at the scene before him, his gaze grew ever firmer.

He would use every ounce of his strength to preserve this peace.