Grand Ancestral Bloodlines

Ryu observed the situation for a while longer, his expression calm.

Empana was fighting valiantly. His opponents were two creatures that had crowns of flame above their head. It reminded Ryu a lot of Lord Crown Fire from the Seventh Heaven, but the difference was that these Demons relied not on a Dao, but rather their natural strengths.

'Interesting. Is it just a coincidence? The abilities seem too similar, though... it's not impossible that the Lord of Jojo's Sect would have found inspiration from another Race.'

"Selheira, how much do you know about Jojo and her Sect?" Ryu spoke to his wife, who was still lazing around on his back, clearly enjoying the treatment.

Selheira blinked. "Are you interested in Jojo, husband?"

Ryu laughed. "Am I so lecherous?"

Selheira didn't reply immediately, clearly weighing her options. This only made Ryu laugh harder.

"No, that's not why I asked. It's just that those Demons have a presence that's very familiar to their Patriarch. It makes me wonder. I feel like there's too much overlap for it to be a coincidence."

"Lord Crown Fire?" Selheira asked.

"Yes."

"Hm... Maybe, but would the Heavens allow him to take such a Title if it was really based on a Demon Prince Clan?"

Ryu nodded. This was a good point as well.

By all rights, whether in talent or standing, Lord Crown Fire was far too weak to take precedent over a Demon Prince Clan.

Although they weren't Demon Kings, a Demon Prince Clan could easily carve out a place for themselves on the Ninth Plane, or in this case, they could easily become overlords of the Eighth Plane.

Compared to the leader of the Raging Inferno Sect, that could only be the lacky of the Fading Star Sect... well, the gap was far too large.

"Does husband know him?" Selheira asked, referring to Empana.

"In passing. He can have some use. I just want to see where his limits lie first."

...

Scales erupted across Empana's body, his eyes becoming slit. He roared, and a halberd appeared in his hands. He swung it in a wide arc, forcing the two crown fire Demons into a retreat.

The flames flickering on their heads seemed to give out for a moment, as though bowing in obedience to Empana's strength. But not long afterward, their Bloodlines had been stimulated by this and they lashed out in full force.

Their crowns erupted, expanding to double their usual size and almost burning like golden halos.

Both wielded a scepter, raising it up and tapping at the surrounding waters in quick succession.

What looked like magus arts took shape, burning through the waters and boxing Empana in.

The two Demons used gorilla tactics, suffocating Empana. They seemed to know that Empana had a great deal of strength, but they were too good at restraining his strengths. Their crowns flared up, suppressing the lizard Demon again and again.

It felt like a tug of war was going on as they wrestled for supremacy. It also seemed like the Rotten Sea was having a huge impact on the battle as well.

Empana was lacking in terms of talent, having only been born on the Fifth Plane. The fact that he had made it so far was already shocking.

...

'He's about to lose,' Ryu thought to himself.

Empana didn't seem like he had expected for this to happen. There was a great amount of unwillingness in his expression.

But Ryu was more interested by the methods of those crowned Demons.

He had the Magus Sky God's Inheritance. The problem was that the man had only been an Omniscient Sky God and by now the only useful ability to Ryu was the Magus Lock that kept his mind gated... a lock that was entirely useless in this place, it seemed.

Ultimately, the grades of the methods were too low for Ryu's usage.

That said, only Ryu would dare to say such a thing. Most at his level were only using the True Grade methods they picked up from their Sects and Clans.

Ryu was among a rare few that could have such weak cultivation, and yet rely entirely on battle methods he had created himself. Only at the Dao Lord Realm would Dao Vessels become common. Most Omniscient Sky Gods wouldn't even have their own Dao Charm techniques.

'Time to step in,' Ryu suddenly thought.

His figure flickered and vanished.

...

Empana grit his teeth, his fury mounting.

"We are disciples of the same Sect. Do you know how many people can see this? Do you think that you'll be able to escape?"

The gaze of the two Demons flickered. How could they not know this?

Their determination increased several fold as they launched a fiendish assault, but it was right then that a figure suddenly appeared between them. They didn't even notice his presence until they launched their attacks.

The two Demons and even Empana frowned. He couldn't see Ryu's silhouette because Selheira was on his back, but then he put two and two together. He wasn't familiar with Selheira, but how could he not recognize those wings? That tail? It was hard to miss.

Ryu looked down as the flames rebounded across his body.

It had been a long time since he could rely on the immunity of his Rebirth Flame. It was nice to see it in action once again.

Unfortunately for these two, their flames were far too weak.

In fact, whether it was him or Selheira, such flames were entirely useless now.

He took a step forward and punched out.

BANG! BANG!

The waters churned and the two Demons were forced back again, and then again.

The world churned. The Bloodline Resonance coming from Ryu was clearly on another level after crossing the Fifth Layer, and he was making great use of that.

His body sang, and he systematically walked the two Demons down. Every step came with another fist and another lance of spiralling waters.

The world hummed and Ryu's silvery eyes sharpened in the darkness with their own light.