Grand Ancestral Bloodlines

The location of the second city was not very far from the first, at least not for cultivators of their level. With about 100 kilometers separating them, it was both easy to reach while also being just far enough to explain why it had taken a while to find in the first place. 

Understanding more about this world, Ryu was far more confident with making use of Little Rock. 

For whatever reason, the only creatures that appeared in this region were the very same three they had been dealing with from the very beginning. And, despite having been observing the skies for such a long period of time, Ryu hadn't been able to see any others. It was clear that his fear of them being attacked from above was unwarranted. But, because the skies were so clear, they would have to be more careful with where Little Rock descended so that they wouldn't' be targeted. 

When the group reached the city, they didn't draw much attention. Just like their own, a large crowd was waiting patiently for the gates to open, feeling that the safest location was near the city itself. However, there was only so long such a thing could last, especially when their first action was to walk up to the gate. 

Nether Qi began to surge around Ryu. There wasn't a single person here without extremely sensitive senses. Even without being able to see qi like Ryu could with his [Ephemeral Tapestry], they could all feel it. 

Several eyes landed on Ryu as though he was a madman. Who dared to absorb Nether Qi  so blatantly?!

Yet, rather than imploding or corroding like many expected, the only change to Ryu was a seemingly subtle paling of his skin. 

At that moment, four swirls of dense death qi formed themselves, causing the formation of four Lower Skeleton Warriors. 

Such a sight not only left those locked out of the city in shock, but even Zanlis felt his heart constrict. He had never thought that Ryu hadn't shown the true ceiling of his strength previously. How could someone not even in the Immortal Ring Realm summon so many Skeleton Warriors?!

Unfortunately, he would never get an answer from Ryu. 

Inwardly, Ryu's body felt sapped. That singular move had taken up a bit more than 80% of his qi and sustaining them would take even more. However, when it came to ingesting qi… 

Who could match one born with the Ice Jade Crystal Body?

Ryu's skin gained a slight glow as his pores opened up. The vortex of qi around him grew faster and faster as Nether Qi was quickly catalyzed within his body. 

BANG!

The city gates shattered, bits and pieces of wood and stone blowing through under a tide of wind and qi. It felt as though the noise traveled for miles, forcing the ears of those closest to ring. To make matters worse, things happened so quickly that the guardians of the gate didn't even get a chance to react, once again impeded by Ryu's intervention. 

"Our goal is the Keep." Ryu said coldly, his grimoire appearing in the skies above his head. 

The group charged into the city, leaving the crowd outside at a loss. What was happening here exactly?

Much like those of Ryu's city, they had no idea that there were even other cities to begin with. In their minds, this was a clash of elites for supremacy… But the issue was that they had never even seen these individuals before. 

The inner city was alerted almost instantly. But, even then, it was impossible for them to gain any sort of organization. They could only bank on the inner city test to stall these individuals for as long as possible. 

For cultivators of their level, 'organization' wasn't strictly necessary. However, they were aware that anyone so daring was definitely extremely powerful. If they couldn't bring out the strongest of them as quickly as possible, they would suffer. 

Unfortunately… The bridge test was an absolute joke. This wasn't because it was too easy, but rather because it didn't activate at all as though the group here had already been accepted. 

The moment the group of 12 entered the inner city they found a cobbled together wall of opposition. But, with a wall of Lower Skeleton Warriors slaughtering the path forward, this so-called opposition didn't last for very long at all. 

Ryu and Sarriel road on Nemesis' back, elemental energies swirling around Ryu as he supported his Skeleton Warriors. At the same time, the others, in addition to Niel and his bow, helped carve a path forward, the Keep already in their line of sight. 

It was then that powerful auras began to approach. Surprisingly, while their city had only had two individuals of this caliber – Goaman and Zanlis – this city had five. Of course, this two person count didn't include Ryu or Sarriel who would have made it four. 

However, what Ryu didn't expect was to recognize one of these five. Despite the fact he wore a Necromancer's half mask, it was almost useless before the first ranked Heavenly Pupils of the cultivation world. 

'Matteus, I believe his name was…' 

Ryu's eyes narrowed. Matteus was his supposed fiancée's elder cousin. However, ever since the matters of that day, Ryu no longer cared about the relationship he had with the Loom family. He had no intention of taking that woman as his own. As far as he was concerned, the aid he had given her that night was more valuable than anything else she'd ever receive in her life. 

However, seeing Matteus here still made him raise an eyebrow, albeit for just a moment. 

"Ryu… I didn't think we'd meet so soon."

The four other geniuses looked toward Matteus, realizing that there was some history here. 

When Ryu regained his bearings, his expression became cold and even. 

"For the sake of a relationship we once had in the past, I will give you a chance to get out of the way."

Ryu's aura surged. 

"Make your decision quickly and do not overestimate yourself. In this world, the strength of an Eighth Order Throne is worthless."