Grand Ancestral Bloodlines

For once, Aika restrained herself. Pulling her fist back, she looked toward Ryu, a swirl of complicated feelings in her eyes.

In truth, Ryu was an inspiration to her. She hadn't said anything when she noticed his change, but she was a Dao Sovereign. After she had made such a comment about Ryu's Dao Heart being too rigid once before, how could she not sense his change now?

But this action taught her something else.

He might have changed, but the core of his being remained the same. Bowing for him was just as hard as it had been in the past. Rather than saying that he had changed for other people, it was more accurate to say that he had changed for his own sake, feeling that this state of mind was better for him... but he never lost his own sense of self.

Aika had been holding on to a version of herself for a long time that she felt she needed. It was a sense of self that was filled with an edge and was constantly ready to charge forward and rush at the world without regard for the consequences.

It had served her well, even helping her rise to the point she stood near the pinnacle of what was possible for the True Martial World. But it had done nothing to help her achieve what she truly wanted, what she dearly sought after the most.

So this time, for once, she pulled back.

"Jojo is a disciple of my Radiant Star Sect and no one can take her away. The territory of the surrounding regions can be negotiated. Come forward with a fair proposal and this Sovereign will choose. If anything short of what I deem to be fair is proposed, I will take it as an act of war and directly attack.

"The Radiant Star Sect isn't one that you can bully as you please. I will make anyone who dares to have such thoughts bleed in the worst kind of way."

After saying these words, Aika waved a hand and all members of the Radiant Star Sect vanished, leaving the city in silence.

...

"Did I do good?" Aika stood with her arms akimbo, a grin on her face. Considering her current youth and her petite body, she looked like a woman in her late teens asking her elder brother for praise.

What truly left Jojo speechless, though, was the fact that she wasn't asking Old Wan, but rather Ryu.

Ryu couldn't help but chuckle. "How could my future wife not perform well?"

Jojo felt her eyes roll to the back of her head. What the hell was going on? Why couldn't this man ever do anything normal? What the hell was he talking about? This was a Dao Sovereign!

"Hey, you were so respectful before but now you think you can tease me, brat?" Aika feigned rage.

Ryu put his hands up in surrender. "My apologies esteemed Dao Sovereign. This disciple will go punish himself in the arms of another beauty."

The women and Old Wan watched as Ryu really did disappear from his spot, really not knowing what to say about this shameless man.

Old Wan coughed. "That child is really too much. Beautiful women such as yourselves should really look for a loyal, one woman type of man. Just take me for example-"

Old Wan found himself soaring through the air, somewhat wondering how he got there until the pain registered on his chest. Then, he crashed into the same mountain Samson was stuck in.

After the rumbling subsided, Old Wan heard the echo of a muffled voice.

"First time?"

Old Wan sighed.

...

"Young ladies," Aika suddenly became more serious, looking toward Jojo and Selheira. "Selheira, I've never insisted that you practice the Core Teachings of the Radiant Star Sect before. As for Jojo, you are new, but I've already sensed it. You've been here for days, and with your character, you would have already begun training. I can clearly sense the fire burning within you, but you refuse to use the techniques of the Raging Inferno Sect.

"The truth is that in the past, I felt that it was a bit of a shame for geniuses such as yourselves to be stuck with such weak techniques.

"The former Dual Radiance Sect's techniques could only be maximized with the use of our bloodlines to begin with. However, after the Radiant Star Sect's Faith plummeted, it became even weaker.

"I gave you all the chance to absorb the Radiant Star Sect's Bloodline in the past, but I don't fault you for rejecting. Now, however, I believe that the Radiant Star Sect's techniques are finally worthy of geniuses like you..."

Aika smiled a sincere, beautiful smile. "... Thanks to Little Ryu."

Jojo already sensed quite comfortable around this somewhat adorable Dao Sovereign, so she couldn't assist but pout.

"Is it really because of him? Or are you just saying that?"

Aika chuckled, suddenly looking much more wise than she usually appeared. For a moment, the shadow of that old woman that once ran the Radiant Star Sect's library returned and Jojo could distinctly feel her age for the first time.

"That boy is a true mystery. Although I named him an Inheritor Disciple, gave him access to all of our resources and techniques, he really treats this old woman like a cheap slut."

The last words broke the illusion for Jojo and she almost choked on air.

Selheira covered her mouth and giggled, unable to hold it back.

"His Dao Heart is exceptionally solid and he isn't easily swayed by outward showings and gestures. He is confident in himself and never depends on anyone else, regardless of the situation. I trust that even after that bow, the Heavens probably still don't truly register him as a member of my Sect."

Selheira fell into silence, feeling Aika's words etched into her heart.

"I don't think he's suited for being under the banner of someone else. Maybe if we were his kin it would be different, but..."

Aika shook her head. "I think that, if he's willing... I should allow him to take the peril and attempt to become our Throne."