First check-in, a ripple in the bloodline

Time flowed quietly past like water. In the blink of an eye, a month had passed since the twin brothers Lin Yinuo and Linley had come into this world.

Over that month, Lin Yinuo had fully adjusted to the "hardships" of life as an infant. He spent most of his time sleeping, feeding, and trying hard to control his tiny body. Meanwhile, he had not forgotten the system in his mind.

Check in.

Every day, he silently recited those words at the appointed time.

[Ding! Check-in successful! Congratulations, host! You have received [Basic physique enhancement]!]

[Ding! Check-in successful! Congratulations, host! You have received [Soul dust ×1]!]

[Ding! Check-in successful! Congratulations, host! You have received [Wushan Town Unofficial History and Anecdotes]!]

Apart from the rather remarkable beginner reward of [Dragonblood Warrior bloodline purity +1%], the check-in rewards over the following days had been much more mundane. Most were basic rewards that gradually improved his physique and soul, along with some seemingly useless knowledge and information.

But Lin Yinuo was not disappointed. He knew full well that small gains added up. The [Soul dust] in particular, though he received only a little each time, made his mind feel increasingly clear and his senses keener. This would be of immeasurable benefit to his future magic training, and even to undergoing soul mutation.

And today marked one month since his birth.

Early that morning, when the first ray of sunlight spilled through the window into the room, Lin Yinuo completed his one-month check-in.

[Ding! Check-in successful! Congratulations, host! You have received [Dragonblood Warrior bloodline purity +0.5%]!]

Another bloodline purification!

Although the increase was smaller than the first time, that familiar warmth surged up again, flowing throughout his body. He could clearly feel that his connection to the power slumbering deep within his bloodline had grown a little stronger. His body seemed a little sturdier too, and even his tiny fists swung with greater force.

"Mmh..."

Beside him, his younger brother Linley murmured softly in his sleep. His tiny body stirred, and he opened his large, dark eyes. He seemed a little unsettled, his little mouth puckering as he teetered on the verge of tears.

Lin Yinuo lay right beside him. Seeing this, he struggled to turn onto his side, reached out his chubby little hand, and clumsily patted Linley's swaddling.

That simple movement seemed to take considerable effort, but he did it very carefully.

Miraculously, at his older brother's touch, Linley swallowed back the cry that had been about to burst out. He blinked and looked toward Lin Yinuo beside him, his little hand grasping aimlessly until it touched Lin Yinuo's finger and gripped it tightly.

A sense of closeness born of their shared blood welled up naturally.

Lin Yinuo thought, This is my younger brother, the future Grandmist Controller Lin Meng... Right now, he's just a little fellow who needs looking after. Don't worry, little brother. In this life, your big brother will be by your side.

Just then, the door was gently pushed open, and Hogg walked in. He first approached the bed and looked at his two sons lying side by side, a rare, gentle smile appearing on his resolute face.

"You two little fellows are quiet today," he said softly. His gaze fell on Linley first, and he gently stroked his little face before turning to Lin Yinuo.

When his gaze reached Lin Yinuo, Hogg's eyes paused briefly.

For some reason, he always felt that his elder son was a little different. They were clearly both infants, with the same features, yet Lin Yinuo's eyes always seemed especially calm. He neither cried nor fussed, and sometimes, when he looked at Hogg, his gaze actually made Hogg feel he was being "regarded" rather than merely "seen."

And besides...

Hogg instinctively reached out and gently squeezed Lin Yinuo's little arm where it protruded from his swaddling. To his touch, it actually felt a little firmer than his younger son Linley's, as though an extremely subtle, indescribable resilience lay beneath the skin.

Was it his imagination? They ate the same and slept the same.

Hogg shook his head, suppressing those inexplicable thoughts. Perhaps this child had simply been born with a slightly stronger constitution. He bent down and carefully gathered both sons into his arms.

Feeling his father's broad, warm chest, Lin Yinuo remained quiet, while Linley seemed to have found somewhere that made him feel even safer. He smacked his lips and drowsily drifted back to sleep.

Holding both children, Hogg walked to the window. As he gazed out at Wushan Town bathed in the morning light and the mountain ranges stretching into the distance, a hint of complex feeling flickered in his eyes.

"Linley, Lin Yinuo..." He softly spoke his sons' names. "You are the future of the Baruch Clan. Our clan was once the most illustrious Dragonblood Warrior Clan on the Yulan Continent! Sadly, our bloodline has thinned now, and our glory is gone..."

His voice carried a barely perceptible trace of bitterness and hope.

"Your father has limited talent. I fear that even if I spend my entire life trying, I will struggle to awaken our bloodline and restore our ancestors' glory. Perhaps this heavy burden will fall on your shoulders."

Listening to his father's murmurs and sensing the profound helplessness and hope in his words, Lin Yinuo felt something stir faintly within him as he lay in his arms.

He could not speak, nor could he tell his father that he was quietly changing everything. But he could feel that responsibility.

Father, I know about your hidden injuries and the clan's plight. Don't worry. With me here, the Baruch Clan won't have to wait too long for its glory. Linley and I will reclaim the glory of the Dragonblood Warriors with our own hands!

He gently moved the little hand Hogg held. That faint strength seemed like a wordless promise.

Hogg seemed to sense that slight movement in his palm. He lowered his head to look at his elder son, who lay in his arms with clear eyes open. That gaze remained calm, yet seemed to carry a soothing power.

The little gloom in his heart seemed to dissipate somewhat in the morning light and that tranquil gaze.

"No matter what, all that matters is that you grow up healthy." Hogg finally smiled and held the two children a little tighter.

Outside the window, the sunlight grew ever brighter, heralding the start of a new day. And on a level no one knew of, the gears of the Baruch Clan's fate had already begun an almost imperceptible yet utterly resolute shift because of Lin Yinuo and his mysterious check-in system.